Advice about Eat and Drink
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Strong Zero Chuu Hais Give You More Bang for your Buck
While chuu hais come in various kinds, Suntory's Strong Zero Chuu Hais give you more alcohol per yen, as they come in 8% and 9% varieties. They are quite popular with Japanese men, but people of any gender can consume them. They typically cost 201 yen at most convenience stores and 158 yen at store…(54 words)
KurtisW
Japan offers many great options for vegetarians if you know where to look & how to order
As a long-time resident of Japan who eats a vegan diet most days, vegetarian and yes have to cave and be pescatorian at times (due to necessity of eating foods made with fish stock), it is easier than many other countries I have lived in and visited. All shops, convenience stores and supermarke…(199 words)
jjwalsh
Tampopo
A good way to fully appreciate ramen in Japan is to understand the passionbehind what goes into making it and ramen culture. I ate a lot of instant ramen when I was a kid because my dad loved it - we would make it "gourmet" by adding egg and green onions. But it wasn't until I watched the ramen…(108 words)
Emmie
Nozy Coffee in Sangenjaya
Sangenjaya is an area nestled just in between the more vibrant and busy area of Shibuya, and the western neighborhoods of Tokyo. It has many popular shops and restaurants, but still has a quiet and relaxed vibe overall.It is a great place for small and quaint bars, with a series of narrow windi…(132 words)
KurtisW
Experience Japanized Style American Breakfast
There is a Denny's just down the street from my house and I used to go there all the time for bacon and eggs with a side of toast. But....in Japan, Denny's also offers the opposite of the all-american breakfast. Fried fish, white rice, miso soup, umeboshi, dry nori (seaweed), an egg and some otukem…(127 words)
Wasabi! Watch out when Eating in Japan
If you dont really like having a lot of wasabi in your sushi, please make sure you ask the Chef "Wasabi wa karume de". This literally means, "Please go lightly on the wasabi". Or, you can ask for "Sabi Nuki" which means they wont put any wasabi in the sushi at all. However, the wasabi flavor actual…(146 words)
Fuji Soba
Fuji Soba, found all over downtown Tokyo, is a soba shop like many that have a relatively simple menu of either soba or udon, cold or in hot broth, with the option of a small rice bowl. This place has got to have some of the absolute fastest service I have ever seen, provided it isn't too busy.…(122 words)
KurtisW
Popular Pocky!
Long sweet cookie sticks dipped in chocolate or other flavors - Pocky is an institution in Japan. The most famous are just straight up cookie and milk chocolate- but there are lots of other flavors, and regional specialties. There are even some versions that are only seasonal. they come and go once…(98 words)
LShannon
Mosquito Repellent
Katori-Senkou, sometimes referred to as Mosquito Coils, are in my opinion one unique smell that has stuck with me since I first came to Japan.These coils are like incense, and you light one end to have it burn around and around until it becomes ash. They are very cheap, and provide very good re…(141 words)
KurtisW
The Delicious Combo of Japanese Crackers and Tasty Beer
If you are going somewhere in the suburbs late at night you will notice a lot of people choose to take a breather on the Green Sha (green car first class seats) on the way home. A nice Green Car attendant comes through the car to offer drinks and snacks and I always choose Asahi Super Dry beer and …(216 words)
KOROKKEH(JAPANESE CROQUETTES)
Fried food that I think is most famous croquettes. Most Japanese are familiar from childhood.This has evolved into style unique to Japan different from those of the original.It is an object that has the oval that commonly found in convenience stores and, like stand-up meal noodle shop, it looks…(105 words)
FRITZ
Much Mochi
Mochi - rice cakes - can be eaten anytime of the year, but many people like to enjoy toasted mochi during the colder months. Wrap a strip of nori (pressed seaweed) around the mochi, bruch a bit of soy sauce on it, and pop it in the over toaster (do NOT use a western style toaster - you'll ruin it)…(339 words)
Joe Peters
Start with chu-hai
Chu-hai is a popular alcoholic drink made with the potato based shochu. It is sold in cans and ranges in price from under 100 yen to around 300 yen for 350ml. The price depends on the quality and where you buy it as supermarkets will obviously be cheaper that convenience stores and vending machines…(66 words)
Kenji
Izakaya Okajoki in Nakano
We've been to Okajoki a few times with friends. We've sat at the counter - okay if just a couple of you; and we've had a private room - better for groups.The food is typical Izakaya food and they have a good variety of drinks.Prices are reasonable. Service is good.Getting there: take …(119 words)
Joe Peters
Cheers with Japanese Sake
Sake is the representative alcohol in Japan. They are a liquor made by fermentation of rice and they are also called “Seisyu”.The Kyoto municipal government was the first to establish so-called “kampai ordinances”, to promote the spread of refined sake made in Kyoto city. The government aims to s…(96 words)
OKAKI-sun
DevilCraft Beer & Pizza
People have been extolling the praises of DevilCraft Beer & Pizza since July, 2011 – when their first shop in Kanda opened. DevilCraft’s Chicago-style pizza and plethora of craft beers on tap has since become the stuff of legend.I recently visited their newest shop in Hamamatsucho, which opened…(86 words)
Former Deep Japan Writer
Want to eat Tempura at a reasonable Price? Here's How!!
Tempura（天ぷら）, battered and fried seafood or vegetables, is traditionally one of the most famous delicacies in Japan along with sukiyaki or shabu-shsbu. Many visitors find Tempura to be relatively expensive as it usually is expected to cost as much as several thousand yen. Let me give you a few h…(279 words)
Hagi
Ootoya restaurant - Kasan Ni Teishoku
My recommendation for Teishoku is "Kasan Ni" at Ootoya Restaurant. This one is an Ootoya special and one of their signature items. I actually ate this yummy teishoku when I went there with my family for the first time. Then, I ended up sticking to this dish for a while after that whenever I went th…(149 words)
EmiOnishi
Yakitori; Grilled Chicken that Sake Lovers Can’t Drink Without.
Just like Londoners enjoying fish and chips with pints of beer at the pub, yakitori(焼き鳥, やきとり) or skewed chicken barbecue, is an essential delicacy for beer or sake here in Japan. You can easily find yakitori on izakaya menus everywhere in Tokyo, but I would like to recommend you visit a few…(256 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
Cinco De Mayo campaign at Hard Rock Cafe
You can enjoy Tex-Mex cuisine at Hard Rock Cafe Tokyo. They have "Cinco De Mayo" limited time menu from May 1st to 31st. Chimichanga is served with fried rice and black beans. You can also enjoy Cinco De Mayo special drink, Casa Noble Rita and non alcohol Orange crush. They also have limited num…(78 words)
shinR
Jain, Halal, Vegan, Vegetarian? Welcome to Swagat Tokyo!
If you are here in Japan and have some specific food choices/requirements like vegetarian, vegan, Jain food, or Halal food due to health or religious reasons, the prospect of visiting and staying a while in Tokyo or greater Japan for business or personal reason can be daunting.Forget that conce…(369 words)
suku
Domo arigato, Mr. Roboto.
A show that will leave you asking “What just happened?” At Japan Robot Restaurant in Shinjuku, more really is more. This means you’ll get to experience robots dancing alongside half naked women to the sounds of Psy’s Gangnam Style, soon after watching panda’s ride robotic cows, a mermaid come strol…(147 words)
Emelie Fågelstedt
"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
Sea foods bowl restaurant "Kaishu" in Odawara
Odawara is the station many people pass by when they visit popular Hakone. We happened to walk around Odawara for the first time when we visited Hakone last time. There, we found a very good restaurant specializing in sea foods bowls(Donburi),"Kaishu". With such a colorful restaurant's front face, …(242 words)
EmiOnishi
Pub Restaurant "APOLLO"
APPOLO is a restaurant of long standing, established in Yokohama in 1964, the 1st Tokyo Olympic year! The 50-year-old sleek pub restaurant is looking forward to seeing its 2nd Tokyo Olympic Game in 2020. The Owner and bartender, Mr.Seiji Ishihara (his nickname is "Chan"-san) is committed to hang on…(357 words)
Suetsumuhana
iL PRiMARiO / Kita-Aoyama
iL PRiMARiO in the Aoyama Kinokuniya basement is one of the best meeting places. It is within 20-minute walk distance from JR Shibuya Station. The nearest station is Subway Omotesando (1 minute from Exit B2)Aoyama Kinokuniya is the famous ultrahigh grade international supermarket and a stylish …(412 words)
Suetsumuhana
Masakiya - Spice up the Udon
Masakiya is an udon shop. It is located not only off the beaten path, but well off the oft-travelled roads in an offbeat area, Nishi-Ogikubo. Nishiogi is well known for its antique shops, used books, quaint eateries, and, mostly, for being located near the ever popular Kichijoji, Asagaya, Koenji,…(379 words)
mikekato
Piss Alley
Do you love yakitori? Then you should definitely check out the charmingly nicknamed “Piss Alley” in Shinjuku. Loads of small Japanese restaurants serving delicious street food. Most restaurants only with room for 6-10 guests. Some accepting foreigners, others shaking their head saying “only in Japa…(150 words)
Emelie Fågelstedt
Best Soba in the Middle of Nowhere, Japan
Just last week I had the best soba in my life in the middle of nowhere, a five minute walk from Nakagami station on the Ome line. I was on a business trip on the way to a meeting at the Akishima city water purification facility. For those of you who have no clue where akishima even is, it is in the…(449 words)
GenS
Tourist Tip #4: The Underground World of Food and DEPACHIKA!
Japanese department stores are famous for many things: elevator girls, first-class customer service, and unparalleled gift wrapping. But venture underneath one (on the basement floor) and you'll discover something else they have to offer: the world of "depachika"."Depachika" is a portmanteau on…(296 words)
Former Deep Japan Writer
Let's Beer at Oktoberfest
If you love beer, you should go to the Oktoberfest. It doesn't matter if you don’t like summer or not ( I hate summer myself), it’s always fun to drink beer outside. You will enjoy studying lots of salary men parting. Great chance to encounter some weird Japanese people. Even a dog can have a good…(94 words)
Hitomi
How to Beat Japanese Summer Heat When Traveling in Japan?
You know those times on the train platform where the crowds make you cringe? You are not cringing at the people per se, just the clammy ugginess of the possibility of contact with clammy, sweaty summer skin. Yes, we all share your feelings. Not even an elbow bump here or a happenstance brush up…(549 words)
Win with a Tai (yaki)
Tai, or sea bream, is a fish often used in Japan to celebrate something. The reason is because the sound is part of the word, "medetai," that indicates a cause for celebration. The winners of sumo tournaments, for example, celebrate by carrying a large tai, presumably to be consumed at the feast …(348 words)
mikekato
What is “Okaki” Sommelier?
One of the famous traditional snacks in Japan are “Okaki” made of rice (glutinous rice). They are also known as “Arare” or “Kakimochi”. Okaki sommeliers are to recommend best selections of Okaki in terms of material, texture and taste and advise people about unique ways to enjoy eating them and its…(52 words)
OKAKI-sun
Don’t Diss “Dennys” Dining During Your Japan Visit
The culture of “Famiresu” or Family Restaurant is iconic and incredibly unique in Japan.http://imgur.com/hl9A8With many Japanese families worried their babbling, food throwing and not-quite-yet disciplined toddlers might bother others too much at an actual big-person restaurant, the “Famiresu…(643 words)
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
Fascinating 4 Akasaka izakaya's of A-un group with reasonable prices, valued quality, and vitality
One recommendable ‘izakaya’ type of operator in Akasaka area is ‘A-un group,’ which is actually operating four ‘izakaya’s under the name of ‘A-un-tei,’ ‘A-un,’ ‘Gonkichi,’ and ‘Kyushu Sakaba,’ respectively in the order of less casualness, providing, though, more or less, the same menu almost for th…(326 words)
Techan
Leave the tourists behind in Asagaya
Most tourists to Tokyo hit the high spots of Asakusa, Ginza, Tokyo Tower, and see the Imperial Palace grounds.If you want to leave the tourist spots behind and get a taste of the real Tokyo though head for Asagaya in Suginami Ward on the northwest side of the city. Asagaya Station can be reache…(417 words)
Joe Peters
Ginza Ogura at Haneda Airport
Haneda’s international terminal has an impressive selection of good restaurants in a nicely designed area called the Edo Market Place, although they are all relatively expensive. Once you check in your luggage, you will have free time to wonder and have a meal before boarding the plane. You may…(233 words)
EmiOnishi