Restaurants in Japan
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A
Saffron
The huge Japanese omelettes (fried and folded egg filled with spiced rice and covered in sweet, brown sauce) at this very cosy lunch spot make delicious hangover food. Linger for a scoop of homemade ice cream and hang out with the friendly owner. It's around the corner from Sakura-sō guesthouse, with an English sign.
reviewed
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B
Sabō Kō
A cosy atmosphere prevails in this crowded little eatery, where customers perch on wooden stools sipping coffee. The speciality on the Japanese-only menu is wafū omuraisu (Japanese-style rice omelette; ¥800) but it also serves curries and soba. Look for the small wood-covered place with ceramic pots sticking out of the exterior plasterwork.
reviewed
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C
Ryūsen
You can't miss friendly old Mr Ma sitting outside his small Shanghai-style eatery with a red awning, as he has done for years. The walls outside and inside are literally wallpapered with photos of tasty-looking dishes.
reviewed
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Ryōtei Kagetsu
A sky-high shippoku restaurant dating to 1642 when it was a high-class brothel. If you have Japanese skills or a chaperone, dining companions and a love of food, you might not flinch at the price.
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D
R Valentino
Pizzas cooked in a brick oven are the draw at this Sannomiya Italian restaurant. It's very casual and comfortable and there's an English/Italian menu. The Italian owner can explain the specials and make recommendations.
reviewed
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Resutoran Yakushima
On the 2nd floor of the Yakushima Kankō Sentaa (look for the green, two-storey building on the main road, near the road to the pier), this simple restaurant serves a ¥520 morning set breakfast with eggs, toast and coffee and a tasty tobi uo sashimi teishoku (flying fish sashimi set meal; ¥980) for lunch. You can also access the internet on two Japanese laptops here.
reviewed
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Resutoran Monju
There are several decent but slightly overpriced shokudō at the southern end of Amanohashidate, including Resutoran Monju, which has asari udon (udon noodles with clams), a local speciality, for ¥1000. Look for the red-and-white sign as you approach Chion-ji (the temple at the southern end of Amanohashidate).
reviewed
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Restaurant Yamazaki
Given its rich history and well-developed culture, Hirosaki gravitates towards the refined, especially on the dinner menu. At Restaurant Yamazaki, classic French cuisine with a subtle Japanese twist is served in a variety of tasting courses that change with the seasons. Don't let the location near the bowling alley fool you – the humble entrance (look for the green banners) opens up to a formal continental dining room set with bone china and crystal stemware.
reviewed
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E
Rāmen-no-Hōryū
For good gyōza and hearty bowls of rāmen we recommend this friendly rāmen joint near the station. Buy your tickets from the machine (staff usually rush around to help you do this, since the buttons are labelled in Japanese). It's roughly opposite Starbucks – look for the faux wooden facade painted with large white swirls.
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F
Ramen Komurasaki
This popular and fast rāmen joint is opposite Higo Bank in the arcade. The signature dish is 'king rāmen' (¥560) in garlicky, cloudy Kumamoto-style tonkotsu (pork) broth with bamboo shoots, julienned mushrooms and chashū (roast pork) so lean you'd think it'd been working out.
reviewed
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G
Rakuda
As laid-back as its namesake ('camel'), comfy Rakuda has curry lunches (¥850), open sandwiches topped with omelette and veggies (¥600), and goodies like chiffon cake (¥450). It's in a small square beside a mini parking lot.
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H
Quiet Village Curry Shop
This cosy curry restaurant consists of one long table, where the menu is disguised as a notebook. Some English is spoken and there are vegetarian and vegan options.
reviewed
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I
Pommes Soufflées
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. Course menus are priced from ¥1575 to ¥4200. Reservations are recommended for dinner.
reviewed
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Pōcha Tatsuya
Just off McCrum-dōri, this hospitable izakaya serves delish local fare like kobushime-yawaraka-ni (steamed cuttlefish; ¥730) and sūchiki (vinegared pork with bitter melon; ¥630). From McCrum, go past the National store on your left. Look for the green latticework over the windows and a seahorse curled around the sign above the door.
reviewed
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J
Paikaji
No relation to Naha's Paikaji, this local favourite serves all the Okinawan and Yaeyama standards. Both the atmosphere and kitchen get top marks. Try the ikasumi chahan (squid ink fried rice; ¥650), the gōya-champurū (gōya stir-fry; ¥700) or the sashimi moriawase (sashimi assortment; ¥750/1300/1800 depending on size). There's no English sign or menu. Look for the traditional front, coral around the entryway and a red-and-white sign.
reviewed
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Paikaji
In Omoromachi, this convivial traditional eatery has rocking sanshin minstrels, private rooms and an open kitchen bar. Okinawan eats include tōfu-champurū (tofu stir-fry; ¥500) and, for the adventurous, yagi-sashi (goat sashimi; ¥1250). From Exit 1 of Omoromachi Station, turn right and walk about six blocks (15 minutes) along the boulevard, past the Okinawa Prefectural Museum; it's the old-fashioned wooden building after Big Echo karaoke on the left.
reviewed
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K
Padang Padang
Despite its name, this mellow restaurant focuses on French and Italian pasta, meat and risotto dishes, served to a North African soundtrack. There is occasional live music and it's a good spot for a glass of wine after a day of sightseeing.
reviewed
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Otaru Sushi-kō
For Japanese travellers, eating Otaru is all about sushi – local specialities include sake (salmon), ikura (salmon roe), uni and kani. Inside this grey-brick warehouse (look for the English sign) about 500m east of the canal along Ironai Ōdōri, there are just six seats at the counter, ensuring personalised attention from the supremely skilled sushi chef.
If you're the type of person who enjoys scouting out good eateries before sitting down at the table, check out the Denuki-kōji, located on the southern banks of Asakusa-bashi. This tourist-friendly complex contains a dozen or so restaurants spanning a variety of cuisines – most have plastic models out the front to…
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L
Otafuku
Specialising in kiritanpo-nabe, this restaurant is in a traditional black and beige wooden building on the western banks of the Kawabata-gawa.
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Osteria del Campagne
This cosy, quietly fashionable Italian bistro serves lovely set menus, including house-made focaccia, salads, pastas and desserts, plus hors d'oeuvres you can eat with chopsticks. It has an English menu and friendly, professional staff.
reviewed
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Oshokuji-dokoro Shiosai
This fine restaurant offers a full range of Japanese standards like sashimi teishoku (sashimi full set; ¥1700) or the wonderful ebi-furai teishoku (fried shrimp full set; ¥1400). Look for the blue and whitish building and the automatic glass doors.
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Orizuru
For decent sushi and crab dishes, try this popular local sushi restaurant on the main street. You can get a jō-nigiri (superior sushi set; ¥3700) or try the crab dishes in winter. It's between Ichi-no-yu and Gosho-no-yu, on the opposite side of the street. There is a small English sign.
reviewed
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N
Orijin
This wonderful local izakaya located a minute from the station has the usual kushiyaki and tofu steak, plus original dishes like sardines rolled in yuba (tofu skin), or big-as-a-beer-can grilled daikon in miso sauce. Or go for broke with Hida beef (¥1575). Look for the bamboo poles out the front.
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Org Life
At this open-plan, casual cafe you can grab a light meal or quick pick-me-up while exploring Kita. Order a pasta or risotto lunch for ¥900, and finish it off with cake and coffee. It's easy to spot, with an English sign. There's no English menu, but there is a picture menu and 'pasta lunch' or 'risotto lunch' will get your point across.
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Onomichi Rāmen Ichibankan
Opposite the Sumiyoshi shrine on the waterfront, a 15-minute walk from the station, this popular noodle shop is a good place to try Onomichi rāmen, characterised by thick slabs of juicy pork. Its best seller is the kaku-ni rāmen (角煮ラーメン; noodles with eggs and tender cuts of fatty pork) for ¥890.
reviewed