Nagano Region
Just before the start of Ginza-dōri, this is a wonderful place to sample a wide variety of Japanese and Western dishes, including an excellent large serve…
Must-see restaurants in Japan
Miyajima
Kakiya is a sophisticated oyster bar on the main street, serving delicious local oysters freshly barbecued in their shells. For a taste of oysters done…
Shikoku
At Soba Dōjō on Route 439, you can sample a bowl of zaru soba and even make your own (¥2500; reservations required). The restaurant has a rusty reddish…
Around Tokyo
Fresh mountain air, serene temples and...all-you-can-drink craft beer. Day-trippers pack out the plastic chairs and tables at this scenic perch at the top…
Nagano Region
Specialising in hamburger steaks made from 100% Shinshū (Nagano) beef that come out on sizzling platters, and homemade sauces and breads, Gumbo is a…
Downtown Kyoto
Ootoya is a clean, modern Japanese restaurant chain that serves a range of standard dishes and set meals at good-value prices. It’s popular with Kyoto…
Sendai
In a city of fans of charcoal-grilled cow's tongue, this little gyūtan has been steadily among the top few purveyors for some time now. Perch at the…
Kyūshū
This lovable, cool organic cafe, in a converted storehouse from the late Edo period, serves daily-changing lunch set menus: curry, pasta etc. It's about a…
Ginza & Tsukiji
The sweet red-bean pancakes, usually known as taiyaki after their bream (tai) shape, are renamed maguro-yaki here after Tsukiji's most famous fish – tuna…
Nagoya
The massive noodle bowls at this, the head branch of one of Nagoya's best-known kishimen (flat, handmade wheat noodle) chains, are toasty, tasty and cheap…
Kanazawa
This shokudō (all-round, inexpensive restaurant) in the heart of Higashi-chaya-gai has been serving yōshoku (Western food) – or at least Japanese takes on…
Arashiyama & Sagano
This friendly little teahouse is perfectly located along the Arashiyama tourist trail. In addition to hot and cold tea and coffee, it serves uji kintoki …
Yokohama
Popular for brunch, the zesty fusion food here comes from the cookbooks of Australian celebrity chef Bill Granger. Try his signature ricotta hotcakes, the…
Hokkaidō
Festooned with a flower garden outside and romantic and cosy inside, Boyotei is a treat just five minutes' walk from the station. Hamburger-steaks,…
Nagano Region
If you're struggling with the crowds on a busy day in Obuse, head back to the road in front of the station to find this lovely little cafe, offering set…
Ginza & Tsukiji
The Ore-no chain – where you stand to eat gourmet dishes prepared by skilled chefs at bargain prices – has been a massive success in Ginza. This one…
Imperial Palace & Around
Join the queue of locals here for some of the city's tastiest sweets, with the mame-mochi (glutinous rice sweet with black beans) being the standout star…
Yaeyama Islands
Near the road from Uehara Port and beside the petrol station, this relaxed cafe-restaurant has sets such as ishigakibuta-no-misokatsu teishoku (miso…
Kansai
This unexpectedly chic new spot does set meals of prettily plated grilled fish or sashimi, using seafood caught from the fish market in nearby Miyazu,…
Western Honshū
The ample seafood dinner menus are a bounty of sushi, sashimi, crumbed shrimp skewers, plump oysters and sashimi. This is the way to dine on the Oki…
Arashiyama & Sagano
This excellent restaurant on the north side of JR Saga-Arashiyama Station specialises in fermented Japanese foods, most of it vegetarian. The daily set,…
Niseko
A newcomer to the Niseko scene, Ginger offers American-meets-Izakaya cuisine, with Japanese takes on burgers, steaks, salads, and so on. The orange-and…
Asakusa & Sumida River
At this super-friendly and simple unagi (eel) restaurant the grilled eel is served in three different sizes: only go for large if you're really hungry. On…
Hiroshima Region
Opposite a shrine and facing the water, a 15-minute walk from the station, this popular noodle shop is a good place to try Onomichi ramen, characterised…
Ginza & Tsukiji
It is safe to say that there is no other restaurant owner in Tokyo who can match Mark Kagaya for brilliant lunacy. His side-splitting antics are this…
Northern Honshū (Tōhoku)
The line of locals out the door at lunchtime is testament to the popularity of this small restaurant, tucked inside a grocery store opposite the Tazawa-ko…
Nagoya
Opposite the Nagoya TV Tower, these cheap, chunky handmade ramen bowls will fill you up. The walls are covered with photos of famous patrons. Someone will…
Northwest Kyoto
This is a great choice for a spot of lunch when visiting Kinkaku-ji and the temples in the area. The setting is traditional and relaxed and it serves…
Arashiyama & Sagano
This cute light-filled cafe is a convenient stop close to Hankyū Arashiyama Station and a short walk from the Togetsu-kyō bridge. It offers a range of…
Northern Honshū (Tōhoku)
Tucked away on a residential street a few blocks back from the main thoroughfare, this tiny, one-room bakery does a seriously good sourdough, as well as…
Niseko
This is Niseko's original hang-out spot in Hirafu East Village, a standby with season regulars and long-time expats for its sandwiches, omelettes and…
Yaeyama Islands
There's lots to love about this spotless restaurant serving Indian and Nepali cuisine, from what appears to have been a former gas stand or car-rental…
Hiroshima
This chic, bright restaurant is all blond wood and stone, serving mostly vegan deli plates of organic, local produce – salad, curry and veg with brown…
Takayama
Hida-gyū (Hida beef) on a burger budget. Adjacent to Takumi-ya's butcher shop is a casual restaurant specialising in ramen in beef broth and Hida gyū-don …
Arashiyama & Sagano
On the banks of the Hozu-gawa sits this lovely semi-outdoor restaurant. The food is only pretty good, but the location is impossible to beat. Dishes…
Takayama
Pronounced 'Jackson' but having nothing to do with Michael or any of his gang, this unpretentious eatery dishes out some seriously delicious takes on…
Kanazawa & the Hokuriku Coast
Locals swear by this high-volume institution on the ground floor of Toyama Station. The staple is shiroebi ten-don (white-shrimp tempura over rice; ¥1200)…
Southern Higashiyama
Take a break from the crowds and head upstairs to this bright cafe serving a range of matcha sweets and treats, from overloaded parfaits to matcha soba…
Ueno & Yanesen
Lamb isn't a common meat on Tokyo's menus, but at this casual eatery specialising in the cuisine of northeastern China, it's the raison d'etre. Sample it…
Kanazawa
Authentic and flavoursome Nepali and Indian cooking is served by friendly staff in funky, atmospheric surroundings on a quaint Kōrinbō backstreet. It's a…
