Ueno, with its plethora of eateries where you can enjoy alcoholic beverages even during the day, is bustling with people day and night. The scene of strangers sitting shoulder to shoulder on outdoor seats and sharing drinks can be considered a symbolic sight of this neighborhood. For an authentic experience of casually enjoying a meal with alcohol at a Japanese…

In Japan, dagashiya typically refers to nostalgic neighborhood stores selling dagashi, low-cost candies and snacks made for children. However, in Tokyo’s cosmopolitan neighborhood of Roppongi, there’s a popular tavern named Dagashiya. The owner named it with the desire to create a place enjoyable even for adults. In the evenings, many customers visit to unwind after a day’s work, savoring dishes…

Shibuya, with its globally famous Scramble Crossing in front of the station, is one of Tokyo’s premier entertainment districts. Photo of Scramble Crossing in Shibuya Although strongly associated with fashion and youth culture, Shibuya’s charm extends beyond that. It’s an area teeming with a variety of eateries including restaurants, cafes, and bars. From quintessentially Japanese ramen to exquisite wagyū beef…

In Roppongi, Tokyo, you can fully immerse yourself in the Okinawan vibe at the tavern and restaurant “Okinawa Dining Ryūka Roppongi” (hereunder referred to as “Ryūka Roppongi”). Here, you can savor Okinawan dishes like Okinawa soba and gōyā chanpurū, an Okinawan stir fry dish made with bitter melon. Shisa, an Okinawan guardian deity Soup that soothes the soul! Homemade sōki…

When it comes to Japan’s iconic noodle dishes, it’s safe to say ramen, udon, and soba are in the spotlight. These are well-known worldwide, with eateries dedicated to them even outside Japan. However, Japan boasts quite a bit more when it comes to noodle cuisine. In particular, sōmen, often referred to as a “summer tradition,” is a noodle dish that’s…

Imagine the bustling streets of Tokyo’s Shibuya district serving up the hearty flavors of Hokkaido. One dish, a local favorite originating from the coastal town of Otaru, is a true delight: wakadori no hanmiage (referred hereunder as hanmiage). Featuring half of a spring chicken that’s quickly deep-fried, it has crispy skin and juicy, succulent meat. “小樽名物 若鶏半身揚げ,” Otaru’s Famous Fried…

Tucked away on Spain-Zaka (Spanish Hill) in Tokyo’s Shibuya district is “BITYUYA CHOUZAEMON” (pronounced ‘bichūya chōzaemon’), a restaurant that feels like a cozy, well-kept secret. The restaurant radiates an old-world charm and specializes in yakitori (skewered chicken dishes), grilled to perfection over binchōtan, a type of high-quality white charcoal made from ubame oak. Popular at lunchtime: “Nama Oyakodon” made with…

While onions and their relatives often find themselves as mere sidekicks in culinary ensembles, there’s a hidden gem in Tokyo’s Udagawachō district of Shibuya that flips the script. This restaurant celebrates the entire spectrum of negi, a term that captures a range of leek- and onion-like vegetables in Japanese cuisine, turning them from supporting characters into show-stopping main attractions. A…

Situated in the dynamic Dōgenzaka neighborhood of Shibuya in Tokyo, “Jibunyaki Unaginobori” (hereunder referred to as “Unaginobori”) is an eel specialty restaurant featuring an unusual concept that you’re unlikely to encounter in typical eel eateries. “名物 自分焼き（うなぎ盛り合わせ）,” Unaginobori’s Famous Grill-Your-Own Eel (Combination Platter) 2,900 JPY (tax included) Exploring the appeal of self-grilled eel at Unaginobori At Unaginobori, the dining experience…

Since around 2021, there has been a growing trend among young people in Japan for “Katakana Sushi.” This term refers to sushi restaurants that use katakana characters (one of the Japanese language’s phonetic alphabets, often used for flashy appeal on signs) to write their names. These restaurants are known for their creative menus that deviate from traditional sushi, as well…

At Shibuya PARCO, located in the Udagawachō area of Shibuya in Tokyo, a wide variety of dining options are available, appealing to all kinds of culinary interests. Situated on the underground level of the shopping complex, Vegan Izakaya Masaka (hereafter referred to as “Masaka”) specializes in vegan cuisine. And no, we’re not just talking about leafy greens; their menu is…

There’s something uniquely captivating about a culture’s approach to social dining and drinking. In Japan, nowhere is this more apparent than at an 居酒屋 izakaya, the nation’s version of a casual gastropub. With its wide variety of food and drink offerings, the izakaya embodies the Japanese ethos of camaraderie and relaxation after a day’s work. Understanding izakaya dining culture can…