New Michelin Guide for Kyoto and Osaka is published

Michelin is pleased to unveil the new selection of the MICHELIN Guide Kyoto & Osaka 2018, which features a total of 412 restaurants and 86 hotels and ryokans, located in Kyoto and Osaka.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”.12 restaurants have been awarded Three Stars, including two new: IIDA, a restaurant located in Kyoto where the owner-chef serves Japanese cuisine and changes the menu monthly. The restaurant Hajime also obtains three stars this year: the chef Hajime Yoneda takes an inventive approach to the cuisine and has created a menu inspired by the themes of earth and space – and the natural way of things.A total of 40 restaurants are awarded two stars in the selection 2018: 23 are located in Kyoto and 17 in Osaka.The MICHELIN guide Kyoto Osaka also comprises 139 restaurants awarded one star. Among them 25 are new: 12 in Kyoto and 13 in Osaka.The MICHELIN guide Kyoto Osaka selection also includes 221 restaurants awarded a Bib Gourmand, 34 of which are newly added to this year’s list: 18 in Kyoto and 16 in Osaka. The Bib Gourmand distinction recognizes those restaurants offering quality food at a maximum of 5,000JPY. It also reflects the continuing trend for competitively priced, less structured and more flexible dining. All cuisine categories have been considered this year in the selection.