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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Views and Booze at The Peak Lounge and Bar at Park Hyatt
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Prime Chicken and Flaming Charcoal at Ganchan Roppongi
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All Day Breakfast in Tokyo at Tractor, Nakameguro
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Sangenjaya Tour – Burgers, Cafes and a Stop in the Park
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Japanese Hot Pot Guide – Sukiyaki and Shabu Shabu
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All Shook Up at Osaka’s Elvis-themed Bar USAGI
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Doza and Shianbashi: Secret Shrines and Nagasaki Nightlife
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Touring Harajuku – Walking the Big Two Part 2
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Fukuoka’s Hakata Ramen Packs Rich, Porky Goodness
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Unique Foods in Japan – A Guide
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Where To Get Japanese Breakfast in Tokyo Without Breaking The Bank
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Things To Do (And Eat) in Nagano City
The main hall of Zenkoji Temple
As a mountainous...
Gluten-Free in Tokyo: Everything You Need to Know
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The Retro Post-War Izakaya of Hoppy Dori, Asakusa
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Yurakucho's long standing Café Benisica launched the Japanese pizza toast craze
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The Best Narita Airport Sushi Bar: Standing Sushi Bar in Terminal 3
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Forest Bathing in Japan’s First National Forest: Akasawa Natural Recreational Forest
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Matcha Pancakes at ‘A Happy Pancake’ Kyoto
Anyone in Japan (or surveying it via Instagram) knows that pancakes are it...
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....
An Unforgettable White Christmas In Japan: Destination Sapporo
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The best Jingisukan in Sapporo: Daruma
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Tokyo, Books, and You: Curl up in these Three Green Study Spaces
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Forests, Lakes and Ancient Trails: Day trips in the Kiso-Valley
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Natural Ice Kakigori in Saitama: Asami Reizou
One of the best ways to cool down in the Japanese summer is...
A Brooklyn Brunch that’s Beyonce approved, right in Harajuku
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Hot Pies, Cold Drinks: A Taste of Australia at Punk Doily
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Yes, Cold Noodles Are Cool: Sanpotei Tokyo Lab’s Hiyashi Tantanmen
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Healthy Vegan Lunches at Brown Rice Canteen in Omotesando
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Shibuya’s Underbelly: A Walk Through Love Hotel Hill and Dogenzaka
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Healthy Vegan Dining at Restaurant 8ablish, Omotesando
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Where to watch the AFL Grand Final in Japan
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Late Night Eats at Ebisu Yokocho
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Yes, Book and Beer Cafes Exist: Here are Two of Tokyo’s Best
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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...
Aoyama Trek: A Nature and Architecture Walk
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Tobusakana—A Local Seafood Izakaya in Shimokitazawa
Shimokitazawa is known for vintage fashion, soup curry, and cafes. The unceasing renovation...
Matsumoto Musts: Folk Crafts and Unique Foods To Seek Out
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Sampling Local Sake at Niigata’s Ponshukan Sake Museum
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A Perfect Layover Lunch near Narita Airport: Grilled Unagi Rice Bowls at Kawatoyo
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Cool Down With Green Tea Soba, Perched Over A Flowing River
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Dining in Dotonbori: Osaka’s Lively Entertainment District
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Matsuya, The Blue And Yellow Beef Bowl Place
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Kurogi’s Killer Kinako Kakigori – A Shaved Ice Dessert to Die For
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Ambling Asakusa Tour: A Tour of Old Tokyo Part 3
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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...
All about Shojin Ryori: Zen Buddhist Vegetarian Cuisine
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The Best Tantanmen in Tokyo: Bazoku
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Turkish Rice at Kyushu’s First-Ever Cafe “Tsuruchan”
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Pizza Slice—A Taste of New York in Tokyo
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Japanese Food for Fussy Eaters
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A Circuit Through Shimokitazawa
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From Oysters to Ice Cream: What To Eat and Drink on Miyajima
Miyajima is only a short ferry ride away from mainland Hiroshima, but this...
Could ‘American’ Be The Biggest Sandwich In Tokyo?
Ginza, Tokyo. An upscale neighbourhood all about high-end shopping and dining. As such, many cuisines...
First Avenue: Characters, Ramen and Sweets
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Gloriously Decadent Sukiyaki at Ningyocho Imahan
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For Fabulous Shoyu Ramen, Head to Junteuchi Daruma
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Where to Catch Tokyo’s Food Trucks: Lunch at the International Forum
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Food and Fresh Air at Fukuoka’s Yatai
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Explore Osaka’s Shinsaibashisuji shopping street
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Iwasa Sushi, Toyosu Market
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Fabulous Kyoto-style Okonomiyaki at Oagari in Gion
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Toyosu Market Sushi Restaurant: Iso Sushi
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Mori Mori Sushi: Classy Kaitenzushi in Kanazawa
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Stupendous Wood-Fired Pizza at da ISA in Nakameguro
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Bib Gourmand Ramen at Kyoto’s Menya Inoichi Hanare
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JK For A Day: Embracing Your Inner Teen In Tokyo
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Cafe Orion is A Cute and Quiet Little Escape in Nara
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Delicious French Fusion in Nakameguro
Outside the Nakameguro French Restaurant, La Gueule de Bois
We visit...
The Char-Grilled Chicken Wonderland: Ukai Toriyama
As I sip my tea, a gentle breeze blows into our private dining...
Tokyo Rojiura Soup Curry Samurai, Shimokitazawa
Look up Shimokitazawa in most guides to the city, and you’ll quickly discover...
Ikebukuro Tour: Sunshine City and Beyond
Of all the major transit and shopping hubs in Tokyo, Ikebukuro seems to...
Myojinmaru’s Famous Salted Bonito Tataki
The word bonito would, for most, evoke the common visual of little flakes...
The Opposite of Chaos at Khaos Spice Diner in Kyoto
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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...
Gomaya Kuki – World’s Richest Black Sesame Ice Cream?
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Spicy, Soupy, Sublime: That’s Soup Curry at Yellow Company
Eat out in Japan often enough and you’ll notice a certain dearth of...
Shopping on Miyajima: What to Buy
Miyajima Island, with its sacred shrines and pristine nature, makes a wonderful day...
All You Can Eat Candy at Tokyo’s Dagashi Bars
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Goto Udon: One Heavenly Hell Pot
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Where to Eat and Drink on Naoshima: The good, the quirky and the delicious!
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Tokyo Sake Bar in Ebisu: Frozen Sake Bar Buri
Head west of Ebisu Station into the backstreets...
Cook your own dinner at Sakura Tei Okonomiyaki
The artistic interior of Harajuku Okonomiyaki purveyors 'Sakura Tei'.
Café Hassui, Arashiyama’s Luxury Teahouse
Arashiyama is one of Kyoto’s most popular tourist...
Motsuyaki Ban, Tokyo’s original Lemon Sour Bar
We head to the birthplace of the Lemon Sour, ‘Motsuyaki Ban’
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Skating the Art Rink at Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse: Fun Winter Activities in Tokyo
Toddlers giggle, adults fall flat on their back, and a select few swoop...
Ichikawaya Coffee is A Stylish Machiya Cafe in Kyoto
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Green Tea Lovers Should Make a Pilgrimage To Uji… Right Now
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Soup Curry in Tokyo: Where and Why You Should Eat It
If you like soup and if you love...
Tokyo Craft Beer at Far Yeast Brewing in Shibuya
Note: the Shibuya location moved to Gotanda to...
All Rise for Kikuya’s Standing Tempura in Ebisu
A standing restaurant is the epitome of Japanese efficiency. No seats means more...
An Intimate Guide to Kabukicho
Get ready to explore Shinjuku's neon heart with our ultimate guide to Kabukicho....
Get Your Fill at Tokyo’s All-You-Can-Eat Restaurants
If you arrive in Tokyo with a big appetite, you should have every...
Japanese Table Manners: A Full Guide
Table manners vary between all countries across the world. Even nations that are...