If you are planning a trip to Tokyo, eating ramen is probably at the top of your bucket list. But with thousands of ramen shops in the city, deciding where to go can be overwhelming. For over 15 years, I have traveled all across Tokyo, hunting down the best bowls, from rich dipping noodles and …
It was my first night in Tokyo. After traveling for almost a day, I stopped by my hotel, dropped off my bag, and headed straight out for food before jet lag got me. I had one thing on my mind: ramen. Staying near Tokyo Station, I felt my best option would be to visit Ramen …
Niimura, located in the Shinjuku district of Tokyo, Japan, is a restaurant specializing in tonkatsu, or Japanese fried pork cutlets. Before my visit, I had never heard of Niimura. I only noticed the restaurant thanks to a sign in front that displayed a Deep-Fried Pork Cutlet Set with rice and miso soup for 1800 yen. …
After traveling for 12 hours from California to Tokyo, I was exhausted, jet-lagged, and starving. It was midnight, and I figured I was stuck eating convenience store snacks. That is when I remembered Sushi Zanmai Higashi Shinjuku. This popular chain is famous across Japan for quality sushi at reasonable prices, but it was a total …
When my friend found out I was in Tokyo, he recommended I visit Kamo to Negi, a small shop near Ueno Station, famous for their duck ramen. Although I’ve had duck before and enjoyed countless bowls of ramen during my visits to Japan, I had never tried duck ramen. So, I knew it was something …
When I think of Tokyo, one of the first places that comes to mind is Shinjuku. This vibrant and dynamic ward, or neighborhood, which surrounds Shinjuku Station, is the epicenter of nightlife, entertainment, shopping, business, drinking, and eating in Tokyo. For decades, Shinjuku has attracted both locals and tourists who come from all around to …
First-time visitors to Japan often ask me, “Which airport in Tokyo should I fly into, Narita or Haneda?“ In 2026, the answer is less about which airport is “better” and more about what fits your trip. Your hotel location, arrival time, luggage situation, and budget matter more than ever. Tokyo is easier to navigate with …
In 2017, Nakiryu became only the second ramen restaurant in Tokyo, Japan, to be awarded a Michelin star for their spicy tantanmen ramen. When you think of Michelin-star restaurants, you might think of fancy, expensive places where you must dress in a coat and tie. And then there is Nakiryu, a small ramen shop with …
Out of all the foods I have encountered while traveling in Japan, none might be more comforting and delicious than tonkatsu, a Japanese-style pork cutlet which is breaded and deep-fried to perfection. I love tonkatsu, and I never get tired of eating it. While Tokyo has many great places to try tonkatsu, none might be …
It was my last night in Tokyo, and I was looking for a place to eat near my Airbnb that wouldn’t break the bank. Unfortunately, I was staying in Ginza, one of the most expensive areas in Tokyo. Enter any restaurant in Ginza, and you can easily walk out with a 20,000 yen ($135) bill. …