Japan is a country of diverse cultures and culinary styles that vary by region. Among them, Okinawa Prefecture—the country’s southernmost region—boasts a unique culture that sets it apart from mainland Japan. This is especially evident in its rich and distinct food culture, with an impressive variety of local dishes. While Okinawan specialty restaurants have become more common in Tokyo in…
Shimbashi is a fascinating Tokyo neighborhood where towering office buildings stand alongside down-to-earth eateries. One of the area’s signature sights is the crowds of office workers gathering each night to unwind after work. Connected directly to Shimbashi Station via an underground passage, Shimbashi Ekimae Building was built in 1966 and still retains its nostalgic, retro atmosphere. From the basement first…
“Kaisendon Marukita 2nd Branch” (hereafter referred to as “Kaisendon Marukita”) is a restaurant specializing in seafood bowls, as its name suggests (kaisendon meaning “seafood rice bowl” in Japanese). However, their grilled dishes and sashimi are just as popular, especially among international visitors! Located in Tokyo’s lively Tsukiji Outer Market, the shop offers a casual and energetic setting where you can…
Conveniently located near Tokyo Station and Ginza Station, Shimbashi has long been known and loved as a classic after-work drinking district for Japan’s office workers. Even today, it remains lively day and night, weekdays and weekends alike. Shimbashi Ekimae Building, directly connected to Shimbashi Station’s Shiodome Exit via an underground passage, is home to some of the area’s most authentic…
The Tsukiji Outer Market is a popular destination for tourists seeking fresh seafood. Located right at the entrance of the market at the Tsukiji 4-chōme intersection is “Tsukiji Sushiiwa Tsukijishiten” (hereafter referred to as “Tsukiji Sushiiwa”), a historic sushi restaurant founded in 1921. This esteemed restaurant is known for offering traditional Edomae sushi crafted with expert technique, all in a…
Shimbashi is one of Japan’s most prominent business districts. With a long history as a transportation hub—it was where Japan’s first railway opened—it boasts easy access to key areas like Ginza and Haneda Airport. As a result, many major corporations and media companies have established offices here. The district is characterized by a unique mix of sleek skyscrapers and retro…
Shimbashi, one of Tokyo’s major business districts, offers excellent access to places like Ginza, Shibuya, Shinagawa, and Haneda Airport, thanks to the JR Yamanote Line and several other train lines. After World War II, Japan’s largest black market sprang up in front of Shimbashi Station. As Japan entered its period of rapid economic growth, the area evolved with the construction…
Located near Ginza, Tsukiji is one of Tokyo’s most popular tourist destinations. At the main attraction, the Tsukiji Outer Market, you’ll find around 460 restaurants and specialty shops where you can explore a wide range of flavors. Among them is “Tsukiji Unagi Shokudō,” a specialty restaurant where you can enjoy shinko unagi—premium young Japanese freshwater eel (Nihon Unagi), a traditional…
The Tsukiji Outer Market developed alongside the former Tsukiji Fish Market, once known as Tokyo’s Central Wholesale Market. Even today, it continues to draw crowds from Japan and abroad, all in search of delicious seafood. One particularly lively spot in the Tsukiji Outer Market is “Maguroya Kurogin Tsukiji Honten” (hereafter referred to as “Maguroya Kurogin”). The shop is known for…
Western-style dishes centered on European cuisine have fused with Japanese ingredients and culture to create yōshoku—a uniquely Japanese style of Western food. For visitors from abroad, yoshoku offers a refreshing experience, while for Japanese people, it’s a comforting and familiar taste. Over time, yoshoku has become a firmly rooted local cuisine distinct to Japan. “Napolitan Spaghetti” at Kayashima in Kichijōji…
The Tsukiji Outer Market is one of Tokyo’s most popular tourist destinations, where you’ll find many restaurants serving fresh seafood. Tucked away in the basement of a building along the area’s Harumi Street is a hidden gem: “Sashimi Bar Kashigashira.” Opened by a seafood connoisseur with experience working in a fish market, the restaurant offers not only top-quality tuna but…
Dining solo has become common in Japan—whether it’s solo yakiniku, hot pot, karaoke, or even amusement parks. But if we turn back the clock, it’s remarkable to find a restaurant that embraced the idea of solo dining back in the 1970s. Shabusen, a restaurant offering shabu-shabu and sukiyaki, has been operating since 1971 as a “single-person hot pot specialty restaurant.”…
Tonkatsu, the breaded and deep-fried pork cutlet, has captured hearts far beyond Japan—cementing itself as a global culinary icon. It’s often said to be the next big thing in Japanese cuisine after sushi and tempura. While the basics are simple—pork (ton in Japanese) coated in breadcrumbs and fried to perfection as a cutlet (katsuretsu, abbreviated as katsu)—there’s endless variety across…
Sukiyaki is a dish you crave when you want to indulge in a little luxury. When it’s made with premium Kuroge wagyū beef, the price can easily exceed 5,000 JPY per person. However, Kyoto Taishu Sukiyaki Hokuto—an izakaya (Japanese gastropub)-style chain with locations in both Kyoto and Tokyo—offers high-quality wagyu at surprisingly affordable prices, without compromising on quality or taste….
Tokyo’s Ginza district is lined with globally famous brand stores and offers a refined dining and luxury shopping experience. It’s a place where world trends and Japan’s refined culture intersect, creating a sophisticated atmosphere. The sweets shop “HIIRAGI GINZA” opened in Ginza in October 2024 and quickly became a hot topic as a rising star in the area. Located in…