Delicious Food and Restaurant Discovery and Recommendations in Japan 2017

In October 2017, I traveled in Okinawa and mainland Japan  using 7-day Japan Rail JR pass. I realized there is always new food discovery with every trip I took in Japan. I have discovered great Wara Wara Izakaya 笑 笑 居酒屋 restaurant with amazing dishes, delicious soul-food chicken cuisine, almond tofu dessert, and special Japanese fruit tomato, etc. I am sharing my 2017 Japan mainland food discovery and where to taste those delicious food in this blog article. I plan to share my Okinawa food discovery in another article blog post in the future.

Dishes with brown sauce and mayonnaise over omelet are almost always delicious in Japan 

Budget: How much does it cost to go to Tokyo Japan?

Recently Updated!

How much does it cost for a trip to go to Japan? Is Tokyo or Japan expensive? Maybe not when you compare Tokyo with Singapore, London or New York City. I believe if your Tokyo Japan trip is planned carefully, money can be very well spent. I have dedicated this blog post to the overall planning and budgeting for your first trip to Japan. Compare Tokyo to Manhattan, Paris, or London, the cost of visiting these modern nation cities could easily exceed the amount spent in Tokyo, Japan.

Apple store in Ginza Tokyo

The flight ticket prices in the months of shoulder season have been more stabilized. I have found ticket price around 700 USD (LAX to Tokyo.) Because of the reasonable flight ticket prices and great currency exchange rate (1 USD to 110 Yen), I recommend booking flights and hotels as early as possible.

Wagyu in Japan 2016 - Japanese Beef Feast beyond Kobe Beef in Kobe

In October 2016, I traveled to Japan from Hokkaido to Kyushu using the 14-day Japan Rail JR pass. With extensive research and a sense of spontaneity, my friends/cousin and I were able to enjoy some of the best Wagyu during our trip. I am dedicating this blog post to the amazing less well-known name brand regional Wagyu experiences I had during my Shinkansen bullet train trip in 2016.

Luxurious Akita Yuri/Ugo Wagyu Yakiniku Japanese beef BBQ plate

Delicious Japanese Food Discovery 2016

In 2016, I traveled to Japan through Hokkaido to Kyushu using the Japan Rail JR Pass. I am dedicating this blog article to share my food experiences of new seafood discovery, fruits and dessert in 2016. In short summary, I have tasted Gram Cafe's Premium Pancake, Hokkaido expensive melon, and Koshihikari rice in Niigata prefecture plus many more. 

Delicious Japanese style Premium Pancake at Gram Cafe

Kobe Beef in Kobe, Japan: My Kobe Beef experiences.

Updated on 01/31/16

Only the specific breed of cattle, processed in specific areas in Japan, raised by special methods, and graded by strict Japanese beef rating system, are qualified to be the real "KOBE BEEF" Real Kobe Beef are rarely exported outside of Japan, and when they are exported, they are usually served at very expensive restaurants overseas.

Nicely marbled intramuscular fat Kobe beef steak.

Best Food in Tokyo Japan

Updated on January-09-2016

Besides your typical sushi and ramen, there are plenty of other variety of delicious food in Japan for travelers to explore. I have come up with a list of my recommendations for delicious of food in Japan for adventurous eaters, foodies and connoisseurs.

Dobin Mushi Teapot Soup

Japan Budget Hotel Breakfast

Many of the hotels in Japan offer high cost/performance value hotel breakfast set or buffet at reasonable prices. With huge variety of traditional Japanese family cuisine and Euro/American selections to accommodate international guests, hotel breakfast is one of the best way to start your day while traveling in Japan.

Travelers often plan having sushi, ramen, and tempura as part of their must-eat items on their trip itinerary. However, family style Japanese breakfast is also a good way to enrich food experiences in Japan. Budget hotel breakfast usually costs an additional $8 to $15 per person at the time of hotel reservation. I recommend booking the hotel room along with the breakfast option for better package discount.

Many budget hotel in Tokyo Japan offer great breakfast buffet

Best Sushi choices in Tokyo

One of the best part of visiting Tokyo is savoring the delicious cuisine Japan has to offer to foreign visitors. One of the best cuisine Tokyo has to offer is its Edomae sushi, Tokyo style sushi.

Tokyo Sushi set, Tama Sushi, Shinjuku.

Best Ramen in Tokyo

Looking for Best Ramen in Tokyo?
The following selections of Ramen restaurants are based on my personal preferences as well as some general consensus from Japanese version of Yelp and local magazines.

Ramen. Shinagawa Shinatatsu Ramen Alley. Tokyo

Sushi Dai: The most popular Sushi Restaurant in Tokyo

Japan's Tsukiji 築地 Fish Market is one of the most popular must-visit spots in Tokyo, this area has been mentioned in many travel guide books in different languages.

Other than the typical tuna auction and sightseeing at the biggest fish market in the world, Tsukiji fish wholesale market area is also where some of world's best sushi restaurants are located because of the supply of fresh seafood.

Toro sushi at Sushi Dai, Tsukiji Fish Market. Melts in your mouth!