In recent years, Japan’s food-centered cities like Nagoya, Tokyo, and Hokkaido have encountered millions of gourmands and gourmets alike flocking to break the limits of their culinary journeys. Hungry to dive deeper into one of the world’s most renowned and diverse cuisines, buffs of fresh seafood, unique unagi ingredients, eel rice, Miso stewed udon, and boundless more bons have found Nippon an endless source of tastebud wonders.
Out of the numerous countries around the globe with versatile and abundant enough landscapes to meet the most delicate or quirkiest tastes, including Italy, Spain, Turkey, and so on, we’re choosing Japan for the reasons you’ll discover below. Some cities exceed every expectation one could have, prompting culinary tourists with an emphasis on pescatarianists to revisit them repeatedly.
There are a few things to organize ahead of your long-yearned Japan culinary trip, like where you’ll stay and how you’ll secure your internet connection. You’ll need reliable internet at every step of your journey because the best eateries are easier to find with a few mobile display taps instead of word-of-mouth hearsays or pre-established itineraries. The key to checking off the spots you’ll be most dazzled by lies in your mobile data accessibility, which is why we encourage you to visit Holafly to find out more about the cheapest, easiest, and most convenient ways to remain connected while on Nippon ground. Moving on, you need to know the cities with the most explosive and diverse culinary experiences, so let’s not waste any more time!
Tokyo
The most sounding Japanese city name isn’t taking pride in its architecture, nightlife, and so on, as much as it takes in the incredibly diverse food landscape that combines pretty much any taste you could think of. While navigating the bustling Tokyo streets, make sure to try food alternatives belonging to both street food and luxury dining categories. Expect to be dazzled by offerings like grilled skewered chicken, ground meat cutlets, rolled omelets with shrimp, and octopus body parts, to name a few. In the Tsukiji Market, you’ll find over 300 restaurants and shops with seafood, fresh bowls with fish, and other seafoodie bons. On Takeshita Street, you’ll discover weirdly shaped ice cream cones, crispy tornado potato spirals, rainbow cheesy toasts, and lightbulb-served sodas.
Ginza’s back alleys abound in choices, serving some of the most popular sushi bars in the megapolis. Since Tokyo has an incredible culinary history that dates back over 2,000 years, it’s safe to say that you can visit it times and times again and never taste enough of its offerings to stop returning contentedly. And when it comes to restaurant names, it’s best to research them yourself – you’ll thank us for not offering recommendations in the indescribable Tokyo.
Nagoya
Japan’s largest supplier of fresh-water unagi, commonly known as eel, gathers millions of food tourists yearly – especially those whose curiosity about this unique ingredient was triggered by Friends’ Ross Geller in “The One with Unagi” episode. However, it’s safe to say that it doesn’t compete with other cities well-known for food, like Tokyo or Osaka. There are a few alternatives that make the city stand out and worthy of its place in this listicle, like the classic Tonkatsu or deep-fried pork cutlet for newcomers. An abundant, umami-laden red miso sauce offers the bold punch of savory that gets tasters addicted to a seemingly humble meal.
Vegans have multiple choices to take their tastebuds to new peaks, like the naturally-brewed years-aged soybean miso. Here for mouth-numbing spices found in wasabi, nori, negi, and seaweed? Then you need to find a Hitsumabushi supplier and get there starving. It’s a must-have experience you’ll be thankful for trying.
Fukuoka
Fukuoka boasts a reputation for excellence like many other Nippon cities, being a go-to for noodles and flavor-packed soups lovers. Serving a Hakata bowl is a non-negotiable, as the heart and soul of the town boil down to broths and other liquid meals. From fat back to bones and naturally sourced vegetables, these foods leave a long-lasting impact when fused with the most delicious spices. To experience Fukuoka in-depth, you must check out a few meals, including Udon, Goma Saba, Mentaiko, Hakata Ramen, and Gyoza.
Mentaiko and Tarako are some of Japan’s best traditional seafood ingredients in every city nationwide. Still, many foodies believe Fukuoka to be the top supplier of these sought-after ocean delicacies. And to expand your culinary knowledge, you’re recommended Gyoza, or the middle ground between Korea and China in terms of food if these two cuisines merge in a pan. These Japanese pan-fried dumplings come in numberless variants, whether you’re into their meat or vegetarian alternatives, though you’re advised to try both if you can. Some of the leading restaurants you must explore include Tsugumi, Narayamachi Ao, Yakiniku Sudo Haruyoshi, and Yorozu, to name a few.
Hokkaido
If you long to visit the northern part of the country to explore wildlife and nature at their best (advisedly from a hot-air balloon over Tokachi), then you must head to Hokkaido. Interestingly, the food here is one of the region’s leading attractions, precisely the seafood’s high quality and hearty ocean-food repertoire. The location boasts several restaurant types, and the main spots to check include Hakodate Asaichi Aji no Ichiban, Boyotei, Jo-Jo’s, and Ebi-Ten Bun-Ten.
Endnote
Japan has become a food-lover paradise that everyone should visit at least once. Travelers from all corners of the globe come to Tokyo, Hokkaido, Fukuoka, and Nagoya, among other cities, to try the freshest seafood and most mouth-numbing spices, among other elements that have pushed Japan to the top of the food map.
As the number of travelers rises, so does the culinary outlook, with new and unique names popping up yearly. This is why it’s essential to ensure you’re looking into the cities explored above to make the most of your culinary journey to Japan before you explore lesser-known Nippon destinations.
What city has caught your attention, and what other cities should be included in food listicles?
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