Umami bites

The luxury of indulging in your favorite foods to your heart’s content—this is the dream that all-you-can-eat dining makes a reality. At “Shabu-shabu Sushi Hassan,” in the cosmopolitan Roppongi neighborhood of Tokyo, you can relish an all-you-can-eat menu featuring sukiyaki or shabu-shabu hot pots made with high-quality domestic beef. But that’s not all. You can also indulge in around 20…

Udon is one of Japan’s traditional noodle dishes. Whether served in a hot soup or cold with a side of dipping broth, the thick and chewy wheat noodles are a staple of classic Japanese cuisine. Just about anywhere you travel in the country, you can almost always count on finding an udon shop. However, if you’d like to try out…

Getting around Japan can be challenging if you’re unfamiliar with the language, but knowing a few key phrases can make your journey much smoother, whether you’re traveling by train, bus, taxi, or on foot. This article covers the top 16 essential phrases to help you find your way in Japan. Feel free to use this article while navigating and point…

Japanese convenience stores, (referred to in shorthand in Japanese as conbini or konbini) are more than just a quick stop for snacks—they’re a treasure trove of surprising and incredibly useful products and services. Here are a few highlights of the unexpected goods and services found at convenience stores in Japan that help them live up to their name. For travelers…

Sharing a nabe (Japanese hot pot or stew) with others is always fun, but enjoying it at your own pace is a pleasure of its own. If you want to relish a meal without any distractions, head to “Shabu-Shabu Retasu Shibuya Center-gai” in the popular Shibuya neighborhood of Tokyo, where you can have a nabe all to yourself. Savor Kobe…

Located in Asakusa, “seafoods restaurant MEXICO Asakusa” is an eatery where you can enjoy fresh seafood. (Please note that restaurant sometimes spells “Mexico” as “Mehico” on their menu and signage.) Among their many dishes, their pilaf featuring snow crab is a popular item loved by many. “伝統のカニピラフ（Sサイズ）,” Traditional MEHIKO Fried Rice 1,738 JPY (tax included) Popular since the restaurant’s founding!…

Hokkaidō, Japan’s northernmost island, is a culinary paradise renowned for its pristine ingredients and unique dishes. From the freshest seafood to hearty bowls of ramen, Hokkaido’s diverse cuisine reflects its rich natural environment and deep-rooted traditions. This article will help serve as a guide to the must-try foods during your travel to Hokkaido. Dine on these exquisite dishes to warm…

Nestled in Tokyo’s Shinagawa Ward, Hebikubo Shrine is dedicated to the white snake, a revered creature believed to be a divine messenger. The shrine sees a surge of visitors on the “Day of the Snake,” an auspicious occasion that takes place every 12 days and is considered especially lucky. To find out when the next Day of the Snake will…

When it comes to truth in advertisement, the seafood bowl at “Nihonbashi Kaisendon Tsujihan ARK Hills” in Tokyo doesn’t disappoint. Their signature dish, called the “Zeitaku Don” (literally, “extravagant rice bowl”), is so over-the-top that anyone who sees it will agree it’s the height of indulgence. “ぜいたく丼（特上）,” Zeitaku Don Tokujo (Supreme) Course 3,600 JPY (tax included)　 The Zeitaku Don is…

In Asakusa, Tokyo, a popular tourist destination visited by people from all around the world, the diversity of food options is expanding. One eatery accommodating the varying food needs of international visitors to Japan is “Tempura Asakusa SAKURA,” a tempura restaurant. The most popular item on the menu, a wagyū beef tempura rice bowl, uses halal-certified wagyu beef. The wagyu…

From September to November, Japan’s autumn is full of charm! This season is perfect for enjoying delicious fruits like grapes and apples, as well as breathtaking fall foliage. Here’s your guide to making the most of this beautiful time of year. Seasonal Foods As autumn arrives, Japan’s culinary scene celebrates the harvest with a variety of seasonal delights: Autumn vegetables…

Ōsaka is known for its vibrant food scene and mouthwatering dishes. From street food to fine dining, this city offers a feast for every palate. Here are the must-try foods in Osaka that showcase the deliciousness this city has to offer! Takoyaki: Osaka’s iconic street snack Takoyaki is one one of Osaka’s most emblematic foods. Sometimes translated as “octopus dumplings,”…

Odawara Castle, one of Kanagawa Prefecture’s top tourist attractions, is believed to have been constructed in the mid-15th century. It is famous as the stronghold of the Hōjō clan, who ruled the Kanto region. Although much of the original structure was destroyed by earthquakes and other disasters, the castle keep was reconstructed in 1960, with additional buildings respectively restored in…

In Japan, it’s believed that there are many gods, a concept captured in the phrase yaoyorozu no kami, literally meaning “eight million gods.” Among these, however, the goddess of the sun, Amaterasu Ōmikami, is considered the supreme deity. One notable place where Amaterasu Omikami is enshrined is Asagaya Shinmeigu Shrine, in the Asagaya neighborhood of Tokyo. The shrine is known…

Ueno, much like Shin-Okubo, is known as one of Tokyo’s more multicultural areas. Not only are there many restaurants with diverse atmospheres lined up, but many people who frequent and gather in Ueno are also multinational. Thanks to that, one of Ueno’s charms is the opportunity to encounter restaurants offering cuisine unusual in Japan. At “SANKYU HALAL JAPANESE FOOD,” you…