Japanese people are passionate about food – and with good reason! Presentation is outstanding, with a huge range of meat and fish dishes to choose from – most of them quite healthy.
UJT’s Top Tips for Eating Out in Japan:
- A lot of restaurants specialise in specific dishes – e.g. ramen shops will only have ramen or sushi bars, only sushi. So don’t get caught out expecting large menu’s in these places.
- You’ll find Izakaya’s – Japanese style pub/restaurants – all over Japan, which will have large menus and are a bit livelier than the smaller fast food style dining options. If possible, ask your guide to recommend one locally to your hotel.
- Family restaurants (Gusto, Denny’s) will offer all types of dishes suitable for all, in case you are feeling homesick and tired of Japanese food.
- All department stores (e.g. Isetan, Mitsukoshi, Takashimaya) will have a dedicated floor for restaurants. They tend to be a bit more pricey but quality should be very good and a great selection to choose from on one floor.
- Most moderately priced restaurants display plastic replicas of their menu which is a help – so if in doubt, look for restaurants with picture displays.
- Expect to pay 2,000-5,000 JPY per person for dinner and 1,000-1,500 JPY for your lunch.
- Most salary men/women eat out for lunch so you’ll find 12pm-2pm very crowded in the city centre areas.
- Whereever you see large office blocks, you’ll find good quality lunch places here at really affordable prices!
- If dinner is included in your ryokan stay, book a time when checking in. And try not to be late!
- If you have a special dietary requirement, tell your UJT travel consultant in advance. It is important we notify ryokans in advance as they are not used to these requests from the locals.
