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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Iwasa Sushi, Toyosu Market
Though Tsukiji Market has closed and is settling into its new location at...
Get Your Fill at Tokyo’s All-You-Can-Eat Restaurants
If you arrive in Tokyo with a big appetite, you should have every...
Mori Mori Sushi: Classy Kaitenzushi in Kanazawa
After living in Kanazawa for two years, I have become picky when it...
The best Jingisukan in Sapporo: Daruma
Many of Japan’s towns and regions boast a local speciality or two; a unique product...
First Avenue: Characters, Ramen and Sweets
Tokyo Station is way more than just a place to change trains! Within...
Tokyo Day Trip: Koedo, Kawagoe’s Breath of Edo
We hear music in the distance. Drums beat and flutes whistle a traditional...
Nawate dori: Matsumoto’s Charming Frog Street
A visit to the mountain city of Matsumoto...
Suiba – A Standing Izakaya in Kyoto for Solo Diners
In many places, there's often a little stigma attached to dining alone. Not...
Canal City: A Shopping Oasis in Central Fukuoka
Called the oasis within the city, Canal City is a massive complex housing...
Exploring Local Nightlife at a Japanese Yokocho
For an authentic, down-to-earth Japanese dining experience, head straight for the nearest yokocho,...
Sampling Local Sake at Niigata’s Ponshukan Sake Museum
Each of Japan’s 47 prefectures has something they're particularly proud of; in Niigata,...
Japanese Country Town Profile: One Day In Kiso Fukushima
If you’re planning a trip to the Kiso Valley, perhaps to walk the...
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’
The Tokyo neighbourhood of Asakusa is a major...
The Best Tantanmen in Tokyo: Bazoku
Japan, 1977. The economy was booming, black-and-white television was a distant memory and baseball legend...
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...
A Circuit Through Shimokitazawa
Shimokitazawa, known as Shimokita by locals, is one of the primary centers of...
Refined Kaiseki and Stunning Gardens at Tofuya Ukai
We follow our hostess through the twisting and turning hallways of the converted...
Freshly Fried Seafood At The New Toyosu Market
Tokyo’s world famous Tsukiji Market has now officially...
Chinzao: Taiwanese Tea House in Ine Village
Ine, the quaint fishing village in Kyōto’s northwest, is arguably one of the...
A Curry To Remember At Joto Curry Shibuya Honten
Shibuya can feel more like a nightlife and shopping area than a culinary...
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...
Superb Slurps at street pasta company
There’s no shortage of great noodle places in...
All Day Breakfast in Tokyo at Tractor, Nakameguro
Laid back, tattooed staff, grungy design, avocado on toast and cold drip coffee....
Unlimited Fun at Kabukicho’s Okinawa Paradise
If you’re after a rowdy night with Tokyo locals, look no further than...
Phenomenal Ramen in the Suburbs: Shibasakitei in Umegaoka
With literally thousands of ramen restaurants in Central Tokyo and across the Greater...
Delicious Tempura Soba at Nozawa Onsen’s Sobadokoro Daimon
Whether you’ve come to Nozawa Onsen in search...
Late Night Eats at Ebisu Yokocho
By day, the neighbourhood of Ebisu hums with shoppers, museum-goers and the lunchtime...
Cook your own dinner at Sakura Tei Okonomiyaki
The artistic interior of Harajuku Okonomiyaki purveyors 'Sakura Tei'.
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...
Sara Udon: Nagasaki’s OTHER Famous Regional Dish
When it comes to regional dishes of Nagasaki, Champon wins the popularity contest...
Explore Osaka’s Shinsaibashisuji shopping street
The Shinsaibashi area of Osaka is well-known for its shopping options and is...
Ariso Sushi: A Great Pre-Flight Meal at Haneda Airport
Airport food doesn’t have a good reputation. Thankfully, Haneda Airport’s culinary offerings defy...
Where to Eat and Drink on Naoshima: The good, the quirky and the delicious!
I don’t know about you, but I travel with my stomach. I always...
Daimyo: Fukuoka’s Super Cool Neighbourhood
Amitabha Tattoo shop in Daimyo.
As a one-stop-shop for...
California Cuisine from a San Francisco punk rock veteran in Shibuya
*Note: This restaurant is no longer operating*
“Tonight there’s gonna...
Arashiyama’s Luxury Tofu Kaiseki at Shoraian
Arashiyama is one of the most popular sightseeing areas in Kyoto. The wide,...
Torimero yakitori: A cheap chain restaurant with many locations in Tokyo
Living in Tokyo you take some things for granted. Two of these things...
Standing Yakiniku Restaurant Jiromaru: a great place for A5 Wagyu Beef
Whenever I have visitors in town, I love taking them to a stand-up...
Tokyo Tower and a Tour through Surrounding Areas
Jutting out of the city center, you’d be mistaken for thinking that the...
Finding New York Style Pizza at The Pizza in Hiroo
One of the first things I tell people who visit Tokyo is that...
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...
Kengo Kuma’s Starbucks design in Fukuoka
Japanese architect Kengo Kuma has been making headlines lately for his epic design of the...
Forests, Lakes and Ancient Trails: Day trips in the Kiso-Valley
Deep in the mountains of Nagano prefecture, sidling the Japanese Central Alps, lies...
Healthy Vegan Lunches at Brown Rice Canteen in Omotesando
Vegan-friendly meals used to be difficult to find...
A Tuna Extravaganza at Maguro Mart in Nakano
Tuna lovers visiting Tokyo should consider a meal at Maguro Mart. As the...
Omicho Market, Where Kanazawa Does Its Shopping
Omicho Market, also known as “Kanazawa’s Kitchen”, has been feeding the city as...
Gallivanting around Ginza – A Tour Through Old Tokyo Part 1
Many people come to Tokyo for the bright lights of Shibuya and Shinjuku....
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...
Roppongi Tour: Soaring Heights and Night Life
Full of bustling shoppers and businesspeople by day and partygoers by night, Roppongi...
Motsuyaki Ban, Tokyo’s original Lemon Sour Bar
We head to the birthplace of the Lemon Sour, ‘Motsuyaki Ban’
The Lemon Sour, a staple...
Could ‘American’ Be The Biggest Sandwich In Tokyo?
Ginza, Tokyo. An upscale neighbourhood all about high-end shopping and dining. As such, many cuisines...
Matcha Pancakes at ‘A Happy Pancake’ Kyoto
Anyone in Japan (or surveying it via Instagram) knows that pancakes are it...
Head to the Coast of Toyama to try Tara-jiru
On the eastern edge of Toyama Bay, the emerald waters deliver with every...
The 10 Best Foods to Eat at Nishiki Market, Kyoto
Food lovers rejoice, the Nishiki Market in downtown Kyoto is a mecca for...
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...
Hot Pies, Cold Drinks: A Taste of Australia at Punk Doily
Biting into my classic steak pie, I relished a flavour profile I hadn’t...
Ikebukuro Tour: Sunshine City and Beyond
Of all the major transit and shopping hubs in Tokyo, Ikebukuro seems to...
Motsunabe: Nothing Offal About It
One of my favourite regional dishes of Fukuoka.
When...
All You Can Eat Candy at Tokyo’s Dagashi Bars
When visitors think of old school Japan, they no doubt picture kimono-clad geisha...
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...
Healthy Fast Food at Onigiri Asakusa Yadoroku
The idea of healthy fast food may seem...
Views and Booze at The Peak Lounge and Bar at Park Hyatt
If you only have a limited time in Tokyo, you’ll no doubt be...
Ambling Asakusa Tour: A Tour of Old Tokyo Part 3
After a leisurely boat ride along the Sumida River, you will arrive in...
Spice Chamber Serves Keema Curry with a Kick in Kyoto
Japanese curry tends not to be spicy. It’s unsurprising, when most Japanese people...
Isezushi: Michelin Star Sushi in Otaru, Hokkaido
The town of Otaru is a port town in Hokkaido, not too far from Sapporo....
All about Shojin Ryori: Zen Buddhist Vegetarian Cuisine
Shojin Ryori is the traditional fare of Zen Buddhist monks in Japan. This...
Suntory Yamazaki Whisky Distillery Tours
Whiskey. Ireland and Scotland both claim to have first created it—in fact the...
Tokyo Sake Bar in Ebisu: Frozen Sake Bar Buri
Head west of Ebisu Station into the backstreets...
Hana wa Saku in Nakano Serves A Mean Bowl of Udon
One of our favourite areas in the metropolis to hang out and eat...
Goto Udon: One Heavenly Hell Pot
Japan is a haven for noodle lovers. With...
Housekibako – A Shaved Ice Experience in Nara to Treasure
Kakigori, or shaved ice, is having a moment in culinary culture. That’s no...
Where to watch the AFL Grand Final in Japan
Traveling around Japan this finals season? Missing the echo of the siren, the...
Soup Curry Ganesha—A Salaryman Favorite in Shinbashi
It’s an open secret for Tokyo diners—you’ll find all the great restaurants where...
Turkish Rice at Kyushu’s First-Ever Cafe “Tsuruchan”
I’m not the first to suggest Nagasaki’s food...
Finding Good Fortune on an Ebisu Tour
The area of Ebisu, close to the din of Shibuya, is the perfect...
Japanese Craft Beer By The River: Hitachino Brewing Lab, Akihabara
Akihabara can be a frenetic place; whirring arcades, hordes of tax free shoppers,...
JK For A Day: Embracing Your Inner Teen In Tokyo
Living in Japan, I can’t help but look around at all the cute...
Gloriously Decadent Sukiyaki at Ningyocho Imahan
If you want a meal that’s guaranteed to...
Nakameguro Tour – A Taste of Trendiness
If you’re looking to get a taste of cozy bistros and trendy cafés,...
Spicy, Soupy, Sublime: That’s Soup Curry at Yellow Company
Eat out in Japan often enough and you’ll notice a certain dearth of...
Myojinmaru’s Famous Salted Bonito Tataki
The word bonito would, for most, evoke the common visual of little flakes...
Stupendous Wood-Fired Pizza at da ISA in Nakameguro
Japanese pizza is notoriously ‘weird’—as many disgruntled expats might like to complain. Putting...
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...
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...
Best Oyaki in Nagano: Ogawanosho, steps from Zenkoji Temple
While Nagano Prefecture’s geography is not conducive to...
Delicious French Fusion in Nakameguro
Outside the Nakameguro French Restaurant, La Gueule de Bois
We visit...
Bib Gourmand Ramen at Kyoto’s Menya Inoichi Hanare
Walking past long queues in front of shops and restaurants, my herd mentality...
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...
Dining in Dotonbori: Osaka’s Lively Entertainment District
Osaka is Japan’s second largest city, which may leave you wondering exactly where...
Cafe Orion is A Cute and Quiet Little Escape in Nara
Things don’t always look that promising when you’re walking around the back streets...
A Charming Kyoto Lunch Course at Tsuburano in Higashiyama
The rickshaw driver pants as he passes by, breathlessly regaling the couple in...
Exclusive Beers and A History Lesson at Sapporo Beer Museum
When planning my debut visit to Sapporo, I quickly realised I knew very...
Nagatoro: An Outdoorsy Day Trip From Tokyo
When the neon of Tokyo no longer energises you, it’s a sure sign...
Vegan Food with a Side o’ Wonder at Saido Vegan Restaurant Jiyugaoka
Historically, vegetarians and vegans have had a tricky time dining out in Japan....
A Fancy Cocktail (Or Two) At Finlandia Bar, Kyoto
Tucked away in a quiet backstreet of Kyoto’s Gion district is the classy...
The Best Narita Airport Sushi Bar: Standing Sushi Bar in Terminal 3
Narita International Airport is one of Japan’s major air gateways, serving millions of travellers each...
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...
International Food in Tokyo: Injera, Poutine, and Pasta
Travelers visiting Tokyo are spoiled for options when it comes to Japanese food....