RESTAURANTS
La gueule de bois in Nakameguro
RESTAURANTS
Japan is home to some of the best restaurants (food) in the world. With a UNESCO listed National cuisine (washoku) not to mention numerous Michelin starred restaurants in Japan, it’s no wonder people travel from far and wide just for a taste. Visitors are spoilt for choice with restaurants ranging from traditional Japanese to French, Italian and all in between. And, contrary to popular belief, you don’t have to break the bank to have a memorable meal here. Japanese chefs take pride in their food and some of your best meals may come from the most unexpected places. In order to help you find your way, we have compiled some of the best restaurants in Japan. Read below for more information.
POPULAR POSTS
World’s Biggest Starbucks Reserve Roastery in Nakameguro
Whether you’re a coffee lover, architecture buff or just want to see what...
All You Can Eat Candy at Tokyo’s Dagashi Bars
When visitors think of old school Japan, they no doubt picture kimono-clad geisha...
Sara Udon: Nagasaki’s OTHER Famous Regional Dish
When it comes to regional dishes of Nagasaki, Champon wins the popularity contest...
Matcha Pancakes at ‘A Happy Pancake’ Kyoto
Anyone in Japan (or surveying it via Instagram) knows that pancakes are it...
Where To Get Japanese Breakfast in Tokyo Without Breaking The Bank
Are you a budget conscious traveller? If so, you’re probably not staying in...
The restaurant that inspired Quentin Tarantino: Gonpachi Nishi Azabu
Cinephiles coming to Tokyo could definitely put together a movie-based pilgrimage trip. Movie-themed...
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...
For Fabulous Shoyu Ramen, Head to Junteuchi Daruma
Whether it’s tonkotsu, salt, or miso, you’ll find all kinds of ramen in...
Ranshu: Best Boiled Dumplings in Tokyo?
There are many places to enjoy drinking in greater Tokyo; whether you’re rubbing shoulders with...
Doza and Shianbashi: Secret Shrines and Nagasaki Nightlife
I first stepped into Shianbashi, Nagasaki’s best nightlife...
Suiba – A Standing Izakaya in Kyoto for Solo Diners
In many places, there's often a little stigma attached to dining alone. Not...
Delicious French Fusion in Nakameguro
Outside the Nakameguro French Restaurant, La Gueule de Bois
We visit...
California Cuisine from a San Francisco punk rock veteran in Shibuya
*Note: This restaurant is no longer operating*
“Tonight there’s gonna...
Explore Osaka’s Shinsaibashisuji shopping street
The Shinsaibashi area of Osaka is well-known for its shopping options and is...
A Circuit Through Shimokitazawa
Shimokitazawa, known as Shimokita by locals, is one of the primary centers of...
Late Night Eats at Ebisu Yokocho
By day, the neighbourhood of Ebisu hums with shoppers, museum-goers and the lunchtime...
Ambling Asakusa Tour: A Tour of Old Tokyo Part 3
After a leisurely boat ride along the Sumida River, you will arrive in...
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...
Gloriously Decadent Sukiyaki at Ningyocho Imahan
If you want a meal that’s guaranteed to...
The Opposite of Chaos at Khaos Spice Diner in Kyoto
There are few things more delicious and comforting than a plate of curry...
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...
Healthy Fast Food at Onigiri Asakusa Yadoroku
The idea of healthy fast food may seem...
Gomaya Kuki – World’s Richest Black Sesame Ice Cream?
If you have a sweet tooth and you’re visiting Japan, green tea-flavoured desserts...
Refined Kaiseki and Stunning Gardens at Tofuya Ukai
We follow our hostess through the twisting and turning hallways of the converted...
Stupendous Wood-Fired Pizza at da ISA in Nakameguro
Japanese pizza is notoriously ‘weird’—as many disgruntled expats might like to complain. Putting...
Exploring Local Nightlife at a Japanese Yokocho
For an authentic, down-to-earth Japanese dining experience, head straight for the nearest yokocho,...
Delicious Tempura Soba at Nozawa Onsen’s Sobadokoro Daimon
Whether you’ve come to Nozawa Onsen in search...
Best Oyaki in Nagano: Ogawanosho, steps from Zenkoji Temple
While Nagano Prefecture’s geography is not conducive to...
The best Jingisukan in Sapporo: Daruma
Many of Japan’s towns and regions boast a local speciality or two; a unique product...
Unique Foods in Japan – A Guide
Japanese cuisine is varied and offers a wide range of dishes whatever your...
Where to get an afternoon drink in Omotesando
So, I totally get it. You’re on vacation and you’ve been sightseeing or...
A Tuna Extravaganza at Maguro Mart in Nakano
Tuna lovers visiting Tokyo should consider a meal at Maguro Mart. As the...
Freshly Fried Seafood At The New Toyosu Market
Tokyo’s world famous Tsukiji Market has now officially...
The Healing Waters of Hitoyoshi: Tokyo to Okinawa Day 11
On day 11 of our trip, we left Fukuoka and after a brief...
Soup Curry in Tokyo: Where and Why You Should Eat It
If you like soup and if you love...
A Charming Kyoto Lunch Course at Tsuburano in Higashiyama
The rickshaw driver pants as he passes by, breathlessly regaling the couple in...
Togakushi Soba: One Of Nagano’s Unique Varieties
From a prehistoric paste to the modern noodle,...
A Visit To The Oldest Eel Restaurant in Tokyo: Izuei Honten
Unagi is a bit of a thing in Japan. Loved for centuries with...
Menya Saimi, one of the best ramen in Sapporo
Japan’s diverse geography and climate are to thank for the array of regional cuisines and...
Spice Chamber Serves Keema Curry with a Kick in Kyoto
Japanese curry tends not to be spicy. It’s unsurprising, when most Japanese people...
Head to the Coast of Toyama to try Tara-jiru
On the eastern edge of Toyama Bay, the emerald waters deliver with every...
Nature’s Air-Con: Nagashi Sōmen Flowing Noodles Kawadoko Style at Hirobun, Kibune
Wondering how to cool off in Japan’s humid summer? Perhaps you’re munching your...
First Avenue: Characters, Ramen and Sweets
Tokyo Station is way more than just a place to change trains! Within...
Mori Mori Sushi: Classy Kaitenzushi in Kanazawa
After living in Kanazawa for two years, I have become picky when it...
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...
Forest Bathing in Japan’s First National Forest: Akasawa Natural Recreational Forest
There’s nothing more soothing than spending a day in nature; I’ve always thought...
Best Yakitori in Nakameguro: Kushiwakamaru. The Stick Factory.
When people ask me what to eat in Tokyo, a hundred places immediately...
Kyoto After Dark: An Evening Stroll through Pontocho and Gion
Kyoto is the gently lit canal to Tokyo’s fit-inducing neon—part of its charm...
Sangenjaya Tour – Burgers, Cafes and a Stop in the Park
Tokyo is filled with trendy neighborhoods. Some of them, like Ginza, are more...
Where to get an afternoon drink in Harajuku, Tokyo
OK, so you’re on vacation and you’ve been sightseeing or shopping all day....
Healthy Vegan Dining at Restaurant 8ablish, Omotesando
Omotesando on the weekend is a bustling place. The wide streets and footpaths...
A Curry To Remember At Joto Curry Shibuya Honten
Shibuya can feel more like a nightlife and shopping area than a culinary...
Japanese Hot Pot Guide – Sukiyaki and Shabu Shabu
Many types of nabemono 鍋物 or hot pot dishes exist as part of...
Ponipirika Soup Curry Is A Perfect Late Lunch in Shimokitazawa
Besides seafood, Hokkaido’s best export must be soup curry. This is exactly as...
Delicious Yakiniku at Hiro Beef, Pontocho
The Pontocho area is one of Kyoto’s go-to spots for food, drink and...
Arashiyama’s Luxury Tofu Kaiseki at Shoraian
Arashiyama is one of the most popular sightseeing areas in Kyoto. The wide,...
International Food in Tokyo: Injera, Poutine, and Pasta
Travelers visiting Tokyo are spoiled for options when it comes to Japanese food....
Superb Slurps at street pasta company
There’s no shortage of great noodle places in...
The 10 Best Foods to Eat at Nishiki Market, Kyoto
Food lovers rejoice, the Nishiki Market in downtown Kyoto is a mecca for...
Prime Chicken and Flaming Charcoal at Ganchan Roppongi
Yakitori has to be one of my favourite meals in Japan. It’s an...
All Rise for Kikuya’s Standing Tempura in Ebisu
A standing restaurant is the epitome of Japanese efficiency. No seats means more...
Matsuya, The Blue And Yellow Beef Bowl Place
When you first come to Japan, either as a tourist or a new...
Gluten-Free in Tokyo: Everything You Need to Know
Visiting new places with an allergy can be hard. However, knowing what you...
Toyosu Market Sushi Restaurant: Iso Sushi
Iso Sushi (or Isozushi) restaurant was a Tsukiji...
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...
Healthy Vegan Lunches at Brown Rice Canteen in Omotesando
Vegan-friendly meals used to be difficult to find...
Pizza Slice—A Taste of New York in Tokyo
Japanese pizza has a reputation for being a little strange. Where else would...
Iwasa Sushi, Toyosu Market
Though Tsukiji Market has closed and is settling into its new location at...
Ikebukuro Tour: Sunshine City and Beyond
Of all the major transit and shopping hubs in Tokyo, Ikebukuro seems to...
Exploring Hiroshima-style Okonomiyaki at Okonomimura
Calling all okonomiyaki fans! If you haven’t already done so, you simply must...
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,...
Vegan Food in Tokyo: A Complete Guide
Travelling while vegan can be difficult; worrying about whether you’re going to be...
Nakameguro Tour – A Taste of Trendiness
If you’re looking to get a taste of cozy bistros and trendy cafés,...
Dashi Chazuke En: Comfort Food Before A Flight at Narita
Narita International Airport has dozens of eating options, from ramen and sushi to...
Finding New York Style Pizza at The Pizza in Hiroo
One of the first things I tell people who visit Tokyo is that...
Hinatomaru: A Sushi Bar Making A Case for Tuna Head Sushi
Asakusa is not the first place most people think of when it comes...
Motsuyaki Ban, Tokyo’s original Lemon Sour Bar
We head to the birthplace of the Lemon Sour, ‘Motsuyaki Ban’
The Lemon Sour, a staple...
Anonymous pleasures at No Name Ramen in Kyoto
Superlative ramen restaurants are a dime a dozen in Japan. Standing out from...
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...
Pre-war nostalgia at Asakusa Okonomiyaki restaurant ‘Sometaro’
The Tokyo neighbourhood of Asakusa is a major...
The Char-Grilled Chicken Wonderland: Ukai Toriyama
As I sip my tea, a gentle breeze blows into our private dining...
Japanese Table Manners: A Full Guide
Table manners vary between all countries across the world. Even nations that are...
Serene Gardens, Exquisite Kaiseki and Feudal History at Fugetsuro, Shizuoka
Ah, Shizuoka. Rolling hectares of tea crops, vast lakes, rushing rivers, stretching coastlines...
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....
Hana wa Saku in Nakano Serves A Mean Bowl of Udon
One of our favourite areas in the metropolis to hang out and eat...
Magurodake Bono Shirakawa’s Tuna Donburi Keeps Lunch Sweet and Simple
Roppongi isn’t all swanky clubs and expensive restaurants. As with most areas in...
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...
Unlimited Fun at Kabukicho’s Okinawa Paradise
If you’re after a rowdy night with Tokyo locals, look no further than...
Grab an exquisite lunch at Hayama Ramen, Shinjuku
Hayama Ramen, Shinjuku. Some of the best ramen in Tokyo.
The Retro Post-War Izakaya of Hoppy Dori, Asakusa
Asakusa found prosperity in the Edo era. A veritable playground for rice dealers,...
An Unforgettable White Christmas In Japan: Destination Sapporo
Thinking about mixing things up and travelling this yuletide? Here’s an idea: why...
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...
Spicy, Soupy, Sublime: That’s Soup Curry at Yellow Company
Eat out in Japan often enough and you’ll notice a certain dearth of...
Phenomenal Ramen in the Suburbs: Shibasakitei in Umegaoka
With literally thousands of ramen restaurants in Central Tokyo and across the Greater...
Japanese Country Town Profile: One Day In Kiso Fukushima
If you’re planning a trip to the Kiso Valley, perhaps to walk the...
Get Your Fill at Tokyo’s All-You-Can-Eat Restaurants
If you arrive in Tokyo with a big appetite, you should have every...
Shibuya’s Underbelly: A Walk Through Love Hotel Hill and Dogenzaka
Shibuya may have the reputation of being a teen shopping mecca with a...
A Brooklyn Brunch that’s Beyonce approved, right in Harajuku
One day I was on my way to Harry’s Sandwich Co., and I...
Isezushi: Michelin Star Sushi in Otaru, Hokkaido
The town of Otaru is a port town in Hokkaido, not too far from Sapporo....
A $500 Sandwich At Nakameguro’s Wagyu Mafia
In Tokyo, you can totally get by eating on a dime. But when...











































































































