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 Sake Bar in Ebisu: Frozen Sake Bar Buri
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Yes, Cold Noodles Are Cool: Sanpotei Tokyo Lab’s Hiyashi Tantanmen
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Vegan Food in Tokyo: A Complete Guide
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California Cuisine from a San Francisco punk rock veteran in Shibuya
*Note: This restaurant is no longer operating*
“Tonight there’s gonna...
Cool Down With Green Tea Soba, Perched Over A Flowing River
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Green Tea Lovers Should Make a Pilgrimage To Uji… Right Now
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The best Jingisukan in Sapporo: Daruma
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Kooriya Peace in Kichijoji Serves Gorgeous Shaved Ice Creations Almost Too Beautiful to Eat
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Fabulous Kyoto-style Okonomiyaki at Oagari in Gion
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Nagatoro: An Outdoorsy Day Trip From Tokyo
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Where to watch the AFL Grand Final in Japan
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The Char-Grilled Chicken Wonderland: Ukai Toriyama
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Magurodake Bono Shirakawa’s Tuna Donburi Keeps Lunch Sweet and Simple
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Japanese Food for Fussy Eaters
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Motsuyaki Ban, Tokyo’s original Lemon Sour Bar
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Matsuya, The Blue And Yellow Beef Bowl Place
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Japanese Craft Beer By The River: Hitachino Brewing Lab, Akihabara
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Gearing Up at the Final Fantasy XIV-Themed Eorzea Cafe in Akihabara
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Delicious French Fusion in Nakameguro
Outside the Nakameguro French Restaurant, La Gueule de Bois
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Commune 2nd, Omotesando’s Food Truck Park Paradise
Tokyo food trucks at Commune 2nd, Omotesando.
Commune 2nd...
Tokyo, Books, and You: Curl up in these Three Green Study Spaces
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Sara Udon: Nagasaki’s OTHER Famous Regional Dish
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Sampling, Shopping and Snacking at Tokyu Food Show
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Fukuoka’s Hakata Ramen Packs Rich, Porky Goodness
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Perfect Egg Sandwiches at Smart Coffee in Kyoto
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Shibuya’s Underbelly: A Walk Through Love Hotel Hill and Dogenzaka
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Bib Gourmand Ramen at Kyoto’s Menya Inoichi Hanare
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Daimyo: Fukuoka’s Super Cool Neighbourhood
Amitabha Tattoo shop in Daimyo.
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What to Eat and Drink in Arima Onsen
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All Rise for Kikuya’s Standing Tempura in Ebisu
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Tokyo Day Trip: Koedo, Kawagoe’s Breath of Edo
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Nagasaki Champon: The City’s Most Famous Regional Dish
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A Fancy Cocktail (Or Two) At Finlandia Bar, Kyoto
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Head to the Coast of Toyama to try Tara-jiru
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Skating the Art Rink at Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse: Fun Winter Activities in Tokyo
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Hana wa Saku in Nakano Serves A Mean Bowl of Udon
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Aoyama Trek: A Nature and Architecture Walk
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The Jogasaki Coast: Hiking through Volcanic Cliffs and Quiet Capes
After a morning spent witnessing volcanic archery and visiting a capybara onsen, my...
Gomaya Kuki – World’s Richest Black Sesame Ice Cream?
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Kengo Kuma’s Starbucks design in Fukuoka
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If you’re after a rowdy night with Tokyo locals, look no further than...
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The Retro Post-War Izakaya of Hoppy Dori, Asakusa
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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...
Iwasa Sushi, Toyosu Market
Though Tsukiji Market has closed and is settling into its new location at...
A Perfect Layover Lunch near Narita Airport: Grilled Unagi Rice Bowls at Kawatoyo
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Unique Foods in Japan – A Guide
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JK For A Day: Embracing Your Inner Teen In Tokyo
Living in Japan, I can’t help but look around at all the cute...
Isezushi: Michelin Star Sushi in Otaru, Hokkaido
The town of Otaru is a port town in Hokkaido, not too far from Sapporo....
Ichikawaya Coffee is A Stylish Machiya Cafe in Kyoto
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Turkish Rice at Kyushu’s First-Ever Cafe “Tsuruchan”
I’m not the first to suggest Nagasaki’s food...
Japanese Table Manners: A Full Guide
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Best Yakitori in Nakameguro: Kushiwakamaru. The Stick Factory.
When people ask me what to eat in Tokyo, a hundred places immediately...
Stupendous Wood-Fired Pizza at da ISA in Nakameguro
Japanese pizza is notoriously ‘weird’—as many disgruntled expats might like to complain. Putting...
Enter the Belly of the Kawaii (Cute) Beast: Harajuku’s Kawaii Monster Café
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On the outskirts of Shibuya-ku, Yoyogi Uehara has a reputation for being a...
Prime Chicken and Flaming Charcoal at Ganchan Roppongi
Yakitori has to be one of my favourite meals in Japan. It’s an...
Onomichi Cat Alley is a Cat Lover’s Paradise: Prepare to Lose your Mind
If Studio Ghibli were inspired by a real town, Onomichi would be it....
Finding Good Fortune on an Ebisu Tour
The area of Ebisu, close to the din of Shibuya, is the perfect...
Grab an exquisite lunch at Hayama Ramen, Shinjuku
Hayama Ramen, Shinjuku. Some of the best ramen in Tokyo.
Ambling Asakusa Tour: A Tour of Old Tokyo Part 3
After a leisurely boat ride along the Sumida River, you will arrive in...
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 Dining at Restaurant 8ablish, Omotesando
Omotesando on the weekend is a bustling place. The wide streets and footpaths...
An Unforgettable White Christmas In Japan: Destination Sapporo
Thinking about mixing things up and travelling this yuletide? Here’s an idea: why...
Arashiyama’s Luxury Tofu Kaiseki at Shoraian
Arashiyama is one of the most popular sightseeing areas in Kyoto. The wide,...
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...
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...
Get Your Fill at Tokyo’s All-You-Can-Eat Restaurants
If you arrive in Tokyo with a big appetite, you should have every...