Sapporo
This soup curry shop near the Moiwa-yama Ropeway comes highly recommended by Sapporo locals. Most popular: the chicken curry (チキンカレー; chikin karē) with a …
Must-see restaurants in Japan
Miyajima
The oysters in the tank and on the barbecue outside are what everyone is eating here. Try a plate of nama-gaki (raw oysters) or kaki-furai (crumbed, fried…
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…
Roppongi, Akasaka & Around
Mainly for takeaways, this cosy joint dedicated to crispy chickpea balls offers a couple of stools inside and out at which to get your chops around its…
Kyūshū
Overlooking the port, and owned and run by the local fishermen's collective, this take-your-shoes-off spot offers some of the finest and freshest seafood…
Western Honshū
No, don't be intimidated. From the riverside street, it looks like it's bar-room only at this popular kushiyaki (grilled skewers) joint, but the tables…
Ginza & Tsukiji
Jody Williams brings her New York City brasserie operation to the heart of Tokyo. It's a classy affair that delivers reliable French comfort classics…
Tokyo
This long-running yakitori shop (the building was redone a few years ago) is popular with park-goers who line-up in front of the takeaway window for…
Shibuya & Shimo-Kitazawa
There are 47 prefectures in Japan and d47 serves a changing line-up of teishoku (set meals) that evoke the specialities of each, from the fermented tofu…
Downtown Kyoto
This convenient downtown branch of the original favourite Papa Jon's serves its excellent New York cheesecake, as well as breakfast sets, quiche, soup and…
Kumamoto
This ramen joint is next to Yoshinoya at the northern end of the Kamitōri Arcade. The signature 'king ramen' (¥700) is garlicky, cloudy Kumamoto-style…
Ōsumi Islands
Down a dirt road and facing a field of wild reeds, this cute cafe feels vaguely Hawaiian. The menu, however, leans more toward Thailand. Lunch sets range…
Downtown Kyoto
This is an upmarket branch of the Ganko chain that serves sushi and simple kaiseki sets. There’s a picture menu and you can stroll in the stunning garden…
Kansai
The signature dish here is local speciality yakisaba-sōmen (grilled mackerel over thin wheat noodles). The restaurant is inside a 150-year-old wooden…
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…
Kansai
Take a break and soak up some views at this traditional tea shop serving matcha and freshly made kuzubana (dumplings made from kudzu root – arrowroot –…
Western Honshū
In Yuda Onsen, Mottimo offers a variety of Japanese twists on Italian faves, including eight kinds of delicious hot, buttery, flavoured bread sticks …
Kōrakuen & Akihabara
Kanda Yabu Soba has been in business since 1880. The restaurant was rebuilt after a fire in 2013, but the commitment to excellent soba remains the same:…
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,…
Western Honshū
At the back of a charming antique shop in Chōfu's castle-town area is this small cafe, serving up bagel sandwich sets, coffees, juices and cakes. There…
Nikkō
Enjoy lovingly prepared vegan dishes in this former antique shop with a grand, faded ceiling fresco. Arrive as soon as it opens if you want to eat lunch –…
Ōsumi Islands
Head to this friendly little izakaya (Japanese pub-eatery) in Nishi-no-Omote to sample tasty dishes such as the sashimi teishoku (sashimi set; ¥1200)…
Izu Peninsula
A fishmonger downstairs and a casual restaurant above, this humble, market-fresh eatery is noted for its grilled fish and squid (cooked DIY on hot plates)…
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…
Miyajima
The aroma of roasting coffee beans lures people into this cafe inside a former storehouse dating from the early 1900s. Bare wooden floors and tables match…
Western Honshū
A popular spot serving tasty udon and rice dishes. Set meals are donburi (dishes served over rice) standards such as oyako-don (chicken and egg on rice)…
Yaeyama Islands
This comfy daytime eatery serves up Okinawan favourites, like gōyā champurū teishoku (¥850) and Yaeyama soba (¥500), in a homely dining room with an…
Ueno & Yanesen
Izu-ei's twin delights are its delicious unagi (eel) and its elegant, traditional atmosphere, with waitstaff in kimonos and tatami seating (there are…
Kyūshū
Overlooking the harbour with views to Shimonoseki on Honshū, this microbrewery makes a half-dozen award-winning beers and serves them with yaki-curry …
Ueno & Yanesen
Nagomi deals in juicy skewers of ji-dori (freerange chicken). There are plenty of grilled veggie options, too. Wash it all down with a bowl of chicken…
Northern Honshū (Tōhoku)
The best Mongolian barbecue or jingisukan restaurant in Zaō (there are many) is a sharp operation where diners do the grunt work on plates of raw lamb and…
Downtown Kyoto
Drop in for one of its filling sandwiches and an Ethiopian coffee or stop by to knock back craft beer at this cool basement bar-cafe with a laid-back…
Miyajima
Kakiya is a sophisticated oyster bar on the main street, serving delicious local oysters freshly barbecued in their shells. For a taste of oysters done…
Tokyo
Over this teashop is a cafe where you can cool down over superb kakigori (shaved ice) desserts in the summer months. At other times it sells ice cream and…
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…
Shikoku
At Soba Dōjō on Route 439, you can sample a bowl of zaru soba and even make your own (¥2500; reservations required). The restaurant has a rusty reddish…
Around Tokyo
Fresh mountain air, serene temples and...all-you-can-drink craft beer. Day-trippers pack out the plastic chairs and tables at this scenic perch at the top…
Downtown Kyoto
Ootoya is a clean, modern Japanese restaurant chain that serves a range of standard dishes and set meals at good-value prices. It’s popular with Kyoto…
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…
Ginza & Tsukiji
The sweet red-bean pancakes, usually known as taiyaki after their bream (tai) shape, are renamed maguro-yaki here after Tsukiji's most famous fish – tuna…
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