When people think of Japan's culinary highlights, sushi and ramen are a couple that usually come to mind, and burgers rarely make the list. However, tucked away in Ashiya, Hyogo Prefecture, a small restaurant is changing that perception. Gui's Burger has just been named as one of the World's Best Burgers for 2025, ranking 17th on the global list. Out of the 25 restaurants featured, it is the only one from Japan.
Gui's Burger opened in 2022 with a clear focus of showcasing Wagyu beef in burger form, and the restaurant grew out of Humans of Wagyu, an international community dedicated to telling the stories of Japanese Wagyu farmers. Founders Guilherme Fagundes and Chika Mori Fagundes wanted to create a space where diners could taste that tradition directly, and every patty is ground fresh in-house daily, free from additives and made only from Wagyu sourced directly from farms across Japan. The approach is deliberately simple, designed to highlight the natural richness and flavor of the beef itself.
Recognition came quickly. Within a year, Gui's Burger was included in Tabelog's Top 100 Restaurants, and word spread among both locals and international visitors. The World's Best Burgers list marks its most prestigious honor yet.
If you're a burger aficionado and visiting Hyogo Prefecture, pop a visit to Gui's Burger on your itinerary! At the time of writing, their business hours are from 11am until 3pm from Thursday to Monday—do keep in mind that they're closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
