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Special AwardsOctober 2026

Special Awards Japan 2027

The Japanese Awards celebrate diversity and commitment to preserving the environment and biodiversity across Japan.

New Destination Champion Award

A city, region, or country, in full gastronomic boom, soon to be a must for gourmets.

Hiroshima Prefecture
Hiroshima PrefectureJapanOn the Seto Inland Sea, a prefecture that grows some 60% of Japan's oysters and more than 40% of its lemons, with Saijo among the country's great sake-brewing towns.

Talent of the Year Award

Most promising chefs of the year.

Yuya Nakamura
Yuya NakamuraMaz · Tokyo, JapanHead chef since April 2026 of Maz, the Tokyo sister of Lima's Central, Yuya Nakamura weaves Japanese ingredients into a journey through Peru's ecosystems, altitude by altitude.

Game Changer Award

A personality who is strongly committed to imposing more egalitarian and inclusive, or sustainable and educational values in the kitchen or in the sector.

Sorahana
SorahanaKanako Wakimoto · Tokyo, JapanAfter seven years with Hiroshi Kanda, Kanako Wakimoto serves at Sorahana, in Tokyo’s Toranomon district, a kaiseki built around fish from Sagami Bay.

Innovation Award

A chef, restaurateur, or organization that reinvents itself by creating new development opportunities.

Community Spirit Award

Project led by a chef, restaurateur or organization that supports their community or a cause.

L'Atelier de Noto / Mebuki
L'Atelier de Noto / MebukiToshiya Ikehata · Ishikawa Prefecture, JapanWhen the January 2024 earthquake destroyed L’Atelier de Noto in Wajima, Toshiya Ikehata joined local chefs and shopkeepers in serving more than 100,000 meals to the community, then opened Mebuki six months later.

Ethical & Sustainability Award

A chef, restaurateur or group who has implemented ethical, sustainable and supportive practices that have had an impact within their establishment or in their community.

L'Effervescence
L'EffervescenceShinobu Namae · Tokyo, JapanOpened in 2010 in Nishi-Azabu, Shinobu Namae's restaurant pioneered sustainable gastronomy in Japan, naming its farmers and fishers on the menu, and holds three Michelin stars and a Green Star.

Discovery Gem Award

Restaurants that deserve to be discovered for their unique culinary experience and the interpretation of their terroir.

Pastry Talent of the Year Award

Most promising pastry chefs in a restaurant of the year.

Yusaku Shibata
Yusaku ShibataPrism Lab / Prismic · Tokushima & Tokyo, JapanA member of the Japanese team that won the 2023 Coupe du Monde de la Pâtisserie, Yusaku Shibata opened Prism Lab, a show-kitchen patisserie in a Tokushima warehouse, in 2024, then Prismic in Tokyo's Aoyama in 2026.

Sommelier & Service Award

A professional who elevates the art of hospitality, reinventing the service and wine experience.

Kazushi Hiyama
Kazushi HiyamaHotel La Suite Kobe Harborland · Kobe, JapanAt the head of Hotel La Suite Kobe Harborland, on Kobe's waterfront, Kazushi Hiyama makes wine and service the heart of the experience, as with the wine dinners hosted with Shinya Tasaki, Best Sommelier of the World 1995.

Artisan & Authenticity Award

Establishments and cooks highlighting the culinary heritage of their region or country through their know-how, their products and short circuits.

Isshisoden Nakamura
Isshisoden NakamuraMotokazu Nakamura · Kyoto, JapanOnce a travelling fishmonger bringing fish from Wakasa Bay, this Kyoto house is now led by Motokazu Nakamura, its sixth generation, with the next one already in the kitchen; its white miso zoni is made with water from the well on the premises.
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