Japanese Food Guide: What to Eat in Japan as a Tourist

Japan is arguably the world's greatest destination for food — not because of any one iconic dish but because of the depth and consistency of the entire food culture. From a standing ramen counter in a Tokyo station to a 10-course kaiseki dinner in Kyoto, the standards are extraordinary at every price point.

Essential dishes to try

Ramen — regional styles vary dramatically (Tokyo soy, Sapporo miso, Hakata pork tonkotsu)
Sushi — conveyor belt kaiten-zushi restaurants are fun and affordable; omakase at a sushi counter is a bucket-list experience
Tempura — light battered and fried seafood and vegetables, best eaten at a dedicated tempura counter
Wagyu beef — Japanese beef grades are exceptional; a small portion in a Kyoto or Osaka steakhouse is worth the splurge
Yakitori — grilled chicken skewers at a standing bar under the Tokyo train tracks
Onigiri — convenience store rice balls, genuinely good, the best road trip snack in Japan

Convenience stores are genuinely good

Japanese 7-Elevens, Lawsons, and FamilyMarts are not like Western convenience stores. They sell freshly made onigiri, hot foods, quality sandwiches, excellent coffee, and reliable toilets 24 hours a day. For cheap, good food late at night or on a budget day, they're an important part of any Japan trip.

How to order without Japanese

Most restaurants in tourist areas have photo menus or plastic food displays outside — point at what you want. Ramen and soba shops often use vending machine ordering (buy a ticket for your choice, hand it to staff). Google Translate's camera mode can translate Japanese menus in real time — this requires mobile data, which is another reason a Japan eSIM is essential.

Where to eat on a budget

Japan isn't as expensive for food as its reputation suggests. A bowl of ramen is £8–12. A sushi conveyor belt lunch is £15–20. A bento box from a department store basement food hall (depachika) costs £6–10 and is often outstanding. Save your budget for one or two special meals and eat simply the rest of the time.

Food etiquette worth knowing

It's fine to eat while standing at a counter but unusual while walking
Tipping is not practised and is actively discouraged
It's polite to say 'itadakimasu' before eating and 'gochisosama deshita' when finished
Slurping ramen loudly is normal and expected — it shows appreciation