Latest Posts - Japanese Food Guide

Olive trees in the foreground with a white Greek windmill and the sea beyond it in the background at Shodoshima Olive Park.

Shodoshima: Japan’s Mediterranean-esque Island and Birthplace of Olive Cultivation

Olives are not likely to come to mind when you think of Japanese cuisine, but on Shodoshima island, they are the main attraction.

One of Yamaguchi's biggest claims to fame, its Kintaikyo Bridge, a five-arched wooden pedestrian bridge with a stone base. The bridge crosses the Nishiki River and green mountains can be seen in the background.

Yamaguchi Food Guide: 9 Delicious Things to Eat and Drink in Yamaguchi Prefecture

From seafood and chicken to noodles and sushi, and sweet treats in between, Yamaguchi food has a lot to offer any Japan traveler.

A small, dark ceramic bowl partially filled with pickled daikon radish (takuan) roughly cut into half-moon shapes. The yellow color of the takuan contrasts nicely with the dark crockery. The bowl sits on a matching square plate and a brown placemat. Red chopsticks can be seen resting on the side of the plate. Everything sits on a dark wooden surface.

What is Takuan? Japan’s Ubiquitous Pickled Daikon Radish and How It’s Made

If you love Japanese food, you’ll definitely have encountered pickled daikon radish or ‘takuan’. Learn what it is and the surprising way it’s made.

A picture of the Arima Onsen township from an elevated position at night, showing the town surrounded by mountain greenery and the town's buildings aglow in light.

Arima Onsen Food Guide: 8 Things to Eat & Drink in this Mountainous Hot Spring Town

Arima Onsen is a mountainous hot spring resort town known for its delicious food. Here’s what you should eat and drink in Arima Onsen.

Miyazaki food: A large serving of Miyazaki Kamaage Udon in a dark ceramic bowl. The udon noodles are in hot water and a pair of chopsticks can be seen from the right of the image holding up some noodles that have just been dipped in the separate dipping sauce. Next to the sauce is a small dish with sliced green onions (spring onions) in it. All crockery is a matching set and sit on a dark wooden lacquered tray.

Miyazaki Food: 11 Amazing Local Specialties to Eat in Miyazaki Prefecture

Miyazaki food is some of the most incredible Japanese food around, from locally-raised chicken, beef and pork, fresh seafood, to succulent mangoes and citrus.

Two hands outstretched and cupped together holding a number of shiitake mushrooms on the Kunisaki Peninsula, Oita Prefecture. Some of the shiitake mushrooms are positioned to show the cap, others have been turned upside down to show the underside. Below is a woven basket with green foliage and the sleeves of the person holding the shiitake are long in a pink plaid material with elastic around the wrists.

Shiitake Mushroom Farming on the Kunisaki Peninsula, delicious organic mushrooms you have to try

The Kunisaki Peninsula is Japan’s leading center for the cultivation of organic shiitake mushrooms in sawtooth oak tree logs.

Two hands can be seen clinking champagne flutes partially filled with Aomori apple cider among the blossoms at Hirosaki Apple Park.

These Hard Japanese Ciders from Aomori Combine Sweet with Unique

Japanese cider has unique qualities that make it distinct and these special hard ciders from Aomori, Japan’s apple capital, are no exception.

Two maple leaf-shaped momiji manju cakes on a teal ceramic plate with a light brown rim along the scalloped edging. A cup of green tea can partially be seen in the top left-hand corner of the image and two red/orange maple leaves (possibly artificial) at the back-right.

Hiroshima Food Guide: 8 Local Specialties to Try in Hiroshima Prefecture

What you need to know to eat through Hiroshima like a pro. Eight highly-rated Hiroshima food and drink specialties you should add to your list.

Looking down Dotonbori food street in Osaka. It's approaching dusk and the street is full of people walking in both directions. On either side of the street, the buildings feature many colorful and gaudy lit-up signs that have already been turned on in the fading light.

12 Highly-rated Places to Eat on Dotonbori, Osaka’s Iconic Food Street

Dotonbori is one of the most exciting food streets to visit in Osaka, but all the options can be overwhelming. Here are 12 places that should be on your list.