Traditional Japanese Breakfast: What to Expect & Where to Try It

Breakfast in Japan has a long history of using traditional and readily available ingredients. Traditional breakfast foods in Japan are set meals that typically include grilled fish, white rice, miso soup, pickle, and various side dishes. Japanese breakfast is filling and rich in umami compared to Western-style breakfast.

If you want to enjoy a traditional-style Japanese breakfast, it’s common to get a healthy meal while staying in a ryokan, a traditional Japanese inn featuring rooms with tatami flooring and public onsen baths, where guests may lounge in yukata. 

Dinner and traditional-style breakfast are often included in your overnight stay. You may also find traditional Japanese breakfast at hotels and chain Japanese family restaurants such as Sukiya and Denny’s (yes, they exist in Japan).

What does a traditional Japanese breakfast look like? Continue reading to learn more about what people in Japan eat for breakfast.

A traditional Japanese breakfast is a meal that follows the structure of ichiju sansai, meaning “one soup, three dishes.” This applies to any traditional Japanese meal, but also includes breakfast. 

It’s served as a set meal and includes the main dish (typically seafood), steamed rice, two side dishes, Japanese pickles and soup.

Broiled, grilled or cooked in a pan, fish is a huge part of traditional Japanese breakfast. So, however it’s served, you can bet it will enjoy a prime location on your plate. 

Salmon and dried horse mackerel (aji), are popular options to serve with breakfast. Typically only a little bit of salt is used to season the fish.

As you probably guessed, rice is a big part of a traditional Japanese breakfast just as any other meal of the day. Gohan, or short-grain white rice, which contains higher starch content, is typically the carb of choice in Japanese cuisine. 

Most commonly, you'll be served steamed rice, served plain, but you can also find brown rice, mixed rice or okayu (rice porridge) with breakfast.

Miso shiru, the Japanese name for miso soup, is a flavorful soup that includes fermented soybean paste (miso) and dashi broth. 

Most common ingredients include tofu, chopped green onion, wakame seaweed, aburaage (deep-fried tofu), Japanese mushrooms, clams or other seasonal ingredients. 

Miso is such a staple that most households have their own preferred recipe or can be bought in premade instant packets.

You won’t find a set meal in Japan without a dish or two of tsukemono, Japanese pickles. Tsukemono are a superfood in Japanese cuisine and can be found in any balanced Japanese meal. 

Most often a set meal is served with pickled daikon radish, Japanese plums and cucumbers, but there are over a dozen different kinds of tsukemono that can be served with your meal.

A very traditional Japanese breakfast may also include natto, fermented soybeans, that are incredibly healthy, but boast a “love-it-or-hate-it” position with foreigners due to its unique texture, taste and smell.

If you’ve been planning to go to Shinjuku Gyoen during your Tokyo trip, complete your visit by trying a traditional Japanese breakfast before touring the beautiful garden. 

This culturally enriching experience combines the culinary delights of a traditional Japanese breakfast with the serene beauty of Shinjuku Gyoen, one of Tokyo's most iconic parks. 

Your journey will begin at the JR Yoyogi Station, where you'll meet Yutaka, an experienced guide who will lead you through a morning of discovery and mindfulness.

Start your day with a delectable Japanese breakfast set at Gohanzen Tambo, where you can choose from a variety of traditional dishes like grilled salmon or mackerel, accompanied by rice, miso soup and seasonal side dishes. 

This meal is not just about savoring flavors but also about immersing yourself in the habits and values that define Japanese culture.

After breakfast, take a leisurely stroll through Shinjuku Gyoen, a peaceful retreat just minutes away from the bustling streets of Shinjuku Station. As you walk, you'll be surrounded by seasonal trees, tranquil ponds and carefully manicured gardens that offer a stark contrast to the vibrant city outside the park’s parameters.

Midway through your exploration, pause at the park's cafe for a moment of relaxation, enjoying a cup of coffee or tea paired with delightful Japanese sweets. This experience is a perfect blend of cultural immersion, natural beauty and mindful relaxation, providing a unique perspective on life in Tokyo.

Tokyo is the world’s most populous city, but in the middle of the metropolis, there are plenty of tranquil areas to get in touch with nature and a quieter side to go at your own pace. If you want to experience a Japanese-style brunch in the fashion district of Harajuku and a guided shrine tour, join this walking and breakfast tour.

This guided tour will start with a refreshing morning walk around one of Tokyo's most revered sites, Meiji Jingu Shrine. If you want to visit the best sites in Tokyo that showcase its rich culture, this experience offers a unique blend of nature, history and culinary delights, making it an ideal way to start your day in Tokyo.

Beginning with a peaceful stroll through the lush forested paths leading to Meiji Shrine, you’ll be surrounded by towering trees and the soothing sounds of nature. 

As you approach the Shinto shrine, you’ll have the opportunity to learn about its historical significance and the deep cultural roots it holds in Japanese society. The shrine, dedicated to Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken, is a symbol of Japan's rich imperial history and its connection to nature and spirituality.

After soaking in the serene atmosphere of the shrine, continue your morning with a relaxing brunch at a nearby cafe in Harajuku. Here, you can enjoy a selection of Japanese and Western-inspired dishes, perfect for recharging after your walk. 

This experience offers a harmonious balance between physical activity, cultural exploration and culinary indulgence, providing a refreshing start to your day in Tokyo.

A day trip from Tokyo is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to stay on a tea farm in Japan and try a traditional Japanese breakfast in a rural inn.

Escape the hustle and bustle of Tokyo with a serene farm stay in Shizuoka, Japan's tea capital, where the lush green tea fields provide a peaceful backdrop for an immersive tea-picking experience. 

Nestled near the iconic Mt. Fuji, this getaway invites you to experience the life of a tea farmer, from picking leaves to preparing tea the traditional way.

Join in on a guided tour of this Shizuoka tea plantation, where you'll learn about the sustainable farming practices that have earned these fields a designation as a Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System (GIAHS). 

Depending on the season, you'll have the chance to pick tea leaves alongside local farmers and then roast them using the traditional kama-yaki method, where the leaves are gently toasted in an iron kettle. 

Note: There are four tea-picking seasons generally between late April to May,  June, mid-July to early August, and late September to mid-October.

In the evening you'll step into the kitchen to prepare a regional dish, learning the secrets of Japanese home cooking with local ingredients like mackerel, miso and shiitake mushrooms. 

After dinner, unwind in a traditional Goemon bath and enjoy your rural surroundings. Your stay in a restored farmhouse offers a cozy retreat, where you'll wake up to a homemade traditional Japanese breakfast, completing an authentic rural experience.

Experience a deep connection to Japan's tea heritage and a relaxing escape into the heart of the countryside.

Visit the world's largest wholesale fish market (until recently), with a guided tour through Tsukiji Market, a historic site that remains a foodie’s paradise. 

This experience offers an unforgettable journey through Japan's gastronomic heritage, where you'll savor a variety of delicious foods including some traditional breakfast items, from fresh seafood to grilled wagyu beef, all while exploring the market's rich history and fast-paced atmosphere.

Your tour begins at the impressive Tsukiji Hongwanji temple, a grand temple that blends Japanese, Indian and South Asian architectural styles. From there, you'll dive into the heart of Tsukiji Market, which has been a cornerstone of Tokyo's food scene since it opened in 1935. 

Though the wholesale fish market has moved, the outer market still thrives with over 360 establishments, including seafood stalls, restaurants and spice shops.

Led by a nationally certified guide, you'll navigate the maze of market stalls, observing skilled food artisans at work and learning about the significance of various ingredients in Japanese cuisine. 

Along the way, you'll indulge in seven specially selected food items, each offering a taste of Japan's diverse culinary landscape. From sushi and yakitori grilled chicken skewers to a unique Japanese-style tuna sandwich and traditional sweets.

This tour is more than just a tasting experience; it's a deep dive into Japanese life, culture and the timeless traditions that make Tsukiji Market a must-visit destination for any food enthusiast.

Want to try extremely fresh seafood and typical Japanese breakfast foods in a famous food market? Try this Tsukiji Fish Market breakfast tour.

Your morning adventure starts at the vibrant Tsukiji Fish Market, where you'll savor a breakfast of the freshest seafood Tokyo has to offer. Walk through the heart of Tsukiji, an area steeped in history as it was once Tokyo’s primary fish market. 

Despite the wholesale market’s relocation, Tsukiji remains a bustling hub of activity, filled with many food stalls and eateries that draw locals and visitors alike in with its irresistible eats.

You'll meet your knowledgeable English-speaking guide at Tsukiji Shijyo Station. As you make your way to the Tsukiji fish market, you'll pass by the historic Tsukiji Hongwanji Temple. At the market, you'll enjoy a delicious Japanese breakfast that showcases local favorites like tamagoyaki, fresh sashimi, sushi or tuna bowl, and oysters—either fresh or grilled, depending on the season. 

Finish up by taking a leisurely stroll through Tsukiji Fish Market, where you’ll witness the vibrant energy of the area and soak up its rich history. The tour concludes at Namiyoke Shrine, leaving you with a deeper appreciation of Tsukiji’s enduring charm and its role in Tokyo’s food culture. This experience is perfect for food enthusiasts looking to explore one of Tokyo's most iconic markets while supporting local businesses.

Now you are ready to try a traditional Japanese breakfast while traveling in Japan!

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No! While traditional Japanese breakfast is still served in restaurants, many Japanese locals don’t follow a strict set meal at home. 

Just like anywhere else, what Japanese people eat for breakfast is based on personal preferences, but common breakfast foods in Japan are also featured in a traditional breakfast found at ryokan which can include rice, natto, soup, tamagoyaki, fish, and even leftovers from dinner. 

However, western breakfast items have become more popular, including coffee, toast and pastries. Some people may even opt for konbini-prepared food or snacks like curry pan, bento, onigiri and even sweet melon pan. 

You came to the right place. Here’s all our expertise on the best breakfasts in Tokyo:

• Best breakfast places in Shibuya

• Best breakfast places in Shinjuku

• Best breakfast places in Ginza

• Best breakfast places in Tokyo

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