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.

POPULAR POSTS

Kooriya Peace in Kichijoji Serves Gorgeous Shaved Ice Creations Almost Too Beautiful to Eat

Tokyo has no shortage of great shaved ice (kakigori), but even with all...

Serene Gardens, Exquisite Kaiseki and Feudal History at Fugetsuro, Shizuoka

Ah, Shizuoka. Rolling hectares of tea crops, vast lakes, rushing rivers, stretching coastlines...

Gallivanting around Ginza – A Tour Through Old Tokyo Part 1

Many people come to Tokyo for the bright lights of Shibuya and Shinjuku....

Bib Gourmand Ramen at Kyoto’s Menya Inoichi Hanare

Walking past long queues in front of shops and restaurants, my herd mentality...

Nakameguro Tour – A Taste of Trendiness

If you’re looking to get a taste of cozy bistros and trendy cafés,...

Get Your Fill at Tokyo’s All-You-Can-Eat Restaurants

If you arrive in Tokyo with a big appetite, you should have every...

California Cuisine from a San Francisco punk rock veteran in Shibuya

*Note: This restaurant is no longer operating* “Tonight there’s gonna...
motsuyaki ban yutenji lemon sour bar

Motsuyaki Ban, Tokyo’s original Lemon Sour Bar

We head to the birthplace of the Lemon Sour, ‘Motsuyaki Ban’  The Lemon Sour, a staple...

Tokyo Tower and a Tour through Surrounding Areas

Jutting out of the city center, you’d be mistaken for thinking that the...

Matsumoto Musts: Folk Crafts and Unique Foods To Seek Out

Like many of Japan’s prefectures, Matsumoto has some fantastic local specialties. From unique...

Healthy Vegan Lunches at Brown Rice Canteen in Omotesando

Vegan-friendly meals used to be difficult to find...
Dining Sushi in Japan

Japanese Table Manners: A Full Guide

Table manners vary between all countries across the world. Even nations that are...
Ikebukuro Parco

Ikebukuro Tour: Sunshine City and Beyond

Of all the major transit and shopping hubs in Tokyo, Ikebukuro seems to...

Bib Gourmand Zen Buddhist Vegetarian Cuisine: Shigetsu in Arashiyama

As I swept aside Shigetsu’s entrance curtain an hour ahead of my reservation,...
Chicken vegetable soup curry at Ganesha

Soup Curry Ganesha—A Salaryman Favorite in Shinbashi

It’s an open secret for Tokyo diners—you’ll find all the great restaurants where...

Hearty Tsukemen in Akihabara: Menya Musashi Bujin

These days, ramen is a household name. But have you ever heard of...
Close-up of da ISA pizza

Stupendous Wood-Fired Pizza at da ISA in Nakameguro

Japanese pizza is notoriously ‘weird’—as many disgruntled expats might like to complain. Putting...

Cool Down With Green Tea Soba, Perched Over A Flowing River

Uji is all about green tea; it's past, present and future are deeply...
best ramen sapporo

Menya Saimi, one of the best ramen in Sapporo

Japan’s diverse geography and climate are to thank for the array of regional cuisines and...

Beat The Heat With These Three Kawadoko River Dining Spots in Kyoto

Summers in Kyoto can be surprisingly hot and humid. Luckily, the pragmatic ancient...

What to Eat and Drink in Arima Onsen 

Nestled in the Rokko mountains behind Kobe City, Arima Onsen is considered one...

The Healing Waters of Hitoyoshi: Tokyo to Okinawa Day 11

On day 11 of our trip, we left Fukuoka and after a brief...

Vegan Food in Tokyo: A Complete Guide

Travelling while vegan can be difficult; worrying about whether you’re going to be...
Unique Foods in Japan

Unique Foods in Japan – A Guide

Japanese cuisine is varied and offers a wide range of dishes whatever your...
Asakusa Temple

Ambling Asakusa Tour: A Tour of Old Tokyo Part 3

After a leisurely boat ride along the Sumida River, you will arrive in...

World’s Biggest Starbucks Reserve Roastery in Nakameguro

Whether you’re a coffee lover, architecture buff or just want to see what...

Japanese Food for Fussy Eaters

While Japanese cuisine is largely unbeatable, there are still many dishes that fussy...

Matsuya, The Blue And Yellow Beef Bowl Place

When you first come to Japan, either as a tourist or a new...

Sara Udon: Nagasaki’s OTHER Famous Regional Dish

When it comes to regional dishes of Nagasaki, Champon wins the popularity contest...
tokyo french restaurant nakameguro higashiyama la gueule de bois fusion cuisine

Delicious French Fusion in Nakameguro

Outside the Nakameguro French Restaurant, La Gueule de Bois We visit...
Two slices

Pizza Slice—A Taste of New York in Tokyo

Japanese pizza has a reputation for being a little strange. Where else would...

Learning A Thing Or Two At A Japanese Cooking Class

Food is an important part of travel for me. When I’m exploring a...
shabu shabu nabe sukiyaki

Japanese Hot Pot Guide – Sukiyaki and Shabu Shabu

Many types of nabemono 鍋物 or hot pot dishes exist as part of...

Food and Fresh Air at Fukuoka’s Yatai

Mention Fukuoka to any Japanese person, and they’ll reply with one of two...

Sampling, Shopping and Snacking at Tokyu Food Show

Food lovers, prepare yourselves for one of the most dangerous foodie activities in...

Motsunabe: Nothing Offal About It

One of my favourite regional dishes of Fukuoka. When...

A $500 Sandwich At Nakameguro’s Wagyu Mafia

In Tokyo, you can totally get by eating on a dime. But when...

Canal City: A Shopping Oasis in Central Fukuoka

Called the oasis within the city, Canal City is a massive complex housing...

Sangenjaya Tour – Burgers, Cafes and a Stop in the Park

Tokyo is filled with trendy neighborhoods. Some of them, like Ginza, are more...

Ponipirika Soup Curry Is A Perfect Late Lunch in Shimokitazawa

Besides seafood, Hokkaido’s best export must be soup curry. This is exactly as...

The restaurant that inspired Quentin Tarantino: Gonpachi Nishi Azabu

Cinephiles coming to Tokyo could definitely put together a movie-based pilgrimage trip. Movie-themed...

The 10 Best Foods to Eat at Nishiki Market, Kyoto

Food lovers rejoice, the Nishiki Market in downtown Kyoto is a mecca for...

Unlimited Fun at Kabukicho’s Okinawa Paradise

If you’re after a rowdy night with Tokyo locals, look no further than...

Where to Catch Tokyo’s Food Trucks: Lunch at the International Forum

I'd committed the cardinal sin of time-strapped travellers everywhere: I'd slept in. And...

Soup Curry in Tokyo: Where and Why You Should Eat It

If you like soup and if you love...
kochi bonito tataki myojinmaru

Myojinmaru’s Famous Salted Bonito Tataki

The word bonito would, for most, evoke the common visual of little flakes...

A Tuna Extravaganza at Maguro Mart in Nakano

Tuna lovers visiting Tokyo should consider a meal at Maguro Mart. As the...
okonomiyaki

Cook your own dinner at Sakura Tei Okonomiyaki

The artistic interior of Harajuku Okonomiyaki purveyors 'Sakura Tei'.

Join in the Japanese tradition of eating KFC for Christmas

For those who celebrate Christmas, you’ll know food plays a big role in...
michelin sushi hokkaido otaru

Isezushi: Michelin Star Sushi in Otaru, Hokkaido

The town of Otaru is a port town in Hokkaido, not too far from Sapporo....

Where To Get Japanese Breakfast in Tokyo Without Breaking The Bank

Are you a budget conscious traveller? If so, you’re probably not staying in...
Bars in Japan

All Shook Up at Osaka’s Elvis-themed Bar USAGI

It’s easy to let the night get away from you in Osaka; it's...

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...
Shimokitazawa

A Circuit Through Shimokitazawa

Shimokitazawa, known as Shimokita by locals, is one of the primary centers of...

A Visit To The Oldest Eel Restaurant in Tokyo: Izuei Honten

Unagi is a bit of a thing in Japan. Loved for centuries with...

Doza and Shianbashi: Secret Shrines and Nagasaki Nightlife

I first stepped into Shianbashi, Nagasaki’s best nightlife...

Pizza Toast and Kombucha at Café Benisica

Yurakucho's long standing Café Benisica launched the Japanese pizza toast craze Many wouldn’t immediately associate Japan...

Stunning Izakaya Food at Fuwari in Kanazawa

If you’re looking for a special but affordable dinner in Kanazawa, a great...

Suiba – A Standing Izakaya in Kyoto for Solo Diners

In many places, there's often a little stigma attached to dining alone. Not...

Nagi Shokudo is Where to Go for Affordable, Delicious Vegan Food in Shibuya

Vegans have a tough time of it in Tokyo—at least, that’s how it...

Forests, Lakes and Ancient Trails: Day trips in the Kiso-Valley

Deep in the mountains of Nagano prefecture, sidling the Japanese Central Alps, lies...

Sampling Local Sake at Niigata’s Ponshukan Sake Museum

Each of Japan’s 47 prefectures has something they're particularly proud of; in Niigata,...

Spicy, Soupy, Sublime: That’s Soup Curry at Yellow Company

Eat out in Japan often enough and you’ll notice a certain dearth of...
Junteuchi Daruma's shoyu ramen is beautiful to behold.

For Fabulous Shoyu Ramen, Head to Junteuchi Daruma

Whether it’s tonkotsu, salt, or miso, you’ll find all kinds of ramen in...

Toyosu Market Sushi Restaurant: Iso Sushi

Iso Sushi (or Isozushi) restaurant was a Tsukiji...

Head to the Coast of Toyama to try Tara-jiru 

On the eastern edge of Toyama Bay, the emerald waters deliver with every...

Yanaka Beer Hall: Craft Beer In A Traditional Setting

With its bustling Ginza shopping street, veteran shopkeepers,...

Shibuya’s Underbelly: A Walk Through Love Hotel Hill and Dogenzaka

Shibuya may have the reputation of being a teen shopping mecca with a...
shizuoka tea fields

Take a Refreshing Pause at Shizuoka’s ‘Tea Room in the Sky’

Green fields of tea ー almost ready to be harvested ー extend out...

Kyoto After Dark: An Evening Stroll through Pontocho and Gion

Kyoto is the gently lit canal to Tokyo’s fit-inducing neon—part of its charm...

The Retro Post-War Izakaya of Hoppy Dori, Asakusa

Asakusa found prosperity in the Edo era. A veritable playground for rice dealers,...

Tokyo Rojiura Soup Curry Samurai, Shimokitazawa

Look up Shimokitazawa in most guides to the city, and you’ll quickly discover...
kashi no ichi fish market tuna bowl-12

All-You-Can-Eat Tuna Bowl at Kashi no Ichi Fish Market

Tuna, or ‘maguro’ in Japanese, is a heavyweight of the sushi and sashimi...

Daimyo: Fukuoka’s Super Cool Neighbourhood

Amitabha Tattoo shop in Daimyo. As a one-stop-shop for...
american-sandwich-tokyo-ginza

Could ‘American’ Be The Biggest Sandwich In Tokyo?

Ginza, Tokyo. An upscale neighbourhood all about high-end shopping and dining. As such, many cuisines...
tokyo-burger-golden-brown-best-nakameguro-higashiyama-header

Classic Burgers at Golden Brown, Nakameguro

Tokyo is home to plenty of burger joints;...

Ichikawaya Coffee is A Stylish Machiya Cafe in Kyoto

Kyoto seems to excel at cafes in all their variants, ranging from the...
best tantanmen tokyo

The Best Tantanmen in Tokyo: Bazoku

Japan, 1977. The economy was booming, black-and-white television was a distant memory and baseball legend...

Phenomenal Ramen in the Suburbs: Shibasakitei in Umegaoka

With literally thousands of ramen restaurants in Central Tokyo and across the Greater...

Nature’s Air-Con: Nagashi Sōmen Flowing Noodles Kawadoko Style at Hirobun, Kibune

Wondering how to cool off in Japan’s humid summer? Perhaps you’re munching your...

Retro cocktails, hip coffee, and Michelin Italian food: An evening in Yoyogi Uehara

On the outskirts of Shibuya-ku, Yoyogi Uehara has a reputation for being a...
far yeast brewery tokyo

Tokyo Craft Beer at Far Yeast Brewing in Shibuya

Note: the Shibuya location moved to Gotanda to...

Pre-war nostalgia at Asakusa Okonomiyaki restaurant ‘Sometaro’

The Tokyo neighbourhood of Asakusa is a major...

Where to get an afternoon drink in Harajuku, Tokyo

OK, so you’re on vacation and you’ve been sightseeing or shopping all day....

The Culinary Delights of Kobe Chinatown Nankinmachi

If you’re heading to Kobe, be sure to check out Kobe Chinatown Nankinmachi....

Healthy Vegan Dining at Restaurant 8ablish, Omotesando

Omotesando on the weekend is a bustling place. The wide streets and footpaths...

Nagatoro: An Outdoorsy Day Trip From Tokyo

When the neon of Tokyo no longer energises you, it’s a sure sign...

Finding New York Style Pizza at The Pizza in Hiroo

One of the first things I tell people who visit Tokyo is that...
5-piece tuna set at HInatomaru

Hinatomaru: A Sushi Bar Making A Case for Tuna Head Sushi

Asakusa is not the first place most people think of when it comes...

Best Oyaki in Nagano: Ogawanosho, steps from Zenkoji Temple

While Nagano Prefecture’s geography is not conducive to...

A Brooklyn Brunch that’s Beyonce approved, right in Harajuku

One day I was on my way to Harry’s Sandwich Co., and I...
Kinako kakigori at Kurogi

Kurogi’s Killer Kinako Kakigori – A Shaved Ice Dessert to Die For

Kinako, or roasted soybean flour, might be a difficult sell if you’ve never...

Fukuoka’s Hakata Ramen Packs Rich, Porky Goodness

A bowl of ramen is a wonderfully comforting...
Mixed sashimi platter at Tobusakana

Tobusakana—A Local Seafood Izakaya in Shimokitazawa

Shimokitazawa is known for vintage fashion, soup curry, and cafes. The unceasing renovation...

From Oysters to Ice Cream: What To Eat and Drink on Miyajima

Miyajima is only a short ferry ride away from mainland Hiroshima, but this...

Dining in Dotonbori: Osaka’s Lively Entertainment District

Osaka is Japan’s second largest city, which may leave you wondering exactly where...

Exploring Hiroshima-style Okonomiyaki at Okonomimura

Calling all okonomiyaki fans! If you haven’t already done so, you simply must...

Torimero yakitori: A cheap chain restaurant with many locations in Tokyo

Living in Tokyo you take some things for granted. Two of these things...
arashiyama-kyoto-teahouse-luxury-daytrip-suiran-cafe-hassui

Café Hassui, Arashiyama’s Luxury Teahouse

Arashiyama is one of Kyoto’s most popular tourist...

Skating the Art Rink at Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse: Fun Winter Activities in Tokyo

Toddlers giggle, adults fall flat on their back, and a select few swoop...

RECENT POSTS

MUST READ