Food in Japan: The Essentials Every Traveller Should Try

Japan’s culinary scene is among the most unique and unforgettable in the world, steeped in ancient traditions yet constantly evolving. From Tokyo’s bustling sushi bars to Kyoto’s tranquil tea houses, the diversity in Japanese cuisine offers travellers a profound journey through taste, culture, and history. Exploring Japan’s food scene can immerse you deeply in its rich traditions, offering more than a meal—it’s an experience that reflects centuries of artistry and culture.

Tokyo, the bustling epicentre of Japanese culinary innovation, is known worldwide for its sushi and sashimi. With countless sushi bars, Tokyo offers everything from luxurious dining experiences to intimate backstreet eateries. Sushi here is celebrated for its unparalleled freshness, with fish sourced directly from the Tsukiji Outer Market each morning. Staying at a hotel in Tokyo provide convenient access to this dynamic food scene, ensuring travellers can experience the best Tokyo has to offer.

Beyond sushi, Tokyo boasts numerous ramen shops, each with a distinct take on this classic dish. For example, tonkotsu ramen features a rich, pork-based broth, while shoyu ramen offers a lighter umami flavour. These noodle houses are a quintessential part of Tokyo’s food culture, where steaming bowls and lively conversations create an unforgettable dining atmosphere.

Osaka’s culinary scene is dominated by its love for street food, particularly takoyaki and okonomiyaki. Takoyaki, savoury octopus-filled balls topped with bonito flakes, and okonomiyaki, savoury pancakes filled with cabbage and meats, are local staples. The city’s Dotonbori entertainment district is alive with food vendors selling these treats among neon lights and bustling crowds. A hotel in Osaka offers an ideal base for those who want to experience the lively Osaka food scene up close.

Kyoto offers a tranquil yet sophisticated culinary experience with its famous kaiseki dining—multi-course meals that celebrate seasonal ingredients and delicate presentation. Kyoto’s tea houses further showcase Japan’s traditional tea culture, where matcha tea is prepared and served with precision, reflecting ancient rituals. Staying at one of our hotels in Kyoto allows visitors to fully immerse themselves in this unique culinary culture.

Hokkaido, Japan’s northernmost island, is renowned for its fresh seafood and dairy products. From scallops to crab, seafood plays a central role in Hokkaido’s food culture, with daily catches ensuring freshness. Hokkaido’s dairy, including its famous soft-serve ice cream, provides a rare twist in Japanese cuisine due to the region’s climate. Our hotels in Sapporo in Hokkaido offer easy access to Sapporo’s food markets and local delicacies, making it a perfect destination for food lovers.

Japanese cuisine is rooted in fresh, local ingredients, with rice, fish, and vegetables forming the base of many dishes. Unique ingredients such as miso (a fermented soybean paste) and soy sauce add depth to Japanese dishes. The emphasis on fresh and seasonal ingredients enhances the quality and flavour of the cuisine, making each dish a celebration of nature’s bounty.

Cooking and preparation methods also play a role in how Japanese food tastes. Most approaches aim to retain the food’s natural taste with an emphasis on avoiding industrial techniques that can reduce nutritional quality. Chefs aim for a balance of simplicity and flavour using techniques that complement the food’s natural taste. 

Grilling, or yaki, is one of the most popular methods of preparing seasonal ingredients in Japan, including meat, vegetables, and seafood. Frying on a teppan griddle or charcoal grill releases natural flavour compounds and brings out the unique taste of the dish. For example, yakitori is fresh grilled chicken skewers while teppanyaki (also available in many top global restaurants) is grilled meat with vegetables.  Steaming, or mushi, is another widely used technique in Japanese cooking that aims to preserve the flavour and nutritional value of more delicate foods. Restaurants often serve steamed fish or a savoury egg custard dish, called chawanmushi. 

Nitsuke is Japan’s slow-cooking method and helps to infuse meat or other bland ingredients with flavours present in the surrounding broth. Over time, eggs tofu or daikon exchange their unique taste profiles with liquid, enhancing the quality of the dish. Lastly fermentation is another popular method (and what gives much of Japanese cooking its distinctive appeal). During this process, microorganisms break down sugars in underlying ingredients, producing complex flavour profiles that would otherwise be impossible to achieve. Miso and soy are the most famous examples, but you can also get natto, a sort of fermented soybean porridge famed for its health benefits.

As you might expect, food plays a central role in many of Japan’s festivals and events. Japanese people often eat hanami at the Cherry Blossom Festival (to celebrate the arrival of spring). Here, locals fill bento boxes with rice balls, tempura and sushi, to celebrate the new season’s arrival. Sakura mochi is popular at this time of year and is a type of rice cake rolled in cherry blossom leaves and taiyaki, sweet fish-shaped pastries. 

Unique food is also available during Kyoto’s Gion Matsuri Festival held in July, celebrating Japan’s ancient culture and traditions. The emphasis here is on traditional sweets and delicacies from the country’s past but still popular today.  Cinnamon-flavoured rice flour snacks called yatsuhashi are consumed at this time of year. These are candy-like and help you cool down during the hot summer weather when paired with an iced drink. You can also get kakigori around this time, a type of shaved ice snack that substitutes nicely for Western slushies. These often come topped with fruits and cream for a richer, tastier experience. 

The Sapporo Snow Festival held in February is another occasion to find unique food. The event is famous for its snow sculptures and hearty winter foods that keep people warm during Hokkaido’s harsh winters. The region’s signature dish is ramen noodles steeped in a rich, miso umami broth and served with local seafood, like oysters and sea urchin. This provides plenty of calories for keeping warm. However, it isn’t the only option. You can also sometimes find rare Japanese grilled mutton served with buttered potatoes from the region, which tastes oddly familiar.

While restaurants provide many options to explore Japan’s food, immersive culinary experiences allow you to connect with the culture on a deeper level.

Cooking Classes Join a cooking class to learn from Japanese chefs and understand the techniques behind sushi, ramen, and tempura. These classes often cover traditional cooking methods, equipping you to recreate these dishes at home and continue your culinary journey beyond Japan.

Food Tours Food tours in cities like Tokyo and Osaka guide you to hidden gems and local favourites that tourists might otherwise miss. These tours often include sake tasting, providing insights into the history and culture behind each dish.

Markets Japanese markets, particularly in Hokkaido, are treasure troves of fresh produce and artisanal products. Vendors are often eager to share samples, allowing you to taste local delicacies and experience the culture of farm-to-table eating.

Sake Tasting Sake tasting, available in breweries across Japan, offers a unique glimpse into the traditional beverage-making process. Breweries in Kyoto and Fushimi are known for their quality sake, often paired with local dishes to create a harmonious dining experience.

Japan’s culinary diversity offers an unparalleled experience for food enthusiasts. Each region, with its distinct climate and geography, adds to the richness of Japanese cuisine. Hokkaido is celebrated for its dairy and seafood, while the southern islands emphasise tropical flavours. Whether through food tours, cooking classes, or market visits, Japan offers countless opportunities to discover its world-renowned cuisine.

So, if you’re ready to explore one of the world’s most unique food scenes, book your trip today and start your journey!