Presented by The Japan Times since 2021, Destination Restaurants seeks out Japan’s best restaurants beyond big cities, selected by Japanese experts with international diners in mind.
Hibiki whisky harmonizes with cuisine
TRANSLATOR: ELEANOR GOLDSMITH
Suntory’s blended whisky Hibiki achieves an exquisite balance between the distinctive characteristics of the diverse whiskies from which it is...
How the new DR award plaques are made
By TAEKO TERAO, TRANSLATOR: ELEANOR GOLDSMITH
At the annual ceremony to honor those selected for The Japan Times’ Destination Restaurants list, award winners are presented with...
Creating shark fin cuisine amid global headwinds
By TAEKO TERAO, TRANSLATOR: CARRIE EDWARD
One of the criteria considered in The Japan Times’ Destination Restaurants selection is whether a restaurant has the capacity to...
In Kesennuma, Chinese restaurant contributes to region’s recovery
By TAEKO TERAO, TRANSLATOR: CARRIE EDWARD
Among the 10 establishments listed as this year’s Destination Restaurants, the shark fin (fukahire) restaurant Kesennuma Kuromori in the Miyagi...
Young restaurants dominate this year’s 10 winners
By TAEKO TERAO, TRANSLATOR: CARRIE EDWARD
In early February, a meeting was held at the Tokyo headquarters of The Japan Times to select the winners of...
Restaurant list highlights Japan’s emerging contours
By YOSHIKUNI SHIRAI, TRANSLATOR: CARRIE EDWARD
Launched in 2021, Destination Restaurants marks its sixth edition in 2026. With 10 regional restaurants in Japan selected annually, there...
A Look Back at Destination Restaurants 2025 (Part 2) – Two Memorable Restaurants Offering the Experience of “Receiving Life”
By TAEKO TERAO, TRANSLATOR：CARRIE EDWARDS
Launched by The Japan Times in 2021, Destination Restaurants lists outstanding restaurants in Japan, chosen with international diners in mind....
Pure southern flavors at Italian restaurant Senti.U
Taeko Terao Contributing writer
The Italian restaurant Senti.U is located in the southern Kagoshima Prefecture city of Kanoya, on the Osumi Peninsula, which is...
A look back at Destination Restaurants 2025 (Part 1) – Gastronomic tourism born of chefs’ collaborations
By TAEKO TERAO, TRANSLATOR：CARRIE EDWARDS
Launched by The Japan Times in 2021, Destination Restaurants lists outstanding restaurants in Japan, chosen with international diners in mind....
Inaka no Taiho offers an experience of ‘receiving life’
Taeko Terao Contributing writer
The Chinese restaurant Inaka no Taiho has a unique concept that has captivated gastronomes near and far since its launch...
Pure southern flavors at Italian restaurant Senti.U.
By TAEKO TERAO, TRANSLATOR：CARRIE EDWARDS
The Italian restaurant Senti.U is located in the southern Kagoshima Prefecture city of Kanoya, on the Osumi Peninsula, which is...
Osteria Sincerita: An Italian restaurant born of adversity
Taeko Terao Contributing writer
The Akayu Onsen area, in Yamagata Prefecture, is home to 11 onsen ryokan (hot spring inns). Unlike typical hot spring...
