Araki

The story

Araki in Nara-shi: Michelin-Recommended Japanese Kaiseki & Sake

The character "食" is composed of two parts: "人" (person) and "良" (good). To make people better—that is the philosophy behind Araki, a Japanese restaurant in Nara.

Located a five-minute walk from Gakuen-mae Station, Araki is the domain of chef Toshiya Araki. His career began in the kitchens of Kyoto's Gion district, continued through the Urasenke tea ceremony hall, and included stints at Arima Onsen's Kōrōkan and the Rihga Royal Hotel. That depth of experience is evident in every dish.

Araki’s cooking is rooted in the seasons. Chef Araki visits the market every morning at 4 a.m., using his years of honed intuition to select the finest seasonal ingredients. Vegetables and eggs are sourced locally whenever possible. This dedication to pure, safe produce has earned the restaurant a Michelin Recommended distinction—a quiet nod to the consistency and care found on the plate.

The dining room itself reflects the same thoughtful approach.

Owner-procured ceramics from Kyushu kilns—Agano, Koishiwara, and Onta—set the stage. The counter seats invite conversation with the chef, while tables suit a more private gathering. The atmosphere is one of refined calm.

Lunch is a multi-dish gozen served with dessert, offering a generous introduction to Araki’s style. Dinner is a full kaiseki course built around the day's best catch and produce, designed to carry the aromas of the season. The kitchen’s Japanese cuisine is precise and subtle, letting the ingredients speak.

No kaiseki experience here is complete without the drinks.

The sake list is a standout, with a strong focus on Nara’s local breweries alongside rare finds from across Japan. Chef Araki personally selects seasonal bottles to match each course. Expect labels like the juicy “Kudoki Jōzu” or the elegant “Sakurao,” alongside a rotating selection of “Fū no Mori” and “Shinomine” from Nara. A curated list of Japanese wines and a few international bottles rounds out the offering.

Araki is a place for those who understand that good food is, at its core, about making people better. It is a quiet, masterful expression of that Japanese ideal.