Japan’s culinary landscape is a captivating blend of opulence and simplicity, where the artistry of high-end omakase experiences meets the comfort of street food and convenience store treasures. From savoring meticulously crafted sushi at a top-tier restaurant to discovering unexpected delights in a bustling market or a local konbini, every bite in Japan offers a unique taste of its vibrant food culture. Join us as we explore the exquisite world of fine dining and the irresistible allure of Japan’s everyday eats.
Tokyo, Japan
We began our days with coffee and a snack from either Family Mart or 7-Eleven, and on some evenings, we capped it off with food from a nearby konbini. Japanese convenience stores provide a diverse selection of high-quality, ready-to-eat meals, beverages, and everyday essentials.
- Tsumugi
- What to get: Japanese style hamburger in a skillet, miso mackerel, chazuke, karage chicken – all meals are sets and come with tea and pickled veggies.
- No reservations needed for lunch. We went around 3PM and waited ~20 minutes to get seated. However, they’re famous for their breakfast with 18 different items! I read that this course does run out, so either go really early or make a reservation.
- Ginza Innit
- What to get: Any of their coffee options or desserts are great.
- Beautifully designed cafe that also operates as a furniture / outdoor gear store.
- Kura Sushi
- Global flagship Kura!
- Quality revolving sushi for a steal – not expensive unlike the locations in USA.
- Kaiten Sushi Ginza Onodera
- Basically a fancy version of Kura.
- Reservations are recommended, but you can try your luck with walk-in like us.
- Tokyo Aburagumi Sohonten Ginza
- What to get: I don’t remember the exact selection, but you order from a machine and give the ticket to the chef. The spicy ramen had a fiery kick, and it was delicious. We left Tokyo with this meal on our mind. There was always a line when we walked by during the day, but at midnight there is little to no wait.
- Umi
- Two Michelin stars omakase experience.
- Reservation is required.
- We went to a random bar up along the same street before our Umi reservation, and that is an experience we will never forget! We struggled to order (Google Translate saved us), and the staff and customers were really nice and helpful with their suggestions. The shōchū hit the spot and the wings were a nice finale. I included a picture of the front of the bar!
- Wagyu Ushitomi Ginza
- Wagyu Omakase
- Reservation is required.
Outer Tsukiji Market
There will be lines in these restaurants and cafes, but I thought it was worth to wait at these places. To try and avoid the lines, go very early to explore Tsukiji and head over to outer Tsukiji before Seagen (our favorite spot from this area) opens to try and get the first seating.
- Seagen
- What to get: Must try their ‘Ultimate Tuna Bowl’ with Uni. Not expensive at all for the high quality of tuna and uni you’re getting. We waited here for their second seating which was a little over an hour.
- Matcha Stand Maruni TOKYO TSUKIJI
- What to get: I got both their matcha and hojicha latte. I preferred the hojicha latte.
- Line went by quick.
Kyoto, Japan
Kyoto blends traditional charm with a rich culinary heritage. From exquisite kaiseki meals to street-side snacks, its food scene is a delightful exploration of flavor and culture.
- Bar Liquor Museum
- What to get: Can’t go wrong with any of their whiskey options and fun birth month cocktails
- Great place to catch up with friends.
- Sukiyaki Gyunabe Chikarayama Shijo Kawaramachi Store
- What to get: Our group of 7 was able to make a reservation here and everyone was down for the sukiyaki set. Hands down, the best sukiyaki experience I have had.
- Sushi Saeki
- My favorite kaiseki course from this trip.
- Reservation is required.
- Wanderers
- What to get: French toast and egg toast were phenomenal.
- Great breakfast spot. Go early to avoid lines.
- Scene Factory Coffee and Space
- What to get: Flaky croissant sandwiches and strong coffee options.
- Choshoku Kishin
- Michelin guide traditional breakfast set.
- Reservation is required.
- Kiyomizu Temple Grounds
- Pickled cucumber on a stick – My friends either loved it or hated it. I LOVED this and had 3 “accidentally”.
- Wagyu Resturant
- Arabica Coffee – Coffee from here is very strong.
Osaka, Japan
Osaka is a lively city renowned for its vibrant street food scene and rich cultural history. Dotonbori, an iconic district within Osaka, is famous for its neon lights, lively atmosphere, and diverse range of delicious street eats.
- Gyukatsu Kyoto Katsugyu – Namba Sennichimae
- What to get: Sirloin GYUKATSU ZEN set.
- Gyukatsu Motomura is the other more famous chain, but it’s more crowded so we opted for Gyukatsu Kyoto Katsugyu. We actually found a location in Osaka Station and ate there for lunch inbetween our travels.
- Abura Soba Kirinji Sennichimae
- What to get: Cheap, delicious, spicy soba noodles. Similar to the spot we found in Tokyo. Space is relatively large for Japan – accommodated our group of 7.
- Yakiniku Kitan
- What to get: Famous for their box lunches. We ordered aged wagyu, wagyu sukiyaki, and aged tongue box lunches.
- Expect long wait times. We came before the restaurant was open for the day, and the line was already insanely long.
- Arabiya Coffee
- What to get: Coffee and any of their small bites off their food menu. We were a group of 4 and ordered: flan, French toast, fluffy pancakes, sandwich, and pizza.
- We lined up 10-15 minutes prior to opening and got first seating. I recommend you do the same if you don’t want to wait. Great breakfast spot!
- MooKEN
- What to get: Cream Puffs! We made sure to get enough for our train ride to the next city.
- Cafe Tales
- What to get: MUST get their French toast and coffee. One of my favorite cafes from this trip!
- Same tip as Arabiya Coffee above. This was really close to our hotel, so getting to the cafe early wasn’t a problem. After 30-45 minutes after opening, the wait for food items got significantly longer. Worth it though if you do end up waiting for breakfast!
Fukuoka, Japan
Fukuoka’s food scene is a culinary adventure, featuring hearty motsunabe (offal hotpot), savory Hakata ramen with its rich pork broth, and spicy mentaiko.
- Oyama
- What to get: Offal pot set with many beers.
- Motsunabe is a Fukuoka specialty dish and originated from here – must try!
- Service was great and we walked in during peak dinner hours. Easily sat a group of 4.
- Manu Coffee
- What to get: Great coffee, pizza, and delicious toasts.
- Go early in the morning for no lines. There are only a couple of tables for indoor seating.
- Ikkousha Fukuoka
- What to get: Both of Fukuoka’s specialty dishes such as the hakata ramen and mentaiko can be found here. Gyozas here were delicious too!
- There is usually a line, but if you go during off hours (like we did ~2:30pm), you might get lucky with no lines. Service is quick. Cash only.
- Fritto Bar Agelo
- Randomly stumbled upon this restaurant / bar for our late night eats and drinks.
- Randomly stumbled upon this restaurant / bar for our late night eats and drinks.
- Imoto
- Two Michelin stars omakase experience.
- Reservation is required.
Yokohama, Japan
- Sawai
- What to get: Quality lunch set for ~$25USD. Even with their price hike a couple weeks ago, I thought this was worth it.
- Yokohama Chinatown
- Zebra Coffee & Croissant
- What to get: Get a refreshing spritzers or a cold americano after shopping around.
- My favorite spot to sit at was near the windows, looking out towards to the harbor.
That’s all from this trip! Japan’s extensive food scene is impossible to explore in one trip. Embrace the rich flavors and diverse dishes, and remember: each meal is a new adventure. いただきます and happy eating!
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