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
179
Ca Sento: Modern Spanish Cuisine with Japanese Ingredients
Hyōgo · Fine Dining
An acclaimed, intimate restaurant in Kobe applying modern Spanish techniques to seasonal Japanese seafood. Go for the signature tomato mousse and an intensely flavoured seafood rice, served in a tiny, house-like setting.
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181
Mizai: Theatrical Tea-Kaiseki in Kyoto
Kyoto · Fine Dining
Experience a masterclass in tea-kaiseki at this exclusive 14-seat counter in Kyoto's Maruyama Park. Chef Ishihara presents a highly ritualised, multi-course dinner known for its exceptional ingredients and dramatic flair.
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182
Sushi Minato: Hokkaido Seafood with an Edomae Touch
Hokkaido · Fine Dining
An acclaimed sushi bar in Asahikawa, Hokkaido, where the chef blends top local seafood with Edomae techniques. Expect a long sequence of inventive small plates (otsumami) followed by delicate nigiri and a memorable finish of handmade soba.
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183
Toritanaka: Kappo Plates and Charcoal Yakitori
Tokyo · Pub
A sibling-run counter in Sumida where refined kappo dishes meet flawless yakitori. Known for its high-quality chicken, outstanding value, and intimate 10-seat setting, it offers a dual experience of Japanese culinary arts.
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186
Unagi Uomasa: Top-Tier Made-to-Order Eel
Tokyo · Fine Dining
A renowned unagi specialist in Tokyo's Katsushika ward, Unagi Uomasa is celebrated for its made-to-order approach. Each eel is prepared only after you arrive, resulting in an exceptionally fluffy texture and crisp, charcoal-grilled skin.
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188
Teru Zushi: Theatrical Omakase Sushi
Fukuoka · Fine Dining
A theatrical sushi experience in Kitakyushu, where chef Takayoshi Watanabe's performance is as much a part of the meal as the food. Known for its premium ingredients and show-stopping dishes, it's a destination for diners seeking entertainment with…
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193
SHÓKUDŌ YArn: Experimental European Dining
Ishikawa · Fine Dining
An experimental European restaurant in Komatsu from a husband-and-wife chef team. Go for the theatrical tasting menu where local Hokuriku ingredients are turned into culinary riddles in a renovated yarn factory.
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197
Niku Kappou Jou: A Masterclass in Meat Kaiseki
Tokyo · Fine Dining
A high-end meat kaiseki restaurant in Nishiazabu, where beef is treated with the seasonality of fine produce. Guests come for the omakase course that showcases beef in many forms, from shabu-shabu to a signature Chateaubriand katsu-sando.
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198
Sushi Kimura: A Masterclass in Aged Sushi
Tokyo · Fine Dining
In Tokyo's Setagaya ward, Sushi Kimura is a world-renowned counter where Chef Koji Kimura pioneers the art of long-aged sushi. It's a destination for connoisseurs seeking a unique omakase built on profound textures and flavours.
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199
Sushi Josuke: Theatrical Edo-Style Sushi
Hyōgo · Fine Dining
A highly regarded sushi counter in Kobe's Kitanocho district, known for its theatrical, Edo-style omakase. Chef Josuke pairs obsessively timed, red-vinegar shari with highly worked otsumami in a focused, eight-seat setting.
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200
Bon.nu: Ingredient-Driven French-Japanese Cuisine
Tokyo · Steakhouse
In Tokyo's Yoyogi district, Bon.nu (ボニュ) offers a highly conceptual tasting menu built on extreme minimalism. It's a destination for diners seeking unique 'extraction' broths and slow-cooked rare beef from heritage Japanese cattle.
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