It has become one of Tokyo's gastronomic rites of autumn. Just as sure as the leaves on the city's many ginkgo trees turn gold and scatter across pavements, the latest Michelin Guide Tokyo hits the stores each year.
The 2017 edition was announced on Nov. 29 to the usual ripple of commentary in the media, both mainstream and social. As always, the reactions have mostly focused on the numbers and names: How many restaurants have stars this time, which places have gained or lost them, which newcomers have made it on to the list and who has fallen into oblivion.
In terms of statistics, the Japanese capital continues to far outstrip any other city on the planet. By whatever measure you choose — the number of restaurants anointed with stars (227 in all), the total of stars they hold between them (305) or the number of prestigious three-star designations (12) — Tokyo remains unrivaled.