Oden is one of Japan’s traditional simmered dishes. By slowly cooking ingredients such as daikon radish, eggs, chikuwa (tube-shaped fish cake), and hanpen (another type of fish cake) in a large pot, it brings out the umami of the ingredients. While simple in appearance, this exquisite dish allows you to experience the depth of Japanese food culture through the complexity…
Sumo is considered Japan’s national sport, and the Ryōgoku area of Tokyo is home to the Ryogoku Kokugikan, where sumo tournaments are held. As a result, the area is known for its many chanko nabe hot pot restaurants. “Chanko” refers to the meals eaten by sumo wrestlers. Among these, hot pot dishes are especially common, so in Japan, the word…
Oden is a dish in which a variety of ingredients—such as vegetables like daikon radish and seafood-based items like chikuwa (tube-shaped fish cake) and kamaboko (another type of fish cake)—are simmered together in a large pot. Tokyo is home to many restaurants where oden takes center stage. The ingredients used in oden and the type of broth it’s simmered in…
In Japan, oden is so ingrained in everyday life that you can even buy it at convenience stores. Oden is a traditional Japanese home-cooked dish where various ingredients such as daikon radish, eggs, chikuwa (tube-shaped fish cake), and konnyaku (firm jelly made from konjac yam) are slowly simmered in dashi broth. Tokyo, where oden culture is deeply rooted, is home…
Onigiri (rice balls) can be conveniently eaten with just one hand and enjoyed with a wide variety of fillings. They’re so widely enjoyed that many consider them Japan’s soul food—and it turns out they’re a big hit with international visitors as well. Part of their appeal lies in the endless possibilities for fillings and flavors. But what kinds of onigiri…
Shibuya attracts many tourists from around the world and is widely known in Japan as a hub for youth culture and trends. However, the Maruyamachō area of Shibuya was once a flourishing geisha district, lined with many restaurants during the Meiji and Taisho eras. It’s said that scenes of geisha entertaining guests with dances and shamisen performances were once a…
A kissaten (traditional Japanese cafe) is typically highlighted by retro furniture, warm lighting, casually displayed art, and a calm atmosphere where jazz or classical music plays in the background. These nostalgic cafes—where you can relax and enjoy carefully brewed coffee and yōshoku (Western-inspired Japanese cuisine)—are a uniquely Japanese part of food culture. At “Cafe Bridge,” a long-standing kissaten located inside…
Kabuki is one of Japan’s most celebrated traditional performing arts, and the Kabukiza Theatre is a venue dedicated exclusively to kabuki. Just behind this historic venue—long at the heart of kabuki culture since the Meiji era—is a retro kissaten (Japanese-style cafe) that draws visitors from all over the world: “Kissa American.” Kissaten differ from modern cafes that serve trendy food…
This retro-style cafe, featuring heavy wooden furniture and chairs upholstered in leather and velour, offers guests a place to enjoy drinks like coffee alongside light meals such as sandwiches and pasta. Unaffected by trends and dedicated to preserving a nostalgic atmosphere, Japanese cafes like this have long been loved by many. Located near Higashi-Ginza Station, “Kissa You” is a long-established…
On the first floor of Tokyu Plaza Ginza, one of Ginza’s landmark shopping complexes, you’ll find a sophisticated crepe stand that’s capturing the hearts of adults. The Ginza branch of “PÄRLA,” whose main store is in Gaienmae, Tokyo, features a retro design inspired by buildings from the Taisho era. At first glance, it could be mistaken for a bar, with…
Just a ten-minute walk from the heart of Ginza, where landmarks like GINZA SIX and Matsuya Ginza stand, you’ll find a quiet area away from the hustle and bustle—home to a wildly popular shop with a line that never seems to end. The shop is called “Age.3 GINZA,” a specialty store serving deep-fried sandwiches made with fried slices of bread…
Ginza is an area in Tokyo where tradition and innovation merge. In recent years, Ginza has often been known as a high-end shopping district, but its appeal goes far beyond shopping. As symbolized by the Kabukiza Theatre where kabuki is performed, Ginza has long been a center of arts and culture. Even today, the area around Ginza Station is home…
Micro pigs, owls, hedgehogs, and even reptiles! Beyond just cat and dog cafes, a growing number of cafes in Japan now let you interact with all sorts of unique animals. These entertaining animal-themed cafes have become popular not only among locals but also tourists visiting from overseas. In the case of “cafe capyba,” a capybara cafe near Hikifune Station on…
When you think of udon, thick, chewy noodles probably come to mind. But Inaniwa udon, a specialty from Akita Prefecture, is a bit different. Inaniwa udon, considered one of Japan’s three great udon varieties, is best known for its exceptionally smooth and silky texture. Its shape differs from typical udon, being much thinner, known for its pleasant texture on the…
Ramen in Japan continues to evolve—but did you know there’s a genre known as karashibi or shibikara? Now a familiar term among ramen lovers, this spicy and numbing category appears to have been popularized by the trailblazer “Karashibi Miso Ramen Kikanbo.” In the restaurant’s name, the word kara comes from the Japanese word karai, meaning “spicy,” and refers to heat…