A List of 2 Star Michelin Restaurants In Tokyo That You Don’t Want To Miss

If you love food then you must visit Tokyo.

Not only does this city host some of the best Japanese restaurants in the world, but it is also home to some of the most exciting European chefs right now. Many are Michelin-starred.

According to the Michelin guide, there are 149 restaurants in Tokyo with at least one Michelin star. 41 of these restaurants have at least 2 stars.

These 2 star restaurants are mostly Japanese, however, there are a few French and Italian restaurants in Tokyo that have also earned this honor.

When it comes to two star Michelin restaurants in Tokyo, there are 41. You can find a full list of restaurants in Tokyo with 2 Michelin stars here.

With so many 2 star restaurants on the list, you may be struggling to narrow down where you want to visit. Allow us to help you with that.

On the list of 41 restaurants in Tokyo with 2 Michelin stars, there are four that you must visit on your next trip to the city:

  • Ginza Koju (銀座 小十)
  • Pierre Gagnaire
  • Sushi Kanesaka(鮨かねさか)
  • Prisma

If you only have a week to spend in this amazing city then visit these 4 restaurants.

We will be talking about Japanese cuisine, French cuisine, and Italian cuisine today – but Tokyo has an amazing selection of Chinese cuisine and Chinese restaurants that are well worth exploring.

If you are interested in more high-quality restaurants in Tokyo, don’t miss these 3 Michelin star sushi restaurants in Tokyo. However, if you’re interested in exploring a wider variety of Japanese dishes, you might also want to check out the best Japanese cuisine buffets in Tokyo.

Ginza Koju (銀座 小十)

Japanese Cuisine 

” I want to appeal to everything from the shock that I see with my eyes, the pleasure that I feel in my brain, the deliciousness that pleases my tongue, and the bliss that makes me feel in my heart.” Chef Kojyu 

The first two star Michelin restaurants in Tokyo we want to talk about is Ginza Koju.

Founded by Head Chef Ginza Koju, this restaurant offers an elevated and minimal take on the Japanese dining experience. This is a must-visit 2 star Michelin restaurant in Tokyo it is exceptional cuisine.

Kujo rose to fame after starting the Aoyagi restaurant – a restaurant devoted entirely to seasonal sections of fish.

However, Ginza Koju is a completely different experience and is worth visiting separately. The Michelin guide loves this resturant.

The menu at Ginza Koju is constantly changing so you are unlikely to experience the same menu twice. The chef goes to great lengths to choose the most high-quality, in-season ingredients.

He pours over the menu to find the best way to include them.

When you eat at this restaurant, you will be served dishes that try to show you what “Japanese Values” are.

You will see both traditional and modern elements blended together so perfectly that you won’t understand why things haven’t always been made this way.

Store Information

  • Tel: +81362159545
  • Business hours: Lunch: 12:00 -13:00, Dinner:18:00 -21:30
  • Regular holiday: Sunday, National holiday, Summertime, and New Year’s holiday
  • Access: 3 minutes walk from Exit B6 of Ginza Subway Station
  • Address: 5-4-8 Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo Carioca Building 4F

Pierre Gagnaire 

French Cuisine 

Next on this list of must-visit two star Michelin restaurants in Tokyo is Pierre Gagnaire.

Why are chefs from all over the world attracted to the idea of opening a restaurant in Tokyo? Because of the city’s sensational food markets.

You can get some of the best fruits and fish on the streets of Tokyo.

Pierre Gagnaire is no stranger to Michelin stars, as well as having a 2 star restaurant in Tokyo, he also started two 3 star restaurants Pierre Gagnaire, Paris, and the Sketch (Lecture Room and Library).

He also has a handful of 1 Michelin star restaurants around France.

While many top restaurants in Japan are very minimalist with their decor, the same cannot be said about Piere Gagnaire.

This restaurant is lavish, with Edo purple furnishings and glittering chandeliers.

To enjoy the best views in the city, make sure to request a table on the 36th floor (view from the 36th Floor, interior).

This restaurant boasts a wine list that is over 250 bottles long. You will be given the help of the restaurant’s sommelier to pick out the best option for your meal after you have ordered.

While Gagnaire buys many of his ingredients in Tokyo, this is very much a French restaurant. The menu is seasonal and filled with unique takes on French classics.

If you enjoy your trip to Pierre Gagnaire, you should also check out this 1 star french Michelin restaurant in Tokyo.

Store Information

  • Tel: +81335059505
  • Business hours: Lunch 11: 30-13: 30, Dinner 17: 30-20: 30
  • Regular holiday: Monday
  • Access: 5 minutes walk from Tameike Sanno Station on the Ginza Subway Line
  • Address: 1-12-33 Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo ANA Intercontinental Hotel 36F

Sushi Kanesaka(鮨かねさか)

Japanese Cuisine, Sushi 

“What is sushi culture? It’s a person. The only combination of sushi rice, wasabi, and ingredients, and even though there is no seasoning, the taste differs depending on the person who makes it. You can easily get it from your hand. The way of life of the person is expressed in consistent sushi.” Chef Kanesaka 

This two star Michelin restaurants in Tokyo cannot be missed.

At Sushi Kanesaka, you can sit at the bar and enjoy sushi made for you by the owner himself. Kanasaka trained at one of the highest-rated restaurants in Tokyo for a decade before opening his own restaurant.

His sushi is made in the Edomae style and features a lot of wasabi.

Kanasaka’s cooking does not hide behind any form of smoke and mirrors. His food is simple but breathtakingly delicious. Truly unforgettable.

The menu is seasonal and based on the weekly fishing hauls.

If you loved Sushi Kanesaka, we are sure you will also love one Michelin star restaurants Tokyo sushi.

Store Information

  • Tel: +815054872396
  • Business hours: Lunch11: 30-13: 00, Dinner 17: 00-22: 00
  • Regular holiday: Monday / Sunday
  • Access: Subway Ginza Line Ginza Station Exit A4 5 minutes walk
  • Address: 8-10-3 Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo Misuzu Building B1

Prisma 

Italian Cuisine 

“For example, Italian classics, childhood memories, movies, and music that impressed me. Cooking is born from the accumulation of experiences that moved me by touching various things every day.” Chef Saito 

Our final two star Michelin restaurant in Tokyo is Prisma.

Prisma is the undiluted vision of Chef Saito. 

He is the only chef in the kitchen. He also picks out the music and the furnishings, right down the flowers on the table himself.

He cleans the restaurant on his own, and he takes care of all the cooking – including bread and desserts.

The fact that he has been given 2 Michelin stars is incredibly impressive.

A trip to Prima will be different from your traditional fine dining experience. Do not expect a trendy or delicate presentation of your food. Saito only serves his food in a rustic manner.

Instead, choosing to spend his time in the kitchen making the food taste good.

The menu of the restaurant takes heavy influence from both Italy and Japan – with an overall focus on slow-rooted food.

Saito has stated multiple times that he wants to capture the feeling of community that is often created in Italian cooking. He cooks alone but gives 100% of his energy to every dish.

In this restaurant, you will be served dishes that aren’t quite Italian-Japanese fusion food, but they are definitely part of the way there.

Most ingredients are sourced in Tokyo and you will often find native Japanese ingredients in the dishes.

This is a small restaurant that you must book in advance.

Store Information

  • Tel: +81334063050
  • Business hours: 18:30~21:00
  • Regular holiday: Tuesday and Wednesday
  • Access: 8 minutes walk from Tokyo Metro Ginza Line, Hanzomon Line, Chiyoda Line [Omotesando Station]
  • Address: 6-4-6 Minami Aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo Aoyama ALLEY 1F

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Author: Hienadz Vardanyan

P. Sze My name is Hienadz Vardanyan, and when I first started Mad About Japan, I was just like you - marveling at the country from a great distance. Now that I have been lucky enough to visit Japan, I want to continue exciting people and encouraging them to get over there. Our main aim is to teach and inform people about all aspects of Japan - not just the technology and cherry blossoms. Japan has a uniqueness like no other, and it’s important that we cherish this and respect it when we visit.

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