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
Osaka
Kashiwaya, in the Senriyamanishi region of Osaka, preserves the classical tea ceremony elements of Japanese kaiseki cuisine. This Michelin 3-star establishment offers diners an authentic and private dining experience by dividing the restaurant into seven small dining houses, each with its own tea room. Chef Matsuo offers masterfully prepared dishes in this time-honored style, delivering sea bream cured in kombu seaweed or seasoned and perfectly grilled tilefish and shrimp. His signature seasonal dessert of sweet and brightly colored squares lend a polished finish to Kashiwaya's courses, which start at ￥15,000.
Osaka
Taian, in Shinsaibashi, Osaka, presents Michelin 3-star winning kaiseki with a warm and inviting family atmosphere. Chef Takahata and his wife warmly welcome each guest to the smooth reddish wood counter to taste the mouthwatering dishes. While maintaining a firm grounding in the roots of kaiseki cuisine, the chef tastefully adds his own personal flair. The most popular dishes at Taian include their signature honey-soaked wagyu ribs, charcoal-roasted seaperch, and fried cod milt. This restaurant is known for expertly complementing the Japanese food with a good selection of European wines, in courses that start at ￥20,000.
Osaka
Shunsaiten Tsuchiya, in the neighborhood of Toyotsucho in Osaka, is a small but memorable tempura establishment rated at 2 Michelin stars. From behind a smooth counter of polished red lacquer, Chef Tsuchiya brings out a heavenly aroma in each dish through use of a local cottonseed tempura oil that brings out each piece's innate flavors while carefully avoiding oversaturation. The chef procures his ingredients only from local vendors to ensure the freshest produce possible. Delights such as the classic shrimp tempura, scallops, sweet tilefish, and fried puffer fish are well-liked among Tsuchiya's guests, who devour courses that start at ￥10,000.
Osaka
Kitashinchi Fukudatei, situated in Kitashinchi - Osaka's bustling heart - is a delightful wagyu dining experience. Rated at 1 Michelin star, this establishment excites guests from the moment they enter. The excitement builds on seeing the sleek polished wood counter, and just beyond, a magnificent brick oven hiding sumptuous cuts of beef behind its black iron door. Chef Ukai creates appetizing portions including a wagyu slider, a breaded beef cutlet still wrapped around bone, and at two tender cuts of different steaks, delighting guests with their respective textures and flavors, complemented with a curated wine list. Courses at Fukudatei start at ￥20,000.
Kanazawa
Mekumi, a particularly popular sushi restaurant in the Nonochi area of Kanazawa, is known for sourcing ingredients locally in order to take the flavor of each piece of sushi to the next level. This Michelin 2-star restaurant is situated well off the beaten track, but the Chef Yamaguchi's tireless pursuit of the best local ingredients draw customers and even chefs from all over the world. His snow crab with roe, rich hairy crab, aged yellowtail, and Aomori fatty tuna each burst with its distinct sweet or savory flavors, in courses that start at ￥20,000.
Kanazawa
Otome Sushi, located in Kiguramachi near the famous Kenrokuen Gardens, brings guests generous portions of nigiri sushi placed atop ovals of locally grown rice for a perfect balance of flavors. The intimate space surrounded by a dark wooden interior and lattice screens make this Michelin-rated 1 star establishment feel familiar and comfortable. Chef Tsurumi uses his skilled knifework to cut the most delicious cuts of marbled maguro tuna, silvery gizzard shad, or the local delicacy - black-throated seaperch that makes his guests keep coming back for more. Courses start at ￥15,000.
Kanazawa
Zeniya, in the Katamachi neighborhood of Kanazawa, is a Michelin 2-star establishment offering high-quality Japanese kaiseki cuisine. Guests may sit at the counter to talk with Chef Takagi, a second generation kaiseki chef, or reserve one of the spacious private rooms furnished in tatami with comfortable cushions. The chef turns out seasonal dishes such as sea urchin or sesame tofu with his own unique touch, weaving such ingredients as balsamic vinegar and caviar into his cuisine using recipies he inherited from his father. Courses at Zeniya start at ￥20,000.
Sapporo
Susukino Sushikin is a popular sushi restaurant the Susukino neighborhood of Sapporo. Sushikin brings guests a unique and heartfelt sushi experience. In a simple restaurant originally run by his father, Chef Matsuhashi uses self-taught culinary skill to craft elegant pieces of nigiri sushi for his guests, earning a Michelin Star. This adds an organic, personal quality to each dish, slowly brought to perfection through his own tried and true methods, whether bringing out the fish as a fresh cut, adding just the right seasoning, or letting the fish age until it has reached the best possible results. Chef Matsuhashi's courses start at ￥20,000.
Sapporo
Sushisai Wakichi, sitting in a quiet neighborhood of Sapporo, is a Michelin 2-star restaurant serving high-end sushi. A bright counter of unvarnished wood beckons customers out of the cold Hokkaido night into a warmly lit room. Serving sushi in the traditional Edomae method, Chef Tamura carefully prepares a perfect arrangement of new and aged rice grains to get just the right texture for the base for his sushi. Atop this mildly vinegared blend, the chef mounts the most flavorful cuts of fatty tuna, kinki rockfish, and sea urchin, presenting bright peices of sushi flawlessly to his guests. Sushisai Wakichi's courses start at ￥20,000.
Sapporo
Sushi Miyakawa, in the Maruyama area of Sapporo, presents a delicious and authentic sushi experience with a focus on natural flavors. Upon entering this exceptional Michelin 3-star restaurant, customers are attracted toward the counter crafted out of a single plank of hinoki wood inlaid with decorative outlines of leaves in persimmon wood. Chef Miyakawa pays particular attention to the rice used for his sushi, perfectly flavored with natural fish oils and a touch of red vinegar. Cuts of succulent seaperch, rich fatty tuna that melts in the mouth, and the signature Hokkaido delicacy - orange salmon roe - arrive to tantalize the taste buds of guests in courses that start at ￥15,000.
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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