"Michelin Guide Kyoto/Osaka 2026": A New Three-Star Restaurant Shines in Kyoto for the First Time in 6 Years
Michelin has announced the "Michelin Guide Kyoto/Osaka 2026" selection. "Miyamaso" in Kyoto has been upgraded to a new three-star restaurant, marking the first new three-star in the area in six years.
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- 📰 Published: April 23, 2026 at 23:30
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Michelin (Japan subsidiary headquarters: Ota City, Gunma Prefecture; President: Gen Sudo), whose corporate vision is "Making everything sustainable," announced the full selection of the "Michelin Guide Kyoto/Osaka 2026" on Thursday, April 23, and will publish the new selection on the Michelin Guide official website and official app at 14:30 on the same day. The physical and electronic books will be released on Tuesday, April 28.
"Miyamaso (Japanese Cuisine)" in Kyoto upgraded its rating to become a new three-star restaurant and maintained its Green Star. This is the first time in six years, since the 2020 edition, that a new three-star restaurant has been born in Kyoto and Osaka.
Five new two-star restaurants emerged from the Japanese cuisine category. All of them upgraded from one star last year. The four in Kyoto are "Doppo," "Higashiyama Yoshihisa," "Muromachi Yui," and "Tokuha Motonari," while the one in Osaka is "Teruya."
Twelve new one-star restaurants were born in Kyoto (5 upgraded / 7 newly listed) and 7 in Osaka (3 upgraded / 4 newly listed). In addition, 3 new Bib Gourmands were born in Kyoto and 9 in Osaka.
Number of selections in "Michelin Guide Kyoto/Osaka 2026"
Gwendal Poullennec, International Director of the Michelin Guide, commented as follows:
"The new selection proves the further evolution of Kyoto and Osaka. The dynamic selection, with the birth of a new three-star, 5 new two-stars, and 19 new one-stars, surprised our inspectors. Even as we celebrate the 100th anniversary of the appearance of stars in the Michelin Guide to indicate delicious food, we continue to introduce recommended eateries and restaurants using the same unique evaluation method. At the same time, the hotel selection with Michelin Keys, and starting this year, the introduction of outstanding wineries with Michelin Grapes, are also beginning. We will continue to evolve in this century, aiming to be a one-of-a-kind digital platform that supports rich experiences for users."
Gen Sudo, President of Nihon Michelin Tire Co., Ltd., commented as follows:
"Kyoto and Osaka are cities of gastronomy that, while based on a long history and culture, have constantly continued to evolve. For over 130 years, Michelin has supported people's mobility in the field of transportation and contributed to the realization of a safe and sustainable society. The 'Michelin Guide Kyoto/Osaka 2026,' now in its 17th year, is one of the initiatives embodying Michelin's stance. Going beyond just restaurant evaluations, we support everything from travel planning to movement and experiences, and will continue to provide opportunities for people to encounter local food cultures and people through the 'joy of mobility.'"
[Kyoto Selection Highlights]
The new three-star is the upgraded "Miyamaso (Japanese Cuisine)." It was listed with one star in the first edition in 2010, two stars the following year, and now three stars in the 2026 edition. It has also been selected for a Green Star since the 2021 edition. Hisato Nakahigashi provides refined dishes using seasonal blessings of nature that he picks himself. He naturally continues the origin of cooking by using ingredients from nearby areas to make meals, providing food that is good for the body and mind. The menu allows you to feel the blessings of the satoyama (woodlands), with wild vegetables in spring, river fish in summer, mushrooms in autumn, and gibier in winter. Located in a satoyama rich in nature, you can spend a special time in a quiet space. The proprietress, Sachiko Nakahigashi, received the Service Award in the 2023 edition, and it is a ryokan (Japanese inn) with excellent hospitality from the entire staff.
Four new two-star restaurants were born. All have upgraded from last year. "Doppo (Japanese Cuisine)" is a Japanese restaurant that can be said to be the culmination of owner Masato Miyazawa's career, as it is the third restaurant he has opened. Through the meal, you can experience the aesthetic sense of Japanese cuisine in the food, the use of tableware, and the room decorations. "Higashiyama Yoshihisa (Japanese Cuisine)" is an attractive Japanese restaurant known for the sense of unity and dynamism between owner Yoshihisa Suzuki and the chefs. Some dishes are finished at the counter, from the introduction of ingredients to cooking, allowing you to feel the hospitality unique to "Higashiyama Yoshihisa." The omakase at "Tokuha Motonari (Japanese Cuisine)" aims for new cuisine while drawing on the experiences of owner Shinya Matsumoto's training days. There are orthodox preparations as well as creative items, such as grilling ingredients standing up on the irori (sunken hearth), as he explores his own cuisine. "Muromachi Yui (Japanese Cuisine)" is a kappo restaurant that claims to be one-of-a-kind, offering food and a space that can only be tasted there. Ikko Maeda changes the omakase monthly, cherishing the seasonal events of Japanese cuisine. The hassun (appetizer platter), which reflects the customs and events of each month, is also beautiful.
The new one-stars are a total of 12 restaurants, consisting of 5 upgraded and 7 newly listed. Among them, 7 are Japanese cuisine.
"Miyamaso (Japanese Cuisine)" in Kyoto upgraded its rating to become a new three-star restaurant and maintained its Green Star. This is the first time in six years, since the 2020 edition, that a new three-star restaurant has been born in Kyoto and Osaka.
Five new two-star restaurants emerged from the Japanese cuisine category. All of them upgraded from one star last year. The four in Kyoto are "Doppo," "Higashiyama Yoshihisa," "Muromachi Yui," and "Tokuha Motonari," while the one in Osaka is "Teruya."
Twelve new one-star restaurants were born in Kyoto (5 upgraded / 7 newly listed) and 7 in Osaka (3 upgraded / 4 newly listed). In addition, 3 new Bib Gourmands were born in Kyoto and 9 in Osaka.
Number of selections in "Michelin Guide Kyoto/Osaka 2026"
Gwendal Poullennec, International Director of the Michelin Guide, commented as follows:
"The new selection proves the further evolution of Kyoto and Osaka. The dynamic selection, with the birth of a new three-star, 5 new two-stars, and 19 new one-stars, surprised our inspectors. Even as we celebrate the 100th anniversary of the appearance of stars in the Michelin Guide to indicate delicious food, we continue to introduce recommended eateries and restaurants using the same unique evaluation method. At the same time, the hotel selection with Michelin Keys, and starting this year, the introduction of outstanding wineries with Michelin Grapes, are also beginning. We will continue to evolve in this century, aiming to be a one-of-a-kind digital platform that supports rich experiences for users."
Gen Sudo, President of Nihon Michelin Tire Co., Ltd., commented as follows:
"Kyoto and Osaka are cities of gastronomy that, while based on a long history and culture, have constantly continued to evolve. For over 130 years, Michelin has supported people's mobility in the field of transportation and contributed to the realization of a safe and sustainable society. The 'Michelin Guide Kyoto/Osaka 2026,' now in its 17th year, is one of the initiatives embodying Michelin's stance. Going beyond just restaurant evaluations, we support everything from travel planning to movement and experiences, and will continue to provide opportunities for people to encounter local food cultures and people through the 'joy of mobility.'"
[Kyoto Selection Highlights]
The new three-star is the upgraded "Miyamaso (Japanese Cuisine)." It was listed with one star in the first edition in 2010, two stars the following year, and now three stars in the 2026 edition. It has also been selected for a Green Star since the 2021 edition. Hisato Nakahigashi provides refined dishes using seasonal blessings of nature that he picks himself. He naturally continues the origin of cooking by using ingredients from nearby areas to make meals, providing food that is good for the body and mind. The menu allows you to feel the blessings of the satoyama (woodlands), with wild vegetables in spring, river fish in summer, mushrooms in autumn, and gibier in winter. Located in a satoyama rich in nature, you can spend a special time in a quiet space. The proprietress, Sachiko Nakahigashi, received the Service Award in the 2023 edition, and it is a ryokan (Japanese inn) with excellent hospitality from the entire staff.
Four new two-star restaurants were born. All have upgraded from last year. "Doppo (Japanese Cuisine)" is a Japanese restaurant that can be said to be the culmination of owner Masato Miyazawa's career, as it is the third restaurant he has opened. Through the meal, you can experience the aesthetic sense of Japanese cuisine in the food, the use of tableware, and the room decorations. "Higashiyama Yoshihisa (Japanese Cuisine)" is an attractive Japanese restaurant known for the sense of unity and dynamism between owner Yoshihisa Suzuki and the chefs. Some dishes are finished at the counter, from the introduction of ingredients to cooking, allowing you to feel the hospitality unique to "Higashiyama Yoshihisa." The omakase at "Tokuha Motonari (Japanese Cuisine)" aims for new cuisine while drawing on the experiences of owner Shinya Matsumoto's training days. There are orthodox preparations as well as creative items, such as grilling ingredients standing up on the irori (sunken hearth), as he explores his own cuisine. "Muromachi Yui (Japanese Cuisine)" is a kappo restaurant that claims to be one-of-a-kind, offering food and a space that can only be tasted there. Ikko Maeda changes the omakase monthly, cherishing the seasonal events of Japanese cuisine. The hassun (appetizer platter), which reflects the customs and events of each month, is also beautiful.
The new one-stars are a total of 12 restaurants, consisting of 5 upgraded and 7 newly listed. Among them, 7 are Japanese cuisine.