Restaurant Présage in Karatsu Selected for 'Destination Restaurants 2026' - First in Saga Prefecture

Restaurant Présage in Karatsu, Saga Prefecture, has been selected for the 'Destination Restaurants 2026' list.

This recognition is awarded to restaurants evaluated as being worth visiting from all over the world. This is the first selection for Saga Prefecture.

'Destination Restaurants' is a curated list by The Japan Times, launched in 2021. It evaluates restaurants based not just on popularity, but on how effectively they provide local charms through their cuisine, expression, and regional uniqueness. The selection is decided by food experts, including food critic Takafumi Hamada, Naoyuki Honda, and Yoshiki Tsuji, Chairman of the Tsuji Culinary Institute Group.

Owner-chef Yuichi Yokota, originally from Saitama, gained experience at three-star restaurants in France and the renowned 'Blue Hill' near New York. Establishing his philosophy of 'expressing local climate through cuisine,' he opened Restaurant Présage in Karatsu in May 2024.

'This selection is a testament to the richness of the Karatsu land and the efforts of our producers,' says Chef Yokota. 'It is my mission to convey regional values through food and pass them on to the next generation.'

With only eight counter seats, the restaurant utilizes local spring water and sea salt handmade from water drawn by the chef's father-in-law, a local fisherman. The restaurant has been featured in the 'Gault&Millau' guide for two consecutive years since 2025, attracting attention for its fusion of regional terroir and world-class sensibility.