10 Unique Food Experiences You Must Try in Japan

Japan is a foodie paradise. Even if you live in an urban area and have some decent Japanese restaurants near you, there are still some unique food experiences that you can only have in Japan. Whether it’s a local specialty or an ingredient unique to the country, these culinary experiences are a must-try while you’re in Japan. While you will find the freshest sushi and most authentic ramen in Japan, that’s not what this list is about because you can find those foods at home. I’m talking about foods that you will have a hard time finding at all in restaurants outside Japan. From the delicate, multi-course kaiseki to the savory, customizable okonomiyaki, these are the dishes you will wish you could eat again after returning home from Japan. Bookmark this post to indulge in some of the most unforgettable flavors and dishes you can only find in Japan!

1. Kaiseki

A kaiseki meal is a traditional Japanese multi-course meal that focuses on fresh, seasonal ingredients. Think of it as a Japanese tasting menu. It usually includes a variety of dishes like sashimi, grilled items, soups, and desserts. The ingredients are all seasonal and all carefully prepared to highlight the natural flavors. Each course is also beautifully presented – it feels almost too pretty to eat. Taken together, it’s not just a meal, but a true experience that shows off the artistry of Japanese cuisine.

For an even more special kaiseki meal experience, look for traditional Japanese accommodations like ryokans or hot springs hotels where you can enjoy the meal in your room. The kaiseki meal we had in our hot spring hotel in Hakone was divine. Or, you can also find kaiseki meals in restaurants in larger cities like Tokyo and Kyoto. Check out our Japan itinerary for our recommended kaiseki experience in Kyoto.

2. Hida Beef

Everyone knows about Kobe beef. But don’t miss out on your chance to try delectable Hida beef while you are in Japan! Hida beef is another type of premium beef that comes from massaged and relaxed cattle. Hida beef is some of the best beef you can find in Japan. It comes from the Gifu Prefecture, which is the Kanazawa, Takayama, Shirawa-go area. It’s known for its super tender texture and impressive marbling. This marbling means it literally melts in your mouth. You can try Hida beef as a barbecued skewer, shabu shabu, hot pot, or just grilling it as a steak.

One of the best places to find Hida beef is Takayama. in the Sanmachi Historic district. The Hida beef skewers and Hida beef sushi we found here was amazingly delicious. We were obsessed and couldn’t help going back for seconds and thirds.

3. Okonomiyaki

Okonomiyaki is a savory Japanese pancake made with a variety of ingredients like cabbage, meat, seafood, and sometimes cheese, all mixed into a batter and grilled on a hot plate. The name “okonomiyaki” means “grilled as you like it,” and the dish is highly customizable. This means you can choose your favorite toppings and fillings. You usually sit at the counter and watch the chef assemble and cook the okonomiyaki on the hot plate right in front of you.

Okonomiyaki is a specialty in Hiroshima. They even have an entire building devoted to different styles of okonomiyaki restaurants! I share our favorite okonomiyaki from a small restaurant in Hiroshima in our Japan itinerary.

4. Ochazuke

Ochazuke is a simple and comforting Japanese dish made by pouring hot tea or broth over a bowl of rice. It’s often topped with a variety of ingredients like pickled vegetables, fish, seaweed, or sesame seeds. This soupy dish is a perfect meal to enjoy when you’re looking for something warm and cozy. I had never heard of ochazuke before our last trip to Japan. We happened to stumble upon an ochazuke restaurant at the Kanazawa train station, and it really hit the spot on a rainy day. Luckily, this is an easy dish to recreate at home. Whenever I make it I’m reminded of our time in Kanazawa.

5. Themed Cafes

Themed cafes in Japan are restaurants where the food, decor, and atmosphere of the restaurant all revolve around a certain theme or trend. Japan pioneered themed cafes and it’s one of the best places to experience one for the first time. You can find cafes with all kinds of themes in Japan, from various animals to anime and video games. If you’ve ever wanted to pet hedgehogs in a hedgehog cafe or eat Pikachu shaped foods at a Pokemon cafe, you’ll find your opportunity in Japan. Many of these cafes go all out with their décor, from life-sized character statues to menus that match the theme. Visiting one of these cafes is more for the experience than the food itself, especially if you are a big fan of the theme.

We personally didn’t visit any of the themed cafes during our trip. While we were intrigued by the owl cafe that we passed by, we ultimately decided to skip it because we weren’t comfortable handling a wild creature.

6. Local Markets

The local markets in Japan are like indoor farmer’s markets, with each stall selling unique and delicious specialties. The local markets in Japan are vibrant, bustling hubs where locals do their grocery shopping and tourists can explore the food culture through snacks. These markets, like Tsukiji Outer Market in Tokyo or Nishiki Market in Kyoto, are filled with a mix of fresh produce, seafood, and local street food. One of my favorite things to do is snack my way down the market and look for foodie souvenirs. Whether you’re in the mood for something savory or sweet, you’re bound to find something to satisfy your tummy in the local markets.

7. 7-Eleven Haul

Japan’s 7-Eleven stores are a goldmine for quick and delicious meals and snacks. The best part is they’re open all hours of the day and night! This is not your typical American convenience store fare. The variety and quality of the food in the convenience stores in Japan is truly impressive. You can find onigiri rice balls, bento boxes, egg salad sandwiches, sweet treats and more that are actually tasty. There aren’t many countries where I consider food from a convenience store to be one of the unique food experiences to try, but Japan is certainly one of them.

We had a convenience store onigiri almost every morning for breakfast and it always hit the spot. We also enjoyed buying surprise snacks from the convenience stores. All of the photos on the packaging look so interesting. And it’s always a surprise what it will taste like when you actually open the package. While there are now apps that can help you decipher what the snacks contain, I think it’s still more fun to be adventurous and play “hmm, I wonder what this snack is?”.

8. Yoshoku

Yoshoku cuisine is a type of Japanese cooking that blends Western flavors with Japanese ingredients and cooking methods. This fusion is one of the unique food experiences in Japan that will be difficult to find outside Japan. Common yoshoku dishes include omurice (a fried rice wrapped in an omelette), curry rice, and ebi fry (breaded and fried shrimp). Although these dishes take inspiration from Western meals, they are adapted to Japanese tastes. If you’re missing pastas and Western food while in Japan, find a yoshoku restaurant! For our last meal in Japan, we chose a yoshoku restaurant to help ease the transition of leaving, using food as a way to mentally prepare for ending our vacation.

9. Train Station Bentos

Train station bentos are an essential part of Japan train travel culture. These bento boxes contain a variety of traditional and local specialties. Many stores inside the train station sell these bento boxes, and the idea is to pick one up before your long train ride to enjoy on the ride. We would head to the train station early just to make sure we had enough time to check out a couple stores and choose our favorite bento.

10. Gilded Desserts

While outside of Japan you usually only find gold leaf on high end foods, in one town of Japan gilded foods are everywhere. Kanazawa is known for its gold leaf, and you’ll find it sprinkled on all kinds of local foods. From gold-covered ice cream and sweets to gold-dusted sushi, these shiny treats add a bit of sparkle to your meal. The gold leaf is super thin and edible, and while it doesn’t add much to the taste, it does make for a great photo op. I wasn’t sure about eating a whole leaf of gold, so I skipped the gold leaf soft serve and went for a sprinkle of gold leaf on my coffee drink.

Find the best places to stay in Tokyo, Hakone, Kanazawa, Hiroshima, and Kyoto to try these delicious foods!