Nagoya
Folks line up for opening time at this jolly place, where the Taiwan rāmen (台湾ラーメン; a spicy concoction of ground meat, chilli, garlic and green onion,…
Must-see restaurants in Central Honshū
Nagoya
The head branch of this hitsumabushi chain, in business since 1873, is revered for good reason. Patrons queue during the summer peak season for…
Matsumoto
This wildly popular 4th-floor (above Midori in the station building) shrine to karaage (deep-fried chicken) is a must, with tender, juicy boneless chicken…
Matsumoto
Head to Shin-Miyoshi (New Miyoshi), established in 1999, to try everyone's favourite Nagano delicacy: horse meat. The first Miyoshi restaurant got going…
Kanazawa
Upstairs in Ōmi-chō Market, chefs from Hong Kong prepare authentic Szechuan- and Hong Kong–style dishes (including dim sum) from scratch. Delicious lunch…
Nagano Region
This is the place to come to try a Nagano speciality: horse meat. Try it raw as basashi for ¥1480, in a shabu-shabu (hotpot) course for ¥3000 or grilled…
Matsumoto & the Northern Japan Alps
This lovely little izakaya (bar-restaurant) in Echoland is so popular that you'll need to make a booking; get your accommodation owner to set you up at…
Matsumoto & the Northern Japan Alps
A top spot both at lunchtime, when soba-noodle dishes are to the fore, and in the evening, when Zen morphs into an izakaya (bar-restaurant), this place…
Nagano Region
Gohonjin means 'a residence for the lords', and in the Edo period Fujiya Gohonjin played host to the feudal lords of the Maeda family. The present 1925…
Matsumoto
This cute little cafe on a tiny side street off atmospheric old Nawate-dõri gets rave reviews for plates such as smashed avo toast (¥700) and cinnamon…
Kastanie Karuizawa Roast Chicken
Nagano Region
For something a little uncommon in Japan, pop into this original place for succulent and tender roast-chicken dinners, pizzas, pastas and sausage platters…
Central Honshū
This humming hole-in-the-wall place does soupy, fried gyōza (dumplings) and ebi chahan (shrimp fried rice) – and, of course, beer. Go straight from JR…
Takayama
This Takayama institution specialises in regional dishes such as hoba-miso (sweet miso paste grilled on a magnolia leaf) and Hida-gyū (beef) soba. Sit on…
Kanazawa
Kaiseki (Japanese haute cuisine) dining is a holistic experience of hospitality, art and originality. This outstanding restaurant is a true gourmand's…
Takayama
Sakurajaya happens when you take a Japanese man to Germany, introduce him to European culinary arts, hone his craft, then return him to the quiet back…
Nagano Region
This superb soba shop, just of the main street in the middle of the village, offers a relaxed atmosphere, jazz music and a chance to try the superb soba…
Central Honshū
One of Japan's most renowned soba shops, where the classic presentation is cold mori (plain) or zaru (with strips of nori) with a sweetish dipping sauce…
Nagoya
Delightfully traditional but not overly formal, this Nagoyan kappo institution specialises in simple grilled fish lunches served with miso soup, rice and…
Nagoya
This has been the place to try Nagoya's famed miso-katsu (a type of tonkatsu – deep-fried pork cutlet) since 1947. Signature dishes are waraji-tonkatsu …
Central Honshū
Since 1966 this delightful restaurant has been preparing succulent Hida beef in private tatami rooms in a traditional Japanese house. On the banks of the…
Kanazawa
A variety of Japanese dishes and yōshoku (Western-style meals) are served at this stylish cafe in the quieter backstreets of Katamachi – the website will…
Matsumoto
This wonderfully traditional izakaya (pub-restaurant) serves favourites such as oden (a stew comprising fishcakes, tofu, vegetables and eggs simmered in a…
Matsumoto
Miso and ramen fans shouldn't go past this purveyor of fine noodles in a cute little building opposite the Richmond Hotel. Miso-rāmen and black Kuro-miso…
Matsumoto
If you're into tonkatsu (deep-fried pork cutlet), try to find this place a block south of the southeastern corner of Matsumoto Castle park. There's a…
Nagoya
You can soak up the atmosphere of this gorgeous, woody Taishō-era building with its tranquil garden and pond over a glass of pinot: try not to spill a…
Nagoya
The Nagoya branch of this globally acclaimed Taiwanese chain, located in the Takashimaya department store at Nagoya Station, is likely to please with its…
Nagano Region
This cafe is festooned with every kind of wall clock imaginable, and it specialises in variations on the theme of curry; lunch set menus include omu-karē …
Kanazawa
One of Kanazawa's favourite seafood izakaya (pub-restaurants) is as popular with locals as it is with international visitors, so you may have to queue for…
Takayama
Atmospheric, inexpensive, welcoming and delicious are all words that spring to mind when describing this wonderful second-generation eatery serving up…
Kanazawa & the Hokuriku Coast
Umi-tei Notokichi has been a popular local haunt for generations – it's a quintessential Japanese seafood experience. Purists should keep it simple and go…
Takayama
Experience the unique Japanese art of shōjin-ryōri, holistic vegetarian kaiseki dining in an atmospheric building and garden that's almost 200 years old,…
Kanazawa
This trendy spot in the Kanazawa Miyako Hotel building has a comprehensive Japanese menu and a limited English one with all the Western favourites and…
Nagano Region
Revered in Japan by those who value soba (as many do), this wonderful noodle shop claims that Togakushi is the home of soba – and it may just be right. It…
Nagano Region
This extremely cute little cafe is up at the top of town where the locals boil eggs in the onsen water. Set-menu lunches (¥780) and light meals are the go…
Kanazawa
Kanazawa institution Janome-sushi Honten has been known for sashimi and Kaga cuisine since 1931. Dinner omakase (chef's choice) menus start at ¥3000.
Takayama
Word has spread that this Japanese couple are living their dream and welcoming visitors from around the world, so you might have to wait for a table to…
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…
Takayama
One street back from the river, this fancy restaurant serves traditional French cuisine with a Japanese twist. Mouth-watering appetisers include Hida-beef…
Takayama
Run by the inspiring crew from Satoyama Experience in neighbouring Hida-Furukawa, this new-in-2016 cafe in the slick Takayama Station is your one-stop…
Takayama
These folks have been making teuchi (handmade) soba since 1898. Try the zaru soba, which strips it bare so you can taste the flavour of the noodles. The…
