Japanese Food Guide

Japan's Food Culture

Japanese cuisine goes far beyond sushi, regional specialities, seasonal ingredients and meticulous preparation make food one of the top reasons to visit the country.

Must-Try Dishes

Try ramen (each region has its own style), fresh sushi and sashimi, okonomiyaki in Osaka, and wagyu beef at least once. Convenience store food in Japan is also surprisingly good and worth trying.

Don't skip a proper kaiseki meal (multi-course traditional dinner) if visiting a ryokan, and try tempura and udon for lighter, comforting options.

Where to Eat

Standing ramen counters and conveyor belt sushi (kaiten-zushi) offer great, affordable meals. Depachika (department store basement food halls) are excellent for high-quality takeaway.

Dining Etiquette

Slurping noodles is acceptable and even a compliment to the chef. Tipping isn't practised in Japan and can even cause confusion, good service is simply the standard.