In Japan, you’ll find numerous specialty stores dedicated to omusubi, traditional rice balls. These specialty rice ball shops take great care in cooking the rice and selecting high-quality ingredients. The end results could even be considered luxurious treats. At the rice ball specialty shop called “Omusubi gottsu tabenahare Oshokujidokoro” (referred to hereafter as “Omusubi Gottsu Tabenahare”) in the Nakameguro area…

Many tourists want to maximize their time at their destination. Those eager to actively explore Japan from the morning should head to the onigiri shop “Odamusubi Honten” (hereunder referred to as “Odamusubi”). Conveniently located in Tokyo’s bustling Shinjuku neighborhood, the shop opens daily at 6:30 AM. Here, you can enjoy a wide variety of onigiri rice balls, popular worldwide as…

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…

Commonly known as Japanese rice balls in English, onigiri are a cherished food item in Japan that spans generations. Amid a recent surge in specialized onigiri shops, Umami bites writer Bensky, a long-time resident of Japan who appreciates Japanese rice, was drawn to Togoshi-ya Shibuya in the Dōgenzaka neighborhood of Tokyo’s Shibuya Ward. Officially named “Togoshi-ya, the place for onigiri…

Rice balls, known as おにぎり onigiri in Japanese, are maybe one of the most versatile and popular ready-to-go snacks in Japan. Wrapped in savory のり nori seaweed, onigiri pack a variety of different tasty ingredients as filling, so there’s bound to be a favorite type for everyone. Whether you’re looking for a snack to eat on the go, take with…