50 Fine Dining Restaurants in Japan - Reservation Only!

Japan is renowned for its cuisine - ranging from fresh fish to local specialties, it's easy to find a new favorite dish. When it comes to the most popular and high quality restaurants, it's unfortunately not as easy to get a reservation. But our latest partnership offers you exclusive access to reservations at 52 famous restaurants in Japan!

While many of these popular restaurants are in the Tokyo area, we are also featuring some in Kyoto, Osaka, Kobe, Shizuoka, and even Akita. They are divided by the type of cuisine they offer: sushi, tempura (deep fried vegetables), yakitori (grilled chicken skewers), Japanese, Italian, French, Chinese, Spanish and molecular gastronomy.

Usually, they are booked out in advance, but through our service, you are only one message away from getting a reservation for yourself. We can offer reservations for the next month or within days, depending on the restaurant.

Check out our overview of the best restaurants in Japan!

Sushi Restaurants

These restaurants specialize in offering the freshest sushi you will ever have and their chefs have spent decades honing their craft. The epitome of fine dining. It's not hard to understand why these are among the best restaurants in Japan.

1. Ichikawa - a restaurant with only 11 seats that caters to customers looking for a unique dining experience in a private environment. It's located in the Minami-Azabu area in South-West Tokyo.

2. Sugaya - following the omakase tradition, the most popular course is a menu that's fully decided by the chef and as such changes daily. Only 8 seats are available for every session. You can find it in Higashi-Azabu, Tokyo.

3. Sushi Saitou - boasting an incredible 4.58 (out of 5) average rating on Japan's biggest restaurant rating platform, owner and sushi chef Takashi Saitou has created a space to enjoy exquisite sushi in Roppongi, Tokyo.

4. Sushi Saitou Hanare NANZUKA - after the success of the original restaurant, a second store was opened in Nakameguro, Tokyo. It's unique in that the sushi is served on artistic plates that are inspired by Japanese nature and are pleasing to the eye.

5. Sushi Saeki - located in Tokyo's affluent Ginza area, this restaurant invites customers to a dining experience that's focused on comfort and luxury. It's open until 11 PM and is the perfect place for late night dinner.

6. Sushi Shunji - bringing a modern twist to traditional edomae sushi, owner Toshiharu Hashiba only chooses the freshest fish from Tokyo bay for his dishes. You can find it in Tokyo's Moto-Azabu district.

7. Sushisho Saitou - the different courses of the menu alternate between sushi and appetizers, which allows guests to taste the flavors of Japan without being limited to fish. Visit Akasaka in Tokyo to check out this restaurant.

8. Sushi Takamitsu - the special dish of this restaurant is uni, Japanese sea urchin. Thanks to it's location in Meguro, Tokyo, along the Meguro river peace and quiet accompany a meal here.

9. Sushi Nanba Hibiya - temperature plays an important role in how the dishes are served here in Yurakucho, Tokyo. Every type of sushi comes with rice and fish, both at a specified temperature to perfectly enhance the flavor of its components.

10. Sushi Ryujiro - the owner's mission is to touch the hearts of his customers and it works as some customers have visited more than 30 times. Become one of them in Tokyo's Minami-Aoyama area.

11. Nihonbashi Kakigaracho Sugita - in 2017, owner and chef Takagi Sugita earned the restaurant's first Michelin star. True to its name, it is located in Tokyo's Nihonbashi ward.

12. Hato - the menu is inspired by the season and changes accordingly. The chef, who trained at a restaurant holding two Michelin stars, makes sure to create the perfect dishes every time. Hato can be found in Kagurazaka, Tokyo.

Tempura

Foreigners mostly know the deep-fried delicacies as side dishes for sushi, udon or soba set menus. However, some Japanese chefs are eager to prove them wrong.

13. Naruse - one of Shizuoka City's most famous restaurants, owner Takeshi Shimura loves to experiment with deep-frying and a variety of fresh ingredients. Enjoy a meal while watching the calming nature of Shizuoka through the window.

Yakitori

Mostly known as a type of street food, yakitori are grilled chicken skewers and a staple of Japanese food. But some restaurants are on a mission of introducing a new, luxurious type of yakitori to the public.

14. Tori Kaze - the owner strongly believes that yakitori skewers have the potential to become world famous cuisine and as such he puts his soul in every single dish. International visitors are specifically welcome at Naka-Meguro, Japan.

15. Tori Saki - enjoy grilled chicken in different styles and sauces in this popular restaurant in Nakagyo, Kyoto. It's even featured in the Michelin Guide.

16. Tori Shiki - next to Meguro Station in Tokyo, this restaurant has received high praise for its high quality chicken and its never ending effort to serve the best skewers in Japan.

17. Torisho Ishii Hina - aiming to elevate yakitori to a status equal to that of sushi and kaiseki, visit this restaurant in Minami-Azabu, Tokyo to try uniquely tasty chicken.

18. Maki Tori Shin Kobe - despite its name, you can find this place in Tokyo's Asakasa. They use three different types of domestic chicken to ensure the customer only receives the best of the best.

Japanese Cuisine - washoku

Since there's 20 restaurants in this category, we will only list selected information and the locations. Some of them hold one or even multiple Michelin stars and truly are the best restaurants in all of Japan.

19. Akasaka Ogino - in Tokyo's Akasaka area, the chef prepares the rice and the dashi (fish broth, foundation for many dishes in Japan) after the guests have arrived, ensuring it's high quality.

20. Azabu Muroi - featuring both a charcoal and a wood grill, this restaurant in Ginza, Tokyo offers a rare combination of flavors as most other restaurants only opt for one of the two.

21. Ishikawa - awarded three Michelin stars for the 2026 season, this restaurant is the pinnacle of luxury and quality nestled in a quiet spot in Kagurazaka, Tokyo.

22. Ogata - located in Shimogyo Ward in Kyoto, this restaurant is dedicated to presenting Kyoto's unique flavors and seasonal ingredients in a private atmosphere.

23. Kyotenjin Noguchi - a two-star Michelin restaurant in the heart of Kyoto. It serves creative dishes that stem from years of experience that the chef has gathered at high-class restaurants before opening his own.

24. Noguchi - dive into traditional Japanese cuisine prepared by the owner himself. Close to Osaka Station, it's probably the restaurant with the easiest access on this list.

25. Ginza Kitagawa - the way the dishes are presented here is on a new level, sometimes resembling flower bouquets or landscapes on a plate. The young chefs all aim to have their own restaurants one day. It's in Ginza, Tokyo.

26. Ginza Shinohara - entering the restaurant located in the basement of a taller building feels like walking into a different world. The dishes themselves are praised for looking like beautiful paintings. It can also be found in Ginza, Tokyo.

27. Kurogi - serving wine and sake perfectly aligning with the flavors of the dishes, owner and chef Jun Kurogi challenges the local cuisine and highlights the best of Tokyo's ingredients. Pay a visit to the restaurant at Shibakoen, Minato in Tokyo.

28. Kohaku - it's full of surprises as the chef incorporates flavors and ingredients into his dishes that might not be a typical combination. But they allow you to experience new dishes in Kagurazaka, Tokyo.

29. Sawada - specializing in kaiseki, a light menu originally served as part of a tea ceremony, you can enjoy the flavors of Japan without overwhelming your stomach. Find this restaurant Osaka's Fukushima Ward.

30. Jigen Do - located in Tokyo's Akasaka area, one of the unique highlights are smoked dishes that can't be enjoyed everywhere.

31. Suzutashiki - the chef here loves to experiment with fermentation and wood fire grilling, creating flavors and dishes that can only be experienced at this restaurant in Nishi-Azabu, Tokyo.

32. Tominokoji Yamagishi - resembling a tea ceremony room, this restaurant is located in a small townhouse in Kyoto's Nagagyo Ward. Dive into an experience inspired by hundreds of years of tea ceremony history.

33. Nihon Ryori Takamura - the only restaurant on this list in Northern Japan. Located in Akita City, the chef is one of the few fellow the routes of Edo cuisine and as such the flavors of old Tokyo.

34. Takamura Bettei Yamajin - from handmade sushi to sweet cakes, this restaurant has them all. They even serve lunch here, which can be considered rare among such luxurious restaurants. It's located in Toranomon, Minato in Tokyo.

35. Nozawa - originally opened in Nagoya, the restaurant announced its closing this year, but eventually reopened in Kyoto's Nakagyo due to popular demand. It's known for its modern take on Japanese cuisine.

36. Higashiyama Yoshihisa - featuring a different theme each month, this traditional Japanese ryotei-style restaurant also makes use of influences from other countries, for example France and China. It can be found in Higashiyama, Kyoto.

37. Mitaka - booked out months in advance, this restaurant focusses heavily on the seasons and customers anticipate the change of menu multiple times a year. Check it out in Tokyo's Higashi-Shinbashi area.

38. Yamasaki - earning its first Michelin star only three months after its opening, the chef is experienced in French and Spanish cuisine. Try this spectacular combination in Nishi-Azabu, Tokyo.

Italian Cuisine

Popular all around the world, Italian dishes have also made it to Japan. The chefs add a local touch to the traditional recipes, which allows customers to experience a new form of Italian food.

39. TACUBO - centering around an open kitchen, this restaurant only serves eight customers at the same time. Small portions and extravagant ingredients in combination with wines from all around the world define this place in Ebisu, Tokyo.

40. tens. - the perfect place for handmade pasta, it offers a notable variety of Italian dishes. A special menu is offered past 10 PM. Some call it the best restaurant in all of Tokyo's Aoyama, alongside its sister restaurant malca.

41. malca - offering an omakase course for lunch and an à la carte menu for dinner, this Italian restaurant in Aoyama, Tokyo definitely has the perfect dish for everyone. You can even choose from daily ingredients that are fresh from the market.

42. Yamaguchi - named after the owner, this restaurant combines cooking techniques from Japan and Italy. Located in Gion, Kyoto, it's one Kyoto's most sought-after Italian restaurants.

French Cuisine

While French restaurants aren't as common as Italian ones in Japan, there's a small number of places that we absolutely have to introduce to you as the best French restaurants in Japan.

43. Ao - located in Tokyo's Nishi-Azabu, it has high rankings across different platforms, but remains a secret treasure that isn't to many. The chef, Mr. Minemura, has even been called a genius by experts.

44. Gourmandise - with a casual appearance and calling itself a bistro, this place offers only the highest quality of meat and is the personal success of its chef, who has worked in different Michelin restaurants in France. Give it a try in Nishi-Azabu, Tokyo.

45. SECRETO - feel the passion of chef Akira Yasumoto in every single dish. Using hand-picked ingredients from Ishikawa prefecture, this course meal is a sensory experience.

Spanish Cuisine

Not yet a Japanese favorite, but rather an underdog, dishes from Spanish restaurants are a rare find in Japan. Still, we have found one that stands out even among more popular cuisines.

46. shokudo aca - still a hidden gem in Tokyo's Toranomon, Minato Ward, allow the chef to surprise you with stunning takes on Spanish dishes, incorporating Japanese techniques into a meal.

Chinese Cuisine

You may wonder why one would try Chinese food while in Japan. But we promise that this experience is just as exciting and inspiring as dining at a Japanese restaurant.

47. Saika - combining the best of China and Japanese, this restaurant shouldn't be missed out on when visiting Kyoto. Located in Higashiyama, many dishes are inspired by traditional Chinese cuisine.

48. Sazenka - serving teas from Japan, China and Taiwan to reach the full potential of the dishes' flavors, this restaurant truly knows how to turn dining into an unforgettable experience. You can find it in Minami-Azabu, Tokyo.

49. Nishibuchi Hanten - experience Kyoto-style Chinese cuisine at this unique restaurant, featuring a garden and a historic Japanese atmosphere in a traditional machiya house. It's located in Kyoto's Higashiyama area.

Molecular Gastronomy

This category features all restaurants that take an experimental route and can be summed up as the leaders of innovation in the world of food in Japan.

50. es - not limiting itself to the cuisine of one country, this place creates its one-of-a-kind menu items based on the seasons and available produce from the area. It's hidden away in the backstreets of Nishi-Azabu, Tokyo.

51. Cà sento - focusing on high quality over anything else, the team of this restaurant works together to offer delicious meals made from ingredients held to the highest standards. Located in Chuo Ward, Kobe, it's a local favorite.

52. SUGALABO - fusion kitchen with strong influences from France, the chef tells a story through each dish. The atmosphere of this restaurant also differs greatly from many others. Give it a try in Tokyo's Minato Ward.

Make A Reservation With CallButler!

Thanks to an exclusive collaboration, we are able to offer you a limited contingent of reservations at all these restaurants that really are the best dining spots in Japan! We are happy to answer all questions you might have, including recommending a specific restaurant based on your needs. Then you can leave the reservation and the communication with the restaurant to us.