Umami bites

Right in front of the landmark commercial facility SHIBUYA109, and just a short walk from Shibuya Station in Tokyo, you’ll find “Hakata Jidori Fukuei Kumiai Shibuya.” This restaurant offers a variety of dishes made with carefully selected chicken. The spacious interior, boasting 107 seats, is adorned with bamboo and pine, creating a serene Japanese garden-like atmosphere. The restaurant also features…

The essence of yakitori (Japanese grilled chicken skewers) lies in its simplicity, yet the dedication and craftsmanship behind it are profound. The care and attention put into each skewer vary from one restaurant to another. Since opening in 2002, “YAKITORI MOE” in Roppongi, Tokyo, has consistently delighted fans with its authentic taste, making it a beloved spot for yakitori enthusiasts….

In today’s social media-driven world, the visual appeal of food has become a crucial factor in a restaurant’s popularity. “Hamburger Steak and Omurice Shop Ikura Shibuya” (hereafter referred to as “Ikura Shibuya”) reflects this modern trend. The restaurant has quickly become popular after opening in June 2024, thanks to its Instagram-worthy dishes. “プレミアムハンバーグオムライス,” Premium Hamburger omelet rice 3,000 JPY (tax…

“Parlour Ohashi” in Shibuya, known for its SNS-worthy sweets, is a restaurant that combines retro charm with delightful flavors. The chic and relaxed interior evokes the atmosphere of Japanese coffee shops from the 1960s and 1970s. Parlour Ohashi’s SNS-famous “Totonou Pudding” The retro ambiance of Parlour Ohashi perfectly complements its famous “Totonou Pudding,” evoking nostalgia with its taste reminiscent of…

Uni, or sea urchin, is a luxurious rich and creamy delicacy that has become quite emblematic of Japanese seafood cuisine. Tokyo is a fantastic area to sample all types of this briny yet sweet delight that has become popular internationally. This article aims to serve as a guide to six of the best restaurants in Tokyo to go to for…

When traveling in Japan, be mindful of local rules and manners when riding trains and buses. Here’s what to expect: Before boarding Walking When you’re in the train station and on the platform, don’t use a smartphone, mobile gaming device or any other portable device while you’re on the move. Moreover, if you’re dragging a suitcase behind you, be mindful…

French toast is loved around the world, but in Japan, it’s quite a different treat. Known for its lavish toppings and fluffy texture, Japanese French toast has a charm all its own. “Ivorish” in Shibuya is a hotspot for this delightful dish, drawing in people from all nations. Special bread used for Ivorish’s French toast Ivorish boasts a colorful and…

“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…