Roppongi, Akasaka & Around
Inspired by the greengrocers and farmers markets of NYC, this appealing cafe has an airy interior and an outdoor patio to enjoy a delicious assortment of…
Must-see restaurants in Japan
Kansai
One of the oldest restaurants offering kawadoko dining in Kibune, Hiroya is a fine choice for eating riverside in summer. It's well known for the…
Northern Honshū (Tōhoku)
Delicious, organic lakeside cafe known for its starring role in a Korean film. Salads, soups and locally made Kohan No Mori beer make for a very…
Nagano Region
You can't beat this little Italian trattoria in the heart of the village for hearty pastas, tasty pizzas and delicious bruschetta. Excellent value, with a…
Nagano Region
By Okusha bus stop, Okusha-no-Chaya serves fresh soba and other staples behind a glass wall overlooking the forest. Delicious soft-serve ice cream comes…
Sendai
Spectacular evening kaiseki (Japanese haute cuisine) courses and crunch-for-lunch tempura are served in this elegant traditional building in the heart of…
Central Honshū
Truly delicious soba and tempura set-lunch menus in a gasshō-zukuri house smack bang in the heart of Ainokura village. Try the house-made tofu, or the…
Hakone
This serene riverside soba restaurant is perfect for a bite after visiting the neighbouring Tenzan Tōji-kyō onsen complex. Find it through an arched gate…
Izu Peninsula
In business since 1916, serving hearty comfort food such as kamo nabeyaki udon (duck hotpot; ¥1000). Look for the model raccoon by the entrance. They have…
Izu Peninsula
Grab a pavement table or counter seat at this smart little seafront joint for tuna cutlet burgers, stacked aesthetically with salad and sauce in a toasted…
Central Honshū
Chiffon cake, melon bread and local Hida-beef curry are all items you might find on the menu at this handsome cafe within a restored traditional machiya …
Fuji Five Lakes
Great little izakaya (pub-eatery) serving sensational whole grilled fish and various yaki-soba (fried noodles). It's off Rte 137, behind the petrol…
Kyoto Station & South Kyoto
This small neighbourhood okonomiyaki (savoury pancake) restaurant is a great place to grab dinner if you're in the Kyoto Station area. It's cheap and…
Western Honshū
This smart Japanese hotel restaurant, adjacent to Higashi-Hagi Station, happily welcomes international guests to sample its fresh local cuisine, including…
Around Tokyo
This popular restaurant is a lovely spot to try shimazushi, the local speciality sushi using fish marinated in island soy sauce and green chilli peppers…
Yokohama
The walls at this cheerful little canteen are literally wallpapered with appetizing photos of the stir-fries, dumplings, noodle soups and salads on offer…
Kanazawa
This upmarket regional izakaya (pub-restaurant) has an emphasis on seafood – as you'd expect – with plenty of sushi and sashimi to sample in a classy…
Yaeyama Islands
This tiny restaurant on the northwest side of the village (look for the blue banner and the umbrellas) serves up sōki-soba (¥800) and Yaeyama soba (¥600)…
Ginza & Tsukiji
Go down the alley in the middle of a Ginza block to find this small shop specialising in ramen. Its bowl of choice is sake kasu noko soba, which has a…
Hakone
Yamagusuri is a popular spot for substantial, healthy meal sets featuring tororo (grated yam) that you pour over barley and rice. The dining room…
Matsumoto
This Hawaiian-themed restaurant flips the best burgers in Matsumoto, hands down. There's a bunch of other fun and tasty stuff on the menu as well: great…
Central Honshū
In the historic Ue-no-dan district, Bistro Matsushima-tei serves a changing selection of handmade pizzas and pastas in an atmospheric setting befitting…
Western Honshū
For a drink and a sweet treat, stop in at Yamabuki, where the speciality is sweet-potato doughnuts. It's a five-minute walk north of Shimizudani Refinery…
Western Honshū
The menu at this modern cafe-restaurant includes pastas and pizzas, plus there's a range of sweet bready items you can have with your coffee. Reservations…
Around Tokyo
Friendly restaurant and bar serving simple fare of rice dishes, pizza and tacos. Open for lunch on days when the Tokyo ferry is in town. It's in front of…
Downtown Kyoto
Settle into this dimly lit classy Italian-inspired cafe-bar with a an Aperol or glass of Prosecco paired with a decadent lobster pasta or pizza. It's on…
Okinawa & the Southwest Islands
Cheap, delicious, friendly and therefore popular, the busy Marumiya offers a variety of Okinawan and Japanese dishes. Its inexpensive lunch specials are a…
Southern Higashiyama
Choice is a spacious comfortable cafe with a great, well, choice of gluten-free and vegan fare. Drop in for breakfast pancakes, vegan cheese plates,…
Kamakura
Kick back in this California-style surf shack and enjoy charcoal-grilled burgers stacked with bacon, cheese and avocado, washed down with a Dr Pepper or a…
Southern Higashiyama
This place serves one thing only: crisp fried gyōza (dumplings), which come in lots of 10 and are washed down with beer or Chinese raoshu (rice wine).
Matsumoto & the Northern Japan Alps
Self-billed as 'Grandma's Hakuba home-style cooking', Ohyokkuri serves hearty soups and stews and traditional local dishes to an adoring crowd in the…
Nikkō
In business since 1804, this teahouse specialises in manjū (bean-jam buns) and other traditional sweets; look for the green-and-white banners.
Northern Honshū (Tōhoku)
A must-visit for seafood lovers. You can eat at a variety of places at this indoor seafood market or grab some mouth-watering sushi and picnic goodies.
Fuji Five Lakes
This homely, family-run spot serves tasty Japanese dishes including udon and tempura, which you can enjoy seated Japanese-style or at a regular table.
Tsumago
If you're hungry after a long walk, you can't go past a chilled bowl of handmade Kiso zaru-soba (cold buckwheat noodles with dipping sauce).
Okinawa-hontō
Relax on the outdoor patio of this Bise cafe and slurp some noodles, such as ajian-soba (Asian-style soba), while enjoying views of Ie-jima.
Central Honshū
This delightful little eatery on a corner serves simple favourites such as special-sauce tonkatsu-don (deep-fried pork cutlet on rice).
Ōsumi Islands
Stock up on provisions for camping or hiking at this supermarket on the main street in Miyanoura, just north of the entrance to the pier area.
Tokyo
Handmade burgers with a vast range of topping options and quality hot dogs are the draw at this authentic US-style diner with a menu to match.
Central Honshū
Set around a large irori (hearth) in a 350-year-old gasshō house, this delightful cafe serves curry rice, tea and coffee.
