Japan

The MICHELIN Guide announces its selection of the best hotels in Japan for 2025.

From serene hot spring retreats to sleek city towers, Japan’s new MICHELIN Key hotels capture the country’s quiet mastery of detail.

All year round, MICHELIN Guide Inspectors visit an endless procession of restaurants. And, once in a while, a dish lands on their tables that is simply unforgettable.

Myojaku, led by Chef Hidetoshi Nakamura, was awarded Three MICHELIN Stars in the MICHELIN Guide Tokyo 2026. Here, the Inspectors share their impressions.

Paris’ most fashionable neighborhood has more in common with Tokyo than first meets the eye. In the Marais, matcha tea salons, craft boutiques and MICHELIN Inspector-approved restaurants helmed by Japanese chefs connect the dots between two cultural — and culinary — capitals.

Step outside your hotel and discover six distinct neighborhoods that capture Osaka’s scenery and ambiance, enriching every moment of your stay in this vibrant city.

Beyond mere aesthetics, the best architecture and design hotels in the world are purpose-built, immersive experiences — whether on land, sea or in the sky.

High above the district of Ginza, the artist rooms at Park Hotel Tokyo are some of the boldest in the city. This is room number 3419.

Japan offers more than skyscrapers and ryokan: It’s home to some of the most unique hotel forms in the world.

Just outside Tokyo — less than two hours by train — five Key hotels for onsen baths, bamboo forests, or mesmerizing views of Mt. Fuji.

Kyoto is a city of distinct neighborhoods, each with its own character and appeal. Get to know two of the most iconic, Higashiyama and Arashiyama, with this itinerary blending history, art, natural beauty and culinary delights. You’ll also hear from two international hospitality professionals from MICHELIN Guide establishments who share how these neighborhoods shape their creative lives.

Chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten, internationally acclaimed for his boundary-crossing cuisine and flagship restaurants such as Jean-Georges at The Shinmonzen in Kyoto, shares his insider favorites — from udon to tempura to cocktails — alongside stories that shaped his love for the city.

Mauro Colagreco, the chef behind the Three-MICHELIN-Starred Mirazur in Menton, traces his deep-rooted affinity for Japanese culture back to Kyoto — the city where it all began. Now, years later, he’s returned with his family, eager to share the place that first awakened his fascination.

Nara, Japan’s original capital, offers a peaceful blend of ancient temples, sacred deer, and walkable parklands — just a short trip from Kyoto.

Kyoto has no shortage of izakaya, casual eateries where you can enjoy ryotei and kappo fare in a relaxed environment. Step into any one of them and be greeted by the same inviting atmosphere: gentle clinks of sake cups over the chitter chatter of guests either catching up with the chef by the counter or conversing among themselves set against warm lights that enhance the nostalgia of a Kyoto machiya (traditional two-story townhouse).

Kyoto continues to captivate international travelers — not only with its temples and gardens, but also with a culinary scene that blends tradition and innovation. The MICHELIN Guide Kyoto Osaka 2025 includes four new Bibs Gourmand, our affordable restaurants in Kyoto, spotlighting exceptional food at moderate prices.

A curated look at Kyoto’s standout dishes, all handpicked by our MICHELIN Guide Inspectors, from the 2025 selection.

Its compact size, flat terrain, grid-like streets and scenic paths make Kyoto among the most walkable cities in Japan — and one that’s best discovered on foot.