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

Doza and Shianbashi: Secret Shrines and Nagasaki Nightlife

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

The Char-Grilled Chicken Wonderland: Ukai Toriyama

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

Spice Chamber Serves Keema Curry with a Kick in Kyoto

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

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...

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

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

Late Night Eats at Ebisu Yokocho

By day, the neighbourhood of Ebisu hums with shoppers, museum-goers and the lunchtime...
tokyo french restaurant nakameguro higashiyama la gueule de bois fusion cuisine

Delicious French Fusion in Nakameguro

Outside the Nakameguro French Restaurant, La Gueule de Bois We visit...
Shimokitazawa

A Circuit Through Shimokitazawa

Shimokitazawa, known as Shimokita by locals, is one of the primary centers of...

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...

A $500 Sandwich At Nakameguro’s Wagyu Mafia

In Tokyo, you can totally get by eating on a dime. But when...

Best Yakitori in Nakameguro: Kushiwakamaru. The Stick Factory.

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

Ponipirika Soup Curry Is A Perfect Late Lunch in Shimokitazawa

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

Pizza Slice—A Taste of New York in Tokyo

Japanese pizza has a reputation for being a little strange. Where else would...
Mixed sashimi platter at Tobusakana

Tobusakana—A Local Seafood Izakaya in Shimokitazawa

Shimokitazawa is known for vintage fashion, soup curry, and cafes. The unceasing renovation...

The Retro Post-War Izakaya of Hoppy Dori, Asakusa

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

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...

Gluten-Free in Tokyo: Everything You Need to Know

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

Tokyo Rojiura Soup Curry Samurai, Shimokitazawa

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

Healthy Vegan Lunches at Brown Rice Canteen in Omotesando

Vegan-friendly meals used to be difficult to find...
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...

A Tuna Extravaganza at Maguro Mart in Nakano

Tuna lovers visiting Tokyo should consider a meal at Maguro Mart. As the...

The Healing Waters of Hitoyoshi: Tokyo to Okinawa Day 11

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

Healthy Fast Food at Onigiri Asakusa Yadoroku

The idea of healthy fast food may seem...

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

Unagi is a bit of a thing in Japan. Loved for centuries with...
Hana wa Saku's signature dish

Hana wa Saku in Nakano Serves A Mean Bowl of Udon

One of our favourite areas in the metropolis to hang out and eat...
Close-up of unagi at Kawatoyo

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...

Where to Catch Tokyo’s Food Trucks: Lunch at the International Forum

I'd committed the cardinal sin of time-strapped travellers everywhere: I'd slept in. And...
tokyo-burger-golden-brown-best-nakameguro-higashiyama-header

Classic Burgers at Golden Brown, Nakameguro

Tokyo is home to plenty of burger joints;...

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

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

All Rise for Kikuya’s Standing Tempura in Ebisu

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

Meat-ya Asagaya: Tokyo’s Best Spaghetti House

Do one thing, and do it well. Many restaurants in Japan subscribe to...
Dining Sushi in Japan

Japanese Table Manners: A Full Guide

Table manners vary between all countries across the world. Even nations that are...

Exploring Local Nightlife at a Japanese Yokocho

For an authentic, down-to-earth Japanese dining experience, head straight for the nearest yokocho,...
Beef in raw egg

Gloriously Decadent Sukiyaki at Ningyocho Imahan

If you want a meal that’s guaranteed to...
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...

Best Oyaki in Nagano: Ogawanosho, steps from Zenkoji Temple

While Nagano Prefecture’s geography is not conducive to...
Junteuchi Daruma's shoyu ramen is beautiful to behold.

For Fabulous Shoyu Ramen, Head to Junteuchi Daruma

Whether it’s tonkotsu, salt, or miso, you’ll find all kinds of ramen in...

California Cuisine from a San Francisco punk rock veteran in Shibuya

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

The 10 Best Foods to Eat at Nishiki Market, Kyoto

Food lovers rejoice, the Nishiki Market in downtown Kyoto is a mecca for...

A Charming Kyoto Lunch Course at Tsuburano in Higashiyama

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

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...
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...

Vegan Food in Tokyo: A Complete Guide

Travelling while vegan can be difficult; worrying about whether you’re going to be...

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....

Suiba – A Standing Izakaya in Kyoto for Solo Diners

In many places, there's often a little stigma attached to dining alone. Not...

Sara Udon: Nagasaki’s OTHER Famous Regional Dish

When it comes to regional dishes of Nagasaki, Champon wins the popularity contest...
kochi bonito tataki myojinmaru

Myojinmaru’s Famous Salted Bonito Tataki

The word bonito would, for most, evoke the common visual of little flakes...

Soup Curry in Tokyo: Where and Why You Should Eat It

If you like soup and if you love...

Where to get an afternoon drink in Harajuku, Tokyo

OK, so you’re on vacation and you’ve been sightseeing or shopping all day....
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...

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

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

A Curry To Remember At Joto Curry Shibuya Honten

Shibuya can feel more like a nightlife and shopping area than a culinary...
Chicken vegetable soup curry at Ganesha

Soup Curry Ganesha—A Salaryman Favorite in Shinbashi

It’s an open secret for Tokyo diners—you’ll find all the great restaurants where...

Unlimited Fun at Kabukicho’s Okinawa Paradise

If you’re after a rowdy night with Tokyo locals, look no further than...

Arashiyama’s Luxury Tofu Kaiseki at Shoraian

Arashiyama is one of the most popular sightseeing areas in Kyoto. The wide,...

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

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

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...

Exploring Hiroshima-style Okonomiyaki at Okonomimura

Calling all okonomiyaki fans! If you haven’t already done so, you simply must...
michelin sushi hokkaido otaru

Isezushi: Michelin Star Sushi in Otaru, Hokkaido

The town of Otaru is a port town in Hokkaido, not too far from Sapporo....

Togakushi Soba: One Of Nagano’s Unique Varieties

From a prehistoric paste to the modern noodle,...
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...

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

Deep in the mountains of Nagano prefecture, sidling the Japanese Central Alps, lies...
adding an egg to your pasta

Superb Slurps at street pasta company

There’s no shortage of great noodle places in...

Prime Chicken and Flaming Charcoal at Ganchan Roppongi

Yakitori has to be one of my favourite meals in Japan. It’s an...

Hearty Tsukemen in Akihabara: Menya Musashi Bujin

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

An American Style Cafe; Good Town Bakehouse in Yoyogi Uehara

“The Japanese people just do everything so authentically. They copy every last detail...
Unique Foods in Japan

Unique Foods in Japan – A Guide

Japanese cuisine is varied and offers a wide range of dishes whatever your...

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...

Delicious Tempura Soba at Nozawa Onsen’s Sobadokoro Daimon

Whether you’ve come to Nozawa Onsen in search...

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...

Grab an exquisite lunch at Hayama Ramen, Shinjuku

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

Hot Pies, Cold Drinks: A Taste of Australia at Punk Doily

Biting into my classic steak pie, I relished a flavour profile I hadn’t...

Phenomenal Ramen in the Suburbs: Shibasakitei in Umegaoka

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

Fabulous Kyoto-style Okonomiyaki at Oagari in Gion

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

Refined Kaiseki and Stunning Gardens at Tofuya Ukai

We follow our hostess through the twisting and turning hallways of the converted...

Shibuya’s Underbelly: A Walk Through Love Hotel Hill and Dogenzaka

Shibuya may have the reputation of being a teen shopping mecca with a...

Gallivanting around Ginza – A Tour Through Old Tokyo Part 1

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

Ikebukuro Tour: Sunshine City and Beyond

Of all the major transit and shopping hubs in Tokyo, Ikebukuro seems to...
american-sandwich-tokyo-ginza

Could ‘American’ Be The Biggest Sandwich In Tokyo?

Ginza, Tokyo. An upscale neighbourhood all about high-end shopping and dining. As such, many cuisines...

Where to Eat and Drink on Naoshima: The good, the quirky and the delicious!

I don’t know about you, but I travel with my stomach. I always...

JK For A Day: Embracing Your Inner Teen In Tokyo

Living in Japan, I can’t help but look around at all the cute...

The restaurant that inspired Quentin Tarantino: Gonpachi Nishi Azabu

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

Kooriya Peace in Kichijoji Serves Gorgeous Shaved Ice Creations Almost Too Beautiful to Eat

Tokyo has no shortage of great shaved ice (kakigori), but even with all...
shabu shabu nabe sukiyaki

Japanese Hot Pot Guide – Sukiyaki and Shabu Shabu

Many types of nabemono 鍋物 or hot pot dishes exist as part of...

Matcha Pancakes at ‘A Happy Pancake’ Kyoto

Anyone in Japan (or surveying it via Instagram) knows that pancakes are it...

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...

Freshly Fried Seafood At The New Toyosu Market

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

Natural Ice Kakigori in Saitama: Asami Reizou

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

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...

Bib Gourmand Zen Buddhist Vegetarian Cuisine: Shigetsu in Arashiyama

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

Dashi Chazuke En: Comfort Food Before A Flight at Narita

Narita International Airport has dozens of eating options, from ramen and sushi 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...

An Unforgettable White Christmas In Japan: Destination Sapporo

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

Catch your own meal at Zauo Fishing Restaurant Tokyo

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

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...
ranshu-best-dumplings-tokyo

Ranshu: Best Boiled Dumplings in Tokyo?

There are many places to enjoy drinking in greater Tokyo; whether you’re rubbing shoulders with...

Mori Mori Sushi: Classy Kaitenzushi in Kanazawa

After living in Kanazawa for two years, I have become picky when it...

Head To Toriyoshi For Some Juicy, Smoky, High-Quality Yakitori

Many cultures have something similar to yakitori in their cuisine—meat or vegetables threaded...

World’s Biggest Starbucks Reserve Roastery in Nakameguro

Whether you’re a coffee lover, architecture buff or just want to see what...

MOST POPULAR

HOT NEWS