Tokyo
This is Kōenji's signature nomiyagai (eating and drinking strip), a collection of shabby (and cheap!) yakitori (chicken, and other meats or vegetables,…
Must-see restaurants in Japan
Kansai
Here you can sample nyūmen (にぅめん), a Miwa speciality of sōmen (very thin wheat noodles) in hot broth. It's served topped with mitsuba (Japanese wild…
Sapporo
These are the crab guys! The frigid seas surrounding Hokkaidō are bountiful and yield some of the tastiest crustaceans around. Try the kani-suki (¥4600…
Kanazawa & the Hokuriku Coast
On the Rekishi-no-michi street outside the west exit of Fukui Station, you'll find this delightful variation on a soba theme. The speciality is oroshi…
Hokkaidō
Hakodate's iconic burger shop has been voted best in the nation several times – despite its cultivated dive image. The house special is the Chinese…
Fukuoka
Fish-your-own Zauo's quite a commotion and good, clean fun. Staff equip you with fishing rods, bait and nets to fish your own tai (sea bream), hirame …
Osaka
That this kappō-ryōri (Osaka-style haute cuisine) restaurant isn't more expensive is surprising considering its pedigree: established over 100 years ago,…
Hiroshima
Far from the crowds, the friendly husband-and-wife team here have been making spicy Hiroshima-yaki for years. There are only a few tables, but the long…
Asakusa & Sumida River
Along either side of the street popularly known as Hoppy-dōri – ‘hoppy’ is a cheap malt beverage – are rows of izakaya (Japanese pub-eateries) with…
Roppongi, Akasaka & Around
This fabled soba shop, once located in Manhattan, now serves its handmade buckwheat noodles at this small, elegant shop on a Roppongi side street. It's a…
Ueno & Yanesen
Kama-age udon (wheat noodles served straight in the cook pot) is the speciality at this popular restaurant. It's part beautifully restored brick warehouse…
Kyūshū
Try local bonito multiple ways in a set meal called katsuoaburi-ju. Bonito in two marinades can be eaten raw, grilled over your own tiny hibachi or…
Fuji Five Lakes
Hōtō are Kawaguchi-ko's local noodles, hand-cut and served in a thick miso stew with pumpkin, sweet potato and other vegetables. It's a hearty meal best…
Tengu-no-Kakurega (Tengu Retreat)
Ehime Prefecture
A chic izakaya (inn) serving yakitori (skewers) and other dishes in a pleasant setting; try the omakase (chef's choice) set of grilled, skewered carnivore…
Northern Higashiyama
The Hyōtei is considered one of Kyoto’s oldest and most picturesque traditional restaurants. In the main building you can sample exquisite kaiseki courses…
Roppongi, Akasaka & Around
Confectionary Toraya was founded in 16th century Kyoto; clients have included the Imperial Court. But its specialty, yokan, is pretty simple: adzuki (red…
Asakusa & Sumida River
The house speciality at this eccentric shack-like joint in the shadow of Tokyo Sky Tree is te-uchi udon (handmade wheat noodles); other dishes to sample…
Western Honshū
This restaurant is proud that its kaisen-don (seafood over rice) has featured on Japanese TV. The friendly owner will help you navigate the menu and…
Kansai
Occupying a former ryokan from the early 19th century, Sushi-kyū is known as the go-to spot for Ise's speciality, tekone-sushi (bonito dipped in soy sauce…
Asakusa & Sumida River
When sumo wrestler Koto-ga-ume retired he opened this restaurant specialising in chanko-nabe, the protein-rich stew that rikishi (sumo wrestlers) eat by…
Shibuya & Shimo-Kitazawa
Traveller favourite Kaikaya serves seafood, much of which is caught in nearby Sagami Bay, in a variety of styles. The whole casual set-up is a homage to…
Kōrakuen & Akihabara
'No meat, no life' is the catchphrase of this rustic and hip restaurant specialising in grilled steak, lamb and chicken. The cuts of meat are good and…
Asakusa & Sumida River
Rokurinsha's speciality is tsukemen – ramen noodles served on the side with a bowl of concentrated soup for dipping. The noodles here are thick and…
Western Honshū
Get a taste of Tottori's take on ramen, which uses beef bones for the base rather than pork. This small joint is known for its flavoursome, thin, almost…
Roppongi, Akasaka & Around
Offering an appealing melting pot of international dishes – from salade niçoise to a Philly cheese steak – made with fine local produce, this spacious…
Osaka
This reliable kaiten-sushi (conveyor-belt sushi) shop is a popular choice for many a hungry commuter, meaning the two whirring tracks of plates are…
Shibuya & Shimo-Kitazawa
Chef Yoshikawa Rimpei's bistro serves French food with some Moroccan flavours in the mix (everyone orders the housemade, charcoal-grilled merguez with…
Roppongi, Akasaka & Around
A collaboration between coffee shop Fuglen, Michelin-starred restaurant L'effervescence and Osaka-based bakery Le Sucré Coeur is naturally the perfect…
Kii Peninsula
In the warren of tiny restaurants called Ajikoji ('Flavour Alley') near Kii-Tanabe Station and the tourist-information center, this boisterous, family-run…
Shinjuku & Northwest Tokyo
Literally ‘Memory Lane’ (and less politely known as Shonben-yokochō, or ‘Piss Alley’), Omoide-yokochō started as a postwar black market and somehow…
Ebisu, Meguro & Around
Higashi-Yama serves beautiful modern Japanese cuisine; the interior, a rustic take on minimalism, is stunning too. The restaurant is all but hidden, on a…
Beppu
This charming, historic bakery has been in business since 1916, and people still happily queue for its ever-changing selection of oven-fresh breads and…
Northern Higashiyama
This approachable and friendly okonomiyaki (savoury pancake) restaurant on Sanjō, close to Nanzen-ji and other popular Northern Higashiyama sights, is a…
Fukuoka
Fish Man's post-industrial vibe features lacquered plywood and big windows, which show off the unconventional presentations of seafood fresh from the…
Nagasaki
First things first: the wharf's not part of Dejima; the land didn't even exist during those times. Still, Dejima Wharf is a picturesque harbour-side…
Shibuya & Shimo-Kitazawa
This counter shop sells seriously good pastéis de nata (Portuguese egg tarts) along with savoury snacks like bifanas (seasoned pork sandwiches) – more…
Hokkaidō
The city's oldest ramen shop (opened in 1947) serves delicious al dente noodles in a shōyu (soy sauce) seasoned assari (light) broth – classic Asahikawa…
Shikoku
This is one of the few remaining cook-it-yourself okonomiyaki (pancake) joints in Kōchi serving cheap and cheerful Japanese pancakes. The 'mix' of ika …
Ebisu, Meguro & Around
Champion is one of Tokyo's best spots for yakiniku – literally 'grilled meat' and the Japanese term for Korean barbecue. The menu runs the gamut from…
Kyūshū
Aso akaushi (beef from local brown cows) is prized for its relatively low fat content. Get it here sliced over donburi (rice bowl). Set meals come with…
