Japan is known for its cherry blossoms, anime, Shinkansen trains, Buddhist temples, matcha, sake, and, of course, its delicious food. Every city in Japan has its own local dishes and experiences to enjoy, making it a great destination for food lovers.
Japanese cuisine is acclaimed for its simplicity and precision, whilst dining etiquette remains traditional and respectful. If you’re hoping to embark on a gastro tour of Japan in the near future, here are some top etiquette tips:
- When eating with chopsticks, or ‘hashi’ in Japanese, you should never point with them, stick them vertically into food, or pass food from one set of chopsticks to another.
- When drinking sake, Japan’s traditional rice wine, you should never pour your own cup. In addition, when pouring for others, hold the bottle with both hands as a sign of respect.
- Finishing all the food on your plate or in your bowl shows appreciation and respect for the chef’s efforts, while leaving food behind can be seen as wasteful.
- You may be asked to remove your shoes before entering many traditional Japanese dining settings. It’s important to do as asked to show your respect for the space.
- Unlike in the US, tipping is not customary and may actually be seen as rude in Japan. Instead, thank your hosts politely.
- Despite the plethora of street food, locals prefer not to eat while walking or standing on the street.
Don’t let the long list of etiquette tips scare you, as Japan is a very tourist-friendly country, and locals are really understanding.
This article will explore the local dishes and experiences food lovers can enjoy in Japan’s three most-visited cities: Osaka, Kyoto, and Tokyo.
Osaka
We had to start this food lovers’ list with Japan’s ‘Kitchen of the Nation’, Osaka. Filled with giant, colorful food signs and the spirit of kuidaore (eat until you drop), Osaka is the vibrant heart of Japanese food culture. The large port city is also home to some of the country’s most iconic street food dishes, including:
- Takoyaki. Crispy octopus-filled balls topped with savory sauce, mayo, and bonito flakes. Head to Dotonbori, where countless street vendors (with large octopus signs) compete to serve you the best.
- Kushikatsu. Deep-fried skewers of meat, fish, vegetables, quail eggs, cheese, sweet potato, and more.
- Okonomiyaki. Japanese-style savory pancakes, containing shredded cabbage, flour, egg, and a choice of meat, seafood, cheese, or vegetables, and then topped with okonomiyaki sauce, mayonnaise, seaweed flakes, and bonito flakes. Okonomiyaki can be enjoyed as street food or inside a casual dining setting, where chefs prepare it right at your table on sizzling hot plates.
Many of the free walking tours of Osaka will encourage you to stop along the bustling streets of Namba or Dotonbori to taste these popular street food dishes.
Kyoto
Kyoto is the birthplace of kaiseki, a traditional multi-course dining experience in Japan. Each course is a delicate work of art, presented perfectly by the chef. Kikunoi offers an elegant, quiet experience with seasonal dishes, whilst Giro Giro Hitoshina is a more affordable kaiseki experience where each course comes with a surprise.
If a fancy dining experience isn’t in your budget, then take a free walking tour of Kyoto that explores Nishiki Market, also known as the ‘Kitchen of Kyoto’, and sample local street food, sweets, and Kyoto-style pickles.
Tokyo
With more Michelin-starred restaurants than any other city in the world, Tokyo is a paradise for gourmet food lovers. However, it’s also bustling with sushi counters and hole-in-the-wall ramen shops, offering something for everyone.
Sushizanmai is a popular chain with quality sushi at affordable prices, available all across the city. On the other end of the budget, Sukiyabashi Jiro is a three-Michelin-starred restaurant known for its exquisite sushi and the precision of its chefs. The sushi restaurant was made famous by the documentary ‘Jiro Dreams of Sushi’, making reservations essential.
If you’re looking to immerse yourself in Tokyo’s legendary ramen scene, then head to Ippudo or Ichiran Ramen, both of which have chains all over the city. Ichiran Ramen is famed for its tonkotsu ramen and customisable dishes, as customers can specify the richness of the broth, the firmness of the noodles, and the level of spiciness.
Ready to Take A Gastro Tour of Japan?
If you are just visiting one of these cities, you can still enjoy all the dishes and experiences mentioned above. For example, Kyoto has a plethora of ramen and sushi spots, takoyaki can be found on the streets of Tokyo, and Osaka offers kaiseki experiences.
However, the most authentic gastro tour will involve visiting all three cities, which is super easy. Both Osaka and Tokyo have international airports with flights from the US, and are connected to each other by the Shinkansen (high-speed train network), and Kyoto is just a short train ride away from Osaka.
