Central Honshū
Fill up on tasty bowls of sansai soba (buckwheat noodles with mountain vegetables; ¥800) at this popular place on the shopping street that runs behind…
Must-see restaurants in Central Honshū
Matsumoto & the Northern Japan Alps
Kamikōchi's signature dish is iwana (river trout) grilled whole over an irori. This is the place to try it. The iwana set is ¥1500, or there's oden, soba…
Nagoya
Come here for a unique kōchin kaiseki (haute cuisine featuring free-range chicken) experience with immaculately presented servers and a wonderfully…
Central Honshū
This 100-year-old shop is renowned among locals for delicious tanuki soba (buckwheat noodles topped with crunchy tempura bits left over from the deep…
Nagano Region
Fujiki-an has been making fresh soba in the north of Nagano Prefecture since 1827, but you wouldn't know it by the clean, contemporary lines of this…
Nagoya
Atmosphere seeps from this ambitious izakaya (pub-restaurant), which transformed a decrepit building into an airy urban oasis. French-influenced dishes…
Kanazawa & the Hokuriku Coast
The family behind Chōraku has been making delicate gyōza (dumplings) by hand to order for more than 50 years, and their experience has deliciously paid…
Takayama
This workmanlike ramen joint is a little grubby, but that kind of authenticity, where locals come to drink and dine, is part of its charm: it's smoky,…
Nagano Region
This establishment just before the gates to Zenkō-ji has been serving seiro-mushi (ingredients steamed in a wood-and-bamboo box) for over 150 years. The…
Nagoya
You may be surprised to find an Italian trattoria of this calibre and value smack bang in the heart of Nagoya. Prepare to queue at weekends, as folks line…
Kanazawa
The art-deco, woody, candelit atmosphere of this Western-style bistro near Higashi-chaya-gai is a big selling point. The Taisho-era (1912–26) building…
Nagoya
Lovers of wholesome, delicious, healthy foods are in for a treat at this trendy, friendly vegan cafe preparing lunch sets and cafe items that are free of…
Kanazawa
A rotating menu of succulent small plates is featured at this family-run izakaya (pub-restaurant). The few tables offer seating on tatami mats, but opt…
Central Honshū
Dorothy, you're not in Emilia-Romagna any more. Upstairs inside the JR Takasaki Station building, this local favourite serves every pasta dish conceivable…
Kanazawa
Popular with Western tourists and locals alike, this new-in-2015 izakaya (pub-restaurant) specialises in modern takes on small-plate classics, like an…
Nagoya
A cheery, clean and colourful halal Indian institution where you can get serious with curry. The all-you-can-eat buffet is good value and includes your…
Kanazawa
Daily happy hours and lunch specials make this well-priced Italian joint even more appealing. It's a good choice when you need something simple and…
Central Honshū
At the entrance to Ogimachi, this bustling eatery serves regional specialities such as hoba-miso (sweet miso paste grilled at the table on a magnolia leaf…
Nagoya
This is the place to go to for soupy miso-nikomi udon – the chain, which began here, has been doing it since 1925. From Yaba-chō station, take exit 6,…
Curio Espresso & Vintage Design
Kanazawa
Brewing Seattle-style coffee that would satisfy even the most hardened coffee snob, this sweet little cafe is a quaint spot to grab a break near the…
Nagano Region
Just before the start of Ginza-dōri, this is a wonderful place to sample a wide variety of Japanese and Western dishes, including an excellent large serve…
Nagano Region
Specialising in hamburger steaks made from 100% Shinshū (Nagano) beef that come out on sizzling platters, and homemade sauces and breads, Gumbo is a…
Nagoya
The massive noodle bowls at this, the head branch of one of Nagoya's best-known kishimen (flat, handmade wheat noodle) chains, are toasty, tasty and cheap…
Kanazawa
This shokudō (all-round, inexpensive restaurant) in the heart of Higashi-chaya-gai has been serving yōshoku (Western food) – or at least Japanese takes on…
Nagano Region
If you're struggling with the crowds on a busy day in Obuse, head back to the road in front of the station to find this lovely little cafe, offering set…
Nagoya
Opposite the Nagoya TV Tower, these cheap, chunky handmade ramen bowls will fill you up. The walls are covered with photos of famous patrons. Someone will…
Takayama
Hida-gyū (Hida beef) on a burger budget. Adjacent to Takumi-ya's butcher shop is a casual restaurant specialising in ramen in beef broth and Hida gyū-don …
Takayama
Pronounced 'Jackson' but having nothing to do with Michael or any of his gang, this unpretentious eatery dishes out some seriously delicious takes on…
Kanazawa & the Hokuriku Coast
Locals swear by this high-volume institution on the ground floor of Toyama Station. The staple is shiroebi ten-don (white-shrimp tempura over rice; ¥1200)…
Kanazawa
Authentic and flavoursome Nepali and Indian cooking is served by friendly staff in funky, atmospheric surroundings on a quaint Kōrinbō backstreet. It's a…
Nagano Region
A stone's throw from Zenkō-ji, unassuming Marusei Shokudo serves soba and tonkatsu (deep-fried pork cutlets), among other dishes; the generous Marusei…
Kanazawa
This cosy, quietly fashionable Italian bistro serves lovely set-course menus, while à-la-carte offerings include house-made focaccia, salads, pastas,…
Central Honshū
Expect to queue at this popular 'local' specialising in hegi soba (soba flavoured with seaweed and served on a special plate, a hegi). The noodles are…
Central Honshū
Unagi-don (eel on rice) and the fancier hitsumabushi (charcoal-grilled eel, Nagoya's famous speciality) are on offer at this cosy little diner on the…
Matsumoto
Dress in your Sunday best for lunch or dinner course menus of exquisitely presented French haute cuisine, prepared from fresh local produce where possible…
Nagano Region
Sample chestnut confections at Chikufūdō, established in 1893. Dorayakisan (chestnut paste in pancake dumplings) are the standard here. It's on the main…
Kanazawa
Thin-crust pizza, flavourful pastas and hearty Irish stews feature on the eclectic, rotating menu at this popular home-style restaurant run by a friendly…
Kanazawa & the Hokuriku Coast
This restaurant near the Asa-ichi market serves local specialities including zōsui (rice hotpot), yaki-zakana (grilled fish) and seasonal seafood,…
Nagano Region
Bessho Onsen has a good Italian restaurant, whose proprietors are extremely proud of the quality of their pastas and pizzas. Just across from the station,…
Matsumoto & the Northern Japan Alps
Breakfast, lunch and lattes done Aussie-style keep hungry patrons coming back for more at this popular spot in Echoland. It's about as authentically…
