L'Auberge de Plaisance Sakurai

The air is crisp and a gentle gust rolls across the spectacular Yamato Plains from this hilltop-perched auberge, which houses the French fine diner managed by the Hiramatsu Hotels group. Sacred, pristine, elegant – no words truly do justice to this Michelin-starred restaurant. The cornered dining space overlooks the sacred Mt. Miwa. Linen-covered tables and a grand space that feels like a ballroom take cues from modern elegance, although L'Auberge de Plaisance Sakurai still plants its stake in tradition. The prix fixe menu recalls the history of Japan’s old capital of Sakurai through Nara's exquisite land-harvested and sea-caught ingredients, viewed through a Gallic lens. The ethos behind the menu is simple: local ingredients for local consumption. Yamato-grown beef and chicken, along with deer and boar from Gojo, grace the protein section alongside sterling fish caught from the harbors of Akashi and Wakayama. The result is spectacular: persimmon leaf sushi is deconstructed into avant-garde creations. Seasonal autumn appetizers are presented on a small log. Amuse bouches in the spring feature delicate treatments of edible flowers, microgreens and caviar in a cornet. And the restaurant very much has its sommelier-approved wine sorted – namely drops of French origin sourced directly from the producers. Michelin Guide accolades: 2023 - 2024 - 1 star