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)…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
Nagoya
Come here for a unique kōchin kaiseki (haute cuisine featuring free-range chicken) experience with immaculately presented servers and a wonderfully…
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…
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…
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…
Shikoku
Part of the new Hotel Sunriver Shimanto complex, this place has good-quality Japanese regional cuisine with sizeable portions at very reasonable prices…
Beppu
Local favourite Toyotsune nails the Beppu specialities: toriten (chicken tempura), Bungō-gyū (local beef), soy-marinated Ryukyu fish, plus tempura and…
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…
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…
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,…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
Tokyo
This restaurant is a showcase for Nihombashi's gourmet retailers, such as Ninben (maker of katsuobushi – dried bonito flakes – since 1699) and Yamamoto …
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…
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 …
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
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…
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…
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…
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…
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
Come here for excellent sushi sets and kaisen-don (bowls of rice topped with sashimi) featuring Hokkaidō specialities such as sake (salmon), ikura (salmon…
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…
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…