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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Anonymous pleasures at No Name Ramen in Kyoto
Superlative ramen restaurants are a dime a dozen in Japan. Standing out from...
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Visiting new places with an allergy can be hard. However, knowing what you...
For Fabulous Shoyu Ramen, Head to Junteuchi Daruma
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Tokyo Craft Beer at Far Yeast Brewing in Shibuya
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Serene Gardens, Exquisite Kaiseki and Feudal History at Fugetsuro, Shizuoka
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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...
Bib Gourmand Zen Buddhist Vegetarian Cuisine: Shigetsu in Arashiyama
As I swept aside Shigetsu’s entrance curtain an hour ahead of my reservation,...
The Retro Post-War Izakaya of Hoppy Dori, Asakusa
Asakusa found prosperity in the Edo era. A veritable playground for rice dealers,...
Hearty Tsukemen in Akihabara: Menya Musashi Bujin
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Fukuoka’s Hakata Ramen Packs Rich, Porky Goodness
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Ambling Asakusa Tour: A Tour of Old Tokyo Part 3
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Catch your own meal at Zauo Fishing Restaurant Tokyo
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Prime Chicken and Flaming Charcoal at Ganchan Roppongi
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Sara Udon: Nagasaki’s OTHER Famous Regional Dish
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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...
Teatime Treats and Summery Sweets: Tea at Miyoshi-ya in Narita
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Vegan Food with a Side o’ Wonder at Saido Vegan Restaurant Jiyugaoka
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All Shook Up at Osaka’s Elvis-themed Bar USAGI
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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....
Where to watch the AFL Grand Final in Japan
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Ikebukuro Tour: Sunshine City and Beyond
Of all the major transit and shopping hubs in Tokyo, Ikebukuro seems to...
Tokyo Day Trip: Koedo, Kawagoe’s Breath of Edo
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Matcha Pancakes at ‘A Happy Pancake’ Kyoto
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Matsumoto Musts: Folk Crafts and Unique Foods To Seek Out
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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...
Myojinmaru’s Famous Salted Bonito Tataki
The word bonito would, for most, evoke the common visual of little flakes...
Tokyo Station Bars: Top-shelf Drinking In The Urban Hub
Like most Tokyo neighborhoods, the area surrounding Tokyo Station has a thriving nightlife...
Perfect Egg Sandwiches at Smart Coffee in Kyoto
Japan seems to have perfected the art of great egg sandwiches. Even the...
Meat-ya Asagaya: Tokyo’s Best Spaghetti House
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Turkish Rice at Kyushu’s First-Ever Cafe “Tsuruchan”
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Nagi Shokudo is Where to Go for Affordable, Delicious Vegan Food in Shibuya
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An Unforgettable White Christmas In Japan: Destination Sapporo
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Get Your Fill at Tokyo’s All-You-Can-Eat Restaurants
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A Visit To The Oldest Eel Restaurant in Tokyo: Izuei Honten
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Exploring Local Nightlife at a Japanese Yokocho
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Ranshu: Best Boiled Dumplings in Tokyo?
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Japanese Country Town Profile: One Day In Kiso Fukushima
If you’re planning a trip to the Kiso Valley, perhaps to walk the...
Chill Out in Tokyo’s Hammock Cafes: Mahika Mano & Cafe Stay Happy
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Best Oyaki in Nagano: Ogawanosho, steps from Zenkoji Temple
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The restaurant that inspired Quentin Tarantino: Gonpachi Nishi Azabu
Cinephiles coming to Tokyo could definitely put together a movie-based pilgrimage trip. Movie-themed...
Things To Do (And Eat) in Nagano City
The main hall of Zenkoji Temple
As a mountainous...
Fabulous Kyoto-style Okonomiyaki at Oagari in Gion
Local and authentic—these are the qualities typically associated with restaurants people want to...
Delicious Tempura Soba at Nozawa Onsen’s Sobadokoro Daimon
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Yes, Book and Beer Cafes Exist: Here are Two of Tokyo’s Best
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Urban Oasis: Aoyama Flower Market Teahouse
Interior of Tokyo cafe 'Aoyama Flower Market Teahouse'
The...
Unique Foods in Japan – A Guide
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Gomaya Kuki – World’s Richest Black Sesame Ice Cream?
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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 Hot Pot Guide – Sukiyaki and Shabu Shabu
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First Avenue: Characters, Ramen and Sweets
Tokyo Station is way more than just a place to change trains! Within...
Gallivanting around Ginza – A Tour Through Old Tokyo Part 1
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Pizza Toast and Kombucha at Café Benisica
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Ponipirika Soup Curry Is A Perfect Late Lunch in Shimokitazawa
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The 10 Best Foods to Eat at Nishiki Market, Kyoto
Food lovers rejoice, the Nishiki Market in downtown Kyoto is a mecca for...
Doza and Shianbashi: Secret Shrines and Nagasaki Nightlife
I first stepped into Shianbashi, Nagasaki’s best nightlife...
A Circuit Through Shimokitazawa
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Bib Gourmand Ramen at Kyoto’s Menya Inoichi Hanare
Walking past long queues in front of shops and restaurants, my herd mentality...
Superb Slurps at street pasta company
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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...
Dashi Chazuke En: Comfort Food Before A Flight at Narita
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International Food in Tokyo: Injera, Poutine, and Pasta
Travelers visiting Tokyo are spoiled for options when it comes to Japanese food....
Matsuya, The Blue And Yellow Beef Bowl Place
When you first come to Japan, either as a tourist or a new...
Omicho Market, Where Kanazawa Does Its Shopping
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Suntory Yamazaki Whisky Distillery Tours
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Where to get an afternoon drink in Omotesando
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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...
Shibuya’s Underbelly: A Walk Through Love Hotel Hill and Dogenzaka
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Healthy Vegan Lunches at Brown Rice Canteen in Omotesando
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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...
A Tuna Extravaganza at Maguro Mart in Nakano
Tuna lovers visiting Tokyo should consider a meal at Maguro Mart. As the...
Tobusakana—A Local Seafood Izakaya in Shimokitazawa
Shimokitazawa is known for vintage fashion, soup curry, and cafes. The unceasing renovation...
A $500 Sandwich At Nakameguro’s Wagyu Mafia
In Tokyo, you can totally get by eating on a dime. But when...
Things To See And Do In Nozawa Onsen (That Don’t Involve Snow!)
Nestled deep in the beech covered folds of...
Ariso Sushi: A Great Pre-Flight Meal at Haneda Airport
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A Charming Kyoto Lunch Course at Tsuburano in Higashiyama
The rickshaw driver pants as he passes by, breathlessly regaling the couple in...
Nawate dori: Matsumoto’s Charming Frog Street
A visit to the mountain city of Matsumoto...
Liquid Tiramisu in a Cup: Vietnamese Egg Coffee at Cafe Giang in Yokohama
At first glance, Yokohama seems like the sleepy, more sedate sister to Tokyo’s...
Nagatoro: An Outdoorsy Day Trip From Tokyo
When the neon of Tokyo no longer energises you, it’s a sure sign...
The Opposite of Chaos at Khaos Spice Diner in Kyoto
There are few things more delicious and comforting than a plate of curry...
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....
Onden’s Japanese Curry Rice—a Taste of Home in the Heart of Harajuku
To the average Tokyoite, Harajuku evokes youth culture and fashion. It’s where you...
A Leisurely Yokohama Seashore Tour
After Japan opened to foreign trade in the middle of the 19th century,...
Motsunabe: Nothing Offal About It
One of my favourite regional dishes of Fukuoka.
When...
Yes, Cold Noodles Are Cool: Sanpotei Tokyo Lab’s Hiyashi Tantanmen
Summer in Tokyo is deadly. We’re not even joking: hundreds of people in...
Join in the Japanese tradition of eating KFC for Christmas
For those who celebrate Christmas, you’ll know food plays a big role in...
The best Jingisukan in Sapporo: Daruma
Many of Japan’s towns and regions boast a local speciality or two; a unique product...
Explore Osaka’s Shinsaibashisuji shopping street
The Shinsaibashi area of Osaka is well-known for its shopping options and is...
Head to the Coast of Toyama to try Tara-jiru
On the eastern edge of Toyama Bay, the emerald waters deliver with every...
Kengo Kuma’s Starbucks design in Fukuoka
Japanese architect Kengo Kuma has been making headlines lately for his epic design of the...
JK For A Day: Embracing Your Inner Teen In Tokyo
Living in Japan, I can’t help but look around at all the cute...
Japanese Food for Fussy Eaters
While Japanese cuisine is largely unbeatable, there are still many dishes that fussy...
Late Night Eats at Ebisu Yokocho
By day, the neighbourhood of Ebisu hums with shoppers, museum-goers and the lunchtime...
Hinatomaru: A Sushi Bar Making A Case for Tuna Head Sushi
Asakusa is not the first place most people think of when it comes...
Tokyo Sake Bar in Ebisu: Frozen Sake Bar Buri
Head west of Ebisu Station into the backstreets...
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...
Sangenjaya Tour – Burgers, Cafes and a Stop in the Park
Tokyo is filled with trendy neighborhoods. Some of them, like Ginza, are more...
Classic Burgers at Golden Brown, Nakameguro
Tokyo is home to plenty of burger joints;...
Gloriously Decadent Sukiyaki at Ningyocho Imahan
If you want a meal that’s guaranteed to...
Stupendous Wood-Fired Pizza at da ISA in Nakameguro
Japanese pizza is notoriously ‘weird’—as many disgruntled expats might like to complain. Putting...
Commune 2nd, Omotesando’s Food Truck Park Paradise
Tokyo food trucks at Commune 2nd, Omotesando.
Commune 2nd...