Roppongi, Akasaka & Around
One of Tokyo’s most gracious restaurants is located in a former sake brewery (moved from northern Japan), with an exquisite traditional garden in the…
Must-see restaurants in Japan
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Odaiba & Tokyo Bay
There is no better-value sushi in Tokyo than the omakase (chef's choice) course here. The menu changes daily (and sometimes hourly), but you're guaranteed…
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Kyūshū
On Kyōmachi covered arcade near the station, this renowned tofu shop has been in business since the Edo period and serves refined kaiseki, starring tofu…
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Sapporo
Sapporo takes its ramen very seriously and Saimi is oft-voted the best ramen shop in the city (and sometimes the country) – and it's not overrated. You…
Asakusa & Sumida River
Among the oldest and most famous of Tokyo's wagyū (Japanese beef) restaurants, Imahan (in business since 1895), specialises in courses of sukiyaki and…
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Shinjuku & Northwest Tokyo
It's hard to beat Kozue's combination of exquisite seasonal Japanese cuisine, artisan crockery and distractingly good views over Shinjuku. As the kimono…
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Hokkaidō
Inside Hakodate Morning Market, Kikuyo Shokudo got its start in the 1950s as a counter joint to feed market workers and is now one of the top reasons to…
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Fukuoka
If you can't visit the rest of Kyūshū, try regional foods at this elegant izakaya. Look for dishes like karashi renkon (spicy, deep-fried lotus root) and…
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Western Honshū
This traditional eatery, in a 200-year-old warehouse with chunky beams and long wooden tables, is famed for mamakari, the sardine-like local speciality…
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Kyūshū
At this family-run legend, in business since the early 1950s, peruse the refrigerator case of luscious-looking Japanese and Western pastries, but order…
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Downtown Kyoto
This welcoming neighbourhood favourite specialises in obanzai-ryōri – a type of home-style cooking using seasonal ingredients – done creatively and served…
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Kansai
Yōshūji serves superb shōjin-ryōri in a delightful old Japanese farmhouse with an irori (open hearth). The house special, a sumptuous selection of…
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Nikkō
Treat yourself to an elegant course of shōjin-ryōri, Japanese Buddhist vegetarian cuisine. Meals are made from locally-sourced vegetables and bean curd…
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Shibuya & Shimo-Kitazawa
Narukiyo is many people's favourite 'secret' izakaya, serving all the classics (sashimi, charcoal grilled chicken, etc) with a low-key attitude that…
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Shibuya & Shimo-Kitazawa
There are only two things on the menu at Matsukiya, established in 1890: sukiyaki (thinly sliced beef cooked in sake, soy and vinegar broth, and dipped in…
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Okinawa & the Southwest Islands
This hospitable izakaya is a warm, efficient bastion of Miyako-jima quality, serving fresh, thoughtfully prepared local fare such as kobushime-yawaraka-ni…
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Okinawa & the Southwest Islands
This old-school family noodle joint exudes a Shōwa-era movie vibe if only for its fabulously faded original decor. Friendly hosts dish out hearty bowls of…
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Osaka
This famous tako-yaki (octopus dumplings) stand, just north of Dōguya-suji arcade, uses custom copper hotplates (instead of cast iron) to make dumplings…
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Kyūshū
At this fantastic thatch-roofed ex-farmhouse the staff use oven mitts to grill dengaku (skewers of vegetables, meat including Aso beef, fish and tofu…
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Fukuoka
Fukuoka's most famous ramen chain has efficient and always bustling branches in Tenjin, serving the best-selling Akamaru Modern (with black-sesame oil and…
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Tokyo
While sushi has moved in the direction of faster and fresher, Kizushi, in business since 1923, is keeping it old school. Fourth-generation chef Yui…
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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,…
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Hokkaidō
Chidori does real robata-yaki, charcoal grilling in a pit built into the table. The speciality of the house is hokke chanchan-yaki (ホッケチャンチャン焼; ¥1000) –…
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Fuji Five Lakes
In this beautiful old thatched building, diners sit on the floor around traditional irori charcoal pits grilling their own meals – skewers of fish, meat,…
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Hiroshima
This Hiroshima institution is a touristy but fun place to get acquainted with okonomiyaki and chat with the cooks over a hot griddle. There are 25 stalls…
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Hiroshima
In a traditional wooden building overlooking a large garden with a pond and waterfall, Tōshō specialises in homemade tofu, served in a variety of tasty…
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Naha
For a memorable, elegant meal in Naha, don't pass up dinner at the hilltop Nuchigafū, off the southern end of Tsuboya Pottery Street. Formerly a lovely…
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Beppu
This seven-seat, 1940s time warp with a manic local following has only two things on the menu, both ¥600: generous plates of gyōza (dumplings) perfectly…
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Asakusa & Sumida River
Onigiri, rice moulded into triangle and wrapped in sheets of nori (seaweed) is Japan's ultimate snack. You know, the ones at the convenience store; try…
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Shikoku
The three kanji characters that make up this classy restaurant's name say it all – mountain, river, sea. Out at the spectacular Iyashi-no-sato eco-hotel,…
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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…
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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…
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Shikoku
For a taste of local Iya soba, head to Iya Bijin, in an attractive black-and-white building with lanterns hanging out the front, overlooking the gorge…
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Downtown Kyoto
This is the place to go for delectable tempura with a daily changing menu. Attached to the Yoshikawa ryokan, it offers table seating, but it’s much more…
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Osaka
One of Osaka's most famous okonomiyaki (savoury pancake) restaurants, Chibō almost always has a queue, but it moves fast because there's seating on…
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Western Honshū
This busy soba restaurant and its beautiful grounds are an excellent place to sample the local warigo soba, served in a stack of three round lacquerware…
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Downtown Kyoto
Set in an old sweets shop in a traditional Japanese building on a quiet downtown street, this is where locals come for excellent soba (buckwheat-noodle)…
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Western Honshū
There's only one thing on the menu in this boisterous spot: pick from a range of fugu sets, such as the dinner Ebisu course, which features the cute…
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Osaka
This two-Michelin-starred restaurant specialises in exceptionally light and delectable tempura served at the counter, where you can watch the chefs, or in…
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Kamakura
Dinner reservations are recommended for this upscale soba restaurant in a lovely old house. Try the goma seiro soba (al dente noodles served cold with…
