Japanese cuisine, known as washoku, offers an abundance of gastronomic delights with a boundless variety of regional and seasonal dishes. Restaurants in Japan range from mobile food stands to centuries-old ryotei, atmospheric drinking places, seasonally erected terraces over rivers, and inexpensive chain shops. Many restaurants specialize in a single type of dish, while others offer a variety of dishes.
Japanese cuisine has a large variety of dishes and regional specialties. Below is a selection of our most popular food pages.
Japan is divided into distinct geographic regions, each of which has developed its own unique culinary traditions. As a result, travelers can encounter a diverse set of regional foods as they move from area to area.
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31How to dine outLearn how to dine out in Japan with this guide on restaurant customs, from entering to paying.Gallery linksTypes of restaurantsA guide to different types of Japanese restaurants, from specialized eateries to foreign cuisine options.Gallery linksTable mannersBeginnerGallery linksRiceDiscover the role of rice in Japanese cuisine, from white and brown rice to glutinous varieties, plus common dishes and products.Gallery linksSushiA beginner's guide to the various types of sushi commonly found in Japan, from nigiri to chirashi.Gallery linksTempuraBasic introduction to tempura, Japanese style lightly battered, deep fried seafood and vegetables.Gallery linksTofuEverything you need to know about tofu in Japan, from silken to fermented varieties.Gallery linksUdonComprehensive introduction to udon, Japan's popular thick wheat noodles, including common dishes and regional variations.Gallery linksSobaBeginnerGallery linksRamenBasic introduction to ramen, a popular Japanese noodle dish.Gallery linksYakitoriDiscover yakitori, Japanese grilled chicken skewers, from classic cuts to specialty restaurants.Gallery linksSashimiBasic introduction to sashimi, raw fish in Japanese cuisine.Gallery linksCurryBeginnerGallery linksTonkatsuIntroduction to tonkatsu, Japanese-style deep fried pork cutlet.Gallery linksNabeAn introduction to nabe, Japanese hot pot dishes.Gallery linksOkonomiyakiHow to enjoy Okonomiyaki, a popular Japanese dish that resembles a mix between pancake and pizza.Gallery linksTakoyakiEverything you need to know about takoyaki, Japan's beloved grilled octopus balls.Gallery linksPicklesBeginnerGallery linksSweetsDiscover wagashi, traditional Japanese sweets enjoyed with green tea. Learn about types like namagashi, daifuku, dango, and more.Gallery linksTeaBasic introduction to the various popular types of tea in Japan, and a brief history about tea in Japan.Gallery linksAlcoholBasic introduction to alcoholic beverages in Japan.Gallery linksTokyoA guide to TokyoGallery linksKyotoA touristGallery linksOsakaIntroduction to some of the most popular local dishes of Osaka.Gallery linksHokkaidoDiscover the best local foods of Hokkaido, from fresh seafood and dairy to ramen and Genghis Khan barbecue.Gallery linksNagoyaDiscover Nagoya's unique local dishes like hitsumabushi, tebasaki, misokatsu, misonikomi, and kishimen.Gallery linksHiroshimaDiscover the famous dishes and local foods of Hiroshima.Gallery linksFukuokaDiscover the unique food culture of Fukuoka, from Hakata Ramen to Mentaiko and Motsunabe.Gallery linksNagasakiA traveler's guide to Nagasaki's unique cuisine, blending Japanese, Chinese, and Western influences.Gallery linksKagoshimaBasic introduction to some of the local food and dishes of Kagoshima Prefecture.Gallery linksOkinawaDiscover the unique flavors of Okinawan cuisine, from goya champuru to taco rice.Gallery links