Must-see restaurants in Japan

  • Ippo

    Ebisu, Meguro & Around

    This mellow little izakaya (Japanese pub-eatery) specialises in simple pleasures: fish and sake (there’s an English sign out front that says just that)…

  • Katsuretsutei Shinshigai Honten

    Kumamoto

    Come hungry to this busy local favorite for tonkatsu (breaded pork cutlet) in filling Zen set meals (with shredded cabbage, rice, miso soup, pickles and…

  • Cafe Chinois Jasmin

    Western Honshū

    Although little English is spoken, wonderful set lunches and course dinners, and picture menus of the moreish dim-sum selection, make this classy…

  • Suzukien

    Asakusa & Sumida River

    Suzukien boasts of having the most matcha-ful matcha ice cream around, and the deep moss-green Premium No 7 (one scoop ¥585) does not disappoint. In…

  • Kōran-tei

    Kumamoto

    On a lovely courtyard behind a Swiss pastry shop on Kamitōri Arcade, this glossy restaurant has a varied menu of Chinese dumplings and noodles, but pretty…

  • Gogyō

    Roppongi, Akasaka & Around

    Keep an eye on the open kitchen: no, that's not your dinner going up in flames but the cooking of kogashi (burnt) ramen, which this dark and stylish…

  • Kamonji-goya

    Matsumoto & the Northern Japan Alps

    Kamikōchi's signature dish is iwana (river trout) grilled whole over an irori. This is the place to try it. The iwana set is ¥1500, or there's oden, soba…

  • Sanzoku-Tabiji

    Kyūshū

    Cute roadhouse known for dangojiru (miso soup with thick-cut noodles) and takana ryōri (dishes using mustard greens), served à la carte or in hearty set…

  • Nagomi-chaya

    Nikkō

    This sophisticated arts-and-crafts-style cafe near the top of Nikkō's main boulevard serves beautifully plated meal sets with lots of small dishes to try…

  • Torigin Honten

    Nagoya

    Come here for a unique kōchin kaiseki (haute cuisine featuring free-range chicken) experience with immaculately presented servers and a wonderfully…

  • Thai-koku

    Roppongi, Akasaka & Around

    Tuck into delicious and authentic renditions of all the Thai classics – including tom yam soup, green curry and prawn toast – at this spacious, bright…

  • Seryō-Jaya

    Kansai

    Seryō-Jaya serves tasty soba noodles and other fare incorporating produce from the area, such as mountain-harvested mushrooms and pickled plums. There is…

  • SOHSOH

    Ehime Prefecture

    This is the first store of what has become a Japan-wide chain for Ehime-based SOHSOH. While meals are not completely vegetarian, they are vegetable and…

  • Ichimonya

    Shikoku

    Part of the new Hotel Sunriver Shimanto complex, this place has good-quality Japanese regional cuisine with sizeable portions at very reasonable prices…

  • Toyotsune Honten

    Beppu

    Local favourite Toyotsune nails the Beppu specialities: toriten (chicken tempura), Bungō-gyū (local beef), soy-marinated Ryukyu fish, plus tempura and…

  • Goshiki Sōmen

    Ehime Prefecture

    Next to the central post office is this elegant Matsuyama institution, which specialises in goshiki sōmen (thin noodles in five different colours). You'll…

  • Himitsu-dō

    Ueno & Yanesen

    Summer in Japan is synonymous with kakigōri, shaved ice topped with colorful syrups and sweetened condensed milk. So popular is Himitsu-dō, however, that…

  • Muraoka Sōhonpo

    Kyūshū

    Yōkan (sweet bean-paste gelatin) is the speciality of this lovely corner shop. It comes in different colours and flavours (traditional red bean, apple,…

  • Ishigaki-jima Kids

    Yaeyama Islands

    Tucked into a tiny, tidy space in Euglena Mall, Ishigaki-jima Kids serves good Yaeyama-style cafe fare – sōki-soba, taco rice and the like – all detailed…

  • Tetchan

    Tokyo

    Located inside the labyrinthine covered market Harmonica-yokochō, Tetchan has been drawing locals for years. But it's now become something of a tourist…

  • Kagomma Furusato Yatai-mura

    Kagoshima

    Yatai-mura means 'food-stall village', and some two dozen stalls near Kagoshima-Chūō Station offer a taste of Kagoshima of old. Follow your nose to your…

  • Mitsutaya

    Northern Honshū (Tōhoku)

    The versatile soybean is pounded and skewered to perfection at this former bean-paste mill dating from 1834. The speciality here is dengaku – bamboo…

  • Cafe Tsumugi

    Ginza & Tsukiji

    Chain-cafe-operator Pronto is, remarkably, the manager of this stylish all-day cafe in a visitors centre added to the compound of Tsukiji Hongwan-ji in…

  • Sabō Kō

    Western Honshū

    A cosy atmosphere prevails in this low-ceilinged little eatery, where customers perch on wooden stools sipping coffee. The speciality on the Japanese-only…

  • Hokorashi-ya

    Amami Islands

    An atmospheric izakaya in downtown Naze, Hokorashi-ya dishes up toothsome Amami specialities such as aosa-no-tempura (fish-and-shellfish cakes fried in a…

  • Olu-Olu

    Tokushima & the Anan Coast

    Ikumi White Beach Hotel runs an inexpensive restaurant called Olu-Olu, featuring a picture menu and plenty of dog-eared Japanese surf mags. Eat inside, or…

  • Sarashina

    Central Honshū

    This 100-year-old shop is renowned among locals for delicious tanuki soba (buckwheat noodles topped with crunchy tempura bits left over from the deep…

  • Chikara Mochi

    Kansai

    Chikara Mochi has been making its signature pillow-soft mochi (pounded-rice cakes), generously dusted with a mix of kinako (roasted soy-bean flour) and…

  • Hōnen Manpuku

    Tokyo

    This restaurant is a showcase for Nihombashi's gourmet retailers, such as Ninben (maker of katsuobushi – dried bonito flakes – since 1699) and Yamamoto …

  • Torisei

    Kyoto

    A great spot to lunch on yakitori (chicken grilled on skewers) washed down with sake when visiting the sake breweries in Fushimi. It's run by the owner of…

  • Udon Honjin Yamada-ya

    Kagawa Prefecture

    Something special not too far from the base of the Yakuri Cable Car east of Takamatsu. This is udon in a lovely setting in the old Yamada residence, a …

  • Higashiya Man

    Harajuku & Aoyama

    Manjū (まんじゅう) – that's where the shop's name comes from; it's not just for men! – are hot buns stuffed with sweetened red-bean paste. They're steamed…

  • Tokyo Rāmen Street

    Tokyo

    Eight hand-picked rāmen-ya operate branches in this basement arcade on the Yaesu side of Tokyo Station. All the major styles are covered – from shōyu (soy…

  • Shioya Diner

    Naoshima

    With rock 'n' roll music, retro furniture and kitsch knick-knacks, Shioya is an odd mix of American diner and grandma's kitchen. The menu features tacos…

  • Prinz

    Northern Higashiyama

    Behind the blank white facade of Prinz, you’ll find an inviting modern cafe-restaurant, gallery and garden – a chic island of coolness in an otherwise…

  • Roopali

    Hiroshima

    Choose one of the generous set courses at this large restaurant dishing up excellent authentic curries, or put together your own feast – individual dishes…

  • Vegans Cafe & Restaurant

    Kyoto Station & South Kyoto

    Who needs meat and dairy when food can taste this good without it? This light-filled cafe is a haven for vegans and vegetarians with a range of meals from…

  • Otaru Sushi-kō

    Otaru

    Come here for excellent sushi sets and kaisen-don (bowls of rice topped with sashimi) featuring Hokkaidō specialities such as sake (salmon), ikura (salmon…

  • Rāmen Kairikiya

    Downtown Kyoto

    Not far from the Sanjō and Kawaramachi intersection, this popular ramen specialist welcomes foreigners with an English menu and friendly staff. It's got…

  • Hana Akari

    Hiroshima Region

    Every table has a sea view at this homely little seafood restaurant. The lively owner brightens up lunch, and it features excellent-value sashimi, sushi…

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