Japanese food, or ‘Washoku’ is the latest addition to the UNESCO intangible cultural heritage list. Japan is of course a food nation with local specialties everywhere you travel. As anyone who has ever been to Japan will know, Japan is a food lovers must. One recent customer, Andrew Hung ate his way across Japan on the ‘Gastronomic Adventure‘ taking in the local ‘meibutsu’ specialties and produced this fantastic travel blog.
Our tours are full of good affordable and delicious food experiences and our tour leaders know where to sniff out the best dishes. Our Tour leader Andrew, gives us his favourite food tips covering his favourite food destinations and dishes in Japan.
We don’t have a “Gourmet tour” per say, but that’s because all our tours are full of foodie experiences and treats. We are lucky enough to eat an amazing array of food on tour from back street ramen bars to beautiful Kaiseki meals. Although I would love to write about my favourite food and restaurant in each city I visit, I want to focus on some of my personal tour favourites…Bear in mind that the food I eat on tour and the food I eat when not on tour are very different.
Hiroshima
I’m gonna start this off right with Hiroshima – Hands down one of my favorite types of food in Japan, is Hiroshimayaki!
Hiroshimayaki
Hiroshimayaki is Hiroshima style Okonimiyaki, which is kind of like a Japanese pancake. The reason I love Hiroshimayki and not Osaka style Okonomiyaki (which is probably the more famous of the two) is because of the noodles that are added, as well as the way in which it is cooked. Hiroshimayaki has a bottom layer of crust and a top layer of crust and all the meat and noodles and everything are inbetween. Hiroshima is also famous for its oysters, so I like to have oysters on top of my okonomiyaki – it is the definition of perfection!
Matsumoto
Matsumoto is famous for its original castle, the black crow, but they also have spectacular ramen! It’s a miso based ramen, as opposed to Soy sauce (Tokyo), or Tonkotsu (Fukuoka) and it is delicious!
Matsumoto ramen
My personal favorite place to eat it is at the ramen place Sakura. With the option for extra meat, delicious miso, and bamboo shoots it’s a specialty not to be missed!
Takayama
Takayama is famous for its Hida beef, and nowhere does this amazing beef go better than in their amazing Hida beef burgers! It’s a bit on the pricey side, around ￥2000 but most definitely worth it!
Hida Burger
It comes with fries, but the burger itself is so filling I doubt you’ll need the fries! I say this as a Texan too, famous for its beef and steaks, if you are ever in Takayama do not miss this! The meat is so delicate it melts in your mouth, for an extra treat I recommend adding cheese, you won’t regret it!
Tokyo
Last but not least is Tokyo. While Tokyo is famous for many things and many famous restaurants, my favorite thing to eat on tour in Tokyo is the Tsukiji fish market sushi!
Tsukiji Sushi
While Japan is of course famous for its sushi, and anywhere you go will of course be amazing, the sushi served at Tsukiji is just melt-in-your-mouth, the best. All fresh, on top quality rice, it is a treat for the senses!
