The Tabelog Award 2026 results were announced on Monday 26th January 2026.
The number of awards compared with 2025 is:
There are no debut Gold restaurants again this year while nine restaurants make their debut with Silver. All of those Silver restaurants get "Best New Entry". We have the usual silliness of restaurants that have relocated and previously held an award being on the Best New Entry list again (Naz, Ikko and Isoda). Tenzushi loses Gold, leaving just Matsukawa, Sugita and Sushi Saito as the only restaurants that have held Gold since the inaugural awards.
Of the Tokyo Debut Silver restaurants, I plan to visit Ji-Cube, Kizan, megriva and Kosen. Sangubashi Asaya I have visited and will review at some point. Of the Bronze to first time Silver restaurants, I plan to visit Miyasaka. Hato and Nishizaki I have already reviewed, though the latter needs an update. Sushi Shunji and Yoroniku I don't intend to visit. I have also already reviewed the only Silver to first time Gold restaurant, Shimazu, but this too needs an update.
๐ฅ ๐ Gold re-entry
Restaurant Naz (Innovative · Nagano · 4.23 · 2025.6.1)
Sushi Ikkou (Sushi · Tokyo · 4.24 · 2024.8.17)
๐ฅ ⬆️⬆️ Silver to first time Gold
Toku Hamotonari (Japanese · Kyoto · 4.48 · 2023.12.8)
Komada (Sushi · Mie · 4.54 · 2013.1.8)
Shimazu (Sushi · Tokyo · 4.54 · 2020.11.17)
๐ฅ ⬆️ Silver to Gold
Ogata (Japanese · Kyoto · 4.56 · 2008)
Honko Getsu (Japanese · Osaka · 4.59)
Shun (Unagi, Donburi · Shizuoka · 4.57 · 2010.8.3)
Akasaka Raimon (Yakiniku, Tripe · Tokyo · 4.52)
Mitani (Sushi · Tokyo · 4.51 · 2006.7)
Takiya Tempura (Tempura · Tokyo · 4.52)
๐ฅ ⬇️⬇️ Gold to first time Silver
Ten Zushi Kyomachi Ten (Sushi · Fukuoka · 4.59 · 2004.2.1)
๐ฅ ⬇️ Gold to Silver
PRESENTE Sugi (Italian, Innovative · Chiba · 4.5 · 2016.2.12)
Sushi Sakai (Sushi · Fukuoka · 4.58)
Uran (Unagi · Shiga · 4.54)
Chez Inno (French · Tokyo · 4.45 · 1984.3)
Japanese cuisine Seizan (Japanese · Tokyo · 4.5 · 2011.6.20)
PELLEGRINO (Italian · Tokyo · 4.5 · 2009.3.2)
L'evo (Innovative, Creative, Regional Cuisine · Toyama · 4.58 · 2020.12.22)
๐ฅ ๐ Debut Silver
Kisanuki (Japanese · Ishikawa · 4.24 · 2025.4.18) ๐ฅ๐ฅ
Yoda (Tonkatsu, Cafeteria, Japanese · Kanagawa · 4.22 · 2021.4.10)
NOMI RESTAURANT (Japanese, Innovative · Kyoto · 4.22)
Chuka Ooshige (Chinese · Saga · 4.07 · 2024.9.1) ๐ฅ
Ji-Cube (Chinese, Sichuan · Tokyo · 4.19 · 2021.6.1)
Kizan (Japanese · Tokyo · 4.22)
megriva (Italian · Tokyo · 4.19)
Sangu Bashi Asaya (Unagi · Tokyo · 4.14 · 2023.9.12)
Yakiniku Kosen (Yakiniku · Tokyo · 4.2)
๐ฅ ๐ Silver re-entry
Sushi Kimura (Sushi · Tokyo · 4.05 · 2005.7.7)
Isoda (Japanese · Tokyo · 4.23 · 2024.11.1)
๐ ๐๐จ
๐ฅ ⬆️⬆️ Bronze to first time Silver
Sushi Ei (Sushi · Chiba · 4.33 · 1967.10.1)
Tenpaku (Tempura · Chiba · 4.28 · 2015.10.1)
Niji Kichi (Seafood · Ehime · 4.39)
Tempura Takeuchi (Tempura · Fukuoka · 4.34)
Sushi Obana (Sushi · Gunma · 4.39 · 1968.11.3)
Tempura Mokkosu (Tempura, Japanese · Gunma · 4.32 · 2012.9)
AKI NAGAO (French, Innovative · Hokkaido · 4.2 · 2010.5.21)
Robatayaki Sanroku (Chicken dishes, Meat dishes · Kumamoto · 4.33)
Chinese Sai guu (Chinese · Kyoto · 4.38 · 2022.9.17)
Shibousai Kitagawa (Chinese, Creative · Mie · 4.34 · 2015.2.11)
Cerca Trova (Italian · Miyazaki · 3.95)
Kappou Shintaku (Japanese · Niigata · 4.33)
Kyodai Zushi (Sushi · Niigata · 4.39 · 2023.7.7)
gucite (Italian · Osaka · 4.29 · 2016.7.11)
TOM Curiosa (Italian · Osaka · 4.33 · 2013.9.27)
Nakamura (Tempura · Shizuoka · 4.21 · 2023.5.2)
Otowa restaurant (French · Tochigi · 4.36 · 2007)
Hato (Sushi · Tokyo · 4.37 · 2020.2.4)
Miyasaka (Japanese · Tokyo · 4.25 · 2021.11.16)
PRISMA (Italian · Tokyo · 4.31)
Sushi Nishizaki (Sushi · Tokyo · 4.2)
Sushi Shunji (Sushi · Tokyo · 4.4)
YORONIKU TOKYO AZABUDAI HILLS (Yakiniku · Tokyo · 4.32 · 2023.11.24)
๐ฅ ⬆️ Bronze to Silver
Ryori Kawaguchi (Japanese · Kyoto · 4.32)
Ajiman (Fugu · Tokyo · 4.27)
Harutaka (Sushi · Tokyo · 4.34 · 2006.12)
Iyuki (Japanese · Tokyo · 4.31)
Kawamura (Steak · Tokyo · 4.23)
Les Saisons (French · Tokyo · 4.3)
OHKUSA (Yakitori · Tokyo · 4.37 · 2019.11.11)
Takajo Kotobuki (Chicken dishes · Tokyo · 4.23)
๐ฅ ⬇️⬇️ Silver to first time Bronze
Japanese cuisine Kenya (Japanese · Kyoto · 4.35 · 2021.3.16)
NH (French, Innovative · Osaka · 4.35 · 2023.1.21)
Tonkatsu Noguchi (Tonkatsu, Katsu-don · Osaka · 4.08 · 2021.11.26) ⏸️
ESqUISSE (French · Tokyo · 4.33 · 2012.6.12)
Kitagawa (Japanese, Tempura · Tokyo · 4.38 · 2022.9.1)
Yakiniku Jumbo Hanare (Yakiniku, Tripe · Tokyo · 4.37 · 2013.9.18)
๐ฅ ⬇️ Silver to Bronze
Nozawa (Japanese, Creative · Aichi · 4.37 · 2017.4.19) ⏸️
Kotan (Sushi · Fukuoka · 4.35 · 2021.11.24)
Sushi Gyoten (Sushi · Fukuoka · 4.4) ⏸️
bb9 (Spanish · Hyogo · 4.35 · 2014.2.22)
Cร sento (Innovative, Spanish · Hyogo · 4.31 · 2008.12)
Ryoriya Uemura (Japanese · Hyogo · 4.44)
Sushi Josuke (Sushi · Hyogo · 4.33 · 2007.11)
Gion Sasaki (Japanese · Kyoto · 4.36)
Higashiyama Yoshihisa (Japanese · Kyoto · 4.38 · 2018.9.1)
Oryori Hayashi (Japanese · Kyoto · 4.24)
Shunseki Suzue (Japanese · Kyoto · 4.37 · 2004)
Soujiki Nakahigashi (Japanese · Kyoto · 4.31 · 1996)
akordu (Innovative, Spanish · Nara · 4.31 · 2016.12.10)
Chinese Sai Naramachi Kuko (Chinese, Sichuan · Nara · 4.41 · 2021.6.15) ๐ ๐๐จ
Fujiya 1935 (Innovative, Spanish · Osaka · 4.26)
Hajime (Innovative, French · Osaka · 4.35 · 2008.5)
Sushi Kizuna (Sushi · Osaka · 4.37)
Yonemasu (Japanese · Osaka · 4.39 · 2016.11)
Korian (Japanese, Regional Cuisine · Shiga · 4.38)
Tokuyama Zushi (Regional Cuisine, Auberge · Shiga · 4.38)
Mikadoya (Japanese, Suppon · Shimane · 4.33)
APICIUS (French · Tokyo · 4.32 · 1983)
Shimbashi Shimizu (Sushi · Tokyo · 4.33)
๐ฅ ๐ Debut Bronze
Hama Gen (Sushi · Aichi · 3.93)
Japan no Italian Ryori Ten sai (Italian · Aichi · 4.12 · 2020.8.1)
Japanese cuisine Takamitsu (Japanese, Seafood · Aichi · 4.11 · 2023.12.2)
Kojitsu (Japanese · Aichi · 4.13 · 2023.7.20)
Lito (Italian · Aichi · 4.13 · 2023.11.6)
Oryori Hisamatsu (Japanese · Aichi · 3.75 · 2015.11.14)
Tempura Shoshin An (Tempura, Udon, Japanese · Akita · 3.9 · 2018.8.8)
Yo (Japanese · Aomori · 4.07 · 2022.12.6)
Dogo Kaishu (Japanese · Ehime · 4.02)
๐ ๐๐จ
Goh (Innovative, French · Fukuoka · 3.97) ๐ ๐๐จ
L’Ermita (Spanish · Fukuoka · 3.98 · 2024.2.15) ๐ฅ
Restaurant Arena (French, Wine bar · Fukuoka · 4.1 · 2016.7.6)
Syn (French · Fukuoka · 3.91 · 2023.6.8)
Yakitori Koto (Yakitori · Fukuoka · 4.09 · 2024.4.2) ๐ฅ
Zaisho (Sushi · Fukuoka · 4.03 · 2024) ๐ฅ
Belle Equipe (French · Gifu · 4.03)
Une Fleur (French · Gifu · 3.97 · 2015.12.1)
VENTINOVE (Italian · Gunma · 3.91 · 2022.10.28)
MASUKI (Chinese · Hiroshima · 3.99 · 2015.2.23)
NICON (Italian, Innovative · Hiroshima · 4.04 · 2020.8.7)
Takanobashi Kiyotan (Creative, Izakaya · Hiroshima · 3.86)
Tori Yamamoto (Yakitori, Izakaya · Hiroshima · 4.02 · 2024.1) ๐ฅ
Japanese cuisine Komatsu (Japanese · Hokkaido · 3.99 · 2014.12.1)
Mieda (Japanese, Fugu · Hokkaido · 4.07 · 2006)
Nukumi (Japanese · Hokkaido · 4.08 · 2016.6.29)
Sushi Sohei (Sushi · Hokkaido · 4.1 · 2022.7.13)
Aspirant (French, Innovative · Hyogo · 3.96 · 2023.4.9)
Ogitani (Japanese, Seafood · Hyogo · 3.99 · 2022.9.1)
Tempura Sakurabito (Tempura, Japanese · Hyogo · 4.07 · 2022.8.13)
Nonna Nietta (Italian, Pasta · Ibaraki · 3.97 · 2021.3.12)
YOSHIKI FUJI (French · Ibaraki · 3.92 · 2024.5.15)
๐ ๐๐จ
Budoonomori Les Tonnelles (French · Ishikawa · 4.0 · 2019.11.1)
Tempura Koizumi (Tempura · Ishikawa · 4.12)
Meizan Kimiya (Sushi, Japanese, Seafood · Kagoshima · 3.86 · 2015.4.1)
anchoa (Spanish, Seafood, European · Kanagawa · 4.03 · 2021.8.18)
Sushi Nakamura (Sushi, Japanese · Kumamoto · 4.06 · 2023.4.7)
Sushi Taito (Sushi · Kumamoto · 4.05)
Tsuru Hachi (Tempura · Kumamoto · 3.9)
MASHIRO (Innovative, French · Kyoto · 4.11 · 2023.8.20)
middle (French · Kyoto · 3.94 · 2021.10.20)
shiro (Italian, Innovative · Kyoto · 4.17 · 2024.8.14)
๐ ๐๐จ
Edo Machi Sugimoto (Sushi · Mie · 3.98 · 2021.12.10)
Nikawa (Yakitori, Creative · Mie · 3.99)
IL PIZZAIOLO (Pizza, Italian · Miyagi · 3.99 · 2015.10.1)
Sumiyaki Okagesan (Yakitori · Miyagi · 4.09 · 2015.4)
Chinese Sen (Chinese · Miyazaki · 3.88 · 2021.4.26)
Chinese Sai Muen (Chinese, Sichuan, Dim sum & Yum cha · Nagano · 3.87 · 2019.6.5)
Hikariya Nishi (French, Organic · Nagano · 3.9 · 2007.4.11)
SEN (Innovative · Nara · 3.89 · 2025.1.11) ๐ฅ๐ฅ
Tsuru Yoshi (Japanese · Nara · 3.81)
Tokiwa Sushi Nigata Ten (Sushi · Niigata · 4.18 · 2024.8.23) ๐ฅ
JIMGU (Innovative · Oita · 3.87 · 2023.6.8)
Fushimi Cho Kakoi Yama (Japanese · Osaka · 4.09 · 2022.4.1)
kushikatsu daibon (Kushi-age · Osaka · 4.11 · 2024.9.2) ๐ฅ
NAKATSU WONIKU (Beef dishes · Osaka · 4.07 · 2020.11.1)
Noguchi (Japanese · Osaka · 3.96 · 2025.3.21) ๐ฅ๐ฅ
Ryoriya Inaya (Japanese · Osaka · 4.0 · 2021.2.1)
Takahashi Kentaro (Sushi · Osaka · 4.2 · 2024.3.1)
Tonkatsu Fujii (Tonkatsu · Osaka · 4.14 · 2022.9.26)
Aru Tokoro (Japanese, Regional Cuisine, Seafood · Saga · 3.88 · 2015.6.1)
Sumiyaki Hamburger Steak Gyusen (Hamburger steak, Steak · Saga · 3.78)
Ichi Unagi (Unagi · Shizuoka · 4.0)
LAT.34°N by Ao (French, Innovative, Auberge · Shizuoka · 4.12 · 2025.4.25) ๐ฅ๐ฅ
Simples (Innovative · Shizuoka · 4.11 · 2023.5.1)
Akanezaka Onuma (Japanese, Japanese sake bar · Tokyo · 3.96 · 2020.2.17)
Ara Ki (Sushi · Tokyo · 4.23 · 2024.4) ๐ฅ
Azabu Juban Hatano Yoshiki (Sushi, Seafood, Japanese · Tokyo · 4.01 · 2013.9.2)
caillou (French, Bistro · Tokyo · 4.15 · 2022.11.30)
commedia (Italian, Pasta · Tokyo · 4.21 · 2022.12.3)
En Sui (Japanese · Tokyo · 4.07 · 2020.12.15)
Ginza Kani Matsu (Crab, Japanese · Tokyo · 4.17 · 2022.12.21)
Jigen Do (Japanese · Tokyo · 4.15 · 2023.12.2)
jinen. (French, Creative, Innovative · Tokyo · 4.04 · 2021.9.1)
Kanda (Japanese · Tokyo · 4.04)
Kashiwade no Tsukasa Suikouan (Japanese · Tokyo · 4.18 · 2023.6.7)
L'ETERRE (French · Tokyo · 4.12 · 2023.2.1)
PRIMO PASSO (Italian, Creative · Tokyo · 4.1 · 2023.5.1)
Ramen FeeL (Ramen · Tokyo · 3.96 · 2021.2.28)
Sakuragi (Japanese · Tokyo · 4.16 · 2022.8.10)
shokudou aca (Spanish · Tokyo · 4.22 · 2024.5.9) ๐ฅ
SPICY CURRY Roka (Curry, Taiwanese · Tokyo · 3.94 · 2023.6.7)
Sushi Yasumitsu (Sushi, Seafood, Crab · Tokyo · 4.06 · 2017.9)
Sushi Yuuki (Sushi · Tokyo · 4.17 · 2024.3.9)
sushi riku (Sushi · Tokyo · 4.23)
tens. (Italian · Tokyo · 4.19 · 2024.10.27) ๐ฅ
Tokyo En (Yakiniku · Tokyo · 3.88)
Toriryori Torishou (Chicken dishes · Tokyo · 3.89)
ura matsu (Yakiniku · Tokyo · 4.14)
Himawari Shokudo 2 (Italian · Toyama · 4.01 · 2024.4.1)
Stanza della SINCERITA (Italian · Yamagata · 3.95 · 2023.4)
nรดtori (Innovative, Auberge · Yamanashi · 4.1 · 2024.8.23) ๐ฅ
Yatsugatake Esaki (Japanese · Yamanashi · 4.0 · 2018.9)
๐ฅ ๐ Bronze re-entry
French Ryori Kochuten (French · Aichi · 4.11 · 2001.4)
Shuhai (Izakaya · Akita · 4.1)
Petit Restaurant Bouquet de France (French · Aomori · 3.95 · 2002.7.14)
Takaoka (Sushi · Chiba · 4.2 · 2013.10.8)
Arakawa (Steak, Yoshoku, European · Hyogo · 4.01)
Awajishima Nobu (Sushi · Hyogo · 3.94)
Kyo Kaiseki Kichisen (Japanese · Kyoto · 3.92)
ORTO (Innovative · Kyoto · 3.9 · 2008.8.5) ⏸️
Tempura Kyoboshi (Tempura · Kyoto · 3.89 · 1991.5.13)
Ranpu Tei (Yoshoku, European · Miyazaki · 4.0)
La Baie (French · Osaka · 4.05 · 1997.5)
Yakitori Ichimatsu (Yakitori, Creative · Osaka · 4.0)
Unagi Musashino (Unagi · Saitama · 4.0 · 1952)
Don Bravo (Italian, Pizza · Tokyo · 4.05 · 2012.6)
Fiocchi (Italian · Tokyo · 4.03 · 2000.10.2)
Ginza Sushi Kanesaka Hon Ten (Sushi · Tokyo · 3.92)
Kiyota (Sushi · Tokyo · 3.97)
Raa Menya Shima (Ramen, Tsukemen · Tokyo · 4.05 · 2020.6.10)
recte (French · Tokyo · 4.0 · 2017.4.23)
SECRETO (Innovative · Tokyo · 4.12 · 2017.10.14)
Takumi (French, Innovative · Tokyo · 3.89 · 2017.2.1)
Hitsujiya (Jingisukan · Yamagata · 4.03 · 1986)
Sushi Suzuki (Sushi · Tokyo · 4.22 · 2024.8.20)
Aji Hiro (Japanese · Tokyo · 4.23)
๐ ๐๐จ
Florilege (French · Tokyo · 4.19 · 2023.11.24)
๐ ๐๐จ
Kohaku (Japanese · Tokyo · 4.23 · 2024.4.23)
๐ ๐๐จ
Sushi Fujinaga (Sushi · Tokyo · 4.13)
Sushi Suzuki (Sushi · Tokyo · 4.22 · 2024.8.20)
∅ ⬇️⬇️ Silver to no award
Ipponsugi Kawashima (Ishikawa) ⏸️
∅ ⬇️⬇️ Bronze to no award
La Floraison de TAKEUCHI (Aichi)
Sushi Michi Sakurada (Aichi) ๐ ๐๐จ
Sushi Shimizu (Aichi)
Tempura Kusunoki (Aichi) ⏸️
N. (Akita)
BAMBOU (Chiba)
Chisou Nakamura (Fukuoka)
Edomae Sushi Nikaku (Fukuoka)
Sushi Ryori Ichitaka (Fukuoka)
Sushi Senpachi (Fukuoka)
Tamura (Fukuoka) ⏸️
Fushin (Hyogo)
Sesshon An (Ibaraki) ๐ ๐๐จ
L'Atelier de NOTO (Ishikawa) ⏸️
Sanuki Udon Gamou (Kagawa)
RISTORANTE IL NODO (Kanagawa)
Yoshoku no Mise Hashimoto (Kumamoto)
Ankyu (Kyoto)
Les Chandelles (Kyoto)
Lurra ° (Kyoto)
iwanaga (Miyazaki)
Do Yama (Nagasaki)
my farm to table Oniya (Niigata) ⏸️
BOTANI:CURRY (Osaka)
Shofukuro Hon Ten (Shiga)
Amandier (Tokyo) ⏸️
Azabu Kadowaki (Tokyo)
Ebisu Endo (Tokyo)
Fugu Makino (Tokyo)
Hakkoku (Tokyo)
Kagurazaka Teppanyaki Nakamura (Tokyo) ๐ ๐๐จ
La Cleriรจre (Tokyo) ⏸️
Omino Kamiyacho (Tokyo)
Rokkan (Tokyo)
Setsugekka Ginza (Tokyo)
Shimbashi Sasada (Tokyo)
Shirokanedai Kobayashi (Tokyo)
sio (Tokyo)
Sushi Takeru (Tokyo)
Sushi Tsubomi (Tokyo)
Sushi Yuu (Tokyo) ๐ ๐๐จ
Sushi Zai (Tokyo)
Torisawa 22 (Tokyo)
Umi (Tokyo)
Yakiniku Jumbo Shinozaki Honten (Tokyo)
Interesting - can't help but notice a lot of the downgrades from silver to bronze (esp first time bronze) were places that were actually more accessible. Looks like this just furthers the exclusivity issues with silver and gold places. Whether or not it is intentional, it seems like in practice the system sort of steers itself to exclusivity by weighing power users more heavily and also since regulars and referrals only policies are a good protection against negative reviews.
ReplyDeleteAny thoughts on the rapid rise of Tokumotonari and drop for Tenzushi and Sakai?
ReplyDeleteThanks for the comments. I started drafting a long post about my guess as to what's going on here, which I'll probably save for next year now, but the short answer is that there are now more good restaurants than ever, but only limited room at the top. Gold is indeed often about exclusivity, not necessarily "best".
ReplyDeleteSakai has flip/flopped between Gold and Silver over the years so I wouldn't read anything into that in particular. Tenzushi is a surprise. People will come up with retrospective reasons as to why but I doubt many would have confidently called that before the announcement. Let's see if Tokumotonari can retain Gold alongside the Kyoto kaiseki heavyweights. Kiyama got Gold in 2021 and never got it back. In most cases, I don't think anything has changed with the food when a restaurant gets a different award.
Thanks for the easy to follow breakdown. I've only been to a handful of these last year, and they all were downgraded, e.g. Kotan, Jumbo, Sakai. I thought they were all not as good as their ranking. Good to know my taste buds don't fail me. Ikko to Gold is expected surely. But pointless for the common man since it is invite only.
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