Must-Eat Foods in Japan

Japan’s Greatest Foods

Ramen

Japan’s most beloved comfort food. Each region has a distinct style: Sapporo (miso), Hakata/Fukuoka (tonkotsu/pork bone), Tokyo (shoyu/soy), Kyoto (chicken and soy). Queue at any specialist shop with a line outside. ¥800–1,500.

Sushi

From ¥110 conveyor belt to ¥50,000 omakase. Mid-range: a dedicated sushi restaurant where pieces are made to order, ~¥3,000–5,000 for lunch. Don’t drown in soy sauce — apply lightly to the fish side.

Tempura

Lightly battered seafood and vegetables, fried to a crisp, almost translucent finish. Best eaten at the counter watching the chef fry each piece to order. Dip in tentsuyu sauce with grated daikon.

Tonkatsu

Thick breaded pork cutlet with shredded cabbage, rice, miso soup. Simple, satisfying, magnificent. ¥1,200–2,000.

Yakitori

Grilled chicken skewers over charcoal. Late evening at a yakitori-ya with beer is one of Japan’s great pleasures. ¥150–350 per skewer.

Takoyaki

Osaka’s iconic octopus balls — crispy outside, gooey inside, topped with bonito flakes and sauce. ¥500–700 for 6–8 pieces.

Wagyu Beef

Extraordinary marbling. Try as teppanyaki grilled in front of you. Budget ¥10,000–20,000+ per person for a proper wagyu meal.