Around Tokyo
Near the train station end of Omote-sandō is this locally-regarded and reasonably priced sushi joint with an English-speaking chef.
Must-see restaurants in Japan
Hokkaidō
Super tasty skewers here, primarily pork, though it does have chicken. The tsukune (chicken sausage) is divine.
Kanazawa
Forus department store has a wide variety of great Japanese restaurants and bakeries on its 6th floor.
Central Honshū
Atmospheric Koyō-an serves homemade soba (buckwheat noodles) on beautiful local ceramics.
Ueno & Yanesen
We've seen a lot of cafe mashups on our travels but this might just be the only ornamental goldfish breeder-cum-cafe around. Kingyozaka (the name means …
Kōrakuen & Akihabara
A Kamakura cooking school specialising in shōjin-ryōri (Buddhist-style vegan cuisine) runs this cafe within the Chabara food market. Its nonmeat dishes…
Kyūshū
At the base of the gorge (though, sadly, with no water views), this simple building serves nagashi-sōmen (flowing noodles) – have fun catching them with…
Osaka
This lively local chain has a huge line-up of kushikatsu (skewers), from staples including renkon (lotus root) and mochi (rice cake) to unconventional…
Roppongi, Akasaka & Around
This chain izakaya (Japanese pub-eatery) specialises in Tosa-ryōri, the food of Kōchi Prefecture in Shikoku. It's easily spotted by the giant black wave…
Shinjuku & Northwest Tokyo
Of all the department-store food courts in Shinjuku, Takashimaya has the best selection, with three floors of restaurants. Many of the options here are…
Kōbe
A reliable place for Kōbe beef served teppanyaki (grilled on a steel plate) at entry-level prices: less-expensive cuts start at ¥2500 for 80g and a daily…
Kyūshū
This homely shop serves jidori (local chicken), full of flavour but tougher and cooked rarer than you may be used to. The standard is momoyaki (grilled…
Sapporo
This popular joint gets so busy the air is thick with the smoke of grilling lamb. Most popular: the 90-minute all-you-can-eat, all-you-can-drink deal for …
Nara
A reliable choice offering a variety of dishes, from sashimi to tempura to noodles to wagyū (Japanese beef). Try its speciality: dishes marinated in sake…
Shinjuku & Northwest Tokyo
Tsunahachi has been frying prawns and veggies for more than 90 years and is an easy place to be initiated in the art of tempura. Come at lunch for the…
Kii Peninsula
With its cluster of private rooms and regulars' personal whisky bottles kept on the shelves, Tensui has a local vibe, but it has happily embraced the…
Naoshima
A tranquil rest stop within Honmura's Art House Project area, Aisunao has seating on raised tatami flooring and a decidedly health-conscious menu – try…
Aomori Prefecture
The bright-green building housing Kaikyōsō looks more like a hardware store than a purveyor of fine raw fish, but don't be fooled: you're in the exact…
Iwate Prefecture
Among the soba varieties served here, try hitsuko soba (ひつこそば), eaten with chicken, mushrooms, onion and raw egg. Otherwise go for hittsumi (ひっつみ), hand…
Kyūshū
Operated by a local agriculture cooperative, this informal restaurant and produce market nails regional standards such as toriten (chicken tempura),…
Fukuoka
Curry rice is ubiquitous comfort food throughout Japan, and this shop does it in the style famous in nearby Mojikō: yaki-curry (baked with egg and cheese…
Northern Honshū (Tōhoku)
To the east of the centre, in a residential neighbourhood, this popular ramen joint does a roaring trade in steaming bowls of homemade noodles in a rich,…
Shinjuku & Northwest Tokyo
Tori paitan (鶏白湯) is a style of ramen made with a chicken stock so collagen-rich as to be creamy and it's very popular in Tokyo at the moment. This…
Shinjuku & Northwest Tokyo
With terrace seating, fairy lights, a global array of comfort food (from fried calamari sandwiches to gapao rice) and beer, Sakura Cafe & Restaurant nails…
Aomori Prefecture
Walking down Shinmachi-dōri from the station, turn left on Zeimusho-dōri (before the Alpha Hotel). Walk towards the water, and on your left you'll find…
Osaka
Beneath the massive green dragon, this indoor-outdoor spot offers house-made noodles and a front-row seat to the Dōtombori scene. Purchase a ticket from a…
Fukuoka
Locally popular for its home-grown Kagoshima beef, served from behind the counter on sizzling teppan (iron hotplates). A great bargain at lunchtime. There…
Kyūshū
The walls of this gallery-cafe are lined with more than 2000 cup-and-saucer sets from hundreds of Arita-yaki potters; choose your favourite set, and staff…
Ebisu, Meguro & Around
Ōtaru isn't winning any Michelin stars, but we're giving it three stars of our own for atmosphere. In increasingly redeveloped Naka-Meguro, this izakaya …
Nagasaki
People have flocking to this place, behind a traditional shop front festooned with red lanterns, for chawanmushi (savoury egg custard) since 1866. The…
Sapporo
Sapporo's original fish market is now mostly a tourist spot (since the wholesale market moved to a big modern facility outside the city centre). There are…
Aomori Prefecture
On the southern side of Hirosaki-kōen, Rairai-ken is a lovely little Chinese restaurant in the temple district. There are lots of vegetarian options,…
Kyūshū
No Kyūshū tonkotsu (pork broth) ramen here. This cute, whitewashed-wood place in a mini-shopping centre uses local jidori (chicken) for a light yet…
Nagasaki
This huge Chinese restaurant (look for the giant red pillars) near Glover Garden is credited as the creator of champon and has been in operation since…
Nagasaki
Despite the name Toruko (Turkish) rice, there's nothing much Turkish about the hearty Nagasaki signature dish of this retro kissaten (coffee shop): pork…
Kyūshū
On this street teeming with shops selling umegaemochi (sweet-bean-paste-filled cakes), this place makes them before your eyes (five for ¥600), assuming…
Takayama
If you're looking for a tasty, uncomplicated meal, this large, well-positioned eatery near Kaji-bashi is a good choice. A diverse English and Japanese…
Kansai
Signage reading 'Japan's most famous restaurant' may be an exaggeration, but this is a reliably polished place to sample a huge variety of local seafood…
Ebisu, Meguro & Around
Mismatched furniture and ‘found’ objects conspire to make this cafe look like something the Lost Boys of Peter Pan may have thrown together. The menu is…
Ehime Prefecture
This izakaya has been serving up local food for over 70 years. If you request kyōdo ryōri (郷土料理) – meaning 'local cuisine' – the friendly owner should…
