DINING
DINING
Dining in Japan is, to many, a hobby. With a UNESCO listed National cuisine (washoku) and home to some of the best bars and restaurants in the world, this is a mecca for foodies. Here, you can experience seasonal kaiseki paired with locally made sake. If you’re looking for something a little more casual, go for the humble grilled yakitori and draft beer. Regardless of preference, there’s plenty on the food scene to delight you. In fact, to some the selection may seem endless. The following articles can help make dining in Japan a smooth and enjoyable experience. Read on for some of the best restaurants, cafes and bars in Tokyo, Kyoto and beyond.
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Tokyo Rojiura Soup Curry Samurai, Shimokitazawa
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Prime Chicken and Flaming Charcoal at Ganchan Roppongi
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All You Can Eat Candy at Tokyo’s Dagashi Bars
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OK, so you’re on vacation and you’ve been sightseeing or shopping all day....
Where to watch the AFL Grand Final in Japan
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Soup Curry in Tokyo: Where and Why You Should Eat It
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Japanese Country Town Profile: One Day In Kiso Fukushima
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Gloriously Decadent Sukiyaki at Ningyocho Imahan
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Sangenjaya Tour – Burgers, Cafes and a Stop in the Park
Tokyo is filled with trendy neighborhoods. Some of them, like Ginza, are more...
Classic Burgers at Golden Brown, Nakameguro
Tokyo is home to plenty of burger joints;...
Turkish Rice at Kyushu’s First-Ever Cafe “Tsuruchan”
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Bib Gourmand Zen Buddhist Vegetarian Cuisine: Shigetsu in Arashiyama
As I swept aside Shigetsu’s entrance curtain an hour ahead of my reservation,...
The Culinary Delights of Kobe Chinatown Nankinmachi
If you’re heading to Kobe, be sure to check out Kobe Chinatown Nankinmachi....
Nagi Shokudo is Where to Go for Affordable, Delicious Vegan Food in Shibuya
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Magurodake Bono Shirakawa’s Tuna Donburi Keeps Lunch Sweet and Simple
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Grab an exquisite lunch at Hayama Ramen, Shinjuku
Hayama Ramen, Shinjuku. Some of the best ramen in Tokyo.
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Nagasaki Champon: The City’s Most Famous Regional Dish
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Green fields of tea ー almost ready to be harvested ー extend out...
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The 10 Best Foods to Eat at Nishiki Market, Kyoto
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Bib Gourmand Ramen at Kyoto’s Menya Inoichi Hanare
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Motsunabe: Nothing Offal About It
One of my favourite regional dishes of Fukuoka.
When...
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Motsuyaki Ban, Tokyo’s original Lemon Sour Bar
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The artistic interior of Harajuku Okonomiyaki purveyors 'Sakura Tei'.
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The rickshaw driver pants as he passes by, breathlessly regaling the couple in...
Healthy Vegan Lunches at Brown Rice Canteen in Omotesando
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Kooriya Peace in Kichijoji Serves Gorgeous Shaved Ice Creations Almost Too Beautiful to Eat
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The Char-Grilled Chicken Wonderland: Ukai Toriyama
As I sip my tea, a gentle breeze blows into our private dining...
Goto Udon: One Heavenly Hell Pot
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Gluten-Free in Tokyo: Everything You Need to Know
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Akihabara to Ueno Part 2: An Ueno Tour
Unlike Akihabara, which comprises the first part of this tour, Ueno offers a...
Natural Ice Kakigori in Saitama: Asami Reizou
One of the best ways to cool down in the Japanese summer is...
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Phenomenal Ramen in the Suburbs: Shibasakitei in Umegaoka
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Forest Bathing in Japan’s First National Forest: Akasawa Natural Recreational Forest
There’s nothing more soothing than spending a day in nature; I’ve always thought...
The Jogasaki Coast: Hiking through Volcanic Cliffs and Quiet Capes
After a morning spent witnessing volcanic archery and visiting a capybara onsen, my...
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It’s an open secret for Tokyo diners—you’ll find all the great restaurants where...
Spicy, Soupy, Sublime: That’s Soup Curry at Yellow Company
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Unique Foods in Japan – A Guide
Japanese cuisine is varied and offers a wide range of dishes whatever your...
Pre-war nostalgia at Asakusa Okonomiyaki restaurant ‘Sometaro’
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Nakameguro Tour – A Taste of Trendiness
If you’re looking to get a taste of cozy bistros and trendy cafés,...
Chill Out in Tokyo’s Hammock Cafes: Mahika Mano & Cafe Stay Happy
In all my years on this earth, I’ve never met a single person...
Learning A Thing Or Two At A Japanese Cooking Class
Food is an important part of travel for me. When I’m exploring a...
Pizza Slice—A Taste of New York in Tokyo
Japanese pizza has a reputation for being a little strange. Where else would...
Japanese Hot Pot Guide – Sukiyaki and Shabu Shabu
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Toyosu Market Sushi Restaurant: Iso Sushi
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Superb Slurps at street pasta company
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Where To Get Japanese Breakfast in Tokyo Without Breaking The Bank
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Best Oyaki in Nagano: Ogawanosho, steps from Zenkoji Temple
While Nagano Prefecture’s geography is not conducive to...
Refined Kaiseki and Stunning Gardens at Tofuya Ukai
We follow our hostess through the twisting and turning hallways of the converted...
A Fancy Cocktail (Or Two) At Finlandia Bar, Kyoto
Tucked away in a quiet backstreet of Kyoto’s Gion district is the classy...
The Retro Post-War Izakaya of Hoppy Dori, Asakusa
Asakusa found prosperity in the Edo era. A veritable playground for rice dealers,...




































































































