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RyokanTatami floors, futon beds, yukata robes, kaiseki meals, communal onsen. ¥15,000–150,000+/person. The quintessential Japanese experience. Best in Hakone, Kyoto, Nikko,...

Check-InRemove shoes at the genkan (entrance). Put on the provided slippers. You'll be shown to your room by a staff...

What Is a Ryokan?A traditional Japanese inn — tatami floors, futon beds, yukata robes, communal or private onsen baths, and...

What Is Depachika?Depachika (デパ地下) — "department store underground" — refers to the food basement floors in every major Japanese department...

Kyoto's KitchenA 400-meter covered shopping arcade in central Kyoto with 100+ stalls selling fresh produce, pickles, tofu, street snacks, and...

Why Japanese 7-Eleven Is DifferentJapanese convenience stores are in a completely different category from their Western equivalents. Freshly prepared food,...

Convenience Stores (Combini)Japan's 7-Eleven, Lawson, and FamilyMart serve genuinely excellent food. Onigiri (rice balls): ¥100–180. Hot items: ¥100–200. Ready meals:...

Kaiten-Zushi: Japan's Most Fun DiningPlates circulate on a belt — grab what appeals and pay based on plate count. Accessible,...

Types of Sushi RestaurantsKaiten-zushi (conveyor belt): Most accessible. ¥100–500 per plate. Great for trying many things.Standing sushi bars: Counter-only, order...

Japan's Greatest FoodsRamenJapan's most beloved comfort food. Each region has a distinct style: Sapporo (miso), Hakata/Fukuoka (tonkotsu/pork bone), Tokyo (shoyu/soy),...