Go into Komeda coffee and order a drink before 11AM, and the staff will ask if you want morning service. Say yes, and your drink comes with a free side, usually toast or a soft bread roll, plus a topping such as boiled egg, egg paste or ogura-an, the sweet red bean paste Nagoya is […]

Most gluten free travel articles about Japan tell you to avoid ramen, udon, and tempura, then leave you thinking the hard part is over. It is not. The harder part is the soy sauce that went into the marinade on the plain-looking grilled chicken. Then there is the dashi broth with seasoning powder stirred in. […]

An izakaya (居酒屋) is a casual Japanese pub where food arrives in small, tapas-style plates meant for sharing. To navigate one without speaking Japanese, say “Sumimasen” to get the waiter’s attention, point to the menu, and know that you’ll sometimes be charged a mandatory seating fee called an otoshi, which comes with a small appetiser. […]

A traditional Japanese breakfast consists of steamed rice, miso soup, a protein such as grilled fish, and small side dishes including pickled vegetables or natto. For tourists, though, finding breakfast in Japan can be genuinely difficult because most restaurants and cafes don’t open until 10:00 AM or 11:00 AM. Your most reliable early options are […]

Eating well in Japan does not require guesswork, local contacts, or blowing your budget. Reliable, good quality meals are built into daily life, and they remain affordable even after recent price rises. If you know which chains to use and when to use them, you can eat properly for the price of a coffee in […]

So what’s the deal with Japanese chocolate? Why does it taste different? Japanese chocolatiers are obsessive about their ingredients. They’ll source specific cacao beans, use only Hokkaido dairy (which is famously rich), and control temperatures during production down to the degree. The chocolate that results has this incredibly smooth texture and a sweetness that never […]

Your shoulders touch as you lean forward over steaming bowls. The chef explains something in Japanese you don’t quite catch, but your partner catches your eye and grins. You both know: this is the meal you’ll remember. Japan transforms every meal into something memorable. For couples who bond over food, this country delivers experiences you […]

Conveyor belt sushi, or kaitenzushi, is Japan’s most casual way to enjoy fresh sushi. Fast, fun, and surprisingly affordable. When you walk in, staff ask if you want counter seats by the belt or a table. Counter seats put you close to the action, while tables give you more space. Each seat comes with soy […]

Beer in Japan outsells sake by such a wide margin that most visitors find it surprising. The frothy beverage claimed the top spot back in 1959 and never looked back. Today, Japan ranks 11th globally in beer consumption, downing 4.3 million kilolitres annually. Four big breweries compete for market share, but over 400 craft breweries […]

Japanese cuisine has many tasty plant-based dishes that vegans and vegetarians will love. You can enjoy Japanese flavors without animal products. Try comforting vegetable ramen or sweet mochi desserts. There’s something for everyone! You can find many real vegetarian Japanese dishes that are much more than just cucumber rolls. Examples include agedashi tofu, okonomiyaki, and […]