The thing I was most excited about in Japan was the food! And… it did not disappoint! There were so many cute snacks, and delicious meals during our first trip across Japan. Here are my top recommendations for folks traveling to Japan for the first time. This is not an exhaustive list; just the small pieces of advice that might not be so obvious.
Okonomiyaki
Okonomiyaki translates to “to one’s liking”, and is often referred to in English as “As-you-like-it Pancake”. It’s a pan-fried dish consisting of batter, cabbage, and pretty much whatever else you want. It’s particularly well-liked in Hiroshima and Osaka; there’s even a Okonomiyaki “theme park” in Hiroshima, which is literally a three story building with more than 20 different Okonomiyaki vendors. You sit at the grill, where they layer and cook your pancake right in front of you. It’s DELICIOUS and you should eat it multiple times.
Breakfast Curry (and katsu curry in general)
I’m not sure if it’s just because it was our first “real” meal after arriving in Japan, but breakfast katsu curry is one of my favorite things I ate in Japan! Head to the train station a little early before your first adventure, and find a curry place. Honestly, even if it’s not breakfast curry, eat katsu curry. You’ll thank me later.
Sushi
I have to say, I love sushi. I’ve always been a big fan and I was really excited to eat sushi in Japan. However, I just didn’t love it. I don’t know if it’s my uncultured American taste-buds or what, but it just didn’t work for me! That said, we did almost no research ahead of time on good sushi places; we figured they would be all over the place! In retrospect, I wish we had made a couple reservations at well respected local places, or even a fancy place!
Kaiseki Ryori
Kaiseki Ryori is a traditional Japanese meal that contains many small portions of food, often including soup, sashimi, boiled/grilled/fried/steamed dishes, and drinks! This is a totally unique cultural experience that is highly recommended. We got to experience a kaiseki meal while staying at a Ryokan in Hakone; it was delicious and way more filling than expected.
Depachika
Something that is very different in Japan than in the USA are depachika. Depachika are large food markets that are in the basement level of department stores. There isn’t a “food court” or anything like that; these markets are used by locals to take things home. But there are tons of grab and go snacks, gifts, and sushi boxes! You can do a little shopping, and then take your prize to a nearby park.
7/11 & McDonalds
I always think it’s fun to get McDonalds when visiting foreign countries. It’s just a cool way to experience something that should be the same, but is sometimes very different!
In addition, Japan is famous for its convenience stores. These are great places to go for delicious grab-and-go snacks, and are just super fun! Check it out!
**Featured image by Choi Ben
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