Advice about Eat and Drink
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Nakameguro is very Female Friendly!
The neighborhood of Nakameguro (nickname Nakame) is packed with great little boutiques, cafes, and restaurants. The beautiful tree lined canal (cherry blossoms in hanami season) is perfect for a day out with friends, or a lovely afternoon on your own. The range in this small neighborhood is amazing…(124 words)
LShannon
Mixed Sandwhich
When you want something easy, try a sandwich. A mixed sandwich at a convenience store is usually made of 3 standard sandwiches: tuna fish, ham and cheese, and egg salad sandwich. For a visitor to Japan that might be tired of having exotic food and wants something simple and inexpensive, a mixed san…(58 words)
Sweet42.195
Hott Motto has a good Makunouchi bento series
Hotto Motto is a takeaway bento chain. I've heard "Hotto" has the double meaning of "hot" and "hotto-suru" (to feel relieved). I like their Makunouchi（幕の内） is a popular type of Japanese bento which consists of fish, meat, pickles, eggs and vegetables along with rice and an umeboshi. Though t…(105 words)
EmiOnishi
Looking for traditional snacks? Go to Kamakura!
During the holidays, I always reserve a day to wander around Kamakura. I love Kamakura and how every time I go, I come back full and satisfied. Kamakura has one of the best Japanese restaurants and wagashi (Japanese snacks) places. If you walk along the main road right outside the station, there is…(152 words)
RieS
C.C. Lemon!!!
I love C.C. Lemon!I always keep at least one in my fridge, so I always feel I miss it when I go overseas from Japan.It's a lemon soda (like lemonade), sweet and sour with lots of vitamin C's in it, so I feel like drinking C.C. Lemon especially when I feel a bit tired, and after I drink it, …(180 words)
maxnino
Water, Water, and many drops to drink
Omizu (mizu if you're not using the honorific "O") is the Japanese word for water. If you're visiting Japan you can be assured that the water from taps is safe to drink wherever you're visiting. However, if you really insist on paying 100 to 200 yen for a bottle of water you'll find plenty of brand…(279 words)
Joe Peters
Yayoiken
This is one of my favorites. Its kind of a fast food chain but if you are really hungry and a rice eater, this is the place to be! Set menus with -> 1 Dish + Unlimited Rice and Hot unlimited Tea -> priced from 600JPY to 100JPY + . about.http://www.yayoiken.com/menu/index.htmlSure shot a fill…(93 words)
idivilayil
A steamed Japanese cake
In onsen areas with shops, you often see "Manjuu", a steamed Japanese cake with a doughy outside, and sweet red beans on the inside.At one time, they would use actual onsen water for the dough, and the steam from the onsen to cook the manjuu, but these days, just selling them at onsen is enough f…(119 words)
Eddie
Kinsai in Nakameguro is a great Izakaya
If you are looking for tasty small plates of great japanese food that goes well with sake, beer and wine- but you don't want a low end chain or a disney-fake experience- check out KINSAI in nakameguro. The food is always great, and there is a good seasonal variety I especially recommended gri…(88 words)
LShannon
Tempura - Kaneko Hannosuke at Nihonbashi
I love their tendon. They are actually one of the best tendons I've ever had! The shop is clean and neat too.When you sit down, you are first served with Tea that has floating black beans. (I was very impressed with this service when I first visited them. Very Japanese!)They only have one menu.…(169 words)
EmiOnishi
"Teishoku" is a nostalgic homemade meal for Japanese.
Are you interested in the fare found in a normal, ordinary Japanese household? Why not give Teishoku（定食） a try? The word itself means "set meal", and if you've stayed at a Japanese style inn and enjoyed breakfast there, you must have tasted steamed rice, miso soup and several other delicacies…(305 words)
Hagi
The real soba experience in Asakusa
You will never find Tanso-an Kenjiro unless you know how to find it. It is the Saint Graal of soba experience.Kenjiro Suzuki has traveled around Japan during many years to learn his craft and soba making from every region of Japan. He did it the medieval way: working for soba-masters every wher…(265 words)
Claire
"Tanaye" & "Club Harie"
These are special sweets "Taneya" designed for Children's Day this year. Aren't they pretty? Inside the paper boxes, they have several Chimaki, a cake wrapped in bamboo leaves, special sweets for Children's Day in Japan. Their mochi skin is so smooth and I bet you will be impressed with your first …(246 words)
EmiOnishi
The Wildest Times in Japan Begin With a Cup of Sake, a Traditional Japanese Rice Wine
I remember going to a nearby Western Bar in Aiea with my friend from High School and sharing a few “Shots” of alcohol where you pour some mixture of strong and sweet into a little “shot glass” and down it together in one fell gulp.Those were fun and crazy times and the little buzz from that alc…(615 words)
The Perfect Birthday Dinner at Antonio’s, Minami-Aoyama, Japan
For my mother’s Birthday last night, my sister and I decided to treat her to a special dinner at Japan’s oldest Italian restaurant, Antonio’s. We couldn’t have left more satisfied, a truly five-star experience. Antonio’s was originally established in 1944 by Mr. Antonio who was a chef for the I…(259 words)
GenS
TORAVESOGURIRU - Brazilian Restaurant in Yokohama China town
When you are getting a bit tired of Japanese foods and would like to have something different for a change, how about a Brazilian all-you-can-eat style restaurant in Yokohama China town? It's one of the best choices when you want to hang out with your friends. Their spacious interior is perfect for…(441 words)
Suetsumuhana
Japanese Famous Snacks
Do you know Japanese snacks?You can find many kind of snacks easily at convenience stores and supermarkets.You will hesitate what to buy.So I will recommend snacks that you must eat when you come to Japan.Every Japanese will say "Umaibo is the most famous snack in Japan".There is no one w…(253 words)
Haruzou
How to Celebrate Japanese New Year with Sake and Great Japanese Food
You might not know how much pomp and circumstance takes place in a Japanese home on New Year’s morning. Mom is bustling around the kitchen putting final touches to her O-sechi Ryori or special (very special) New Year’s Day (Oshogatsu) feast of sweet black beans, lovely O-zoni soup, Kamaboko, se…(753 words)
Benny’s Place, Real American style bar
If you miss your home back in the States, why don’t you visit Benny’s Place to have real spareribs and Buffalo wings on the 4th of July? Their great foods can leave you speechless after a bite.Located within a few minute walk distance from South exit of JR Ishikawa-cho/Yokohama, Benny’s Place i…(209 words)
Suetsumuhana
Popular Yatai Foods: Yakisoba
Yatai food stalls at festivals always include a yakisoba vendor. Yakisoba noodles are Japanese fried noodles, but they have nothing to do with soba. The noodles used here are more like the ones for ramen. The noodles are quickly cooked on a hotplate with vegetables, meat, or seafood and seasone…(215 words)
David
Japanese Style Depachika Food Courts
Japan has the most elegant restaurants as well as vending machines and convenient stores selling snacks and beverages on seemingly every corner. Somewhere in the middle on the gourmet scale are the food courts of the big department stores. Usually they are located in the department store basement a…(295 words)
David
Meal Muji Cafe in Yurakucho, Tokyo
Meal Muji is located on the second floor in the Yurakucho Muji store (same building as Loft). I would say one of the best Muji stores in Tokyo. It's a large open cafeteria style space- you wait in line to be seated, then you go to the deli counter to order your food and pay. Although they don't…(221 words)
EmiOnishi
Watch out for misleading labels in Japan
There have been some convenient, but very misleading trends in consumerism in Japan leading non-Japanese reading visitors and residents to making annoying and sometimes dangerous mistakes.For example, above you can see a だし Dashi (soup stock) vending machine right next to a normal drink machi…(185 words)
jjwalsh
Eating in Japan is never a problem! Picnics are the bests
When travelling, you have no choice but to eat either in restaurants (nice but it gets on your appetite, and stomach and say good bye to your weight control), or get some room service (a bit sad), or grab some junk food from fast food restaurant and conbini (the 7/11 and other Lawson that have col…(738 words)
Claire
Japanese sweets : “Kaichu Shiruko”
Kaichu Shiruko is a dried red bean soup put inside a pieces of rice cake (“Monaka” skin). It becomes ready for eating with hot water having been poured in the cup just like the cup ramen (instant Chinese noodles in a cup). As there are a variety of shapes, you can enjoy both its look as well as tas…(88 words)
OKAKI-sun
Wine and Dine - Ninja Style!
I'm usually averse to theme-restaurants, especially the more obviously themed ones, but Ninja Kyoto Restaurant and Labyrinth in - where else - Kyoto has been put on my top-ten list of must visits while in the city.The venue is actually three different shops. There's Dining Theater Ninja, a "the…(475 words)
Former Deep Japan Writer
The Absolute Best Burritos in Japan: Cactus Burrito
Cactus Burrito offers California "San Diego-style" burritos like no one else in Japan. They’re located just a few minutes’ walk from Musashi-Shinjō Station on the JR Nanbu Line in Takatsu-ku, Kawasaki.Their shop is tiny, but their menu is impressive. In addition to the regular assortment of Mex…(269 words)
Former Deep Japan Writer
Hakata Ippudo Ramen in Asakusa
Asakusa is known for the sweets and senbei sold near Senso-ji temple, but there are also quite a few ramen shops in this area. There must be at least 20. The newest one is Hakata Ippudo Ramen's new Asakusa store. It just opened this March in the new ROX 3G building near the TX Asakusa station.I…(278 words)
David
Chicken Ramen & Tsukemen at Taiga in Asakusa
Taiga is the ramen shop in Asakusa you should visit when you are very hungry, tired, and need "chicken soup for your soul". The chicken soup that makes up the base for the ramen and tsukemen here is that good.Choose from the ramen or tsukemen menu and decide how many noodles you would like. The…(242 words)
David
Shimokitazawa Area Restaurants #1 Midorizushi ~ the best of Sushi Shops
There are a few great sushi masters who can transform sushi into food for the gods!Midori-zushi. Among the modest 'sushiyasan' creating traditional sushi along with innovational original dishes, there are many master chefs. They say little, giving their sushi creations their full attention. Howev…(311 words)
Andrew Grimes
A Behind-the-Scenes Look at Kiuchi Brewery
If you're a beer enthusiast, nothing is better than a brewery tour. You get to go behind the scenes and see how your favorite brew is made and sample the freshest product.Beer enthusiasts visiting Japan should make their way out to Kiuchi Brewery, home of Hitachino Nest Beer, to have a look at …(368 words)
Petra
Deep crawl at night in Shinjuku - Golden Gai(District)
Which is the best place to visit in Tokyo at night?To experience the local and enjoy the talk with the locals?Well, one has his/her own interest so does other. And Tokyo has so many options to offer. So it's not easy to pick only one.But this is for you who might be looking for some ol…(294 words)
Zara
Authentic Ceylon Tea in Yokohama, Japan
One of the many things I love about Yokohama is its number of fantastic cafes. a particularly unique one I enjoy going to is Sinha Ceylon Tea House, located near Bashamichi Station, who specializes in leaf teas imported from several regions in Sri Lanka.They offer over thirty varieties of hot a…(321 words)
Former Deep Japan Writer
Mikasa Kaikan, quality libations & comestibles in the hart of Ginza
Quality and connivence in Ginza, Mikasa Kaikan has a lot to offer. Located half a block back from Harumi Dori and 3.5 blocks from the famous Ginza 4 - Chome intersection, it's close to Ginza's high energy central shopping area, easy to find and serene all at the same time.Meet up with friends a…(216 words)
Aron
Akihabara & Ueno Restaurants: Themed
Many of the restaurants and cafés in the well-known district of Akihabara are just as cute, quirky and exciting as the anime and manga-related shopping. Though the district of Ueno is less anime-centric, there are still some culinary surprises to be found. The following list shows off a mere handfu…(339 words)
Japanista
Two Thumbs Up for Thumbs Up Live House in Yokohama
Thumbs Up live house in the Sotetsu Movil Building near Yokohama Station (the same building that houses a 109 Cinema) is quite possibly the best live house in Yokohama. Thumbs Up provides energetic musical entertainment as well as some really good American-style food. The genres of music played the…(360 words)
Former Deep Japan Writer
Yoshiwara and Oiran and TEMPURA
In Japan, there was a place called "Yoshiwara".It is a famous place, the woman named Oiran, but it is not anymore.Things that Japanese men expect to women,It is a little childish gesture and innocent face.The reason is because cute.Its roots can be found in Yoshiwara and Oiran.100…(121 words)
asteka
Shop tempura Edogawa Rampo ate many times
In Tokyo there is a town called Jimbocho.There is No. 1 in the East, it had been said to be a city that old book gather.For novelist, Jimbocho is the place to look for work tips.In the Jinbocho, there are shops of tempura Edogawa Rampo attend.But only for lunch, you can eat tendon at …(98 words)
asteka
Japanese sweets
Wagashi“Take a taste of a typical Japanese sweet called "Wagashi" ... The Wagashi sweets are a beautiful art form as well. Just like cakes and patisserie are an art in Europe, Wagashi is molded into lovely shapes and colors with just the perfect amount of sweetness to balance the fresh bitterne…(391 words)
DeepJapan
Tantakatan
The green shiso leaf, a herb in the mint family, is the base of an interesting alternative Japanese liquor. Personally I prefer it on the rocks with an umeboshi (pickled plum), but you can also mix it with crushed ice, tonic and fresh shiso leaves for a Japanese-style mojito. Part of the fun is get…(66 words)
iensu