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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Bars in Japan

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Gomaya Kuki – World’s Richest Black Sesame Ice Cream?

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

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The best Jingisukan in Sapporo: Daruma

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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...

Healthy Fast Food at Onigiri Asakusa Yadoroku

The idea of healthy fast food may seem...

Late Night Eats at Ebisu Yokocho

By day, the neighbourhood of Ebisu hums with shoppers, museum-goers and the lunchtime...

Tokyo Day Trip: Koedo, Kawagoe’s Breath of Edo

We hear music in the distance. Drums beat and flutes whistle a traditional...

Join in the Japanese tradition of eating KFC for Christmas

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A Curry To Remember At Joto Curry Shibuya Honten

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Motsuyaki Ban, Tokyo’s original Lemon Sour Bar

We head to the birthplace of the Lemon Sour, ‘Motsuyaki Ban’  The Lemon Sour, a staple...
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Gloriously Decadent Sukiyaki at Ningyocho Imahan

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Best Oyaki in Nagano: Ogawanosho, steps from Zenkoji Temple

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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...
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The Best Tantanmen in Tokyo: Bazoku

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Motsunabe: Nothing Offal About It

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Could ‘American’ Be The Biggest Sandwich In Tokyo?

Ginza, Tokyo. An upscale neighbourhood all about high-end shopping and dining. As such, many cuisines...
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Delicious French Fusion in Nakameguro

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A Tuna Extravaganza at Maguro Mart in Nakano

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Prime Chicken and Flaming Charcoal at Ganchan Roppongi

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Café Hassui, Arashiyama’s Luxury Teahouse

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Cafe Orion is A Cute and Quiet Little Escape in Nara

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

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Delicious Tempura Soba at Nozawa Onsen’s Sobadokoro Daimon

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The restaurant that inspired Quentin Tarantino: Gonpachi Nishi Azabu

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All Day Breakfast in Tokyo at Tractor, Nakameguro

Laid back, tattooed staff, grungy design, avocado on toast and cold drip coffee....

Forest Bathing in Japan’s First National Forest: Akasawa Natural Recreational Forest

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Head To Toriyoshi For Some Juicy, Smoky, High-Quality Yakitori

Many cultures have something similar to yakitori in their cuisine—meat or vegetables threaded...

Matcha Pancakes at ‘A Happy Pancake’ Kyoto

Anyone in Japan (or surveying it via Instagram) knows that pancakes are it...

Gearing Up at the Final Fantasy XIV-Themed Eorzea Cafe in Akihabara

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Unlimited Fun at Kabukicho’s Okinawa Paradise

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

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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....

Exploring Hiroshima-style Okonomiyaki at Okonomimura

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

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Matsuya, The Blue And Yellow Beef Bowl Place

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Head to the Coast of Toyama to try Tara-jiru 

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

Da Yo Ne is A Great Little Tea Rice Bar in Roppongi

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Exclusive Beers and A History Lesson at Sapporo Beer Museum

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Exploring Local Nightlife at a Japanese Yokocho

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Suiba – A Standing Izakaya in Kyoto for Solo Diners

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

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All Rise for Kikuya’s Standing Tempura in Ebisu

A standing restaurant is the epitome of Japanese efficiency. No seats means more...

International Food in Tokyo: Injera, Poutine, and Pasta

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

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Fabulous Kyoto-style Okonomiyaki at Oagari in Gion

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Junteuchi Daruma's shoyu ramen is beautiful to behold.

For Fabulous Shoyu Ramen, Head to Junteuchi Daruma

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Perfect Egg Sandwiches at Smart Coffee in Kyoto

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Tokyo Craft Beer at Far Yeast Brewing in Shibuya

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Aoyama Trek: A Nature and Architecture Walk

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Ambling Asakusa Tour: A Tour of Old Tokyo Part 3

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Menya Saimi, one of the best ramen in Sapporo

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Arashiyama’s Luxury Tofu Kaiseki at Shoraian

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California Cuisine from a San Francisco punk rock veteran in Shibuya

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Where to get an afternoon drink in Harajuku, Tokyo

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The Best Narita Airport Sushi Bar: Standing Sushi Bar in Terminal 3

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Pre-war nostalgia at Asakusa Okonomiyaki restaurant ‘Sometaro’

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Chinzao: Taiwanese Tea House in Ine Village

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The Healing Waters of Hitoyoshi: Tokyo to Okinawa Day 11

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

The Retro Post-War Izakaya of Hoppy Dori, Asakusa

Asakusa found prosperity in the Edo era. A veritable playground for rice dealers,...
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Kurogi’s Killer Kinako Kakigori – A Shaved Ice Dessert to Die For

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Toyosu Market Sushi Restaurant: Iso Sushi

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Stunning Izakaya Food at Fuwari in Kanazawa

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Tokyo Sake Bar in Ebisu: Frozen Sake Bar Buri

Head west of Ebisu Station into the backstreets...

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...

Bib Gourmand Zen Buddhist Vegetarian Cuisine: Shigetsu in Arashiyama

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Hearty Tsukemen in Akihabara: Menya Musashi Bujin

These days, ramen is a household name. But have you ever heard of...

Tokyo Station Bars: Top-shelf Drinking In The Urban Hub

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An Intimate Guide to Kabukicho

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Spice Chamber Serves Keema Curry with a Kick in Kyoto

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Isezushi: Michelin Star Sushi in Otaru, Hokkaido

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All about Shojin Ryori: Zen Buddhist Vegetarian Cuisine

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Tokyo, Books, and You: Curl up in these Three Green Study Spaces

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Finding New York Style Pizza at The Pizza in Hiroo

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Rare and Extreme Japanese Beers on Tap at Beer Boy

Beer lovers have plenty to be happy about in Japan. From cheap cans...

Doza and Shianbashi: Secret Shrines and Nagasaki Nightlife

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

Things To Do (And Eat) in Nagano City

The main hall of Zenkoji Temple As a mountainous...
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Ranshu: Best Boiled Dumplings in Tokyo?

There are many places to enjoy drinking in greater Tokyo; whether you’re rubbing shoulders with...

Tokyo Rojiura Soup Curry Samurai, Shimokitazawa

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

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Meat-ya Asagaya: Tokyo’s Best Spaghetti House

Do one thing, and do it well. Many restaurants in Japan subscribe to...
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Japanese Table Manners: A Full Guide

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Where to get an afternoon drink in Omotesando

So, I totally get it. You’re on vacation and you’ve been sightseeing or...

Teatime Treats and Summery Sweets: Tea at Miyoshi-ya in Narita

Narita isn’t an obvious day trip destination for most visitors to Tokyo. But...

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