Niigata Gastronomy Award 2026 Winners Announced — 168 Restaurants and 21 Producers Honored

The winners of the "Niigata Gastronomy Award 2026," which comprehensively evaluates and recognizes Niigata Prefecture's food culture, have been announced. A total of 168 restaurants and 21 primary industry producers were selected, with the award ceremony held on March 13, 2026, at the ANA Crowne Plaza Hotel Niigata.

The award is organized by the Niigata Prefecture Tourism Association and the Local Gastronomy Association. What sets this award apart is its comprehensive evaluation criteria, which go beyond the quality of cuisine to include connections with local food and related industries, sustainability, and philosophy.

Grand Prix: Tokiwa Zushi Niigata

The Grand Prix in the restaurant category went to Tokiwa Zushi Niigata in Niigata City. Judges praised the restaurant as "a model where the tradition and innovation of sushi coexist."

The runners-up were Kappo Shintaku in Murakami City and Nihon Ryori Araragi in Niigata City.

Special Awards

Four distinctive special awards were presented:

• Newcomer Award: Uya (Niigata City)
• Female Chef Award: Sanae Kyou (Minami-Uonuma City)
• NEWNESS Award: Ryuzushi (Minami-Uonuma City)
• JADE Award: Nabechaya Kourin (Niigata City)

Category Winners

Awarded restaurants were classified into six categories based on their cuisine level and style:

DIAMOND (12 restaurants) — Including Kappo Shintaku, Shunsai Kaiseki Taku, Uya, Nihon Ryori Araragi, Kyodai Zushi, Tokiwa Zushi Niigata, Restaurant UOZEN, Sanae Kyou, Ryuzushi, and mûrir.

GOLD (20 restaurants) — Including Ryotei Noto Shin, Né, Amaranthus, Sushi Arai, SAISON, Nabechaya Kourin, Auberge Kamosu Mori, and Ryokan Urashima La Plage.

SILVER (22 restaurants) — Including Sennen Sake Kikkawa Izutsuya, Pizzeria NARDI, Nihon Ryori Yukigataya, Keyakien, and Origine.

BRONZE (58 restaurants) and CASUAL (56 restaurants) round out the full list of honorees.

Primary Industry Producers

Recognizing the producers who support Niigata's food culture is another pillar of this award.

The Grand Prix went to Uchiyama Farm in Sanjo City.

Runners-up (4 producers): Sugai Farm (Murakami), Mineral Kobo (Murakami), Keiko Haga (Gosen), and Kakizaki Boucherie (Joetsu).

Judges

• Chief Judge: Takanori Nakamura (food critic and columnist)
• Deputy Chief Judge: Yasuaki Aota (Seiryo Junior & Senior High School principal)
• Special Judges: Masahiro Haruta (chef at Crony, two Michelin stars), Noboru Arai (chef at HOMMAGE, two Michelin stars), Tomoyuki Tanaka (FPM. DJ & producer)
• Local Judge: Masaaki Kimura (food and cuisine researcher)

Niigata's food culture extends far beyond rice and sake. This award reaffirms the prefecture's rich and diverse culinary heritage rooted in local terroir.

The full list of winners is available on the official Niigata Gastronomy Award website.