Japan Independent Travel: Michelin Three-Star Restaurants & Shopping Malls

     For food lovers, the term “Michelin restaurant” is surely no stranger. It originally originated over 100 years ago in France, but surprisingly, Japan has now surpassed France to become the country with the most Michelin restaurants in the world. As a hub of fashion and trends, besides food, shopping is also a major focus for many on their trip to Japan. Today, we’re offering you a Tokyo and Osaka gourmet and shopping guide. If you’re planning an independent trip to Japan, why not join us for a one-stop carnival of Michelin three-star food and shopping in Japan?

    Tokyo Chapter

    Unlike the 2013 and 2014 editions of the “Michelin Guide Tokyo, Yokohama, Shonan,” which covered multiple areas, the 2015 edition featured a standalone “Michelin Guide” just for Tokyo, reflecting its prestigious status among food critics.

    Sukiyabashi Jiro (Sukiyabashi Jiro) Honten is arguably the most famous Michelin restaurant in Tokyo.It is the flagship location of the legendary “Sushi God” Jiro Ono. Among the sushi offerings at Sukiyabashi Jiro Honten, Jiro Ono himself particularly recommends tuna sushi, believing it best embodies the essence of sushi—different parts of the fish have varying fat contents, and when paired with rice precisely controlled for temperature, it delivers an extraordinary taste experience.

Average cost: 32,000 JPY

Address: B1F, Tsukamoto, 4-2-15 Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo

    Owner Yukimura Jun excels at using seasonal ingredients, most famously with his famed kani (crab) from Kisen, including both matsuba crab and tatsutagani—considered a must-try once-in-a-lifetime delicacy for crab enthusiasts. The sweet and delicious crab meat is a treat for seafood lovers. Their signature dish, fukiawasabi mixed with crab, combines Kyoto’s famed fuki (butterbur) from the Horikawa area with Kisengai crabs. The crab is cooked and shelled, while the burdock root is simmered in a mixture of sake, bonito stock, and light soy sauce. The mizuna greens are marinated in sake, bonito stock, mirin, and soy sauce. A special white sauce made from yamaimo root from Mt. Dainichi in Yoshino is incorporated, and all these elements are artfully plated. A must-try.

Average cost: 25,000 JPY

Address: 3rd Floor, Yukan Azabu 10 Bldg., 1-5-5, Togoshi, Minato-ku, Tokyo

    When it comes to Michelin three-star restaurants in Tokyo, the renowned Kagurazaka “Ishikawa” fine dining establishment cannot be overlooked. This restaurant specializes in traditional Japanese kaiseki cuisine, and its promotional text well reflects its defining characteristic. Visiting Tokyo without enjoying a wonderful dinner at Kagurazaka “Ishikawa” would be truly regrettable.

Average cost: 25,000 JPY

Address: 1st Floor, Takamura Bldg., 3-37 Kagurazaka, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo

 

    As Japan’s fashion capital and the country’s most commercially developed and product-circulated city, Tokyo offers the most complete shopping environment. Major commercial districts include Ginza, Shinjuku, Shibuya, Ikebukuro, Ueno, Harajuku, Omotesando, and Roppongi, among others. Other distinctive shopping areas include Marunouchi (Tokyo Station), Odaiba, Akihabara, Daikanyama, Shimokitazawa, Nakano, Kichijoji, and Jiyugaoka.

 

    Known as the “kitchen of Japan,” Osaka boasts equally mouthwatering cuisine. Most restaurants here serve Japanese or kaiseki cuisine, along with a wide selection of sushi, izakayas, yakitori, kushikatsu (skewered deep-fried meat and vegetables), tempura, and European restaurants.

    As the only Spanish restaurant among Japan’s Michelin three-star establishments, Fujiya 1935’s philosophy is “we don’t experience flavors with our mouths, but with our brains.” Whether it’s the service staff explaining the dishes, the thoughtfully chosen beverages (or alcoholic drinks), the refined yet unextravagant plating, or the taste of the food itself—all convey the essence of the dining experience. Dishes such as those using foam sauces, clam meat, sea bass, and the main course of duck breast leave unforgettable impressions.

Average cost: 10,000 JPY

Address: 2-4-14 Yorozuya-cho, Chuo-ku, Osaka, Japan

    Kashiwaya serves some of Osaka’s finest kaiseki cuisine. This restaurant was originally a tea ceremony villa, remodeled into its current form in 1993, and thus exudes the tea ceremony spirit of “ichigo ichie” (one time, one meeting), showcasing classic Japanese elegance. Kashiwaya is most famous for its caviar, with its rich acidity complementing the strong umami of needlefish sashimi, helping to soften the fishy taste. Seasonal vegetables flown in from various regions refresh the palate.

Average cost: 25,000 JPY

Address: 2-5-18 Senriyama Nishi, Suita, Osaka Prefecture

    The star of Tai’an’s cuisine is “grilled dishes.” The ingredients and cooking methods are not complicated, and the presentation emphasizes simplicity and letting the food shine. To distinguish itself from other kaiseki restaurants, Tai’an focuses on grilling. The offerings, such as red snapper, salmon, Spanish Iberico pork, and duck from France’s Charante region, are all exquisitely grilled delicacies.

Average spending per person: 13,000 yen

Address: 1-21-2 Shimochuji, Chuo-ku, Osaka, Osaka Prefecture, Japan

 

    Osaka is the fashion hub of Japan’s Kansai region, offering an abundance of goods, comprehensive shopping facilities, and well-developed retail distribution. Locals typically divide Osaka into Kita (north) and Minami (south). Major commercial areas in Kita include Osaka Station, Umeda, Kitashinchi, Kyobashi, and Sakuranomiya, while key shopping districts in Minami feature Shinsaibashi, Namba, Senba, Kuromon Market, Tennoji, Nipponbashi, and the Minato Harborland and Tempozan areas.

 

    Aside from food and shopping, Japan’s tourist attractions and hot springs are also highly appealing. Coupled with Japan’s relaxed visa policies, a weaker yen, and new tax refund regulations, 2015 is set to be the most affordable year yet for travel and shopping in Japan. Friends planning an independent trip to Japan can visit the official website of the Japan National Tourism Organization [http://www.welcome2japan.cn/vj2014/?utm_source=kiji&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=vj2014] for more travel information and embark on a feast of fun, food, and adventure.