The MICHELIN Guide Kyoto Osaka 2018 was just launched and features a total of 412 restaurants and 86 hotels and ryokans located in the two cities. Of these, 12 have been given the coveted three-star distinction, including two new restaurants: IIDA in Kyoto who moved up from two-stars last year, and French gastronomy restaurant Hajime in Osaka.
The MICHELIN guide Kyoto Osaka also comprises a total of 40 two-star restaurants and 139 one-star restaurants.
The 2018 edition sees 25 new one-star additions: 12 in Kyoto and 13 in Osaka including the likes of Chinese restaurant Chugokusai S.Sawada, beef specialty establishment Nikunotakumi Miyoshi, and Sushi Kappo Nakaichi.
Michael Ellis, International Director of the MICHELIN Guides said: “The elegant, ancient city of Kyoto and the vibrant food city Osaka have different charms but both attract a lot of foreign tourists. I know these cities are also close to Japanese hearts. I am delighted to share with our clients the discoveries that our inspectors have made”.
The latest guide, which will go on sale on Friday, 10 November, also includes 221 Bib Gourmand selections, 34 of which are new additions. This distinction recognizes restaurants offering quality food at a maximum of 5,000JPY.
Click here for the full selection list in the 2018 Kyoto Osaka guide.
Written by
Rachel Tan
Rachel Tan is the Associate Digital Editor at the MICHELIN Guide Digital. A former food magazine writer based in Singapore, she has a degree in communications for journalism but is a graduate of the school of hard knocks in the kitchen. She writes to taste life twice.
Cappadocia becomes the latest Turkish destination in The MICHELIN Guide, adding to İstanbul, İzmir and Muğla in the upcoming 2026 restaurant selection.
The MICHELIN Guide Singapore welcomes 36 new restaurants in 2025, including a new two-star and a fresh one-star, bringing the total to 288 MICHELIN-recognized establishments across more than 40 cuisines in the Lion City.
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.
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.
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.