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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Dining Sushi in Japan

Japanese Table Manners: A Full Guide

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Pizza Slice—A Taste of New York in Tokyo

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

Enter the Belly of the Kawaii (Cute) Beast: Harajuku’s Kawaii Monster Café

Lights, camera, monsters? Delve into the belly of the beast (a cute beast...

The restaurant that inspired Quentin Tarantino: Gonpachi Nishi Azabu

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Spice Chamber Serves Keema Curry with a Kick in Kyoto

Japanese curry tends not to be spicy. It’s unsurprising, when most Japanese people...

Ichikawaya Coffee is A Stylish Machiya Cafe in Kyoto

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

Fukuoka’s Hakata Ramen Packs Rich, Porky Goodness

A bowl of ramen is a wonderfully comforting...

Grab an exquisite lunch at Hayama Ramen, Shinjuku

Hayama Ramen, Shinjuku. Some of the best ramen in Tokyo.

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

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Tokyo Craft Beer at Far Yeast Brewing in Shibuya

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

Learning A Thing Or Two At A Japanese Cooking Class

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Where to watch the AFL Grand Final in Japan

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Strolling Arashiyama’s Shopping Strip Like a Pro

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What To Eat While Watching Sumo: Kokugikan Yakitori

Japan is a nation steeped in tradition. There is a profound reverence for...

Fabulous Kyoto-style Okonomiyaki at Oagari in Gion

Local and authentic—these are the qualities typically associated with restaurants people want to...

Refined Kaiseki and Stunning Gardens at Tofuya Ukai

We follow our hostess through the twisting and turning hallways of the converted...

A $500 Sandwich At Nakameguro’s Wagyu Mafia

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

Bib Gourmand Zen Buddhist Vegetarian Cuisine: Shigetsu in Arashiyama

As I swept aside Shigetsu’s entrance curtain an hour ahead of my reservation,...

Commune 2nd, Omotesando’s Food Truck Park Paradise

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Japanese Craft Beer By The River: Hitachino Brewing Lab, Akihabara

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

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Freshly Fried Seafood At The New Toyosu Market

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Green Tea Lovers Should Make a Pilgrimage To Uji… Right Now

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Ponipirika Soup Curry Is A Perfect Late Lunch in Shimokitazawa

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Yanaka Beer Hall: Craft Beer In A Traditional Setting

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Delicious French Fusion in Nakameguro

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Phenomenal Ramen in the Suburbs: Shibasakitei in Umegaoka

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Hot Pies, Cold Drinks: A Taste of Australia at Punk Doily

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JK For A Day: Embracing Your Inner Teen In Tokyo

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Head to the Coast of Toyama to try Tara-jiru 

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

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

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Kengo Kuma’s Starbucks design in Fukuoka

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Goto Udon: One Heavenly Hell Pot

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Omicho Market, Where Kanazawa Does Its Shopping

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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....

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

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Ambling Asakusa Tour: A Tour of Old Tokyo Part 3

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

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

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Japanese Country Town Profile: One Day In Kiso Fukushima

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

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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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Ranshu: Best Boiled Dumplings in Tokyo?

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Suiba – A Standing Izakaya in Kyoto for Solo Diners

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Rare and Extreme Japanese Beers on Tap at Beer Boy

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A Tuna Extravaganza at Maguro Mart in Nakano

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Catch your own meal at Zauo Fishing Restaurant Tokyo

Japan is synonymous with sushi. Every day, thousands of fisherman take to the...

Hearty Tsukemen in Akihabara: Menya Musashi Bujin

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Ikebukuro Tour: Sunshine City and Beyond

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Motsuyaki Ban, Tokyo’s original Lemon Sour Bar

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Unique Foods in Japan – A Guide

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Healthy Vegan Lunches at Brown Rice Canteen in Omotesando

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Stupendous Wood-Fired Pizza at da ISA in Nakameguro

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Classic Burgers at Golden Brown, Nakameguro

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Cook your own dinner at Sakura Tei Okonomiyaki

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

Daimyo: Fukuoka’s Super Cool Neighbourhood

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Togakushi Soba: One Of Nagano’s Unique Varieties

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

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Isezushi: Michelin Star Sushi in Otaru, Hokkaido

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Bib Gourmand Ramen at Kyoto’s Menya Inoichi Hanare

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Yes, Cold Noodles Are Cool: Sanpotei Tokyo Lab’s Hiyashi Tantanmen

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Magurodake Bono Shirakawa’s Tuna Donburi Keeps Lunch Sweet and Simple

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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...

Sara Udon: Nagasaki’s OTHER Famous Regional Dish

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Where To Get Japanese Breakfast in Tokyo Without Breaking The Bank

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

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What to Eat and Drink in Arima Onsen 

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Nakameguro Tour – A Taste of Trendiness

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Café Hassui, Arashiyama’s Luxury Teahouse

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

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

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Pre-war nostalgia at Asakusa Okonomiyaki restaurant ‘Sometaro’

The Tokyo neighbourhood of Asakusa is a major...

Vegan Food in Tokyo: A Complete Guide

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Turkish Rice at Kyushu’s First-Ever Cafe “Tsuruchan”

I’m not the first to suggest Nagasaki’s food...

The 10 Best Foods to Eat at Nishiki Market, Kyoto

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

Iwasa Sushi, Toyosu Market

Though Tsukiji Market has closed and is settling into its new location at...

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The best Jingisukan in Sapporo: Daruma

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

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Stunning Izakaya Food at Fuwari in Kanazawa

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An American Style Cafe; Good Town Bakehouse in Yoyogi Uehara

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Japanese Food for Fussy Eaters

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Doza and Shianbashi: Secret Shrines and Nagasaki Nightlife

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Hana wa Saku in Nakano Serves A Mean Bowl of Udon

One of our favourite areas in the metropolis to hang out and eat...

Natural Ice Kakigori in Saitama: Asami Reizou

One of the best ways to cool down in the Japanese summer is...

International Food in Tokyo: Injera, Poutine, and Pasta

Travelers visiting Tokyo are spoiled for options when it comes to Japanese food....

Onden’s Japanese Curry Rice—a Taste of Home in the Heart of Harajuku

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Matsumoto Musts: Folk Crafts and Unique Foods To Seek Out

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

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

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