Michelin Guide Nara 2026: All 78 Establishments Listed, Including 8 New Ones
Michelin (Japan headquarters: Ota City, Gunma Prefecture; Representative Director and President: Gen Sudo), with a corporate vision of "All Sustainable," will publish the full selection of the "Michelin Guide Nara 2026" on its official website and app on Wednesday, May 13, at 3:30 PM.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: May 14, 2026 at 00:30
- 🔍 Collected: May 13, 2026 at 16:02
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 13, 2026 at 17:27 (1h 25m after Collected)
Michelin (Japan headquarters: Ota City, Gunma Prefecture; Representative Director and President: Gen Sudo), with a corporate vision of "All Sustainable," will publish the full selection of the "Michelin Guide Nara 2026" on its official website and app on Wednesday, May 13, at 3:30 PM.
The Buddhist culture and crafts nurtured by the ancient capital of a thousand years, the four seasons of the satoyama, and the pure water and climate still breathe life into people's daily lives and culinary activities. Flavors that become a purpose for travel, such as Kakinoha-zushi (persimmon leaf sushi), Nara-zuke (pickles), sake brewing culture, Yamato vegetables, river fish, and mountain delicacies, remain in the memories of visitors along with the scenery of temples and shrines. The "Michelin Guide Nara 2026" introduces the culinary charm of Nara through a rigorously selected collection, with inspectors anonymously visiting various locations.
Four two-star restaurants—"akordu (Innovative)," "Oryori Hanagaki (Japanese Cuisine)," "Tsukumo (Japanese Cuisine)," and "NARA NIKON (Japanese Cuisine)"—maintained their ratings this year, marking their fifth consecutive year as two-star establishments since 2022.
"Hoshino (Japanese Cuisine)" in Nara City was newly listed as a one-star restaurant.
Seven new establishments were listed in the Selected Restaurants category, covering Italian, Contemporary, Sushi, French, and Yakitori cuisines.
Michelin Guide Nara 2026 Selection Count
Gwendal Poullennec, International Director of the Michelin Guide, commented as follows:
"The Nara selection once again demonstrates how the history and spiritual culture of the ancient capital are naturally intertwined with the creativity of today's chefs. Amidst the temple towns, traditional machiya houses, and satoyama landscapes, local ingredients, inherited techniques, and modern sensibilities harmonize, creating unique experiences that can only be found here. Based on our universal evaluation criteria, we have selected restaurants worth visiting. We will deliver the charm of Nara to travelers worldwide through our app and website. We aim to become a lifestyle media brand that further enhances accommodation introductions and selections, providing user-tailored services and superior convenience."
Gen Sudo, President and Representative Director of Michelin Japan, commented as follows:
"Nara is a land that has walked alongside the story of Japan's beginnings, where world-renowned cultural heritage and rich nature coexist. For over 130 years, Michelin has been committed to supporting people's mobility and making travel safer and more enjoyable. The 'Michelin Guide Nara 2026' will serve as a 'culinary guide' to inspire visits to Nara, supporting travel planning and experiences, and continuing to expand encounters with local food culture, producers, and chefs."
[Selection Highlights]
The four two-star restaurants are all located in Nara City: "akordu (Innovative)" offers cuisine born from French and modern Spanish experience. It conveys Nara's history and climate with local ingredients, stimulating diners' imagination. "Oryori Hanagaki (Japanese Cuisine)" offers dishes that respect tradition while incorporating unique ideas. Welcoming one group per day in a bamboo-surrounded detached house, they dedicate themselves to cuisine and hospitality. "Tsukumo (Japanese Cuisine)" offers dishes with ingenious combinations of ingredients, as expected from a chef who studied in Kyoto, New York, and London. "NARA NIKON (Japanese Cuisine)" offers pure Japanese cuisine that brings out the flavor of ingredients. The craftsman's spirit, which pays attention to the timing when ingredients are at their best, is reflected in the restaurant's name.
The new one-star restaurant, "Hoshino (Japanese Cuisine)" in Nara City, champions "cuisine reflecting Nara's climate and seasons," highlighting Nara's ingredients and combining seasonal delicacies. Chef Keisuke Hoshino, originally from Osaka, utilizes his extensive experience in Kansai for the menu. The renovated machiya house features a high ceiling, antiques, and artworks, with a team including kimono-clad waitstaff and sommeliers managing the restaurant.
Eleven establishments were listed in the Bib Gourmand category, covering Indian, Eel, Kushikatsu, Soba, Pizza, French, and Yakitori cuisines. In addition to Nara City, restaurants offering excellent value for money are introduced from areas such as Ikaruga-cho, Ikoma City, Uda City, Kashiba City, and Kashihara City.
The Buddhist culture and crafts nurtured by the ancient capital of a thousand years, the four seasons of the satoyama, and the pure water and climate still breathe life into people's daily lives and culinary activities. Flavors that become a purpose for travel, such as Kakinoha-zushi (persimmon leaf sushi), Nara-zuke (pickles), sake brewing culture, Yamato vegetables, river fish, and mountain delicacies, remain in the memories of visitors along with the scenery of temples and shrines. The "Michelin Guide Nara 2026" introduces the culinary charm of Nara through a rigorously selected collection, with inspectors anonymously visiting various locations.
Four two-star restaurants—"akordu (Innovative)," "Oryori Hanagaki (Japanese Cuisine)," "Tsukumo (Japanese Cuisine)," and "NARA NIKON (Japanese Cuisine)"—maintained their ratings this year, marking their fifth consecutive year as two-star establishments since 2022.
"Hoshino (Japanese Cuisine)" in Nara City was newly listed as a one-star restaurant.
Seven new establishments were listed in the Selected Restaurants category, covering Italian, Contemporary, Sushi, French, and Yakitori cuisines.
Michelin Guide Nara 2026 Selection Count
Gwendal Poullennec, International Director of the Michelin Guide, commented as follows:
"The Nara selection once again demonstrates how the history and spiritual culture of the ancient capital are naturally intertwined with the creativity of today's chefs. Amidst the temple towns, traditional machiya houses, and satoyama landscapes, local ingredients, inherited techniques, and modern sensibilities harmonize, creating unique experiences that can only be found here. Based on our universal evaluation criteria, we have selected restaurants worth visiting. We will deliver the charm of Nara to travelers worldwide through our app and website. We aim to become a lifestyle media brand that further enhances accommodation introductions and selections, providing user-tailored services and superior convenience."
Gen Sudo, President and Representative Director of Michelin Japan, commented as follows:
"Nara is a land that has walked alongside the story of Japan's beginnings, where world-renowned cultural heritage and rich nature coexist. For over 130 years, Michelin has been committed to supporting people's mobility and making travel safer and more enjoyable. The 'Michelin Guide Nara 2026' will serve as a 'culinary guide' to inspire visits to Nara, supporting travel planning and experiences, and continuing to expand encounters with local food culture, producers, and chefs."
[Selection Highlights]
The four two-star restaurants are all located in Nara City: "akordu (Innovative)" offers cuisine born from French and modern Spanish experience. It conveys Nara's history and climate with local ingredients, stimulating diners' imagination. "Oryori Hanagaki (Japanese Cuisine)" offers dishes that respect tradition while incorporating unique ideas. Welcoming one group per day in a bamboo-surrounded detached house, they dedicate themselves to cuisine and hospitality. "Tsukumo (Japanese Cuisine)" offers dishes with ingenious combinations of ingredients, as expected from a chef who studied in Kyoto, New York, and London. "NARA NIKON (Japanese Cuisine)" offers pure Japanese cuisine that brings out the flavor of ingredients. The craftsman's spirit, which pays attention to the timing when ingredients are at their best, is reflected in the restaurant's name.
The new one-star restaurant, "Hoshino (Japanese Cuisine)" in Nara City, champions "cuisine reflecting Nara's climate and seasons," highlighting Nara's ingredients and combining seasonal delicacies. Chef Keisuke Hoshino, originally from Osaka, utilizes his extensive experience in Kansai for the menu. The renovated machiya house features a high ceiling, antiques, and artworks, with a team including kimono-clad waitstaff and sommeliers managing the restaurant.
Eleven establishments were listed in the Bib Gourmand category, covering Indian, Eel, Kushikatsu, Soba, Pizza, French, and Yakitori cuisines. In addition to Nara City, restaurants offering excellent value for money are introduced from areas such as Ikaruga-cho, Ikoma City, Uda City, Kashiba City, and Kashihara City.