Beppu
Across from Beppu Station, Toyotsune serves up such local specialities as toriten (chicken tempura), plus lots of fresh fish. The more appealing main…
Must-see restaurants in Japan
Northern Honshū (Tōhoku)
This family-oriented cafe serves popular teishoku (set meals) using local produce, including freshly pressed apple juice. There's a lovely kids' area so…
Kansai
This convenient branch of gyū-don (sliced beef on rice) specialist Butasute, across the street from Gekū, has later opening hours.
Northern Honshū (Tōhoku)
The main community centre in Rikuzen-takata is also a lively cafe with home-cooked food, good coffee and the odd live performance. It's an unofficial…
Northern Honshū (Tōhoku)
When in Ōtsuchi, stop for a special seafood donburi (rice bowl) at this popular restaurant run by a former fisherman. Lots of local vegetables from the…
Northern Honshū (Tōhoku)
There are only so many bowls of ramen one can eat in a day, so best to eat them at the oldest and most well-known ramen joint in town. Find it one block…
Hiroshima Region
This friendly, modern cafe is in a 150-year-old building beside the stone lighthouse on the harbour. There's a small menu consisting of sandwiches and set…
Nagano Region
Chunky ramen bowls and mouth-watering tezukuri gyōza (handmade dumplings) are dished out year-round in this 30-seat eatery downstairs on the corner…
Nagano Region
Part of an increasingly popular ramen chain, this branch a short walk from Nagano Station is always heaving with diners slurping away at the miso-ey…
Odaiba & Tokyo Bay
This is a collection of five ramen shops from around Japan, which means you can choose from Sapporo-style miso ramen, Hakata-style tonkotsu (pork bone),…
Kyūshū
This Korean restaurant does a brisk business in barbecue made with Miyazaki gyū (beef), bibimba (rice hotpot) and pajeon (savoury pancakes). A two-person…
Iwate Prefecture
On the way back down the hill from Chūson-ji, this small tourist-friendly restaurant dishes up wanko-soba (わんこそば; buckwheat noodles) by the mini-bowlful…
Northern Honshū (Tōhoku)
Part of an upmarket chain restaurant specialising in tonkatsu (deep-fried pork cutlets), this branch by the Metropolitan Hotel is highly recommended by…
Izu Peninsula
The anchor of the Nanz Village complex, this casual restaurant serves Mexican fare like fajitas along with pizzas and fish and chips. Creative cocktails…
Kyūshū
A few hundred metres from the Imari Station area, this family-run place serves up super-fresh tempura, some on Imari-ware dishes. No English is spoken, so…
Roppongi, Akasaka & Around
The classy French restaurant at Musée Tomo overlooks a lovely garden and has a star-studded ceiling. Between 2pm and 5pm you can have a dessert and drink…
Kōbe
Run by a long-time Italian resident of Kōbe, this is the city's best place for pasta and brick-oven pizza. It's a popular local date spot (as much for the…
Himeji
Popular spot for homemade noodles at very reasonable prices, on the main street a few minutes' walk from the castle. Look for the white noren (door…
Odaiba & Tokyo Bay
Five different stalls dish up variations on tako-yaki (grilled octopus dumplings), a classic street food most famously associated with the city of Osaka…
Kii Peninsula
A cosy and convenient pit stop for curries, sandwiches and apple pie near the entrance to Oku-no-in. Its namesake coffee comes from a small-batch roaster…
Western Honshū
This cosy restaurant consists of one long table and counter, where the welcoming owners serve up Bengali-style curries and cups of chai. Some English is…
Northern Honshū (Tōhoku)
This friendly local eatery has novel food items, including nattō-filled fish cake and the refreshing alcoholic orange nacchiku drink. The owner is a mini…
Kii Peninsula
Of course not everyone in Kōya-san follows a monk's diet: locals love this tonkatsu (deep-fried pork cutlet) shop, a five-minute walk beyond the Oku-no-in…
Izu Peninsula
The best venue in the drab Marine Town development up the coast from Orange Beach, where you can enjoy thin-crust pizzas while sipping German-style craft…
Southern Higashiyama
While the food's nothing special, Asuka is a convenient spot to fill up on a range of affordable meals while sightseeing in the Higashiyama area, from…
Northern Honshū (Tōhoku)
Hundred-year-old Tokiwa is the best known of the local Yonezawa-gyū (beef) joints. It's in the north of town, a 30-minute walk from the main train station…
Northern Honshū (Tōhoku)
Horse meat is a delicacy in Japan, and you can try every part of the animal here, along with various other Japanese culinary delights, washed down with…
Ueno & Yanesen
This busy, famous place rustles up top-class soba (buckwheat noodles). There's a picture menu to help you choose. Look for the black-granite sign at the…
Western Honshū
Near the station on the upper floors of this shopping complex, restaurants serve international and good local food, all with menus and displays in the…
Matsumoto
This simple Taiwanese eatery near the castle serves amazing spicy soups, noodles and veggies, as well as the standard array of Chinese fare at very…
Northwest Kyoto
Convenient for lunch near Kinkaku-ji, this diner-style ramen eatery is decked out in black and white with checked tiles and bar stools. It does Kyoto…
Osaka
This branch of famous tako-yaki (grilled octopus dumplings) specialist Wanaka is perfect for a mid-shopping pick-me-up or an evening snack.
Miyajima
Baccano gelateria dishes up refreshing swirls of handmade ice cream, including fruity standards, milk-free fig and interesting local flavours such as…
Niigata Prefecture
Just outside the train station's east exit, on the corner, Kikushin serves delicious soba (hot or cold) and crunchy tempura (including mountain mushrooms)…
Hokkaidō
Simple but tasty soba, ramen, or udon at a spot that's open later than most in this tiny town. Choose tatami seating or tables, and if you're lucky it…
Hiroshima Region
Could this be Japan's smallest bread shop? Pop into 'cat's-paw bakery' for a sweet or savoury baked treat and judge for yourself. It's on the steep path…
Izu Peninsula
Sate your sushi cravings at this corner restaurant with the jizakana sushi setto (local fish sushi set). There’s a picture menu, and a green-and-white…
Niigata Prefecture
The family at this fabulous little nabe (hotpot) restaurant prepares handmade udon noodles and various small beer-drinking sides. It's intimate and always…
Ginza & Tsukiji
Take your pick from 50 different flavours of onigiri (rice balls) at this tiny stall – popular picks include salmon belly and the giant fried prawn…
Niigata Prefecture
Kimpuku operates on a simple premise: few seats, fast service, hot grill, quality meat, succulent sauces. Sado islanders often clock in here when passing…
