Ultimate Japan Food Guide: 30 Best Places To Eat in Japan

1. Ninja Akasaka

Ninja Akasaka isn’t just a restaurant, it’s a ninja-themed entertainment and dining experience you’ll never forget! As soon as you enter Ninja Akasaka, with its labyrinthine stone hallways, waterfalls, and sound effects, you’ll be transported back to an Edo-era ninja village. The food also keeps with the theme, featuring dishes with star-blade-shaped ingredients, a miniature zen garden replica in food, and more. As you enjoy your meal, you’ll be entertained by entertainers who perform ninja tricks right at your table!

Ninja Akasaka

Address: Japan, 〒100-0014 Tokyo, Chiyoda City, Nagatacho, 2 Chome−14−3 Akasaka Tokyu Plaza 1F

Website: Ninja Akasaka

Opening hours: 5pm - 11:30pm (daily)

2. Shunsai Tempura Arima

Tempura is one of the dishes you must try while in Japan, and this eatery in downtown Kyoto is a great place to give it a taste. Tempura is a dish of seafood or vegetables that are battered and deep-fried. It’s far from heavy or greasy - tempura batter is light, crispy, and full of flavor. Shunsai Tempura Arima offers many different varieties of tempura, all made with fresh veggies and seafood. Dip it in the accompanying salt, sauces, and seaweed salt for extra flavor. Some reviewer favorites are the asparagus tempura and the white fish tempura, and the menu also includes yams, prawns, and even ginger! The staff is friendly and accommodating, and non-Japanese speakers will appreciate the English menu and sign outside.

Shunsai Tempura Arima

Address: Japan, 〒600-8424 Kyoto, Shimogyo Ward, Sannocho (Muromachi Dori)５７２

Website: Shunsai Tempura Arima

Opening hours: Fri - Wed: 11:30am - 10:30pm (closed on Thu)

3. Kobe Beef Kaiseki 511

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

Another dish you must eat while you’re in Japan is Kobe beef, and there is no better place to try it than Kobe Beef Kaiseki 511. Kobe beef is a delicacy that comes from the Tajima strain of Japanese black cattle, which are raised according to strict guidelines to ensure the best meat. The chef at this restaurant ensures he’s serving the tastiest Kobe beef by bidding on the cows himself at the ranch. The meat is then prepared with precision, in a high heat hearth oven, to deliver customers a dish that is flavorful and perfectly textured! The staff takes great pride in their offerings, and you can expect your server to take the time to explain what makes their beef special and the best dishes to try. Be ready to drop a substantial amount for a meal here; if it’s in your budget, it’s well worth it to try some of the best steaks in the world.

Kobe Beef Kaiseki 511

Address: Japan, 〒107-0052 Tokyo, Minato City, Akasaka, 4 Chome−3−28 Deer Plaza Akasaka

Website: Kobe Beef Kaiseki 511

Opening hours: Mon - Sat: 11:30am - 10pm (closed on Sun)

4. Den

Den is one of the top-rated restaurants in Tokyo, if not the world. Go in with high expectations, and expect them to be surpassed! This Michelin starred restaurant is owned by Zaiyu Hasegawa. It is tiny, with only eight seats in the main dining room, creating a warm and intimate atmosphere with the cooks and your fellow guests. Den is exclusive, but the food isn’t snobby; the menu focuses on Japanese home cooking with impressive flavors and ingredients.

Den

Address: Architect house hall JIA, 2-3-18 Jingumae, Shibuya Ku, Tokyo

Website: Den

Opening hours: Mon - Sat: 6:30pm - 11:30pm (closed on Sun)

5. Narisawa

Narisawa is an innovative restaurant inspired by Satoyma culture–the lifestyle found in a region of Japan with the same name where people live sustainably and harmoniously with nature. The chef is also inspired by his training in some of the best restaurants in Europe, which influences his dishes with a cosmopolitan flavor. The menu is inspired by and varies with the seasons, and you can try dishes here that you would find nowhere else, for example, a broth brewed using the flesh of a snake! Narisawa’s culinary adventurousness is one of the reasons why it is consistently listed as one of the top restaurants in Japan and was named one of the 50 best in the world, too.

Narisawa

Address: 2 Chome-6-15 Minamiaoyama, Minato City, Tokyo 107-0062, Japan

Website: Narisawa

Opening hours: Tue - Sat: 12pm - 6pm (closed on Sun - Mon)

6. Honke Owariya

Honke Owariya is not only one of the oldest restaurants in Japan–it’s one of the oldest in the entire world! This small shop has been in operation since 1465 when it opened as a confectionery shop. For hundreds of years, their specialty was soba rice cakes, which are actually made from a buckwheat flour with a red bean paste inside. Honke Owariya switched their focus to soba noodles in the 1700s, when Zen monks from China brought the idea with them to Zen monks in Kyoto. Demand for soba noodles increased, and many sweet shops began serving soba noodles instead. Today Honke Owariya is still one of the best soba shops in Kyoto, and the dish is served either straight up or with all the trimmings. The restaurant is small, with a quaint old atmosphere, so be prepared to wait a bit to taste this piece of Kyoto’s history.

Honke Owariya

Address: 322 Niomontsukinukecho, Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto, 604-0841, Japan

Website: Honke Owariya

Opening hours: 11am - 6pm (daily)

7. Sakuragawa

Sakuragawa is a great pick if you’re a newcomer to kaiseki cuisine, a multi-course Japanese meal equivalent to western haute cuisine served at high-level restaurants. Kaiseki not only refers to the food itself but also the way the food is prepared and the techniques behind preparation. Sakuragawa, like most kaiseki restaurants, focuses on presentation as well as taste, and seasonally appropriate courses are served in a way that is pleasing to the eyes and the taste buds!

Sakuragawa

Address: 491 Kamikorikicho, Nakagyo Ward, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto Kyoto 604-0923, Japan

Website: Sakuragawa

Opening hours: Mon - Sat: 12pm - 6pm (closed on Sun)

8. Higashiyama Touzan

Few hotel restaurants have an atmosphere as relaxing as Higashiyama Touzan, which is located in the Hyatt Regency in Kyoto. This restaurant has traditional Japanese decor in its interior. Along one wall are floor-to-ceiling windows that look over a pretty Japanese garden, complete with stones and flourishing plants. The diverse menu ranges from soup to sushi to grilled trout or wagyu beef for the main dish. After dinner, head to the Touzan bar, where you can enjoy local sake and beer in a room with walls made of antique pieces of wood, books, and machinery.

Higashiyama Touzan

Address: 644 Sanjusangendomawari, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto, 605-0941, Japan

Website: Higashiyama Touzan

Opening hours: Tue - Sun: 11:30am - 9:30pm (closed on Mon)

9. Kanda Yabu Soba

Though they haven’t been serving soba for half a millennium, Kandu Yabu Soba is one of the oldest soba restaurants in Tokyo, dating back to the 1880s. The restaurant suffered a fire, it was rebuilt in 2014 to retain its historic charm. The exterior looks like a cottage and blends perfectly into the quaint surrounding neighborhood. Soba is still one of the most popular dishes, and the noodles are best when dipped into accompanying sauces on the side.

Kanda Yabu Soba

Address: 2 Chome-10 Kanda Awajicho, Chiyoda City, Tokyo 101-0063, Japan

Website: Kanda Yabu Soba

Opening hours: Thu - Tue: 11:30am - 8pm (closed on Wed)

10. Nobu

Nobu Matsuhisa is a Japanese celebrity chef whose influence goes far beyond his home country. Dozens of his high-end sushi restaurants can be found all over the world in every major city. Matsuhisa actually got his start as a chef in Peru, where he crafted his signature fusion style. Nobu Tokyo is the only one of his restaurants in Japan, and it showcases Matsuhisa’s talent in a chic and energetic atmosphere.

Nobu

Address: Japan, 〒105-0001 Tokyo, Minato City, Toranomon, 4 Chome−1−28, Toranomon Towers Office, １Ｆ

Website: Nobu

Opening hours: Mon - Sat: 11:30am - 9:45pm; Sun: 5:30pm - 9:15pm

11. Tapas Molecular Bar

Eating at Tapas Molecular Bar is far more than simply having a meal; it’s an unparalleled dining experience you’ll never forget. This tiny restaurant has only eight seats and advanced reservations are required, guaranteeing an intimate atmosphere that won’t distract from what you’re about to witness. Over the course of two hours, diners watch as chefs prepare small dishes from innovative flavor and ingredient combinations you’ll find nowhere else! This restaurant’s location also adds to the experience; it is on the 38th floor of the stylish Mandarin Oriental Hotel, providing stunning views of Tokyo throughout your meal.

Tapas Molecular Bar

Address: 2-1-1, Nihonbashimuromachi, Chuo City, Tokyo 103-8328, Japan

Website: Tapas Molecular Bar

Opening hours: 6pm - 10:30pm (daily)

12. Kikkō

Kikkō is an ideal pick if you’re looking to eat a relaxing meal while listening to a peaceful musical performance. From the outside, the restaurant looks like a quaint cottage, and inside that warmth translates into an elegant dining space. Try a variety of traditional Japanese dishes by choosing the six-course tasting menu, which is served alongside a selection of beers, wines, and sake. The menu includes some common finds like sashimi alongside more unique dishes, like blowfish! As you eat, you’ll be serenaded by the owner and his son, who play the traditional shamisen, a three-stringed instrument shaped like a guitar but played with a plectrum, or pick, called a bachi.

Kikkō

Address: 2-2-13 Asakusa, Taito City, Tokyo 111-0032, Japan

Website: Kikkō

Opening hours: Thu - Tue: 11:30am - 9pm; Sun: 11:30am - 1:30pm (closed on Wed)

13. Ise Sueyoshi

Ise Sueyoshi is run by chef Yuli Tanaka, who started his career at the Kukuni Culinary School in Kyoto, followed by traveling to 15 countries to continue learning the culinary arts. In his travels, he realized that a country’s cuisine is often born out of his local ingredients. He brought this philosophy back to his highly popular restaurant, Ise Sueyoshi, where dishes are made from ingredients sourced from local farmers. Ise Sueyoshi is also a kaiseki restaurant, where meals consist of multiple small dishes prepared with close attention to detail. Another tenet of kaiseki cuisine goes beyond the food to provide the customer wholehearted hospitality and respect; based on its stellar reviews and popularity, Ise Sueyoshi certainly does! Be prepared to make a reservation, as the restaurant has only a small number of seats.

Ise Sueyoshi

Address: Japan, 〒106-0031 Tokyo, Minato City, Nishiazabu, 4 Chome−2−15 Mizuno Building

Website: Ise Sueyoshi

Opening hours: Mon - Sat: 5pm - 9:30pm (closed on Sun)

14. Japanese Dining GOEN

If you’re looking for a casual place to grab a meal or snack in Nagano, Japanese Dining GOEN is a great pick. Their menu serves up lunch, dinner, and desserts that are reasonably priced but still high quality. It also has some Western meal options which might appeal to tourists coming through the busy Yudanaka Station across the street, where people pass through on their way to the nearby Snow Monkey Park or Shiga Kogen skiing and hiking area.

Japanese Dining GOEN

Address: 3227-1 Hirao, Yamanochi, Shimotakai District, Nagano 381-0401, Japan

Website: Japanese Dining GOEN

Opening hours: Wed - Mon: 11am - 10pm (closed on Tue)

15. Irori Sanzoku

Irori Sanzoku is more like a theme park than just a restaurant! Located in the mountains near Iwakuni, Irori Sanzoku is one of the main attractions in the area. There are three restaurants to choose from, all set in a complex that evokes a historic Japanese city. In addition to the traditional-style buildings, there are colorful flags and large wooden cutouts of Japanese figures. Even modern amenities like vending machines have been disguised to appear as they come from the past! Eat inside, where you can dine in the traditional fashion of sitting on the floor while surrounded by traditional Japanese statues. If the weather is nice, eat outside at Irori Sanzoku, where lanterns overhead and a gentle stream running by create a peaceful yet festive atmosphere.

Irori Sanzoku

Address: 1380-1 Kugamachi, Iwakuni, Yamaguchi 740-0314, Japan

Website: Irori Sanzoku

Opening hours: Thu - Tue: 10am - 12am (closed on Wed)

16. Sushi Hayata

If you’re looking to get a casual sushi meal in downtown Osaka, Sushi Hayata is your best bet. This small restaurant has a homey feeling, but still serves up sushi worthy of any high-class restaurant. The menu features nigiri sushi, which will look familiar to many visitors to Japan: it has a slice of raw fish over a ball of vinegared rice. The menu includes a variety of other sushi offerings, so split a few!

Sushi Hayata

Address: 2 Chome-6-4 Fushimimachi, Chuo Ward, Osaka, 541-0044, Japan

Website: Sushi Hayata

Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 11:30am - 11pm (closed on Sat - Sun)

17. Gyopao Gyoza Roppongi

Gyopao Gyoza Roppongi is a small, cheerful restaurant that is beloved by locals and tourists! Located in the heart of the city, it’s likely that you’ll pass by Gyopao Gyoza Roppongi as you walk around sightseeing. Stop in for their delicious Japanese-Taiwanese fusion food. The star of the menu is the gyopao, a pork-filled dumpling served in savory chicken broth. If you aren’t fluent in Japanese, don’t worry - the restaurant’s menu feature codes you can scan with your phone to translate it into English!

Gyopao Gyoza Roppongi

Address: 4 Chome-9-8 Roppongi, Minato City, Tokyo 106-0032, Japan

Website: Gyopao Gyoza Roppongi

Opening hours: Wed - Sun: 12pm - 6am; Mon - Tue: 4:30pm - 11:45pm

18. Han No Daidokoro

This is one of the best spots to go if your goal is to sample different varieties of wagyu beef. The finely marbled Japanese beef served at Han No Daikoro comes from the Yamagata prefecture, the region known for having the best wagyu beef in all of Japan. Each table has a grill in the center so you can cook the meat yourself, and if you order the Yamagata Gyu Ittougai, you can try six varieties of Yamagata beef!

Han No Daidokoro

Address: Japan, 〒150-0043 Tokyo, Shibuya City, Dogenzaka, 2 Chome−29−13, Wakatsuki Building 1F

Website: Han No Daidokoro

Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 5pm - 11:30pm; Sat - Sun: 4pm - 11:30pm

19. Nabezo

Hot pot is another popular dish in Japan, where the customer gets to try their hand at being the chef for a change! Though it originated in China, you can try hot pot at many restaurants in Japan - one of the best in Tokyo is Nabezo. Each table comes with a pot in the center where your choice of flavored broth simmers. Order a variety of your favorite veggies and raw meat, and cook it right at your table into a delicious, flavorful soup! Add on a reasonably priced all-you-can-drink package to turn the night up a notch. Nabezo also offers great hospitality, with knowledgeable and friendly servers. It’s a good pick if you happen to have food allergies, as they have a menu specifically for gluten-intolerant diners.

Nabezo

Address: Japan, 〒160-0022 Tokyo, Shinjuku City, Shinjuku, 3 Chome−30−11 Shinjuku Takano Building 2 8F

Website: Nabezo

Opening hours: 11:30am - 11:30pm (daily)

20. Ninja Shinjuku

Ninja Shinjuku is another restaurant that offers a live ninja entertainment experience! Watch as performers reenact ninja moves and fight sequences. Join in the experience by donning a ninja costume yourself–their website offers size guides for children and adults so you can go in prepared to transform yourself. Ninja Shinjuku isn’t just an entertainment experience though–it also has great food, like Omi beef, grilled in a hot stone oven that cooks the meat at high temperatures without losing the tender texture and rich flavor.

Ninja Shinjuku

Address: 1 Chome-11-11 Nishishinjuku, Shinjuku City, Tokyo 160-0023, Japan

Website: Ninja Shinjuku

Opening hours: 12pm - 11pm (daily)

21. Kyō Chabana Shinjuku

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

Kyō Chabana Shinjuku’s specialty is okonomiyaki, a savory Japanese pancake you must try while visiting the country. Okonomiyaki is a pancake with a base made of wheat flour, eggs, and cabbage, and topped with a variety of toppings. Kyō Chabana Shinjuku offers a meat variety with pork, a vegetarian option with tomatoes and sauce, and a variety made with black soba noodles and avocado. Their menu also has a variety of other delicious offerings, all of which are prepared on a large teppanyaki grill which can be viewed from each of the restaurant’s 38 seats.

Kyō Chabana Shinjuku TOHO Building Shop

Address: Japan, 〒160-0021 Tokyo, Shinjuku City, Kabukicho, 1 Chome−19−1 Shinjuku Toho Building

Website: Kyō Chabana Shinjuku TOHO Building Shop

Opening hours: 11am - 11pm (daily)

22. Teppan Baby

Teppan Baby is a great place to get teppanyaki dishes, which means the food is prepared on an iron griddle. It’s one of the most popular places in the Shinjuku district of Tokyo to get okonomiyaki, and they have varieties covered in leeks and eggs, cheese and sauce, and more. Try the course with nine items to taste a variety of different teppanyaki courses, served over the course of two hours with your choice of Japanese alcohol. If you’re active about documenting your food on Instagram, Teppan Baby is the place to go; each dish is just as pleasing to the eyes as it is to the taste buds!

Teppan Baby

Address: Japan, 〒160-0021 Tokyo, Shinjuku City, Kabukicho, 1 Chome−17−4 POCKET Building B1

Website: Teppan Baby

Opening hours: Sat: 1pm - 1am; Sun: 1pm - 12am; Mon - Fri: 5pm - 1am

23. Pound Akihabara

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This Tokyo restaurant is the second location for acclaimed steakhouse Pound, originally located in Kyoto. What sets Pound apart from other Japanese steakhouses is its meat. They serve wagyu beef from cows that are specially bred for the restaurant in the Kagoshima prefecture. The beef is also put through an aging process for 45 days, while it is tended to by an aging master who controls the humidity and temperature of the air surrounding the beef. The aging process makes it more tender and flavorful, enhanced when it is prepared in the restaurant with a seared outside and tender interior. Be aware that reservations are highly recommended, so don’t miss out on booking your table ahead of your visit.

Pound Akihabara

Address: Japan, 〒101-0021 Tokyo, Chiyoda City, Sotokanda, 4 Chome−6−7 Kanda Eight Building 1F

Website: Pound Akihabara

Opening hours: 11:30am - 12am (daily)

24. Sushiryori Inose

If you’re an adventurous eater who wants to put your meal in the hands of a capable chef, head to Sushiyory Inose for omakase. This casual sushi restaurant is not widely known, but those who do know it love it. Be prepared to order omakase-style, which means the chef’s choice–here you can expect seasonal specialties prepared by a friendly husband and wife team!

Sushiryori Inose

Address: 2 Chome-20-2 Higashigotanda, Shinagawa City, Tokyo 141-0022, Japan

Website: Sushiryori Inose

Opening hours: Mon - Sat: 1pm - 11pm (closed on Sun)

25. Kushiyaki Bistro Fukumimi

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Kushiyaki Bistro Fukumimi is a fun restaurant in a pub-like atmosphere. The specialty on their menu is yakitori, chicken skewers that are grilled over a charcoal fire to tender perfection. Besides yakitori, they also serve okonomiyaki, burgers, and steak, and have extensive vegetarian offerings for non-meat eaters, too.

Kushiyaki Bistro Fukumimi

Address: Japan, 〒104-0061 Tokyo, Chuo City, Ginza, 5 Chome−10−9 Ginza YK Building B1F

Website: Kushiyaki Bistro Fukumimi

Opening hours: Sat - Sun: 3pm - 11pm; Mon - Fri: 5pm - 11:30pm

26. Kuriya

Kuriya is a cozy little restaurant with a menu that includes tempura, yakitori, sashimi, and more. It is popular with tourists because of its excellent reviews and its English menus which make ordering easy. Be prepared to wait for a table, and pay a small cover fee to dine; it’s well worth it to try out this great spot!

Kuriya

Address: 1 Chome-15-8 Kabukicho, Shinjuku City, Tokyo 160-0021, Japan

Website: Kuriya

Opening hours: 5pm - 12am (daily)

27. Xex

Xex is an upscale restaurant that often welcomes celebrity clientele. It features a teppanyaki grill, a sushi counter, and a stylish bar lounge–making it feel like Xex is several restaurants in one! Whether you’re watching expert chefs grill meat, roll sushi, or mix cocktails, Xex is a treat for all of your senses.

Xex

Address: Japan, 〒106-0032 Tokyo, Minato City, Roppongi, 7 Chome−21, Roppongi Building １９I.K.N

Website: Xex

Opening hours: Mon - Thu: 5:30pm - 12am; Fri: 5:30pm - 3am; Sun: 5pm - 3am (closed on Sat)

28. T's TanTan

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Japanese cuisine does focus on fish and meat, which is why vegans must try out T’s TanTan while visiting Tokyo. The restaurant’s menu is entirely vegan, but tastes just as delicious as anywhere else! Vegans and omnivores alike can enjoy soy steak, creamy vegan pasta, and vegan takes on Japanese staples like noodles and curry.

T's TanTan

Address: Japan, 〒100-0005 Tokyo, Chiyoda City, Marunouchi, 1 Chome−9−1）KeiyoStreet, 1st floor JR Tokyo Station

Website: T’s TanTan

Opening hours: 7am - 10:30pm (daily)

29. Omotesando Ukai Tei

Omotesando Ukai Tei feels like a fancy French restaurant in the middle of Tokyo. The menu fuses French and Japanese influences, where you can dine on wagyu beef alongside foie gras. They also have an extensive wine cellar of French vintages and expert sommeliers who can recommend the best pairings.

Omotesando Ukai Tei

Address: Japan, 〒150-0001 Tokyo, Shibuya City, Jingumae, 5 Chome−10−1 Omotesando Gil 5F

Website: Omotesando Ukai Tei

Opening hours: Fri - Sun: 11:30am - 9pm; Mon - Thu: 12pm - 9pm (closed on Wed)

30. Mon cher ton ton

Mon cher ton ton is an exquisite teppanyaki restaurant. Though it is pricey, the delicious offerings and sumptuous setting will be worth a splurge! Diners sit around a round grill as chefs prepare the meal right before their eyes. Try out multiple courses like fresh lobster and wagyu beef; don’t forget to leave room for dessert, like green tea ice cream!

Mon cher ton ton

Address: Japan, 〒106-0032 Tokyo, Minato City, Roppongi, 3 Chome−12−2 B1

Website: Mon cher ton ton

Opening hours: Sat - Sun: 12pm - 10:30pm; Mon - Fri: 5pm - 11pm

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The ultimate food guide to Japan

Seasoned travelers know that in addition to planning your itinerary around sights to see, you also have to plan it around where you want to eat! There are so many great restaurants in Japan that even a simple Google search will make your head spin. Hopefully, this guide will be a good starting point for planning your eating itinerary and an introduction to all the amazing Japanese meals you have to look forward to!