The Michelin Guide, the French bible of gastronomy, extended its global reach Wednesday by announcing its first guide to Tokyo's restaurants amid local skepticism that the French would be the best arbiter of Japan's culinary traditions.
The Michelin Guide Tokyo, set for release in November, is the first edition outside Europe and the United States in the renowned guidebook series that rates restaurants and hotels on excellence in cooking, service, decor and upkeep.
"Japan is a country where fine dining is an integral part of the culture," chief executive Michel Rollier of Michelin said in a statement Wednesday.