Restaurants in Japan(3809)
COURSE MENUMiyazaki no Daidokoro Akaneya
Calling itself “Miyazaki’s kitchen,” this izakaya is a proud showcase of the tropical prefecture’s delicacies. Every table is private room seating, and generous all-you-can-drink plans make it the perfect place to celebrate down south.
SEAT RESERVATIONHachidori
Impressive lineup of sake from small breweries, paired with dishes featuring Shonai-grown vegetables, makes this couple-run izakaya a darling locale in Osaka.
SEAT RESERVATIONIkkon Uehara
A tiny but mighty kappo restaurant in Kyoto that serves true-to-tradition fares in tune with Japan’s micro-seasons.
SEAT RESERVATIONSobakiri Imose
The generous lineup of rustic soba at this charming joint transports you to an idyllic Japanese countryside akin to the owner's hometown in Wakayama.
COURSE MENUHakata Yakiniku Nurubon
Just minutes from JR Hakata Station, this Fukuoka yakiniku restaurant brings 40-plus years of connections and expertise in meat distribution to its yakiniku business. Authentic Korean fare supplements exquisitely marbled wagyu beef.
SEAT RESERVATIONIzugen
Near Nishiki Market, third-generation owner Ishida Yasuyuki serves Kyoto-style sushi to decade-old regulars from behind the scenes.
SEAT RESERVATIONKanesho
A small establishment with a big legacy: Kanesho is the inventor of kinshidon, an unagi rice bowl dish topped with ribbons of egg omelet.
SEAT RESERVATIONKorisu
The mother helms the kitchen, while her daughters are on the floor carrying big-portioned, home-cooked Western fares in this charming yoshoku eatery.
SEAT RESERVATIONTonkatsu Daiki
Tonkatsu Daiki might not reinvent the wheel with its textbook-perfect tonkatsu, but what it does, it does exceptionally well.
SEAT RESERVATIONNihonshuzammai Utsutsuyo
Beer might be the first order of business for a customary toast, but at one of the best bars in Osaka, sake is the name of the game — and what you should order next.
SEAT RESERVATIONTanpopo
Omelets, crepes and okonomiyaki — it’s a fun medley of dishes united by one common thread in this Michelin-listed eatery: food cooked on grill plates.
SEAT RESERVATIONChukasoba Oshitani
Come for the textbook-perfect shio and soy sauce ramen once; return for the latest time-limited ramen innovation twice.
COURSE MENUKyoyakiniku Hiro Yasakatei
Along the stretch of Yasaka Street, what was initially billed as wagyu yakiniku fine dining has become a far more intriguing proposition with fusions of kaiseki in Hiro’s newly renovated establishment.
COURSE MENUGomangoku Honten
Gomangoku Honten won the hearts of local diners with its kaiseki menu plotted around ocean-caught and mountain-gathered ingredients from Toyama’s fertile lands.
SEAT RESERVATIONSobakiri Gaku
At the tail-end of Karahori Shopping Arcade in Osaka, you'll find a humble joint with a Bib Gourmand under its belt and a passion for nihachi soba — 80% buckwheat, 20% wheat flour.
SEAT RESERVATIONSobakiri Karani
With its communal tables, mural-saturated space and cheerful casualness, Sobakiri Karani by Hashimoto Kiyoshi feels like an instant fun – the soba-centric, sake-loving kind.
SEAT RESERVATIONLe Content
Hiding in plain sight south of Ayamike area in Nara, Le Content is one of the best introduction to business-class French cuisine for locals.
SEAT RESERVATIONGion Yorozuya
Close to Kyoto’s Yasaka Shrine, the signature chewy udon with plenty of Kujo spring onions draws Michelin critics and foodies year after year.
SEAT RESERVATIONIchihana
Led by chef Kawagishi, Ichihana offers an unforgettable sanctuary for kamameshi (pot rice dish) lovers in Kyoto with options ranging from classic to seasonal variations.
SEAT RESERVATIONArroceria Sal y Amor
Arroceria Sal y Amor, which means "salt and love" in Spanish, promises Spain's warmth in Tokyo and transports diners elsewhere with its lineup of traditional paella and wines.
SEAT RESERVATIONHunter
Sink your teeth into the low-and-slow charcoal-cooked meat fares at Hunter, a French-inspired conceptual joint in Kyoto that doubles as a carnivore’s dream den.
SEAT RESERVATIONShichiku Kiko
Sporting a bow tie and a smile, owner-chef Takami Murata welcomes you into his cozy restaurant, channeling the spirit of his hometown and seasonal Japanese dishes.
SEAT RESERVATIONSumiyakisosaitoriya Hitomi
This two-story yakitori spot has been recognized as a Michelin Bib Gourmand hotspot for its great charcoal-grilled skewers and charming service led by Chef Hitomi.
SEAT RESERVATIONArroceria La Panza
Taking its name from the orthodox cafes of Spain, Arroceria La Panza brings a piece of the Spaniards' relaxed lifestyle to high–paced Ginza.
SEAT RESERVATIONOryori Menami
Opened in 1939, third-generation owner Sakurako Katsuta continues her grandmother’s legacy by serving Kyoto-style obanzai and homespun meals reminiscent of her creations.
COURSE MENUShabu-Shabu Tsukada Shibuya Scramble Square
Right next to Shibuya Station, this shabu-shabu restaurant gives diners each their own individual hotpot. Some of Japan’s finest wagyu, including Matsusaka and Kobe, are served alongside each other as tasting comparisons.
SEAT RESERVATIONSobadokoro Toki
This renowned soba joint in Osaka's Dojima area built its reputation on its summer-special chilled curry soba, which delivers a surprising clash of spicy heat and ice-cold broth.
SEAT RESERVATIONHommachi Seimenjo Chukasobakobo
The underground ramen joint's broth, crafted with fish flakes, kombu kelp, chicken bones and conger eel, elevates it to Michelin-worthy status in Osaka.
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Best Restaurants in Japan
From fresh sushi to crispy tempura, Japan’s diverse restaurant scene excites visitors and locals alike with hundreds of thousands of high-quality Japanese restaurants. Beckoning with drool-worthy plastic replicas in their windows, both contemporary and traditional restaurants offer unique flavors and atmospheres. Enter any restaurant in Japan and immediately be welcomed with a hearty “irasshaimase!”
Many Japanese restaurants focus on one signature dish, like Japanese curry restaurants, ramen shops, or speciality restaurants selling yakitori grilled chicken skewers. Restaurants steam with DIY shabu-shabu hotpots while grill-it-yourself teppanyaki hotplate restaurants sizzle! Find tiny family-owned ramen shops hidden in the backstreets of Kyoto, and yatai street food stalls bustling in alleys of Fukuoka. And let’s not forget, Tokyo alone boasts the most Michelin-starred restaurants in the world!
Throughout the country, fine dining restaurants serving exquisite kaiseki banquets contrast cheap “shokudo” cafeterias meals for salarymen on-the-go. You can order dinner directly from a tablet or even a vending machine, or choose your own sushi pieces trundling past on the belt of a sushi train. Nibble on small plates as you drink up during an izakaya dining experience, seated on tatami flooring and cheersing “kampai!” with the locals. There are so many exciting Japan restaurant options with different foods and local cuisines to try, so don’t waste a moment of your trip looking for a restaurant! Reserve ahead of time at some of the best restaurants in Japan with byFood and secure some of the country’s best cuisine for your taste buds. Don't forget to say, “gochisosama deshita” when you leave any Japan restaurant, meaning “thank you for the meal!”
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