23 April 2026
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On May 13, we announced the full selection of The MICHELIN Guide Nara 2026. This year’s selection features 78 restaurants in total, including one new One-MICHELIN-Star restaurant and seven new MICHELIN Selected restaurants. The selection also includes four Two-MICHELIN-Star restaurants, 18 One-MICHELIN-Star restaurants, 11 Bib Gourmand restaurants, 45 MICHELIN Selected restaurants and seven Green Star restaurants.
Nara’s selection reflects the history and Buddhist culture shaped by this ancient capital. Across each dish, the 2026 Selection evokes the scenery of Nara’s temples and shrines, the changing seasons of its satoyama landscapes, and the pure water and terroir that continue to support local life and cuisine. Long-standing gastronomic canons of the region include persimmon-leaf sushi andNara-zuke pickles. Local sake brewing, Yamato heirloom vegetables, river fish and foraged mountain produce are all flavors rooted in this region and among the pleasures of visiting Nara.
From Japanese restaurants that carry forward the spirit of the ancient capital, to restaurants that express Nara’s ingredients and culture with contemporary sensibility, this year’s selection reflects the depth of the region. Seven new MICHELIN Selected restaurants spread across five cuisine categories: Italian, contemporary, sushi, French and yakitori.
Related: What is a MICHELIN Star?
Gwendal Poullennec, International Director of The MICHELIN Guide, commented on this year’s selection:
“The Nara selection once again demonstrates how the history and spiritual culture of this ancient capital are naturally intertwined with the creativity of today’s chefs. Amid the scenery of temples and shrines, traditional townhouses and satoyama landscapes, local ingredients, time-honored techniques and contemporary sensibilities come together to create experiences that can only be found here. Based on our universal evaluation criteria, we have selected restaurants that are worth visiting. Through our app and website, we will continue to share the appeal of Nara with travelers around the world. We also aim to further enhance our hotel listings and selections, and to become a lifestyle media brand that offers personalized services and greater convenience.”
The MICHELIN Guide Nara 2026 at a Glance
Total selection: 78 restaurants
Two MICHELIN Stars: 4
One MICHELIN Star: 18, including 1 new
Bib Gourmand: 11
MICHELIN Selected: 45, including 7 new
Green Star: 7
Newly Added Restaurants
Eight restaurants have joined The MICHELIN Guide Nara selection.
Hoshino
One MICHELIN Star / Japanese, New
The owner-chef’s guiding theme is “cuisine that reflects the milieu of Nara and the four seasons.” Local ingredients are brought into focus and arranged according to the flavors of the season. The space combines the atmosphere of a traditional machiya townhouse with a modern atrium, bringing old and new together.
ristorante Nishiyama
MICHELIN Selected / Italian, New
Seeking to move beyond the confines of Italian cuisine, the chef incorporates Japanese ingredients. The ground floor, with its double-height ceiling, serves as the dining room, while the first floor is a gallery exhibiting works by artists with connections to Nara.
Aperçu
MICHELIN Selected / Contemporary, New
The restaurant aims to linger in a corner of guests’ memories. Guided by the theme of “seeking chance encounters,” the chef searches for a distinctive culinary style. Its signature dish, “TSUNAGU,” expresses both the bounty of the land and the connections between people.
Sushi Matsumiya
MICHELIN Selected / Sushi, New
A sushi restaurant run by two sisters; the younger sister prepares the sushi, while the elder serves the guests. Japanese tiger prawn is served without wasabi to bring out its sweetness, while simmered conger eel is lightly grilled over bamboo leaves to impart their aroma. With their unique perspective on sushi, much thought is given to every piece.
Naramachi Sushi Hanako
MICHELIN Selected / Sushi, New
After learning the basics at a sushi school, the chef’s curiosity about working overseas led him to gain experience in Canada. The sushi rice is seasoned with rice vinegar, salt and sugar, with Kansai flavors in mind. Uramaki, familiar from his time in Canada, reflects both respect for tradition and his own global experience.
AUBERGE de SENVIE
MICHELIN Selected / French, New
The name combines “sens” and “vie,” or “sense” and “life,” expressing a wish for guests to experience the bounty of Nara’s land and the richness of its culture. Set amid the refreshing natural beauty of the Yamato Plain, the restaurant brings sensibility to life through its cuisine.
SOLIER
MICHELIN Selected / French, New
Tomio is a place of personal meaning for the chef, who spent his high school years there. With fruits and vegetables from his home garden, he connects the region and his guests through cooking. To share the appeal of the ingredients and the thoughts behind each dish, he brings the plates to the table himself.
Sukita
MICHELIN Selected / Yakitori, New
The chef’s study of yakitori led him to dry-aging. By drawing out moisture, he enhances the flavor of both skin and meat. He also has firm views on how to arrange the charcoal and grill the skewers, devoting focused passion to his craft.
The restaurants join the MICHELIN Guide selection of hotels, which features the most unique and exciting places to stay in Nara and throughout the world. Every hotel in the selection is chosen by MICHELIN Guide experts for its extraordinary style, service, and personality, with options for all budgets, and each hotel can be booked directly through the MICHELIN Guide website and app.
