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50 Japanese Foods to Try While You Are in Japan

• tetuya.asakura

In many countries, Japanese food typically meant sushi, sukiyaki and tempura, but now Japanese gourmet foods are making a name for themselves all around the world! No matter your tastes, you'll love eating your way through Japan. Here, we would like to introduce some of the most delicious Japanese dishes and foods to try during your stay in Japan.

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Sushi is a traditional Japanese food made by combining vinegar rice and seafood (although sometimes other ingredients are also used). There is a type of fermented sushi, known as nare-zushi, but the most typical types of sushi are nigiri-zushi and temaki-zushi.

There are plenty of other ingredients available for those who do not like raw fish, including boiled prawns and grilled conger eel. You can find sushi all around Japan, but the sushi from restaurants in high class areas like Ginza or close to fishing ports is especially delicious. If you are looking to eat cheaply, you can visit a kaitenzushi, or conveyor belt sushi restaurant , where you can enjoy sushi for 100 yen a plate.

Being the land of sushi, all the available options may be overwhelming. If you're looking for a delicious sushi restaurant in Tokyo, why not consider Ginza Saisho , where you can savor delicious, fresh seafood sushi. Meanwhile, Osaka is home to Amano , which is run by a chef with a stellar history when it comes to working with fish.

Don't miss our Ultimate Sushi Guide for important manners and tips you'll need to know when eating sushi in Japan!

Tempura is a Japanese dish made from seafood, fresh vegetables and other ingredients dipped in a flour and egg batter and fried in oil. While you can enjoy tempura at all sorts of restaurants, if you want to try it at its best, we recommend going to a specialist tempura restaurant, where each dish will be brought to your table as soon as it is ready, even if you order a lot!

If trying tempura at a specialty restaurant peaks your fancy, both Tempura Ono in Tokyo and Tenyu  in Kyoto offer scrumptious tempura prepared with fantastically fresh ingredients.

3. Sukiyaki

Sukiyaki is a Japanese dish in which meat and vegetables are stewed in an iron pot. The sauce, known as warishita, is made from soy sauce and sugar. There is a lot of variation in the ingredients and way of eating the dish depending on the region, with some areas mixing beaten egg into the sauce to create a milder flavor. If you are looking to enjoy a lot of great beef, this is the dish for you!

Ramen is a noodle soup dish which has grown to become incredibly popular and is thought of as a byword for Japanese food. Originally, the soup was made from a chicken bones, but in recent years, pork, beef and seafood also being used in the soup, creating a diverse range of tastes. In addition to the typical salt, soy sauce and miso flavors, you can even find curry-flavored ramen now. There is also a type of ramen where the noodles and soup are served separately, known as tsukemen. If you want to visit a ramen restaurant in Japan, first check out  5 Things to Keep in Mind When Trying Ramen in Japan . It's a great primer to get you ordering like a pro! 

As it is a staple in everyday Japanese cuisine, popular and famous shops will usually have lines out the door of people waiting to get a bite of their delicious ramen. Menya Itto is one such shop, attesting to its taste, and has configured a system to make waiting more convenient for its customers. How often can you say you've had a bowl of ramen from one of the most famous establishments in Japan?

5. Curry Rice

While curry has its origins in India, the curry we eat in Japan is a unique, localized dish based on the curry brought over to Japan from the UK. Made with meat and vegetables (carrots, potatoes, onions, etc.) flavored with curry powder, stewed, and served with rice. Sometimes fried foods, such as pork cutlets, are placed on top of the dish. While there are some specialist curry restaurants, you typically won't have any problems with the curry at a regular restaurant or chain restaurant.

6. Tonkatsu

Tonkatsu is a popular Japanese dish based on western pork cutlets, where a thick slice of pork is dipped in a flour and beaten egg batter, coated in breadcrumbs and fried in oil. There are both sirloin and fillet tonkatsu, with the fillet tonlatsu being more expensive. While quite tasty even at a cheap restaurant, we really recommend trying tonkatsu at a specialist restaurant.

This traditional Japanese food is a dish of noodles is made from soba (buckwheat) flour eaten with a soy sauce and sugar sauce, and toppings such as egg, tempura or other ingredients. The noodles you get from a soba noodle shop will be particularly good, but very expensive, so it might be good to try the soba at a standing restaurant. The different dishes and toppings are usually on display in a showcase outside the restaurant, making it easy to decided what to order.

Yamori is a soba restaurant run by a chef so knowledgeable about soba that the menu allows customers to taste soba in a wide variety of ways. It is the perfect place to understand the complexity of soba!

Udon are noodles made from kneaded wheat flour, and eaten with a sauce made from soy sauce and sugar, similar to soba. You can enjoy udon on at the standing soba restaurants, but as the firmness of the noodles, known as koshi, is a key part of the dish, we really recommend eating it at a specialist udon restaurant. In winter, why not try the delicious noodle stew, known as nabe yaki udon?

Karaage is chicken seasoned with soy sauce, salt and a number of different spices, sprinkled with starch and fried in oil. It is like the Japanese version of fried chicken, but the flavor is very different. There are a lot of local variations, with for example chicken nanban in Miyazaki, where the karaage are covered with tartare sauce, and tebasaki in Nagoya, where the karaage are covered in a sweet and spicy sauce. We definitely recommend trying these out!

10. Yakitori

Yakitori is a dish in which skewered chicken seasoned with a sweet salt or soy sauce based sauce and barbecued. You can usually find yakitori at Japanese bar/restaurants, known as izakaya, but we recommend eating it at a specialist yakitori restaurant, where you can enjoy all sorts of different parts of the chicken at quite a reasonable price (unless you go to a high class place, where it will cost quite a lot.).Another popular Japanese food is skewered pork, or yakiton in Japanese, which is delicious as well!

At Taira in Tokyo, guests can enjoy yakitori prepared with free-range chicken and a plethora of sake that perfectly complement the meticulously grilled skewers.

11. Yakiniku

Yakiniku is a dish in which beef dipped in a sauce and grilled directly over a fire. The freshness of the meat is very important to the dish. By lightly grilling the dish, you can enjoy the soft flavor of Japanese beef. The most popular dishes are sirloin (known as rosu in Japanese) and kalbi (Korean-style marinated meat), but at a yakiniku restaurant you can enjoy all sorts of different types of meat. The price of the meat depends on the quality, so if you want to try real yakiniku, we recommend going once to a high-class yakiniku restaurant. If you want to know more, our Ultimate Yakiniku Guide has you covered!

Both  YAKINIKU 37west NY in Tokyo and  Wagyu Kappo Toraichi  in Osaka offer sublime dining experiences, serving delectable yakiniku among a luxurious atmosphere. Here, your mouthwatering beef is sure to be prepared to perfection! 

12. Sashimi

Sashimi is a traditional Japanese food made of raw selfish cut into small pieces and served with soy sauce. By adding condiments like wasabi or ginger, sashimi becomes even more delicious. You can enjoy sashimi in places other than Japan, but the level of freshness is different. If you are looking for somewhere cheap to enjoy sashimi, why not try a set meal at a restaurant near a fishing port, but if you’re willing to spend a little more, you should visit a sushi restaurant or a traditional Japanese restaurant - we guarantee you won’t be disappointed! If you stay at a Japanese inn, you will probably find sashimi on the menu there.

13. Robatayaki

Robatayaki is not quite a type of food, but more of a type of restaurant. At the restaurant, fish and vegetables are cooked over the fireplace and handed to customers with a large wooden spoon, known as a horikaeshi-bera. The ingredients are cooked directly on the charcoal, giving them a unique flavor. Robatayaki restaurants also have a unique code when ordering. For example, if you ask for a potato, or jagaimo in Japanese, the waiter/waitress will call out, Jagaimo ippatsu! for the order rather than the regular ikko counter. If this sounds like a culinary experience you would like to try, you can check out  Robatasho  in Tokyo!

14. Shabushabu

A dish in which meat and vegetables are boiled in water flavored with a stock of konbu and other ingredients. The typical dipping sauce for shabushabu is either a ponzu or sesame based sauce. The key to the dish is lightly submerging the meat in the water before eating. You can order both beef and pork, and additional orders are possible, and we definitely want you to try the pork as well. There are also cases where udon noodles are added to the dish at the end of the meal. Unlike some of the other dishes, you can’t really find shabushabu in non-specialized restaurants, although a few sukiyaki restaurants do offer shabushabu as well.

A dish from Sendai where the beef tongue (gyutan) is prepared in a special way that softens the meat, and because of this, you can only find it in special beef tongue restaurants. In a typical dish, you will usually have rice cooked with barley (mugimeshi) and a beef tale soup along with the beef tongue. With the mugimeshi, you will usually be served tororo, or grated yam, along with various pickles, such as white cabbage or chili peppers peserved in miso. Different to beef tongue in yakiniku restaurants, the beef tongue in special gyutan restaurants is quite thick.

16. Kaiseki Ryori

Kaiseki ryori is again not a dish itself, but a style of eating most suited to a banquet. The menu for the meal usually consists of ichijusansai (a soup, sashimi, a grilled dish and a cooked dish), in addition to an appetizer (otooshi), fried dishes (agemono), steamed dishes (mushimono), a type of Japanese salad (aemono), and pickled dishes, including others. To close the meal, rice, miso soup, pickles (konomono) and fruit (mizugashi) are served. Naturally, this sort of meal is only available at special kaiseki ryori restaurants, and a reservation is usually required. On top of this, the price can be very high, which makes it difficult to recommend. On the other hand, you won’t be able to find this outside of Japan, so if your wallet or purse permits, why not visit a kaiseki ryori restaurant during your stay in Japan?

Both Fukudaya in Tokyo and Kentan Hirobe in Kyoto are Michelin-starred kaiseki restaurants, ensuring high-quality, delicious dishes made with fresh seasonal ingredients. 

A Japanese dish in which a bowl of rice is topped with beef. Gyudon, or beef bowl, has already become a popular dish around the world, but the gyudon you have in Japan may be slightly different to what you find elsewhere. For a start, the quality of the rice is different. While in Japanese gyudon restaurants, the rice they are using is probably not that expensive, but the beef really goes well with Japanese rise. We also recommend pouring beaten egg on top of the beef!

18. Chankonabe

A Japanese food where highly nutritious meat and vegetables are boiled in a large pot. Chankonabe is famous as a dish used by sumo wrestlers to build up their bodies. If you want to try chankonabe, we recommend a restaurant run by a former sumo wrestler.

The long-standing  Chanko Kawasaki is one such restaurant. Here, you can enjoy authentic chankonabe in an establishment located in a Tokyo neighborhood commonly associated with sumo wrestling.

19. Motsunabe

A famous Japanese dish from Fukuoka in which beef and pork offal meat is cooked in a pot with various vegetable, such as cabbage and Chinese leek, known as nira in Japanese. You can add more ingredients as you cook it, meaning you can eat as much as you want. After finishing the main dish, it is common to add Chinese style noodles, chanpon noodles to the soup, or rice to make a rice gruel from the soup. You can find motsunabe restaurants in Tokyo , but as you can imagine, the flavor is different from the original Fukuoka version.

20. Onigiri

An onigiri is a boiled rice ball lightly salted and often filled with ingredients such as umeboshi (dried plum), salmon or cod roe, all wrapped in a sheet of nori (dried seaweed). To start, we recommend trying the tuna mayonnaise-flavored ingot. The21.re are specialist onigiri stores, but you can find them at convenience stores as well, so you can enjoy them whenever and wherever you go. They are surprisingly popular with foreign people.

Onigiri Asakusa Yadoroku is one of the oldest onigiri specialty shops in Tokyo, where onigiri are made fresh for the customers. It is a great place to stop by when exploring the popular neighborhood of Asakusa.

Next： No.21-40 Further Japanese foods you must try in Japan

The information in this article is accurate at the time of publication.

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Food in Japan: 32 Popular Dishes You Need to Try on Your Next Visit

Satisfy your cravings for food in Japan with our list of 32 must-try Japanese dishes. From teppan to ramen to gyoza , we've got you covered.

Japanese cuisine is renowned worldwide, but there are numerous other dishes to sample besides sushi . While many are familiar with sashimi , tempura , and ramen , Japanese culinary culture is much more diverse. If you are planning a trip to Japan, you may wonder what foods are worth trying. To assist you in making a decision, we have assembled a list of 32 delectable Japanese dishes that everyone should experience.

1. Buta-No-Shogayaki (豚の生姜焼き): The 'B-Grade Gourmet' Ginger Pork Classic

Buta-No-Shogayaki is one of the most popular and delicious Japanese dishes that you can find in many restaurants, izakayas (traditional Japanese restaurant/ bars ), fast food chains, and even as a bento box (a pre-prepared Japanese-style lunch) available in many grocery stores and convenience stores . The word "yaki" literally means "grilled." This dish is prepared by grilling thin slices of pork that are dressed with a delicate sauce made of mirin, soy sauce, sake (Japanese rice wine), granola oil, sliced onions, and ginger. This dish is perfect for a quick and tasty meal that you can enjoy any time of the year.

2. Champon (ちゃんぽん): The Essence of Japanese Noodles

At first glance, Champon might be mistaken for ramen , but it is actually a unique dish in its own right. Originating from Nagasaki , it was first served in a Chinese restaurant during the Meiji era (1868-1912). Unlike ramen , the noodles used in Champon are boiled in the soup itself, giving it a distinctive taste and texture. Champon is a seasonal dish that uses a combination of ingredients such as pork, seafood , and vegetables. These are fried in lard before a soup made from chicken and pig bones is added to create a flavorful broth. As a result, each serving of Champon is different and offers a unique experience that varies depending on where you eat it. In fact, Champon is not just limited to Nagasaki ; it can be found in many countries throughout Asia and in different regions of Japan. Each place puts its own spin on the dish, creating a diverse range of styles and flavors that are sure to satisfy your appetite.

3. Edamame (枝豆): The Irresistible Boiled Soybean Snack

Edamame are not technically a dish, but they are a very popular food in Japan. These are immature soybeans that are still in their pods. They can be served hot or cold, and sometimes grilled instead of boiled. Typically, they are only dressed with salt, and they make for an amazing appetizer. Once you try a few, you'll find yourself reaching for more and more. Edamame usually accompany a meal in all izakaya , and they are almost always part of the menu in the vast majority of Japanese restaurants in Japan.

4. Fugu (ふぐ): The Delicate Dance with Pufferfish

For those looking not only for amazing food in Japan, but also for a thrilling experience, fugu is the dish to try! The fugu is a pufferfish that is, yes, delicious, but it can also be lethal due to a toxin in some parts of its body. Fugu is usually served as sashimi or in certain kinds of Japanese nabe hot pots . The preparation of this fish, due to its characteristics, is rigidly controlled by the Japanese government. Chefs who aspire to prepare this fish must undergo at least three years of very rigorous training to get their license. Before being served, the toxic parts of the fish are removed, making it safe to serve. Interestingly, fugu liver is considered the tastiest part of the fish, but it’s also the one that can be the most poisonous. As a result, serving fugu liver was outlawed in Japan in 1984. Should you try this dish, you’ll certainly remain amazed by its taste, but do careful research before ordering it in a restaurant (and never try to prepare it by yourself).

5. Gyoza (餃子): The Delightful Journey of Japanese Dumplings

Gyoza are dumplings that are shaped like a crescent moon. They are a popular dish in Japanese restaurants and can be found almost everywhere, regardless of their style. Although originally from China, the types of gyoza you will find in Japan are usually quite different from the original. There are various types of gyoza available in Japan, but one of the most popular is "yaki- gyoza ". These dumplings are made with minced pork, cabbage, garlic, onion, and ginger. They are then lightly fried until they become crispy and turn a nice dark golden color. You can enjoy gyoza with a dip made of soy sauce, rice vinegar, and spicy oil.

6. Gyudon (牛丼): The Bowl of Beefy Goodness

Gyudon is a mouth-watering dish consisting of beef served over rice (gyu = beef). It is a quick meal that is often served in specific restaurants or Japanese fast-food chains such as Yoshinoya. To make this dish, thinly sliced beef and tender onion are simmered in dashi broth (a popular Japanese ingredient) and then seasoned with mirin and soy sauce. The dish is then served over a bowl of steamed rice. Sometimes, it is topped with a lightly cooked egg. If you want to experience a typical Tokyo office worker’s lunch break, this quick and tasty dish is a must-try. You will feel full and satisfied, and ready to continue your sightseeing and exploration with renewed energy.

7. Gyukatsu (牛カツ): The Lure of the Beef Cutlet

If you're fond of tonkatsu , a popular pork-based dish, you should definitely give its beef variation a try. This dish involves deep-fried breaded beef, which is served with a side of cabbage, barley rice, miso soup, potato salad, and pickles. The preparation method results in a tender and crunchy texture, and the dish has a flavorful taste that's not too overwhelming. Although it's not as commonly available as the pork version, if you do happen to come across it, it's definitely worth trying.

8. Gyutan (牛タン): An Ode to Beef Tongue Delicacies

At first glance, this dish may seem unusual depending on where you're from, but we encourage you to keep reading. Gyutan is a dish made of grilled beef tongue, as the name suggests - "gyu" meaning cow and "tan" meaning tongue. This dish is typically found in yakiniku restaurants, prepared with salt or various sauces (often including lemon) and scallions. The meat is thin, delicious, and tender. Gyutan originated in Sendai, where the owner of a yakitori restaurant opened a new establishment in 1948 which offered gyutan. Since then, the dish has become increasingly popular throughout Japan. Give it a try and you'll quickly see why!

9. Karaage (から揚げ): Japan's Tasty Fried Chicken

When you arrive in Japan, you will instantly notice the popular Japanese fried chicken dish called karaage. Although karaage usually consists of chicken, some regions may use other meats such as pork. The meat is lightly coated with wheat flour or potato starch and is then deep-fried in oil. In some cases, the meat is marinated before cooking. Karaage is typically served with a slice of lemon, but it can be enjoyed with or without it. Restaurants, street-food carts, izakaya , and convenience stores frequently serve the chicken variety of karaage. It's a delicious, fast, and affordable dish. However, the only downside is that it's so tasty, it can be addictive!

10. Katsudon (カツ丼): The Breaded Pork Bowl

If you're a fan of beef bowl dishes like gyudon, you'll love Katsudon, a similarly popular Japanese dish made with pork. This tasty and affordable meal is often overlooked by foreign visitors, but can be found in many restaurants and Japanese-style fast food chains. The dish consists of a bowl of rice topped with deep-fried pork cutlet, egg, vegetables, and condiments, making it the perfect option for those on the go. Although it's a common dish in Japan, there are several varieties to choose from, including those served with tonkatsu sauce, demi katsudon (a specialty of Okayama ), shio-katsudon (flavored with salt), or miso-katsu (originally from Nagoya). Regardless of which type you choose, you're sure to enjoy this delicious and satisfying meal!

11. Kushikatsu (串カツ): Thrilling Skewered Deep-Fried Treats

Kushikatsu , also known as kushiage, is a delicious dish consisting of crunchy deep-fried skewered meat, fish, or vegetables. The name of the dish refers to the way it is prepared, with "Kushi" meaning skewers and "katsu" referring to the deep frying of a meat cutlet. Kushikatsu can be made using a variety of ingredients, including bamboo shoots, lotus root, cartilage (nankotsu), and gizzard (sunagimo). Each ingredient has its unique flavor and texture, making the dish even more exciting to taste. Apart from the different ingredients, there are also several geographical varieties of Kushikatsu . For example, Osaka and Tokyo (which also serves pork rib kushikatsu ) prepare the meat slightly differently and dress it with brown sauce. In Nagoya, Kushikatsu is served with doteni, a rich miso-based dish with beef tendon, offal , and daikon radish. The region also uses different sauces and batter to prepare the dish.

12. Miso Soup (味噌汁): The Soul-Warming Broth

Miso soup is an unavoidable dish when it comes to talking about food in Japan. It is a staple in Japanese cuisine and can be served with almost any meal, be it breakfast, lunch, or dinner. This simple yet flavorful soup makes a fantastic side dish to complement the rest of your food. Dashi, one of the primary ingredients in miso soup, is mixed with miso paste, which is made by fermenting soybeans, to create this famous soup. Other ingredients are added according to individual preferences. Typically, miso soup is served with tofu , scallions, and wakame seaweed. However, other ingredients such as daikon, shrimp, fish, mushrooms, potatoes, onions, or meat can also be added. Miso soup is highly recommended during the cold winter months, and it is a must-try dish before leaving Japan.

13. Nabe (鍋): Enjoy Japan's Hot Pot Culture

Nabe refers to a cooking pot, and in Japanese, it can also be referred to as "nabemono," which translates to "things in a cooking pot." While the name suggests that it's a simple dish, in reality, there are many variations of nabe in Japan. It's a popular dish throughout the year but is particularly enjoyed during colder months. Nabe is a dish that can be enjoyed both in Japanese restaurants and at home. The preparation involves boiling a variety of ingredients such as meat, fish, shellfish, vegetables, and tofu in seasoned or unseasoned water. Sumo wrestlers are known to be big fans of nabe , especially "chanko nabe ," which usually includes meatballs, chicken, vegetables, and noodles. It's designed to be served with extra ingredients so that wrestlers can gain weight. Another popular variation of nabe is shabu-shabu , named after the sound made when thinly-sliced meat is dipped into boiling water. This dish is served with beef or pork, vegetables, and tofu and is enjoyed with a sesame dipping sauce or ponzu, which is a lemon-based dressing, or a combination of both. Sukiyaki is a sweeter version of shabu-shabu where the ingredients are stewed in sweetened water and soy sauce and then enjoyed with a raw egg dip. Yose nabe , which means "putting together," is a nabe variety where all the ingredients, such as meat, fish, vegetables, and tofu , are cooked together in the pot at the same time. This dish is usually based on a soup of miso or soy sauce. There are many types of nabe available in Japan, and it's definitely worth trying them all to find your favorite!

14. Natto (納豆): The Fermented Soybean Sensation

Natto, a fermented soybean dish, is a staple in the daily diet of most Japanese people. However, it's a type of food that many foreigners find unappetizing due to its strong smell and sticky consistency. Despite this, natto is a genuine Japanese delicacy that is worth trying at least once. Typically served with rice and dipped in soy sauce or spicy mustard, natto can be an acquired taste. It may take some getting used to, but don't let that intimidate you from giving it a try. You might be surprised to find that you enjoy it and have a more Japanese palate than you thought!

15. Oden (おでん): The Wintry Delight of Japan

Oden is a delicious and warming dish that is perfect for cold winter days. It is a type of one-pot meal made with various ingredients, such as eggs, konjac, fish cakes , and daikon, all served in a dashi and soy soup. Although some restaurants specialize in preparing this dish, you can easily find oden in many Japanese fast-food chains and convenience stores . Oden can be prepared in different ways, and its name may even vary depending on the region. For instance, in Nagoya, it may be known as Kanto-ni. Additionally, the soups used to boil the ingredients can also differ depending on the area. Oden is an inexpensive and unique dish that you will never tire of, particularly if you are traveling through different cities in Japan.

16. Okonomiyaki (お好み焼き): Japan's Savory Pancake Paragon

If you're traveling to Japan, trying out the various types of okonomiyaki , a staple dish, is a must. This savory dish, which can be compared to a Japanese frittata or pancake, is made using a wide range of ingredients, as suggested by its name's etymology (meaning "what you like" or "how you like" + "grilled"). Two of the most popular varieties of okonomiyaki are the Kansai-style and the Hiroshima -style. The Kansai version is the most common, with a batter prepared using flour, nagaimo (a kind of yam), dashi (or water), eggs, cabbage, pork belly, octopus, squid, shrimp, mochi, or cheese, and konjac. Osaka is particularly well-known for its okonomiyaki , as it is believed to be the dish's birthplace. In the Hiroshima -style, the ingredients are arranged in layers rather than mixed together. Toppings usually include noodles such as yakisoba or udon , eggs, and a lot of sauce. There are many other types of okonomiyaki available in various regions of Japan, such as Tokushima , Hamamatsu, and Okinawa . If you're in Tokyo, you should visit the Tsukishima district , which is famous for both okonomiyaki and monjayaki. On Monja Street , you can try monjayaki, a dish similar to okonomiyaki but with a less dense texture and different ingredients.

17. Omuraisu (オムライス): The Enchanting Omelette Rice Creation

The name of this flavorful dish derives from the contraction of the words omelet and rice. Omuraisu, as the name suggests, is an omelet filled with fried rice and usually topped with ketchup. The dish seems to have originated in Tokyo, in a western-style restaurant, roughly 100 years ago. You’ll find this dish in most Japanese cafes that also serve food, as well as in several restaurants. If you’re staying with friends from Japan, chances are they’ll know how to prepare it, as it’s a common dish among Japanese people. Once again, a filling, cheap, and tasty one-dish meal that will certainly be popular among adult visitors, as well as children!

18. Onigiri (おにぎり): The Staple Rice Ball Delight

Have you ever come across the famous Japanese rice ball, the onigiri, in an anime , movie, video or documentary? Although it is not a very common menu item in restaurants, it is considered the king of on-the-go dishes and can be found in almost every grocery and convenience store . The onigiri is a simple rice ball that can be flavored with spices or filled with various ingredients such as vegetables, meat, fish, seafood , and more. Depending on the region and one's preference, it can be wrapped in a sheet of flavored or unflavored nori (seaweed). While sightseeing in Japan, many people tend to eat mainly onigiri due to its cheap price (usually under 200 yen), availability, and simplicity.

19. Ramen(ラーメン): The Delectable World of Noodles and Broth

Ramen is a well-known dish globally, especially the instant variety. However, in Japan, the authentic version is far superior to its instant counterpart in terms of taste and variety. The broth for ramen can be made from chicken, pork, beef, fish, or vegetables, flavored with soy sauce, miso, dashi, and many other seasonings. It is usually served with scallion, seaweed, tofu , and bamboo shoots, but there are countless other combinations to choose from. Each region and restaurant has its unique recipe, leading to original and delicious meals. The noodles used in ramen are also specially made and have a soft yet chewy texture. The most common soup stocks used for ramen are miso, salt, soy sauce, and curry . Ramen is the go-to meal for the Japanese after a long day or night out, and it's commonly regarded as fast food . It's typically served hot, although some variations can be served cold, and it's a favorite on cold days.

20. Robatayaki (炉端焼き): The Art of Fireside Cooking

Robatayaki (or robata) is a unique Japanese cuisine in which food is grilled on an irori style fireplace (wide, flat, open fireplace) over charcoal. This particular dish is usually found only in specialized restaurants, so you may have to look/ask specifically for it. The list of food at robata restaurants is everything you can think of, although traditionally it is a combination of seafood and vegetables. Most visitors miss this amazing food in Japan. Make sure you taste a real slice of Japan by looking for a good robata (there are many in Tokyo and all over Japan).

21. Soba (蕎麦): The Buckwheat Noodle Escapade

Soba is a type of noodle made from buckwheat flour, which is a specialty dish from Japan. It is a very popular dish and can be found in both general noodle restaurants and specialized, often expensive ones. Preparing soba at home is relatively simple, as you can buy the noodles and soup in which they are dipped from a grocery store . Soba can be enjoyed in different ways, either in a cold dip or a broth as a noodle soup. This dish comes in various varieties depending on the region and the season you are visiting. Don't forget to try a soba dish next time you visit a restaurant in Japan!

22. Somen (そうめん): Delightful Thin Noodles

Somen is the Japanese version of a prevalent kind of noodle across Asia. Made out of wheat flour, it’s usually served cold. These skinny noodles are served with a simple cold dipping sauce or a sauce flavored with onion, ginger, and myoga (a different kind of ginger). This dish is particularly popular in summer when a dish of somen chilled with ice cubes is all you need to recharge, fill up, cool off, and take a break from the brutal Japanese summer heat.

23. Sushi and Sashimi (寿司 & 刺身): The Raw Elegance of Japanese Cuisine

Sushi and sashimi are among the most famous foods in Japanese cuisine . They are regarded as an art form, with sushi chefs often practicing as apprentices for years before being considered masters. Despite their popularity, many people fail to understand the variety of cuts and preparation that go into creating these dishes. However, good quality sushi and sashimi can be found in Japan at a fair price. There are options available for all palates and budgets. One unique dining experience in Japan is offered by rolling sushi restaurants, where you order from a tablet at your table and the sushi is served to you via a rolling mat. At these restaurants, known as 100 yen- sushi or sushiro, each dish costs only 100 yen and the food is excellent. A dish that is often missing outside of Japan is temaki zushi, or hand-rolled sushi . While you can find restaurants offering this dish, it's a fun and easy dish to make at home. You'll need sushi rice, thin slices of your favorite fish, seaweed sheets, and any other ingredients you'd like to add. Common ingredients include cucumber, crab, avocado, and wasabi. To make temaki zushi, spread the rice on a sheet of seaweed, add your fillings, roll the seaweed into a cylinder or cone, and enjoy with soy sauce. If you're in Japan, consider proposing a temaki zushi party - it's sure to be a hit!

24. Takowasa (たこわさ): The Wasabi Octopus Experience

Takowasa is raw octopus (tako) served in a wasabi sauce (wasa). This is one of those Japanese dishes that, depending on your cultural background, may appear weird. Do try it out! Takowasa is a common appetizer in many restaurants, especially in an izakaya . It’s very popular and for a good reason. It’s tasty, unique, and a true symbol of Japanese popular food tradition.

25. Tempura (天ぷら): Japan's Light and Crispy Masterpiece

Tempura is a delicious dish that can be enjoyed throughout the year, especially for those who love to socialize with friends over drinks. Tempura typically includes shellfish, fish, chicken, or vegetables coated in a flavorful batter and then deep-fried to a perfect level of crunchiness. You can savor tempura as is, or with a dipping sauce. While many restaurants offer this dish, some specialize in it, providing a wider range of options for an even more fantastic immersion into traditional Japanese cuisine .

26. Teppanyaki (鉄板焼き): The Theatrical Grilling Artform

Teppanyaki is a Japanese style of cooking that is not very well known but still absolutely delicious. The word Teppan means iron plate, while yaki means grilled. The term Teppanyaki is used to refer to a wide variety of dishes, including okonomiyaki , yakisoba, and monjayaki. However, it's typically used to describe a particular type of western-influenced food preparation. Typical ingredients for Teppanyaki dishes are beef, shrimp, vegetables, chicken, and scallops. These ingredients are cooked on a hotplate, usually with soybean oil. Some of you may be familiar with this type of cooking because in the United States, Teppanyaki restaurants are quite popular, although they're known as hibachi. If you visit Japan and want to try some amazing food that blends the best of Japan and the West, you should definitely give Teppanyaki a try.

27. Tonkatsu (とんかつ): The Crispy Pork Cutlet

Tonkatsu is a popular and easy-to-find Japanese dish consisting of a breaded pork cutlet that is deep-fried in vegetable oil until golden brown. You can easily find this delicious and affordable dish in many chain restaurants, grocery stores , and convenience stores , or you can even make it at home! To prepare the dish, season the meat with salt and pepper, coat it in flour, dip it in beaten egg, and cover it with panko (Japanese bread crumbs). Then, deep fry the cutlet until crispy and serve it with cabbage, potato salad, and a brown sauce or karashi. Tonkatsu is also great for making sandwiches, making it the perfect meal on-the-go.

28. Udon (うどん): Glorious Thick Noodles

Japan has a wide variety of noodles, and udon is one of the most popular, just like ramen . Udon is a thick noodle made from wheat flour, which you can enjoy either in its simplest form - with broth made of dashi, mirin, and soy sauce - or in many different combinations. For a hearty meal, try it with tempura , or for a more delicate taste, with tofu . Udon can be served hot or cold, depending on the season or your personal preference, and the style of preparation varies depending on the region you're visiting. Although the word " udon " refers to the noodles themselves, there are no limits to the flavors, soups, and ingredients that can be added. As a matter of fact, challenge yourself to try out as many styles of udon as possible during your trip to Japan. Not only will you be satisfied, but you'll also be nowhere near the end of the list of possible dishes!

29. Yakiniku (焼き肉): Grilled Meat, the Japanese Way

Yakiniku is a style of cooking that involves grilling meat, also known as Korean or Japanese barbecue. While Korean-style barbecue typically involves marinated meats, Japanese-style barbecue does not. Yakiniku restaurants are very popular and offer a wide range of options, from high-end to budget-friendly, with some even offering all-you-can-eat menus. When dining at a yakiniku restaurant, you can choose from a vast selection of meat or vegetables, seasoned or unseasoned, which you then grill yourself on a hot plate or grill embedded within your table. You can then add various sauces, such as lemon, BBQ, and many others, or simply salt and pepper to taste.

30. Yakisoba (焼きそば): Tasty Fried Noodles

Yakisoba is a Japanese dish that consists of grilled soba noodles and is usually served at festivals. However, you can also make yakisoba by stir-frying the noodles. You can add various ingredients such as pork, fish, or vegetables and enhance the flavor with toppings like seaweed powder, ginger, and fish flakes. Finally, add sauces such as oyster sauce to give it a delicious taste.

31. Yakitori (焼き鳥): Savory Grilled Skewers

Yakitori , which literally means grilled chicken, actually refers to all kinds of skewered meat (as well as vegetables) cooked on a grill. This dish is simple yet flavorful, and there are countless combinations of ingredients to try. You can find Yakitori in many restaurants and specialty shops. When you visit a good izakaya , it is highly recommended to try this popular Japanese food .

32. Yakizakana (焼き魚): Grilled Fish Delicacies

While in Japan, it's essential to try grilled fish, Yakizakana. Although sushi is more famous outside Japan, raw fish is not as common as grilled fish in the country. Typically, a whole fish is grilled and served with side dishes consisting of various vegetables and rice. You can try it at specialized restaurants for an immersive experience or at chain restaurants for a delicious, inexpensive, and quick meal that will keep you energized for several hours of sightseeing ahead.

You’re now on the way to become a true expert on food in Japan! Yet there’s much more to Japanese cuisine that can be discovered! While visiting this amazing country and taking in all the sights, the fun, and the culture, don’t forget to eat!

Written by:

Lucio Maurizi

Lucio Maurizi is an automotive expert specializing in Japan's car scene and auto-tourism. With an MA in East Asian History from La Sapienza Università di Roma, he's a multi-talented contributor to travel platforms like LIVE JAPAN, Japan Travel, and GPlus Media. His Instagram account (50k+ followers) offers insider views on Japan's automotive culture. Lucio also actively collaborates with professional drivers and influencers and organizes can't-miss car events in Tokyo. Instagram: @italian_in_japan Other links: https://linktr.ee/italianinjapan

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Japanese Food

Japanese cuisine (�a�H, washoku) offers an abundance of gastronomical delights with a boundless variety of regional and seasonal dishes . Restaurants in Japan range from mobile food stands to centuries old ryotei, atmospheric drinking places, seasonally erected terraces over rivers, cheap chain shops and unique theme restaurants about ninja and robots. Many restaurants are specialized in a single type of dish, while others offer a variety of dishes.

Dining out in Japan

Dishes and drinks

Japanese cuisine has a large variety of dishes and regional specialties. Below is a selection of our most popular food pages.

Regional food guides

Japan is divided into distinct geographic regions, each of which has developed its own unique culinary traditions. As a result travelers can encounter a diverse set of regional foods as they move from area to area.

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Guide to Japanese Food: 15 Japanese Dishes to Try

The popularity of traditional Japanese food is one of the many aspects that draw millions of visitors to Japan every year. Discovering new flavours, trying authentic dishes, and exploring regional food differences is one of the  highlights of any Japan trip. 

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And it’s no surprise – Japanese food is arguably one of the  most sought-after international cuisines.  Sushi, ramen, tempura, gyoza and many other dishes from Japanese cuisine have become well-known around the world over the last few decades. 

But as we discovered on our recent trip to Japan ,  Japanese food is so much more diverse  than the sushi and ramen shops you might have come across in North America. The list of traditional Japanese dishes is very long, and there’s much more variety across the islands than you might realize.

Japanese cuisine has changed and  evolved over the centuries.  You’ll notice many influences from China and Korea in the cooking methods and ingredients, with varying versions of similar dishes like dumplings and noodles all over Asia. 

From yatai (street food stalls) cooking snacks to traditional ryokans serving kaiseki meals, enjoying the food in Japan is an important part of the culture. And for us, it was definitely the highlight of our trip! 

In this article, we wanted to share some of our favourite Japanese dishes and types of Japanese food that you should remember to try during your time in Japan. 

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Health Benefits of Japanese Diet

The health benefits of the Japanese diet have been well documented now, particularly with a high life expectancy and the recognition of Okinawa as being one of the world’s Blue Zones (where a large number of people live to 100). 

Heavily focused on fish, fermented soybeans, seasonal vegetables, and small portions of meat, Japanese cuisine is one of the healthiest diets in the world. 

Japanese Food Experiences You Can’t Miss

Before we get into the actual dishes, we wanted to share a few very special Japanese food experiences to add to your list. 

Sushi Omakase

Sushi is undoubtedly the most famous Japanese dish for foreigners, but there are several different ways you can enjoy it in Japan. One of the best ways to sample a wide variety of sushi is by  ordering it “omakase” style. 

Omakase literally translates to “I leave it up to you,” which means you leave the selection of the sushi up to the chef. This experience often allows you to taste more regional delicacies as the chef gets to prepare a personalized tasting plate  of their favourite sushi based on the best seasonal ingredients.

Kaiseki Meal

Kaiseki is Japan’s answer to a traditional celebratory feast.  A multi-course meal  designed to highlight the flavour of seasonal ingredients and meticulous presentation to make a unique and often  sophisticated dining experience. 

The key to the best kaiseki is subtle seasonings, fresh ingredients from the region, and complementary table settings and garnishes, all working together harmoniously. If you want the full kaiseki experience, order it for dinner at a ryokan (traditional Japanese inn) in regional Japan. Usually served in a communal dining room with tatami (woven mats) floors, it’s a true  Japanese cultural immersion.

Visit Tsukiji Fish Market

Considered one of the best foodie experiences in Japan, the  Tsukiji Fish Market in Tokyo  is one of the  largest fish markets in the world.  Specializing in freshly caught seafood, the market is a maze of alleyways filled with vendors selling a range of Japanese dishes. 

Try oysters, scallops, unagi (grilled eel), squid tempura, tuna, grilled fish like salmon, and whitefish sashimi served over fried rice and fried fish cakes. Fresh sushi is also abundant and worth a try here. 

READ NEXT: 3 Days in Tokyo Itinerary

Visit Nishiki Market

Another iconic market experience for traditional Japanese food is the Nishiki Market in Kyoto. A long, narrow street filled with shops and restaurants, it has a history spanning hundreds of years and is often referred to as  ‘Kyoto’s Kitchen.’  Most stalls specialize in a particular type of food, and almost everything sold at the market is locally sourced.

Discover a wide variety of weird and wonderful foods, from tsukemono (pickled vegetables) and traditional Japanese sweets to wasabi salt and fresh sashimi skewers. The crab is a must-try in the right season. It’s certainly a lesson in all aspects of Japanese food. 

Tea Ceremony Experience

Tea is a staple in the Japanese diet, and while other Asian countries focus on black tea, Japan’s specialty is green tea. A Japanese tea ceremony or  “the way of tea”  is steeped in a long history of traditional Japanese culture. There are generally two kinds of green tea served in Japan, ryokucha (steeped with leaves) and matcha (mixing dried and milled leaves with water). Matcha is traditionally the kind of tea served in tea ceremonies. 

Traditionally, a tea ceremony was reserved only for the highest-ranking officials and guests of honour. Hosted by a geisha, this experience dates back to the Edo Period but is one that is still widely practiced today among Japanese. 

For a glimpse into the experience, consider joining a tea ceremony experience in Kyoto or Osaka. Kyoto is the most famous city to host tea ceremonies, usually held in a tatami room. A traditional Japanese sweet is often served with matcha tea to balance out the bitterness of the drink.

READ NEXT: Things to do in Kyoto

Japanese Cuisine Cooking class

If you really want to dive deep into traditional Japanese cuisine and be able to cook your own meals at home, then joining a Japanese cooking class is a fun experience. There are many different cooking classes available everywhere, from Tokyo to Osaka, depending on what dishes you want to learn how to make.

If you want to make some of the most famous traditional Japanese foods, try this  sushi-making class in Tokyo   or this  ramen and gyoza cooking class in Osaka . 

Yakitori Alley Exploration

Yakitori is a Japanese style of grilled meat on bamboo skewers, and the best place to try it is Yakitori Alley. Located just  north of Shinjuku Station in Tokyo,  the street is actually named Omoide Yokocho (memory lane) but is better known as Yakitori Alley for its tiny restaurants serving skewered chicken sticks.

You’ll find various types of skewers with either soy-based sauce or simple salt grilled over charcoal. The restaurants in Yakitori Alley are usually very small and can accommodate just a few patrons per store. Besides yakitori, there are also restaurants that serve gyoza, izakaya food, and udon noodle soup dishes, so everyone can find something to eat.

Okonomiyaki at a Teppanyaki Grill

Okonomiyaki is often referred to in English as a  Japanese pizza but is more of a combination of pizza and savoury pancake. Okonomiyaki starts as a flat pancake made of wheat flour, egg, and chopped cabbage and is then topped with cooked meat, seafood, and other vegetables.

The Japanese word Okonomi  literally means “to one’s liking,”  which reflects the variety of okonomiyaki available across Japan depending on the region and customers’ preferences. 

Osaka and Hiroshima are most famous for this Japanese meal, which you can find served in teppanyaki grill restaurants. Teppanyaki refers to ingredients grilled on an iron griddle and is often equipped at each table so you can cook the meal yourself. The best way to experience this traditional Japanese food is to head to one of these restaurants to cook it up yourself.

Street Food Tour

Sometimes, the best way to experience Japanese cuisine is not necessarily by visiting Japanese restaurants but more about discovering all the unique local delicacies in the markets and streets of the big cities. Join a guided street food tour to try all the best local foods while getting a cultural lesson with a local guide. 

Spend a few hours with a  local guide exploring Tsukiji Market in Tokyo , try up to 13 dishes at five local eateries on a  food tour in Shinsekai  in the back streets of Osaka, or  stroll around Gion and Nishiki Market in Kyoto  in the bustling morning hours with a guide.

Best Japanese Dishes to Try

Ok. Now let’s get into the actual list of dishes to add to your Japan food bucket list. If you’re looking for the top Japanese dishes to try on your first trip to Japan, these are the must-try meals to add to your list.

1. Sushi (すし)

Sushi is definitely the most famous Japanese meal outside of Japan. It was once referred to as pickled fish preserved in vinegar, but nowadays, it can be defined as any dish containing vinegared rice and raw fish. Sushi is often served with soy sauce, wasabi and pickled ginger.

There are various types of sushi, including  sashimi  (raw fish),  norimaki  (sushi rice and seafood wrapped in dried seaweed sheets),  nigiri  (small rice balls with raw fish draped on top), or  gunkan  (little round cups of sushi rice wrapped in dried seaweed and filled with seafood like fish eggs, sashimi, crab or sea urchin). 

Sashimi  is, of course, one of the most common things served in Japanese restaurants, especially sushi restaurants and izakaya and are a standard element of traditional kaiseki course meals. Sashimi consists of thin slices of raw fish or seafood served with soy sauce and wasabi.

The slices of raw fish are usually presented on top of shredded daikon or garnished with shiso leaves. The most common fish used are fresh tuna, salmon, saba or mackerel, and squid.

While it’s common outside of Japan to drench sushi in sauces, in Japan – all you need is a light dip of soy sauce for the perfect taste.

2. Ramen (ラーメン)

Technically originating in Southern China, ramen is a Japanese word which is derived from the Chinese word lamian (拉麵), meaning “pulled noodles”. The noodle soup is an inexpensive and popular Japanese comfort food. You’ll find ramen restaurants on every corner in cities across Japan.

The Chinese-style  hearty noodle dish consists of noodles usually made from wheat flour, along with a meat or fish-based hot broth, along with a variety of toppings such as slices of pork belly, raw or cooked bean sprouts, soft-boiled, marinated or raw egg, bamboo shoots, and seaweed. 

Ramen noodle dishes are typically categorized according to their soup base, with popular options including:

• Miso ramen  which is flavoured with soybean paste (miso) originating in Hokkaido
• Shoyu ramen  flavoured with soy sauce, and 
• Tonkotsu ramen  made from boiled-down pork bones originating from Kyushu.

3. Tempura (天ぷら)

It is said that tempura was brought to Japan by the Portuguese in the 16th century, but it has since become one of the most recognized Japanese dishes around the world. Tempura consists of  lightly battered and deep-fried food , ranging from seafood to vegetables. 

Tempura is commonly served either as a main dish, a side dish with dipping sauces, or as a topping for steamed rice bowls or Japanese noodles. There are specialized tempura restaurants known as  tempura-ya,  but these are often expensive, high-end places. It’s worth visiting one for a unique  “make your own tempura”  experience. 

You can also find tempura at street markets as snacks and side dishes across the country.

4. Okonomiyaki (お好み焼き)

A  savoury pancake that is extremely popular amongst foreigners and tourists in Japan. Often referred to as Japanese pizza, okonomiyaki is made from wheat flour and shredded cabbage and is topped with various ingredients like meat or seafood. There are also vegetarian options.

Okonomi means “to one’s liking,” as there is a huge variety of okonomiyaki available, and it can easily be tailored to customer preferences. If you want to try the most traditional version, head to Osaka or Hiroshima, where you can find them served in Teppanyaki Grill restaurants.

5. Udon (うどん)

Udon noodles (not to be confused with Soba Noodles) are  thick wheat flour noodles  served in a variety of ways. The most popular udon dish is  udon noodle soup,  made with a mild broth called  kakejiru  with flavours of dashi, soy sauce and mirin. The soup is topped with scallions or green onions, tempura and grated radish.

The difference between Udon and Soba is that udon is thicker than soba noodles, which are made from buckwheat flour, and are much chewier. Udon is widely available at restaurants across Japan and can be served hot or cold. You can find it at specialty udon or soba restaurants, as well as more fast food-type restaurants at train stations.

6. Tonkatsu (とんかつ)

Tonkatsu is a  deep-fried, breaded pork cutlet.  It is made by coating slices of pork with panko (bread crumbs) and deep frying them in oil. It is considered the  Japanese equivalent to schnitzel  in Europe. 

While pork is by far the most popular katsu dish, there are other variations made of chicken ( chikinkatsu ), beef ( gyukatsu ), and minced meat ( menchikatsu ). Tonkatsu is usually served with shredded cabbage and tangy dipping sauce. It’s served both in restaurants and at cheap, convenience stores and station eateries.

7. Yakitori (焼き鳥)

Yakitori (literally, grilled chicken) is a general term used to refer to grilled skewers. It’s one of the  most popular Japanese meat dishes prevalent in small hole-in-the-wall restaurants nationwide.

While the dish name refers to chicken skewers, yakitori restaurants generally have a wide selection of meat skewers, consisting of different cuts and parts of chicken, pork, beef, etc. The skewers are usually marinated with either soy sauce-based or simple salt grilled over charcoal.

Yakitori is a common street food or quick-eat meal, particularly in markets. One of the best places to try it is at the aptly named Yakitori Alley in Tokyo , where you’ll find lots of small, tightly packed restaurants serving these skewered chicken sticks.

8. Miso Soup (味噌汁)

Miso soup is a staple in the Japanese diet and one of the most commonly eaten dishes in Japan. It’s not a meal in and of itself, but a much welcome accompaniment in meals both simple and extravagant, served at any time of the day. 

This popular healthy meal is made from  miso paste  as well as a traditional Japanese fish stock called  Dashi.  Dashi is an umami-rich base made from dried seaweed and dried fish, which is then flavoured with miso paste made from fermented soybeans, salt and koji rice. It’s garnished with green onions, mushrooms or tofu, so it’s a great vegetarian option.

9. Gyoza (餃子)

Gyoza is Japan’s  dumplings , which consist of a range of fillings wrapped in thin dough. The typical gyoza is filled with ground pork, nira chives, green onion, cabbage, ginger, garlic, soy sauce and sesame oil. It’s not uncommon, however, to find gyoza with other fillings, like shrimp, veggies and others. 

You can find specialty gyoza in places that incorporate local ingredients and unique flavours into this staple Japanese dish. One example is matcha gyoza wrappers made in Kyoto. 

They are typically pan-fried and served with a dipping sauce from a street stall or at a market. Gyoza are some of the most consumed foods in Japan along with sushi, ramen and curry rice, and are especially popular with budget travelers.

10. Takoyaki (たこ焼き)

Takoyaki is the Japanese term for “octopus grilled/fried,” and they are a very popular yatai (or street food) snack that originated as a street food snack in Osaka. Takoyaki are made from a wheat and dashi stock batter, similar to okonomiyaki. The batter is filled with octopus, tempura scraps, pickled ginger and green onions and cooked in a special cast-iron pan that gives them their perfectly round shape. These  octopus balls  are typically served topped with takoyaki sauce and bonito flakes.

You can find Takoyaki balls in many street markets across Japan, particularly during festivals.

11. Chawanmushi (茶碗蒸し)

Chawanmushi literally means “tea cup steam” or “steamed in a tea bowl,” making it an incredibly unique Japanese food. It’s an  egg custard dish  that is savoury rather than sweet and is made with a few simple ingredients: dashi, eggs, soy sauce, and mirin. It’s sometimes garnished with shrimp, mushrooms or ginkgo nuts.

Chawanmushi can be served hot, warm, or cold and is one of the few meals in Japanese cuisine that is traditionally consumed with a spoon.

12. Katsudon (カツ丼)

Katsudon is a popular,  simple rice dish  that is a safe bet when ordering at a restaurant. It consists of a bowl of steamed rice, topped with a breaded and deep-fried pork cutlet ( tonkatsu ), along with an egg, vegetables like sauteed onion, and a sweet and savoury sauce. It’s an easy meal that you could replicate at home to remind you of the food in Japan.

13. Oden (おでん)

Oden is a type of nabemono or  hot pot dish. It consists of several ingredients, such as boiled eggs, daikon radish, and fish cakes stewed in a soy-flavored dashi broth. It’s a classic winter hot pot dish and a family favourite for the colder months. It’s usually served in a donabe clay pot and shared with family and friends.

14. Sukiyaki (すき焼き)

Another of the comforting hot pot dishes in Japan is sukiyaki. It consists of thinly sliced beef that is cooked or simmered in a shallow cast-iron pan alongside vegetables such as onions, mushrooms, Chinese cabbage, and tofu.

A sweet soy sauce is used to marinate the meat and vegetables, and noodles are often added at the end to mop up the remaining liquid. A range of noodles are added depending on regional varieties, including vermicelli noodles, udon noodles, and shirataki (konnyaku noodles). The dish is cooked at your table over a small gas burner, with diners taking the food directly from the pot.

15. Mochi 

We’ve kept this list focused on savoury dishes only, but it would be a crime not to add the sweet, squishy dessert called mochi to this list of best Japanese foods.

Mochi is made from glutinous rice pounded into a sticky, chewy consistency. Sweet mochi can be filled with red bean paste, ice cream, or fruit, adding a diverse flavour to this simple treat.

So there you have it – a mouthwatering list of our favourite Japanese dishes. It may seem overwhelming at first, but we guarantee – you’ll be able to try and most likely enjoy them all during your time in Japan. 

In our family, we have a rule – you don’t have to eat it, but you have to try it! 

We hope you give all of these a try! 

About The Author

Oksana & Max St John

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Traditional Japanese Food: 20 Dishes You Can Try in Japan or At Home

Written By: ThePlanetD Team

Updated On: February 19, 2024

Whether you’re  visiting Japan  or trying to mix things up in your own kitchen, you should get familiar with Japanese cooking.  Traditional Japanese food uses many staple ingredients that are unusual in Western cuisine. If you’re looking to try some rich new flavors, Japan is the perfect place to start! 

Table of Contents

20 Traditional Japanese Foods

When visiting Japan, we found that dining out was not just about filling our bellies, it was an experience. Our meals could last for hours spanning 16 courses of delicious cuisine. The Japanese take eating seriously. Dining out almost feels like a ceremony where you are brought incredible displays of food that are meticulously arranged. When traveling to Japan, ordering food can be a bit intimidating so we are here to help you know what foods to keep an eye out for so you can try them in their most authentic forms. 

Keep reading, and we’ll tell you all about 20 Japanese dishes that you should try at home or abroad. 

Sushi is now one of the most iconic Japanese dishes, but it actually  originated in China in the 1st or second century BC and was known as narezushi. Contrary to popular belief, Sushi does not mean raw fish, it actually means sour rice. Sushi refers to any dish made with sushi rice (sour rice) accompanied with egg, vegetables, or fish.

There are a few common types of sushi that you’ve probably had if you’ve ever gone to a Japanese restaurant. These types include fillings inside rice wrapped in nori, bite-size lumps of rice with a single piece of raw fish on top, and sushi rice inside a pocket of fried tofu. When eating sushi, you’ll be surprised to find out that it is not the fish that is the most important ingredient, it is actually the sushi rice that makes the meal.

We find making Sushi at home really easy. Get yourself a bamboo mat, seaweed sheets, and sushi rice – all readily available at the grocery store and then fill it with anything from cucumber to avocado and salmon to tuna. Here are some great recipes to follow when making sushi at home.

Sashimi is also a common menu item at American sushi restaurants. Sashimi is delicately sliced, fresh, raw fish served with pickled ginger, radish, wasabi, and soy sauce. Although some sushi contains raw fish, sashimi is different from sushi because it is not served with rice. Sashimi is actually the raw fish dish many think of as sushi.

3. Gyoza (Fried Dumplings)

If you’re looking for a taste of Japanese cuisine at home, look no further than Gyoza! These fried dumplings are easy to prepare at home and make a great appetizer. They can also serve as a main course alongside fried rice or noodles. Gyoza are dumplings (usually filled with pork and vegetables), fried in a pan until crisp and then steamed to finish cooking. Serve them with soy sauce for dipping! You can make your own Gyoza at home with this recipe.

Onigiri is portable Japanese snack food. Onigiri is made of rice with a filling inside, shaped into a triangular shape, and placed in a piece of nori for convenient carrying.  Common onigiri fillings include teriyaki chicken, seaweed, and tuna mayonnaise. In Japan, onigiri is usually sold in convenience stores as a cheap and tasty snack; but, it is one of the easiest Japanese foods to make at home! We seriously picked up Onigiri in a 7-Eleven!

5. Natto Rice Bowl

In Japan, the same kinds of foods are often eaten for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The main difference between breakfast and other meals is light preparation and smaller portions. One of the most common breakfasts in Japan is the natto rice bowl. Natto is made of fermented soybeans, and it has a savory and salty flavor that tastes great over rice. 

6. Fluffy Japanese Pancakes

If soybeans aren’t your style and you’re looking for a traditional breakfast fix, you can whip up these  ultra-fluffy Japanese pancakes  at home.  You can make fluffy Japanese pancakes at home by using a hand mixer to beat your egg whites until they’re stiff.  The result will be a stack of the tallest, most jiggly pancakes you’ve ever had! Serve them with butter and syrup or honey. 

7. Yakitori (Chicken Skewers)

Yakitori means “barbecue chicken” in Japanese. Yakitori is a popular street food that you can find on any corner in Japanese cities. Before they’re grilled, these chicken skewers are brushed with a sauce made of mirin, sake, soy sauce, and sugar. You can pick one up as a quick snack or serve them with rice and vegetables as your main course.

8. Miso Soup

The Japanese eat miso soup alongside almost every meal. Miso broth is made from fermented soybeans and dashi broth. Miso soup often contains tofu, seaweed, and green onions. It’s common for Japanese people to heat up miso soup from the night before and eat it alongside their breakfast. Give that a try next time you’re craving a warm start to your day! We use this Miso soup Recipe all the time.

Ramen is one of the most well-known Japanese recipes. On a cold winter day, nothing is more comforting than a bowl of warm broth, thick noodles, and vegetables. If you’re a fan of instant ramen, you can always update your next bowl with soy sauce, chili paste, green onions, a soft-boiled egg, and any other toppings you want. If you are looking for a good Ramen recipe this one is delicious!

10. Kashipan (Sweet Bread)

Bakeries are everywhere in Japan, and Kashipan is one of their most popular snacks. Kashipan is a sweet bun, sometimes baked with cookie dough on top or sweet bean paste inside. 

Enjoy Japanese Food Safely with Celiac Cards

Are you Celiac or have a gluten intolerance? Our friend Jodi at Legal Nomads has created detailed gluten-free cards that have been translated into Japanese by native speakers. These cards were created to help people with celiac disease travel in Japan safely. Carry them with you and show them to restaurants and staff to ensure they understand your food requirements. Get more details and Purchase your gluten free Japan card here for just $8.99

11. Yakisoba (Stir-Fried Noodles)

You can find yakisoba at any street festival in Japan. This fried noodle dish is made with barbecued noodles, pork, cabbage, and other vegetables. You can make your own version of yakisoba at home in a large frying pan or wok. This dish is full of rich flavor and is easy to make; just throw everything in one pan and let it sizzle!

12. Japanese Curry

Japanese curry is quite different from the Indian curries that you might be familiar with. Japanese curry has a sweet flavor and is prepared like a stew; meat and vegetables are cooked together with a curry paste that acts as a thickening agent. 

Japanese curry is quite easy to make at home, especially if you can get your hands on some premade curry paste.

13. Nikujaga (Meat and Potatoes)

Roasted meat and potatoes are the backbones of many types of western cuisine. However, did you know that the Japanese have their own version of this dish?

Nikujaga is a meat and potato stew made with soy sauce, mirin, sake, and sugar. Nikujaga is a common household meal, and the best way to try it in Japan is to score an invite to a local’s home for dinner. 

14. Takoyaki (Fried Octopus)

You  don’t have to speak Japanese  fluently to order Japanese food; but, when you ask for takoyaki, make sure you know you’re getting octopus. 

Even though octopus isn’t a common snack in the U.S., don’t be afraid to try this delicious street food. The perfect way to try new food is smothered in batter, fried, and topped with seaweed and mayo.  

15. Sukiyaki Hot Pot

Hot pot is the ultimate comfort food for a cold day. Sukiyaki uses a broth made of mirin, sake, soy sauce, and sugar. Pour this rich broth over seared beef and vegetables. 

Sukiyaki means, “cook what you like.” You can make your own version of a Japanese hot pot at home with whatever vegetables and proteins you want!

16. Tonkatsu (Pork Cutlets)

Europeans have introduced the Japanese to a number of western foods. Over time, Japanese cooks have made these dishes entirely their own, giving birth to new staple foods. 

Tonkatsu pork cutlets are an example of this. These crispy-fried tenders look a lot like chicken strips; only they’re made with juicy, flavorful pork and served with crisp cabbage. 

Fun fact: the Japanese word for European-introduced foods, such as tonkatsu, is “yoshoku.”

17. Tempura

Speaking of fried snacks, everyone should try tempura at least once in their lives. You can find all kinds of tempura on the menu at most Japanese restaurants; shrimp, chicken, vegetables, tofu, and more. 

You can also make tempura batter relatively easily at home! Always serve tempura-fried foods with soy sauce for a crisp, balanced flavor.

18. Udon Noodle Soup

Udon noodles are a Japanese staple. These noodles are made from wheat flour and have a slightly chewy texture (perfect for slurping up from chopsticks). 

The most common way to eat udon noodles is in udon noodle soup. You can top your soup with fried tofu, tempura-fried veggies, or anything else your heart desires.

19. Soba (Buckwheat Noodles)

Another staple noodle in Japan is the soba noodle. Soba noodles are always made with buckwheat flour, which gives them a unique, subtly nutty flavor. 

Soba noodles pair well with strong flavors like garlic, sesame oil, or chili.

20. Okonomiyaki (Savory Pancake)

Have you ever been to a dim sum restaurant and had a scallion pancake? Okonomiyaki is the Japanese version of the savory pancake.  Okonomiyaki is made with cabbage, batter, and any other ingredients you wish. 

In Japan, it is easy to find restaurants that specialize in okonomiyaki. You can also make this pan-fried dish easily in your own kitchen!

Try Traditional Japanese Food at Home or Abroad

Learning how to cook traditional Japanese food at home is easier than you might think! Give one of these dishes a try next time you’re out of dinner ideas.

Check out our Japan Travel Guide if you’re interested in trying these dishes (and much more) in Japan! Traveling across the world is a breeze with our expert tips and travel guides.

Plan your Trip to Japan with these Resources

• 50 Awesome Things to do in Tokyo, Japan
• 9 Amazing Day Trips from Tokyo, Japan
• Mind-Blowing Facts about Japan
• Japanese Ryokan – Our Stay in a Traditional Inn
• 7 Unique Japanese New Year Traditions
• Places to Visit in Kyoto – My Favorite City in Japan
• Complete Nikko Japan Travel Guide – 18 Things to do and Places to See
• 22 Best Things To Do In Osaka, Japan

The 20 Best Things to Do in Kyoto, Japan

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Find Apartment Rentals: You will find the cheapest prices on apartment rentals with VRBO . 

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2 thoughts on “Traditional Japanese Food: 20 Dishes You Can Try in Japan or At Home”

Thanks for sharing this worth reading blog. No doubt Sushi is one of the most popular Japanese cuisines. Although, there many wonderful recipes that you can find in various Japanese restaurants and also can make in your home.

I had taste of sushi in one of the Japanese restaurants in cantonment and it was really great. I really personally recommend it to others as well to try it.

Boutique Japan

Japanese Food: Culinary Travel in Japan

If you’re planning a trip to Japan, chances are that Japanese food is one of the things you’re most excited about (whether or not you refer to yourself as a “foodie”).

Japan is a wonderful destination for so many reasons , including its history, tradition, culture, and arts. But for most of our travelers, Japanese cuisine alone is reason enough to visit.

In the years since our team started Boutique Japan, we’ve watched Japan go from being slightly under the radar — hard to believe now! — to becoming one of the world’s top culinary meccas, as food-loving travelers worldwide have discovered that Japanese cuisine is much more than sushi and ramen (so much so that even foodie honeymoons to Japan have become popular).

If you’ve never visited, chances are you’ve only begun to scratch the surface when it comes to the astounding diversity of foods available in Japan. So to help you enjoy a delightful range of Japanese culinary experiences, both “high” and “low,” we’ve compiled the following:

• Japanese Culinary Experiences : A sampling of some of our favorite types of culinary experiences in Japan.
• What to Eat in Japan : A handy list of Japanese foods to eat during your trip to Japan (and a few “infamous” dishes many visitors find challenging).
• The Best Websites on Japanese Food and Drink : A short list of the best websites dedicated to Japanese cuisine, including sites devoted to everything from street food and Michelin-starred restaurants, to Japanese whisky and coffee.

Originally written in 2014, this page was updated and republished in August 2021.

Japanese Culinary Experiences

Below are some of our favorite types of culinary experiences in Japan, though they represent just a sampling of what you’ll discover as you travel around the country!

Private Market Tours in Japan

Visiting a Japanese market with a local expert is one of the best way to immerse yourself in Japan’s culinary culture. Whether you want to visit a famous market, or even a neighborhood grocery store, a private food tour is a great way to get beneath the surface – and of course your guide will have expert insights on where to eat afterwards!

Perhaps Japan’s best-known market is Tokyo’s Tsukiji Market , a must-visit if you are eager to learn about Japanese food. In Kyoto, the best place to immerse yourself in Kyo-ryori (Kyoto cuisine), is at Nishiki Market, a long and narrow shopping arcade packed full of vendors selling a beautiful array of Kyoto’s culinary specialties .

Another unique culinary experience we highly recommend is a visit to a department store food hall, known as depachika . Japan’s department stores are a foodie paradise, offering a mouthwatering selection of sweet and savory, Japanese and foreign, and more food than you could possibly hope to ever sample.

Sushi in Japan

For many travelers, eating sushi in Japan is at the top of the list. Modern-day sushi’s roots are in Tokyo, and for a quintessential sushi experience get counter seats for a special dinner at one of Tokyo’s best sushi-ya . You’ll also find top-quality sushi and sashimi in many other parts of Japan, including Kanazawa , Hokkaido, Fukuoka, and Toyama.

Even if your budget doesn’t allow for extravagance, you can find good sushi at neighborhood sushi shops, depachika food halls, and even kaiten-zushi (“conveyor belt”) restaurants.

Kaiseki Cuisine

Kaiseki is Japanese cuisine in what is often considered its most refined form. A kaiseki meal consists of course upon course of masterfully-prepared dishes featuring seasonal and local specialties.

A stay at a luxury ryokan usually includes a kaiseki dinner – often served in your room, or in a private dining room overlooking a small Japanese garden. Even if you’re not staying in a ryokan during your Japan trip , restaurants specializing in kaiseki cuisine abound, particularly in cities such as Kyoto and Tokyo.

Izakaya , Tachinomiya , and Street Food in Japan

Japan is far from all haute cuisine, and some of your best meals will likely be some of the most casual. While you can experience these without a guide, a local expert can heighten the experience. Not only can your private guide take you to hard-to-find “hidden” establishments, they will also be able to interpret, as most lack English menus or English speakers.

Izakayas in Japan

One of the quintessential Japanese dining experiences, see our full article on the izakaya experience in Japan .

Tachinomi: Stand Bars

At izakaya, the focus is equally on eating and drinking. For an even more casual and drinks-focused experience, head to a tachinomiya . Tachinomiya ( tachi means stand, nomi means drink) are “stand bars,” where you can really rub shoulders with locals. These casual bars can be found throughout Japan, and are a great place to strike up a conversation with locals over reasonably-priced drinks and unpretentious Japanese bar food.

Street Food in Japan

In Japan, street food is generally not as prevalent as in other countries in the region. However, there are some cities — such as Osaka and Fukuoka — with thriving street food cultures. You’ll also always find great street food at Japanese matsuri (festivals) , when colorful food stalls line the streets.

Fine Dining and Michelin in Japan

The Michelin Guide is controversial in Japan. While many in Japan embrace it, some chefs and critics denounce it as a foreign standard being imposed on Japanese cuisine.

No matter your stance, one thing is certain: Japan is home to more Michelin-starred restaurants than any other country in the world — and when Japanese critics and Michelin inspectors agree on a restaurant, you can usually be assured of a remarkable culinary experience.

Dinner with a Geisha or Maiko

When done in an authentic, non-touristy manner, the chance to enjoy tea or dinner with a geisha or maiko (apprentice geisha) is a fascinating cultural experience. Kyoto , with its thriving geisha culture, can be a good place to do this, but it’s also possible in other cities such as Kanazawa, and even Tokyo.

Cooking Lessons in Japan

Taking a private Japanese cooking class is a great way to learn more about Japanese ingredients, while adding some recipes to your repertoire. You can learn highly authentic dishes, or a mix of authentic and slightly-adapted dishes to ensure you can re-create the recipes using ingredients available to you in your home country.

Sake Tasting and Breweries

Most people don’t realize how complex and delicious nihonshu (sake) really is. Going on a private tour with a local sake expert is the best way to learn about different varieties of sake, through tastings and explanations.

In many parts of Japan you can also visit a shuzo (sake brewery). During a brewery tour you’ll have the opportunity to see where and how sake is made, and the chance to ask all the questions you might have.

Other Countries’ Cuisines

Japan is home to some of the world’s best French, Italian, and Chinese restaurants (not to mention excellent Thai, Korean, and Indian restaurants). While most travelers understandably prefer to focus on Japanese food while in Japan, in larger Japanese cities it’s worth seeking out a top-notch non-Japanese meal.

What to Eat in Japan: Foods to Try

As you embark on the culinary experiences described above, you’ll have the chance to sample a huge variety of Japanese foods. Here is a list of foods we recommend trying during your trip Japan, along with a few some travelers choose to avoid!

(If you have special dietary needs, see our article on traveling to Japan with dietary requirements ).

• Bento : Few things are as pleasant as enjoying a gorgeous seasonal ekiben (bento box designed for train travel) while riding the shinkansen (bullet train ).
• Croissant : As those who already know are well aware, the quality of bread and pastries in Japan is simply amazing.
• Curry : While not spicy like the curries of many other countries, there’s nothing more comforting than a made-from-scratch Japanese curry.
• Fruit : Square watermelons aside, it’s seriously worth splurging on some high-end Japanese fruit, and one of the best places to do so is at a depachika .
• Gyoza : Dumpling heaven.
• Karaage : Japan’s mouthwatering take on fried chicken.
• Katsuobushi : Some travelers resist the ubiquitous bonito fish flakes, but those who love them do so with a passion. They’re served on top of a variety of foods, including tofu and takoyaki .
• Kushi-katsu : Deep-fried skewered meats and vegetables.
• Mabo-dofu : The Japanese take on Sichuan’s mapo tofu , this spicy tofu-focused dish is rich and addictive.
• Miso : Whether in miso shiru (miso soup) or on its own, authentic Japanese miso is leaps and bounds better than what most people find in their home countries.
• Nabe : Nabe literally means “pot,” and the food — a family-style hotpot featuring ingredients that can include vegetables, meat, and seafood — is one of our favorite things to eat in winter .
• Niku-man : Chinese-style meat buns often found at convenience stores , but better at depachika and shops specializing in buns and dumplings.
• Niku-jaga : A stew featuring beef and potatoes that is a national home-cooked favorite.
• Oden : Oden features a variety of ingredients (daikon, egg, fish cakes, and more) slow-cooked in a dashi-based broth. Specialty shops are usually best, but in winter oden also appears on izakaya menus and — like niku-man above — is even available at conbini .
• Okonomiyaki : An essential casual specialty of western Japan, okonomiyaki is one of the richer and heavier foods you’ll try in Japan. Read more about this famous dish in our full post on foods to eat in Osaka (it’s also particularly famous in Hiroshima ).
• Onigiri : One of the world’s most perfect snack foods, onigiri are triangle-shaped rice balls that can be prepared simply or filled with goodies (such as fish or umeboshi ).
• Ramen : One of the country’s most famous foods, see our full article on ramen in Japan .
• Rice : Rice is an obsession in Japan, and diners seek out famous varieties from Japan’s best rice regions (but even “average” rice in Japan is fantastic).

• Saba : Grilled mackerel, a simple classic you’ll find on the menus at most izakayas and neighborhood shokudo (cafeterias).
• Shabu Shabu : A famous variety of nabe (see above), meat is the star of shabu shabu (the name of the food refers to the sound of stirring the meat and vegetables in the hotpot).
• Shishamo : A drinking person’s favorite, these almost bite-sized grilled smelt fish are served whole and filled with roe. “Real” shishamo come from Hokkaido, but these days in most places they’re imported.
• Shojin Ryori : Traditional Buddhist cuisine, some of the best vegetarian food you’ll ever have, is one of the highlights of staying at a temple (in places such as Koyasan ), and can also be found in cities such as Kyoto.
• Soba : Made from buckwheat, and generally considered to be the healthiest of Japan’s three major noodles (along with ramen and udon), seek out te-uchi (handmade) soba.
• Sushi : For more on Japan’s most famous food, see the sushi section above under Japanese Culinary Experiences .
• Tamago Sando : One of Japan’s most iconic convenience store foods, the egg ( tamago ) sandwich is considered an essential for many food-loving travelers.
• Takoyaki : Sometimes called “octopus balls,” these bite-sized balls filled with octopus ( tako ) are a street food staple in Osaka, but also found throughout much of Japan.
• Tempura : The quality of this famous dish in Japan, particularly at high-end tempura restaurants, may blow your mind.
• Tofu : Fresh tofu in Japan is shockingly good, particularly compared to what most visitors are used to outside of Japan.
• Tonkatsu : Breaded and deep-fried pork cutlet, typically served with shredded cabbage, tsukemono , rice, and miso soup.
• Tsukemono : Japanese pickles, which pair perfectly with white rice, and are also delicious on their own. An integral part of Japanese cuisine, you’ll find tsukemono throughout the country, but Kyoto’s are perhaps the most revered.
• Umeboshi : Ume is often translated as “plum,” but most people consider apricot to be more accurate. Umeboshi — pickled ume — are incredibly sour, healthy, and to those of us who love them, irresistible.
• Wasabi : Freshly grated wasabi bears almost no resemblance to what you’ve likely tasted at sushi restaurants outside of Japan.
• Yakiniku : The Japanese take on Korean barbecue, featuring a variety of grilled beef.
• Yakitori : Legendary grilled skewers of chicken.

Hopefully this will get you started! There are far more to try as well, and the great news is that you can find almost all of these foods (and many others) in almost any Japanese city.

Japanese Foods To Avoid?

You’ll probably have more fun — not to mention memorable experiences! — if you keep an “open palate,” but just for reference here are some foods that many non-Japanese are often wary of, at least at first:

• Natto : Perhaps Japan’s most “infamous” food, natto is made from fermented soybeans and is notorious for its pungent smell and sticky texture.
• Chicken and horse sashimi : In a country as hygienic as Japan, both of these are considered safe (and, to many, delicious). However, despite their domestic popularity, many non-Japanese people seem to steer clear of them.
• Horumon : This offal-based cuisine is very popular in Japan, and is considered great “drinking” food. While it may be perfect for Anthony Bourdain- esque eaters, it’s not always a hit with less adventurous diners.
• Fugu : Fugu is poisonous pufferfish (sometimes called blowfish), and can be deadly. Even though it’s strictly controlled and generally considered safe “enough” at established fugu restaurants, a handful of people still die every year from consuming it.
• Shirako : Shirako (cod milt, i.e., sperm sacs) is a delicacy in Japan, and a favorite of sake enthusiasts and adventurous diners.

The Best Websites on Japanese Food and Drink

Finally, in case you want to go down the rabbit hole, we’ve compiled what we believe are the best Japanese food and drink websites and pages from around the internet.

Unless you’re a professional eater (we know some of you are), we strongly recommend against trying to plan all your meals in advance. We’re all for obsessive preparation in general (our  trip-planning  depends on it), but we’ve also seen countless ambitious diners craving a simple meal after one too many “special” reservations — and keep in mind that canceling is a major breach of dining etiquette .

As for casual meals, while you can certainly pre-plan some, many informal restaurants don’t take reservations. The good news is that (outside of hyper-touristy areas) it’s hard to find a bad meal in Japan, and the quality of food is extremely high across the board.

So if you’re set on making some reservations, our suggestion would be to use the resources below to plan them, while also letting yourself experience how wonderful Japan can be with a little flexibility.

Best Websites on Japanese Cuisine

• Tabelog Award : Want to know where Japanese people eat? Tabelog is Japan’s preeminent ranking and review site for restaurants, and an incredible resource. It’s safe to say any restaurant on their Gold, Silver, or Bronze list will be worthwhile. You can also use the site to deep dive for other restaurants. When searching, make sure to toggle the sort function to “ranking.” Also, keep in mind that Japanese people are “stricter” in reviews, so a 3.0 out of 5 is actually pretty good, a 3.5 is generally very good, and 4.0 usually means a place is stellar.
• The Hungry Tourist : Our friend The Hungry Tourist is serious about food. While his list of Japan’s best restaurants doesn’t contain much fluff, you can essentially bet that any place included on his list will be worth dining at.
• Michelin Guide Japan : As alluded to above (under Fine Dining and Michelin in Japan ), the Michelin Guide is not necessarily the be-all and end-all it’s sometimes made out to be, but it can still be a fantastic resource, and at the very least a good starting point for diners seeking top-quality dining experiences in Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, and beyond.
• TableAll : There are many reservation services that have popped up in recent years to help travelers make dining reservations in Japan, perhaps none better than TableAll. To complement its relatively reasonable and easy-to-use reservation service, the website also features excellent features on the chefs and restaurants it works with throughout Japan. TableAll is a fun place to go down the rabbit hole – and you may find yourself making an impulse reservation at one of Japan’s best restaurants! (Especially for travelers who don’t have access to the concierge at a luxury hotel or ryokan , services like TableAll and its competitor Pocket Concierge can really help.)
• Eater Japan : At times, Eater can feel like a content farm, but they do tend to work with good writers, and their listicles featuring 38 Essential Tokyo Restaurants and 38 Essential Osaka Restaurants are both full of great dining inspiration.
• Ramen Adventures : For ramen lovers, there is perhaps no better resource on ramen throughout Japan. Brian of Ramen Adventures is truly a hardcore ramen enthusiast, riding his motorcycle throughout Japan in search of obscure and amazing bowls. Another great ramen resource is Ramen Beast , which offers a free app (as well as an outstanding and fascinating ramen-obsessed newsletter via Substack ).
• Tokyo Food File : Robbie Swinnerton offers some of the most interesting, informative, and enjoyable English-language writing on Tokyo’s ever-evolving food scene. His articles in The Japan Times feature a wide range of restaurants, from casual izakayas to top-end fine-dining establishments.
• LuxEat : A beautiful website devoted to mostly high-end gastronomic explorations in Japan (and beyond).
• Food Sake Tokyo : Perennially one of our favorite writers on Japanese culinary culture, the insightful Yukari Sakamoto tends to update her Instagram more than her blog these days, but regardless both are a joy to peruse.
• Andrea Fazzari : The blog of James Beard Award-winning photographer Andrea Fazzari gives you a taste of what you can expect from her magnificent books on Japanese chefs and cuisine.
• Takefumi Hamada : The Instagram feed of this extraordinarily well-traveled diner is worth a trip down the rabbit hole for bountiful culinary inspiration in Japan and beyond.
• Roads & Kingdoms Guide to Tokyo : We’re always fans of Roads & Kingdoms work, and this mini-guide to Tokyo is a fun read. For more from the R&K team, make sure to check out Rice, Noodle, Fish (one of our absolute favorite books on Japanese cuisine ).

Along with the great resources above, also make sure to see our articles on Tokyo’s best sushi restaurants , foods to eat in Kyoto , foods to eat in Osaka , and foods to eat in Fukuoka .

Resources for Travelers to Japan with Special Dietary Needs

• Happy Cow : Vegan and vegetarian restaurants in Japan.
• Gluten Free Japan : Guide to eating gluten free in Japan.
• Traveling around Japan with Dietary Restrictions : A post from our site for travelers with dietary restrictions.

Best Websites for Bars and Drinking in Japan

• PUNCH : The PUNCH guide to drinking in Tokyo.
• Kanpai Culture : Melinda Joe’s excellent column in The Japan Times on drinking in Tokyo.
• Dekanta : Highly informative blog on Japanese whisky.
• Urban Sake : Comprehensive sake-focused website.
• Sake  / Shochu  / Whisky : Our introductions to these essential Japanese beverages.

Online Resources for Tea and Coffee in Japan

• Japanese Tea : An overview of tea in Japan.
• Tea in Kyoto : A selection of teahouses in Kyoto.
• Good Coffee : Lists of great coffee shops in Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, and beyond.
• Tokyo Coffee : Guide to specialty coffee in Tokyo.
• Coffee  / Tea : Our introductions to coffee and tea in Japan.

We hope our comprehensive introduction to Japanese food helps you get the most out of your culinary travels through Japan!

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Beginner’s Guide to Food in Japan for tourists

01/23/2024 By Traveling Canucks 4 Comments Categories: Food Home Japan Kobe Kyoto Tokyo Travel Tips

Beginners Guide to Food in Japan for first time visitors

Japan’s unique and diverse cuisine can be intimidating for first time visitors. Unadventurous eaters might experience a little anxiety when thinking about ordering Japanese food in Tokyo for the very first time. If you find yourself in this category, we’ve got you covered with this beginners guide to food in Japan. 

We would argue that food is the reason to visit Japan.

However, for those unfamiliar with Japanese food culture, the idea of eating at restaurants in Japan might feel daunting. What do you order? How do you order? Do you tip in Japan? I remember feeling quite confused on our first trip to Japan; not being able to read Japanese characters didn’t help.

Thankfully, it didn’t take long before we started to feel comfortable. 

We quickly turned our anxiety into curiousity. Sure, we sampled a few items that we will likely not order again (I’m talking to you, horumonyaki ), but we also discovered new foods and flavours that have forever changed our palate.  

Most restaurants in high traffic areas will have food photos on the menu, plastic replicas in the windows, and/or English menus; so you’ll be fine even if you can’t read, speak or understand Japanese. 

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Table of Contents

Readers note – we visited Japan prior to the Covid-19 pandemic. We recommend you do further research before your trip to Japan. Some of the Japan restaurants referenced in this blog post may have paused service, which might impact some recommendations.

Visit the Japan travel advisory for coronavirus updates here .

Read more posts from Japan

• 25 Japan travel tips for first timers
• 50 Photos of Kyoto that will inspire you to visit  
• The perfect 3 day Tokyo itinerary for first time visitors
• 100 Photos of Tokyo Disneyland, Japan
• 15 things to do in Kobe, Japan

Let’s start with the most popular food in Japan for tourists

Given that this post is written with the first time visitor in mind, let’s start with the most popular Japanese cuisine for tourists. Below is a detailed list of Japanese food you should try in Japan. 

1. Sushi 

Sushi is arguably the most famous food in japan. at least, it is for tourists. .

Without question, sushi is a big part of Japanese cuisine. You will find a variety of sushi shops in Japan, so you will have plenty of options.

If you’re not familiar with sushi, the thought of eating raw fish wrapped in thin sheets of seaweed might feel completely foreign and unsettling. You might even think that eating sushi is a big stretch for you. That’s okay, you’re not alone. 

I think most people remember the first time they tried raw fish.

I know I do. It was a tuna sushi roll (tekka maki) at a small Japanese restaurant in North Vancouver. I had a mental block that prevented me from embracing the concept of raw fish. I wasn’t a fan of the texture or flavour, but it wasn’t as bad as I had built it up in my mind.

Now, years later, I can’t get enough sushi. I’m pretty sure we eat sushi at least once per week.

As one might expect, sushi tastes better in Japan. The fish is fresh and tasty and the sushi is prepared with a meticulous precision. 

Travel tip – visit a Japanese restaurant in your hometown before you travel to Japan. Familiarize yourself with the menu and sample a few items. Let your curiousity run wild. This way, you have the advantage of reading the menu in English. Once you’ve seen and tried a few items, you’ll be much more comfortable with the food in Japan.

What sushi should you try first?

Sushi refers to any dish made with Japanese rice that’s seasoned with rice vinegar.

Sushi rolls are called maki or makizushi. Fresh fish and/or vegetables are wrapped with Japanese rice and a dried seaweed sheet (nori). The most common sushi rolls in Japan are salmon rolls, tuna rolls (tekka maki), unagi (freshwater eel), cucumber (kappa maki), f ermented soybean (Natto Maki) and f utomaki sushi rolls. 

Here is list of useful sushi terms you should know before your visit to Japan.

Nigiri sushi are bite-sized mounds of sushi rice topped with slices of raw fish. The most popular nigiri sushi are sliced tuna, salmon, freshwater eel, squid and prawn. However, there are endless types of nigiri sushi available at Japanese sushi restaurants.   

If you’re unsure about sushi and you want to ease in slowly, we recommend trying a non-fish sushi roll first, like cucumber, avocado, mushroom or egg (tamagoyaki).

Fun fact – California rolls and Dynamite Rolls are popular in North America, but not in Japan. Some Japanese restaurants in touristy areas will have these Westernized rolls on the menu, but most will not. These “safer” rolls are a good introduction to sushi because they do not have raw fish, but don’t expect to find these sushi rolls in Japan.

Conveyor belt sushi in Japan – Kaiten Sushi

A fun way to sample a variety of sushi is visiting a conveyor belt sushi restaurant, also called rotation sushi, sushi train and kaiten sushi . You may have seen or read about these innovative sushi restaurants during your research about Japanese food.

Basically, a conveyor belt transports small plates of various sushi around the restaurant. Typically, the conveyor belt passes beside tables or booths, or in front of a sushi bar, like the one pictured above.

Each item has a different price, which is identified by the colour or pattern on the plate. For example, the red plates might be 200 Yen each. If you see something you like, pick it up from the conveyor belt and enjoy. At the end of your meal, you add up the plates and pay for what you took from the conveyor belt. 

We visited a few kaiten-zushi restaurants in Tokyo and Kyoto. They’re great. Not only does the sushi come out quickly, you can actually see the items as they pass your table. This is ideal for first timers who are nervous about trying raw fish for the first time.

And, you don’t need to worry about over-ordering, or under-ordering. The small bites allow you to pace yourself and try some items you might not have it you were to order from a menu.

Here’s an updated list of Conveyor Belt Sushi Restaurants in Tokyo.

Most conveyor belt sushi restaurants in Japan have tablets at the table (see above photo). If you don’t see items you like on the conveyor belt, or you would like to order hot food items, you simply click the photos and place your order on the tablet.

Most tablet menus have an English option. This is helpful if you have specific items in mind. 

Above – a small plate of nigiri sushi at a kaiten sushi restaurant in Tokyo Japan.

The above photo is a platter of various nigiri sushi.

Each piece of nigiri sushi a work of edible art. In the middle of the platter is chopped raw tuna belly served on rice. The big yellow sushi is tamago nigiri, which is a sweet folded omelet wrapped with seaweed.

Related post – Japan travel tips for first time visitors.

You can also order sushi cones, like in the above photo. These can get messy if you’re not careful. However, it’s one of our favourite food in Japan. 

How to eat Sushi in Japan

We eat sushi often in Vancouver . At least once per week. We thought we knew the correct way to eat sushi, but we were wrong. How did we not know this before travelling to Japan? 

Here’s an etiquette guide for  how to eat sushi the correct way . 

Apparently, the golden rules of eating sushi in Japan are:

• do not stick your chopsticks upright in the rice
• do not cut a piece of sushi in half with your chopsticks
• don’t mix wasabi in your soy sauce

There are a lot of things to know when it comes to Japanese culture. Most people will forgive foreigners for not knowing or understanding proper Japanese etiquette and customs, provided you’re respectful, quiet and polite. So, if you want to mix up your wasabi and soy sauce, do it subtly and don’t be surprised if the sushi chef rolls his eyes at you.

Related – Japan travel tips you should know before you go

What is your favourite Japanese cuisine? Leave a comment below.

Sashimi is a Japanese delicacy that consists of thinly sliced raw fish, typically salmon, fatty tuna, yellowtail, mackerel, scallop and squid. You will also find sashimi-style meat, like chicken and beef.

Typically, sashimi is served plain and you dip the raw fish slices in soy sauce. However, some types of sashimi are served with a spicy sauce on top (example = spicy tuna sashimi).

What is the difference between sushi and sashimi? 

There are a lot of similarities between sushi and sashimi. Some nigiri sushi, like the ones pictured above, have a strip of raw fish resting on a mound of Japanese rice. Same goes for some sushi rolls, like tekka maki (tuna), where the sushi roll is filled with slices of raw fish, which is basically sashimi. 

In the above photo, the sashimi is located in the top dish. You can see the similarities between sashimi and nigiri sushi – the slices of fish on the nigiri sushi are so big that you actually can’t see the rice underneath.

Kaisendon traditional set menu

Kaisendon is a   Japanese dish that consists of white rice and raw sashimi, such as prawns, octopus, squid, salmon, white fish, crab meat, egg, and sea urchin roes. It is often served with a traditional set menu (above photo). 

In the covered brown bowl is miso soup, which is commonly served at Japanese restaurants. 

The white bowl on the top right of the plate is chawanmushi , a steamed egg custard filled with meats and vegetables (including chicken, mushrooms, gingko nuts, kamaboko fish cakes, and carrots). 

Other items typically found in a Japanese set menu are steamed vegetables, pickled vegetables, tempura (see below), salad, sushi rolls and/or a sweet desert like matcha cupcakes.

3. Tempura 

Tempura is one of the most popular Japanese dishes in Japan. It’s a simple dish that consists of battered and deep fried seafood, meat and/or vegetables, served with a special dipping sauce called Tentsuyu. 

Tempura is an easy introduction to Japanese food for tourists.

If you like crispy fish and chips, you’ll love tempura. Tempura batter is lighter than the batter that’s commonly used for fried fish and chicken.

Tempura can be served as an appetizer, side dish or as a stand-alone entrée. It’s typically made with prawns and/or vegetables, like yams, sweet potato, butternut squash, eggplant and green beans. 

Many Japanese restaurants have plastic replicas of the dishes on display at the front or entrance to the restaurant. This makes it easy to visualize the menu and decide what you want to order before sitting down at a table. It’s very convenient when traveling with kids. 

Udon is a popular Japanese dish that’s an easy introduction to Japanese food for tourists. It can be served a number of different ways, with a variety of ingredients, but it is most commonly served in noodle soups.

Pictured above is a delicious beef udon noodle soup that we enjoyed in Kyoto, Japan .

I like the simplicity of udon noodle soup. The flavourful savoury bowls are loaded with soft thick noodles, sliced chicken or beef, fresh vegetables and a variety of garnishes like green onion, sesame seeds, roasted seaweed slices, nora and dried garlic. 

The most common udon noodle soups are Kitsune Udon, Tempura Udon (pictured above, in the backdrop) and Chikara Udon (topped with grilled mochi rice cakes).

You will also find udon noodles served in a stir fry dish, called Yaki Udon , mixed with meat, vegetables and a soy based sauce. It’s similar to yakisoba, but the noodles are different.

Ramen is probably the most popular Japanese cuisine for tourists. 

Similar to udon, ramen is a noodle dish consisting of thinly sliced wheat noodles, protein, vegetables and is typically served in a rich savory broth. Ramen is the perfect Japanese food for beginners.

There are many types of broths, ingredients and garnishes that will completely change the flavour and texture of the ramen noodle soup. The four main ramen broth bases are soy, miso, salt and tonkotsu.

My favourite is miso ramen, but tonkotsu is a close second. Who and I kidding, I love them all!

You can also add items to your ramen. Typical ramen garnishes include chashu pork, menma (bamboo shoots), narutomaki (fish cake), scallion, shiraga negi (Japanese long green onion) and a marinated soft boiled egg ( Ajitsuke Tamago ). I love adding an extra soft boiled egg – they are heavenly when prepared properly.

Ramen is an inexpensive and popular dish that can be found almost anywhere in Japan. You won’t have a problem finding ramen restaurants in Tokyo or Kyoto.

That said, like most restaurants, some are better than others. If you’re only in Tokyo for a few days, research online reviews to find the best ramen restaurants in Japan. Make it count!

Related post – How to spend 3 days in Tokyo

The above photo was captured at a small ramen restaurant in Kobe that was recommended to us. This particular miso ramen dish is served with a variety of Kobe beef.  

Ramen is an easy introduction to Japanese food for kids. Our 8 year old son loves miso ramen. 

Soba is the Japanese name for thin noodles made from buckwheat flour, or a combination of buckwheat and wheat flours. Similar to udon and ramen, soba noodles are often found in savory soup broth. However, soba noodles are also served cold with a dipping sauce or as a hot stir fry dish. 

There are many soba noodle recipes and dishes to taste, from spicy peanut soba noodle salad (served cold) to beef and vegetable stir fry soba noodles (yakisoba).

Many restaurants in Japan offer a set menu with soba noodle soup as the main dish, accompanied by a variety of side dishes, like tuna sushi, salmon sashimi, grilled vegetables, steamed spinach with peanut sauce (Goma-ae), crispy tempura batter and chawanmushi (traditional savory egg custard). 

Related –  50 Photos of Kyoto that will inspire you to visit  

Above is a soba noodle soup with egg, chicken and sliced nori (dried seaweed).

Another day, another bowl of noodles for this little guy.

7. Agedashi Tofu

Agedashi tofu is cubes of soft or silken tofu coated with potato starch and deep fried so that the outer shell is crispy. It’s typically served as an appetizer or side dish, but can also be the main item in a bento box or served as an entrée. 

If you’re vegetarian or don’t like to eat meat or fish, agedashi tofu is a great alternative. 

Agedashi tofu is typically served with a flavourful tsuyu sauce for dipping. It is sometimes served with grated radish, green onion, and bonito flakes as garnishes.

Be careful. Agedashi tofu is deep fried and it comes out hot, hot, hot! We’ve burnt the roof of our mouths several times because we were too eager to dive in. The trick is to stab the middle of each piece of tofu with your chopstick so the steam releases and the tofu cools down. Consider yourself warned. 

Above is a plate of large cubed agedashi tofu at a restaurant in Arima Onsen , an ancient hot spring town located near the city of Kobe. 

8. Tonkatsu (deep fried pork cutlet)

Tonkatsu is a breaded, deep-fried/tempura pork cutlet that is traditionally served with rice and sliced cabbage. It is a popular Japanese food for beginners because, well, who doesn’t like deep fried <insert anything and everything>? 

Tonkatsu is similar to German schnitzel. However, the bread crumbs used for tonkatsu is called panko, which is different from the breadcrumbs used in Western cuisine. 

You will find variations of tonkatsu in Japan, including katsudon , which consists of tonkatsu served on a bowl of rice, and katsu sando , which is a sandwich with tonkatsu between two slices of plain white bread.

Katsukare is another Japanese cuisine that consists of sliced tonkatsu pork cutlet served with Japanese curry rice and curry. 

9. Yakitori

Yakitori is the japanese version of chicken skewers..

There are many variations of yakitori , however, typically the skewers are made with bamboo skewers and seasoned with tare sauce and/or salt and spice.

Yakitori comes in many forms, including white chicken skewers, chicken and spring onion, chicken meatballs, chicken small intestines, gizzard and chicken heart, to name a few. Some restaurants and specialty shops also have deep fried options available. 

Yakitori a popular Japanese street food that is commonly found at outdoor markets, food courts, sporting events and Yakitori-ya, which are  small shops that specialize in yakitori. It’s widely available at izakayas, informal Japanese bars that serve alcoholic drinks and snacks. Here’s a list of best izakaya alleys in Tokyo.

Related – The best things to do in Tokyo for first time visitors

Freshly grilled yakitori at a market in Japan.

Yakitori and deep fried skewers at a stall in Nishiki Market in Kyoto.

Chicken meatball yakitori served at a restaurant in Kyoto.

Gyoza is another popular Japanese dish that is a must try food in Japan. It’s commonly served as an appetizer or side dish at sushi restaurants.  

Gyoza is Japan’s version of the dumpling. It’s most similar to Chinese potstickers or jiaozi dumplings. These tasty Japanese dumplings are typically filled with minced pork, cabbage, scallions, garlic, and ginger. Vegetarian options are typically available, too. 

Gyozas are typically fried in sesame oil on one side, until they have a crispy bottom. The top of the gyoza is steamed, giving it a soft texture. They’re served with a dipping sauce of rice vinegar, soy sauce and chilli oil. 

Gyozas are an easy introduction to Japanese food for unadventurous eaters. 

11. Takoyaki

Takoyaki, also known as octopus balls , is a delicious doughy ball filled with minced or diced octopus, tempura scraps, pickled ginger and green onion..

They are commonly eaten as a snack or appetizer and are served with takoyaki sauce (similar to Worcestershire sauce) and mayonnaise, and garnished with shavings of dried seaweed and fish flakes.

You will find small shops and street food vendors serving takoyaki throughout Japan.

Gindaco Takoyaki is the famous takoyaki restaurant near Harajuku train station in Tokyo.

We highly recommend you visit this location. They serve the best takoyaki in Tokyo, in our opinion.

Be prepared to wait your turn, as this location is very popular. It’s worth wait. Do it.

This takoyaki platter is served plain with a light vinegar dipping sauce on the side. 

Takoyaki street food vendor near Fushimi Inari temple in Kyoto.

12. Chicken Karaage

Karaage is Japan’s version of fried chicken. The chicken is battered and deep fried until crispy on the outside. The chicken is often marinated prior to being coated with batter. 

Karaage is served alone or with rice and shredded cabbage. It’s often served as an appetizer but it can also be a stand alone dish. You will find karaage served at most Japanese restaurants, as well as street food vendors at outdoor and indoor markets. 

Our boys love chicken nuggets, so this tasty Japanese cuisine is one of their favourites. 

13. Kobe beef in Kobe Japan

For all you steak lovers out there, you must try kobe beef in kobe..

Kobe is famous for its Wagyu beef , arguably the finest cut of beef in the world, which comes from the Tajima strain of Japanese Black cattle.

Kobe beef is a Japanese delicacy , valued for its flavour, tenderness, and fatty, well-marbled texture. Foodies flock to Kobe to sample it’s famous namesake.

First time visitors to Kobe will have no trouble finding a restaurant serving Kobe beef. It’s heavily advertised from the moment you get off the train at the Kobe train station.

There are a number of ways to sample this popular Japanese style of beef, from Kobe beef teppanyaki to Kobe beef hamburgers to Kobe beef sushi (pictured above).

Kobe beef is an expensive cut of meat , so your budget may dictate the best way to experience this celebrated Japanese cuisine. High-end steakhouses offer multi-course meals that serve a variety of cuts and styles of wagyu beef.

Or, you can enjoy Kobe beef on the cheap by sampling kobe beef sushi from a variety of restaurants or street food vendors. That’s what we did, because only one of us likes beef (hint – it’s not Nicole or the boys).

Now, if Kobe City is not on your original Japan travel itinerary, you can easily add it by taking a day trip to Kobe from Kyoto, Tokyo or Osaka. Or, you can simply get off the train in Kobe and have lunch or dinner, then get back on the train and continue to your next destination.

You will find wagyu beef throughout Japan, so don’t worry if you aren’t able to make it to Kobe. There are dozens of restaurants in Tokyo that serve wagyu beef, including Kobe beef, Omi beef and Matsusaka beef. 

Street food vendors in Kobe Chinatown serve a variety of Kobe beef to hungry visitors.

14. Yakiniku

Yakiniku is a Japanese term that refers to grilled meat. Basically, you grill your meat on an open flame at your table. It’s a fun Japanese dining experience that you should try on your Japan vacation.

We stumbled upon a great yakiniku restaurant, Yakiniku LIKE , while exploring the  Akihabara district in Tokyo. There are tablets at each table with an English menu and photos of each dish, so it’s an easy process with limited ‘lost in translation’ moments. 

We ordered a variety of pork and beef to grill at our table. The raw meat is marinated and sliced, so you just add to the flame and cook it as much, or as little, as you like. Meals are served with rice and there are several condiments at your table.

Our boys loved grilling meat on the table. This was there first time and it remains a highlight for them when we talk about our family trip to Japan.

Related – The top things to do in Tokyo for tourists

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Japanese BBQ at your table

We enjoyed a fun lunch at Rokkosan Genghis Khan Palace on Mount Rokkō in Kobe City. Rather than being grilled on an open flame, like yakiniku, this Japanese barbecue grill is on a hot iron plate. 

We ordered a variety of vegetables and meat, including Kobe beef, chicken and marinated pork, and grilled the food at our table. Our boys enjoyed using the tongs to flip the meat and listen to it sizzle on the iron plate. It’s a fun Japanese dining experience for tourists.

Grilling squid and giant mussels on an iron plate at our table . 

15. Shabu-shabu

Shabu-shabu is a hotpot dish that’s a big part of japanese food culture..

Basically, you cook your food at the table in a large heated pot with boiling water or broth. Some hotpots are split in half, like in the above photo, with each side having a different broth.

Most platters come with a variety of vegetables, seafood and thinly sliced meat, as well as dipping sauces, spices and garnishes so you can play with the flavours and heat.

Shabu-shabu is a fun Japanese dining experience to enjoy with friends and family. The idea is that you take your time and socialize around this bubbling hotpot. You dip your meat or vegetable as needed, rather than all at once. It’s a must try Japanese cultural experience for your Japan holiday.

16.  Okonomiyaki

Okonomiyaki is a japanese savory pancake with a variety of ingredients..

It’s a popular food in Japan for tourists because it’s a uniquely Japanese. There are different types of okonomiyaki throughout Japan, with toppings and batters varying depending on the region. 

Okonomiyaki is mainly associated with the Kansai or Hiroshima areas of Japan, though it’s said to have originated in Osaka. It is sometimes compared to an omelette and may be referred to as a Japanese pizza or Osaka soul food .

The Kansai style okonomiyaki is the most common version found throughout Japan and typically contains meat (thinly cut pork belly or bacon), octopus, squid, shrimp, vegetables, green onion, and/or cheese. We prefer the Hiroshima style okonomiyaki because we like the ingredients to be layered, rather than mixed. 

There’s also a semi-liquid okonomiyaki found in Tokyo called monjayaki. The ingredients in monjayaki are finely chopped and mixed into the batter before frying. 

Here’s a list of the best Okonomiyaki in Kyoto. 

Issen Yoshoku is a famous okonomiyaki restaurant in Gion, Kyoto.

While the savoury pancakes are delicious, this okonomiyaki restaurant in Kyoto might be more famous for its statue at the front entrance. See photo below.

When we visited Kyoto a decade ago, we stumbled upon this funny statue of a boy getting bitten by a dog with his pants down in front of a restaurant. We thought it was an odd statue, so we took a photo.

When we returned last year, we stumbled upon it once again, by pure chance. Of course, we had to take another photo to capture the memory. This time, the boy is wearing a Japan rugby jersey because we visited for the Japan Rugby World Cup .

While thousands of people may have a photo of this strange statue, few will have a photo of it decorated for the Japan Rugby World Cup. 

Related –  Our experience at the Rugby World Cup in Japan

17. Kare Raisu (Japanese Curry Rice)

When we think of Japanese food, rarely does curry come to mind. That’s why we were surprised to see how popular kare raisu is throughout Japan.

Japanese curry rice tastes different from the curry you find in India or Southeast Asia. The main ingredients for Japanese curry are a variety of meats (chicken, pork or beef), vegetables (onions, carrots and sweet potatoes/yams) and spices. We found Japanese curry to taste more like a thick gravy with a curry flavour. 

We’re told that kare raisu is a good example of yoshoku , which takes dishes from Western culture and adapts them to meet Japanese tastes and preferences (fusion cuisine). Japanese curry rice is an inexpensive Japanese dish that can easily be found throughout Japan. 

We enjoyed Japanese curry rice for lunch when we visited Tokyo Disneyland .

18. Bento Box

If you have not tried a japanese bento box, you are missing out. .

There are literally hundreds of varieties of bento boxes in Japan. A bento box is typically a single portion takeout or prepackaged meal, however you can also order bento boxes at restaurants. A typical bento box has a balance of dishes, most often including rice, meat or fish, and pickled vegetables.

We often order bento boxes for lunch at sushi restaurants because they offer a variety of items to sample. 

During our travels in Japan, we would pick up bento boxes and bring them back to our hotel room or apartment rental. They are convenient, inexpensive and mostly healthy. Bento boxes are also a great way to sample a variety of side dishes that you might not have ordered otherwise. 

19. Oden (Japanese one-pot dishes)

Oden is an interesting part to Japanese food culture. It’s a common food in Japan that gets mixed reactions from tourists and first time visitors.

Basically, oden is a type of hotpot with an assortment of vegetables and proteins, including sausages, processed fish cakes, mochi rice cakes, daikon radish, konjac yam, tofu, and boiled eggs, to name a few. These items are stewed in a light broth and served to order. Ingredients vary according to region.

As a tourist, we had a hard time deciphering each item. In the photo above, this restaurant has a variety of items soaking in a hot broth. Guests walk up to the window and order items to take home.

Oden at Convenience Stores in Japan

Most convenience stores in Japan will have oden during the winter months. You typically find this food at the front of the store, near the cashier. The most common convenience stores in Japan are Seven Eleven, Lawson and Family Mart.

You will find at least one of these convenience stores on virtually every block in the city. Purchasing premade food items at convenience stores is an easy way to travel cheap in Japan.

In some stores, an employee will serve you. In other stores, you help yourself. You simply take a bowl and add the specific items you would like. It’s common to add broth to the bowl to keep your items hot. 

20. Street food at Japanese markets

There’s no shortage of interesting japanese cuisine at food markets in japan..

We like visiting markets when we travel because they provide insight into the food culture of a country. They typically have several vendors selling a wide variety of food items, so they’re a great place to let your curiousity run wild. 

Some of the popular temples in Kyoto have rows of vendors selling grilled meats and traditional Japanese quick eats, like yakitori, grilled squid (above photo), takoyaki, hanami dango (sweet rice balls) and deep fried pastries.

If you’re looking for food to try in Tokyo, check out this list of the best food markets in Tokyo.

Nishiki Market in Kyoto

Known as Kyoto’s Kitchen , Nishiki Market is a great place to sample food in Japan. It’s a narrow, five block long shopping street that specializes food related items, like fresh seafood, grilled meats, produce, pickled food, dried foods and sushi.

If you’re unsure of what to try in Kyoto, Nishiki Market is a great place to start.

Ready to eat sea urchin at Nishiki Market. 

Grilled wagyu beef on a skewer at Nishiki Market in Kyoto.

This vendor is selling a variety of steamed and fried food on a stick. 

We like visiting small food vendors that sell a wide range of bite size items. It’s quick and easy way to try several different items.

Most vendors at Nishiki Market have English menus, which makes it easy for tourists to understand what they’re ordering. Each item costs between 400-800 yen, which is about $5.00 to $10.00 CAD.

He’s not sure about these interesting food items on display at the market. 

Sweet baby octopus with an egg brain?

One of the most popular and eccentric street food snacks found at Nishiki Market is Tako Tamago, which is a little red octopus on a stick.

The glazed baby octopus have a quail egg stuffed into the head, which makes for a unique flavour combo. The baby octopus has a sweet, candy-like flavour and the egg has a mushy, hard boiled egg texture. It’s quite rubbery and chewy. Not my favourite, but not too bad, either.

It’s certainly one of the more unique foods to eat in Japan, though I’m pretty sure most tourists purchase these little red octopus on a stick for the novelty. Because, let’s be honest, it’s not every day you get to eat an entire octopus on a stick, am I right?

Dozens of vendors sell the popular red octopus on a stick at the popular Kyoto market.

Another strange food in Kyoto is the grilled sparrow bird on a stick.

We’re told that grilled sparrow is a Japanese delicacy, but we couldn’t stomach eating this bat-like bird on a stick. 

Have you tried grilled sparrow on a stick? Did you like it? Leave us a comment below.

Salted fish on stick? This particular item stood out to us because we don’t often consider eating an entire fish, including the skin, tails, eyes, gills, bones, etc. I’m sure there’s a graceful way to tackle this fish without consuming everything, although I’m not sure this fish stick is for me. 

Dango is a popular Japanese sweet dumpling, similar to mochi. It’s typically served on a skewer with 3 balls per skewer. We sampled these green dango skewers near the entrance to Fushimi Inari Shrine in Kyoto.

Matcha sweet rice cake on display at Nishiki Market. Matcha green tea is a big part of Japanese cuisine. You will find matcha flavoured everything in Japan, from chocolate bars to potato chips to ice cream. 

Is it okay to walk and eat in Japan?

Unlike north america, it is considered rude to walk and eat at the same time..

First time visitors to Japan will quickly learn that walking and eating in Japan is frowned upon. If you purchase food from a market or street vendor, the expectation is that you will NOT walk down the street or market while eating your food.

This applies to food purchased at convenient stores, like 7 Eleven and Family Mart. It is acceptable to eat at the place of purchase or close to the store. There’s usually a designated area for eating. If not, you will need to find an acceptable place to eat your food or bring it back to your hotel and eat it there.

Park benches in public spaces are generally okay, but avoid eating messy or strong smelling foods. It is also acceptable to drink while standing beside a vending machine.

Eating and drinking on local trains and public transportation is frowned upon. However, eating food on long distance express trains, like the Shinkansen, is acceptable.

Learn about the Do’s and Don’ts of Japan travel .

Do NOT tip at restaurants

One of the most common questions for first time visitors is – do you need to tip in Japan?

Tipping is not expected in Japan. In some cases, it’s actually considered to be rude.

This is one of the best Japan travel tips we can give – you do NOT tip in Japan.

Food from convenience stores in Japan

We rarely eat at convenience stores in Canada, unless we’re on a road trip or there aren’t other food options available. In Japan, eating at convenience stores is quite common.

Japanese convenience stores have a good selection of prepared food, from sandwiches to bento boxes to baked goods. We often grabbed prepackaged sandwiches (picture above) and pastries for breakfast each morning.  

One of the most popular snacks to eat in Japan is Onigiri . Onigiri are rice balls formed into triangular or round shapes and wrapped in seaweed (nori). Some are filled with fish (tuna, salmon, mackerel, shrimp, etc), chicken, pork, vegetables, egg and fried food, like tempura and tonkatsu. Onigiri is a cheap Japanese food that’s is easy and widely available at almost every convenience store in Japan.

Variety of prepackaged sushi rolls and nigiri combos at the Kyoto train station.

Convenience stores in Japan have plenty of prepackaged meals available for takeaway.

Japanese Breakfast at Hotels

I though it worth mentioning the hotel breakfast situation in Japan, given that many European travellers expect breakfast to be included with the hotel price.

Depending on your hotel, breakfast may be available. But don’t expect breakfast to be included in the hotel room price. Some budget hotels will not have breakfast available at all. 

Japanese breakfast is quite different from North American and European breakfast.

Typically, a traditional Japanese breakfast consists of steamed rice, miso soup, grilled fish and a variety of side dishes. You will find a lot of pickled vegetables, garnishes, dried food and other items that you might not associate with breakfast. 

This is a great way to sample new flavours and items you might not order at a restaurant. Ask questions and give the Japanese breakfast items a try. You never know, you might just like fermented soy beans (natto) and dried horse mackerel for breakfast?

The breakfast buffet at the Hotel Gracery Tamachi  in Tokyo.

Order your food from a Vending Machine

One of the things we love about Japan is that everything is efficient and convenient. A perfect example of this efficiency is the electronic vending machines located outside many Japanese restaurants.

The touch screen machines often have photos of each dish, which is convenient and avoids the potential language barrier that may arise if you had to order from a server who does not speak English.

The process is simple. You select the food you want from the touch screen machines, pay with cash or credit card, grab your receipt and head inside. The food is then delivered to your table or your number is called and you pick it up from the counter. 

Once you are finished eating your meal, you simply get up and leave. No need to wait for a server to bring the bill or wait to pay. It’s a very efficient system that removes service breakdown.

Food in Japan for kids

If you’re travelling to Japan with kids, you’re liking concerned about whether your kids will enjoy the food in Japan. There’s nothing worse than constantly battling your kids to eat.

Our boys like Japanese food, so we knew they would like eating at Japanese restaurants. However, our concern was that after a few days they would get bored and start complaining. 

Fortunately, Japanese food is quite diverse and, as you’ve seen in this beginner’s guide to food in Japan, there are plenty of options to choose from. 

Travel tips for eating in Japan with kids

• Shop at convenience stores. Pick up prepackaged food, snacks, pastries and drinks from convenience stores and bring them back to your hotel room. You don’t have to dine out for every meal. Give yourself a break if your kids are burnt out.
• Vending machines are everywhere in Japan. Keep some change in your pocket because you’ll find these vending machines do the trick when your kids are thirsty. 
• Look at the plastic dishes in the window. Most Japanese restaurants have plastic replicas on display. Let your kids see the available options and pick a dish that interests them before you enter the restaurant. That way there’s no confusion over what to order when you sit down.
• Download Google translate. When you have a Lost in Translation moment, ask the Google for help.
• Eat breakfast in your hotel room. We purchased a bag of Frosted Flakes from a Family Mart and our boys had cereal for breakfast each morning. It saved us time and money. 
• Bring snacks from home. Pack your luggage with your kid’s favourite snacks, treats and cereal. Sometimes a familiar treat is all it takes to get your kids feeling normal again.
• There are lots of fast food restaurants in Japan. Sometimes chicken nuggets from McDonald’s is the answer. We get it. Don’t worry, Japan has most of the big names in fast food. It’s okay to give yourself some comfort food from home when you’re travelling.

Read these helpful Japan travel tips for first timers .

For an easy introduction to sushi, order your kids the cucumber roll (kappa maki) with a miso soup. Let them play with the chopsticks and experiment. If they don’t like the sushi roll, no big deal. These are typically the cheapest items on the menu. 

Most Japanese restaurants that serve chicken karaage will also have French fries on the menu. We told our boys that we ordered them chicken nuggets and fries. They rarely noticed the difference.

Our boys did pretty good at trying new food. Like most kids, their natural default is to resist food that is different or foreign. However, the more Japanese food they tried, the more comfortable they got.  

Don’t worry, if your kids don’t like the food in Japan, there’s always donuts! 

And that’s a wrap! We hope you enjoyed this tasty beginner’s guide to food in Japan.

More blog posts from our trip to Japan:

• How to spend 3 days in Tokyo: Travel guide for first time visitors
• Staying at Tokyo Disney Resort – what you need to know

Have you visited Japan? What is your favourite food in Japan? 

Leave a comment below. Our readers thank you!

Related posts:

10/20/2020 at 3:33 pm

Very good presentation of food in Japan! Having family in Tokyo we have been traveling around Japan the last 8 years, so I find this post the best about your experience in Japan! It is a pleasure to follow you ,thank you for sharing your travel experiences! You inspired us to go to some places in BC! And it was worth it…We can’t wait to take our grandchildren living in Tokyo to some places where you have been traveled with yours! Wonderful travel blog!

12/21/2020 at 7:14 pm

This is a great intro to Japanese food! Japan is obviously one of the great places to try new things!! And it looks like you and your family tried a lot!! Thanks for sharing and happy #TravelBlogTuesday 🙂

02/19/2021 at 3:31 pm

What a great source and extensive knowledge of food from here. A great read and will certainly be using the post in the future

07/19/2021 at 5:53 am

What a fabulous post about food in Japan! Should be required reading for first-time travellers to Japan. Happy travels.

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Going Awesome Places

Detailed itineraries + travel guides

Ultimate Tokyo Food Guide in Japan – Where And What To Eat

Last Updated March 25, 2024 William Tang

You are here: Home » Travel Guides » Ultimate Tokyo Food Guide in Japan – Where And What To Eat

As Japan’s…wait no…the world’s largest and most populated metropolis, Tokyo has a lot to offer but hands the main attractions are the restaurants and the main activity is eating.

It’s no surprise that the city is renowned as an eating capital especially with the 230 restaurants that have one Michelin star or greater (contrast that to New York City’s 71).  Then when you factor in the 160,000 restaurants that are registered in Tokyo, you then have a staggering number of places to eat that would take you years to go through.

Now if you only have a few days to work like we did on a recent trip to Tokyo, trying to figure out how to best use your time and figuring out what’s “best” is a daunting task.  The city is massive, the transportation is a criss-crossing maze, there are so many types of food to try, and what feels like everywhere is good, what do you do?

The below Tokyo food guide is meant to be an all-in-one guide to help you plan your trip if you only have a week or less.  I’m not even going to bother to tell you where to go sightseeing because that’s covered thoroughly in so many other places.

Updated in 2024

Yes, this guide has been updated to include Toyosu Fish Market ‘s that opened in 2019 so keep on reading because it’s all relevant!

Read more about Japan

• 9 day Far East Hokkaido itinerary
• Kichijoji day trip guide for the best street food
• Kamakura day trip itinerary
• Must-download apps for travel in Japan
• Learn Japanese before you go with Rosetta Stone

How to get the best deals in travel

• Hottest deals  – Bookmark the  travel deals page .
• Car rentals  – stop getting ripped off and  learn about car rental coupon codes .
• Hotels  – Use  corporate codes  or get  Genius 2 tier  with Booking.
• Flights  – Have you ever heard of the  “Everywhere” feature ?
• Insurance  – Make sure you’re covered and learn more about  where to buy the best travel insurance .

What you’ll find in this food and travel guide for Tokyo:

• Planning a trip to Tokyo
• Get the downloadable food guide before you go

Arriving and departing Tokyo

• Where to stay in Tokyo
• Getting around in Tokyo

Food in Tokyo

• 9 best Japanese restaurants you have to try
• Top 5 dessert spots in Tokyo
• Places that we missed

Alright let’s do this!

Curious where we stayed?  More on that below but we highly recommend  Hotel Sunroute Higashi Shinjuku which we’ve seen under $100 at certain times of the year.

Read the Full Where to Stay in Tokyo Guide

Planning A Trip to Tokyo 

I’ll be straight with you.  Planning a trip Japan always gives me a bit of an anxiety attack.  I don’t know if it’s just me but this is coming from someone that’s been before too.  Not to worry though, there are definitely ways to make that trip planning easier.  Let me share with a few of my secrets.

What’s so tricky about Tokyo?

Essentially it boils down to the fact that there’s a mix of not having enough information and having too much information.  How does that work you ask?

Well on the not enough front, there are is a lot of local content that is in Japanese-only which makes it challenge.  Typically I try to seek out local content because you know it’s updated and fresh but you soon learn you’re out of luck.

There’s also too much information because everybody’s got their own take of where to go and it’s all so fragmented that you have to assemble it yourself.  If we’re just talking about food, it’s probably worse because places we’re so used to relying on such as TripAdvisor and Yelp become pretty useless if you’re wanting non-touristy recommendations.

Language just plays a big part of why I feel like I have to work that much harder to figure out my trip plans.  It could be as simple as trying to get from the subway to a connected building.  From experience, I know it’s not as simple as you think because English signage will often be lacking or misleading.

Don’t even get me started on all the subway companies.  Lines, I’d be totally okay with but when you have 48 operators in the world’s most extensive urban rail network, most of which don’t work with each other unless you have a special chip card, it’s bound to make your head spin.

I’ve gotten into so many brain cramping moments in Tokyo where I thought we could drop underground at a station only to realize that it’s a different company’s station.

Being prepared for Japan

Hopefully that doesn’t scare anyone off.  Our second time around wasn’t without it’s own adventures and mishaps but knowing what to expect this time around and equipping myself with the right tech definitely saved us a number of times.  Here are our top 5 tips .

• Get data – Life saver to be able to search things on the fly and use Google Maps to figure out which direction to walk once you pop out of the underground and to find all the restaurants we had marked.  For those interested in pocket wifis, NinjaWifi is your best bet especially with the AWESOME15 code for 15% off. For a more global solution, we’ve also used Pokefi or Solis in the past., but these days eSIMs are just undeniably convenient. Airalo’s Japan eSIM is very reliable and we’ve also tested Ubigi which offers a 5G eSIM.  Use code WILLIA9500 to get a $3 USD credit with Airalo or AWESOME10 to save 10% off your first order with Ubigi. Best part about Tokyo is that you don’t lose any signal in the subway.
• Plan on a Google sheet – I talk about this in the Art of Planning A Trip but I always have my entire itinerary ready for offline-use in case I ever need to refer back to it.  This is where you’ll want to put in all your research especially directions and screenshots of things.  If you need a little inspiration, make sure to read our full 12 day Japan itinerary .
• Tokyo subway map app – We ended up using Tokyo Metro Subway by Mapway Limited , when we didn’t have my paper map handy and needed a quick reference.
• Mark your places on the map ahead of time – Google Map’s custom maps is extremely handy ( find out how you can get it too ) where you can essentially mark every single restaurant and attraction you’re interested in.  With data, you can access this map through the Google Map app, allowing you to navigate to them via GPS at any time. Alternatively, you can also just save points of interest on Google Maps and into a specific list. This is easier to access as you don’t have to go through the extra step of opening a custom map.
• Wear comfortable shoes – Have a step counter? You’re going to absolutely crush your targets.  It goes without saying that there’s a TON of walking in Tokyo so make sure you bring comfy shoes. I like these boots and these shoes for the warmer weather.

Want to make money while doing all the insane walking you’re going to do?  Download Sweatcoin where steps turn into goodies.

Table of Contents

Japan Trip Planning Essentials and Discounts

If you’re in the middle of booking your trip to Japan, here are the most important places you need to go to book:

• JR Pass – The two most reliable places we always check are JRailPass and JRPass . If you are taking long distance Shinkansen across multiple region, get the full JR Pass . If you’re focusing on one specific area, you only need a JR regional pass .
• Shinkansen – The JR Pass prices have gone up and for many of you, it’ll make more sense to book tickets individually. The secret is that when you buy your Shinkansen tickets through Klook offers special vouchers for Don Quijote and BIC when booking. Their tickets are super easy to redeem as well. Right now, use code SKS10OFF to save $10 USD off.
• Hotels/Ryokans – In Japan, the best website for accommodations, hands down is Agoda . When we’ve compared them against Booking , Agoda consistently came out cheaper.
• Tours – While Viator and GetYourGuide are our go-to’s, Klook and KKDay are much popular in Asia so it’s always worth comparing across all of them to make sure you get the best price.
• Pocket Wifi – While we do love eSIMs, having a pocket wifi is great for sharing data with a large group. The most popular is NinjaWifi which is easy to pick up at the airport. Use code AWESOME15 to save 15% (automatically applied). Alternatives are offered by JRPass and JRailPass but they aren’t as cheap. For a more global solution, consider Solis and PokeFi .
• eSIM – The best one is Airalo . Save money by getting the Japan region eSIM and use referral code WILLIA9500 to get $3 USD credit on your first purchase. From now to Feb 29, the 10GB package is half price as well! Ubigi is another one that we’ve had success with where they uniquely offer 5G coverage. Use code AWESOME10 to save 10% on your first order.
• Car Rental – Big companies like Budget , Avis , and Enterprise operate in Japan but they’re usually the most expensive. The best companies are the local Japanese ones such as Toyota Rentacar, Nippon Rentacar, Orix Rentacar, Nissan Rentacar, and Times Car Rental. To make things easier, use Rentalcars and Klook to compare prices all in one place. Don’t forget, you need an IDP to drive in Japan so get one before you leave your home country.
• Learn Japanese – It helps to know even a bit of the language before you go. Start your learning with Rosetta Stone Japanese .
• Cash or credit – Cash is still very important to have in Japan but when you use credit cards, make sure you’re not getting charged those extra exchange rate fees. The best card right now is the Wise Multi-Currency Card which is actually a debit card where you can convert at favorable rates beforehand. This cuts out any sneaky transaction fees.
• Travel Insurance – Make sure you’re covered in case something happens. Get quotes from Insured Nomads and if you’re from Canada, get quotes from RATESDOTCA .
• Shopping – Discovering Don Quijote is a quintessential part of the Japan experience. The secret for tax-free shopping is that they have a coupon that can help you save 10% off + additional 5% off if you spend ¥10,000 or more.

There are two main airports that service the city – Narita International Airport and Haneda Airport .  Both cater to international arrivals and honestly if you had the choice, I would recommend flying into Haneda over Narita because it’s closer to the city and it has cheaper transit options compared to the alternative.

When you come out to the arrivals hall, you’re going to be overwhelmed with all the people waiting there and all the various stalls lining the wall.  Your research ahead of time should help you figure out where you need to go as it really depends on where you’re going to in the city.

For some, the stalls right at the arrival hall floor will be what you’re looking for.  Otherwise, you’re going to need to take the escalator down and that’s where you’ll find the huge JR storefront.  This is also where you’ll find Keisei line.

We weren’t sure where to go at first so we asked the staff and they were very helpful in directing where we should go

For us, since we needed to be at Mizue Station, we caught a Keisei Main Line (Limited Express) train where we would eventually get off at Yawata.  This cost 1,720 JPY.

Alternative options:

• Narita Express a.k.a. N’EX – 4,000 JPY but free with JR Pass
• Keisei’s Skyliner to Nippori and Ueno – 2,470 JPY
• Tokyo Shuttle bus to Tokyo Station – 1,000 JPY
• Taxi – Just don’t do it

Like I said, Haneda is a convenient airport to fly into because it’s that much closer to the city and even closer if you’re staying in Yokohama.

The easiest way to get in and out of the airport is through either the Monorail  for 490 JPY  or the Keikyu Line  580 JPY to Tokyo Station.

Did you know?   Both airports have free wifi which is handy.

 Keep in mind –  Officially, there are accessibility options in the underground but they aren’t the friendliest in convenience.  We brought only carry-on luggage with us but there were a ton of times we had to carry them up steps.

Where to stay in Tokyo?

Talk about some serious contrast.  Between our two trips to Tokyo, one was an ultra luxurious stay on points and the most recent one, an Airbnb at the fringes of the city.

There is a lot of choice of accommodations in Tokyo but to help you make your decision, the few things that you want to think about are:

• What is your budget?
• What neighbourhood do you want to be in?
• Do you want to do a pod hotel?
• How close do you want to be to a subway station (the answer is “very close”)

Where did we stay?

Like I said, truly a tale of two properties.  The below are two of the places we’ve personally stayed at.  Let me go into why you should one of those would be a good choice for you and if those don’t float your boat, I have a solid recommendation you can think about.

Remember, for additional savings, my Booking.com offer to get $25 CAD back is still on.

CONRAD TOKYO

This property is well deserved of Hilton’s top brand.  Located near Shimbashi and Shiodome, this is located in a financial area which means there isn’t too much around directly in its vicinity but Shimbashi certainly makes up for it.  We stayed here on points back in 2012 and were very impressed with the room, executive lounge, the lobby, and impeccable service.

TripAdvisor

Booking.com

AIRBNB IN EDOGAWA-KU

Since we booked our most recent trip to Tokyo very last minute and during the Cherry Blossom season, we elected to stay somewhere a little further away from the city to save money. Browsing through Airbnb’s supply, we encountered this particular room at $22 CAD a night.  While cheap, this was definitely a no-frills kind of place (we even had to bring our own pillows).  Bathrooms were communal as well in this 5 room house so in a lot of ways it was like a hostel.  The walk to the Mizue station on the Toei line was roughly 13 minutes and another 30 minutes into the city.  Can’t beat the price though.

If I were to do it again, I’d probably recommend a place like this.

CONSIDER THIS

HOTEL SUNROUTE HIGASHI SHINJUKU

Located near Shinjuku, this hotel is conveniently located 10 minutes walk from the Isetan department store and more importantly right by the train station.  The rooms are spacious, clean, and comfortable and up to standards as a mid-level hotel.

Neighbourhoods you want to be near

So as you can see, two drastically different accommodation experiences in Tokyo.

Having done both, I can confidently say that, staying in the city is much better.  I say that because of convenience.  When staying in the suburbs of Tokyo, we wasted a good 2 hours each day just commuting back and forth.  Another thing you want to take into consideration when picking a neighbourhood is whether you want to go to the Toyosu Fish Market.  It’s in an awkward part of the city and to make the 5:30AM meeting, you will either have to take a cab or stay right by Toyosu.  I have a full new guide on the Toyosu Fish Market tuna auction experience .

Here are a few neighbourhoods that you want to consider being close to especially with their high concentration of things to do and restaurants.

• Shibuya – Famous for the crossing but also awesome for shopping, restaurants, and bars
• Shinjuku – A place that is super lively at night.  This is where you’ll find Piss Alley but also the amazing Shin Udon.
• Akihabara – Nerd central here and a must-do for anyone that loves anime and electronics.  Conveniently located and with tons shopping and restaurants nearby.
• Tokyo Station/Ginza – One of the more expensive areas to stay but if you can swing it, you’re right in the heart of some of the best food, shopping, and attractions like the Imperial Palace.
• Harajuku/Omotesando – One of my favourite areas as it’s a clash of the fancy shops along the main strip of Omotesando and then you have the quirky and grungy Harajuku.  Meiji Shrine is also right there.
• Asakusa – Asakusa is one of the most popular destinations among tourists coming to Tokyo for the famous Kaminarimon gate and Sensoji temple. However, if you want to learn something about Asakusa or Japanese culture and explore less “touristy” places, it’ll be better if you have a local guide. This Asakusa Cultural & Street-food Walking Tour is offered by Magical Trip and you’ll have a informative and friendly guide who will give you a lot of new knowledge. For lunch you’ll cook Okonomiyaki or Monjayaki for yourself with an instruction from your guide and taste it!
• Ikebekuro – We didn’t get to visit here but I know this is a popular place for many restaurants.

Tip:  If you want to enjoy the nightlife, especially local drinking and dining culture in Shibuya and Shinjuku with awesome local people, Tokyo Bar Hopping Food Tours by MagicalTrip is your best choice

Did you know?  Coming from North America?  Good news!  You don’t need any outlet adapters.  It’s the same plug and almost all electronics you have now have no issues with Japan’s 100V vs 120V.

Getting around Tokyo

Alright one more thing before we get into the meat of what you care about.  This is a super important topic in my opinion because this is what’s going to give you the most headache.

As I mentioned, there are a lot of options when you’re in Tokyo and that’s a great thing because it can take you anywhere you want to go.  What’s not-so-great is the fact that there are so many companies.  It almost feels like you need to be choose sides when you’re in the city.  Do you align yourself with Tokyo Subway? Toei? JR? Keikyu? Tokyu? Odakyu? Keio?…you get the idea.

Which is the best line?

If you’re looking for the most comprehensive lines, Tokyo Metro is  going to be your best bet.  They also work closely with Toei which creates a very wide network.

What pass should you get?  Luckily, there’s are very affordable Tokyo Metro + Toei day pass options which in my opinion offers the best value .

• 24 hours – 800 JPY
• 48 hours – 1,200 JPY
• 72 hours – 1,500 JPY

These passes are great if you think you can make it work with one line and you know you’re going to be taking it quite a bit.

The tricky thing you have to consider though is where to buy it.  When you land in Narita or Haneda, you should buy it right away and that’s a no-brainer but if you’re trying to buy one in the middle of your trip, it’ll be a bit more work.  You can either buy them at designated Tokyo Metro Pass Offices in specific stations or you can try to find a nearby BIC Camera or LAOX electronic stores.  There were several times where we weren’t able to link up one pass with another because 1) they don’t allow you to buy multiple passes and 2) we lived by a station that didn’t sell these passes.

When buying the pass, make sure you have a passport with you.   For all the locations where you can buy the pass head here .

What about the JR line?

Love the JR line but unless you somehow have excess hours from your JR Pass , I don’t think it’s worth it to get special day passes with them.

That being said, the JR Line can come in handy for some routes especially with their Yamanote and Chuo Lines.  That’s where the IC cards come in handy.

Be company agnostic with IC Cards

For years I relied on the special day passes but what you should be looking for is an IC (tappable) card once you land.  The main reason is because these cards work on any and all systems.  All you have to do load money into it and you tap-and-go.  There is also a small discount offered on the fare to promote the use of these cards.

The one I’d recommend getting is PASMO which you can buy from a machine without having to go to a special location.

The deposit for a PASMO card is 500 JPY.  All you have to do is load money onto the card and then that allows you to tap the card when you take any line in Tokyo.  There’s a small discount for using the card and you won’t be restricted to any specific company.

A competitor to PASMO is Suica but they are essentially the same thing especially in Tokyo.  Japan Rail Pass explains the difference very well in its FAQ .

Tip:  If you want to be super organized and have everything ready before you arrive, you can get a Suica card online and  pick it up at the airport , or even have it  shipped internationally , although it might cost a bit more.

What gotcha’s should you look out for

From personal experience, I have two examples of when I was a little frustrated with the subway.

• We wanted to get from Shibuya to Ebisu .  Look on the map and you’ll see that there’s no direct way to do that with Tokyo Metro.  While it would’ve been one stop with JR’s Yamanote Line, we were committed to Tokyo Metro with their 48 hour pass.  We looked at the transfers we’d need to do and decided that walking it was a better choice instead.  That said, you could totally take the Tokyo Metro where you can refer to their subway map to find out the best way to get from stop to stop.
• We were in Asakusa and we were looking for a way to get home.  We followed signs to the Asakusa station but when we went underground, we realized the station was run by a company called “Tsukuba”.  This is when we realized we went the wrong direction completely.  In frustration, we double backed to head to the Tokyo Metro and Toei’s Asakusa station.

Lesson learned: Look more closely at the map and go with a PASMO card next time so you’re not locked into a specific train company like we were.

Are you read to eat?? You better be!

FINALLY, we got all of the boring stuff out of the way.  Don’t worry, it was part of the strategy.  Just like waiting in line for food, my theory is that the food always tastes 10x better because you’re so hungry at that point.

The one thing that you notice immediately with food in Japan is how meticulously prepared and presented everything is.  It’s not just the beautifully displayed plastic models of food but it’s also the the careful selection of Japanese ingredients that are paired together, and the freshness of what’s used to really bring out the flavours.

Whether you do a  Tokyo Night Foodie Tour in Shinjuku or go out on your own, there are so many things you have to know about food in Tokyo but let’s start with the basics.

General things you need to know for feasting in Tokyo:

Best value for meals: As   Mark Weins recommends , lunch menus are indeed that much cheaper than dinner.  Now this doesn’t apply across the board as there are a number of places that are only opening for dinner.  From my experience, this only applied to fancier restaurants like Tempura Shinjuku that we visited.  If you plan on doing omakase, lunch is always cheaper than dinner if offered.  As Mark did, we often had 2-3 lunches a day and did something much more casual for dinner.

Places don’t open that early:  One thing you learn pretty quickly is that most restaurants don’t open until 11AM so as much as you’d like to start your eating earlier so you can spread things out across the morning and afternoon, it’s quite hard to do because of the starting hour.  The only exception is of course Toyusu Fish Market.  As a result, use the mornings to either make sure you’re first in line at a place, do Toyosu, or sleep in.

Tipping:  I love that tipping is not part of Japanese culture.  What you see is what you pay and nothing more.  There’s no expectation to tip and some will in fact reject it even if you try.

Cash vs. Card:  How card friendly is Japan?  It’s actually quite easy to use credit card throughout the country.  I was half expecting American Express to be rejected in many places but I almost used my awesome point earning cards  with ease.  That being said, it’s good to have cash on hand because there will be lots of places that won’t accept it or it just wouldn’t be convenient to.  Street food, Tsukiji outer market vendors, and Piss Alley are good examples.

Withdrawing from ATM:   During our two trips to Japan, we never found an ATM that didn’t have any fees.  In fact, most of the “official-looking” would reject our Canadian debit card.  The one place which would take our card was the ATM inside the 7-Eleven.  The fees are unavoidable and at the time of writing, it cost 216 JPY for withdrawals > 20,000 JPY and 108 JPY for a 10,000 JPY withdrawal.  The machines also only dish out denominations of 10,000 JPY.

Tax: One thing I’ve gotten used to in Asia is not having to deal with tax but Japan does have tax (sometimes) and the current rate is 8%.  What wasn’t clear though is that there were definitely places that didn’t seem to charge tax but those tended to be the more local cash places and it’s possible tax was included in the price.

Depachika:  These are the basement floors of big department stores.  If you din’t know, you might hesitate to go to a fancy looking luxury mega-plex but then you’d be missing out on all the amazing food.   From hot foods to desserts, Depachika’s are a feast for the eyes.  Most of the times you won’t know the items are but this is a great place to randomly try things.  Ginza is a prime example of this where high-fashion Matsuya, Ginza Six, and Mitsukoshi are hiding a vault of deliciousness.

Finding restaurants:   Honestly, without data, we would’ve had 10x more trouble finding some of these restaurants.  What you’ll find is that many restaurant names are only in Japanese characters.  While it may have a translated English phonetic name, you’ll see no such name at the storefront.  There were many times where we had to search for images of restaurant to see what the entrance looked like.  If you don’t have data, I highly recommend you taking screenshots of the restaurant before heading out.  Another thing to keep in mind is that there are a lot of restaurants hidden in multi-story buildings so you have to look for their name on the sign outside to figure out what floor they’re on.

Etiquette:   We learned this from our time with Arigato Japan Food Tours , here are 3 taboos for chopsticks that are worth knowing:

• Don’t pass food to another person from chopstick to chopstick
• Don’t stick your chopsticks vertically in your bowl of rice
• Don’t pull your plate or bowl with your chopsticks

Eating on a budget:   Tokyo isn’t a cheap place to travel nor is the food friendly for those on a serious budget but there are a few ways to do it if you’re looking to save money in between the splurging you might do :D

• 7-Eleven and other convenient stores – Like what we experienced in Taiwan , there is a ton of awesome food to pick up here.  My favourite are the rice triangles called Onigiri especially with tuna or salmon.  Anything you find here is usually pretty cheap.
• Bento boxes in Depachika – While food in depachika’s aren’t always cheap, there are great gems here.  Seek out the bento boxes as they’re pretty tasty without being overpriced.
• Bakeries – Similar to Chinese bakeries, buns, breads, cakes, and pastries of all sorts can be found here.  These typically make great breakfasts or if you need a quick meal on say a train ride.
• Fast food – You’ll see chains such as Yoshinoya and Sukiya all around the city.  While we tried our best to avoid these, they’re good for a quick cheap bite in a pinch.
• Vending machine restaurants – On our food walking tour , we passed by a number of ramen shops frequented by salarymen (what they call the homogenous men in suits) that had vending machines where you’d pay for your noodles up front and be served in minutes.  They’re not going to be the best quality but I’m sure they could beat many restaurants back home any day and still be affordable.

You can’t really share food: Originally we thought we could try to share dishes in an attempt to try more restaurants during lunch but we learned quickly that this strategy doesn’t really work in Japan because of the limited space.  Some have explicit rules and others you just didn’t want to be THAT tourist.

Think about doing a food tour: As much as you’re going to want to eat often and always, the size of your stomach and metabolism are going to smack you in the face.  An awesome discovery we made was how good the food tours run by Arigato Japan Food Tours are.  Instead of being limited to a dish per person when going out for dinner, sample an assortment foods in one night across a number of hidden gem restaurants in the company of a super knowledgable guide and fellow travellers.  The particular tour we did covered Yurakucho, Ginza, and Shimbashi and is called their Allstar tour .

Wait so what happened to Tsukiji Fish Market?:   That’s a great question.  As of October 11, 2018, Tsukiji’s inner market shut down and everything shifted over to the brand new massive grounds of Toyosu Market.  The good news is that Tsukiji’s outer market is still fully intact so I think it’s still worth going there because there’s a lot of food to try there and a ton of vendors that stayed.  The bad news is that all the top restaurants (Daiwa, Sushi Dai, Nakaya etc.) and the tuna auction have moved to Toyosu which is further away and slightly more inconvenient to get to.  I’m not going to go through how Toyosu Market works but I visited again in 2019 and I share everything I learned including the lottery system.

Explore Tsukiji with Magical Trip .  On this Tsukiji Fish Market Tour by Magical Trip, you’ll walk around the famous Tsukiji fish market with a local guide, getting some new insights into the Tsukiji area and Japanese culture. You will also visit the Japanese Buddhism Temple and Shinto Shrine to find what our religious culture is like. And, most importantly, you will have a gorgeous seafood DONBURI (bowl) for lunch.

9 Best Restaurants You Have To Try

My mindset of these restaurant selections was that I was looking for places that weren’t going to blow up the bank, didn’t require reservation, but were highly recommended and ranked by other influential food blogs.  I also took the advice of a number of friends that I consider to be foodie experts in Japan.  What I didn’t use was anything like TripAdvisor or Yelp.

Let me be clear though, we were in the city for 6 days , and really less if you factor in our time in Tochigi, so we were quite aggressive in working out our stomachs and our feet.  You can do it too but carefully plan out how you’re going to break down your days and your spread of Japanese food you’re going to try.  What I mean is, if you already have a good tempura place in the plans, that means that you should probably cut out any other good tempura restaurant you also have in your list.  If only you could do it all right?…or could you?

Here are my picks for top restaurants you’re going to want to add to your Tokyo itinerary whether you only have 1 day or 2 weeks.  They range from small stalls, dessert shops, and fancier establishments.  They are in no particular order but the ones near the top are the ones I have a little more attachment to but honestly all are worth going to.  Here we go!

1.  Uoriki Kaisen Sushi (海鮮 魚力 渋谷東急東横店)

Tucked away and hidden next to a giant supermarket is this nondescript sushi restaurant that we never would’ve gone to if it wasn’t recommended to us.  You could tell that it was super local too when we wrote our name down on the piece of paper and sat beside two grandmas that were also waiting for a spot.

The sushi here was fabulous especially the fatty tuna which was seriously melt-in-your-mouth good.   Out of all the toro that we had in Tokyo, Uoriki was definitely the most memorable and most fatty.  For the tuna set, I preferred the nigiri because you could really taste the textures and flavours of the fish while Chantelle liked the maki more because of the combination of diced tuna with scallion.

The seasonal sushi set we had was GOOD but the uni that day disappointed a little as it didn’t have quite the creamy texture we were expecting.

When ordering they asked us if we wanted wasabi but what they really meant was whether we were okay to have wasabi in our sushi which we did.  All you have to do is dip in soy sauce and enjoy.

Neighbourhood:  Shibuya Open hours : 10AM – 9PM M-Su Address : Basement floor (B1) of the Tokyu Department Store at Shibuya station ( see map ) Price : Fatty tuna set (1,500 JPY – $14 USD),  Seasonal sushi set (2,000 JPY – $19 USD) English menu?:   Yes

2. Shin Udon (慎)

Ramen gets all the hype these days but what about its friendly, slightly chubbier cousin udon? Well friends, not to worry because udon is making a comeback here at one of the few restaurants we actually waited in line for.

We didn’t know what to expect when our friend jotted this place down in a Whatsapp message a few days before leaving but the timing of our hunger worked out when we ended up in Shinjuku.  Arriving just past 7:30PM, we had to navigate a quiet dark alley before turning into another alley, but this time with a crazy line of tourists.

When we finally got inside, we could see why it took so long.  With a maximum of 12 seats, it’s tight quarters inside which is pretty common in Tokyo.  True to Japanese efficiency, we put in our order while we were in line so it only took 10 minutes for us to receive our udon.

I ordered the soy sauce udon noodles with yuzu pepper jelly, grated daikon radish, and chikuwa (bamboo shaped fish cake).  Chantelle ordered the cold bamboo tray of noodles with shrimp tempura, chikuwa, and kashiwa (chicken) tempura.

Verdict?  This is hands down the most amazing udon we’ve ever had.  Thanks for our line mates who were Tokyo locals, they said the best way to truly appreciate the handmade udon is with a cold udon dish and boy were we glad we did.  The al dente noodles had the perfect amount of bounce that you never get from the frozen udon we buy at home.  The flavour combination was also excellently done especially with how the yuzu was used to delicately balance the grated radish.  I normally don’t like radish but when you put it all together, it’s some kind of amazing.

Chantelle’s tempura was also perfectly battered – crispy on the outside while tender inside.  While they looked somewhat similar, hers came with a soba-like sauce.

 Water is included at no cost.  We sat at the bar table and there was a big jug in front of us.

Other recommended items:  There’s a cold udon with waygu chuck eye roll with chopped yuzu for 1,950 JPY but it was sold out  by the time we ordered.

Neighbourhood:  Shinjuku Open hours : 11AM – 10PM M-F, 11AM – 11PM Sa-Su Address : ( See map ) Price : Soy sauce cold udon with yuzu (1,250 JPY – $12 USD), cold udon with tempura (1,300 JPY – $13 USD) English menu?:   Yes

Read TripAdvisor Reviews

3. Yakitori Ton Ton (登運とん)

If eating meat on sticks and drowning them in beer sounds like your thing then you have to add this spot to your list of restaurants.  There’s no livelier and more local place than this hole in the wall, under the train tracks, yakitori restaurant.

When we came out of Shimbashi station to look for this place, we weren’t sure if we were heading the right direction but we continued to follow the raised train tracks and all the restaurants below them till we started hearing more noise.  When we found this busy throughway and matched the characters, we knew were at the right spot.

With small tables stretching out onto the walkway, smoke billowing and desperate to reach open air, the clanging of glasses, salarymen roaring in conversation, and sizzle from the grill, we anxiously waited in anticipation for our table.

Luckily for us, it wasn’t long until two other tourists finished and we got our spot.  Overall I’d say the crowd was mainly local but the word has definitely gotten out to travellers so you’ll see them scattered around.  That said, the place isn’t big at all.  If you watch the video, I don’t think it could fit more than 25 people.

Thanks to the English menu we were able to put our order in pretty quickly and one by one, succulent skewers of chicken, pork, meatball, gizzard, green pepper, alongside takowasabi (diced octopus in wasabi – omg the best), and beer on tap came to our table.  It was heavenly.

What made it such an awesome experience was that we were eating with all of the other salarymen and women that had just gotten work, there was a kinetic energy that we could feed off of, and of course all of the skewers we had were grilled just right.  Nothing was overcooked.  The chicken was so good that we ordered a second serving.

There are two identical yakitori restaurants on this throughway.  Only one of them is this one.  The other is a different restaurant but from what I saw, I don’t think you could go wrong with either.

Before we were seated, they made sure we understood the rules: 1) Each person must order at least one food item and one drink item 2) When it’s busy, the max seating time is 60 minutes 3) Prices do not include tax 4) It’s cash only.

Neighbourhood:   Yarakucho/Shimbashi/Ginza Open hours : 1PM – 11PM M-Th, 12PM – 11PM F-Su Address : ( See map ) Price : Assortment of skewers, two servings of takowasabi, and drinks (4,276 JPY) English menu?:   Yes

4. Nakaya (仲家)

Nakaya is now at Toyosu

I can confirm that Nakaya has now moved to Toyosu Market from Tsukiji. They can be found in the Fish Intermediate Wholesale Market Building and the floor of restaurants. Saw the same chefs and assistants working there.  I’ve kept my description of Nakaya the original from my experience at Tsukiji. Read more about Toyosu

You could say that Tsukiji Fish Market is a pilgrimage of sorts if you love sushi.  Sure there are better and fancier Michelin rated restaurants in Tokyo but a trip wouldn’t be complete without a visit to one of the sushi restaurants here and for breakfast no less.

In a previous trip to Tokyo, we had done Daiwa Sushi which was an amazing experience.  It’s one of the two sushi restaurants at the market that constantly get reviewed.  This time though, we didn’t feel like getting up at 4AM to get sushi so we instead woke up at 6AM to get to this restaurant at 7AM.

The beauty of Nakaya when we arrived was that there was no line at all.  In fact we showed up, gave our order to the lady in the front, and after one couple came out, we were seated inside at counter seats.

Where Daiwa Sushi was that omakase (chef’s selection) style of menu where you got each nigiri one at a time, Nakaya is all about chirashi which means sashimi on a bowl of rice.

Our bowls came out lightning fast and the fish as fresh as it gets.  I personally thought the toro was better at Uoriki Kaisen Sushi but the uni was insanely good here.

The only thing I found was that the service at Nakaya wasn’t the most friendly especially for foreigners but that might’ve been because of all the photo and video I was doing there.

Neighbourhood:   Toyosu Open hours : 5AM – 2PM M-S (closed on Sunday and holidays) (these are the old hours at Tsukiji) Address : ( See map ) Price : Mixed sashimi chirashi (2,000 JPY – $19 USD) and uni + toro chirashi (2,300 JPY – $22 USD), Cash only! English menu?:   No, but there is a huge menu with pictures at the entrance so just point and order

All the details about Toyosu Fish Market

If you want to get the lottery tickets to see the tuna auction at the Observation Deck level or curious about the buildings that are spread out including where Sushi Dai and Daiwa Sushi are, make sure to head on over to a new detailed post all about how it works.

How the Toyosu Market Works

5. Sometaro Okonomiyaki (染太郎)

Okonomiyaki is a savoury Japanese pancake that you have to have in different parts of the country because every region has their own take on this popular dish.  The Kansai region (Osaka) and Hiroshima are said to be the place or origin but if you don’t make it out there, you should definitely have it in Tokyo.

What makes the okonomiyaki experience so unique in Japan is that restaurants that specialize in it allow you to make it yourself.  That’s good or bad depending on how you look at it.  Do you really trust yourself to make okonomiyaki?

Regardless, it’s a really fun experience especially at a restaurant like Sometaro which is rebuilt to be in the atmosphere of the Showa period.  Stepping inside is a bit like going back in time with nostalgic posters on the wall, photos everywhere, and well-loved and aging tatami flooring, and mini teppanyaki griddle.

Okonomiyaki is essentially a mixture of tempura batter with a variety of ingredients depending on what you order.  They come in a bowl and the rest is up to you.  Following the instructions in the menu, you melt something like butter on the hot plate before pouring the batter on in the shape of a pancake.  The key is to split the batter in two, otherwise it’s too difficult to flip.  Once it’s done, you decorate it with mayonnaise, teriyaki sauce, and seaweed flakes.  Using the spatula you split it up like a pizza, serve, and enjoy!

The two types that we ordered were Gomokuten which is essentially the house special with seafood and minced meat and Mochiten which was pretty unique with corn, rice cake, and cheese. Both were super tasty and loved Mochiten because you know I love my mochi.

I’m not going to lie, this is a touristy area because of its popularity.  In the area that we sat near the back, it was all foreigners.  That said, I loved the ambiance of the place and being on a bit of a culinary adventure of trying to figure out how to make something on your own.  It was funny how we totally screwed up our first okonomyaki but figured it out with our second one.

Water is free and at the back of the restaurant.  On the rack you can grab a cup and fill it up yourself.

They will ask you to take off your shoes ahead of time. There are plastic bags at the front where you’ll be able to put your shoes to bring inside.

It gets hot there with all of the griddles going. They provide handheld fans just for this reason so be prepared to peel of a few layers.

Neighbourhood:   Asakusa Open hours : 12PM – 10PM daily Address : ( See map ) Price : Gomokuten (870 JPY – $8 USD) and Mochiten (760 JPY – $7 USD) + Sapporo English menu?:   Yes.  Waiters know English as well.

6. Tempura Shinjuku Tsunahachi Ginza (天ぷら新宿つな八 銀座店)

Battered and fried seafood, meats, and vegetables is a mainstay of Japanese cuisine but did you know that it was introduced by Portuguese merchants in the 16th and 17th century?  Battered fried food wasn’t a thing until that point in time.  Just one of the few things we learned during our walking food tour .

Just like every other type of food in Japan, there’s always the pursuit for perfection and that’s how I discovered this high-end yet affordable tempura experience.  Founded in 1923, Tempura Tsunahachi built its reputation on using the freshest ingredients and highest quality tempura in Tokyo.  Starting in Shinjuku, they now have a total of 7 locations around Japan.  We elected to go to the newer Ginza location.

With a ton of heritage, and frequented by kabuki actors and baseball players over the past century, you’d think things would be ridiculously expensive but for lunch it really isn’t.  Showing up at 3:30PM on one of the top food floors of the Matsuya department store, we were seated immediately and found ourselves to be one of the few guests there.

We were presented with English menus but the choices were pretty simple with their lunch set menu that all had a combination of tempura’ed fish, shrimp, vegetables, and kakiage (mixed veggies, onion, and shrimp).  I’m sure there was an a-la-carte menu but they didn’t bother showing us as foreigners.  We both ordered the 6 piece set, mainly because it was the cheapest option but also the fact that we had sushi only a few hours earlier.  We would’ve shared but felt like it would be poor etiquette.

What makes Tsunahachi a must-try is because of how serious they are about their tempura.  As each plate comes to the table, you’re amazed at how the batter is cooked just enough to be crispy but at the same time not drenched in oil.  It’s a nice light mix that they’ve clearly perfected.

To top that off, we were also given a laminated English sheet on the proper way to have tempura.  It’s a multi-step process and you realize you’ve been doing it wrong your entire life.  I remember thinking to myself “Wow, so this is how tempura was meant to be eaten!”

This was certainly one of our more expensive meals in Tokyo but definitely the best tempura we had on our trip.

Neighbourhood:   Ginza Open hours : 11AM – 10PM daily Address : ( See map ) Price : Tempura-zen set menu (2,160 JPY – $20 USD) English menu?:   Yes

7.  Tokyo Station Ramen Street – Rokurinsha Ramen (六厘舎)

Ramen is kind of an obsession in Tokyo and everyone you talk to will probably have their own take of what is “the best”.  Confused by all the choice, I figured it would be easier to go somewhere that had several options to choose from.  That’s when I found out about Tokyo Station and their cluster of ramen shops on what’s affectionately called Ramen Street.

The history behind it is that when they built the basement level, they took 8 of the best and most famous Japanese ramen shops from around the country and asked them to open up shop on the street.

We went there not knowing where we’d be eating but of course we got suckered into the one that had a line.  After all, Japanese queues are always means that it’s something that’s worth waiting for right?  This ended up being Rokurinsha which is right at the main corner of Ramen Street.

We made it right before the off-work rush hour at 4PM and got seated after waiting in line for 20 minutes.  We ordered the Special Ramen and Special Dip Noodle as we waited in line as instructed by the waiter directing traffic.

Rokurinsha is known for a type of ramen called Tsukemen style where soup and noodle are separated and the broth is much more rich and the noodles thicker.  This is what they call “Special Dip Noodle” in English.  Usually we’re pretty open to trying new types of food but the Tsukemen style wasn’t one for us.  We found the broth too rich and a little too overpowering in fishiness.  This is thanks to the addition of  gyofun  (dry fish powder).  It almost tasted like canned tuna.   Sad to say, we didn’t finish the bowl but we did notice that when you’re done your noodles they basically dilute the broth so you can drink it like a soup.

My special ramen on the other hand was fabulous and more of the traditional style of ramen that we’re used to.  I found the broth to be just the right level of thickness and oiliness.  The egg was done brilliantly with the golden yolk that’s on the edge of being fully cooked through.  The slices of pork were generous and the scallions alongside bamboo shoots the perfect combination.

You have to use a machine to order and pay at the vending machine.  What’s a little counter-intuitive is that you have to put money into the machine first before pressing the buttons for your order.  The ticket that gets printed is what you hand the server when you get your seat.

Neighbourhood:   Tokyo Station/Imperial Palace Open hours : 11AM – 10PM daily Address : ( See map ) Price : Special Ramen (900 JPY – $8 USD) and Special Dip Noodle (1,060 JPY – $10 USD) English menu?:   Yes

8. Memory Lane – Piss Alley (Omoide Yokocho – 思い出横丁)

There’s a narrow alleyway next to the bustling Shinjuku station where lots of izakaya and yakitori are had and also where men often relieve themselves after having too many pints.  That is how the name Piss Alley was born.  Luckily, times have changed and there’s not so much of the namesake happening anymore but it is still a regular place for after work celebrations to happen.

This long alley called Memory Lane is flanked by tiny stalls on both sides where everyone huddles around the bar on tiny stools while the owners grill up skewers.  As you walk from one end to the other, everything from the sounds, smells, and visuals are amplified.

There are a ton of restaurants to choose from and from my observation, you really can’t go wrong with any.  All of them are as full of character as the next and equally as tight quartered.  You kind of just need to pick and see which ones have seats available.

We ended up at one of the bars near the front and ordered 6 skewers and a glass of local beer to wash it down.  The seats were barely big enough for my butt but luckily we weren’t shoulder to shoulder with the other people eating there.  The skewers themselves were pretty good but definitely not quite as good as Yakitori Ton Ton.

Ordering a minimum of one drink is required.

What turned us off a little was when we got the bill and it was much higher than we expected.  Turns out, some of these places automatically charge a “sitting fee”. We later learned that this is to compensate for small spaces and needing to maximize each customer.  What they do is sneakily offer you an appetizer which for us was this cold glass noodle similar to Korean jap chae and even if you don’t want it or eat it, it’s 300 JPY on top. That said, it’s one of the few places that we were able to “split” the food so I guess it was fair game.

Neighbourhood:   Shinjuku Open hours : Late afternoon and late into the night Address : ( See map ) Price : Assortment of skewers (2,000 JPY – $19 USD) English menu?:   Yes

9. Motodane (本種)

Down a quiet alley on the East end of Tsukiji Fish Market is a sushi restaurant that is so easy to miss that we must’ve walked passed it 3 or 4 times before we finally figured out where it was.  The street itself looks more for wholesalers than anything but tucked away is an entrance on a side-alley to this wonderfully local sushi spot called Motodane.

For those that are wondering, yes this is still at Tsukiji !

What we loved about this place is that it is hyper local.  Business men on lunch and other locals dined either at the bar or in the back where we were and there wasn’t an English character in sight.  To order, they pointed to the menu pinned up on the wall and tried to explain what they were.  We could pick up nigiri and sashimi so we were able to figure it out.  It also helped that they were preparing meals for other tables so they could kind of point to things.

The chef’s selection of nigiri and sashimi that we ordered was mouthwateringly fresh and the perfect breakfast paired with the miso soup that came with each plate.  The only thing missing was uni.

The one knock I had on the place was that the mackerel we had was laced with bones in it which we thought was a bit odd.  So sure the experience could’ve been more refined in terms of better slices and selection of fish but for half the price of Nakaya, who were we to complain.

Neighbourhood:   Tsukiji Open hours : Late afternoon and late into the night Address : ( See map ) Price : Sashimi plate (1,200 JPY – $11 USD) and nigiri plate (1,500 JPY – $14 USD) English menu?:   No

Top 5 Dessert Spots in Tokyo

You know I love my dessert too much to not share with you a few of my favourites.  It was so easy to find people’s lists of favourite Japanese restaurants in Tokyo but what about the sweet stuff?

1.  Flipper’s (代官山店)

Pancakes are the champions of  American Breakfast.  In fact, there’s an international house of them.  Soufflé is the French art of heavenly light and puffy cakes made with egg yolks and beaten egg whites.  What happens when you mix them together in Japan?  You get Flipper’s and an all out new sensation called soufflé pancakes.

Topped with special maple butter cream, these super fluffy and melt-in-your-mouth desserts blew my expectations for what a pancake could be.  The choices are pretty simple – you can either get them with fruit toppings or without.  You’re going to love these airy and delicate creations.

Lucky for us we didn’t have to deal with any mind boggling queues but did have to wait in line for roughly 20 minutes before getting into their Ebisu location.  Luckily they had chairs and like all the restaurants that had a queue, they took our orders ahead of time.

 This was one of the few places where we could share a dish but they did make us order a drink.

Neighbourhood:   Ebisu Open hours : 11AM – 8PM M-Su Address : ( See map ) Price : Original soufflé pancake a.k.a. kiseki pancake plain (1,000 JPY – $9 USD) + matcha au lait (400 JPY – $4 USD) English menu?:   Yes

2. Zaku Zaku (ザクザク)

A trip to Tokyo wouldn’t be complete without a visit to character-filled Harajuku.  Besides cosplay shops, vintage clothing stores, and colourful street art, you’ll also find a few my favourite dessert spots in the city.

Zaku Zaku was introduced by a friend and they specialize in a unique take on the traditional cream puff that places like Beard Papa’s have been doing for a long time.  What they make is something called a croquant chou which are French words for ‘crisp’ and the pastry used for cream puffs and eclairs.  Zaku Zaku directly translates to crunchy.

Touting fresh ingredients from Hokkaido, this mashup of cream puffs and eclairs are made of almonds coated with sugar and egg white as well as a blend of Hokkaido-made flour with the cream centres made of milk.  They’re all made in-house as they proudly display.

On top of the croquant chou, there’s also their soft-serve which is crowned by crunchy almond at the cone.

One thing you quickly learn in Japan that any dairy product branded as Hokkaido is instantly premium and for good reason because of the simple reason of how legendary their cows are treated which results in creamy and light milk.  That said, I was surprised to see that everything was quite affordable here as I was definitely tempted to order more than one crispy cream puff.

Eating the croquant chou right away, I quite enjoyed mine.  I think it’s much friendly form to eat compared to the traditional ball of a cream puff that always explodes as you eat it.  The crisp is a nice element to it as it is complementary to the soft-serve which was very good.  I can’t say it’s going to blow you away but definitely unique and will satisfy your sweet tooth.

 There are several locations around Tokyo so make sure you to check to see if there are ones that are more convenient to you.

 We showed up at 8PM on a weekday and there wasn’t much of a line.  Even if there is one, it moves very swift as it’s very much a pay-and-go system.

When you’re done, think about booking a tour to learn more about the neighbourhood here with the  Harajuku Kawaii Fashion & Pop-culture Tour  where you’ll learn from a local guide what makes the pop culture here so unique.  You’ll be able to have lunch in a crazy monster café and also walk through the nearby Meiji Shrine.

Neighbourhood:   Harajuku Open hours : 10AM – 8PM M-Su Address : ( See map ) Price : Original soufflé pancake a.k.a. kiseki pancake plain (1,000 JPY – $9 USD) + matcha au lait (400 JPY – $4 USD) English menu?:   Yes

3. Tsujiri (辻利)

If there’s a #2 behind sushi when you think of Japanese food, I would put green tea in that spot.  The most famous matcha comes from a region in Kyoto called Uji but if you’re limited to Tokyo, there are very few options for authentic and high quality tea.  We were on the hunt for serious matcha ice cream and that’s when we stumbled upon Tsujiri.

Diving down to the basement floor of the newest department store in Ginza, you’ll be sounding out “ooh” and “ahh” at every turn.  This is where you’ll find the highly respected tea shop.  At first, we weren’t too interested as we only saw a loose leaf tea on display but we noticed a group of people intensely focused on a cone of matcha soft-serve on the benches.

On the menu is an assortment of matcha soft-serve based items but we were definitely most interested in having it in it’s purest form.  They offer two types of soft-serve – the cheaper regular Matcha and the more expensive Extra Rich which is described to have “twice as much matcha as Matcha”.

Of course we went with Extra Rich and boy were we impressed.  The soft-serve is smooth and creamy while packing extra strong Uji matcha flavours that is strongly but satisfyingly bitter.

 The price between cone and cup are the same so why not go for the cone?

Neighbourhood:   Ginza Open hours : 10:30AM – 8:30PM M-Su Address : ( See map ) Price : Extra rich matcha soft serve (584 JPY – $6 USD) English menu?:   Yes

4. Angels Heart

And you thought I was done with Harajuku!  We discovered this on our first trip to Tokyo and it certainly wouldn’t be our last.  Paired up with Zaku Zaku, we needed to make sure we had enough stomach room for one more dessert.

Long before croquant chou was even a thing, Harajuku was mainly known for their decadent crepes.  It wasn’t enough just to just put Nutella and fruit on crepes as the French had done but they had to take it a step further and slam it with ice cream and cheesecake on top.  It was so deliciously good that it’s a style of crepe in a cardboard cone holder that’s simply called the Harajuku Crepe.

There are several stalls that serve this dessert but the one we always go back to Angel’s Heart which is in the middle of Takeshita Street.  The walls are plastered with pictures of menu options and the one I highly recommend is the one with green tea ice cream and cheesecake.

Neighbourhood:   Harajuku Open hours : 10AM – 9:30PM M-Su Address : ( See map ) Price : Green tea ice cream and cheesecake crepe (640 JPY – $6 USD) English menu?:   Yes

5. Japanese Ice OUCA (食べログ)

Last but not least is this ice creamery located at a busy intersection in the neighbourhood of Ebisu.  In this small cafe, you’ll have your choice of ice cream and gelato – some of which are standard and others which are special based on the season.  Everything is homemade.

Overloaded with choices in flavour, colour, and special options, we ended up picking the skewers of mochi (called dango) glazed in a soy syrup with their evergreen matcha gelato on top.  An unorthodox combination?  Yes, absolutely.  I think both of us regretted the choice after as we found the salty-sweet combination of the soy glaze and the bitterness of the matcha to clash.  The dango also wasn’t freshly made as we watched them just grill up pre-made ones so it didn’t have the elastic bounce I was expecting.

While the clash was strong, I thought the matcha gelato was excellent.  Not as rich as Tsujiri but with a texture that could easily fool you as ice cream, it held up its own as some of the best ice cream we had in Japan.

If I were to come back, I’d stick to the basic cup of 3 selection ice cream.

Wheat green tea is complimentary if you’re eating in their limited-space cafe.  Also, if you order one of their ice cream cups, it comes with kombu flakes to cleanse your palette after the sugar overdose.

Neighbourhood:   Ebisu Open hours : 11AM – 11PM M-Su Address : ( See map ) Price : Dango with green tea gelato (400 JPY – $4 USD) English menu?:   Yes

Places We Missed

In 6 days I feel like we barely made a dent into everything Tokyo has to offer.  As you plan out your foodie vacation, here are some of the other things you don’t want to miss out on.

Types of Food We Didn’t Get To

• Shabu shabu
• Japanese BBQ
• Steak (Waygu and Kobe beef)

More Places I Didn’t Feature

There are more restaurants that I wasn’t able to feature on this list but I did add them to the Tokyo Food Map .  These include restaurants that we tried or ones that were in the plans but just didn’t have time or the stomach room for.

How much does 5 days in Tokyo cost?

It’s no secret that Tokyo is one of the most expensive places in the world.  I kept track of our expenses over the course of our 6 days in the city and here is a breakdown of how much we spent.

• Food : $437 USD
• Souvenirs : $294 USD
• Accommodation : $188 USD (6 nights at the Airbnb)
• Transportation : $99 USD (not including flights)
• Activities: $189 USD (mainly MariCAR)
• Currency:  $4 USD (ATM fees)

TOTAL:  $1,211 USD

This breaks down to $201 per day and furthermore $100 per day per person .

Food of course is where we spent the most money but from my list above, you’ll see we didn’t really splurge on any particular place which helped keep our cost low.  We definitely ended up spending a bit more on souvenirs which can be broken down into our shopping at Daiso, Don Quijote, and the local supermarkets.

We saved a ton by going cheap on accommodations but that can easily balloon to $1,000 in Tokyo if you’re staying in the city .

There’s an endless amount of things to see, do, and eat in Tokyo.  Our 6 days there was a blitz of food that resulted in intense exercise of our stomachs and our feet.

One thing is for sure, it did not disappointed.  The most impressive thing is just how much care they put into every piece of food that is placed on the dish.  Everything is there for a reason and it’s the combination of all the freshest ingredients and method of preparation that results in incredible dining experiences whether they’re on the street or in a fancy restaurant.

So what are you waiting for?

Looking for activity ideas in Tokyo?

Akihabara Anime & Gaming Adventure Tour –  Akihabara is an awesome neighbourhood to explore that isn’t covered in this particular guide as somewhere with a specific restaurant to visit but if you’re a fan of anime, manga, maids, video games, and toys.  This tour gives you a 3 hour interactive experience including going to a maid cafe, trying out a Japanese photo booth, and being shown the best spots for anime.

Read these next!

• Souvenirs you have to buy before you leave Japan
• Best ramen in Tokyo
• Must have food in Osaka
• Tips for getting around Tokyo by train
• Best ryokans in Kyoto

Thinking about a JR Pass?

If you’re looking to do any travelling around Japan, I highly recommend picking up a  JRailPass .  Keep in mind that you’ll need to purchase it before your trip and ship it to your home.

About William Tang

William Tang is the Chief of Awesome behind the award-winning Going Awesome Places which is focused on outdoor adventure, and experiential travel. His true passion lies in telling stories, inspiring photography and videos, and writing detailed itineraries and travel guides. He is a member of Travel Media Association of Canada (TMAC), Society of American Travel Writers (SATW), Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA), and Travel Massive. He has also been featured in publications such as Reader's Digest, Entrepreneur, Men's Journal, and Haute Living. Make sure to learn more about William Tang to find out his story and how Going Awesome Places started.

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The Best Traditional Japanese Foods and Dishes

With its aesthetic of beautifully presented food and the use of fresh, high-quality seasonal ingredients, it’s no wonder that Japan ’s cuisine is so delicious and so highly prized by people around the world. If you’re looking to expand your knowledge of Japanese food, here are some of the best traditional Japanese dishes.

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Japanese food is one of the most popular cuisines in the world and for good reason. Based on “rules of five,” traditional Japanese cooking, or washoku, emphasizes variety and balance. This is achieved through the use of five colors (black, white, red, yellow, and green), five cooking techniques (raw food, grilling, steaming, boiling, and frying), and five flavors (sweet, spicy, salty, sour, and bitter). These principles can be found even in a single meal of one soup and three sides paired with rice, 一汁三菜 (ichiju-ju, san-sai).

See the rules of five in action on our 12-day Epic Trip in Japan – you’ll discover street food in Osaka’s Dotonbori district, try traditional pancakes in Hiroshima, go sake tasting in the Japanese Alps and have a sushi-making class in Tokyo.

Sushi is, without doubt, one of the most famous foods to come from Japan. A dish that was born in ancient times, sushi originated from the process of preserving fish in fermented rice. Today it’s made with vinegared rice and fresh fish, presented in a number of ways and shapes.

Tempura is a dish of battered and fried fish, seafood, or vegetables. Special care is given to the way the ingredients are cut as well as to the temperature of the batter (ice cold) and oil (very hot) for deep-frying, so that every piece is a bite of crisply fried perfection. In the Kanto region around Tokyo, tempura is eaten with a dipping sauce, while in the Kansai region around Kyoto and Osaka it’s dipped in flavored salt.

Yakitori is a dish of bite-sized cuts of chicken grilled on a skewer. It makes use of every part of the chicken — including heart, liver, and even chicken comb — to avoid wastefulness, an important element of Japanese food culture. Unlike other traditional Japanese foods, yakitori has only been eaten since around the mid-17th century, as eating meat was largely taboo in Japan for several centuries.

Tsukemono pickles

Tsukemono are traditional pickles that have been eaten in Japan since prehistoric times. Made with a wide variety of ingredients, including vegetables like daikon radish and eggplant, as well as fruits like ume plum. Tsukemono not only add visual appeal to a meal with their bright colors, they’re also an extremely healthy food.

The ultimate in Japanese fine dining, kaiseki is a tasting course comprised of small, seasonally themed dishes crafted with the utmost precision and attention to detail. Kaiseki was born from the traditional tea ceremony, where small morsels of food were offered alongside the bitter green tea, and over time these offerings evolved into a multi-course haute cuisine meal.

Udon is a dense and chewy noodle made from wheat flour. It’s one of the most popular foods in Japan due to its delicious taste, inexpensive price point, and versatility – udon can be eaten hot or cold and customized with any number of toppings. There are three famous regional varieties of udon noodle: sanuki udon from Kagawa prefecture in Southwest Japan, kishimen from Nagoya in Central Japan, and inaniwa udon from Akita in Northern Japan.

Soba is another type of noodle dish that has been eaten in Japan for centuries. Made from buckwheat flour, soba has a long thin shape and firm texture and is very healthy. Like udon noodles, soba can be served in a hot broth or chilled with a dipping sauce, making it a delicious and healthy option any time of year.

Sukiyak i is a one-pot dish of beef, vegetables, and tofu cooked with a sweet soy sauce broth in a shallow cast iron pot. It became highly popular after the centuries-long ban on eating meat was lifted during the Meiji period, and is the perfect way to enjoy Japan’s incredibly rich and tender wagyu beef.

Centuries before Japanese people were eating sushi, they first enjoyed raw fish without the rice. While the name “sashimi” refers to any thinly sliced raw food, including raw beef (gyuu-sashi), chicken (tori-zashi), and even horse ( basashi ), fish and seafood are the most popular varieties.

Miso soup may seem deceptively simple, but it’s an essential Japanese food that’s served with any traditional meal. The soup is made from dashi stock – either fish or kelp stock – combined with miso bean paste to bring a savory umami element to any meal. Tofu and sliced green onions, as well as ingredients like fish, clams, and pork, can be added and may vary by the season.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.

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Food Tourism in Japan: Why is Japan the World’s #1 Foodie Destination?

1. japan's michelin-starred reputation.

In 2019, Tokyo was ranked as the city with the most Michelin stars in the world for the 12th straight year, with 308 total Michelin stars. But Tokyo is not the only city in Japan that has received culinary accolades. Three of the top five Michelin-ranked cities in the world are in Japan, flanking Paris (#2), with Kyoto and Osaka coming in at #3 and #4.

(Keen to dip a toe into the world of fine dining without drowning in debt? See our posts, Most Affordable Michelin-Starred Restaurants in Tokyo and Michelin-Starred Ramen .)

2. Variety of Restaurants and Japanese Foods

The variety of Japanese food is another reason why food tourism in Japan has been booming, with Tokyo among the cities with the most restaurants per capita. For every restaurant in Tokyo, there are 101 Tokyo residents. Nationwide, there is also a staggering number of restaurants, with 893,345 restaurants in Japan (according to Tabelog, September 2019). There are over 145,000 izakaya (Japanese gastropubs) and 50,000 ramen shops in Japan.

Check out our Japanese food guide and get lost in the immense variety of food experiences.

3. Japanese Food: The World’s Healthiest Cuisine

Japan is considered to have the world’s healthiest cuisine, responsible for the highest life expectancy in the world. According to the World Health Organization's average life expectancy findings, Japan is number one, followed by Switzerland, Singapore, Australia, and Spain, with the U.S. trailing behind at 31st. Healthy Japanese food is likely one of the contributing factors, with fermented foods like natto and miso as staples in the Japanese diet and emphasis on drinks like green tea , rather than soda. 

4. Japanese Food is Popular Abroad

Another main reason for the increase in food tourism in Japan is the worldwide recognition and popularity of Japanese cuisine. Between 2006 and 2017, the number of Japanese restaurants abroad increased nearly fivefold! In 2019, New York City gained 16 Michelin-starred restaurants; of these, half are Japanese restaurants. This illustrates a trend of Japanese cuisine being regarded as fashionable abroad. The Japan External Trade Organization also reports that Japanese food is the most popular foreign cuisine overseas, likely sparking curiosity about traveling to Japan. 

Browse food experiences in Japan, like food tours , cooking classes , tastings , and dining experiences .

Each booking helps children in need through the Food for Happiness initiative!

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Tokyo Food Tours: 12 Best Gourmet Travel Experiences

Kyoto Food Tours: 9 Best Gourmet Travel Experiences

15 Best Osaka Food Tours [2024 Update]

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Food Tours Japan helps you discover the best gourmet experiences in Japan, the world’s number one food destination. Pack your chopsticks, and dive into elegant and harmonious cuisines developed from centuries of artistry, to deliciously addictive soul foods.

Start your journey in Tokyo, the world’s premier city for food-lovers with the most Michelin-starred restaurants. Savour the best of Japan’s cuisine and local delicacies on a Tokyo food tour .

Stroll around Shinjuku’s narrow back streets and taste sizzling yakitori in Memory Lane, or discover where the locals go out at night. Fun-seekers will love the Robot Restaurant’s sensory overload of action and lights, which is more cabaret show, than a place for serious foodies. Or, combine sightseeing with a culinary experience during the day.

Tantalise your taste buds with fresh-off-the-boat sashimi at Tsukiji Market and witness the drama of Tokyo’s famous tuna auction at its new home, Toyosu Market . After all that delicious sushi, wash it down with a sake tasting or brewery tour .

For a more hands-on culinary experience, learn how to cook ramen and gyoza, wagyu beef and more at a Tokyo cooking class .

Ranked number two in the world for the most Michelin star restaurants, Kyoto is home to some of Japan’s most refined dishes. On a Kyoto food tour , experience the finest kaiseki multi-course meal and discover restaurants and bars in Kyoto’s geisha districts, Gion and Pontocho.

But don’t leave spotting a geisha to chance! For a once-in-a-lifetime experience, enjoy the company of Kyoto’s elegant and legendary entertainers at a geisha and maiko dinner show .

Or, take a break from shrines and temples with a sake brewery and tasting excursion in Kyoto’s quaint and pretty Fushimi district.

Osaka is a foodie paradise, and its people are famous throughout Japan for their love of food. They’re so passionate about cuisine, they have a saying kuidaore which means to ‘bankrupt oneself through extravagance with food.’

Osaka’s friendly and outgoing locals makes it a perfect place to experience delicious local soul foods like takoyaki and Japanese cuisine.

Take a food tour in Osaka and wander around Dotonbori’s neon-lit streets tasting food as you go at one of the many izakaya or standing bars. Or, why not visit Kuromon Market with its seafood-laden food stalls.

Taste the beauty of Japan on a culinary adventure and get a deeper insight into the nation’s culture. A Japan food tour is a must-do travel experience and one you’ll never forget!

Image: Sushi!!! / 鮨 by Toshihiro Gamo , used under CC BY-NC 2.0 DEED / Edited from original

Discovering the Hidden Gems of Japanese Cuisine: A Guide for Food Enthusiasts

H ello there, food lover! Are you ready to explore the scene of Japan? Let's leave behind the tourist traps. We will seek to unearth the treasures where authentic Japanese flavors genuinely shine. Behind the tourist traps, we desire to unearth the treasures where authentic Japanese flavors genuinely shine . This is more than a journey; it's an opportunity to immerse ourselves in Japan's rich cultural tapestry one delectable bite at a time.

The Allure of Eateries

The significance of local eateries.

Have you ever wondered what makes Japanese cuisine so extraordinary? It's not merely about the ingredients or cooking techniques; it's about infusing every dish with heart and soul. Local eateries serve as the lifeblood of Japan's landscape. They are spaces where age-old traditions are preserved and innovative trends are born. In these establishments, you're not a customer but a cherished guest embraced by a family.

Distinguishing Popular Tourist Spots from Local Favorites

Do you know those restaurants that boast menus and flashy food photographs? Sure, they may offer convenience, but let's be honest – they often fall short regarding authenticity.

On the other hand, local favorites are where you can witness the grandmother skillfully simmering a secret recipe broth or the young chef experimenting with time-honored techniques. That's when the real magic happens!

Exploring Lesser Known Restaurants

Discovering hidden gems.

Imagine strolling through alleyways following the aromas and stumbling upon a small restaurant that doesn't appear on any map. That's where you'll come across some of Japan's meals. It's like embarking on an adventure, a treasure hunt for your taste buds!

Deciphering Local Menus

So, let's say you've found a hidden gem. Their menu seems like a puzzle. No worries! It's all part of the fun. Use gestures to point at items. Seek recommendations. Sometimes, the fantastic dishes are those you never expected to try.

Regional Specialties: Embarking on a Journey Across Japan

Delights from the north: hokkaido and tohoku.

Imagine savoring Hokkaido's seafood, indulging in creamy dairy products, and relishing Tohoku's comforting soups and stews. It feels like receiving an embrace from the Japanese lands!

Treasures in Central Japan: Chubu

Here in the heart of Japan lies an array of wonders – from Tokyo's vibrant food streets to the Chubu region's serene tea ceremonies. It's a captivating blend of the traditional aspects. It truly grabs your attention.

Exploring the Wonders of the West: Kansai, Chugoku, Shikoku, and Kyushu

Ah, the part of Japan! Prepare yourself for an explosion of flavors with Osakas takoyaki, the comforting ramen from Kyushu, and everything in between. It's a journey that you absolutely can't afford to miss.

Indulging in Authentic Izakayas and Street Foods

The irresistible charm of izakayas.

Picture this: a warm and bustling place filled with laughter where scrumptious dishes appear on your table. That's what an izakaya is about – a setting to immerse yourself in Japan's vibrant dining culture.

Street Food: A Glimpse into Local Life

There's something about enjoying food on the go or sampling snacks at a market or festival. It goes beyond satisfying hunger; it offers a taste of Japanese life.

Unique Seasonal and Festive Delights from Japan

Seasonal Delicacies cuisine transforms as seasons change, each bringing its culinary highlights. From springtime treats adorned with cherry blossoms to comforting pots during winter, there will always be something to tantalize your taste buds.

Festival Foods

Have you ever savored a dish that feels like a celebration in itself? That's what makes Japanese festival cuisine so unique! Each festival offers a story showcasing Japan's cultural heritage.

Tips for Enjoying Food

Etiquette and customs.

Mastering the nuances of dining etiquette adds to the delightful experience. Remember, it's not about following rules; it's about expressing respect and gratitude towards the meal and the chef.

Managing Dietary Needs and Allergies

Japan is known for its accommodating nature. It's helpful to be familiar with phrases to navigate dietary requirements. Don't hesitate to ask; most places are happy to assist.

Language Tips for Ordering Food

Japanese phrases can make a world of difference. "Oishii" (delicious). Kore wa nan desu ka?" (What is this?) will become your trusted companions.

Navigating Dietary Restrictions

Being aware of words like "vegetarian," "allergy," and "gluten-free" in Japanese will ensure a hassle-free dining experience. These phrases serve as your ticket to worry indulgence.

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Food focused two week japan itinerary – 14 days of eating well.

We’ve taken several trips to Japan over the last decade, each time staying a bit longer and exploring a bit more than the last. I know many travelers don’t have the same flexibility in their schedules as we do. If you have the opportunity to spend two weeks in Japan, though, we want to ensure you eat well and drink well. Because Japan is one of the top culinary travel destinations in the world. In this post, I share our tips on how to plan a trip to Japan with a 14 day itinerary. 

*This post contains compensated links. Find more info in my  DISCLAIMER . As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

A 14 Day Trip To Japan For People Who Travel For Food

Most itineraries focus on the top Japan destinations, including Tokyo and Kyoto. There is always a focus on the “top things to see” and always includes plenty of visits to museums and temples. We include some of those activities in this guide. 

But our real focus in this Japan travel blog is to focus on unique food experiences, those experiences that make Japan unique. This includes  food tours , sake tastings, and plenty of recommendations on where and what to eat in Japan. 

Another way this itinerary is different from others is that it goes beyond Tokyo and Kansai, which includes Kyoto and Osaka. Sure we include those cities as well. But our suggestions go a little bit beyond for a more authentic experience in Japan.  

Only Have A Week In Japan? Check Out Our 7 Day Japan Itinerary  

Help With Planning Your Japan Two Week Itinerary  

Luggage : We used our Eagle Creek Load Warrior luggage for this trip. I always recommend packing light and if using the trains in Japan this is particularly important. Escalators and elevators are not readily available. And, most hotel rooms in Japan are pretty small. It can be hard to find space for large luggage! Even for a 2 week trip in Japan, it is possible to do laundry at least once or twice during your trip so it’s possible to pack light.

Rental cars : If you decide to rent a car in Japan, we recommend  RentalCars.com . They compare prices at the top rental car companies to get you the best deal. 

Rail Passes : Train travel is really efficient in Japan, particularly between our recommended cities. Check out the 14 Day Japan Rail Pass  to help get you around. A rail pass must be purchased ahead of time before your arrival in Japan and is best purchased from Japan Rail Pass. 

Eating at an izakaya in Kyoto

Best Japan Destinations For Food Travelers

Tokyo  – Many travelers arrive or depart from Tokyo so it’s understandably on everyone’s itinerary. It’s a big city, with bright lights, and Japan to the extreme.

Osaka  – The destination for food travelers in Japan. Known as Japan’s kitchen, Osaka is known for “kuidaore,” which essentially translates to eat until you drop or eat until you bankrupt yourself. This is why it’s one of our favorite cities. 

Kyoto  – The city of culture and temples, Kyoto is also one of the top sake producing regions in the country.

Wakayama  – Just south of Osaka and Kyoto, Wakayama is often overlooked by travelers. It’s an easy addition to any Japan trip itinerary. It’s a destination with a focus on fresh fish and seafood, ramen, and Buddhist Monastery lodgings.

Kobe  – The home of world-famous Kobe beef and easily visited as a day trip from Osaka or Kyoto.

Sapporo  – The great white north of Japan and the city that is one of the snowiest in the world. It’s also home to its own unique cuisine unlike elsewhere in Japan.

Visiting a sake brewery in Kyoto

Guided Tours Of Japan 

We will provide tips on how to plan your own Japan 2 week itinerary, but I understand that Japan can be difficult to manage on your own. We have some recommendations for guided tours that included between 12 and 14 day itineraries. 

Intrepid Travel offers a  12 day Real Food Adventure In Japan . It hits some of our favorite food cities in the Kansai region of Japan. That includes Osaka, Kyoto, and  Kyosan  in Wakayama. Along the way, travelers learn to make  sushi , eat street food, and stay the night in a Buddhist monastery. These are all food experiences we’ve had in Japan and would totally recommend. We took an Intrepid Real Food Adventure in Morocco and learned a lot about the food culture. Learn more about Intrepid’s Japan tour . 

As an alternative, G Adventures offers a small group tour for 14 days in Japan that departs from and returns to Tokyo. The  Discover Japan Tour  visits Tokyo, Kyoto, Hiroshima, and other interesting cities. There is more of a focus on culture and history than the Intrepid Tour but includes interesting food experiences. This includes visiting a sake brewery and dining in kaiseki cuisine in  Kyoto. Learn more about the G Adventures Discover Japan Tour .

Eating ramen in Sapporo in Winter

Tips For Traveling to Japan For The First Time

Planning a trip to Japan for the first time can be entirely intimidating. That’s why booking a group tour can help. But, there are ways to plan an independent journey as well. We have a few key tips for first-timers to help make things easier. 

Picture Menus Are Your Friend

When it comes to selecting restaurants in most touristy cities, we always recommend avoiding places with picture menus. This advice goes out the door in Japan. Many restaurants have picture menus, for both travelers and locals. The picture menus are your friend. 

Almost every place we ate in Japan included picture menus with English descriptions. A few did not. Where they didn’t we relied on Google Translate to take pictures of the menu or to do an instant translation. But, this only works when you are online.

Japan Travel Guide Pro Tip

We use KeepGo for international data. It’s an international sim card that works in over 120 countries without setting up service in each country you visit. It doesn’t make a difference what kind of mobile service you have at home. You just register the sim before leaving home. It works on arrival in Japan. We had 4G access in Japan with KeepGo .

Japan Is A Cash-Based Society

Cash is still king in Japan. We were able to charge some meals, but most of the time we paid cash. This is particularly true in smaller places. We used ATMs to withdraw cash as we went. ATMs are not as easily found as in other cities. Look for them in the convenience stores like 7-11, Lawson, or Family Mart. 

Don’t Try To Fit Too Much Into Your Itinerary

Imagine someone trying to see all of the US in a two week trip, impossible, right? Japan may be a smaller country, but there is so much to see and do. Even within a single city, there are loads of great activities, neighborhoods to explore, and food to eat. Don’t rush it and don’t try to cram everything into a short amount of time. 

Our recommendations in this post make a great first time in Japan itinerary. In two weeks you can experience a lot of Japan, but I wouldn’t recommend visiting more than 4 cities. The movement in between, even with high speed trains, can be exhausting. 

Also, consider basing yourself in a city like Osaka and taking day trips to Kyoto, Koyasan, Nara, and Kobe, to see a lot without the constant checking-in and checking-out of hotels and packing and repacking. You can access each of these cities in less than an hour from Osaka.

Visiting Temples In Wakayama

Food And Drink Experiences In Japan

There are loads of interesting and unique things to do in Japan. Some of these experiences relate to food and drink and others focus on culture and history. This is a great place to start your own Japan trip planner for how to spend 2 weeks in Japan.

• Visit a  Robot Restaurant in Tokyo  for one of the most unique dining experiences in the world
• Exploring traditional local markets including Kuromon in Osaka and Nishiki Market in Kyoto
• Tracking down the top street food in Dotonbori , Osaka’s food street 
• Book a food tour in Osaka  or a Kyoto cooking class  to learn more about Japanese food culture on a half-day or full-day tour 
• Eat some of the best Japanese sushi  of your life, by visiting a conveyor belt sushi restaurant or a traditional sushi-ya
• Track down the best bowl of ramen  in one of the official or unofficial ramen streets. 
• Go  Japanese craft beer bar hopping and learn about Japanese craft beer trends 
• Enjoy a kaiseki meal at a traditional Japanese ryokan
• Spend the night at a Buddhist monastery and learn about shojin ryori, Buddhist vegetarian cuisine
• Eat some of the best beef in the world –  Kobe beef
• Tour a  Japanese sake brewery  and learn how to order sake
• Spend the evening at an izakaya, a Japanese tavern, toasting over local beer and whiskey highballs
• Dine on Japanese giant crab  and local seafood in the great white north of Japan
• Tour the famous  Sapporo Brewery  and dine on Genghis Khan

Eating sushi at a market in Osaka

How To Spend 14 Days In Japan When You Love Food

If planning your own self-guided tour of Japan, here are our recommended destinations. With a full two weeks in Japan, you can see a lot. There are two primary options here. We recommend about a half dozen cities to visit. It’s possible to visit each of them, spending approximately two nights in each. 

Or, I would recommend staying in only about three cities and doing day trips. For example, you can stay in Tokyo, Osaka, and Sapporo and manage to have all of the experiences mentioned in this post over two weeks.  

For each city, I recommend some of the top attractions or experiences, with a focus on food and drink. I also provide recommendations on what and where to eat and some recommended hotels. There are also links to some of our other posts for more information on some of these activities and travel tips. 

Day 1-3 Tokyo

Most people start or end their trip to Japan in Tokyo. We prefer the smaller cities for more unique experiences and recommend spending more time there. At least give yourself enough time in Tokyo to beat the  jet lag . 

Top Attractions In Tokyo

Definitely check out the Shibuya district, one of the most iconic neighborhoods in Tokyo. If you’ve seen photos of Tokyo with loads of people crossing at a major intersection with neon lights and skyscrapers in the background – that’s Shibuya. It’s supposedly the busiest pedestrian crosswalk in the world. Stop for a katsu curry at Katsuya or hit one of the ramen or soba shops. 

At night, head to the Shinjuku district, perhaps for a little karaoke and nightlife. Shinjuku is where the neon lights explode at night. There’s theater, food, bars, and plenty of people watching. 

There are also two well-known bar and restaurant alleys in Shinjuku that are must-visits: Golden Gai and Memory Lane. It’s almost like stepping back in time considering much of Tokyo is covered in high-rises. Within this area is also Harajuku. This is where young people like to show off their fashion and old people like me are left to wonder why. 

For a bit of culture, visit the  Imperia l Palace or at least wander the gardens. Or, check out the art museums and galleries in the Roppongi neighborhood. This is also where the Tokyo Tower can provide you with a birds-eye view of the city. 

Tours And Tickets For Tokyo

There are a few tours and attractions that we recommend booking ahead of time. Grab tickets for the  Tokyo Robot Restaurant , one of the most popular and unique attractions in Tokyo. To make the most of your time in Tokyo, book a food tour. This  Japanese Food And Drink Tour  includes a tour of the world-famous Tsukiji Fish Market.

Where To Eat In Tokyo

In Golden Gai and Memory Lane sniff out late-night ramen and plenty of yakitori bars. In addition to Golden Gai and Memory Lane, there are a few other areas where you are guaranteed to eat well in Tokyo. Be sure to add a visit to Ginza for Michelin Star dining, including some of the most famous sushi restaurants in the world. Look for monjayaki in the Tsukishima district for Tokyo’s answer to okonomiyaki.

Where To Stay In Tokyo

We stayed at the  Sheraton Miyako  during our visit to Tokyo, but there are other options as well depending on your budget. 

Park Hyatt Tokyo : One of the most luxurious hotels in the city and known for its role in the movie Lost in Translation. Check for rates  here .

Pullman Tokyo Tamachi : A contemporary option in the center of Tokyo with a sun terrace. Check for rates  here .

Nine Hours Shinjuku : On more of a budget, or looking for a uniquely Japanese experience, this capsule hotel is the perfect option. It’s also in the nightlife center of the city. Check for rates  here . 

Day 4-5 Osaka 

I’m amazed to see how many sample Japan two week itineraries skip Osaka altogether. Sure, it doesn’t have the same concentration of temples and palaces as Tokyo or Kyoto, but you can only see so many temples on a trip before you get “templed out.”

Osaka is one of the best cities to visit if you love food and drink! From Tokyo, use the JR Rail Pass to hop the Shinkansen high-speed train to Osaka, Japan’s kitchen. 

Top Attractions In Osaka

All of the top main attractions in Osaka are located within the city center and are accessible by train. Take a walk through the gardens of  Osaka Castle  or catch the view from a boat tour of the Dotonbori Canal. Explore  Kuromon Market  for street eats and hit Dotonbori, Osaka’s famous food street at night. At night, just wander through one of the many shopping and eating districts, including Namba, and Shinsaibashi. 

Tours And Tickets For Osaka

If you want to make the most of your time in Osaka and want to experience all the main sights, pick up the Osaka Amazing Pass. It offers free admission to loads of different sites including Osaka Castle, plus offers unlimited train and bus rides as well.

Osaka is also the perfect place to take a food tour or cooking class. See our recommendations for the  Best Food Tours In Osaka .

Or book tickets for Gotta. Gotta is pure Japanese-style entertainment. It’s a Japanese musical review show, which tells the story of the Dotonbori area through food and legend. Buy tickets ahead of time  here . They offer three shows a day, with the last show being at 3:00 pm. The show is only 40 minutes, so it’s not a big time commitment. It’s just something quirky and unique to do in Dotonbori.

Where And What To Eat In Osaka

Between traditional Japanese dishes and Osakan specialties, there is no shortage of foods to eat in Osaka. From street food to craft beer, the city has it all. One of our favorite things to do in Osaka is to visit Daruma for kushikatsu, which is fried stuff on a stick. 

Start any day eating in Dotonbori, near the canal. Then head north down the Shinsaibashi shopping street. At the top, in the Chuo Ward and near the Honmachi subway station, there are loads of great, non-touristy restaurants. On another night, head south from Dotonbori into the Namba area for plenty of standing bars and yakitori spots. 

Check out these posts for more details and where and what to eat and drink in Osaka.

Osaka Food Guide – What To Eat In Osaka Japan

Dotonbori Food Guide – 15+ Must-Eat Dishes In Dotonbori Osaka

Osaka Craft Beer Guide – Drinking The Best Craft Beer In Osaka

Where To Stay In Osaka

When we visit Osaka we tend to stay a while and normally rent an  Airbnb  apartment. We’ve also stayed at the  Sheraton Miyako . Here are some other recommended hotels in Osaka. If short on time, we recommend staying near Namba or in an adjacent neighborhood so that you are centrally located to all of the best foods. 

Swissotel Nankai Osaka : Luxury, 5-star hotel, with views over the city. It’s located above the Namba station making it super convenient. Check current rates  here .

Hotel Nikko Osaka : The Hotel Nikko is located in the Shinsaibashi shopping area and near the pedestrian shopping arcade that leads to Dotonbori. We’ve stayed near this neighborhood before and there are some great bars and restaurants nearby. Check current rates  here .

Hotel Ichiei : For a more ryokan style experience, Hotel Ichiei is also near Namba Station and offers tatami style rooms. Check current rates  here . 

How Many Days In Osaka – Pro Tip

This is a question we often get. For any of our recommended Japan destinations, it’s up to you how much time you spend in each city. People often overlook Osaka, though, in favor of Kyoto. Kyoto is famous for its temples. Osaka is famous for its food and nightlife. We recommend spending more time in Osaka than in Kyoto if you love eating. Or, base yourself in Osaka for five or seven nights and visit Kyoto, Kobe, and even Nara from there. See the sites but enjoy the  Osaka nightlife .

Day 6 Koyasan, Wakayama

If you can fit an overnight into your 14 day itinerary that will offer a totally unique experience, this is it. The Kii Peninsula in Kansai includes Kyoto, Osaka, and Wakayama.

Across the Peninsula are a series of Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes, much like the Camino de Santiago in Spain. UNESCO recognized the region as a World Heritage Site. This makes Wakayama a perfect spot to spend the day hiking or exploring temples. 

Wakayama is also a great destination for food travelers too. Koyosan is the center of Buddhism in Japan and is located within Wakayama. There are over 100 temples in Koyasan, about half of which provide temple lodging. One of the most interesting food experiences includes staying at a temple lodge in order to try their famous Buddhist Vegetarian Cuisine, known as Shojin Ryori. 

Planning A Trip To Koyasan

You can train from either Osaka or Kyoto to Koyasan using the Japan Rail Pass. Once there, spend the afternoon exploring some of the famous temples. Also, take a walk through Okunoin, a famous Buddhis Cemetery. There are over 200,000 gravestones. It’s a beautiful and peaceful place to explore. (Please don’t take photos within the cemetery). There are a handful of restaurants that are known for vegetarian cuisine, which was even enough to fill Eric’s belly. 

Spending The Night In Koyasan

Spending a night in the Mount Koya area is almost like an all-inclusive stay. Book at one of the temple lodgings. These are mostly simple places to stay for the night, normally with tatami-style rooms with futons on the ground. A shojin ryori vegetarian dinner is included. They do serve beer and sake, but we used it as a night to detox. 

After dinner, head back to the temples to see them lit up at night. It’s quite peaceful. Then, it is time for bathing. Some of the temple lodges have private, western-style bathrooms. Others offer traditional Japanese bathing, which is sex separated, public, and nude. That alone is an experience. 

It’s an early-to-bed experience. There is the option of observing a dawn ritual where the monks offer a service to practicing Buddhists. We stayed in a traditional lodge where we were the only foreigners. The entire proceeding was in a combination of Japanese and Sanskrit. As much as we didn’t understand a word, observing was fascinating. 

Where To Stay In Koyasan

We recommend Jokiin , which offers all of the above experiences. They have a traditional Japanese public bath, but also offer some rooms with a private bath. All rooms are tatami-style, with futons on the floor. Book  here .

Day 7-8 Kobe

Kobe City is located in the west end of central Japan. It’s a port town and hosts the 6th largest population in Japan. What most people know about Kobe is its namesake beef. It is also one of the top sake producers in the country as well. This makes it an interesting city to add to your two week itinerary. 

Top Attractions In Kobe

Did you know that the Nada-Gogo, or the Five Regions of Nada, produces one-quarter of the sake in Japan. The Nada region includes Kobe, which makes Kobe the perfect place to learn about sake. They started producing sake in Nada over seven centuries ago. Try visiting the Kobe Shu-Shin-Kan Brewery, which is on the train line between Osaka and Kobe.

What To Eat In Kobe

Kobe beef is unique to Japan. The beef comes from a particular breed of cattle called Tajima-gyu. The cattle must be born and raised in the Hyogo Prefecture to be considered Kobe beef. 

Eating Kobe beef in Japan is a bit of a ritual. Normally you sit at a counter and order the beef by weight and variety. The chef will often show it to you, sort of for approval, but really so that you can look and confirm the quality. The beef is cooked on a flat top grill, to rare or medium rare temperature. Organize your Kobe experience ahead of time, whether you stay in Kobe or visit as a day trip. Learn more  here . 

Where To Stay In Kobe

Check out the ANA Crown Plaza Kobe , which is part of the IHG hotel group. It’s close to the train station making it easy to explore the city and the surrounding area. Check rates  here . 

Eating Kitsune Udon In Kyoto

Day 8-10 Kyoto

One of the most popular cities for travelers to Japan, Kyoto is one of the best places to learn about Japanese culture. Kyoto means “capital city” because it once was the capital of Japan before it was moved to Tokyo. We tend to prefer the culinary scene in Osaka more, but there is still loads of good food in Kyoto.

Top Attractions In Kyoto

There are 17 UNESCO World Heritage Sites  in Kyoto alone. There are hundreds of Shinto Shrines, loads of Buddhist temples, and Japanese gardens. Check out the  Imperial Palace , which is free for travelers to wander through and take in all of the splendor of an ancient way of life in Japan.

Gion is one of the most popular neighborhoods to visit. It’s known for its Geiko, or geisha, culture. It’s one of the most well-preserved parts of the city with ancient houses and adorable alleyways. It is also one of the most touristy parts of the city, so be prepared. 

Fushimi Inari-taisha S hrine is another popular destination and is just a short ride from Kyoto Station by train. After visiting the temples continue a little further south to the Fushimi Sake District, the sake producing area of Kyoto. There is a brewery tour and plenty of shops selling sake and offering tastings. It makes a great afternoon out of the center of Kyoto. 

Tours And Tickets For Kyoto

Looking for the perfect Japanese Instagrammable moment? Book a Kimono rental for a day and then head to the temples or the narrow alleys of Gion for photos. Book a rental  here . 

If you love sake and want to learn more about it, check out this  Sake Brewery Tour and Tasting .

Or, book an evening  Food Tour in Gion and Pontchoco . See all of our recommended Kyoto Food Tours  here. 

What To Eat And Drink In Kyoto

Kyoto is known for its kaiseki and Buddhist vegetarian cuisine. There is also a great ramen scene. For food travelers, there’s Nishiki Market and the surrounding neighborhoods and alleyways near Shoji Jori, the main shopping street.

At night, head to Pontocho Alley, which runs along the river, west of Gion, for some of the best restaurants in the city. For someone on a budget, check out Kyoto Ramen Alley, which is actually on the 10th floor of the Kyoto train station. 

Check out these related posts :

Kyoto Food Guide – What To Eat In Kyoto

How To Find The Best Ramen In Kyoto

Where To Stay In Kyoto

Like Osaka, Kyoto is also pretty easy to travel around. We stayed at the  Westin Miyako Kyoto , which is lovely, with views over the mountains and the city. We’ve also stayed at a very simple  guest house  near the Imperial Palace. Here are some other recommended hotels in Kyoto.

Luxury Hotel Sowaka : Located at the southern edge of Gion, this is the epitome of Japanese luxury, with well-appointed rooms in a ryokan style. Check the best rates  here . 

Park Hyatt Kyoto : For luxury accommodations of a more western standard, Park Hyatt Kyoto is one of the top hotels in the city. Check the best rates  here .

Mimaru Kyoto Horikawarokkaku : A four-star hotel in the center of some of the best eating in Kyoto and close to the Nishiki Market. Check the best rates  here . 

Help With Transit

If Kyoto is your last destination, then it is possible to fly out of Kansai Airport. Kansai is actually closer to Osaka, but still easy to access by train from Kyoto. Or, you can book a limousine bus from Kyoto  here .

Also, consider picking up a transit pass for Kyoto. This pass can be purchased for one or two days and can be used in both Kyoto and Osaka. Learn more  here . 

Day Trips From Osaka (Or Kyoto)

We are not huge fans of checking in and out of hotels every couple of days. It gets exhausting. It also gets in the way of our eating. One way to be more efficient when planning a Japan travel itinerary for 14 days is to pick either Osaka or Kyoto as a home base and to see several sites and cities.

For food travelers, we definitely recommend Osaka as a home base. You can take a day trip to Kyoto to visit Gion, Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine, and other spots all in one day. The fast train takes 14 minutes between the cities. The cheaper rapid train takes 24 minutes. Both are included in the Japan Rail Pass.

You can be back to Osaka in order to take advantage of the nightlife there. Accommodations in Osaka also tend to be less expensive. 

Other Side Trips

Regardless of which city you base yourself in, you can spend four, five, or even six nights over a two week stay in Japan in either city and see a lot. Here are a few of the cities you can explore as a day trip from Osaka or Kyoto. If you don’t want to spend two nights in Kobe, it is also possible to do as a day trip from either Osaka or Kyoto. 

Nara is located just between Osaka and Kyoto. There are a good number of ancient temples, but it is most known for the deer that roam the city. It’s also home to Tōdai-j, a Buddhist temple complex with one of the largest Buddha statues in Japan.

Another side trip is to Himeji Castle and then to Miyajima. Miyajima, or Itsukushima, is a famous temple located on an island in Hiroshima Bay. There is the famous Great Torii Gate, which is an orange gate surrounded by water. 

Eating ramen in Sapporo in Hokkaido

Day 11-14 Sapporo

We just made our first trip to Sapporo and it was in the winter. Yes, it snowed. Even though we don’t like the cold, we loved our time in Sapporo and would definitely recommend adding to a 14 day Japan itinerary. Yes, you need to take a domestic flight there, but you can also book international flights from Sapporo to head home. 

If heading to  Sapporo in winter , be prepared for cold and snow. But that also means fun snow sports and skiing. The summers are warm, but not as hot as down south. The most important thing, the Hokkaido region is entirely unique within Japan and worth a visit. 

Top Attractions In Sapporo

Many of the top things to do in Sapporo are located within the city center. This includes all of the best places to eat. It’s possible to walk to many of them. If heading a little further afield, the train is easily accessible. Just at the edge of the city is a town filled with  onsen , the traditional Japanese hot springs. Learn more  here .

Tours And Tickets For Sapporo

There are a couple of interesting activities for food travelers to Sapporo. First, check out the Sapporo Beer Factory and the Beer Garden. After a tour of the factory, enjoy a meal of the famous Genghis Khan in the garden. Learn more  here . If looking to try Hokkaido’s world-famous crab, book a crab eating experience in Sapporo.

What To Eat And Drink In Sapporo

The main reason why we think Sapporo is worth a flight up north is that the food is so different and so great! Hokkaido is known for crab and other seafood. There are also a handful of dishes that are unique to the region. This includes ramen made with corn and butter, Genghis Khan, which is a lamb BBQ, and soup curry. Read more about all the great food in Sapporo here: 

Sapporo Food Guide – What To Eat In Sapporo Japan

Finding The Best Ramen In Sapporo – Ramen Yokocho And More

Where To Stay In Sapporo

I recommend staying in the  Susukino neighborhood of Sapporo. We stayed at the Mercure Sapporo in Susukino and couldn’t have been happier with our decision. The Mercure Sapporo is a 15-story contemporary high-rise hotel with French influences and is part of the Accor family of hotels. 

The Mercure Sapporo is close to all of the best places to eat in Sapporo. It’s right in the heart of Susukino and only a few blocks away from ramen alley and Nijo Market. This was perfect for us, and really anyone who visits Sapporo. You can eat all of the best foods in Sapporo without traveling more than a few blocks from the hotel.

Hokkaido in winter

When Is The Best Time To Visit Japan

Japan is a year-round destination. Being a long country, there are a variety of climates. In the north, in Hokkaido, you have some of the top ski destinations in the winter. In the south, in Okinawa, there is a more tropical climate where it is warm in the winter. 

This 14 day Japan itinerary focuses on  Tokyo  and the Kansai region, in the center of the country. But it also includes Hokkaido in the north. In the center of the country, expect warm summers and cold winters. 

Top tourist sites in the summer can be crowded and hotels are more expensive. Winter is relatively mild, even when it snows. Tourist sites are less crowded and hotels are less expensive. The shoulder seasons of spring and fall are probably the best times to visit Japan, with one major exception. Cherry blossom season is in the spring, normally in April, and can be beautiful, but is considered the high season. 

Winter In Japan

We’ve been to Japan twice when it was snowing and we don’t like the cold. But, it can be peaceful and beautiful visiting Japan in winter. 

They do get some snow in the center of the country, but we’ve visited in Japan in both autumn and winter and found it warmer than expected for several days. The temperatures can change dramatically where it is warm one day and cold the next. 

Hokkaido, in the north, has cooler summers but the snowiest winters in the world. If you love the cold and snow, definitely consider Hokkaido. If traveling to Japan in the winter, and you don’t like the snow, perhaps stay longer in the center of the country. 

To better understand what it’s like to travel in Japan in the winter, check out these posts:

Top Things To Do In Sapporo In Winter

Getting To Japan

Many airlines fly directly to Japan. There are two airports in Tokyo. Narita is the largest but is farther from the city. Haneda is smaller, and closer to the city, but offers fewer international flights. Kansai Airport serves both Osaka and Kyoto. All of these airports are accessible by bus and train. Sapporo also has an international airport with plenty of flights.

There are two primary Japanese airlines that service these airports: ANA (All Nippon) and Japan Airlines (JAL). We’ve flown them both and they are reputable airlines. Other international airlines also service Japan. 

Because train travel is so easy in Japan, it might help and it might save time, to fly into Tokyo and out of Kansai in Osaka or Sapporo in Hokkaido. This will help maximize your time on the ground, particularly if you are only limited to a two week trip. 

Choosing An Airport In Japan Pro Tip

Sapporo only has one airport. Tokyo has two airports (NRT and HAN). The area around Osaka and Kyoto is also served by two airports (KIX and ITM). Just be sure to pay attention to which one you are booking. In each case, one is farther out from the city than the other. It’s most important when you are transferring back to the airport so you choose the right one. Trust us. We chose the wrong one in Osaka! Luckily we still made our flight in time. 

How to Get Around in Japan

We’ve never rented a car in Japan. We’ve never found a reason to, particularly with this itinerary. There is so much to do, see, and eat within the cities or during day trips from the big cities.

Really, the best way to get around in Japan is by rail. Japan Rail offers a few different rail passes for either 7, 14, or 21 consecutive days. The rail pass is valid on all Japan Rail trains, including the high-speed trains (Shinkansen) between Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka. 

The most important thing about the Japan Rail Pass is that you much be a resident of a country other than Japan. And you must purchase the rail pass before arriving in the country. They will actually mail you a rail pass so be sure to purchase it early.

If heading to Sapporo, it’s best to fly. Both ANA and JAL fly between Kansai near Osaka and Sapporo. It’s not all that expensive if you book ahead. 

Learn more about Japanese food in our post about the  Best Japanese Snacks To Try .

FAQs – PLANNING A JAPAN 14 DAY ITINERARY

This is a question we get about almost every destination. If you are American it is hard NOT to tip because it is so customary and even expected at restaurants and bars. Tipping is not customary in Japan. It can even actually be considered inconsiderate to leave a tip. It’s just better not to. In this case, it’s best to abide by the local culture and norms. 

This is a hard question to answer because we understand a lot of people, particularly Americans, don’t have a lot of vacation time. Being able to spend a full two weeks in Japan gives you an opportunity to really experience the country. If you only have a week, see this post on how to make the most of your time.

It is no secret that Japan is an expensive country, but there are ways to spend money. It’s certainly possible to find accommodations is most cities for less than $100 a night. Meals can be expensive, but it is also possible to eat many meals for about $10-15 a person, even sushi! It is possible for two people to travel to Japan for between $100-150 a person and travel quite well.

Despite being a relatively small country, Japan is a highly diverse country. This makes it a year-round destination. In Winter, there’s skiing around Sapporo. Okinawa and the southern islands are great for a summer beach getaway. The Spring and Fall offer nature lovers stunning natural beauty.

Amber Hoffman

Amber Hoffman, food and travel writer behind With Husband In Tow, is a recovering attorney and professional eater, with a passion for finding new food and drink destinations. She lives with her husband, Eric, in Girona, Catalonia, Spain. Together over the last 20 years, they have traveled to over 70 countries. Amber is the author of the Food Traveler’s Guide to Emilia Romagna. She regularly lectures on social media marketing to travel professionals throughout Europe.

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Food Expenses for Travel in Japan: 1,000 Yen Meals and Budget Tips

Learn about the prices of food in Japan for convenience store food, and dishes like sushi, ramen, and fast food. This article introduces how much an average meal costs while traveling, 1,000 yen-meals, and how to save more money on dining.

The Average Cost of Meals in Japan

When traveling to another country, most people will want to know just how much regular meals cost at their destination. If there's a dish you want to try out, but it’s too expensive for your planned budget, what a shame that would be!

Food expenses depend on where you eat, so it is a good idea to be aware of prices before you start travels. Continue reading to learn food prices and what types of meals are suitable when traveling on a budget.

Meal Options and Average Prices in Japan

1. Convenience Store Food 2. Ramen 3. Sushi - Casual and High-end 4. Japanese Wagyu Beef and Teppanyaki 5. Izakaya Food and Drink 6. Japanese and Western Fast Food 7. Family Restaurant Meals

Convenience Store Meal Prices

Picture from The 3 Major Convenience Store Chains In Japan – A Comparison There are many restaurants in Japan, but even more closely connected to the daily lives of the Japanese people are the convenience stores , or "conbini." The most common chains are Seven Eleven, Family Mart, and Lawson. Most are open 24 hours, so you can stop in and grab something whenever you are feeling hungry. Many food products will also have English on them, and most employees will have some foreign language ability (especially in Tokyo, Osaka, and large cities).

Convenience stores sell a plethora of meals, snacks, and beverages. You will find onigiri (rice balls), sandwiches, baked goods, bento (boxed lunches), Japanese pasta, udon , salad, and a variety of snack and sweets options. Convenience stores also have hot meals such as karaage (Japanese fried chicken), steamed buns, and oden (stewed fish and vegetables).

You can expect to pay around 400 to 700 yen in total for a convenience store meal. Even if you purchase several items or have a travel partner, the total will be about 1,000 yen . With a wide variety of options, convenience stores are handy for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks, so be sure to stop by for an inexpensive meal.

Convenience Stores in Japan: Top 3 Chains, Services, and Features

How To Open a Convenience Store Rice Ball: 1, 2, 3!

Ramen Prices in Japan

Picture from 30 Great Tokyo Ramen Shops Selected By A Ramen Expert There are thousands of ramen restaurants and shops in Japan, from nationwide chains like Ichiran to higher-end ramen restaurants, to tiny, owner-run shops where diners eat standing up. Ramen is a casual meal in Japan and is priced usually around 600-1,200 yen per bowl. If you add extra toppings, a side dish, and a drink, like beer, you will still likely pay no more than 2,000 yen.

The price of ramen differs by type and, as mentioned above, adding toppings like barbecue pork, eggs, or green onions will increase the bill. Specialty ramen, like vegetarian and vegan options or gluten-free dishes, tend to cost around 1,000 yen without modifications.

A bowl of ramen will satisfy most diners, but if you are especially hungry, it is typical to order a side of gyoza or rice to accompany the ramen. Many restaurants also offer an extra helping of noodles you can add to your soup for 100 or 200 yen.

Sushi Prices - Casual and High-end Options

Picture from Pixta

If you're traveling Japan, eating sushi is a must . The availability of delicious, high-quality sushi is incomparable to the sushi offered abroad. Diners can choose from traditional sushi bars with course meals to a casual conveyor belt restaurant where you can order from an electronic tablet. A sushi meal will cost anywhere from 2,000 yen up to 20,000 yen or more per person, but it depends on the restaurant you go to and when you eat.

For example, lunch at a sushi restaurant will usually be around 2,000 to 3,000 yen for a meal consisting of different sashimi and rolled sushi . If you dine in the evening, dinner can be approximately from  5,000 to 20,000 yen or more. The cheapest option for eating sushi is going to conveyor-belt sushi, or kaiten zushi, which will cost anywhere from 1,000 to 2,500 yen per person regardless of whether it's for lunch or dinner.

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Japanese Wagyu Beef and Teppanyaki

Head to a yakiniku or teppanyaki restaurant for Japanese beef (wagyu), grilled food like okonomiyaki, or a hearty meal with drinks.

At most yakiniku restaurants, you first decide the meat of your choice and cook it on the grill before you. The price you pay depends on the type of meat and amount you choose, but it generally averages around 2,000 to 4,000 yen per meal per person. Prices for dinner are a little bit more expensive, ranging from 6,000 to 10,000 yen.

Teppanyaki is food cooked on an iron griddle ("teppan" in Japanese). Teppanyaki restaurants will sometimes have meat to grill. Most have dishes like okonomiyaki (savory pancake from the Kansai region), monjayaki (a savory grilled dish common in Tokyo), and yakisoba on the menu. You will also find seafood at times. When ordering a la carte, you can expect to pay between 600 and 1,000 yen per item.

Some of these restaurants will have someone cook the food for you, but at most restaurants, the ingredients are prepared and you will do the cooking for yourself with the iron griddle in front of you.

Prices at Izakaya

Picture from Izakaya Basics: A “How-To” Of Ordering And Etiquette In Japanese Bars Izakaya are Japanese pubs which offer alcohol and side dishes to pair with the drinks. Frequented by office workers on weekday nights and friend groups on weekends, izakaya are very popular evening spots.

When at an izakaya, it's typical to order several side dishes, or otsumami, to enjoy while drinking. Otsumami dishes are usually from 300 to 800 yen. Yakitori (grilled chicken on skewers), fried food, sashimi, and vegetable side dishes like edamame are on a typical izakaya menu. Alcoholic beverages will usually cost between 300 and 600 yen.

Expect to pay 2,000 yen or more for food and drinks at an izakaya. Nationwide chains, like Torikizoku offer most of its items for 328 yen each (before tax) and is a very reasonable option for those who want to save some yen. Uotami and Shoya are some more common izakaya chains that offer fair prices on drinks and fare.

Japanese and Western Fast Food Prices

Fast food is another option for dining out in Japan. Diners can choose from chains like Matsuya offering beef rice bowls, Japanese-meets-western burgers at Mos Burger , and international restaurants like McDonald's and Burger King. These restaurants are casual, have international customer-friendly menus, and can  cost less than 1,000 yen per meal.

Japanese Fast Food - Gyudon and Teishoku

Gyudon (beef bowl) is considered fast food in Japan. You can try it at Yoshinoya, Matsuya, and Sukiya restaurants located throughout the country. Gyudon is a rice bowl dish topped with salty and sweet beef slices, flavored with soy sauce and sugar.

Prices range by restaurant and location, but a typical bowl costs around 500 yen . You can change the portion size too--a small size is usually 400 yen, and a large will be around 600 yen. If you add miso soup or a side dish, it will be around 150 yen extra.

These chains are often open in the early morning and operate until past midnight, so they are very convenient for breakfast or a late-night meal after a night out.

Another casual option are meal sets known as teishoku . Teishoku are meals served with a main dish (usually meat or fish) with rice, miso soup, and other side dishes like a salad. A teishoku meal costs around 800 to 1,000 yen , so it is a slightly more expensive (but often healthier) choice than the rice bowls mentioned above.

Teishoku Set Meal - Japanese Encyclopedia

Western-style Fast Food Prices in Japan

Mos Burger. Picture from 10 Things You Should Know About Eating Out In Japan As mentioned above, Japan is home to hundreds of fast food establishments with western-style options. The most common are McDonald's , Burger King , Lotteria , and Mos Burger for hamburgers. Another popular restaurant is KFC . Prices vary by restaurant, but McDonald's generally has the cheapest options.

Another thing to note is that the menu items of restaurants located in Japan vary significantly from other countries. For example, at McDonald's teriyaki burgers are a regular menu item and they often offer seasonal items with a Japanese twist like  red bean paste pies . Keep an eye out for these regional foods to enjoy the experience even more.

From MOS Burger To Yoshinoya! Japanese Fast Food

10 Things You Should Know About Eating Out In Japan

Family restaurants.

In Japan, there are various relatively low-priced restaurants known as "family restaurants." This term is used as these restaurants provide an environment that is easy for families with children to frequent. Well-known family restaurants in Japan include Saizeriya , Gusto , Denny's , Jonathan's , and Joyfull . A meal at one of these restaurants will average around 1,000 yen in total per person.

Saizeriya offers mostly Italian-style dishes, like pasta and Japanese pizza. The beverage menu also includes wine, sold for a few hundred yen.

Gusto, Denny's, and other family restaurants in Japan serve western dishes like Salisbury steak, fried shrimp, salad, and soup. You can also find desserts like parfaits and cakes.

Most a la carte dishes cost between 600 and 800 yen. If you add rice, bread, or a bowl of soup to it, your total should be about 1,000 yen. Diners wanting to stay a while at these restaurants will also order the "drink bar" option, which includes unlimited tea, coffee, and soft drinks from a soda fountain for around 300 to 400 yen.

Denny's Japan - Overview And Top 5 Dishes

Average Food Expense for a Day in Japan

You can enjoy much of Japan's rich food culture for around 1,000 yen per meal. If you have at least 3,000 yen per day to spend on food, you will have enough to eat in terms of volume and taste.

Food costs depend on the restaurants you visit--plan to decide when to splurge on a high-end sushi or yakiniku restaurants, and where you can save with going to the convenience store or choosing other cheaper options.

How much does it cost to eat in Japan per day?

The cost of eating in Japan per day can range from 3,500 to 6,000 yen for budget travelers, up to 6,000 to 12,000 yen for mid-range travelers, depending on the dining preferences and the specific region or city. Costs may vary widely based on individual dining habits and the chosen dining establishments.

What is a good budget for a Japan trip?

A good budget for a trip to Japan can range from 7,000 to 10,000 yen per day for budget travelers, 10,000 to 25,000 yen per day for mid-range travelers, and at least 25,000 yen per day for luxury travelers. These estimates cover accommodation, meals, local transportation, activities, and shopping, and can vary based on personal preferences and the specific itinerary.

Do you tip in Japan?

In Japan, tipping is not a common practice and can even be considered rude in some situations. The country holds a strong cultural tradition of providing excellent service as part of the hospitality industry, without the expectation of additional monetary rewards. In fact, offering a tip may lead to confusion or embarrassment for the staff, as the provision of courteous and attentive service is considered a standard part of the job. Therefore, visitors to Japan should refrain from tipping at restaurants, hotels, or other service establishments. Instead, simply expressing gratitude with a polite "arigatou gozaimasu" (thank you) is more than sufficient.

What are 5 table manners in Japan?

Table manners are important in Japanese culture. Here are five key table manners in Japan: 1. Saying "Itadakimasu" Before the Meal: This phrase, often said before a meal, expresses gratitude for the meal that is about to be eaten. It is a polite way to show appreciation for the food. 2. Using Chopsticks: When using chopsticks, it's important to avoid sticking them upright in a bowl of rice, passing food directly from one set of chopsticks to another, or pointing with chopsticks. These actions are considered impolite. 3. Slurping Noodles: Unlike in some other cultures, it's acceptable and even considered a sign of enjoying the meal to slurp noodles loudly when eating them in Japan. 4. Soy Sauce Usage: Pouring soy sauce directly over a bowl of rice or dipping rice into the soy sauce is generally avoided. It's more common to dip the fish or side dishes into the soy sauce. 5. Finishing Food Completely: It's polite and appreciated to finish the entire meal that has been served, as leaving food may be considered wasteful and disrespectful toward the efforts of the cook.   These manners reflect the cultural values of respect, gratitude, and appreciation for both the food and those who have prepared it.

Can I take away unfinished food in Japan?

In Japan, it is not a common practice to request a "doggy bag" or take away unfinished food from a restaurant. Japanese dining culture places great emphasis on finishing the meal while at the establishment. Asking for a container to take away leftover food can be seen as unusual and may not always be accommodated.

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5 Unique Hiroshima Food Tours

Hiroshima is a foodie heaven, with exquisite local dishes and unique twists on national favourites. 

(Photo: Getyourguide.com)

While many visitors to Japan flock to Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto, the western city of Hiroshima sometimes be overlooked. It’s a shame because Hiroshima, its name synonymous with both the horrors of war and efforts for modern-day peace, is a beautiful destination with friendly locals, leafy green spaces and relaxed attitude. Like most places in Japan, the food on offer in Hiroshima is exquisite, with local specialities such as fresh koiwashi and the Hiroshimayaki, or Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki. To get the most out of a visit, take a food tour to both explore the city and its culinary delights. 

Hiroshima: Bar Hopping Food Tour

This three-hour food and drink tour focuses on the famous, local Hiroshima drinking spots around Nagarekawa. One of the most fun experiences of going to Japan is visiting the (often tiny) izakaya bars where snacks are served and you will undoubtedly meet many local people and have a blast, even if none of you are speaking the same language. Thanks to your guide, getting to know people will be a little easier, and a small group makes navigating the bars also simple, letting you try local beers and specialities such as okonomiyaki (a Japanese savory pancake), which is cooked on a flat iron grill at your table. From € 75.77.

Book at Getyourguide.com

Hiroshima: Private Food Tasting Tour with a Local Guide

Sometimes there is no better way to do a tour than  with a knowledgeable local guide. Japanese culture can be a bit bamboozling for anyone who doesn’t speak the language so this tour makes perfect sense, with a friendly local guide leading the way and explaining everything you need to know as you go. There are loads of hidden spots and secret tips to help you get to know Hiroshima and along the way a chance to try six delicious tastings and one drink. It’s a really informal and relaxed way to experience Hiroshima’s food, with the chance to check out everything from oyster huts to try local specialty Momiji Manjū – a creative take on the traditional buckwheat and rice cake. From €250.37.

Ultimate Hiroshima Food Tour

This tour is all about discovering some of Hiroshima’s lesser-known corners, tasting the city’s best-known delicacies along the way. It starts in the Peace Memorial Park and explains both the history of the city and its future through the often optimistic lens of local shop owners, chefs, and craftspeople. A food tour wouldn’t be complete without sampling the Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki, a savory grilled pancake with multiple fillings, whether that is meat or vegetables. There is also time to take in the vast modern shopping arcades of downtown Hiroshima and visit a surprising indoor teppanyaki village, where the food is cooked on large metal plates. From €147. 

Book at Byfood.com

Food Tour Adventure in Hiroshima at Night

(Photo: Byfood.com)

This lively three-hour tour hits Hon Dori and Downtown Hiroshima at night, stopping at three interesting local food venues along the way. It’s all about sharing so there will be several small plates to dig into, with more than 10 different foods during the night – if you want to get a real overview for the food scene here, this is a great option. It’s also a lot of fun, with the local guide providing plenty of entertainment and a small group meaning you’ll definitely get to know people. You’ll eat fresh seafood, tempura, grilled snacks, and more. From €81.79.

Hiroshima: Local Favorites Private Night Food Tour

This is a really good value three-hour tour that helps you to find the best Hiroshima food spots and eat like a local. The guide takes you to three top eateries that are famous among Hiroshima locals and introduces you to traditional favorites such as okonomiyaki, oysters, and local sake. The guide has a really good understanding of local food culture – the knowledge really comes through – making this an excellent tour for foodies. The private tour includes a drink at the first bar and one dish (okonomiyaki). This is bar hopping in Hiroshima – local style. From €63.61.

Book at Viator.com

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• Nation & World

More than just a bowl of noodles, ramen in Japan is an experience and a tourist attraction

TOKYO (AP) — Spicy, steaming, slurpy ramen might be everyone’s favorite Japanese food.

In Tokyo, long lines circle around blocks, and waiting an hour for your ramen is normal. What awaits might be just a dive, but a hot bowl of ramen rarely fails to hit the spot.

Often cooked right before your eyes behind dingy counters, the noodle dish starts here at around 1,000 yen ($6.50), and comes in various flavors and local versions. There’s salty, soy-based “shoyu” or “miso” paste. Perhaps it’s red-hot spicy with a dash of chili. Sometimes there’s no soup at all but a sauce to dip the noodles in.

The curly noodles are lighter than the darker buckwheat “soba,” or “udon,” which are also usually flatter or thicker.

GLOBAL SUCCESS

Ramen has also surged in popularity in the U.S., South Korea and other countries. Retail sales in the United States have risen 72% since 2000, according to NielsenIQ, a sales tracker. In the 52 weeks ending April 13, Americans bought more than $1.6 billion worth of ramen.

In restaurants, versions beyond the traditional soup are appearing, said Technomic, a research and consulting company for the restaurant industry. Del Taco, a Mexican chain, recently introduced Shredded Beef Birria Ramen, for example.

Packaged ramen that’s easily cooked in hot water at home is called instant noodles; it’s precooked and then dried. The story of how Momofuku Ando invented instant ramen in a backyard shed in 1958, when food was still scarce, is the stuff of legend in Japan. He went on to found the food giant Nissin Foods.

Although convenient, instant noodles aren’t the same as the ramen served at restaurants.

THE EXPERIENCE

Some Japanese frequent ramen shops twice or three times a week. They emerge, dripping with sweat, smacking their lips.

“I’m probably a talking bowl of ramen,” says Frank Striegl as he leads a dozen American tourists through the back alleys of Tokyo’s funky Shibuya district on what he calls “the ultimate ramen experience.”

The crowd is led behind a shabby doorway, sometimes down narrow stairs, to a dim-lit table where ramen gets served in tiny bowls, practically the size of a latte cup, or about a quarter of a regular ramen bowl. That’s so guests have enough room in their tummies to try out six different kinds of ramen, two at each spot during the tour.

One restaurant, Shinbusakiya, offers “Hokkaido classics” from the northernmost main island, while another, Nagi, offers “Fukuoka fusion,” from the southern main island of Kyushu. It includes a green ramen, similar to pasta al pesto. Syuuichi, which means “once a week,” features curry-flavored ramen.

“It’s not just, of course, about eating delicious ramen, but also learning about it,” said Striegl, a Filipino American who grew up in Tokyo. He calls ramen “people’s food.”

“A lot of countries around the world have their version of ramen in a way,” he said. “So I think because of that, it’s a dish that’s easy to understand. It’s a dish that’s easy to get behind.”

While the tour participants were relishing their noodles, Striegl outlined a brief history of ramen: Its roots date back to the samurai era, when a shogun took a fancy to Chinese noodles, setting off the localizing journey for ramen that continues today.

Katie Sell, a graduate student on Striegl’s tour, called ramen “a kind of comfort food, especially in the winter. Get a group of friends, go have some ramen and just enjoy it.”

Kavi Patel, an engineer from New Jersey, said he was glad he included the humble ramen on his tour of Japan, along with more established attractions like the ancient capital of Kyoto and the deer park in Nara. “I’m having good fun,” he said.

ADJUSTING TO CHANGE

While ramen has never been more popular in Japan, ramen places have struggled because of the pandemic, the weakening Japanese yen, and the higher cost of wheat imports and energy, according to a study by Tokyo Shoko Research.

One beneficiary of the pandemic is a home delivery service for frozen, professionally cooked ramen. Called takumen.com, it boasts some 500,000 subscribers in Japan.

Another Tokyo operation, Gourmet Innovation, has signed on 250 of the country’s top ramen joints to sell packaged versions of their soup, noodles and toppings, to be heated up in boiling water and served at home.

Co-founder and executive Kenichi Nomaguchi, who hopes to expand his business overseas, says ramen and animation are Japan’s most successful exports.

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Why ramen? Unlike pasta or curry, ramen is difficult to replicate at home, he said, Making it from scratch involves hours of cooking stock, with pork, beef or chicken, various fish or bonito flakes, and “kombu” kelp. Some stock uses oysters.

LOTS OF VARIETY

Besides the different soup stocks and flavors, onions, grated garlic, ginger or sesame oil can be added for extra punch. Toppings can include bean sprouts, barbecued pork, boiled or raw eggs, seaweed, fermented bamboo shoots called “menma,” chopped green onions, cooked cabbage, snow peas or corn.

Some insist a bowl of ramen is not complete without a slice of narutomaki, a whitefish cake with a pink spiral pattern.

Unusual varieties include coffee ramen and ramen topped with ice cream or pineapple.

Jiro-style ramen, named for a legendary restaurant in Tokyo, features mounds of vegetable toppings, huge steak-like barbecued pork and pungent, grated garlic seeped in a fatty pork-based stock.

“Impact is important. So the pork has to be big so it’s truly memorable,” said Kota Kobayashi, who serves Jiro-style ramen at his chain, “Ore No Ikiru Michi,” which translates to, “The way I live my life.”

Kobayashi is a former professional baseball player at the Yokohama Bay Stars, and played with the minor league Cleveland Guardians before switching to his ramen business.

“When I quit baseball, I chose ramen as my way of life,” he said with a smile.

He can wax philosophical about ramen. One cultural difference he has observed is that Americans tend to leave the noodles and drink all the soup, while the Japanese mostly do the opposite.

And taste is only part of what makes good ramen. One must also offer entertainment, Kobayashi said.

At his restaurants, the chopsticks are tucked in a box on a shelf, so first-time visitors ask where they are. Repeat customers go straight to that box. Kobayashi calls out, “Welcome back,” making the customers feel a connection, even if he doesn’t remember a thing about them.

Dee-Ann Durbin contributed to this story from Detroit.

Yuri Kageyama is on X: https://twitter.com/yurikageyama

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An epic eating adventure

From kaiseki to branded beef: sushi, sashimi and starred restaurants. unbeatable and unique taste adventures await..

Japanese cuisine offers an exceptionally rich and rewarding eating experience. While sushi, wagyu beef and kaiseki cuisine need little introduction, no self-respecting foodie should miss out on street food like yakitori  and ramen  either. Perhaps the epitome of Japanese cuisine is the kaiseki food served at ryotei (traditional Japanese restaurants). But the scope also includes numerous vegetarian varieties, river fish dishes, sushi, eel, tempura, soba, udon, takoyaki, okonomiyaki, yakiniku and more. Each region also has its own local specialties and culinary traditions in dishes unique to each area. Wherever you go and whatever you enjoy, why not accompany your meal with sake from a local brewery?

Vegans and vegetarians can also expect a feast of fine food choices.

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