Japanese food and souvenirs: what to try and bring home
Japanese food is one of the main reasons to visit. Beyond sushi, every region has specialities, and quality is high at every price level, from convenience store snacks to multi-course kaiseki dinners.
Dishes to try
| Dish | What it is | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Sushi and sashimi | Raw fish, with or without rice | Everywhere, best near fish markets |
| Ramen | Noodle soup with regional broths | Sapporo (miso), Fukuoka (tonkotsu), Tokyo (shoyu) |
| Tempura | Lightly battered seafood and vegetables | Specialist counters |
| Okonomiyaki | Savoury pancake | Osaka and Hiroshima, each with its own style |
| Takoyaki | Octopus balls | Osaka street stalls |
| Kaiseki | Seasonal multi-course meal | Kyoto, ryokan |
| Wagyu | Marbled beef | Kobe, Matsusaka, Omi |
| Soba and udon | Buckwheat and wheat noodles | Nagano (soba), Kagawa (udon) |
Where to eat
Restaurants usually specialise in one type of dish. Izakaya serve small plates with drinks, shokudo offer simple set meals, and department store basements (depachika) sell beautiful ready-made food. Convenience stores have surprisingly good onigiri and sandwiches. Many casual places use ticket machines at the entrance.
Dietary needs
Vegetarian and vegan options are growing in big cities, but fish stock (dashi) is used in many dishes. Halal and gluten-free options exist in Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka, with apps and restaurant guides listing suitable places. A card explaining allergies in Japanese helps in restaurants.
Food souvenirs
- Regional sweets (wagashi) and boxed cakes, sold in stations and airports.
- Matcha and green tea from Uji or Shizuoka.
- Regional Kit Kat flavours and snacks.
- Sake, whisky and plum wine, within customs allowances at home.
- Soy sauce, yuzu products and seasonings.
Craft souvenirs
Kitchen knives from Sakai or Seki, ceramics, lacquerware, furoshiki cloths, tenugui towels and folding fans are popular. Check the customs rules of your home country for knives and food products.
Japanese food on a budget
Lunch sets, conveyor-belt sushi, ramen shops, gyudon chains and convenience stores make it easy to eat Japanese food well for under ¥1,500 a meal. Dinner menus often cost twice as much as lunch for similar dishes.
Ordering and paying
Many restaurants display plastic food models or picture menus, and more offer QR code menus in English. A towel (oshibori) is provided to wipe hands before eating. Water and tea are usually free. At ramen and set-meal shops, buy a ticket from the machine at the entrance and hand it to the staff.
Sweets and drinks
Try wagashi, traditional sweets often made with red bean paste, matcha desserts in Kyoto, and seasonal flavours in convenience stores. Sake varies by region, and many breweries offer tastings. Japanese whisky, craft beer and green tea are also excellent.
Food experiences
Cooking classes, market tours, sake brewery visits and food walking tours in Osaka or Tokyo are great ways to learn about local cuisine and its regional variations.
Allergies and special requests
Tell staff about allergies clearly, ideally with a written card in Japanese listing ingredients to avoid. Many restaurants show the main allergens on menus, and convenience store labels list common allergens in Japanese with symbols. Department store food halls also sell gift boxes that travel well, wrapped beautifully at no extra cost.
Official source: Japan National Tourism Organization
Frequently asked questions
Is Japanese food always raw fish?
No. Most everyday dishes are cooked: noodles, grilled dishes, stews, tempura and many meat dishes are everyday staples.
Is it easy to find vegetarian dishes?
Easier than before in big cities, but fish stock is common, so asking or using specialised apps helps.
Can food souvenirs be taken home?
Packaged sweets and drinks usually travel well, but check your home country's rules on meat, dairy and fresh products.