Ranking
The best places to eat in Japan
An editorial ranking of restaurants, cafés and bars: grades from A+ to F, price range, and the Tabelog score where one exists.
Places ranked: 2,446
1652
Uoichiba Komatsu: Superlative Seto Inland Seafood
Kagawa · Izakaya
A bustling izakaya in Takamatsu's Furubabacho district, celebrated for its exceptionally fresh seafood sourced directly from the Seto Inland Sea. It's a top destination for lively counter dining and signature dishes like salt-seared tataki and…
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1653
Kongo Shoten 138 Banchi: Inventive Set-Course Dining
Kanagawa · Bar
A one-chef creative bistro in Yokohama's Nanashimacho district, known for its generous set courses and unusual flavour pairings. Expect strict house rules, self-serve drinks, and exceptional value for money.
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1654
Takagi Yama: Expert Yakiton and Unagi Skewers
Kanagawa · Casual Dining
In Yokohama's Tsurumi district, a former sumo wrestler runs this intimate izakaya famed for its charcoal-grilled skewers. Visitors come for the signature rich kikuabura (fatty pork) and unagi (eel), alongside expertly prepared low-temperature meats.
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1656
Waryu Ryori Sarii: Okinawan Omakase with French Technique
Okinawa · Fine Dining
Waryu Ryori Sarii (和琉料理 さりぃ) is a ten-seat, one-chef tasting-menu restaurant in Makishi, Naha, in the basement of the Matayoshi Building. It serves Okinawan produce cooked with French and Japanese technique.
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1657
LES FABLES bonjour: High-craft French bistro fare
Kanagawa · Bistro
A French bistro in Katasekaigan, near Enoshima, serving expertly prepared charcuterie and classic dishes with creative flair. Known for its house-made pâté and generous portions, it offers restaurant-quality cooking at bistro prices.
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1658
Dosan Youniku Kappou Lamb Pirika: Hokkaido Lamb Kappo
Hokkaido · Fine Dining
In Sapporo's Susukino district, this intimate kappo restaurant offers a unique tasting menu dedicated entirely to Hokkaido lamb. The chef showcases the meat in a variety of refined preparations, from delicate shabu-shabu to straw-grilled tataki and…
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1660
Iso Ryori Ichiyoshi: Kinmedai Shabu-Shabu Specialist
Kanagawa · Fine Dining
A family-run seafood restaurant in Odawara, famous for its kinmedai shabu-shabu course. Diners come for the theatrical live-fish sashimi platter and the rich golden broth, enjoyed in private rooms with sea views.
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1662
Kushiage Cuisine de Osaka Fukuoka ten: Creative Skewer Courses
Fukuoka · Izakaya
An intimate restaurant in Fukuoka's Kego district serving creative kushikatsu courses. It's known for its feather-light batter, French-influenced techniques, and sommelier-led wine pairings.
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1665
Yomitan Ishigama Pizza Sakaba Maruki: Stone-Oven Pizza in Okinawa
Okinawa · Pizzeria
A cosy, converted-house restaurant in the Okinawan village of Yomitan, famed for its exceptional stone-oven pizzas. It's a local favourite for its thin, chewy crusts and a signature broccoli ajillo.
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1666
rokusyo.: French Bistro with an Okinawan Soul
Okinawa · Bistro
A stylish second-floor bistro in Ishigaki, rokusyo. serves French-inspired dishes that champion local Okinawan ingredients. It's a top choice for its whole fish cooked in white wine, generous charcuterie, and a deep natural-wine list.
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1668
Yakiniku Marue Matsunawa ten: Premium Beef Tongue Yakiniku
Kagawa · Casual Dining
A highly regarded yakiniku restaurant in Takamatsu, celebrated for its exceptional, thick-cut beef tongue. Its modern system with multi-language ordering tablets makes it accessible to international visitors, though long queues are common.
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1670
AMIYA: Charcoal-Grilled Hamburger Steaks
Nagano · Casual Dining
A small counter spot in Matsumoto's Chuo district serving charcoal-grilled hamburger steaks one at a time. It's known for its juicy patties, unlimited rice, and a wide array of local condiments for a unique 'taste-change' experience.
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1671
Subrideo Restaurare: Creative European Cheese Cuisine
Kanagawa · Bistro
In a converted house in Kamakura's Hase district, Subrideo Restaurare builds entire multi-course meals around cheese. Visit for its theatrical service and generous, inventive dishes that celebrate regional and aged cheeses.
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1672
File Niku Senmon Ten Nikuzou: Premium Fillet Yakiniku
Nara · Casual Dining
A yakiniku restaurant in Kashihara, Nara, that specialises exclusively in thick-cut beef fillet. Diners come for top-grade wagyu, including rare Shatoburian, grilled for them at the table by attentive staff on a near-smoke-free roaster.
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1674
Aroma Fresca Atami hayashi ga oka: Japanese-Italian Omakase
Shizuoka · Fine Dining
A high-end Italian-Japanese dining experience in Atami, set in a renovated traditional house with sweeping sea views. Guests dine in one of just three private rooms on a creative omakase menu showcasing local seafood.
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1675
Morimoto: Counter-Style Kaiseki
Nara · Fine Dining
A small, counter-focused kaiseki restaurant in Kashihara, Nara, prized for its precise seafood preparations and excellent value. Chef Morimoto's personal service makes it a destination for a refined meal outside the major cities.
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