Umami bites

“Bouya Horumonkan Uenorokuchōme” (hereafter referred to as “Bouya Horumonkan”), a yakiniku restaurant in Ueno, is so popular that most seats are filled as soon as it opens for business. Nearly half the customers visiting the restaurant are international tourists. The reason for its popularity is the high-quality wagyū beef available at reasonable prices, explaining why it’s almost always fully booked!…

For anime fans traveling to Japan, there’s a must-visit shrine in the Yotsuya neighborhood of Tokyo. Suga Shrine is the real-life model for a crucial scene in Makoto Shinkai’s anime film Your Name. The Otokozaka stairs at Suga Shrine also appear in the film’s poster. Otokozaka stairs: a constant photo hotspot for visitors to Suga Shrine Due to the film’s…

Omurice (also known as “omelet rice” in English), is a must-try when visiting Japan. The dish that consists of a fluffy egg omelet wrapped around seasoned fried rice is just as visually pleasing as it is delicious! This article will serve as a guide on where to find six of the tastiest and most aesthetically charming omurice in Tokyo! Classic…

“Yarōramen Shibuya Center-gai Souhonten (referred to hereafter as “Yaro Ramen”)” located in Shibuya, is a ramen shop that never sleeps, operating 24 hours a day. The shop’s hearty ramen is known as “Yaro-style” and it is gaining recognition as a new genre of ramen! “豚野郎,” Tonkotsu Ramen with char siu pork 1,430 JPY (tax included) What is Yaro-style? The key…

Since their public debut at Tokyo’s Ueno Zoo in 1972, pandas have become beloved symbols of the Ueno area. From monuments to food, you can spot pandas everywhere in Ueno. Just steps from the Park Exit of JR Ueno Station, “Ueno Green Salon” offers delightful panda-themed sweets. Ueno Green Salon’s adorable panda sweets One popular panda-themed treat at Ueno Green…

The Kamakura area, with its old Japanese townscape and scattered temples and shrines, is bustling with tourists on both weekdays and holidays. Around Kamakura Station, there are many restaurants offering takeout services and specialty sweet shops perfect for souvenirs! Here are some must-visit stores when touring Kamakura! Hato Sable: Kamakura’s popular classic souvenir One of Kamakura’s most iconic sweets is…

Western-influenced Japanese cuisine, known as yōshoku, is gaining popularity internationally as a new taste of Japan. Representative dishes include hamburger steak, omurice (omelet rice), and Napolitan spaghetti (a type of ketchup-based spaghetti popular in Japan). “Sudacho Shokudo Akihabara UDX,” located in Akihabara, is a long-established yoshoku restaurant founded in 1924. Here you can enjoy the dishes of this famous establishment…

When shopping in Japan, knowing a few key phrases to help you when buying items and requesting options can make your experience much smoother. Feel free to use this article while shopping and point out the phrases you want to say. General Questions These are essential questions to ask about products and prices: How much is this? これはいくらですか？ (kore wa…

Located within the atré Ueno shopping and dining mall directly connected to JR Ueno Station, “Tonkyu Ueno” (referred to hereafter as “Tonkyu”) is a popular restaurant where you can enjoy high-quality tonkatsu at reasonable prices. From the brand of pork to the condiments and seasonings, everything is infused with Tonkyu’s passion. Savor the umami of rare black pork tonkatsu At…

Hamburger steaks, sometimes also called hamburg steaks (and known as hambāgu in Japanese), have become one of Japan’s hottest dishes among international travelers. Tokyo boasts so many restaurants offering these succulent patties made from ground meat and delicious seasonings, it can be hard to decide on one! This article will serve as guide on five of the best restaurants to…

Here are some Japanese phrases to remember when ordering or paying for meals during your trip to Japan. Feel free to use this article in the restaurant and point out the phrases you want to say. Arrival and seating When you arrive at a restaurant, use these phrases to get seated comfortably: Excuse me: すみません。 (sumimasen) I have a reservation:…

Located right next to Ueno Station in Tokyo, the Ueno Marui department store houses a number of enticing restaurants. One of them, “yusoshi chano-ma Ueno,” offers a delightful selection of sweets made with distinctly Japanese ingredients such as matcha and kinako (roasted soybean flour). These visually appealing desserts are so beautiful, you’ll find it hard to stop taking photos! Two…

Among the many areas in Tokyo, Ginza is particularly known for its concentration of high-end fashion brand stores. In Ginza, even the dining establishments exude sophistication and refinement. “Yakiniku Inoue Ginza” (hereafter referred to as “Yakiniku Inoue”) is a yakiniku (Japanese grilled meat cuisine) restaurant with a modern and impressive interior design. The restaurant offers carefully selected Kuroge wagyū (a…

Ochazuke has long been loved in Japan as somewhat of a fast food. It’s a simple and easy dish made by pouring tea or dashi broth over a bowl of white rice. However, a visit to “Ochazuke Onigiri Yamamotoyama” located in the EATo LUMINE complex inside JR Shinjuku Station is bound to change your image of the simple dish. While…

The gastropub culture born in the UK is something foreign to Japan. Located in Roppongi, “THE PUBLIC SIX” is a restaurant that blends the cultures of British pubs and Japanese cuisine together. The menu centers around classic pub dishes with a Japanese twist! Pork chops inspired by Japanese home cooking THE PUBLIC SIX was created with the concept of “what…