In Japan, Michelin Stars are highly sought after awards that signify a restaurant’s excellence in cuisine, service, and atmosphere. The Michelin Guide has been awarding stars to the best restaurants in Japan since 2007. Since then, the number of Michelin Star restaurants in Japan has steadily grown and now stands at close to 300.
The majority of Japanese Michelin Star restaurants are located in Tokyo and the Kanto region. However, there are also star-rated establishments throughout the country including Osaka, Kyoto, Hokkaido, Fukuoka and Nagasaki. While many of these starred restaurants serve traditional Japanese cuisine such as sushi or kaiseki-ryori, there is also a variety of international cuisines represented including French, Italian and Spanish.
The criteria for earning a Michelin Star is stringent and challenging. Restaurants must demonstrate excellence in all aspects of their operations from menu selection to service quality. The judging process involves several rounds of anonymous visits from a team of experienced inspectors who evaluate each restaurant’s offerings based on five criteria: quality of ingredients used; creativity; mastery of flavors; value for money; and consistency over time.
In Summary
There are currently close to 300 restaurants in Japan with Michelin Stars spread throughout the country. Tokyo and the Kanto region have the highest concentration but there are also star-rated establishments located in Osaka, Kyoto, Hokkaido, Fukuoka and Nagasaki. To earn a Michelin Star requires excellence in all aspects including menu selection to service quality with an evaluation process that includes anonymous visits from experienced inspectors.
Conclusion
Overall, it is safe to say that there are many restaurants in Japan that have earned a prestigious Michelin Star award as recognition for their outstanding cuisine and service. Each one is evaluated on five criteria demonstrating excellence across all elements.