Must-see restaurants in Japan

  • Ahiru Store

    Shibuya & Shimo-Kitazawa

    This tiny counter bistro dishing up homemade sausages, fresh-baked bread and bio wines (¥1000 to ¥1200 per glass) has a huge local following. Reservations…

  • Kōhīhausu

    Sapporo

    This soup curry shop near the Moiwa-yama Ropeway comes highly recommended by Sapporo locals. Most popular: the chicken curry (チキンカレー; chikin karē) with a …

  • Yakigaki-no-hayashi

    Miyajima

    The oysters in the tank and on the barbecue outside are what everyone is eating here. Try a plate of nama-gaki (raw oysters) or kaki-furai (crumbed, fried…

  • Pizzeria Bar Napoli

    Kanazawa

    Daily happy hours and lunch specials make this well-priced Italian joint even more appealing. It's a good choice when you need something simple and…

  • Falafel Brothers

    Roppongi, Akasaka & Around

    Mainly for takeaways, this cosy joint dedicated to crispy chickpea balls offers a couple of stools inside and out at which to get your chops around its…

  • Minato Aoshima

    Kyūshū

    Overlooking the port, and owned and run by the local fishermen's collective, this take-your-shoes-off spot offers some of the finest and freshest seafood…

  • Tokushima Ramen Men Ō

    Tokushima & the Anan Coast

    There are about 20 seats in this Tokushima classic only a couple of minutes' walk from the station. Right outside the front door is a machine with the…

  • Nodo Nobashi

    Western Honshū

    No, don't be intimidated. From the riverside street, it looks like it's bar-room only at this popular kushiyaki (grilled skewers) joint, but the tables…

  • Buvette

    Ginza & Tsukiji

    Jody Williams brings her New York City brasserie operation to the heart of Tokyo. It's a classy affair that delivers reliable French comfort classics…

  • Iseya

    Tokyo

    This long-running yakitori shop (the building was redone a few years ago) is popular with park-goers who line-up in front of the takeaway window for…

  • Papa Jon's

    Downtown Kyoto

    This convenient downtown branch of the original favourite Papa Jon's serves its excellent New York cheesecake, as well as breakfast sets, quiche, soup and…

  • d47 Shokudō

    Shibuya & Shimo-Kitazawa

    There are 47 prefectures in Japan and d47 serves a changing line-up of teishoku (set meals) that evoke the specialities of each, from the fermented tofu…

  • Naa Yuu Cafe

    Ōsumi Islands

    Down a dirt road and facing a field of wild reeds, this cute cafe feels vaguely Hawaiian. The menu, however, leans more toward Thailand. Lunch sets range…

  • Ramen Komurasaki

    Kumamoto

    This ramen joint is next to Yoshinoya at the northern end of the Kamitōri Arcade. The signature 'king ramen' (¥700) is garlicky, cloudy Kumamoto-style…

  • Ganko Nijō-en

    Downtown Kyoto

    This is an upmarket branch of the Ganko chain that serves sushi and simple kaiseki sets. There’s a picture menu and you can stroll in the stunning garden…

  • Irori

    Central Honshū

    At the entrance to Ogimachi, this bustling eatery serves regional specialities such as hoba-miso (sweet miso paste grilled at the table on a magnolia leaf…

  • Yokarō

    Kansai

    The signature dish here is local speciality yakisaba-sōmen (grilled mackerel over thin wheat noodles). The restaurant is inside a 150-year-old wooden…

  • Hōkon-an

    Kansai

    Take a break and soak up some views at this traditional tea shop serving matcha and freshly made kuzubana (dumplings made from kudzu root – arrowroot –…

  • Kanda Yabu Soba

    Kōrakuen & Akihabara

    Kanda Yabu Soba has been in business since 1880. The restaurant was rebuilt after a fire in 2013, but the commitment to excellent soba remains the same:…

  • Yamamotoya Sōhonke Honke

    Nagoya

    This is the place to go to for soupy miso-nikomi udon – the chain, which began here, has been doing it since 1925. From Yaba-chō station, take exit 6,…

  • Mottimo Pasta Yuda Onsen

    Western Honshū

    In Yuda Onsen, Mottimo offers a variety of Japanese twists on Italian faves, including eight kinds of delicious hot, buttery, flavoured bread sticks …

  • Toyouke-jaya

    Northwest Kyoto

    Locals line up for the tofu lunch sets at this famous restaurant across from Kitano Tenman-gū. Set meals usually include tofu, rice and miso soup. The…

  • Hinode Udon

    Northern Higashiyama

    Filling noodle and rice dishes are served at this pleasant shop with an English menu – the nabeyaki udon (pot-baked udon in broth) is a great choice. This…

  • Antiques & Oldies

    Western Honshū

    At the back of a charming antique shop in Chōfu's castle-town area is this small cafe, serving up bagel sandwich sets, coffees, juices and cakes. There…

  • Meguri

    Nikkō

    Enjoy lovingly prepared vegan dishes in this former antique shop with a grand, faded ceiling fresco. Arrive as soon as it opens if you want to eat lunch –…

  • Koryōri Shirō

    Ōsumi Islands

    Head to this friendly little izakaya (Japanese pub-eatery) in Nishi-no-Omote to sample tasty dishes such as the sashimi teishoku (sashimi set; ¥1200)…

  • Falafel Garden

    Northern Higashiyama

    If you're in need of a break from Japanese food, head to this casual spot near Demachiyanagi Station for excellent and filling felafel pita sandwiches or…

  • Fuji Ichi

    Izu Peninsula

    A fishmonger downstairs and a casual restaurant above, this humble, market-fresh eatery is noted for its grilled fish and squid (cooked DIY on hot plates)…

  • Curio Espresso & Vintage Design

    Kanazawa

    Brewing Seattle-style coffee that would satisfy even the most hardened coffee snob, this sweet little cafe is a quaint spot to grab a break near the…

  • Don Don Udonya

    Western Honshū

    A popular spot serving tasty udon and rice dishes. Set meals are donburi (dishes served over rice) standards such as oyako-don (chicken and egg on rice)…

  • Densā Shokudō

    Yaeyama Islands

    This comfy daytime eatery serves up Okinawan favourites, like gōyā champurū teishoku (¥850) and Yaeyama soba (¥500), in a homely dining room with an…

  • Sarasvati

    Miyajima

    The aroma of roasting coffee beans lures people into this cafe inside a former storehouse dating from the early 1900s. Bare wooden floors and tables match…

  • Izu-ei Honten

    Ueno & Yanesen

    Izu-ei's twin delights are its delicious unagi (eel) and its elegant, traditional atmosphere, with waitstaff in kimonos and tatami seating (there are…

  • Ta-im

    Ebisu, Meguro & Around

    This tiny Israeli bistro, run by expat Dan Zuckerman, regularly draws a crowd for its authentic felafel (four for ¥680), schnitzel, hummus and more –…

  • Mojiko Retro Beer

    Kyūshū

    Overlooking the harbour with views to Shimonoseki on Honshū, this microbrewery makes a half-dozen award-winning beers and serves them with yaki-curry …

  • Nagomi

    Ueno & Yanesen

    Nagomi deals in juicy skewers of ji-dori (freerange chicken). There are plenty of grilled veggie options, too. Wash it all down with a bowl of chicken…

  • AB

    Downtown Kyoto

    Drop in for one of its filling sandwiches and an Ethiopian coffee or stop by to knock back craft beer at this cool basement bar-cafe with a laid-back…

  • Robata

    Northern Honshū (Tōhoku)

    The best Mongolian barbecue or jingisukan restaurant in Zaō (there are many) is a sharp operation where diners do the grunt work on plates of raw lamb and…

  • Tsurumaru

    Kagawa Prefecture

    Sit at the counter and watch the noodles being pounded by hand in this popular spot, which is busy with the bar-hopping crowd until late into the night…

  • Morinoen

    Tokyo

    Over this teashop is a cafe where you can cool down over superb kakigori (shaved ice) desserts in the summer months. At other times it sells ice cream and…

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