Selected by 300 influential leaders across Asia's culinary world, the announcement of Asia's 50 Best Restaurants is an annual celebration of gastronomy that has become a ritual of anticipation, excitement, and industry-leading restaurants.
So, without further ado, let’s see which Japan-based restaurants made it into Asia’s 50 best restaurants of 2024.
Japan-based restaurants in Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants 2024
#1: Sézanne (Tokyo, Japan)
Based in Tokyo, Sézanne took second place in 2023, but that wasn’t good enough for these trendsetters. Now, they’ve come back even stronger and taken the much-coveted first place in Asia’s 50 best restaurants! This is only yet another symbol of Chef Daniel Calvert’s expertise, creating Michelin-star-worthy French fusion cuisine in the heart of the world’s biggest city.
#2: Florilège (Tokyo, Japan)
Kawate Hiroyasu, head chef and owner of the Tokyo-based restaurant Florilège is no stranger to being recognized for his culinary skills, taking the #7 spot in Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants 2023. One year later and he’s come back even stronger, soaring to the #2 spot this year with his unforgettable French cuisine, already awarded two Michelin stars and a Michelin Green star.
#8: Den (Tokyo, Japan)
With its two Michelin stars and a Michelin Green star, it’s no surprise that Den has been considered one of the best restaurants in Asia for a number of years. Bringing high-quality, historic Japanese home cooking to the city of Tokyo, Chef Hasegawa Zaiyu is known for his ability to elevate cozy dishes to new heights without losing the warming quality that made them so special in the first place.
#9: La Cime (Osaka, Japan)
Dropping only one spot from #8 in 2023, La Cime is retaining its title as one of Asia’s best restaurants, and rightly so! Translating to “the peak" in French, La Cime truly is at the top of its game, with Chef Takada Yusuke drawing diners from far and wide with his inventive, contemporary French dishes. Almost never serving the same dish twice, this is where the people of Osaka head for unmatched French cuisine.
#14: Narisawa (Tokyo, Japan)
Narisawa is no stranger to Asia’s best restaurant list, taking the #10 spot in 2023. Now, along with its two Michelin stars and Michelin Green star, Chef Narisawa Yoshihiro can also add 14th best restaurant in Asia to his list. With his innovative, geographically inspired dishes, Narisawa has a unique wow factor that not many restaurants can match — and that’s even before you discover his soup made with a poisonous Okinawa snake.
#35: Villa Aida (Wakayama, Japan)
Villa Aida once again makes the best 50 restaurants in Asia, bringing acclaim and delicious Italian dishes to the countryside of Iwade, Wakayama. With everything on their menu being locally grown or sourced, from their herbs and vegetables to their fish and game, it’s no wonder that this culinary couple has kept their spot on this enviable list.
#39: Sazenka (Tokyo, Japan)
After spending years developing his knowledge of Chinese and Japanese cuisine, Chef Kawada Tomoyo’s expertise keeps Tokyo-based Sazenka on the list of the best restaurants in Asia year after year. With industry-leading Chinese fusion dishes, a wide selection of Chinese and Japanese alcohol, and expertly-chosen tea pairings informed by decades of self-study in the art, there's always a new reason to book a table at Sazenka.
#45: Goh (Fukuoka, Japan)
Owner-chef Fukuyama Takeshi is well-known on Asia’s Best 50 Restaurants list, with his first solo venture, La Maison de la Nature Goh, making the cut at #36 in 2022. Now, his follow-up restaurant, Goh, has entered the list at #45, courtesy of Fukuyama’s mastery of international cuisines and his restaurant's atmospheric setting.
#47: Cenci (Kyoto, Tokyo)
From #43 in 2023 to #47 in 2024, Cenci is keeping its spot within Asia’s best restaurants for another year! Owner-chef Sakamoto Ken has made a name for himself in Kyoto, where his Michelin star Italian restaurant gives people another reason to head in the direction of the famous Heian Shrine. This intimate spot is said to feel like a secret bunker, giving diners a hideaway for hand-crafted Italian cuisine like no other.
The winners in the Top 50 restaurants in Asia from Japan
These nine Japan-based restaurants earned their place on Asia's 50 Best Restaurants 2024 list:
#1: Sézanne (Tokyo, Japan)
#2: Florilège (Tokyo, Japan)
#8: Den (Tokyo, Japan)
#9: La Cime (Osaka, Japan)
#14: Narisawa (Tokyo, Japan)
#35: Villa Aida (Wakayama, Japan)
#39: Sazenka (Tokyo, Japan)
#45: Goh (Fukuoka, Japan)
#47: Cenci (Kyoto, Japan)
The winners in the Top 100 restaurants in Asia from Japan
If we take a peek into the 100 best restaurants in Asia, there are even more Japan-based restaurants recognized as being at the top of their game:
#51: L’Effervescence (Tokyo, Japan)
#58: Crony (Tokyo, Japan)
#60: Sushi Saito (Tokyo, Japan)
#66: Sugita (Tokyo, Japan)
#67: L'évo (Toyama, Japan)
#69: MAZ (Tokyo, Japan)
#76: Myoujyaku (Tokyo, Japan)
#80: Hommage (Tokyo, Japan)
#83: Esquisse (Tokyo, Japan)
To take a journey through the years of Asia’s best Japan-based restaurants, read our blog on Asia's Best Restaurants 2022 or Asia’s Best Restaurants 2023. Alternatively, expand your Tokyo options with our curated list of the best restaurants in the capital.
