Originally Posted by
robyng
Yup - that's because people here who seem to have been to Japan a million times don't seem to be able to name a single traditional Japanese or Kaiseki restaurant that he or she likes. All most people seem to be able to do for the most part (not all the time - but a lot of the time) is diss what other people have written elsewhere - or get into fights about whether it makes sense to have Chinese food in Tokyo.
Being the OP - I was honestly looking for suggestions about Japanese restaurants - all flavors. From people who had dined in those places. Not only sushi (which seems to be most peoples' favorite but it's not mine) - or the other popular tourist destination categories of restaurants.
I know that Michelin is not necessarily on target when it comes to dining in countries like Japan. Still - it had 15 3 star open restaurants in its 2012 English edition (Araki has closed). And about 50 2 stars. And they can't all be bad (and many are probably quite good).
At this point - I'd rather go through the blogs of 20 or 30 something year olds who are discovering Japanese food and working their way through the restaurants there than listen to the fights here. Because - you know what - I used to be 20 or 30 - and I was in their shoes once (albeit not in Japan and before the internet existed). There are few things that are quite as much fun as discovering new cuisines and learning about them. I started learning when I was in my 20's (and had my first 2 nickels to rub together) - and hope I will never stop learning.
In all honesty - has no one here ever been to any of the Michelin 3 stars in Tokyo except for Ryugin - Jiro - and Saito? If any of the others has been mentioned - I've forgotten (it's a long thread). And what about the 2 stars? Robyn
You do know that two of the Tokyo resaurants I mentioned in my reply to your original post are traditional kaiseki restaurants, as are the two others I recommended for Kyoto, right? I gave you some of my favorites, but I know many more if you would like further recommendations.
I really don't care about Michelin ratings in Japan, and neither do most of the Japanese chefs I speak with - including some whose restaurants have stars. I rely on word of mouth, and introductions from Japanese friends and from the chefs of the restaurants I frequent to find other restaurants.
Some restaurants with no stars (or fewer stars) are better than restaurants that have stars (or more stars). I think it is a mistake to focus on the number of stars any of these restaurants have, especially if one is relatively inexperienced with Japanese cuisine. People with more experience often care the least about Michelin stars.
If at all possible I would strongly recommend visiting restaurants for dinner instead of lunch in order to have the best experience. The atmosphere is different and restaurants try harder at dinner. Many fine Japanese restaurants do not serve lunch.
Btw, I am in the age group you describe.