Bucket list experience:
Tokyo, Kanto, Japan
One of the world’s great culinary capitals, Tokyo is often heralded for having more Michelin stars than any other city. But what really makes it special, is that from high-end sushi down to a humble bowl of ramen, there’s so much to try and so much of it is superb.
Sushi epitomizes that best – you could spend several hundred pounds at the most exclusive restaurants or have a quality feed for under £10 at a budget chain.
Across Tokyo’s dining scene, certain traits shine through – the frequent focus on seasonality and culinary technique, and the deep respect for chefs.
Specialisation too – you’ll find no end of shops that have perfected just a single dish, whether that’s ramen, soba noodles, or sumo-sized hotpots.
Make time for a lively night at an izakaya, where you can order small portions of all sorts of classic Japanese flavours (for a reasonable price). These casual pub-slash-restaurants are found all over, from chains to family-run joints – all great for a broad menu of dishes, washed down with sake, beer and hi-balls.
Sushi has become a global phenomenon, but Tokyo does it best – the finest fish, served up anywhere from budget chains to Michelin-starred wallet-busters.
Kaitenzushi restaurants are where the sushi comes on conveyor belts – look out for value chains like Sushiro and Uobei.
Teppanyaki, where seafood and Kobe Beef are cooked on iron griddles in front of diners, is popular across the city. Prices range from super-expensive places such as Ukai-Tei in Ginza to the less exorbitant Ten near Tokyo Station.
Also, for at least one meal, sign up for a kaiseki-ryori lunch or dinner. This Japanese tradition features a succession of dishes that are artfully presented and culinarily sublime. Splurge on a traditional version at Kikunoi in Akasaka or try it with contemporary twists at Tenoshima in Aoyama.
Char-grilled chicken skewers (yakitori) washed down with beer and sake is a classic combination. You’ll find plenty of izakaya for this under the rail tracks in the Yurakucho district.
Ramen is another popular dish – and though every neighbourhood has its ramen joints, head to Ramen Street in Tokyo station for a collection of shops selling different ramen styles.
Head to the Ryogoku district, the centre of the sumo world, for restaurants that serve chanko nabe – the hotpot that sumo wrestlers eat to get big.
Finally, make sure to participate in a traditional tea ceremony – if you’re lucky, you’ll be presented with delicious Japanese sweets.
Tokyo, Kanto, Japan
The pinnacle of Japanese cuisine, this traditional dinner features a succession of up to 12 dishes, artfully presented and culinarily sublime. Tastes range from the familiar to the wonderfully indecipherable.
Adult price: £100
Best for ages 18+
Duration: 3-4 hours
Tokyo, Kanto, Japan
One of Ryogoku’s chanko nabe specialists, this restaurant was once a sumo training stable and still has a practice ring at its centre.
Best for ages 13+
Duration: 2-3 hours
When: March, May and Sept
Frequency: annually
Tokyo, Kanto, Japan
The restaurant that invented gunkan maki (seaweed wrapped) sushi in the 1940s – has courses from 75 pounds.
Best for ages 13+
Duration: 2-3 hours
When: March, May and Sept
Frequency: annually
Tokyo, Kanto, Japan
Every neighbourhood has its ramen joints – some that people will queue hours for. Ramen Street in Tokyo station, however, has a collection of shops selling different ramen styles.
Best for ages 13+
Duration: 2-3 hours
When: March, May and Sept
Frequency: annually
Tokyo, Kanto, Japan
The Michelin-3-star restaurant, featured in the documentary Jiro Dreams of Sushi, only has one thing on the menu – a 200-pound omakase course.
Best for ages 13+
Duration: 2-3 hours
When: March, May and Sept
Frequency: annually
Tokyo, Kanto, Japan
The traditional tea ceremony, practiced for centuries, combines all the formality and ritual of traditional Japan, capped by a cup of thick green tea.
Adult price: £20
Best for ages 13+
Duration: Up to 4 hours
When: On request
Frequency: Selected dates
Tokyo, Kanto, Japan
A bustling and vibrant food market offering a wide variety of fresh seafood, fruits, vegetables, and traditional Japanese delicacies. Sample delectable sushi, sashimi, street food, and local snacks.
Best for ages 13+
Duration: 2-3 hours
When: March, May and Sept
Frequency: annually
Tokyo, Kanto, Japan
Under the rail tracks in the Yurakucho district is the place to go for a bite at a traditional izakaya. Try char-grilled chicken skewers (yakitori) washed down with beer and sake – a classic combination.
Best for ages 13+
Duration: 2-3 hours
When: March, May and Sept
Frequency: annually
Destination guides including or relevant to this experience
Kanto, Japan
A dizzying mixture of old ways and modern style, crowds and calm, and arguably the best food scene on the planet.
