There’s so much amazing food in Japan, it can feel hard to narrow your options down! Here’s only places I’ve tried and would recommend for your exploring the country. From Okinawa to Hokkaido and the Islands in between, here’s your sign to leave just...
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12
Tokyo Food
Tokyo Coffee
Hokkaido
Osaka
Okayama and Naoshima
Okinawa and Kerama Islands
Tokyo Food
Tokyo is one of the greatest food cities in the world. It feels hard to recommend anything, because you could find amazing food with only a little effort. But here’s some tried and true favorites!
What even is donut. Look, if the line’s short it’s worth it, if the line’s long it’s a donut
I'm donut? Harajuku
A staple from Sapporo that hits just as good here, its ramen just exploding with shrimp flavor
Ebisoba Ichigen Shinjuku
Always hits! Kura is a chain all over Japan, and if you want affordable conveyor sushi, it’s a great choice
Kura Sushi Ikebukuro East
The cutest kids only bakery! There’s a sign up sheet, so come ready with some other activities in the area while you wait your spot
Comme'N KIDS(コムン キッズ)
If you can’t enjoy here, you can’t enjoy anywhere. It’s crowded and often rainy, but the seafood is perfect.
Tsukiji Outer Market
If you end up in this area of Tokyo, this is a great conveyor sushi spot
Choshimaru
Just off the metro, these cakes are so so good. If you’ve got a freezer, bring one with you for a late night snack
Criollo
Ramen that’s been Michelin starred in the past, this bowl is impeccable. Get there around 7am to get your reservation then go explore Ikebukuro
Sosakumenkobo NAKIRYU – Tokyo - a MICHELIN Guide Restaurant
Join the spicy miso ramen wars of Ikebukuro
Mendokoro Hanada Ikebukuro
Mammaaaaa just killed a mannnnn
Onigiri Shop Mamma
These are top tier soup dumplings and the Taiwanese fried chicken is spot on
Gyopao Gyoza Shinjuku
This place is hidden amongst some flats, and keep it a secret, because the pastry is seriously good
Paquet Monté
Some SOUPer unique ramen for a break after thrifting in Shimokitazawa
Ten to Sen.
Shimokitazawa is known for its curry, and this is a great spot
Ponipirika
Come in the afternoon to get some adorable and delicious cream puffs. They’re as good as they are cute
Shiro-Hige’s Cream Puff Factory
Free tours at the home of kewpie mayo
Mayo-Terrace
Great vibe jazz bar that’s comfortable and quaint
Grandfather's
It’s hard to call anything in Tokyo a can’t miss because there’s so much, but I won’t go back and miss here
Seafood Dokoro Mukai - Shinsen/Seafood | Tabelog
This spot makes me want to make my own cola
Iyoshi Cola
Make your own okonomiyaki!
Sakura-tei
Next level soup dumplings
GYOPAO Gyoza Roppongi
Create your own dashi stock! It’s the best souvenir you’ll find in Japan
Dashi Okume Azabudai Hills | Shopping in Kamiyacho, Tokyo
Nothing fancy, just great bread
Age.3 GINZA (Fried Bread Cafe)
Decorate your own maneki while you dine!
Cafe Neko-e-mon
The owners here are so nice, and the food is really good!
American Diner Andra, Tokyo, Japan - Reviews, Ratings, Tips and Why You ...
Great little walking street with lots of street food
Yanaka Ginza
Cute little cat pancakes with some great flavors
Mochinyan-yaki(Chewy Cat-shaped Pancake)
I’m incapable of walking by a melon pan without stopping
Asakusa Kagetsudō Melon Bread
Monja is the Tokyo version of okonomiyaki, and this spot is littered with both locals and tourists
Tsukishima Monja Okoge Asakusa
Try out different sakes to find what you like!
WASAKE Sake Experience
These pies are the truth
Lemon Pie Confectionery
If you’re looking for a spot near Tokyo Disney, this ramen and soba is handmade and so good
Marugame Seimen Shibuya Dogen-zaka Shop
Very good soba in Kamakura
鎌倉五山 別館 - 北鎌倉/麺類
Amazing curry pan!
Giraffa Curry Pan
If you make the trip to Fuji, this is awesome regional cuisine
Houtou Fudou Kawaguchiko North Main Shop
Tokyo Coffee
The coffee scene in Tokyo is amazing, especially for lovers of pour overs.
A trusty spot anywhere in Tokyo
FUGLEN ASAKUSA
Such a beautiful space with good beans
THE ROASTERY BY NOZY COFFEE
Another transplant from Sapporo with a great space
Mermaid Coffee Roasters Ikebukuro
Such a great vibe across from a great kids park
Little Nap COFFEE STAND
Really cute, eclectic shop
Pond Owl Star Coffee Shop | Toshima Tokyo
These bruleed cheesecakes might not be for everyone, but they’re definitely for me
Cois Espresso Club Shinjuku Gyoemmae
Go early to avoid the queues and explore every level for some incredible drinks
Starbucks Reserve® Roastery Tokyo
A great Tokyo vibe
Onibus Coffee
The bear cafes are as cute as you imagine
ANAKUMA CAFE Harajuku
The latte art is beautiful if you’re willing to wait
LATTE ART MANIA TOKYO (@latteartmania_tokyo) · Minato-ku, Tokyo
A great shop and roaster
About Life Coffee Brewers
Great coffee and great aesthetic
Bear Pond Espresso
Hokkaido
Hokkaido is seen as food Mecca in Japan, and the freshness of the ingredients doesn’t go unnoticed when you’re here!
There’s a significant Indian population in Hokkaido, and this food lives up to anywhere we are in India!
ビリヤニ専門店 Qmin
Home base for a popular spot in Tokyo!
Ebisoba Ichigen Main Shop
Our guesthouse recommended this spot as his favorite ramen in Sapporo!
Hachibousei
A little hard to find, but very good soup curry!
Sapporo Soup Curry BAR Dan
Fresh oysters so many different ways. The wasabi and sake ones were top!
GOTSUBO, Sapporo - Restaurant Reviews, Phone Number & Photos
Zangi is the Hokkaido style of karaage, and this was a great little spot to try it a number of ways
SAPPORO ZANGI HOMPO SAPPORO STATION NORTH ENTRANCE
Maybe the best spot in Sapporo ramen alley
Sapporo Ramen Haruka
Another spot that’s transplanted to Tokyo, they offer coffee tastings of everything they have on pour over
Mermaid Coffee Roasters
The best version of the fruit sandos you crave from the konbini
Majisand
As good of soup curry as you’ll find!
Soup Curry GARAKU Sapporo Main Restaurant
Free sake tastings!
Chitosetsuru Sake Museum
Cmon, are you really coming here and not going to the Sapporo museum?
Sapporo Beer Museum
Sad we didn’t find this place until our last day because the coffee and the vibe is unreal
poool(プール) -Espresso&Work- Sapporo
Parfaits? Everybody loves parfaits!
Sapporo Parfait PENNY (@pennysapporo)
Even if the line is down the stairs and out the door, I’d stick it out
Suage+ Soup Curry
Come here once and you’ll most certainly be back
Donguri Cocono Susukino
It’s so Sapporo that instead of choosing your espresso origin you choose your milk origin
BARISTART COFFEE
Finally, a place that serves enough scallions
KIRAITO, Sapporo - Restaurant Reviews, Photos & Phone Number
Curry omurice, om I right?
洋食Kogame
They serve a unique type of pressed mochi that’s worth a try!
JINGU CHAYA, Sapporo - Restaurant Reviews & Photos
If you ever wondered what it’d be like to live our Willy wonka
Shiroi Koibito Park
A pretty chaotic fish market right when you get off the train in Otaru
Sankaku Market
Order salmon belly just to watch the chef flamethrower it
Conveyor belt sushi restaurant Toppi - Otaru Canal Street branch
These cheese danishes give life meaning
Fromage Danish Dani LeTAO
Get the melon!
sweets garden prateria
Find some really unique desserts at this little konbini!
24スイーツショップ札幌中央店 · Sapporo, Hokkaido
Osaka
Osaka is my favorite city to eat in in Japan. It begs you to find something good and grab a cozy spot in the city to enjoy the weather.
If there’s a line outside, go inside and hang out
Bear Paw Cafe
Awesome coffee in namba
Brooklyn Roasting Company Namba
It’s just a street you have to experience. Find some food and let yourself be immersed
Dotonbori
You didn’t know you needed bread as much as you need this bread
LeBresso honten
If you’re in the area, this is some great okonomiyaki
Kaze no Machi at Tamatsukuri
The coffee is great, and people just gather to hang out along the road creating such a great vibe
HICARU COFFEE ROASTER Osaka
Such a cute and fun place to decorate your own cake!
unimocc art cafe gallery
One of the coolest bars I’ve ever been in! No menu, but grab a lemon sour
Deepening Submarine Bar SHINKA, Osaka, Japan - Reviews, Ratings, Tips ...
The owner of the submarine bar told me this is his favorite spot
中華そば うえまち (Uemachi in Osaka)
These sandos are huge, and so good!
Dekasan
Great coffee just down the street from the castle
SOT COFFEE ROASTER - Osaka Tenmabashi
Another great sot spot
SÖT COFFEE Tasting Bar Kitahama ソットコーヒー大阪北浜店
Super tasty little treats right across from Namba shrine