Food & Dining in Japan
Japanese cuisine is a major reason many expats choose Japan. From Michelin-starred restaurants to ¥500 ramen shops, quality is consistently high.
Dining Costs
| Type | Typical Cost | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Convenience store meal | ¥300-600 | Onigiri, sandwiches, bento |
| Fast food | ¥500-800 | Gyudon, ramen chains |
| Casual restaurant | ¥800-1,500 | Izakaya, curry, udon |
| Mid-range | ¥2,000-5,000 | Sushi, tempura, kaiseki |
| High-end | ¥10,000+ | Omakase, fine dining |
Must-Try Foods
Everyday favorites:
- Ramen (each region has its style)
- Sushi and sashimi
- Tempura
- Udon and soba noodles
- Tonkatsu (breaded pork cutlet)
- Gyudon (beef bowl)
- Curry rice
Regional specialties:
- Osaka: Takoyaki, okonomiyaki
- Kyoto: Kaiseki, matcha desserts
- Hiroshima: Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki
- Hakata (Fukuoka): Tonkotsu ramen
Dining Etiquette
Do:
- Say "itadakimasu" before eating
- Say "gochisousama" after eating
- Slurp noodles (it's polite!)
- Use provided wet towel (oshibori) for hands only
Don't:
- Tip (seriously, don't)
- Stick chopsticks upright in rice
- Pass food chopstick to chopstick
- Blow your nose at the table
Grocery Shopping
Supermarkets:
- Aeon, Ito-Yokado (large chains)
- Life, Maruetsu (urban options)
- OK Store (discount)
- Late evening discounts (20-50% off) on prepared foods
Convenience Stores (Konbini):
- 7-Eleven, FamilyMart, Lawson
- High-quality ready meals
- Open 24/7
- ATMs, bill payment, and more
International groceries:
- Costco (membership)
- Kaldi (imported foods)
- Jupiter (imported goods)
- Online: iHerb, Amazon
Dietary Accommodations
Vegetarian/Vegan:
- Challenging but improving
- Dashi (fish stock) is in many dishes
- HappyCow app helps find options
- Buddhist temples sometimes offer shojin ryori (vegan)
Halal:
- Growing availability in major cities
- Apps like Halal Gourmet Japan help
- Many chains now certified
Allergies:
- Common allergens labeled by law
- Staff generally helpful if asked
- Write allergy info in Japanese to show
Drinking Culture
- Izakaya (Japanese pubs) are social hubs
- Nomikai (drinking parties) common in work culture
- All-you-can-drink (nomihodai) popular
- Strong Zero and other chu-hai are popular cheap options
- Vending machines sell alcohol (age verification required)
Pro Tips
- •Tipping is not practiced in Japan - don't leave money on the table
- •Convenience store food is surprisingly high quality and affordable
- •Go to supermarkets after 7 PM for 20-50% off prepared foods
- •Slurping noodles is polite and shows appreciation
- •Use HappyCow app if vegetarian/vegan - options are limited
Have questions about food & dining in Japan?