30 Best Michelin Star Restaurants in Tokyo (2025)

Tokyo's got more Michelin stars than any other city, with 180 as of 2025, and it’s still the global capital of gastronomy. And if you’re searching for the best Michelin-star restaurants in Tokyo, well, you’re in the right place.

Ramen bowls? Check. Elegant French tasting menus? Yep. Legendary sushi counters? Absolutely.

Whether you’re a first-timer or on your fifth trip, exploring these famous eats celebrated by the Michelin Guide is easily one of the best things to do in Tokyo. Here are some of our must-visit spots:

Where to Eat by Area - Tokyo's Michelin Hot Spots

Tokyo's Michelin restaurants are scattered everywhere, but each neighbourhood has its vibe.

Here's a breakdown of what you'll find per area:

Best One Michelin-Starred Restaurants in Tokyo

1. Kasumicho Yamagami (Kaiseki)

Best For Couples

Kasumicho Yamagami keeps things understated.

You sit down to clear broths, charcoal-grilled fish, and clay-pot rice that tastes like pure comfort, the kind that hits all the right notes after a long day out. Seasonal highlights might include grilled nodoguro (rosy seabass) with crisp, lightly blistered skin and buttery flesh, or a delicate soup infused with mountain herbs. It is a small, focused kitchen, and the cooking really does not need a hard sell.

• Address: 3F Koga Building, 4-2-13 Nishi-Azabu, Minato-ku, Tokyo (map)

• Opening Hours: Mon-Sat: 6pm-11pm. Closed Sun.

• Expected Damage: USD 170-200

2. Tagetsu (Kaiseki)

Best For Seasonal Food Lovers

Tagetsu is all about micro-seasonality.

In winter, you might get sweet, creamy Kasumi crab simmered in fragrant broth that tastes almost like bisque; in summer, grilled ayu (sweetfish) arrives with its rich, velvety liver sauce, a very classic pairing. Courses are small but memorable, and everything leans into whatever is tasting best that week rather than flashy plating.

• Address: 4-2-7 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo (map)

• Opening Hours: Tue-Sun: 12pm–2pm (lunch), 6pm-9pm (dinner). Closed Mon.

• Expected Damage: USD 135-200

3. Oniku Karyu (Wagyu)

Best for Meat Lovers

Oniku Karyu celebrates wagyu in all its glory.

You might start with buttery wagyu nigiri topped with uni (sea urchin), where the fat melts instantly on your tongue, then move into binchotan-grilled sirloin that arrives sizzling and smoky on the outside but still soft inside. The chef is hands-on about marbling and cut, which means every slice of beef that lands in front of you has already been fussed over long before it hits your plate.

• Address: 6-8-18 Minami-Aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo (map)

• Opening Hours: Mon-Sat, 5:30pm-10pm. Closed Sun.

• Expected Damage: USD 170-200

4. Sushi Shin (Sushi)

Best For Solo Diners

Photo: @smili_savories on Instagram

A calm escape in Shibuya, Sushi Shin focuses on precise, confident sushi.

The kohada (gizzard shad) is sharp, perfectly marinated, and has that bright silver sheen sushi fans love. The chutoro nigiri (fatty tuna sushi) hits that warm-rice-meets-cool-fat contrast you get from proper Edo-mae, the traditional Tokyo style of sushi. It is serious sushi, but the atmosphere is relaxed enough that you can just sit, watch, and enjoy.

• Address: 2-10-10 Shibuya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo (map)

• Opening Hours: Mon-Sat: 12pm-2pm (lunch), 5:30pm-9pm (dinner). Closed Sun.

• Expected Damage: USD 100-170

5. Sushi Yuu (Sushi)

Best For Omakase Vibes

At Sushi Yuu, you surrender completely, and that’s the fun.

One visit might include a toro (tuna) trio that moves from lean to gloriously fatty cuts; another might spotlight silky young sea bream finished with red vinegar rice that brings a gentle tang. Because the line-up follows whatever looks best at Toyosu that morning, no two omakase runs feel quite the same, which is part of the charm.

• Address: 3-1-15 Nishi-Azabu, Minato-ku, Tokyo (map)

• Opening Hours: Mon-Sat: 6pm–10pm. Closed Sun.

• Expected Damage: USD 170-200

6. TOKIWA (Kaiseki)

Best For Quiet Luxury

Photo @tempeh.doctor on Instagram

At TOKIWA, the courses are calm and deliberate.

A white miso soup lifted with yuzu gives you a gentle burst of citrus, while charcoal-grilled wagyu shows up warm, tender, and lightly smoky, without feeling heavy. Depending on the season, young bamboo shoots, wild vegetables, or richer winter broths might appear.

• Address: 1 Chome-3-3 Asakusa, Taito City, Tokyo (map)

• Opening Hours: Tue-Sat: 5:30pm-10pm. Closed Sun and Mon.

• Expected Damage: USD 170-200

7. Imafuku (Sukiyaki & Shabu-Shabu)

Best For Cold Weather

Imafuku is perfect for warming up during winter.

A5 wagyu practically melts the moment it hits your dipping egg in the sweet, rich Kanto-style sukiyaki. If you prefer something lighter, the Kansai-style shabu-shabu is all about clean, bright flavours, with thin slices of beef swished through hot broth then dipped in citrusy ponzu. Order the Imafuku Delight Course if you want to compare both styles side by side.

• Address: 1 Chome-12-19 Shirokane, Minato City, Tokyo (map)

• Opening Hours: Tue-Sat: 5:30pm-10pm. Closed Sun and Mon.

• Expected Damage: USD 90-120

8. Sushi Zai (Sushi)

Best For Modern Sushi Lovers

A sibling to Sushi Yuu, Sushi Zai seamlessly blends classic Edo-mae tradition with modern flair.

The chefs head to Toyosu Market every morning to hand-pick the best seasonal fish, turning it into standout bites like succulent otoro (fatty tuna belly) and tender kasugo (young sea bream) paired with red vinegar rice. Expect polished sushi, a bit more of a contemporary feel, and a line-up that changes with the tides.

• Address: 3-1-15 Nishi-Azabu, Minato-ku, Tokyo (map)

• Opening Hours: Mon-Sat: 6pm-10pm. Closed Sun.

• Expected Damage: USD 135-200

9. Le Sputnik (French)

Best For Unorthodox Dining

Photo: @momo_dayo39 on Instagram

Le Sputnik is the kind of omakase that's not afraid to mess with your taste buds.

Chef Yujiro Takahashi leans into French technique but pulls flavours from everywhere, sending out aged venison with fermented beetroot for deep, earthy sweetness, or foie gras sculpted into a rose with a silky centre. The room is small, the pacing measured, and most dishes arrive with a quiet twist that makes you sit up a little straighter.

• Address: B1F, 7-9-9 Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo (map)

• Opening Hours: Mon-Sat: 6pm-11pm (last order 8pm). Closed Sun.

• Expected Damage: USD 80-100

10. Il Ristorante (Italian)

Best For Italian Food Purists

Photo: @aoi_3.7 on Instagram

Il Ristorante is serving up Italian food stripped back to its most natural form.

The waterless vegetable soup is a great example; it leans entirely on the natural sweetness and depth of the vegetables, no cream needed. Then there is the spaghetti pomodoro, built on intensely reduced tomato, bright acidity, and a silky texture that clings to each strand. It is the kind of pasta that looks simple but stays with you.

• Address: 40F Bvlgari Hotel Tokyo, 2-2-1 Yaesu, Chuo-ku, Tokyo (map)

• Opening Hours: Mon-Sun: 12pm-2pm (lunch), 6pm-10pm (dinner).

• Expected Damage: USD 135-200

11. ZURRIOLA (Spanish)

Best For Tapas & Wine Lovers

Photo: @bassy_log on Instagram

Zurriola channels Basque sensibility through a Japanese omakase lens.

The foie gras scented with Pedro Ximénez grapes walks that line between rich and gently sweet, while caviar lightly smoked over grapevines picks up just enough aroma without overpowering the roe. The room suits lingering over a long meal with wine, where each plate feels designed for another sip.

• Address: 4F Kojun Building, 6-8-7 Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo (map)

• Opening Hours: Mon-Sat: 12pm-1:30pm (lunch), 6pm-9pm (dinner). Closed Sun.

• Expected Damage: USD 100-170

12. KHAO (Thai)

Best For Spice Seekers

Photo: @kucchane_kaiju on Instagram

KHAO reimagines Thai palace dishes with premium Japanese ingredients.

A bright pomelo and seafood salad usually kicks things off, full of citrus, herbs, and a gentle burn. Later, Bangkok-style yakisoba (stir-fried noodles) shows up upgraded with prawns, squid, and house-made sauces that hit all the salty-sweet notes. The space feels cosy and relaxed, with soft lighting and a modern Thai touch that makes it easy to linger.

• Address: 2-12-7 Kandajimbocho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo (map)

• Opening Hours: Tue-Sat: 12pm-1:30pm (lunch), 6pm-9pm (dinner). Closed Sun and Mon.

• Expected Damage: USD 55-90

13. Kyobashi Tempura Fukamachi (Tempura)

Best For Delicious Tempura

Photo: @aumaum.flatmarble on Instagram

Fukamachi is famous for its featherlight batter and clean, no-nonsense frying.

The kuruma-ebi (Japanese tiger prawn) comes out sweet, snappy, and incredibly fresh, while the scallop-and-onion kakiage (fritters) stays juicy inside its crisp, golden shell. The room is compact and calm, centred on a 12-seat counter that gives you a clear view of the chef working the fryer in a steady rhythm.

• Address: 2-5-2 Kyobashi, Chuo-ku, Tokyo (map)

• Opening Hours: Mon-Sat: 11:30am-1:30pm (lunch), 5:30pm-8pm (dinner). Closed Sun and holidays.

• Expected Damage: USD 24-33 for lunch, USD 97+ for dinner.

14. Konjiki Hotogisu (Ramen/Soba)

Best For Affordable Eats

Photo: @forkwithadrian on Instagram

Konjiki Hototogisu is one of the rare ramen shops with a Michelin star, and you taste why in one spoonful.

The signature shio ramen layers clam broth, porcini oil, and truffle, so it feels almost French in aroma but very Japanese in soul. If you are after something richer, the black pepper miso ramen brings deeper spice and a thicker, hug-in-a-bowl broth. Expect a queue, but it moves.

• Address: 2-4-1 Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo (map)

• Opening hours: Tue-Sat: 11:30am-3pm (lunch), 6:30pm-9pm (dinner). Closed on Mondays and Sundays.

• Expected damage: USD 20-25

Best Two Michelin-Starred Restaurants in Tokyo

15. Kioicho Fukudaya (Kaiseki)

Best For Culture Lovers

At Kioicho Fukudaya, the dishes are inspired by the artist Kitaoji Rosanjin. So it's no surprise the food looks almost museum-like.

Seasonal kaiseki here might open with tiny bites of crab, mountain vegetables, and delicately grilled fish that highlight natural sweetness rather than heavy sauces. The grilled nodoguro (blackthroat seaperch) is a standout, all soft, fatty flesh and gentle smoke.

• Address: 1-13 Kioicho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo (map)

• Opening Hours: Mon-Sat: 11:30am-2pm (lunch), 5:30pm-9:30pm (dinner). Closed Sun and holidays.

• Expected Damage: JPY 25,000-35,000 (USD 170-240) per person.

16. Den (Modern Japanese)

Best For Experimental Foodies

Photo: @tokyohalfie on Instagram

Den flips the script on kaiseki. Humour, heart, and creativity rule here.

Their “Dentucky Fried Chicken” arrives in a playful takeaway-style box, hiding a deboned chicken wing stuffed with glutinous rice, soy, and herbs, then fried until the skin is shatter-crisp. The foie gras monaka wrapped in a wafer is both photogenic and genuinely delicious. Beneath the fun is precise, thoughtful cooking that uses Japanese flavours in clever, modern ways, like salads topped with pickled seasonal vegetables or broth-based courses built around dashi.

• Address: 2-3-18 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo (map)

• Opening Hours: Tue-Sat: 5pm–11pm (last seating 8pm). Closed Sun and Mon.

• Expected Damage: JPY 25,000-30,000 (USD 170-200) per person.

17. Tempura Kondo (Tempura)

Best For Tempura Lovers

Photo: @gurume_olyyy on Instagram

Tempura Kondo is the real deal when it comes to tempura.

The sweet potato slices are fried until the shell turns crisp and golden, while the centre stays fluffy and almost creamy. Uni wrapped in shiso arrives as a hot, briny mouthful that regulars always order. Whether you sit at lunch or dinner, the timing, temperature, and texture of each piece are the real show.

• Address: 9F Sakaguchi Building, 5-5-13 Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo (map)

• Opening Hours: Tue–Sat: 12pm-1:30pm (lunch), 5pm-8:30pm (dinner). Closed Sun and Mon.

• Expected Damage: JPY 6,000-20,000 (USD 40-135) per person.

18. Florilège (French Fusion)

Best For Fusion Enthusiasts

Photo: @norari_in on Instagram

Florilège combines Japanese produce with French technique in a dramatic circular dining room.

The charcoal-grilled pigeon with fermented beetroot is the dish people talk about, smoky and gamey with a bright, tangy lift. Then there are more playful plates like truffled potato “soil” that look whimsical but taste deeply savoury.

• Address: Seizan Gaien Building B1F, 2-5-4 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo (map)

• Opening Hours: Tue-Sat: 12pm-1:30pm (lunch), 6pm-8pm (dinner). Closed Sun and Mon

• Expected Damage: JPY 12,000 (USD 80) for lunch, JPY 24,000 (USD 160) for dinner.

19. ESqUISSE (French Fusion) - 2 Stars

Best For Art Lovers

Photo: @_angelc17 on Instagram

ESqUISSE cooks with bold, expressive strokes.

Their aged pigeon with cacao-red wine sauce is rich, glossy, and has serious depth; it is one of those dishes you slow down for. On the lighter side, a slow-roasted carrot paired with bitter-orange oil shows how a single vegetable can feel luxurious. It is an ideal spot if you like your French food and the luxurious aesthetic.

• Address: 9F, 5-4-6 Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo (Ginza Mitsukoshi, near Harumi-dori) (map)

• Opening Hours: Tue-Sat: 12pm-1pm (lunch), 6pm-8pm (dinner). Closed Sun and Mon.

• Expected Damage: JPY 15,000 (USD 100) for lunch, JPY 30,000 (USD 200) for dinner.

Best Three Michelin-Starred Restaurants in Tokyo

20. Saito (Sushi)

Best For Luxury Sushi

Photo: @pear.llk on Instagram

With only eight seats, Sushi Saito is one of the toughest reservations in the city. But snagging a seat? Totally worth it.

The toro (tuna belly) practically dissolves the moment it touches your tongue, while the uni gunkan (sea urchin sushi) is unbelievably clean, sweet, and creamy. Pieces land in front of you at just the right temperature, so all you really have to do is focus, eat, and enjoy the ride.

• Address: Ark Hills South Tower 1F, 1-4-5 Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo (map)

• Opening Hours: Mon-Sat: 12pm-2pm (lunch), 5pm-10pm (dinner). Closed Sun and holidays.

• Expected Damage: JPY 45,000-55,000 (USD 300-370) per person (omakase course).

21. Kanda (Kaiseki)

Best For First-Time Kaiseki Goers

Photo: @jeanniecholee on Instagram

At Kanda, subtlety is everything.

There is no printed menu, just a seasonal progression chosen by the chef. You might start with crystal-clear dashi that tastes like comfort itself, followed by sashimi so delicate it barely needs soy, often hirame (flounder) or kinmedai (golden eye snapper) at their peak. Later courses might include lightly simmered bamboo shoots, grilled ayu (sweetfish) in summer, or tender tilefish with crisp skin, all highlighting soft, natural flavours.

• Address: 3-6-34 Moto-Azabu, Minato-ku, Tokyo (map)

• Opening Hours: Mon-Sat: 5pm-10pm. Closed Sun and holidays.

• Expected Damage: JPY 40,000 (USD 270) per person.

22. Kagurazaka Ishikawa (Kaiseki)

Best For Food Purists

Photo: @antoinette.away on Instagram

The dishes are calm and thoughtful at Ishikawa.

The menu follows Japan’s micro-seasons, so an autumn visit might bring just-grilled wild mushrooms with a soft smoky aroma, while winter could mean a clean broth scented with seasonal herbs. Service is warm and intimate, the kind where the chef quietly explains the season behind each dish and adjusts portions if he notices you favour a certain ingredient.

• Address: 5-37 Kagurazaka, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo (map)

• Opening Hours: Mon-Sat: 5:30pm–11pm (last seating 8pm). Closed Sun.

• Expected Damage: JPY 30,000-40,000 (USD 200-270) per person.

23. Joël Robuchon (French)

Best For Celebrations

Photo: @src.yy1 on Instagram

Joël Robuchon’s Tokyo spot is all about big, unapologetic luxury.

The Menu Découverte is the best way to experience the kitchen, featuring dishes like the signature caviar-and-lobster jelly layered over cauliflower cream. Each course has rich sauces, precise cooking and beautifully polished presentation. If you’re celebrating something special, this is where you go. Birthday, anniversary, or just a “why not treat ourselves” kind of night.

• Address: Yebisu Garden Place Château, 1-13-1 Mita, Meguro-ku, Tokyo (map)

• Opening Hours: Tue-Sun, 12pm-1:30pm (lunch), 6pm-9pm (dinner). Closed Mon.

• Expected Damage: JPY 30,000-45,000 (USD 200-300) per person.

24. Quintessence (French)

Best For Adventurous Gourmands

Photo: @nijiko_official on Instagram

At Quintessence, there's no menu to choose from - just the chef's vision.

There is no menu to choose from, just whatever the chef is working on that day. Regulars quietly hope to see goat-milk bavarois with salted caramel or perfectly grilled sea bream brightened with herb citrus jus, but there is no guarantee. The focus here is on temperature, texture, and pure flavour, which makes each course feel almost like a small experiment you get to taste.

• Address: 1F Garden City Shinagawa Gotenyama, 6-7-29 Kitashinagawa, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo (map)

• Opening Hours: Mon-Sat, 12pm-1pm (lunch), 6:30pm-8pm (dinner). Closed Sun.

• Expected Damage: JPY 40,000+ (USD 270+) per person.

25. SÉZANNE (Japanese-French Fusion)

Best For Trendy Diners

Photo: @mizuemurai on Instagram

SÉZANNE is stylish from the first bite, leaning into Japan’s best seasonal ingredients

Set inside the Four Seasons at Marunouchi, it leans into polished Japanese-French cooking with a strong seasonal streak. In autumn, the Shanghai Hairy Crab and White Truffle Course takes over the menu, starting with rich, sweet crab soup and ending in a silky hairy crab porridge topped with Alba white truffle.

• Address: 7F Four Seasons Hotel Tokyo at Marunouchi, 1-11-1 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo (map)

• Opening Hours: Wed-Sun: 12pm11pm (lunch), 6pm-8:30pm (dinner). Closed Mon and Tue.

• Expected Damage: JPY 20,000 (USD 135) for lunch, JPY 40,000+ (USD 270+) for dinner.

26. L’Effervescence (French)

Best For Environmentally-Conscious Diners

Photo: @naako72 on Instagram

Refined, playful, and rooted in nature. L'Effervescence lives up to its name.

The tiny wagyu "burger" amuse-bouche is playful and rich without being heavy, while the whole-apple pie cooked with the skins on has become a signature zero-waste dessert. Courses arrive with a bit of story, often linking back to producers or seasons, so by the end of the meal, you feel like you have eaten a narrative, not just a line-up of pretty plates.

• Address: 2-26-4 Nishi-Azabu, Minato-ku, Tokyo (map)

• Opening Hours: Thu-Mon: 12pm-1pm (lunch), 6pm-8pm (dinner). Closed Tue and Wed.

• Expected Damage: JPY 15,000 (USD 100) for lunch, JPY 33,000 (USD 220) for dinner

27. Sazenka (Chinese)

Best For Chinese Fine-Dining Fans

Photo: @the_munchies__ on Instagram

Sazenka blends Chinese flavours with Japanese refinement.

This three-star spot offers seasonal menus. During autumn, they're known for their Shanghai Hairy Crab Special Course, which includes the Drunken Hairy Crab, crab marinated in Shaoxing wine that turns sweet, nutty, and silky. Outside the crab dishes, you might see plates like their signature Peking duck, delicate double-boiled soups, or abalone simmered until tender.

• Address: 4-7-5 Minami-Azabu, Minato-ku, Tokyo (map)

• Opening Hours: Wed-Mon: 12pm-3pm (last order 1pm for lunch), 6pm-11pm (last order 8pm for dinner). Closed Tue.

• Expected Damage: JPY 20,000 (USD 135) for lunch, JPY 40,000 (USD 270) for dinner

28. Sushi Yoshitake (Sushi)

Best For Traditionalists

Photo: @thefoodofelan on Instagram

Sushi Yoshitake is a one-man sushi omakase with delicious, mouth-watering sushi.

The silky abalone crowned with its own liver sauce is the star, delivering deep umami with every bite. The kohada (gizzard shad) nigiri lands with exactly the right acidity. The counter is small, the pacing measured, and the whole experience feels calm, intimate, and deeply personal.

• Address: 9F, 7-8-13 Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo (map)

• Opening Hours: Mon-Fri: 6pm-10:30pm, Sunday: 12pm-2pm (lunch), 6pm-8pm (dinner). Closed on Sundays and for lunch on weekdays.

• Expected Damage: USD 350-400

29. RyuGin (Kaiseki)

Best For Seasonal Showstoppers

Photo: @7epicurism on Instagram

RyuGin delivers kaiseki with intensity and theatre.

The menu changes monthly, so you might see charcoal-grilled unagi (eel) glazed with a deeply reduced tare one visit, and an intricate seafood or mountain vegetable course the next. The dragon-shaped monaka filled with warm custard and seasonal fruit is a perfect example of the kitchen’s style – playful to look at, but serious in flavour.

• Address: 7-17-24 Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo (map)

• Opening Hours: Mon-Sat: 6pm-11pm. Closed Sundays.

• Expected Damage: USD 350-450

30. Azabu Kadowaki (Kaiseki)

Best For Truffle Lovers

Photo: @tony111555 on Instagram

Azabu Kadowaki blends classic kaiseki with luxurious touches.

The black truffle claypot rice is the main event, arriving bubbling hot before being opened and finished tableside with a thick blanket of shaved truffle. The charcoal-grilled wagyu is another highlight, cooked low and slow so the fat stays buttery and sweet. The room feels upscale but not stiff, making it a very easy place to relax into a long, indulgent dinner.

• Address: 2-7-2 Azabujuban, Minato City, Tokyo (map)

• Opening Hours: Mon-Sat: 6pm-10pm. Closed Sundays and public holidays.

• Expected Damage: USD 300-350

How To Make a Reservation at a Michelin-Starred Restaurant in Tokyo

Booking a top Tokyo table can be competitive, but a few smart moves will boost your odds.

• Know when reservations open: Most Michelin restaurants in Tokyo open their books one month ahead, sometimes two during busy seasons. Many drop seats at midnight or 10am JST. Set a reminder 30 days before your target date.

• Aim for restaurants with online bookings: Restaurants on TableCheck, Omakase, or their own website? Far easier to book than those that require Japanese-only phone calls.

• Ask your hotel concierge: Staying at a luxury hotel? Let the concierge help - they can often secure seats travellers can't. Budget hotels usually don't offer this type of support.

• Be flexible with timing: The 6pm-7pm dinner slots disappear first. You'll have better luck with late dinners, early seatings, or weekday lunches.

• Know which restaurants are bookable: Some places, like Sushi Saito? Nearly impossible to book unless you're a regular. Others, like SÉZANNE and L'Effervescence? Much more accessible. Don't plan your whole trip around restaurants that don't accept reservations from travellers.

• How to call for a reservation: If online bookings aren't available, try calling. Start with: "Sumimasen, Eigo onegai shimasu" (Excuse me, English please). If they accept, explain any allergies right away.

• Try walking in: Walk-ins are rare but not impossible. Your best shot? Opening time, on a weekday, at counter-style spots like Sushi Shin.

• Use the right booking platform: The top three platforms are TableCheck, Omakase, and Pocket Concierge.

• Dining etiquette: Be on time, avoid perfume, and stick to simple Japanese table manners such as proper chopstick use and using the hot towel just for your hands.

FAQ

What's the difference between 1, 2, and 3 Michelin stars?

One star means great cooking that’s worth stopping for if you’re in the area. Two stars signal excellent food that’s worth a detour. Three stars? That's the highest honour, highlighting exceptional cuisine that’s worth planning a special trip around.

Are there vegetarian or halal-friendly Michelin options?

Yes, but they're limited. You need to give them notice well in advance. Some French restaurants will do a vegetable-based menu if you ask nicely enough and give notice well in advance (e.g. as a note during your reservation).

Can I bring kids?

It depends. Many sushi counters and small kaiseki spots have age limits (often 12+), but some restaurants with private rooms or hotel dining rooms are more family-friendly. Always check in advance. If your little one's a foodie and can sit through a long meal? Some chefs might even be impressed!