The Best Places in Japan for Food Lovers
When it comes to food specialities, nobody does it better than Japan. Though Tokyo has everything and Kyoto is the home of traditional dishes, there are so many other places to try along the way. Taste buds tingling? Here are the best places in Japan for food lovers to visit.
Trying unfamiliar food can be fun, but it can be daunting too! Join our guided 12-day trip to Japan to ensure you always know what you’re eating, and the best places to eat it.
1. Shimoda: seafood wonderland
Building, Natural Feature
Sitting on the southern point of the Izu peninsula about four hours from Tokyo is the humble port town of Shimoda. As well as being a scenic retreat from the manic energy of city life, it’s also where you’ll find some of the best seafood in the world. The town is home to a number of fish markets, while local restaurants specialise in squid, baked fish and kinmedai – a crispy golden eye snapper that’s quickly gaining popularity internationally.
2. Hokkaido: dairy, especially cheese
Natural Feature
If you head up to the more northern area of Japan you’ll get to Hokkaido prefecture. The capital is the chilly city of Sapporo, home to some of the most exciting winter festivals and the best dairy products in Japan. Though Japan may not be know for cheeses, Hokkaido does produce delicious world-class cheese. One food you cannot miss is the Hokkadio cheese tart – consider it the smaller flavour-packed cousin of the cheesecake. It’s a warm bed of gooey sweet cheese lava contained by a crispy, buttery pastry and potentially the most delicious sweet you haven’t yet tried.
4. Osaka: takyoyaki octopus balls
Architectural Landmark
Sometimes considered the cool grittier cousin of Tokyo, Osaka has a lot going for it. But it’s their takoyaki that really brings the masses. Often referred to in English as ‘fried octopus balls’, takoyaki is the perfect on-the-go, after drinking, during drinking and everything in-between snack. It’s like a traditional form of fast food. Consisting of fried crispy batter containing tiny chewy pieces of octopus formed into golf ball-shaped bites and covered in sauce and mayonnaise.
5. Okinawa: umibudo, little salty sea grapes
Architectural Landmark
Okinawa is a fascinating island. It’s home to some of the most stunning beaches in the world and some of the longest living locals too, so they must be doing something right. The one food you have try here is umibudo, also known as sea grapes. Considered a common snack, this strange seaweed consists of tiny beads that bust and release a slightly salty taste of the sea.
6. Kobe: kobe beef, of course
Architectural Landmark
Kobe is probably the most famous beef in the world, and is a prized Japanese delicacy and probably the most widely known regional speciality food in Japan. One of the many breeds of wagyu, aka Japanese cattle, kobe beef is always tender, and flavourful and marbled with fat. The most common way to enjoy kobe beef is in shabu shabu (a soup filled with boiled meat), sukiyaki (Japanese hot pot) or teppanyaki, where the chef grills the meat in front of his guests.
7. Yokohama: ramen
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8. Nikko: yuba, weird but delicious tofu skin
Architectural Landmark
When in Nikko the one food you have to try is yuba. Basically a version of tofu, or more graphically, a food made from the surface skin that forms on top of soy milk when it gets hot – it sounds disgusting but tastes delicious. The greatest appeal of yuba is versatility – like tofu, it reflects the flavours in which it’s cooked but with a much more interesting, chewy texture. The best way to eat it is as the locals suggest, in a bowl of hot noodles.
9. Fukuoka: infamous but delicious fugu
Architectural Landmark
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