Yokohama
Char is the star at this hip grill restaurant and bar that serves pink-centred steaks and smoky chicken to go with craft beers on tap and a decent wine…
Must-see restaurants in Japan
Kyūshū
Get your fill of local specialities at this delightful old wooden house across from a river: toriten (chicken tempura), fried chicken with yuzu (citron)…
Izu Peninsula
Sun streams into this weatherboard cafe-bar where locals and tourists dine on beach fare such as burgers, pizza and seafood barbecues (order a day ahead)…
Western Honshū
There's all manner of fresh and wild delights to sample at this busy market, with plenty of eateries as well as straight-from-the-source sellers in case…
Kamakura
It's worth searching out this charmingly decorated, shabby-chic wooden house for its laid-back vibe, good coffee and tasty meals, cakes and crêpes. It's…
Izu Peninsula
Run by a friendly Nagano native, this Italian-style bakery offers ¥200 cups of coffee to go with seasonal treats like blueberry jam-and cream cheese pull…
Ōsumi Islands
Find a full range of Japanese standards such as sashimi teishoku (sashimi set; ¥1700) or ebi-furai teishoku (fried shrimp set; ¥1400). Look for the blue…
Kyūshū
At this retro cafe you can sample coffees, cakes, smoothies and Aso-made ice creams while sitting on designy mid-century furniture (kagu in Japanese)…
Harajuku & Aoyama
Goma (sesame) ice cream is a must-try and this takeaway stand is the place to try it. There are two varieties, made from high-grade kurogoma (黒ごま; black…
Western Honshū
This conveyor-belt sushi restaurant on the 2nd floor, right above the fish market, is a great place to get your hands on the freshest fish without needing…
Western Honshū
You know a restaurant is serious when the space consists of plain pine tables without decoration to distract you. The tempura here is seriously good. Fine…
Hakone
A few doors downhill from the Hakone Open-Air Museum, this friendly sushi place also does tasty chirashi-zushi (rice topped with assorted sashimi), and…
Kansai
Soba and udon are handmade here using local ingredients; try the house speciality, kamo-zaru (chilled soba served on a bamboo mat with hot broth and duck…
Yokohama
This palatial Cantonese restaurant is one of Chinatown's oldest (1892) and most respected. It serves a great selection of dim sum from 11am to 4pm, all in…
Northern Honshū (Tōhoku)
Delicious chewy udon and signature soba bowls (hot or cold) are served with simple elegance at this friendly spot. The accompanying tempura and miso are…
Western Honshū
This lively izakaya specialises in dishes prepared using fresh local produce. There's a predictable seafood theme, with lots of sushi and sashimi to enjoy…
Sapporo
At the northeast corner of the market, Keiran has fresh rice bowls, tasty grilled fish, and plenty of English. You can marvel at the hundreds of happy…
Downtown Kyoto
On the basement floor, next to Daimaru department store, this simple sushi restaurant serves excellent sushi. You can order a set or just point at what…
Southern Higashiyama
Bamboo is one of Kyoto’s more approachable izakaya. It’s on Sanjō-dōri, near the mouth of a traditional, old shopping arcade. You can sit at the counter…
Izu Peninsula
A hip young family moved here from Yokohama run this tiny burger counter grilling a range of stacked sandwiches including spicy chilli, three cheese, and…
Tokyo
A Nakano legend and one of Nakano Broadway's few original shops, this ice-cream counter features eight rotating flavours of soft-serve – and you can get…
Izu Peninsula
Cosy diner with vintage toy cars, gingham tablecloths and surfboards on the walls. Serves light fare such as pizza, salads and omurice (omelette and fried…
Kyūshū
By Obi-jō, this old-school shop makes and sells a local version of Satsuma-age (fried cakes of fish paste and vegetables, here called tempura). The…
Western Honshū
Eateries and shops here specialise in local goodies. Seekers of only-in-Japan culinary experiences can look out for the uni-flavoured ice cream (うにソフトクリーム…
Tokyo
Harukiya, open since 1949, is one of Tokyo's oldest existent ramen shops. It serves what has since come to be known as classic Tokyo-style ramen: with…
Kansai
In a 150-year-old thatched-roof farmhouse (and with tatami seating and a central hearth), Morishige serves soba, on its own or in a set with small dishes…
Western Honshū
Next to Matsue-ōhashi, this bright, wood-themed restaurant is a tranquil spot for unameshi (eel and rice; ¥2700). Otherwise, opt for one of the delicately…
Ueno & Yanesen
This branch of the venerable eel restaurant, Izu-ei, is located inside Ueno-kōen, near Tōshō-gū. It's a lovely spot to enjoy lunch while exploring the…
Hiroshima
Come to this intimate riverside bistro for local oysters prepared in a range of mouth-watering ways. Lunch is a set menu (¥1800) of oysters in various…
Fukuoka
If the original Tenjin Nobunaga on Tenjin Nishi-dōri is full, head to this location at the south end of the block, diagonally across from the Apple Store…
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…
Hokkaidō
Since 1949 this popular Tokachi dairy has been serving great ice cream from its small cafe. It makes dozens of flavours – from black sesame to edamame to…
Osaka
This large, comfortable cafe in Ame-Mura serves good coffee, drinks and eclectic light meals, including pastas, sandwiches, salads and rice bowls. It has…
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…
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…
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…
Kansai
The exposed wooden beams and open, airy feel of this rustic cafe make it a great spot to stop for a cuppa and cake while exploring Kibune. In winter it…
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,…
Osaka
One of Osaka's best bakeries, Gout (pronounced 'goo', as in French) sells baguettes, pastries, croissants, sandwiches and coffee to take away or eat in…
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