By CHIKAKO NUMATA/ Staff Writer
October 4, 2025 at 07:00 JST
Hidetoshi Nakamura, right, owner and chef of Michelin three-star restaurant Myoujaku, in Meguro Ward in Tokyo on Sept. 25 (Chikako Numata)
Japanese restaurant Myoujaku was promoted to three-Michelin-star status, giving Tokyo 12 top-ranked gourmet venues once again.
The latest rankings were listed in “Michelin Guide Tokyo 2026,” released by Nihon Michelin Tire Co. on Sept. 25.
“Our lives continue within the blessings of mountains and oceans, water and soil, wind and light. Reflecting on that origin, we cook our dishes with sincerity,” Hidetoshi Nakamura, owner and chef at Myoujaku in Minato Ward, said at the announcement event on Sept. 25.
“Michelin Guide Tokyo 2026” also gave the Mentor Chef award to Kenjiro Kanemoto, the fifth-generation head chef and owner of Nodaiwa Azabu-Iikura Honten, an eel restaurant in Minato Ward.
The award honors chefs dedicated to nurturing the next generation.
At 97, Kanemoto remains active at the restaurant. He has been recognized as the oldest mentor chef in the world.
“I have always strived to recognize and nurture the strengths of my staff members,” he said in a message sent to the event. “As a lifelong craftsman, I hope to walk just a little ahead so they can take pride in the path they’ve chosen.”
The Service Award went to Yasuyo Kumagae of Chinese restaurant Piao-Xiang located in Shibuya Ward, while the Sommelier Award was given to Tsuyoshi Nakamura of Manoir, a French restaurant also in Shibuya Ward.
The three-star restaurants in “Michelin Guide Tokyo 2026” are:
* Quintessence, French restaurant in Shinagawa Ward
* Kagurazaka Ishikawa, Japanese restaurant in Shinjuku Ward
* Harutaka, sushi restaurant in Chuo Ward
* L’osier, French restaurant in Chuo Ward
* Sezanne, French restaurant in Chiyoda Ward
* RyuGin, Japanese restaurant in Chiyoda Ward
* Azabu Kadowaki, Japanese restaurant in Minato Ward
* Kanda, Japanese restaurant in Minato Ward
* Sazenka, Chinese restaurant in Minato Ward
* Myoujaku, Japanese restaurant in Minato Ward
* L’Effervescence, French restaurant in Minato Ward
* Joel Robuchon, French restaurant in Meguro Ward
Michelin Guide Tokyo awards three stars to Sezanne
November 7, 2024
Michelin Tokyo picks sushi shop for 1st new 3-star eatery in 3 years
December 20, 2023
Michelin Tokyo picks same eateries as last year for 3 stars
December 9, 2022
Michelin Guide recognizes 85 restaurants in Nara Prefecture
June 28, 2024
Michelin-star Paris restaurant opens sister shop in Shizuoka
February 22, 2021
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