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.

POPULAR POSTS

Cool Down With Green Tea Soba, Perched Over A Flowing River

Uji is all about green tea; it's past, present and future are deeply...

All Day Breakfast in Tokyo at Tractor, Nakameguro

Laid back, tattooed staff, grungy design, avocado on toast and cold drip coffee....

Strolling Arashiyama’s Shopping Strip Like a Pro

With gorgeous scenery and impressive temples, shrines and gardens, it’s no wonder Arashiyama...
Close-up of da ISA pizza

Stupendous Wood-Fired Pizza at da ISA in Nakameguro

Japanese pizza is notoriously ‘weird’—as many disgruntled expats might like to complain. Putting...
A30 - Header

A Leisurely Yokohama Seashore Tour

After Japan opened to foreign trade in the middle of the 19th century,...

International Food in Tokyo: Injera, Poutine, and Pasta

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

Fabulous Kyoto-style Okonomiyaki at Oagari in Gion

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

The Char-Grilled Chicken Wonderland: Ukai Toriyama

As I sip my tea, a gentle breeze blows into our private dining...

A Brooklyn Brunch that’s Beyonce approved, right in Harajuku

One day I was on my way to Harry’s Sandwich Co., and I...

Matsumoto Musts: Folk Crafts and Unique Foods To Seek Out

Like many of Japan’s prefectures, Matsumoto has some fantastic local specialties. From unique...
terminal-3-narita-sushi-tatsu-standing-bar-2

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...

Roppongi Tour: Soaring Heights and Night Life

Full of bustling shoppers and businesspeople by day and partygoers by night, Roppongi...

The Retro Post-War Izakaya of Hoppy Dori, Asakusa

Asakusa found prosperity in the Edo era. A veritable playground for rice dealers,...

Get Your Fill at Tokyo’s All-You-Can-Eat Restaurants

If you arrive in Tokyo with a big appetite, you should have every...

Kengo Kuma’s Starbucks design in Fukuoka

Japanese architect Kengo Kuma has been making headlines lately for his epic design of the...

Pizza Toast and Kombucha at Café Benisica

Yurakucho's long standing Café Benisica launched the Japanese pizza toast craze Many wouldn’t immediately associate Japan...

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...

Motsunabe: Nothing Offal About It

One of my favourite regional dishes of Fukuoka. When...
motsuyaki ban yutenji lemon sour bar

Motsuyaki Ban, Tokyo’s original Lemon Sour Bar

We head to the birthplace of the Lemon Sour, ‘Motsuyaki Ban’  The Lemon Sour, a staple...

The Healing Waters of Hitoyoshi: Tokyo to Okinawa Day 11

On day 11 of our trip, we left Fukuoka and after a brief...

Sampling Local Sake at Niigata’s Ponshukan Sake Museum

Each of Japan’s 47 prefectures has something they're particularly proud of; in Niigata,...

Mori Mori Sushi: Classy Kaitenzushi in Kanazawa

After living in Kanazawa for two years, I have become picky when it...
sumo-stadium-tokyo-chicken-yakitori

What To Eat While Watching Sumo: Kokugikan Yakitori

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

Daimyo: Fukuoka’s Super Cool Neighbourhood

Amitabha Tattoo shop in Daimyo. As a one-stop-shop for...

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...
Two slices

Pizza Slice—A Taste of New York in Tokyo

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

California Cuisine from a San Francisco punk rock veteran in Shibuya

*Note: This restaurant is no longer operating* “Tonight there’s gonna...

Commune 2nd, Omotesando’s Food Truck Park Paradise

Tokyo food trucks at Commune 2nd, Omotesando. Commune 2nd...

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

If you have a sweet tooth and you’re visiting Japan, green tea-flavoured desserts...
Kiso by Bruno Carrillo

Japanese Country Town Profile: One Day In Kiso Fukushima

If you’re planning a trip to the Kiso Valley, perhaps to walk the...

Toyosu Market Sushi Restaurant: Iso Sushi

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

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...

All You Can Eat Candy at Tokyo’s Dagashi Bars

When visitors think of old school Japan, they no doubt picture kimono-clad geisha...

Nagi Shokudo is Where to Go for Affordable, Delicious Vegan Food in Shibuya

Vegans have a tough time of it in Tokyo—at least, that’s how it...

Where to get an afternoon drink in Omotesando

So, I totally get it. You’re on vacation and you’ve been sightseeing or...

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

Living in Tokyo you take some things for granted. Two of these things...

Meat-ya Asagaya: Tokyo’s Best Spaghetti House

Do one thing, and do it well. Many restaurants in Japan subscribe to...
suntory yamazaki distillery whisky whiskey

Suntory Yamazaki Whisky Distillery Tours

Whiskey. Ireland and Scotland both claim to have first created it—in fact the...

Beat The Heat With These Three Kawadoko River Dining Spots in Kyoto

Summers in Kyoto can be surprisingly hot and humid. Luckily, the pragmatic ancient...

Tokyo Rojiura Soup Curry Samurai, Shimokitazawa

Look up Shimokitazawa in most guides to the city, and you’ll quickly discover...

Yes, Book and Beer Cafes Exist: Here are Two of Tokyo’s Best

After a long, hard week, who doesn’t love to kick back and relax?...

A Visit To The Oldest Eel Restaurant in Tokyo: Izuei Honten

Unagi is a bit of a thing in Japan. Loved for centuries with...

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...

Freshly Fried Seafood At The New Toyosu Market

Tokyo’s world famous Tsukiji Market has now officially...

Spice Chamber Serves Keema Curry with a Kick in Kyoto

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

Grab an exquisite lunch at Hayama Ramen, Shinjuku

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

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

Calling all adventurers! The realm of Eorzea is in dire need of your...

Ichikawaya Coffee is A Stylish Machiya Cafe in Kyoto

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

All about Shojin Ryori: Zen Buddhist Vegetarian Cuisine

Shojin Ryori is the traditional fare of Zen Buddhist monks in Japan. This...
Asakusa Temple

Ambling Asakusa Tour: A Tour of Old Tokyo Part 3

After a leisurely boat ride along the Sumida River, you will arrive in...

Sampling, Shopping and Snacking at Tokyu Food Show

Food lovers, prepare yourselves for one of the most dangerous foodie activities in...
Cafe Giang's signature egg coffee

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...

Gallivanting around Ginza – A Tour Through Old Tokyo Part 1

Many people come to Tokyo for the bright lights of Shibuya and Shinjuku....

Gluten-Free in Tokyo: Everything You Need to Know

Visiting new places with an allergy can be hard. However, knowing what you...

Best Yakitori in Nakameguro: Kushiwakamaru. The Stick Factory.

When people ask me what to eat in Tokyo, a hundred places immediately...

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

Listen up green tea lovers! It’s time to get yourself down to Uji,...

Catch your own meal at Zauo Fishing Restaurant Tokyo

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

All Rise for Kikuya’s Standing Tempura in Ebisu

A standing restaurant is the epitome of Japanese efficiency. No seats means more...

Phenomenal Ramen in the Suburbs: Shibasakitei in Umegaoka

With literally thousands of ramen restaurants in Central Tokyo and across the Greater...

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

Akihabara can be a frenetic place; whirring arcades, hordes of tax free shoppers,...
daruma-sapporo-genghis-khan-jingisukan-susukino

The best Jingisukan in Sapporo: Daruma

Many of Japan’s towns and regions boast a local speciality or two; a unique product...

Japanese Food for Fussy Eaters

While Japanese cuisine is largely unbeatable, there are still many dishes that fussy...

Stunning Izakaya Food at Fuwari in Kanazawa

If you’re looking for a special but affordable dinner in Kanazawa, a great...

Rare and Extreme Japanese Beers on Tap at Beer Boy

Beer lovers have plenty to be happy about in Japan. From cheap cans...

Bib Gourmand Zen Buddhist Vegetarian Cuisine: Shigetsu in Arashiyama

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

A Tuna Extravaganza at Maguro Mart in Nakano

Tuna lovers visiting Tokyo should consider a meal at Maguro Mart. As the...
Egg sandwiches at Smart Coffee

Perfect Egg Sandwiches at Smart Coffee in Kyoto

Japan seems to have perfected the art of great egg sandwiches. Even the...

An American Style Cafe; Good Town Bakehouse in Yoyogi Uehara

“The Japanese people just do everything so authentically. They copy every last detail...

Akihabara to Ueno Part 2: An Ueno Tour

Unlike Akihabara, which comprises the first part of this tour, Ueno offers a...

An Intimate Guide to Kabukicho

Get ready to explore Shinjuku's neon heart with our ultimate guide to Kabukicho....

Tokyo Station Bars: Top-shelf Drinking In The Urban Hub

Like most Tokyo neighborhoods, the area surrounding Tokyo Station has a thriving nightlife...

A Fancy Cocktail (Or Two) At Finlandia Bar, Kyoto

Tucked away in a quiet backstreet of Kyoto’s Gion district is the classy...

Fukuoka’s Hakata Ramen Packs Rich, Porky Goodness

A bowl of ramen is a wonderfully comforting...

Sangenjaya Tour – Burgers, Cafes and a Stop in the Park

Tokyo is filled with trendy neighborhoods. Some of them, like Ginza, are more...

Learning A Thing Or Two At A Japanese Cooking Class

Food is an important part of travel for me. When I’m exploring a...

Things To Do (And Eat) in Nagano City

The main hall of Zenkoji Temple As a mountainous...

Healthy Vegan Dining at Restaurant 8ablish, Omotesando

Omotesando on the weekend is a bustling place. The wide streets and footpaths...

Spicy, Soupy, Sublime: That’s Soup Curry at Yellow Company

Eat out in Japan often enough and you’ll notice a certain dearth of...

A Charming Kyoto Lunch Course at Tsuburano in Higashiyama

The rickshaw driver pants as he passes by, breathlessly regaling the couple in...

Things To See And Do In Nozawa Onsen (That Don’t Involve Snow!)

Nestled deep in the beech covered folds of...

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....

Ponipirika Soup Curry Is A Perfect Late Lunch in Shimokitazawa

Besides seafood, Hokkaido’s best export must be soup curry. This is exactly as...

Doza and Shianbashi: Secret Shrines and Nagasaki Nightlife

I first stepped into Shianbashi, Nagasaki’s best nightlife...

An Unforgettable White Christmas In Japan: Destination Sapporo

Thinking about mixing things up and travelling this yuletide? Here’s an idea: why...

Nawate dori: Matsumoto’s Charming Frog Street

A visit to the mountain city of Matsumoto...
kashi no ichi fish market tuna bowl-12

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...

Touring Harajuku – Walking the Big Two Part 2

Between Shibuya and Shinjuku is the sprawling greenery of Yoyogi Park that dominates...

The restaurant that inspired Quentin Tarantino: Gonpachi Nishi Azabu

Cinephiles coming to Tokyo could definitely put together a movie-based pilgrimage trip. Movie-themed...

Omicho Market, Where Kanazawa Does Its Shopping

Omicho Market, also known as “Kanazawa’s Kitchen”, has been feeding the city as...

Finding Good Fortune on an Ebisu Tour

The area of Ebisu, close to the din of Shibuya, is the perfect...
5-piece tuna set at HInatomaru

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

Asakusa is not the first place most people think of when it comes...
The New National Stadium Tokyo

Aoyama Trek: A Nature and Architecture Walk

Tokyo is a sprawling metropolis with countless landscapes to explore. Besides the main...

Chinzao: Taiwanese Tea House in Ine Village

Ine, the quaint fishing village in Kyōto’s northwest, is arguably one of the...

Finding New York Style Pizza at The Pizza in Hiroo

One of the first things I tell people who visit Tokyo is that...

Yanaka Beer Hall: Craft Beer In A Traditional Setting

With its bustling Ginza shopping street, veteran shopkeepers,...

Join in the Japanese tradition of eating KFC for Christmas

For those who celebrate Christmas, you’ll know food plays a big role in...

Natural Ice Kakigori in Saitama: Asami Reizou

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

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

Deep in the mountains of Nagano prefecture, sidling the Japanese Central Alps, lies...

Hearty Tsukemen in Akihabara: Menya Musashi Bujin

These days, ramen is a household name. But have you ever heard of...
shizuoka tea fields

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...

RECENT POSTS

MUST READ