Cookie Consent by Free Privacy Policy website One new three star, three new two star and 29 new one star distinctions confirm Tokyo’s position as one of the world’s leading gastronomic cities
november 27, 2018 - Michelin

One new three star, three new two star and 29 new one star distinctions confirm Tokyo’s position as one of the world’s leading gastronomic cities

L’Osier joins the global Michelin family of three star restaurants, Kobikicho Tomoki enters directly with two stars, while Onigiri cuisine makes its debut in the Guide

Michelin is today launching the MICHELIN Guide Tokyo 2019 and in this edition there are one new three star, three new two star and 29 new one star restaurants, in addition to 44 new Bib Gourmand establishments. This tally of new distinctions means that Tokyo continues to offer something for all visitors and locals, from high level gastronomic experiences to good value eateries.  

In this, the 12th edition of the Tokyo Guide, there are a total of 484 restaurants – including 4 establishments that have held three stars in every edition – plus 35 establishments offering accommodation. With this launch, Tokyo also retains its position as the city with the highest number of starred restaurants in the world, with 230.

Speaking about the 2019 Tokyo selection, Gwendal Poullennec, International Director of the MICHELIN Guides, commented: “Michelin publishes the Guide in many of the world’s major cities but Tokyo is just extraordinary due to the variety of cuisine on offer, both Japanese and international, and its huge number of starred and Bib Gourmand establishments. I have no doubt that this fact alone will encourage tourists to continue to visit Tokyo to experience the vibrant culinary scene. This diversity of cuisine types and restaurant styles mean it is a great pleasure for our team of inspectors to continue to seek out and introduce our readers to the many high quality, and good value options, that the city has to offer. 

Highlights of this year’s selection include L’Osier (French, in Chuo-ku) being promoted to three stars, where chef Olivier Chaignon’s elegant cooking is based on tradition, and uses seasonal ingredients from Japan and France. Of the two star additions this year, one restaurant is a completely new entry in the Guide; Kobikicho Tomoki (Sushi, in Chuo-ku); and 2 restaurants have been promoted to two stars; Nabeno-Ism (French, in Taito-ku) and Harutaka (Sushi, in Chuo-ku).

This edition also sees the first Okinawa Ryori restaurant selected – Ryukyu Chinese Dining Tama (Shibuya-ku) in Tokyo. And for the first time, Onigiri cuisine – white rice formed into triangular or cylindrical shapes and often wrapped in nori – appears in the Guide, with the addition of Onigiri Asakusa Yadoroku (Taito-ku).

The addition of a new one star Ramen restaurant; Sobahouse Kinirohototogisu (Shinjuku-ku), means it becomes the third one star Ramen restaurant in Tokyo – the only city that has Ramen restaurants with Michelin stars.

The restaurants that have maintained the highest standards of cooking, creativity and consistency, and subsequently held three stars for 12 consecutive years are: Kanda (Japanese, in Minato-ku); Quintessence (French, in Shinagawa-ku); Joël Robuchon (French, in Meguro-ku); and Sukiyabashi Jiro Honten (Sushi, in Chuo-ku).

Overall, 73 restaurants have been added to the 2019 Guide, which reflects the enormous gastronomic talent found in Tokyo today.

MICHELIN Guide Tokyo 2019 selection summary:

13 three star restaurants (including 1 new)

52 two star restaurants (including 3 new)

165 one star restaurants (including 29 new)

254 Bib Gourmand restaurants (including 44 new)

2 Ryokans and 33 hotels (including 2 new)

The guide will be on sale on Friday 30 November in major bookstores.

Before then, the selection will be AVAILABLE on the MICHELIN Guide official website: (japanguide.michelin.co.jp/).