Nakashima

Hiroshima is undoubtedly one of the most laidback and beautiful cities in Japan. A world away from the noise and chaos of Tokyo, here leafy green parks dot the map, and quaint little trams replace roaring subways. The lone three Michelin star restaurant in this seaside city, opened in 2006, is located in a gorgeous upmarket residential district, and it’s undeniably the ruby in the crown of the local culinary scene. Atmosphere is key at Nakashima. There’s a distinctly theatrical feel to the place, with curtained stage doors to the left and right of the kitchen, and a stunning ornate interior with carved-wood landscape panels mounted above the kitchen, just above a shelf holding neat stacks of lacquerwork dishes upon which each of the outstanding dishes are served. With a heavy focus on natural flavors and seasonal ingredients, this kaiseki restaurant serves the very finest dishes which the region has to offer. The menu is highly changeable, as is the specialty catch-of-the-day dish, simmered in an extremely refined dashi broth. Other highlights may include a stew of mushrooms and fish served in a teapot, conger shabu shabu, and a lotus root manju sweet. For high quality Japanese dining in Hiroshima, there’s simply nowhere better.