Japan

Genki Sushi: Affordable Sushi Train in Shibuya, Tokyo, Japan

The famous sushi train, Genki Sushi, Tokyo, Japan

Genki Sushi, located near Shibuya Station in the heart of Center Gai, is one of my favorite affordable sushi trains in Tokyo. With multiple branches across Japan and a few international locations, Genki Sushi has become popular with both locals and visitors for its cheap sushi, numerous menu choices, and its unique and entertaining sushi train delivery system. Unfortunately, this Genki Sushi location has closed. Uobei Shibuya Dogenzaka, located down street, is the sister restaurant of Genki Sushi. Other than …

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Kushiwakamaru Honten: Yakitori shop in Tokyo, Japan

Chefs grilling meats over charcoal, Kushiwakamaru Honten, Tokyo, Japan

One of my favorite foods to eat in Japan is yakitori. It is a staple of Japanese cuisine and found at izakayas all over the country. While the name yakitori refers to skewered chicken, it can also mean an assortment of grilled foods, including vegetables, eggs, and seafood. Tokyo has its fair share of yakitori shops, including some of my favorites found at Omoide Yokocho (Memory Lane) near Shinjuku Station. Kushiwakamaru Honten is a small yakitori shop in the Nakameguro …

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Menya Musashi Shinjuku Honten in Tokyo, Japan

A beautiful bowl of Musashi Style Ramen, Menya Musashi, Tokyo, Japan

Any visit to Tokyo is not complete without a visit to Menya Musashi Shinjuku Honten, considered by many to be the best ramen in Tokyo, Japan. There are multiple locations across Tokyo. Their flagship store, located on a small street around the corner from Shinjuku Station, is my favorite. Since opening in 1996, Menya Musashi has won awards and gained an almost cult-like following with both ramen lovers and foodies. At any hour of the day, you can expect to …

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Katsudonya Zuicho: Katsudon near Shibuya Station in Tokyo

A large order of katsudon, Katsudonya Zuichou in Tokyo, Japan

Katsudonya Zuicho is a small family-run restaurant near Shibuya Crossing specializing in one item: katsudon. This dish, made with rice and egg topped with a deep-fried pork cutlet, is popular in Japan. Katsudon is one of my favorite things to eat on my visits. While Katsudonya Zuicho is a stone’s throw away from Shibuya Crossing, its location makes it feel worlds apart. The easy-to-miss restaurant is tucked down a narrow passageway inside a small red brick building on a quiet …

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Gyūkatsu Motomura Shinjuku Minamiguchi in Tokyo, Japan

Beef Cutlet (200g) Barley Rice Set, Gyukatsu Motomura Shinjuku Minamiguchi, Tokyo, Japan

One of my favorite things to eat in Japan is tonkatsu, a deep-fried breaded pork cutlet. When I heard about Gyūkatsu Motomura Shinjuku Minamiguchi, which serves gyūkatsu, a breaded and fried beef cutlet, I knew I had to try it. Gyūkatsu Motomura, with branches located around Tokyo, has become popular with both locals and tourists. You will always find a line out front of their shops. This is especially true at their more popular locations in Shinjuku and Shibuya. Motomura …

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Sushi no Musashi Hachijoguchi: Conveyor Belt Sushi at Kyoto Station

Salmon passing by on the conveyor belt

Year ago, when I first visited Kyoto, I visited Sushi no Musashi, considered by many to be the best conveyor belt sushi in Kyoto. At that time, I visited their location near Nishiki Market. Years later, I still remember that visit. The sushi was fresh, affordable, and I loved having the option of picking and choosing whatever sushi I wanted from the conveyor belt (kaiten sushi). Today, Sushi no Musashi, which was founded in 1977, operates three stores in Kyoto. …

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Mori Mori Sushi at Omicho Market in Kanazawa, Japan

Minced Fatty Tuna & Yolk with Scallion, Mori Mori Sushi, Omicho Market, Kanazawa, Japan

If you are looking for a conveyor belt (sushi kaizen) restaurant serving fresh yet affordable sushi in Kanazawa, then head on over to Mori Mori Sushi. This popular local chain has locations all around Kanazawa including the one I recently visited at Omicho Market. Mori Mori is one of the most popular sushi restaurants in Kanazawa. Not surprisingly, if you arrive for lunch, you will have to wait. On my visit, I arrived around 11:30 AM. There was already a …

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Uobei Shibuya Dogenzaka: Sushi Train Restaurant in Tokyo, Japan

Red Center of Bluefin Tuna, Uobei Shibuya Dogenzaka, Tokyo, Japan

Uobei Sushi, owned by Genki Sushi Co., Ltd, is chain of sushi restaurants found all over Japan specializing in affordable but high quality sushi. Their store in Shibuya, not far from the world famous Shibuya Crossing, is known as Uobei Shibuya Dogenzaka. Uobei isn’t your typical traditional Japanese sushi restaurant. Neither is it a conveyor belt or rotating sushi (kaiten-zushi) restaurant. At Uobei, they do things a little more high tech. You order from a tablet, with plates starting at …

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Katsukura: Pork Tonkatsu at Kyoto Station

Joshu Pork Loin Cutlet Zen Set, Katsukura, Kyoto, Japan

When I read that Katsukura, located inside the Isetan Department Store at Kyoto Station, served the best tonkatsu in Kyoto, I had to try it. The chain, which originated in Kyoto, now has locations all across Japan. Katsukura specializes in tonkatsu, a breaded and deep-fried pork cutlet. I take tonkatsu very seriously as a foodie. It’s one of my favorite Japanese foods along with sushi, yakitori, and ramen. While I was planning on visiting their main location near Sanjo Station, …

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Taking a day trip to Hikone from Kyoto

The main keep of Hikone Castle

When you are trying to plan a day trip from Kyoto or Osaka, at the top of your list might be Himeji. Himeji is a wonderful town with an amazing castle. But there is another great city near Kyoto with a small, but equally impressive castle. And this city is Hikone, located about 25 miles northeast of Kyoto on the eastern shore of Lake Biwa. The city is quite compact and packed with great sights, making for the perfect day …

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