Asakusa is a hugely popular area in Tokyo bustling with many tourists. Located just a short distance from the area’s landmark Kaminarimon (“Thunder Gate”) is “Yanagi Chaya Asakusa Shin Nakamise-dōri” (hereinafter referred to as “Yanagi Chaya Asakusa”), a shop that is highly recommended for tourists exploring the area. Here, you can enjoy a wide variety of sweets and drinks made…
Originally cherished as a beverage, matcha has now found its way into various dishes beyond just drinks. At “Yanagi Chaya ecute Ueno,” located in Ueno, Tokyo, you can experience that matcha evolution by enjoying it in the form of sweets such as tiramisu and soft-serve ice cream. Melty and creamy “Uji Matcha Tiramisu” served in a traditional wooden Japanese sake…
Japanese cutlet dishes, known as “katsu,” are widely recognized today even overseas. As of 2023, among international visitors to Japan, there is a growing popularity for gyūkatsu, or Japanese beef cutlet. Located in Akihabara, “Gyūkatsu Ichinisan (hereinafter, Ichinisan)” is a popular restaurant with lines forming even before opening. It’s not uncommon to see the line waiting to get in composed…
Ueno Park is a great place in Tokyo where you can enjoy the changing seasons of nature in Japan. Fittingly located right in the park is “EVERYONEs CAFE,” which offers a menu incorporating local and seasonal ingredients produced in Tokyo. “ガーデンプレート（フィッシュ）,” Garden Plate (Fish) 2,200 JPY (tax included) EVERYONEs CAFE’s signature dish offers a bevy of fresh Tokyo-sourced ingredients With…
In Japan, okonomiyaki has been a popular and casual dish for a long time. Often described as a “savory pancake,” the dish is cooked on a griddle right before your eyes and is loaded with meat, vegetables, and sometimes noodles. True to its name, okonomi meaning “what you like” in Japanese, it offers a variety of ingredient combinations. The individuality…
“Mo-Mo PARADISE” is a restaurant chain that has expanded its presence worldwide, with a focus on Asia, including Thailand and Indonesia. In Japan, it has two locations, one near Shinjuku Station’s East Exit and another in Kabukichō, where you can savor hotpot dishes made with domestically sourced beef. The standout feature of Mo-Mo PARADISE is undoubtedly their all-you-can-eat hotpot with…
At a great price of around 4,000 to 5,000 JPY per person, “Hina Sushi” is a fantastic place to head to for delicious sushi at a friendly price in Shinjuku. While you can order sets of sushi or seafood bowls, many visitors come for the all-you-can-eat sushi experience, making Hina Sushi a popular spot among both Japanese and overseas tourists….
“KYOTO SARYO SUISEN” is a highly popular destination in Japan for lovers of all things matcha. As of October 2023, they have seven locations in Kyoto, Tokyo, and Kanagawa prefectures, offering a range of matcha-infused sweets that are beloved by many. Additionally, each branch offers exclusive menu items, and the location on the first floor of the Shinjuku Sumitomo Building…
Established in 1972, “Sekai-ichi no Kaki fry to Sakana Wabu,” (referred to hereafter as “Wabu”) a popular restaurant in Shinjuku, is famous for its generous servings of kaki fry (deep-fried oysters) and other fried dishes. It’s known for having long lines during lunchtime, attracting many visitors every day. A super-sized portion! The “Fried Assortment Set Meal” at Wabu. Wabu offers…
It’d be no exaggeration to call udon one of Japan’s national dishes. The country boasts numerous udon specialty shops, and “Yamashita Honki Udon Shinjuku Kabukichō” (hereafter referred to as “Yamashita Honki Udon”) is one of them. Located in Shinjuku’s Kabukichō district, Yamashita Honki Udon serves up udon with a strong emphasis on the broth and noodle texture, and it’s available…
The restaurant is now operating under the name “Shinjuku Sanchōme Sushinjuku Masayume” with some changes to its menu. Emblematic of Japanese cuisine, sushi has long been a popular gourmet option for international visitors to Japan. These days, a new and innovative era of sushi is emerging in Japan, reshaping its traditional image. One restaurant where you can get a taste…
Sukiyaki and shabu-shabu are classic Japanese hotpot dishes that have At “Hitori Shabu-shabu Nanadaime Matsugorou Shinjuku TOHO Building” (hereinafter referred to as “MATSUGORO Hitori Shabu Shabu”), you can really appreciate the true taste of meat at reasonable prices, which has been driving a lot of customers to its doors. “すき焼き,” Sukiyaki 2,948 JPY (tax included) MATSUGORO Hitori Shabu Shabu is…
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…
Gyoza dumplings are wildly popular in Japan, so you’ll find quite a lot of specialty shops dedicated to them. These beloved dumplings originated in China but have evolved uniquely in Japan, becoming incredibly popular. Gyoza are well-loved by locals and have also captivated foreign tourists in Japan. A gyoza and sake bar in Kabukichō that’s open 24/7 At “Shinjuku Kakekomi…
Tokyo’s bustling district of Shinjuku has many busy eateries, but there’s one spaghetti specialty restaurant where you’ll find long lines of people waiting to get in called Al dente Shinjuku Center building (referred to below as “Al dente”). It first opened in 1979 in the Shinjuku Center Building and continues draw in many customers to this day. Al dente’s bacon…