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LA TRACE (ラ・トラース)

Instant reservation
Nara-shi Nara USD 65.16 + French

Michelin and awards

Michelin Guide, 2025
Michelin Guide, 2024
Michelin Guide, 2023
Best 100
Japan Restaurant Award, 2025
Best 100
Japan Restaurant Award, 2023
Best 100
Japan Restaurant Award, 2021

About LA TRACE

Nestled within the timeless streets of historic Nara, LA TRACE quietly awaits those seeking an extraordinary dining experience.

The name LA TRACE, meaning "footprint," embodies the essence of a hidden gem that seamlessly intertwines Nara’s rich history, culture, and modern aesthetics within its cuisine and ambiance.

Chef Sato crafts each dish through a heartfelt dialogue with the land and people of Nara.

Carefully selected ingredients such as vegetables, local chicken, and pork are sourced from trusted farmers whose faces and stories are known.

The story behind “where, who, and with what feelings” each ingredient was cultivated adds a unique charm to every plate. At LA TRACE, the culinary journey begins by tracing the roots of each ingredient.

By honoring their origins and reimagining them through French culinary techniques, we offer a sensory experience that captivates all five senses.

Being able to watch the chef’s work up close from your seat is one of LA TRACE’s unique charms.

You’ll find yourself drawn in by the precision of each movement and the delicacy of the chef’s technique.

This visual experience turns the wait for your meal into an exciting part of the dining journey.

Upon entering, you are embraced by a tranquil sanctuary that softly distances you from the bustle of everyday life.

The space is adorned with carefully chosen furnishings, soft lighting, and natural sunlight streaming through the windows—all harmonizing in an atmosphere infused with meticulous attention to detail. This refined beauty softly frees your mind and body, creating a peaceful passage of time.

LA TRACE is a place that fulfills your desire for a “special stay in Nara,” offering warm hospitality tailored to each guest.

We invite you to enjoy moments of exceptional tranquility and comfort, as if returning home, along with an exclusive experience found only here.

+ Read more

Menu and Courses

Lunch

Weekday-Only Short Course

For guests who wish to enjoy a relaxed course meal at a French restaurant,
we offer a lighter option that still captures the essence of LA TRACE.

You'll be served the same seasonal appetizer as in our standard course—featuring ingredients that reflect the changing seasons—along with a reduced number of dishes, allowing you to savor our signature style in a more casual format.

2 Amuse-Bouches / 2 Appetizers / High-Hydration Bread / Main Course / Palate Cleanser / Dessert / After-Meal Tea / Petit Fours

*Please note that the menu is subject to change without prior notice depending on the season and ingredient availability. + Read more
USD 65.16
Lunch

Seasonal Chef’s Tasting Course

We offer delicate and light dishes crafted with an abundance of seasonal ingredients that change from day to day.

Staying true to our concept of sourcing ingredients directly from trusted, visible producers, our menu naturally centers around vegetables grown in Nara Prefecture.

Through the chef’s inspired combinations, everyday ingredients are transformed into surprising and memorable dishes. We invite you to enjoy a course that celebrates seasonality and creativity.

The course composition varies with the seasons, but we typically offer around 10 dishes.

An example menu from one season includes:
3 amuse-bouches / 2 appetizers / Homemade brioche / Fish / Meat / Palate cleanser / Dessert / After-meal tea / Petit fours

*We kindly ask each guest to order at least one drink. A wine list featuring bottled wines is also available. + Read more
USD 105.88
Dinner

Weekday-Only Short Course

For guests who wish to enjoy a relaxed course meal at a French restaurant,
we offer a lighter option that still captures the essence of LA TRACE.

You'll be served the same seasonal appetizer as in our standard course—featuring ingredients that reflect the changing seasons—along with a reduced number of dishes, allowing you to savor our signature style in a more casual format.

2 Amuse-Bouches / 2 Appetizers / High-Hydration Bread / Main Course / Palate Cleanser / Dessert / After-Meal Tea / Petit Fours

*Please note that the menu is subject to change without prior notice depending on the season and ingredient availability. + Read more
USD 65.16
Dinner

Seasonal Chef’s Tasting Course

We offer delicate and light dishes crafted with an abundance of seasonal ingredients that change from day to day.

Staying true to our concept of sourcing ingredients directly from trusted, visible producers, our menu naturally centers around vegetables grown in Nara Prefecture.

Through the chef’s inspired combinations, everyday ingredients are transformed into surprising and memorable dishes. We invite you to enjoy a course that celebrates seasonality and creativity.

The course composition varies with the seasons, but we typically offer around 10 dishes.

An example menu from one season includes:
3 amuse-bouches / 2 appetizers / Homemade brioche / Fish / Meat / Palate cleanser / Dessert / After-meal tea / Petit fours

*We kindly ask each guest to order at least one drink. A wine list featuring bottled wines is also available. + Read more
USD 105.88

*Tax included.
*The course fee must be paid in advance, and any additional charges incurred on-site will be settled on the day.
*Please note that the price may vary depending on market conditions.

Photos

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Reservation notes

  • Price Range:

    Lunch: USD 65.16 - USD 105.88
    Dinner: USD 65.16 - USD 105.88

  • Dietary restrictions / Allergies:

    If you have any specific food allergies or ingredients you cannot consume, please inform us in advance. Unfortunately, we cannot accept reservations if there are ingredients that you cannot eat within a wide range.

  • Arrival time:

    Please arrive 5 minutes before your reserved time to ensure a timely start of your meal. If you do not contact us and exceed your reservation time, it will be automatically canceled.

  • Dress Code:

    Dress code is smart casual (Please refrain from wearing T-shirts, shorts, and sandals when you visit.)

  • Children:

    Guests aged 10 and above, and able to enjoy the course meal.

  • Others:

    We kindly ask for your consideration regarding excessive perfume or fabric softener fragrances.

+ Read more

Service availability

  • English menus are available.

  • Not available

  • Not available

  • halal

    Not available

  • Guests aged 10 and above, and able to enjoy the course meal.

  • Not available

Reviews of LA TRACE

    Information

    Seats 8 Seats
    Operation hours Lunch: Wednesdays and Thursdays only
    12:00 PM - 03:00 PM (L.O. 12:30 PM)
    Dinner: Mondays, Fridays, and Saturdays only
    06:00 PM - 10:00 PM (L.O. 08:00 PM)
    Regular holiday Sundays, Tuesdays
    *The restaurant may be temporarily open or temporarily closed.
    Payment methods Cash, Credit card available
    Smoking Not Allowed
    Address 1F Casa Yamaguchi, 2-1-5, Omiya-cho, Nara-shi, Nara
    Nearest station
    Nara Statio, Shin-Omiya Station
    Directions from station
    3 minutes walk from Nara Station
    12 minutes walk from Shin-Omiya Station
    View on larger map