How to Eat Japan

Japan attracts tourists for various reasons, and "food" is certainly one of them. When I ask my friends who have traveled to Japan what they liked about their trip or why they want to visit again, many of them answer, "the food."

I myself love eating delicious food, and I always make a list of which restaurants to try and what dishes I want to eat. However, in Japan, there are so many restaurants across various genres, and new restaurants are constantly popping up that my list seems never-ending.

When planning a trip to Japan and deciding where to eat, you might feel overwhelmed by the multitude of choices. Here, I'll share how I go about exploring Japan and finding good restaurants, hoping it will be helpful to you.

1. When searching for restaurants, read both Japanese and foreign customer reviews

When searching for restaurants, I use Google Maps. I search for restaurants in the area where I plan to visit and read reviews carefully. While Japanese restaurants generally maintain a high standard, I feel more confident dining at places rated 4.0 or higher on Google.

Many people in Japan use a website called Tabelog, but I don't use it much. The reason is that most of the reviews posted on this site are by Japanese customers, and honestly, Japanese reviews are quite harsh. For example, even if they write "overall it was very good," they often only give it 3 stars, which makes it a bit difficult to use as a reference.

On the other hand, restaurants with mostly non-Japanese reviews tend to be very touristy. So, I always read reviews from both Japanese and non-Japanese users as I find that really helps me to get a balanced view. And I use Google, because it automatically translates reviews written in multiple languages.

You don't want to go to touristy places, but you also want to avoid places that are not tourist-friendly. So when you look for a place to eat, it's best to find places that are highly rated by both Japanese and foreign customers.

Although, Tabelog might be better when it comes to online reservations because you can see availability at a glance and it’s easy to make a reservation. On Tabelog, restaurants with at least 3.2 stars would be a good choice.

2. Try regional specialties at Izakayas (Japanese-style pubs)

Japan has a wide variety of local cuisine, and tasting local specialties is an essential part of the trip. I always try to dine at local Izakayas when exploring regional areas. Izakayas are casual restaurants where you can enjoy drinks and small dishes, often featuring local specialties. Because they serve small portions, you can try lots of different dishes without getting too full. And for those who like to drink, don't forget to enjoy some regional Japanese sake with your meals!

3. Sample ramen from different regions across Japan

One of the most exciting things about ramen is that it comes in so many different varieties! Each city has its own unique style, from the soy sauce-based ramen in Tokyo, to the rich miso ramen in Sapporo and the Hakata Tonkotsu ramen in Fukuoka. There's always something new to discover when you try different types of ramen in different cities.

4. Don't hesitate to try chain restaurants

While it's great to dine at unique restaurants found only in Japan, I also recommend trying chain restaurants. McDonald's and Starbucks, for example, offer a variety of seasonal menus and exclusive items that can only be found in Japan.

It is also a good idea to try chain restaurants that have expanded overseas, such as Yoshinoya, Sushiro, and CoCo Ichibanya.

Starbucks Japan seasonal Frappuccino

Starbucks Japan sells a seasonal fruit Frappuccino each season. Every year around April, they release cantaloupe melon Frappuccino which is really good!

5. Explore convenience store food

Another essential to try is convenience store food! While egg salad sandwiches are famous Konbini food, my personal favorite is FamilyMart's fried chicken (FamiChiki). Convenience store desserts and ice cream are also popular, and it's always exciting to see new products introduced seasonally.

Also, there are products that are only available in certain regions, and some products are flavored differently in different regions. You should definitely visit convenience stores in different parts of the country!

6. Go to festivals for street food

If you want to enjoy street food, going to festivals is a great idea. While there aren't many places in Japan where you'll find street food stalls, festivals are a great way to try lots of different street foods. Especially during the summer, festivals are held across the country. You can enjoy beer and yakitori (grilled chicken skewers) while immersing yourself in the festive atmosphere.

I could talk endlessly about food in Japan, but for now, let's leave it here. I hope you find these tips helpful, and make your Japan culinary journey a total success!