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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Menya Saimi, one of the best ramen in Sapporo
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Magurodake Bono Shirakawa’s Tuna Donburi Keeps Lunch Sweet and Simple
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Iwasa Sushi, Toyosu Market
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Green Tea Lovers Should Make a Pilgrimage To Uji… Right Now
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Chinzao: Taiwanese Tea House in Ine Village
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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...
Unlimited Fun at Kabukicho’s Okinawa Paradise
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The Best Narita Airport Sushi Bar: Standing Sushi Bar in Terminal 3
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Omicho Market, Where Kanazawa Does Its Shopping
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Healthy Vegan Dining at Restaurant 8ablish, Omotesando
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Nakameguro Tour – A Taste of Trendiness
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Spicy, Soupy, Sublime: That’s Soup Curry at Yellow Company
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Nagatoro: An Outdoorsy Day Trip From Tokyo
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Finding Good Fortune on an Ebisu Tour
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Classic Burgers at Golden Brown, Nakameguro
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The restaurant that inspired Quentin Tarantino: Gonpachi Nishi Azabu
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Healthy Fast Food at Onigiri Asakusa Yadoroku
The idea of healthy fast food may seem...
Anonymous pleasures at No Name Ramen in Kyoto
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Tobusakana—A Local Seafood Izakaya in Shimokitazawa
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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...
Mori Mori Sushi: Classy Kaitenzushi in Kanazawa
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Forests, Lakes and Ancient Trails: Day trips in the Kiso-Valley
Deep in the mountains of Nagano prefecture, sidling the Japanese Central Alps, lies...
Delicious Yakiniku at Hiro Beef, Pontocho
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Suntory Yamazaki Whisky Distillery Tours
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Suiba – A Standing Izakaya in Kyoto for Solo Diners
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Tokyo Day Trip: Koedo, Kawagoe’s Breath of Edo
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World’s Biggest Starbucks Reserve Roastery in Nakameguro
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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...
Head To Toriyoshi For Some Juicy, Smoky, High-Quality Yakitori
Many cultures have something similar to yakitori in their cuisine—meat or vegetables threaded...
Learning A Thing Or Two At A Japanese Cooking Class
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Isezushi: Michelin Star Sushi in Otaru, Hokkaido
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Forest Bathing in Japan’s First National Forest: Akasawa Natural Recreational Forest
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Where to Catch Tokyo’s Food Trucks: Lunch at the International Forum
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Yes, Book and Beer Cafes Exist: Here are Two of Tokyo’s Best
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Things To See And Do In Nozawa Onsen (That Don’t Involve Snow!)
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Chill Out in Tokyo’s Hammock Cafes: Mahika Mano & Cafe Stay Happy
In all my years on this earth, I’ve never met a single person...
Pre-war nostalgia at Asakusa Okonomiyaki restaurant ‘Sometaro’
The Tokyo neighbourhood of Asakusa is a major...
Cook your own dinner at Sakura Tei Okonomiyaki
The artistic interior of Harajuku Okonomiyaki purveyors 'Sakura Tei'.
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....
Catch your own meal at Zauo Fishing Restaurant Tokyo
Japan is synonymous with sushi. Every day, thousands of fisherman take to the...
Dashi Chazuke En: Comfort Food Before A Flight at Narita
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All Shook Up at Osaka’s Elvis-themed Bar USAGI
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Ambling Asakusa Tour: A Tour of Old Tokyo Part 3
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The 10 Best Foods to Eat at Nishiki Market, Kyoto
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Sara Udon: Nagasaki’s OTHER Famous Regional Dish
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Nawate dori: Matsumoto’s Charming Frog Street
A visit to the mountain city of Matsumoto...
California Cuisine from a San Francisco punk rock veteran in Shibuya
*Note: This restaurant is no longer operating*
“Tonight there’s gonna...
Ponipirika Soup Curry Is A Perfect Late Lunch in Shimokitazawa
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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...
Aoyama Trek: A Nature and Architecture Walk
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Cafe Orion is A Cute and Quiet Little Escape in Nara
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Could ‘American’ Be The Biggest Sandwich In Tokyo?
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Touring Harajuku – Walking the Big Two Part 2
Between Shibuya and Shinjuku is the sprawling greenery of Yoyogi Park that dominates...
Urban Oasis: Aoyama Flower Market Teahouse
Interior of Tokyo cafe 'Aoyama Flower Market Teahouse'
The...
Toyosu Market Sushi Restaurant: Iso Sushi
Iso Sushi (or Isozushi) restaurant was a Tsukiji...
Unique Foods in Japan – A Guide
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Fukuoka’s Hakata Ramen Packs Rich, Porky Goodness
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Best Oyaki in Nagano: Ogawanosho, steps from Zenkoji Temple
While Nagano Prefecture’s geography is not conducive to...
The Best Tantanmen in Tokyo: Bazoku
Japan, 1977. The economy was booming, black-and-white television was a distant memory and baseball legend...
Japanese Food for Fussy Eaters
While Japanese cuisine is largely unbeatable, there are still many dishes that fussy...
The Opposite of Chaos at Khaos Spice Diner in Kyoto
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Stunning Izakaya Food at Fuwari in Kanazawa
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First Avenue: Characters, Ramen and Sweets
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Akihabara to Ueno Part 2: An Ueno Tour
Unlike Akihabara, which comprises the first part of this tour, Ueno offers a...
Late Night Eats at Ebisu Yokocho
By day, the neighbourhood of Ebisu hums with shoppers, museum-goers and the lunchtime...
Meat-ya Asagaya: Tokyo’s Best Spaghetti House
Do one thing, and do it well. Many restaurants in Japan subscribe to...
Get Your Fill at Tokyo’s All-You-Can-Eat Restaurants
If you arrive in Tokyo with a big appetite, you should have every...
Kyoto After Dark: An Evening Stroll through Pontocho and Gion
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Exploring Hiroshima-style Okonomiyaki at Okonomimura
Calling all okonomiyaki fans! If you haven’t already done so, you simply must...
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...
Teatime Treats and Summery Sweets: Tea at Miyoshi-ya in Narita
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A Perfect Layover Lunch near Narita Airport: Grilled Unagi Rice Bowls at Kawatoyo
Have a layover at Narita Airport with several hours to spare? A day...
Kengo Kuma’s Starbucks design in Fukuoka
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Hearty Tsukemen in Akihabara: Menya Musashi Bujin
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Pizza Slice—A Taste of New York in Tokyo
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An American Style Cafe; Good Town Bakehouse in Yoyogi Uehara
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Sampling, Shopping and Snacking at Tokyu Food Show
Food lovers, prepare yourselves for one of the most dangerous foodie activities in...
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...
Where to get an afternoon drink in Harajuku, Tokyo
OK, so you’re on vacation and you’ve been sightseeing or shopping all day....
Canal City: A Shopping Oasis in Central Fukuoka
Called the oasis within the city, Canal City is a massive complex housing...
Da Yo Ne is A Great Little Tea Rice Bar in Roppongi
Few dishes are more comforting on a cold, rainy day than the humble...
Ranshu: Best Boiled Dumplings in Tokyo?
There are many places to enjoy drinking in greater Tokyo; whether you’re rubbing shoulders with...
Arashiyama’s Luxury Tofu Kaiseki at Shoraian
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Shibuya’s Underbelly: A Walk Through Love Hotel Hill and Dogenzaka
Shibuya may have the reputation of being a teen shopping mecca with a...
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....
Matsumoto Musts: Folk Crafts and Unique Foods To Seek Out
Like many of Japan’s prefectures, Matsumoto has some fantastic local specialties. From unique...
A Tuna Extravaganza at Maguro Mart in Nakano
Tuna lovers visiting Tokyo should consider a meal at Maguro Mart. As the...
Nagasaki Champon: The City’s Most Famous Regional Dish
Also known as Chanpon (with an ‘n’), this is a local Nagasaki dish...
Phenomenal Ramen in the Suburbs: Shibasakitei in Umegaoka
With literally thousands of ramen restaurants in Central Tokyo and across the Greater...
Hinatomaru: A Sushi Bar Making A Case for Tuna Head Sushi
Asakusa is not the first place most people think of when it comes...
Ikebukuro Tour: Sunshine City and Beyond
Of all the major transit and shopping hubs in Tokyo, Ikebukuro seems to...
Gallivanting around Ginza – A Tour Through Old Tokyo Part 1
Many people come to Tokyo for the bright lights of Shibuya and Shinjuku....
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...
The Healing Waters of Hitoyoshi: Tokyo to Okinawa Day 11
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Tokyo, Books, and You: Curl up in these Three Green Study Spaces
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The Char-Grilled Chicken Wonderland: Ukai Toriyama
As I sip my tea, a gentle breeze blows into our private dining...
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...
A Leisurely Yokohama Seashore Tour
After Japan opened to foreign trade in the middle of the 19th century,...
Bib Gourmand Zen Buddhist Vegetarian Cuisine: Shigetsu in Arashiyama
As I swept aside Shigetsu’s entrance curtain an hour ahead of my reservation,...
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...




































































































