15 Must-Visit Restaurants in Kansai During the Osaka Expo

How to Get to the Osaka Expo

1. Venue: Yumeshima (an artificial island created specifically for the Expo)
2. From Kansai International Airport: About 40 minutes by train
3. From Shin-Osaka Station: About 30 minutes by shuttle bus or train
4. In the City: Subway and limousine buses are available

The Expo site is located a bit outside of central Osaka. After arriving by plane or Shinkansen (bullet train), you'll need to travel another 30-40 minutes to reach the venue.

Your guide to Osaka Expo 2025: Tickets, hotels & dining

Restaurants at the Osaka Expo Venue

The Expo venue will feature a wide range of dining options, showcasing regional specialties from all over Japan as well as internationally inspired eateries. As of January 2025, three phases of the restaurant lineup have been announced, including menus created by renowned chefs and booths offering local Osaka flavors.

There will also be plenty of choices to cater to various dietary needs, such as vegan and gluten-free options. Expect to find classic Japanese dishes like udon noodles and beef katsu (cutlet), ethnic cuisine, and even offerings from Japan's convenience stores.

What Makes Osaka and Kansai Special

Osaka ranks third in Japan for the number of Michelin Guide-listed restaurants, following Tokyo and Kyoto. A key advantage of dining in Osaka is that it’s generally easier to get a reservation compared to other major cities.

Kita (North)

Just one stop from Shin-Osaka Station, where the Shinkansen stops, Kita is a lively district about 30 minutes by train from both Kyoto and Kobe. Located in the northern part of Osaka, this area is home to numerous Michelin Guide-listed restaurants.

See also: Best Restaurants in Umeda and Kitashinchi

Minami (South)

Directly connected to Kansai International Airport, Minami offers an authentic taste of Osaka. Situated in the southern part of the city, this vibrant area is known for its casual, popular eateries.

See also: Best Restaurants in Namba and Dotonbori

Around Universal City

The Expo venue is located further west of Minami, near the seaside area where Universal Studios Japan (USJ) is located. It’s a bit farther from the city center.

Kyoto

Kyoto is a 30-40 minute train ride from Osaka Station. As Japan’s ancient capital, Kyoto boasts traditional landscapes and historical sites that you won’t find in Tokyo. The city is home to many Michelin Guide-listed restaurants, specializing in kaiseki (traditional multi-course cuisine), as well as French and innovative dining options.

See also: Other Kyoto Restaurant Guides

Kobe (Hyogo)

About a 25-minute train ride from Osaka Station, Kobe is a bustling city in Hyogo, perfect for sightseeing and enjoying local food.

Discover Top Restaurants in Hyogo

Nara

Like Kyoto and Osaka, Nara was once Japan’s capital and is an excellent destination for sightseeing. Similar to Kyoto, it offers traditional Japanese cuisine, including kaiseki.

This article highlights the finest dining spots in Osaka, Kyoto, Kobe, and Nara, making it a must-read for anyone traveling to Japan.

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5 Fine Dining Restaurants in Osaka

1. Taian (太庵) / Japanese

Taian is one of Japan's premier restaurants, earning three Michelin stars every year from 2021 to 2024. The restaurant masterfully maintains the traditions of Japanese cuisine while incorporating international ingredients, such as Iberian pork and duck from the Charente region. The menu changes monthly with an omakase (chef’s choice) course that showcases seasonal ingredients through dishes like hassun (seasonal appetizers), owan (soup), and sashimi (thinly sliced raw fish), all part of a kaiseki experience. Along with a fine selection of sake and shochu to complement the Japanese dishes, Taian offers over 200 drinks, including a curated list of wines, primarily from France.

2. Sushiroku (鮨ろく) / Sushi

Sushiroku is a Michelin one-star sushi restaurant that has upheld its prestigious rating since 2019. While honoring the traditions of Edo-style sushi, it seamlessly incorporates elements of Kansai cuisine, creating a distinctive and refined experience. Each piece is crafted with carefully selected seasonal seafood atop sushi rice seasoned with both white and red vinegar for a perfectly balanced flavor.

One of Sushiroku’s signature dishes is Kakinoha sushi—persimmon leaf-wrapped sushi—a specialty that pays homage to Kansai’s rich culinary heritage. The restaurant’s serene ambiance, complete with private dining rooms, makes it an ideal choice for special occasions. Guests can indulge in an omakase course, savoring a masterfully curated fusion of Edo-style and Kansai-style sushi.

3. Sushi Hoshiyama (鮨 ほしやま) / Sushi

Sushi Hoshiyama is a renowned Edo-style sushi restaurant that has held a Michelin one-star rating for 11 consecutive years. Its head chef honed his craft through seven years of training at the historic Tsukiji Sushi Sei Kyoto, followed by five years at Kyoto’s Michelin-starred Sushi Matsumoto. In 2012, he opened his restaurant in his hometown of Osaka, earning a Michelin star within a year—an accolade he has maintained for over a decade. For those seeking an authentic and timeless Japanese sushi experience, Sushi Hoshiyama is an essential destination.

4. Sushi Yuden (鮨 悠伝) / Sushi

Sushi Yuden is a Michelin one-star Edo-style sushi restaurant in Osaka. Owner-chef Nishimura trained at a renowned establishment with over 100 years of history and gained international experience at a sushi restaurant inside The Ritz-Carlton Kyoto. The restaurant offers an omakase course featuring the freshest ingredients sourced daily from the market. With English-speaking staff available, guests can enjoy authentic sushi in an atmosphere of exceptional hospitality.

5. Sumibiyakitori Ikoka (炭火焼鳥 いこか) / Yakitori

Sumibiyakitori Ikoka is a yakitori (grilled chicken skewers) restaurant that has been recognized by the Michelin Bib Gourmand for four consecutive years. It specializes in premium chicken, including fresh local poultry sourced each morning, expertly grilled over the finest Kishu Binchotan charcoal. The restaurant offers an omakase course, allowing guests to savor the distinct flavors of various chicken cuts. It’s the ultimate destination for experiencing yakitori at its freshest and finest.

Discover Top Restaurants in Osaka

5 Fine Dining Restaurants in Kyoto

1. Gion Sushi Tadayasu (祇園 鮨 忠保) / Sushi

Gion Sushi Tadayasu is a Michelin one-star sushi restaurant that has retained its star for four consecutive years since 2019. It has also been recognized as one of Japan’s Top 100 Sushi Restaurants on a leading gourmet review site. The restaurant exclusively offers an omakase course, where sushi and small dishes are thoughtfully arranged in a balanced sequence. The sushi rice is prepared with rich red vinegar, with a special blend of two types used specifically for tuna. Gion Sushi Tadayasu is the ideal destination for experiencing authentic Edo-style sushi in Kyoto.

2. Sushi Hayashi (鮓 はやし) / Sushi

Sushi Hayashi is a hidden gem run by a chef with experience working at a luxury hotel in Switzerland and at the Michelin one-star Sushi Wakou inside the Four Seasons Hotel Kyoto, where he maintained the star for four consecutive years. While the restaurant specializes in Edo-style sushi, it also offers traditional Kyoto specialties such as saba-zushi (mackerel sushi) and mushi-zushi (steamed sushi). The ingredients are sourced from various fishing ports in western Japan, allowing guests to experience unique flavors not typically found in Tokyo. The restaurant also features an impressive selection of alcohol, including rare Swiss wines, carefully chosen to pair with the sushi and small dishes.

3. Noguchi Tsunagu (のぐち継) / Japanese

Founded in 2019, Noguchi Tsunagu is an exclusive, reservation-only Japanese restaurant that has earned a Michelin one-star rating every year since 2020. The restaurant offers an innovative menu rooted in Kyoto’s traditional cuisine while incorporating influences from Western, Chinese, and Osaka-style dishes. The omakase course features Kyoto cuisine alongside unique creations, such as niku-sui (Osaka-style beef soup) reimagined in Kyoto fashion, curry rice, spring rolls, and duck ham, offering a fusion of flavors that go beyond traditional Japanese fare. The interior is designed in a simple, authentic Japanese style, providing a refined atmosphere where guests can fully experience the elegance of Japanese dining.

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3 Fine Dining Restaurants in Kobe

1. Sushi Kissui (鮨 生粋) / Sushi

Sushi Kissui was a Michelin one-star sushi restaurant from 2011 to 2014 and was selected for Japan’s renowned gourmet review site’s Top 100 in 2021 and 2022. The owner, inspired by the art of Edo-style sushi, taught himself the craft and now offers meticulously prepared sushi with great attention to detail.

The sushi rice, made with red vinegar, is known for its rich aroma and smooth flavor and is lightly tinted to enhance the fresh ingredients handpicked by the owner. From the sleek, minimalist counter, guests can enjoy watching the owner’s expert craftsmanship.

Situated in a quiet residential neighborhood, the restaurant provides a peaceful ambiance, allowing guests to fully appreciate each piece of sushi.

2. Kiraku (きらく) / Yakiniku

Kiraku is a yakiniku (Japanese BBQ) restaurant that was recognized on Japan’s prestigious gourmet review site’s Top 100 for three consecutive years from 2020 to 2022.

With a history spanning 50 years, the restaurant’s warm and welcoming proprietress offers guidance on the perfect cooking times for the meat. The standout dishes include exceptionally fresh harami (skirt steak), top sirloin, and premium loin. Guests should also try the Horusuki Nabe, a unique Japanese hot pot featuring offal.

The interior boasts a spacious, ryotei (traditional upscale restaurant)-)-style ambiance, with tatami seating providing a traditional Japanese dining experience, making it an ideal place to enjoy yakiniku in an authentic Japanese setting.

3. baron (バロン) / Steak

baron is a steakhouse that was featured in Japan's prestigious gourmet review site's Top 100 in both 2022 and 2024. The restaurant sources its Kobe beef from a renowned 100-year-old butcher shop in Kobe, selecting only the top 1-2% of cows that meet the strictest standards. The beef is slow-cooked over a traditional charcoal kiln, a cooking method cherished in Kobe since the post-war era. The owner personally designed the kiln, using high-quality charcoal recognized as an intangible cultural heritage. The carefully aged meat is cooked to perfection, with each cut’s thickness and texture matched precisely to ensure the perfect level of heat. In keeping with the owner’s goal of replicating the local Kobe dining experience, the restaurant offers a selection of wines that are carefully transported under strict temperature control. Please note that as of January 2025, the restaurant has adopted irregular hours, so it’s recommended to confirm their schedule before visiting.

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3 Fine Dining Restaurants in Nara

1. GOKAN UOGIN (五感 魚銀) / Japanese

GOKAN UOGIN is a Japanese restaurant that has earned a Michelin one-star rating every year from 2022 to 2024. The owner, with over 10 years of experience training in traditional Japanese restaurants in Tokyo and Osaka, has created a welcoming space where guests can fully enjoy the live cooking experience.

A standout feature of the restaurant is the impressive kamado (traditional cooking stove), which immediately catches the eye upon entering. Known as "okudosan" in the Kansai region, this stove is a beloved local staple. Inside, a custom-made okudosan is used to cook rice carefully for each guest, allowing them to enjoy the fragrant steam rising from the pot. The rice is cooked to perfection, highlighting its natural sweetness.

Guests are also encouraged to enjoy the expertly selected Japanese sake and beautifully plated dishes served on elegant tableware, elevating the entire dining experience.

2. Oryori Hanagaki (御料理 花墻) / Japanese

Oryori Hanagaki is a Japanese restaurant that has earned a Michelin two-star rating every year from 2022 to 2024. Operating on a reservation-only basis, the restaurant serves one group for lunch and one for dinner, a tradition that has been maintained for over 30 years.

Set in a beautifully restored, spacious traditional house, which the owner personally dismantled, designed, built, and landscaped, the restaurant offers dishes that are as visually captivating as they are delicious, highlighting the highest quality ingredients. The tranquil setting allows guests to enjoy their meals while taking in the changing seasons.

Guests can also share their preferences in advance, ensuring a personalized and meticulously crafted dining experience that caters to their tastes.

3. Nara Okada (奈良 おか田) / Japanese

Nara Okada is a Japanese restaurant that has earned a Michelin one-star rating every year from 2022 to 2024. Situated in a picturesque corner of Nara, the restaurant is helmed by an owner who has spent 16 years honing his craft in Japanese cuisine, offering authentic and refined dishes.

A standout feature of the restaurant is the hassun, a traditional appetizer in Japanese cuisine. A large plate is beautifully arranged with a variety of vibrant dishes, including roast beef and seasonal ingredients, creating a visually captivating presentation. After the meal, the owner, who has diligently practiced the art of matcha, prepares and serves it with care, adding a personal touch to the experience.

The elegant counter setting offers guests the perfect opportunity to appreciate not only the exquisite dishes but also the harmonious pairing of food and meticulously selected tableware.

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