Japanese people all over the country take the selection of the ingredients very seriously. This will become apparent should you wander into any grocery store and have a look at the fruit section in particular. Not only are the fruits huge, magnificent, and perfect, but they are priced as such. And it’s a price that most Japanese people are willing to pay, for an exceptional product. The demand for excellent cuisine has made Japan the location of many of the top restaurants in the world. Tokyo currently holds more Michelin 3-star restaurants than Paris and dominates the list of the top 50 best eateries in Asia. Experience these world-class options for yourself from the famous sushi of Jiro to the intricate delicacies of Kojyu.
Restaurant Type
Destinations
Kyoto
Gion Matayoshi, a quiet sanctuary from the busy Gion streets, is a Michelin 2-star establishment hidden away in Kyoto's most popular district. Its olive-colored walls and wooden sliding doors offer a thought provoking atmosphere decorated with graceful calligraphy. Across the broad hinoki wood counter, Chef Matayoshi adds his own spin to kaiseki cuisine. Having grown up in Okinawa, the chef adds little touches from his home region to the artisitc Kyoto dishes. An especially poetic dish comes in the form of yellow corn root starch delicately shaped like the moon, with a rind of sudachi draped over as its "shadow", adding a unique expression of the seasons to the courses at Gion Matayoshi, which start at ￥20,000.
Kyoto
Hyotei, in the Nanzenji area of Kyoto, is one of the oldest kaiseki restaurants in the old capital, with a history that stretches back over 400 years. A moss covered path winds through a well-tended garden outside the Michelin 3-star establishment. Within private dining rooms covered in tatami mats, guests are given an authentic taste of Japan's deep history. Chef Takahashi, the 15th generation Hyotei chef, serves up elegantly plated dishes that include such rich delectables as wagyu roast beef, sakura leaf sushi, sea bream sashimi in a dashi made with bluefin tuna, and of course, the signature Hyotei Tamago boiled egg, served with a selection of fresh seasonal vegetables. Courses start at ￥30,000.
Kyoto
Oryori Hayashi, located in Kajiicho, goes for an genuine kaiseki experience without an excess of wasteful frills. Guided into the restaurant by the Japanese kanji character for "large" hanging outside on the lantern outside, guests are welcomed past a bamboo garden, through the wooden sliding door to be seated at the clean and smooth counter. Chef Hayashi skillfully prepares dishes of such fine delicacy as sea bream eggs with burdock root, or handmade mochi with baby turnip in a clear broth, packing such fresh and palate-pleasing flavors that leave no doubts why Oryori Hayashi was given its Michelin star. These classic kaiseki courses start at ￥20,000.
Kyoto
Gion Suetomo, in the Gion district of Kyoto, is a Michelin 1- star kaiseki establishment. Sitting prettily in the heart of old Kyoto, this restaurant uses the elements of this traditional cuisine to awaken and delight the senses of their guests. A simple interior with unvarnished wooden counter allows guests to appreceate small details in the dishes that Chef Suetomo prepares. The ingredients become plates of delicious culinary art, such as sliced bonito fish, seared to tenderness over crackling straw to draw out its mouthwatering aroma. Gion Suetomo's dishes and preparation are flavorful and filling even to the last cup of freshly made matcha green tea. The courses start at ￥20,000.
Kyoto
Ogata, in the Shimogyo district of Kyoto, is one of the primier kaiseki restaurants established in the former Imperial capital.Once a building that once housed a kimono store, the design was deliberately kept rustic and plain to give Michelin 2-star Ogata a straightforward authenticity and allow guests to focus more on the fresh seasonal cuisine that is set before them. Chef Ogata excites the palate of his guests using local homegrown produce, with fresh seafood from some of the city's best suppliers, including the delightfully fragrant matsutake mushrooms, or quality crab from Kyoto's Taiza Port. Ogata's magnificent courses start at ￥30,000.
Kyoto
Tempura Kyoboshi, in Kyoto's Gion area, guards a secret recipie for its tempura that has earned the establishment a Michelin star for the past 9 years. Within the restaurant's ideally simple interior, Chef Sakakibara cherishes the recipies handed down from his grandfather to entertain his guests with delightfully tasty tempura dishes. Crunchy, crisp, and yet carefully arranged like tempura art - such as the green beans stacked as a leaning tower, or a halfbeak fish with braided tail. The menu includes an international twist, as the chef glazes his sweet potatoes in brandy and sugar before frying them to sweet perfection. Kyoboshi's courses start at ￥15,000.
Kyoto
Miyoshi, a Michelin 1-star establishment in the Gion district of Kyoto, serves incredibly flavorful wagyu beef in the classic Japanese kaiseki style, infusing the beef into seasonally changing courses. The white noren curtain and sliding wooden door part to reveal a tastefully modern Japanese decor - cream-colored stucco walls harmonizing with glossy surfaces of red, black, and gold. Chef Ito prepares such appetizing delights as salty sea urchin in pureed white corn soup, or slices of soft ox tongue pressed with kombu seaweed before bringing out the highlight of every wagyu course - slow-cooked cuts of seasoned steak that melt in your mouth. Miyoshi's courses start at ￥30,000.
Osaka
Sushi Minazuki serves a unique and memorable sushi dining experience to guests at a restaurant in the Kita- Shinchi area of Osaka. The Michelin 1-star restaurant creates a quiet and contemplative atmosphere from the moment one draws back the noren curtain and enters the wood and bamboo furnished room. Chef Saki prepares such delicious favorites as his signature "torotaku" - an original sushi recipe involving fatty tuna laid atop sweet vinegared rice, then wrapped in shiso leaf and crowned with a hat of pickled daikon radish. This may be paired with his special sake infused with matsutake mushroom. Minazuki courses start at ￥20,000.
Osaka
Sushi Harasho, in the neighborhood of Namba, is one of the top sushi establishments in Osaka, with 2 Michelin stars. An elegantly minimalist touch is prevalent throughout the restaurant, with a bright hinoki wood counter and warm wooden backdrop framing a single decorative plate made of grey porcelain. Behind the counter, Chef Ishikawa extends his minimalist style to the sushi he prepares, believing that an excess of seasoning or overworking of the fish ruins the subtle delicacy of each cut. The chef relies on the natural flavors of his gizzard shad and fatty tuna, without additions, to win over his guests, in courses that start at ￥15,000.
Osaka
Honkogetsu is a Japanese kaiseki cuisine restaurant in the Namba area of Osaka, and is rated at 2 Michelin stars. Designed after the traditional tea house, the interior is inundated by such natural elements as artfully draped bamboo stalks, a seasonal flower arrangement, and a counter made of 600 year-old hinoki wood. Chef Anami constantly discovers new ingredients to incorporate into his artistic dishes, such as shoro - edible mushrooms also known as "false truffles". These ingredients appear alongside popular kaiseki offerings like sea urchin, greenling, bamboo shoots and fava beans, elegantly plated in courses starting at ￥20,000.
Japan is known for having some of the most lavish spas, succulent cuisine, and of course, a rich history and culture to captivate any traveler. See below for examples of the luxury you can find in Japan. Browse our collection of exclusive Extraordinary Experiences carefully hand-elected by our professional Japan travel specialists. Our Luxury Hotel Collection lists Japan's grandest, most comfortable hotel accommodations with every possible amenity. Our collection of Luxury Ryokan offer the tranquil atmosphere of a traditional Japanese inn paired with world-famous hot spring baths. Finally, check out our listing of Best Dining Experiences for world-class, Michelin-star restaurants in every major city to appeal to every taste.
Let AJT be your gateway to carefully curated experiences and high-quality travel services as you enjoy the best that Japan has to offer. Only the most authentic, traditional Japanese experiences.
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Stay at one of Japan's ultra-luxurious hotel accommodations. AJT has partnered with the best hotels Japan has to offer. Enjoy the top hotels at great locations to get the most out of your trip.
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After a long day of experiencing Japan, steep yourself in the relaxing atmosphere of a traditional Ryokan, complete with world-renowned hot spring baths.
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Japan offers some of the best dining scenes on the planet. Enjoy dining and culinary experiences you won’t want to miss when visiting Japan.
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The Sugino Group
This tour was a once in a lifetime experience and we are so happy and grateful we got to experience it. We learned so much about Japan and its culture. We got to stayed in traditional Japanese hotels and enjoyed traditional meals. Our guide and driver were very professional and always on time. They always made sure we were comfortable. We really hope we get the opportunity to do another tour with AJT
The Lam Family
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Complex itinerary. Perfectly organized logistics. Excellent people to work with.
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