Nagoya
Folks line up for opening time at this jolly place, where the Taiwan rāmen (台湾ラーメン; a spicy concoction of ground meat, chilli, garlic and green onion,…
Must-see restaurants in Central Honshū
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Nagoya
The head branch of this hitsumabushi chain, in business since 1873, is revered for good reason. Patrons queue during the summer peak season for…
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Matsumoto
This wildly popular 4th-floor (above Midori in the station building) shrine to karaage (deep-fried chicken) is a must, with tender, juicy boneless chicken…
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Matsumoto
Head to Shin-Miyoshi (New Miyoshi), established in 1999, to try everyone's favourite Nagano delicacy: horse meat. The first Miyoshi restaurant got going…
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Kanazawa
Upstairs in Ōmi-chō Market, chefs from Hong Kong prepare authentic Szechuan- and Hong Kong–style dishes (including dim sum) from scratch. Delicious lunch…
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Nagano Region
This is the place to come to try a Nagano speciality: horse meat. Try it raw as basashi for ¥1480, in a shabu-shabu (hotpot) course for ¥3000 or grilled…
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Matsumoto & the Northern Japan Alps
This lovely little izakaya (bar-restaurant) in Echoland is so popular that you'll need to make a booking; get your accommodation owner to set you up at…
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Matsumoto & the Northern Japan Alps
A top spot both at lunchtime, when soba-noodle dishes are to the fore, and in the evening, when Zen morphs into an izakaya (bar-restaurant), this place…
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Nagano Region
Gohonjin means 'a residence for the lords', and in the Edo period Fujiya Gohonjin played host to the feudal lords of the Maeda family. The present 1925…
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Matsumoto
This cute little cafe on a tiny side street off atmospheric old Nawate-dõri gets rave reviews for plates such as smashed avo toast (¥700) and cinnamon…
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Kastanie Karuizawa Roast Chicken
Nagano Region
For something a little uncommon in Japan, pop into this original place for succulent and tender roast-chicken dinners, pizzas, pastas and sausage platters…
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Central Honshū
This humming hole-in-the-wall place does soupy, fried gyōza (dumplings) and ebi chahan (shrimp fried rice) – and, of course, beer. Go straight from JR…
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Takayama
This Takayama institution specialises in regional dishes such as hoba-miso (sweet miso paste grilled on a magnolia leaf) and Hida-gyū (beef) soba. Sit on…
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Kanazawa
Kaiseki (Japanese haute cuisine) dining is a holistic experience of hospitality, art and originality. This outstanding restaurant is a true gourmand's…
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Takayama
Sakurajaya happens when you take a Japanese man to Germany, introduce him to European culinary arts, hone his craft, then return him to the quiet back…
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Nagano Region
This superb soba shop, just of the main street in the middle of the village, offers a relaxed atmosphere, jazz music and a chance to try the superb soba…
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Central Honshū
One of Japan's most renowned soba shops, where the classic presentation is cold mori (plain) or zaru (with strips of nori) with a sweetish dipping sauce…
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Nagoya
Delightfully traditional but not overly formal, this Nagoyan kappo institution specialises in simple grilled fish lunches served with miso soup, rice and…
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Nagoya
This has been the place to try Nagoya's famed miso-katsu (a type of tonkatsu – deep-fried pork cutlet) since 1947. Signature dishes are waraji-tonkatsu …
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Central Honshū
Since 1966 this delightful restaurant has been preparing succulent Hida beef in private tatami rooms in a traditional Japanese house. On the banks of the…
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Kanazawa
A variety of Japanese dishes and yōshoku (Western-style meals) are served at this stylish cafe in the quieter backstreets of Katamachi – the website will…
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Matsumoto
This wonderfully traditional izakaya (pub-restaurant) serves favourites such as oden (a stew comprising fishcakes, tofu, vegetables and eggs simmered in a…
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Matsumoto
Miso and ramen fans shouldn't go past this purveyor of fine noodles in a cute little building opposite the Richmond Hotel. Miso-rāmen and black Kuro-miso…
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Matsumoto
If you're into tonkatsu (deep-fried pork cutlet), try to find this place a block south of the southeastern corner of Matsumoto Castle park. There's a…
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Nagoya
You can soak up the atmosphere of this gorgeous, woody Taishō-era building with its tranquil garden and pond over a glass of pinot: try not to spill a…
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Nagoya
The Nagoya branch of this globally acclaimed Taiwanese chain, located in the Takashimaya department store at Nagoya Station, is likely to please with its…
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Nagano Region
This cafe is festooned with every kind of wall clock imaginable, and it specialises in variations on the theme of curry; lunch set menus include omu-karē …
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Kanazawa
One of Kanazawa's favourite seafood izakaya (pub-restaurants) is as popular with locals as it is with international visitors, so you may have to queue for…
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Takayama
Atmospheric, inexpensive, welcoming and delicious are all words that spring to mind when describing this wonderful second-generation eatery serving up…
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Kanazawa & the Hokuriku Coast
Umi-tei Notokichi has been a popular local haunt for generations – it's a quintessential Japanese seafood experience. Purists should keep it simple and go…
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Takayama
Experience the unique Japanese art of shōjin-ryōri, holistic vegetarian kaiseki dining in an atmospheric building and garden that's almost 200 years old,…
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Kanazawa
This trendy spot in the Kanazawa Miyako Hotel building has a comprehensive Japanese menu and a limited English one with all the Western favourites and…
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Nagano Region
Revered in Japan by those who value soba (as many do), this wonderful noodle shop claims that Togakushi is the home of soba – and it may just be right. It…
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Nagano Region
This extremely cute little cafe is up at the top of town where the locals boil eggs in the onsen water. Set-menu lunches (¥780) and light meals are the go…
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Kanazawa
Kanazawa institution Janome-sushi Honten has been known for sashimi and Kaga cuisine since 1931. Dinner omakase (chef's choice) menus start at ¥3000.
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Takayama
Word has spread that this Japanese couple are living their dream and welcoming visitors from around the world, so you might have to wait for a table to…
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Kanazawa & the Hokuriku Coast
On the Rekishi-no-michi street outside the west exit of Fukui Station, you'll find this delightful variation on a soba theme. The speciality is oroshi…
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Takayama
One street back from the river, this fancy restaurant serves traditional French cuisine with a Japanese twist. Mouth-watering appetisers include Hida-beef…
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Takayama
Run by the inspiring crew from Satoyama Experience in neighbouring Hida-Furukawa, this new-in-2016 cafe in the slick Takayama Station is your one-stop…
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Takayama
These folks have been making teuchi (handmade) soba since 1898. Try the zaru soba, which strips it bare so you can taste the flavour of the noodles. The…
