It’s almost impossible to make this bucket list short. There is just too much good stuff. But I’ve gone ahead and listed my TOP TEN and then added the rest of the items after that. So if you’re only in Japan for a short time, be sure you at least check off those top ten items. But if you’re a foodie and want to be sure to get everything out of your once-in-a-lifetime trip to Japan, but sure to download my Japan Food Bucket list and see if you can eat it all!

Table Of Contents

1. #1 Ramen
2. #2 Sushi
3. #3 Konbini Egg Salad Sandwich
4. #4 Okonomiyaki
5. #5 Bento Box / Ekiben
6. #6 Soba Noodles
7. #7 Sukiyaki and Shabu-Shabu
   • Sukiyaki
   • Shabu-Shabu
8. #8 Curry
9. #9 Yakitori
10. #10 Mochi
11. #11 Macha Tea
12. #12 Taiyaki
    • Happy Travels, Adventurers!

#1 Ramen

Ramen is a Japanese adaptation of a classic Chinese wheat noodles dish brought to Japan in 1859. But since its adoption, Japanese chefs have changed the recipes considerably and really made it their own! Other dishes on this list might make the #1 spot on other blogs, but for me, ramen is the best thing you can eat in Japan! It’s rich, complex while still being simple and best of all, it’s cheap and filling!

There are hundreds, if not thousands, of different ramen variations to suit any palette. And you can find a new ramen shop almost on every corner. The most traditional type of ramen is made with soy sauce and miso in a pork bone broth. Then it’s topped with a slice of tender pork, spring onions, bamboo shoots and a lovely soft boiled egg (always add the egg!)

Whereas sushi comes in a wide range of prices, ramen is reliably the same price everywhere you. Of course, there is the occasional upscale version but those you really have to seek out. You can get it dirt cheap from the konbini, but for the most part, ramen restaurants around the city will serve you up a hot bowl of noodle soup for less than $10. Suppose you love ramen as much as me. In that case, you HAVE to check out the ramen museum in Yokohama! Here you can sample recipes and dishes from all over Japan in one easy-to-access spot just an hour outside Tokyo!

#2 Sushi

Even people who have never been to Japan associate Sushi as its National dish. And while it might seem like a common response to what to eat in Japan, it’s up there for a reason. Sushi in Japan really is just that good! The word ‘sushi’ means “sour-tasting”. It is named because of the sushi rice, which is always seasoned with “sour” rice vinegar. Japan is the 5th largest island nation and is surrounded by water, and therefore, by fish! But it’s not just proximity to the waters which is important. It is the legacy of the craft and the care taken in preparing the sushi.

While you might think that sushi all about the fish, most sushi chefs will tell you it’s actually all about the rice! Chefs will spend years developing the perfect relationship with their rice farmers to get the best product possible. They ensure it is cooked at the ideal temperature so that the fish almost melts onto and in your mouth.

Another great thing about sushi is that it can be eaten as inexpensively as possible, either from Japanese convenience stores (konbinis) or conveyor belt sushi restaurants. But it also can be one of the most upscale and almost performative meals of your entire life. At high-end sushi restaurants, the chef takes you on a journey with the creations he hands over the bar. You’ve never tasted fish like this before.

And while there is something truly special about those expensive Michelin starred restaurants, the cheap sushi you can get at the corner izakaya is still made from high-quality fish which tastes as fresh as anything you’ve had before.

#3 Konbini Egg Salad Sandwich

I know, I know, an egg salad sandwich sounds like a CRAZY recommendation. I can hear you yelling now, “I came all the way to Japan to eat an egg salad sandwich?! No way!” And I implore you to prove me wrong. I have an entire post dedicated to my love of these sandwiches. Which maybe tells you a little more about my I suppose… But I’m not alone! Famed chef and TV personality Anthony Bourdain touted the sando’s magnificence too!

The combination of that oh-so-perfectly soft bread, cut without the crusts and the creamy soft boiled egg salad inside is heaven. Japan doesn’t do the typical North American breakfast (and rightly so), but if you’re looking to eat your egg in the morning, this is a great way to do it.

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#4 Okonomiyaki

Okonomiyaki is probably the food I have the most fun with! Okonomiyaki is a dish made from a thick savoury batter that is poured over a hot cooktop. Add into the batter you add shredded cabbage and your choice of ingredients. The classic is filled with pork belly and topped with dried bonito flakes, kewpie mayo (the best mayo in the world) and a sweet brown sauce. The customization of this dish is one reasons I love it since you can get a different mixture every time. There is also a regional variety which includes noodles served on top! Extra yummy

But what makes okonomiyaki so fun is that in many restaurants, you make it yourself! You sit at a table with the hot cooktop, and the waiter will bring over the ingredients. Then, you mix it all up and cook right there on the table in front of you. You can add as much or as little of the condiments as you like to top it off. While some people aren’t fans of cooking your own meal at a restaurant, I LOVE it! It’s such a great way to learn more about the food you’re eating and a great activity to enjoy with your fellow travellers. Don’t worry at all if you don’t know what you’re doing. The waiters are ALWAYS so helpful and will even do it all for you if you really feel like you’re mucking it up.

#5 Bento Box / Ekiben

Bento Boxes and Ekiben are perfectly curated boxes of brightly coloured foods. Each item is placed together to create a complimentary meal to satisfy your every craving. The reason I love them so much is that they look almost too pretty to eat. Every item is carefully tucked away into its own section. “Bento” translates into the English word for “boxed-lunch.” These meals were designed to be eaten on the go. The invention of the bento box dates back to the Kamakura period (1185 to 1333). Back then, they were pretty simple and made mostly to carry rice.

It wasn’t until the late 16th century that the boxes evolved into a more luxurious design during the Edo period. Beautiful lacquered wooden boxes were made to display bite-sized food within. These fancy bento boxes were called the ‘Makunouchi.’ This translates into “between acts” as the lacquered boxes were designed to be sold inside Kabuki theatres and eaten during the intermission. You buy simple bento boxes at every konbini, but you can also buy more specialty ones at shops around Japan.

Ekiben comes from the words “eki,” which means railway station. These bento boxes were designed exclusively for travellers on the railway. Sometimes people needed to travel long distances into big cities for work, so this was an excellent solution for people who needed to eat their dinner on the train. But who didn’t have time to prepare a healthy meal themselves. Ekibens are traditionally meant to be enjoyed on the train from one city to another. If you don’t have any long train journey scheduled, don’t like that stop you! Go to your local train station and pick up one of these gorgeous ekibens. They make for a great picnic outside or even just eaten on your bed in the hotel.

#6 Soba Noodles

Soba noodles are such a simple dish but one that is truly unbelievable to eat. The meaning of ‘Soba’ refers to the buckwheat used to make the noodles. Soba can be eaten both cold and warm. The cold version is actually my favourite. The buckwheat adds a slightly nuttier flavour to the noodles, which I feel like you can taste better in the cold version. They are generally served on a little bamboo tray.

If you ordered the cold version then you can dip the noodles into the sauce provided. The warm noodles are served directly into the bowl of hot dashi broth. Soba is generally served with spring onions, nori (seaweed), as well as a bit of wasabi. Some of my best restaurant experiences have been at soba shops. I don’t know what it is about soba shops but they seem to be run by the kindest people! It makes dining inside a true joy.

#7 Sukiyaki and Shabu-Shabu

I felt I needed to group together Sukiyaki and Shabu-Shabu together as they are very similar, and I couldn’t choose between them both. Each of these consists of cooking your own meat in a hot pot on your own table.

Sukiyaki

The word ‘Sukiyaki’ means ‘cook what you like‘. And this is pretty much exactly what you do. They bring you all the ingredients and appliances and you choose the rest. You can cook the meat as much or as little as you prefer. Or add in tons of veggies or skip them altogether.

The meal is prepared using a shallow pan set on top of a hot fire. You add the meat and veggies into the hot pan first and then top it with the Sukiyaki sauce. The sauce flavours all the ingredients inside the pot as they cook. Once the meat is done cooking you can enjoy it out of the pot or over some rice. One way in which Sukiyaki is traditionally eaten is with a raw egg. When you get to the table you’ll find an egg and a bowl on the side. Crack the egg and beat it in the small bowl. Then dip the hot meat inside before eating. While eating raw egg sounds scary, the meat is so hot it cooks down the egg slightly and gives it almost a buttery taste.

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Shabu-Shabu

Whereas Sukiyaki is made in a shallow pot, Shabu-Shabu is made using a deep bot. The word ‘shabu-shabu’ is s an onomatopoeia word for the noise the meat makes when you add the meat and swish it around in the broth. The hot pot is filled with a boiling broth, rather than the rich sauce used in sukiyaki. Into this pot, you once more can add your own ingredients. You add in all your veggies first. Once they have started cooking, you dip the paper-thin shreds of beef into the pot. The water is so hot, the meat cooks within seconds. Once your meat is cooked, you can dip it into a Ponzo sauce to deepen the flavour.

As you add more and more to the pot, the broth gets more and more flavourful. At the end of the meal, you can spoon it out and drink it like soup! In both Sukiyaki and Shabu-shabu restaurants, the atmosphere inside is always so boisterous and fun! Like you were crashing a party already in full swing. These kind of meals are best eaten with large groups but even if it’s just the two of you, you’ll still have a wonderful time.

#8 Curry

Curry was originally introduced to Japan by the British in the late 19th century. But over the years, the recipe has been adapted to the Japanese palette. Their version of curry is completely unique. It is much sweeter than Indian curry and doesn’t have any of Thai curries’ coconut milk. Japanese curry is prepared more like a rich stew with a thick and sweet sauce. Japanese curry is served with rice and topped with any combination of ingredients. Everything from deep-fried pork katsu, crispy chicken to shrimp tempura and assorted vegetables.

Curry shops are everywhere. And the meal is so filling at such a low price. My favourite place to go is CoCo Curry, this shop just seems to add that extra something special which makes their version absolutely addictive. On the table, you’ll find a small jar of pickles. Throw these on as a little savoury crunch needed to cut the grease of the curry.

#9 Yakitori

Yakitori restaurant can generally be found by the smoke and steam billowing out of their doors. Yakitori was invented in Japan in 1682 when it was introduced to the population via a cookbook called “Gouruinichiyo Ryourisho.” In its simplest form, Yakitori is a bite-sized piece of meat skewered on a bamboo stick. The meat is then grilled over a charcoal fire give it that smokey flavour. After being cooked, it is seasoned with either tare sauce or salt. Tare sauce is made of mirin rice wine, soy sauce, sake and sugar. It adds an amazing kick to the fatty meat.

One of the most extraordinary things about Yakitori is that each piece costs about 120 yen. At that price, it’s an excellent opportunity for you to try different items you might have never had before. We ate everything from hearts to livers and even chicken skin! And it was all delicious (well, maybe the liver just wasn’t for me, but that’s a personal preferenced). Yakitori restaurants, unless they are super upscale, are tiny and crammed full of people. Most of the time you’ll eat at the bar facing the chefs cooking the tiny skewers. He places them on the long grill which stretches almost across the entire restaurant! The atmosphere is terrific, and salarymen come in from the bars late at night to fill up on greasy to prevent an early morning hangover. It’s really a party!

#10 Mochi

I had to end the top ten list off with a dessert. And the dessert which still calls my name to this day is Daifuku Mochi. Daifukumochi, or daifuku, is a Japanese sweet made of mochi paste. Mochi is a Japanese rice cake made from glutinous rice, water, sugar and cornstarch. The mixture is pounded into a paste until it can be moulded into the desired shape. The mochi is wrapped around a sweet filling, most commonly sweetened red bean paste. During the springtime, they have my favourite flavour; Ichigo (strawberry). This version is usually only on sale during the spring when the strawberries are in season. But the blend of the rich paste with the tart and sweet strawberry is stupendeous!

#11 Macha Tea

Macha is made from the finely ground powder of specialty Japanese-grown green tea leaves. This type of tea is another example of things that can be on the high and low end of the price spectrum. It can be drunk out of a vending machine or in an elaborate tea ceremony using only ceremonial-grade tea leaves. Macha tea is so prevalent in Japan that often in restaurants, you’ll find a small bowl of macha powder right on the table. This is free of charge, and you can have as much as you want! For them, a meal without tea just isn’t a meal.

My favourite way to enjoy a cup of macha is in a tea house, preferably in the middle of a zen garden. The bamboo and tatami-covered rooms have open windows that look out onto the landscape around you. You can sit and enjoy the tea, surrounded by some of the most beautiful sights. In tea rooms, you will also be served Wagashi with your macha tea. Wagashi is a traditional Japanese sweet that provides a beautiful contrast to the bitter tea and mellows out the flavour.

#12 Taiyaki

Taiyaki is a popular Japanese treat made with a pancake-like batter poured into a mould in the shape of a cute fish. It’s then filled with various fillings like chocolate, vanilla custard or the best of them all, matcha! These are too cute to pass up but also taste delicious. You can also get taiyaki served with ice cream in the centre and the blend of the hot cake with the cold ice cream is fantastical!

I hope this gives you a ton of ideas as to what to eat on your next trip to Japan. There is honestly so much to try, and this city always leaves you wanting more! Don’t hesitate to try new things, ask questions and look for recommendations. Don’t let a restaurant with no English menu put you off. People in Japan are I think the most helpful and generous in the world and anyone you ask will be more than willing to help you interpret menu, even if they don’t speak English themselves. You’d be surprised how much can be communicated with just gestures and the internet!

Let me know in the comments what your favourite Japanese dish is or what you’re looking forward to trying more!

Happy Travels, Adventurers!

The post Uncover the Tastiest Treasures of Japan: Your Ultimate Guide to the Top 12 Foods You Can’t Leave Without Trying first appeared on The Creative Adventurer.

History

Onigiri has an ancient history in Japan. They were invented during the Heinan period (794-1185) and initially called “tonjiki” which means “food served at a noble’s banquet.” These savoury treats were designed to go along with the royal family as they enjoyed picnics outdoors. The food was a perfect compact meal that would travel easily without getting ruined. The rice balls were formed into a triangular or cylindrical shape and sometimes stuffed with different fillings – just like today. But when they first were invented they had no outer wrappings. The rice itself is lightly salted and mixed with vinegar, sugar and salt to give it a delicious flavour. But the additives also helped keep the fish inside preserved so it could be eaten at a later date.

One of the oldest recorded filling used in onigiri is ume. Ume or umeboshi is pickled plum. It can be a little sour, but the rice’s sweet, salty flavour helps balance that out. In the 16th century, onigiri was used as troop provisions but they found that running around in the field meant the rice often got dirty. So during the 17th century, samurai used dried bamboo to keep their onigiri fresh while on the move. It wasn’t until the 1800s that using dried nori to wrap the rice was popularized.

Onigiri Bongo

Without a doubt, my favourite place to eat onigiri in Tokyo is Onigiri Bongo. The line up here can get to well over an hour, which seems incredible since you can get onigiri pretty much on every street corner konbini. But trust me, this one is special and the line-up is well worth it! Generally, if you see a line-up in Japan, you should always jump in! There is always something fantastic at the end. Come prepared to wait and you won’t be disappointed. Onigiri Bongo has been in business for over 60 years, and during that time, they sure have perfected their craft!

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Menu

The wait in line gives you time to study their immense menu! You can choose over 50 different fillings to get stuffed inside. You can even get 2 toppings mixed together for an extra 50 yen to create your own bespoke onigiri. Don’t be afraid to try anything that catches your eye. But my recommendations would be the salted egg yolk, spicy cod roe and mayo (mentaiko), spicy pork kimchi, miso and negitoro.

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When you finally get inside, they will ask for your order, and you will be seated around the counter, where you will be served a miso soup while waiting for the onigiri to be made. You get to watch the chefs at work behind the counter creating each piece of custom onigiri. The way they masterfully flip each piece to put it together is mesmerizing, and I loved watching what popular fillings everyone else was ordering. I could only eat two, but I wish I could have eaten the 3-piece set since there was so much more I wanted to try!

Information:
Price: 1 rice ball 260 yen | 2 onigiris of your choice + miso tofu soup and green tea 600 yen | 3 onigiris of your choice + miso tofu soup and green tea 600 yen
Address: 170-0004 | Kaneda Building 1F, 2-26-3 Kitaotsuka, Toshima-Ku, Tokyo | 2 minutes walk from the north exit of JR Otsuka Station
Hours: Monday – Saturday 11:30 am – 12:00 am (usually with break midday)

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Onigiri Asakusa Yadoroku

Despite being open for 60 years, Onigiri Bongo is NOT the oldest onigiri shop in Tokyo. That honour goes to Onigiri Asakusa Yadoroku. The onigiri here is so good they were featured in the 2019 Michelin Guide! They start off with the highest quality rice and seaweed with which to wrap the fillings inside. You might expect such a small and prestigious place to have an attitude about it. But the restaurant staff and chefs are extremely friendly and super helpful to foreigners.

Menu

The menu here is very limited, but sometimes the lack of choice can make it easier to settle on an option. And you know that there isn’t a single item which isn’t made to perfection. The traditional menu is beautifully written in Japanese on wooden slats on the wall but they also have a paper menu with English translations. The “Ami” (small salted shrimp pickled in soy sauce) is the perfect mixture of sweet and salty, creating that ultimate umami flavour. One of the most exciting fillings is the Hatogarashi, a red pepper leaf boiled in soy sauce. So many of these recipes are made with traditional and classical ingredients. They don’t rely on food trends to catch people’s attention, the food speaks for itself. Keep in mind this restaurant is cash only, so be sure to have enough money on hand.

Information:
Price: 2 onigiris of your choice + Tofu miso soup & Japanese radish pickles 748 yen | 3 onigiris of your choice + Tofu miso soup & Japanese radish pickles 1012 yen
Address: 3-9-10 Asakusa, Taito-Ku, Tokyo | 10 minutes from Asakusa Station
Hours: Monday – Saturday 11:30 am – 5:00 pm

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Onigiriya Marutoyo

Onigiriya Marutoyo was once much more popular when the Tsukiji Fish Market was located nearby. But in later years, after the Tsukiji Market was relocated and renamed the Toyosu Fish Market, this shop has become a hidden gem, frequented mostly by locals who know what’s up! Despite the large fish market moving out of the area, the outer market, filled with shops, stores, and more, is still a bustling outdoor shopping area. Onigiriya Marutoyo is a take-out-only shop, but that doesn’t mean they skimp on the quality or the freshness.

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Menu

There are many ingredients here you can’t find anywhere else. One of their most famous varieties is “Bakudan,” which means “bomb” in Japanese. But don’t be scared; the bomb is actually just a rice ball stuffed with an entire soft-boiled egg, boiled in soya sauce. Their anago is another popular option which is freshly cooked, salt-water eel, coasted in a rich sweet brown sauce. Their curry marinated rice and roasted pork are also both excellent options! But my favourite has got to be the “asari” or fresh clam onigiri, that is a unique recipe made at this location. Although this store is so tiny, they still have English translations on all their options, so don’t be scared you won’t be able to read the choices. 

Information:
Price: 189 yen – 289 yen (varies by filling)
Address: 4-9-9 Tsukiji, Chuo-ku, Tokyo | 3 mins from Tsukijishijo Station
Hours: Monday – Saturday 5:30 am – 2:00 pm (hours vary significantly as they close pretty much when they run out of ingredients. Despite the listed closing time, I wouldn’t advise arriving after 12:00 pm)

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Omusubi Stand Andon

Omusubi Stand Andon is located in historic Asakusa, in a tall and slim 4-storey. Walking inside you’ll notice that the restaurant is located on the first floor but there is also a library on the second floor where you can eat and study at the same time! The shop has a very modern design, compared to the historic restaurants we’ve visited previously.

Menu

The onigiri served here blends traditional ingredients with a few modern surprises to go along with the contemporary atmosphere. Smoked takuan pickles with cream cheese and dried whitebait mixed with sansho pepper are just some of the exciting combinations you can try here. However, they still serve traditional flavours like ume, salmon and miso. My favourite was the spicy miso since I’m a fan of anything extra hot!

Information:
Price: 2 piece onigiri set + miso soup +pickles 650 yen
Address: 3-11-10 Nihonbashi-honcho, Chuo, Tokyo | 3 mins from Kodenmacho Station
Hours: Weekdays 5 pm – 11 pm, Saturday 11am – 10pm, Sunday 11 am – 9pm

I hope you loved this guide to my favourite Onigiri restaurants in Tokyo! Let me know in the comment which one looks the best to you and what onigiri fillings you’re excited to try on your visit to Tokyo!

Happy Travels, Adventurers!

The post Where to Find the Best Onigiri in Tokyo first appeared on The Creative Adventurer.

History

Onigiri has an ancient history in Japan. They were invented during the Heinan period (794-1185) and initially called “tonjiki” which means “food served at a noble’s banquet.” These savoury treats were designed to go along with the royal family as they enjoyed picnics outdoors. The food was a perfect compact meal that would travel easily without getting ruined. The rice balls were formed into a triangular or cylindrical shape and sometimes stuffed with different fillings – just like today. But when they first were invented they had no outer wrappings. The rice itself is lightly salted and mixed with vinegar, sugar and salt to give it a delicious flavour. But the additives also helped keep the fish inside preserved so it could be eaten at a later date.

One of the oldest recorded filling used in onigiri is ume. Ume or umeboshi is pickled plum. It can be a little sour, but the rice’s sweet, salty flavour helps balance that out. In the 16th century, onigiri was used as troop provisions but they found that running around in the field meant the rice often got dirty. So during the 17th century, samurai used dried bamboo to keep their onigiri fresh while on the move. It wasn’t until the 1800s that using dried nori to wrap the rice was popularized.

Where to Find Onigiri

Whether you’re in the city or in the middle of the country, a fresh onigiri on a bench is one of my favourite ways to picnic in Japan and take in the gorgeous landscape. While you might not have the opportunity to try a homemade version made by mom, you can find fresh onigiri all over Japan. It can be found in specialty shops, train stations and department stores, and even restaurants dedicated to serving only this wonderful triangular delicacy.

But the easiest place to find a huge selection of onigiri is at one of my favourite foodie stop in Japan; convenience stores (aka konbinis)! Yes, you heard that right. Unlike convenience stores in North America, Japanese konbinis are full of some of the most delicious and fresh food that you absolutely MUST give a try. The only similarity with the convenience stores we have back home is the price. A scrumptious ball of onigiri here can cost as little as 105 yen ($1) and even the premium versions only go as high as 300 yen ($3 US). You’ll be amazed at how filling they can be, and therefore how inexpensive a delicious lunch can cost you at your local konbini. These are found in the city, just as often as you can find them out in the country, so you’re never far from a ball of onigiri.

Great for Different Diets

Onigiri is such an excellent choice for people since it suits so many different diets. If you’re vegan, you can opt for the ume or the simple vinegar and rice version. Most Lawsons stores offer these without any dashi inside (fish stock). Since any onigiri made without soya sauce is free of wheat it is also a great option for people with celiac or those who need to avoid gluten. If you can eat fish, but not meat, then you’ll be in onigiri heaven as they are dozens of different fish fillings. If on the other hand, fish isn’t your thing and you’ve found yourself in a country that adores fish, you’ll be pleased to know there are also so many versions of onigiri that are made with meat as their primary filling. There really is something for every palette.

Which Konbini to Try?

While you can generally find the same few iconic fillings in all konbinis, each of Japan’s largest chains also has its own spin on the traditional food. Depending on what prefecture you’re in, you’ll also find unique regional ingredients to try! While there are way too many flavours to list them all, I want to point out my favourite ones at each store. The large konbini chains are 7-Eleven, Lawsons and Family Mart and it’s worth trying some from each to find your favourite!

7-Eleven

Salmon

The classic onigiri, the best one for newbies to try, is without a doubt the salmon onigiri from 7-Eleven. The cooked salmon is embedded inside the soft rice and covered in that roasted seaweed. These onigiris are packaged to ensure the seaweed doesn’t actually touch the rice until it is opened. This ensures that the seaweed is nice and crispy even hours after it is packaged. To open an onigiri you follow the numbers and steps identified on the package. This slowly takes the plastic away and places the seaweed perfectly back onto the rice, like magic!

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Shrimp & Mayonnaise

Shrimp & Mayonnaise, also called Ebi Mayo, is probably my favourite onigiri from 7-Eleven. Japanese kewpie mayo, is the most delicious mayo you have ever eaten. I don’t know their secret, but whatever it is, it’s amazing! Combined with the sweet minature shrimp, it creates the most delightful combination with salty-sour rice and crispy nori.

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Tuna and Mayo

If shrimp isn’t your thing, the tuna and mayo onigiri is another excellent option. This is pretty similar to the idea of a tuna and mayo sandwich but sub the bread for the rice. What makes this onigiri exceptional tasting is the dashi and soya sauce added to the filling! This gives it that iconic Japanese umami flavour.

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Yaki Shoyu

A vegan option that you’ll find to be super delicious is the grilled shoyu variety. Grilled or “yaki” onigiri are very popular to refresh stale rice when made at home. These are best served warmed up. You can either ask for it to be warmed at the store or warm it up yourself at home in the microwave if you’re hotel has one. This version is simply made of rice which has been marinated in “shoyu” or soya sauce. It sounds straightforward, but grilling the rice brings complexity and a delicious roasted taste to the onigiri. Grab a side of pickled ginger to eat with it and you’ll be in heaven!

Family Mart

Ume

The most traditional onigiri is ume or umeboshi. Ume is pickled plum, and while you might expect fruit to be sweet, the pickling process makes the plum very sour and salty. This flavour is a very contentious one for foreigners as the taste can put them off. But I would recommend giving it a try. Set your expectations, and you might be surprised that you really like it. The nori used at Family Mart is genuinely the most delicious and compliments the sour flavour really well. Plus, this is vegan, so an excellent option for those diets. The ume at other stores contains dashi, but at Family Mart, it is safe from animal products.

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Konbu

“Konbu” means “kelp” and is another traditional ingredient used in historic versions of onigiri. At Family Mart, their Konbu onigiri is made from special kelp harvested in Hokkaido. The kelp is mixed with a rich soy sauce and dried bonito flakes giving it a deep, umami flavour. Since there are bonito flakes included, this is a no-go for vegans and vegetarians, but if you’re a pescatarian, this is an excellent option for you.

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Mentaiko Mayo

Mentaiko is Japanese for “spicy cod roe paste”. Roe, for those who might not be aware, are fish eggs, just like are used in caviar. The cod roe tastes of the ocean but in a way that is not overly fishy, and much more subtle in its salty flavour. The spiciness is perfectly balanced and the mayo helps create a creamy texture to balance out the fish and spices.

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Negitoro

“Negi” in Japanese means “green onion” and “toro” is the fatty part of the tuna (in many people’s opinions the most delicious part). So the negitoro onigiri is simply raw tuna and green onion. The balance of the crunchy green onions with the soft raw tuna is the perfect juxtaposition. But what makes this onigiri even more special is the wasabi shoyu, which has been added to the filling. The spicy wasabi gives it that special kick that makes this onigiri addictive!

Shoyu Tamago

The Shoyu Tamago onigiri from Family Mart is made a little differently from the rest, as it considered one of their premium onigiri. These premium onigiri have the nori wrapped around the rice without the plastic in-between. This makes the nori slightly softer, and not as crispy. The soft nori better compliment these flavours and seems to infuse with the rice a little more as well. The Shoyo Tamago is made up of rice marinated in chicken broth with the piece-de-resistance, a whole soft boiled egg, placed right in the center. These shoyu eggs, or ramen eggs are marinated in soya sauce. They are perfectly cooked, so the yolk in the center is still soft and super creamy!

Lawsons

Wakame Gohan

Wakame rice is a fixture in Japanese cuisine. It is rice mixed with chewy seaweed. It has the flavour of the ocean without being made of fish. And the entire piece is covered in savoury white sesame seeds. The seeds really give the onigiri a wonderful flavour, and the rice is perfectly salted. Lawsons is known for being one of the healthier options for konbinis. Their stores are famous for their vegan and vegetarian options and this is one of the best.

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Azuki Okowa

Another healthy vegan option is the Okowa onigiri. This onigiri is served without nori but contains a mixture of red azuki beans, black sesame seeds and perfectly cooked sticky rice! While simple the bean are very filling and it makes for a great snack.

Chicken Fried Rice

This onigiri is another version where the nori is already attached. Some people even prefer these versions as the nori’s taste is slightly subdued, so the rest of the flavours inside are more prominent. The Chicken onigiri is filled with rice fried combined with chicken burdock, bamboo shoots, carrots and shiitake mushrooms. The burdock taste is robust and gives it the most earthy and delicious taste. This one feels like a meal all to itself.

Ginger Scallop

This one is my favourites, and I think it best warmed up! The onigiri contains freshly shredded scallops with ginger and mushrooms! The ginger in this onigiri is powerful and combined with the buttery sweet scallops and enoki mushrooms you are left with this insanely rich and delicious treat!

I hope you loved this walk through my favourite types of Onigiri you can get in Konbinis all over Japan! Let me know in the comment which one looks the best to you or what you enjoyed trying the last time you were in Japan!

Happy Travels, Adventurers!

The post Your Ultimate Guide to Onigiri in Japan first appeared on The Creative Adventurer.

There are so many amazing things to eat and drink in Kamamkura so I would recommend reading through this guide and making a list of your top favourites. It’s almost impossible to try it all without getting way too full! But many of these items are also easily saved for later and can even be brought home with your as souvenirs for friends and family, or just for yourself.

How to Get to Kamakura

Kamakura is a comfortable hour-long train ride from Tokyo, making it one of the easiest day-trip. If you leave from the central hub of Tokyo Station you can get directly on the Yokosuka Line. This line arrives directly at Kamakura Station. No need to change any lines. From anywhere else in Tokyo you can still arrive quickly in Kamakura with generally just one change of trains. Outside Kamakura station, head out the WEST exit and make your way to the great big red torii gates that mark the entrance to Komachi Street, famed for all its incredible street food.

Komachi Street

Komachi Street or Komachi-dori is one of the six historic main roads that formed the initial layout of the city of Kamakura. Today, the street is the most popular shopping area for residents and tourists alike. You can find everything from souvenirs to local treats and lovely restaurants. While the street is pretty busy, don’t let that put you off, as everyone is here to enjoy all the amazing things to eat and drink in Kamakura! Because the road is so popular, it is designated as a pedestrian-only zone. Komachi Street is a great place to wander along and try out different local street foods.

Komachi Chaya

Hydrangeas are Kamakura’s iconic flower. They can be found in gardens and flower beds everywhere you look in the Spring. They are a local obsession. Just as Sakura’s seem to be a Japanese obsession, Kamakura residents love their hydrangeas. At Komachi Chaya, you can get not only a hydrangea black tea but also a beautiful kakigori inspired by the colours of the hydrangea. Traditionally a kakigori is either plain or covered in toppings. But this one is served with a tray of various fruit compotes on the side to pour on top to your personal preference! Such a unique way to serve kakigori, so the fruit doesn’t immediately melt the ice.

Price: Kakigori 1,420 yen | Tea Set 680 yen

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Asahina

Asahina is a tiny shop that sells freshly made fish cakes, or “Kamaboko,” from various fish and seafood found on the coast of Kamakura. They serve both steamed and fried versions of the fish cakes made in a variety of flavours. One of the most popular is the octopus (tako) filled with cabbage, onions and pickled ginger. This is almost like a flat version of takoyaki, but honestly, I liked it even better! They also serve shirasu (whitebait) fritters here. Shirasu is the specialty fish of Kamakura, and eating it inside a fritter is a great way if you’re worried you might not like the taste as the fried batter compliments the salty fish perfctly.

Price: 190 – 220 yen per piece

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KYO Kamakura

Daifuku is one of Japan’s most popular desserts, made from mochi with a sweet red bean filling. Here in Kamakura, they have a very unique take on the sweet; the Zunda Daifuku. Zunda is soybeans, also known as edamame. These savoury beans are ground up into a paste and placed inside the mochi. This gives it a much less sweet flavour than the traditional red bean variety. No for everyone, but worth giving a try! You can find the Zunda Daifuku at KYO Kamakura.

Price: 160 yen per mochi ball

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Kintsuba

One of the most popular souvenirs to bring home from Kamakura are these traditional Japanese sweets called Kintsuba. These treats contain a sweet paste, that is moulded into a square cube, then covered in a thin batter and fried. The little cubes of goodness look like tiny presents! Kintsuba comes in flavours like matcha, sakura, lemon, soybean, sweet potato, black sesame and chocolate. They are very crumbly, and a bit dry so best enjoyed alongside a cup of warm matcha. The bean paste simply dissolves in your when eaten this way and is the perfect complement to a serving of afternoon tea. Since these come in pre-packaged boxes, they are a great souvenir or treat to take back to the hotel.

Price: 1,230 yen (6pc)/2,030 yen (10 pc)

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Hannari Inari

Hannari Inari has an excellent option if you’re interested in trying Shirasu but don’t want to eat them plain. They have recently come up with the ‘Shirasuka.’ The Shirasuka is a Japanese omelette filled with Shirasu. These are served on a stick to be easily eaten on the go. The fish adds an umami flavour to the egg and balances out its sweetness.

Shirasu & Tamago: 270 yen

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Kamakurayama Rusk

A “rusk” was something I had never heard of before coming to Kamakura. A Rusk or “rasuku” is a slice of bread that has been covered in butter and sugar and then toasted until it is crisp like a crouton. The sugar caramelizes while cooking adding to the rich flavour. Kamakurayama Rusk has taken the treats to another level. Their rusks come in these vortex designs with swirling colours that are mesmerizing. They even come in different shapes as well. But what really makes them unique are the flavours. You can find macha, burdock, fruit sala, berry shortcake, earl grey, caramel, and more!

Price: 480 yen for Five Rusks

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Kamakura Ichibanya

Kamakura Ichibanya is a shop that makes fresh senbei right there on the street. The smell wafts down the road, guiding you over like in a trance. Senbei are Japanese rice crackera. The ones sold here come in many different flavours, including the most popular; nori wrapped topped in a sweet soy sauce.

Price: 50 yen a piece

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Also hidden away in this shop’s window are fresh Taiyaki. Taiyaki is a Japanese fish-shaped cake, most commonly made from a pancake-like batter and filled with red bean paste. The taiyaki served here is made from a dough that is more like a croissant. It is so buttery and flakey! One of the most local flavours you can get inside your taiyaki is the shirasu, or whitebait, fish-filled version. This isn’t for everyone, but the salty fish inside the flakey pastry is very similar to fish and chips. But they also have sweet flavours like custard, red bean and apple if you’d prefer to avoid the fish.

Price: Taiyaki 350 – 400 yen (varies per flavour)

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Sakura no Yumemiya

My favourite stop on the food tour is Sakura no Yumemiya. This shop sells a variety of fantastic dango. Dango are Japanese dumplings made from rice flour. They are very similar to mochi, but the balls of rice flour are smaller, the size of a marble, and steamed to make them super bouncy instead of chewy. While dango usually comes in just one of two flavours, this shop has dozens and dozens of toppings that jazz it up.

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You can get Sakura, chestnut, roasted soybean, taro, honey lemon, strawberry, edamame, and even nori wrapped! You can also even get one stick of dango covered in a mixture of different toppings! The best way to try all their other flavours without getting too full!

Price Between 170 and 240 yen (varies per flavour)

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Sugi Honey Shop

Sugi Honey Shop almost always has a line out the door, and there is a good reason for that! The shop specializes in honey made on Kyushu Island. Their yuzu lemon honey is one of the most popular and insanely delicious in tea or spread over a scone with cream. If you don’t have the room in your luggage for a whole bottle of honey, then you can try their famous honeycomb ice cream. The soft serve ice cream is served with a drizzle of their renowned honey as well as a slice of natural honeycomb on the side!

Price: Honeycomb Soft serve 320 yen

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Kamakura Mameya

Kamakura Mameya is best known for the candy-coloured dried nuts and legumes. This place is so popular among the locals so prepare to wait. Inside you’ll find peanuts, Komachi beans, soybeans, Koiso pea, broad beans, as well as dried seasonal produce like grapes, tangerines and Sakura. Each one of these treats is covered in brightly coloured toppings making everything look like a piece of candy even when it is actually pretty healthy!

Price: The bags vary in price depending on the item you pick but each one is around 200-500 yen

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HACHI Kamakura

Hachi Kamakura specialized in a newly created dessert that has taken Japan by storm. These are “Cheese in the Baum.” Strange name, I know. The dessert is a take on the “Baumkuchen”, a spit cake. The cake is baked in a similar fashion to cooking meat on a spit, where the dough is slowly wrapped around the spit, so it cooks in layers. When you cut into the cake, the layers resemble the rings of a tree. The word Baumkuchen literally translates to “tree cake” or “log cake”. But this version adds another dimension with a dollop of baked cheesecake added to the hollow center.

Price: Matcha Cheese in the Baum 320 yen

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Kamakura Chacha

If you’re still on the hunt for more matcha, then you must check out Kamakura Chacha. This shop specializes in matcha ice cream but what makes it unique is that you can choose between 5 different levels of matcha strength. The stronger the matcha, the darker green the ice cream is! If you like the flavour but don’t like it too strong, level 1 is a great option. But for those who LOVE matcha’s taste, the level 5 is strong but so well balanced with the sweetness of the ice cream!

Price: Level 1 = 400 yen, Level 2 = 450 yen, Level 3 = 500 yen, Level 4 = 550 yen, Level 5 = 600 yen

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Momiji Chaya

The lines can be pretty long at this shop, but it’s well worth it! Momiji Chaya are famous for their matcha tiramisu! The entire dessert is served within the most aesthetic bamboo box and perfectly levelled out to make it look like it is merely a dessert cube. The whole thing is covered in a dusting of fresh macha to add a bit of bitterness to balance the tiramisu’s sweetness.

Tiramisu: 600 yen or 900 yen for the drink set

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Imbiss

If you come to Japan, the last thing you might think of eating is German food, but one of the most popular spots in Kamakura is this german sausage spot called Imbiss! What I love about these sausages is that instead of a typical stale bun, they are served either without a bun at all or the soft white bread bun, like eating a cloud! You can get them filled with cheese, herbs, spices and even german smoked. They also come with all sorts of toppings to your preference. To go with your sausage, you can also try a pint of local Kamakura beer! The perfect pairing.

Price: Sausages = 390 yen each, Kamakura Beer= 750 yen

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Kamakura Karari

If you enjoyed the Shirasu omelette earlier, I would implore you to try out a Shirasu-don. This is a whitebait rice bowl. The Shirasu served like this really brings out the fish’s flavour and is one of the most traditional ways to enjoy the local catch of the day. While other shops usually serve the Shirasu raw, Kamakura Karari also offers it broiled or cooked in a tempura fritter! I opted for the fritter, and it was amazing!

Price: Shirasu-don Rice Bowl 1,580 yen

Abre Noir

“Omiyage” is a gift or souvenir that you bring back from vacation to give to friends, coworkers, or family. Because these are meant to be shared with many people, boxes of omiyage contain individually wrapped treats. Different prefectures are well known for their famous regional omiyage. At Abre Noir, you can get “Kamakura-ware“. It is a sweet matcha dough filled with black sesame paste! I love sesame paste, and to me, it is more delicious than anko (red bean paste) as it feels a little smoother. Each one of these miniatures desserts is sealed for individual consumption.

Price: 10 cakes for 640 yen

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Imoyoshi Yakata

A new Instagram-famous treat in Kamakura is this ramune-strawberry twist ice cream cone topped with little heart-shaped marshmallows from Imoyoshi Yakata. While it certainly is one of the most kawaii (cute) looking desserts, it’s not just all for the gram. I LOVE ramune ice cream! Ramune is a Japanese soft drink with a clean and crispt flavour. Along with the creamy strawberry-milk ice cream, it makes such a good combo!

Price: 400 yen for the twist, 450 yen for twist with marshmallows

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Toshimaya Honten

The last thing to pick up before you leave is a pack of “Hato Sabure.” Hato Sabure was invented during the Meiji era in Kamakura. “Hato” means “dove” in Japanese and “sabure” means “shortbread’. So together they make dove-shaped shortbread. But don’t worry, it’s only named that for the shape, no doves were harmed in the making of this treat. The nearby Tsurugaoka Hachiman-gū shrine is dedicated to the god Hachiman whose name also contains the character for the dove inspiring the cookie’s creation.

Price: 7 Cookies – 864 yen

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Hopefully, you found some amazing things to eat and drink while here in Kamakura. If you are interested in making a full day out of your visit here you can head over and read my blog post guide to Kamakura. Let me know in the comment which item you’re most excited to try out!

Happy Travels, Adventurers!

The post The Ultimate Kamakura Foodie Tour, All the Best Sweet and Treats to Taste first appeared on The Creative Adventurer.

Sure, google translate works great and is another fantastic translation option, but I think learning a little bit of a new language is super fun and immerses you more into the country. I’ve gone ahead and created this little language resource to help you when ordering or shopping for food in Japan.

Words to Use at a Restaurant

These are some key phrases to use when you are dining out! Even if you only learn “please” and “thank you” this will really go along way into making an effort in a new city.

Konnichiwa = hello
Sumimasen = Excuse me (great for asking for the waiter’s attention)
Mochikaeri = Take-out
Tennai = Eat-in
Futari desu = For two (when asking for a table)
Yōyaku = (Reservation)
Osusume wa nandesuka? = What do you recommend?
Kinen seki onegaishimasu = A non-smoking table, please.
Eigo no menyu arimasuka? = Do you have an English menu?
Kore kudasai = This one please (when pointing to an item)
(insert food item here) arerugii ga arimasu = I am allergic to (insert food item here)
Toire (otearai) wa doko desu ka? = Where is the toilet?
Ikuradesuka = How much is this?Okaikei kudasai = Bill please
Omizu kudasai = Water please
Arigato = Thank you
Sayonara = Goodbye

Words to Use While Eating

Kanpai = Cheers (when toasting)
Itadakimasu = Bon appetit
Oishii desu = It’s delicious (Great to use to tell the staff you like the food)
Suki desu = I like it!
Gochisousama deshita = Thank you for the meal (used after the meal is over)
oshibori = wet towel (at nice restaurants these will be given before the meal but also can be asked for after)

Menu Items

I’ve gone ahead and written this part out with the Japanese characters as well as the English pronunciation and translations. Since most menus will have dishes written in Hiragana/Kanji this will help you read the menu as well as ask for certain items. If you are interested in downloading a PDF of all these words click here to access the entire reference sheet!

Cooking Methods

カツ (katsu) = fried
から揚げ (karaage) = deep fried
やき (yaki) = fried (in pan or on grill)
てんぷら (tenpura) = tempura (battered and fried)
串 (kushi) = cooked on skewers
蒸し (Mushi) = steamed

Hopefully, this helped you learn a few more words and phrases to add to your Japanese repertoire. I found that even learning the meats and veg really went a long way in how I could interpret the menus. Let me know in the comments what Japanese words or phrases you found to be essential on your travels or what you would be interested in learning more about!

Happy Travels, Adventurers!

The post The Best List of Essential Japanese Words to Use When Eating Out first appeared on The Creative Adventurer.

It’s almost impossible to make this bucket list short. There is just too much good stuff. But I’ve gone ahead and listed my TOP TEN and then added the rest of the items after that. So if you’re only in Japan for a short time, be sure you at least check off those top ten items. But if you’re a foodie and want to be sure to get everything out of your once-in-a-lifetime trip to Japan, but sure to download my Japan Food Bucket list and see if you can eat it all!

Table Of Contents

1. #1 Ramen
2. #2 Sushi
3. #3 Konbini Egg Salad Sandwich
4. #4 Okonomiyaki
5. #5 Bento Box / Ekiben
6. #6 Soba Noodles
7. #7 Sukiyaki and Shabu-Shabu
8. #8 Curry
9. #9 Yakitori
10. #10 Mochi
11. Drinks
12. Breakfast
13. Melon Pan
14. Snacks
15. Meals
16. Desserts
17. Is there anything not worth eating?!

#1 Ramen

Ramen is a Japanese adaptation of a classic Chinese wheat noodles dish brought to Japan in 1859. But since its adoption, Japanese chefs have changed the recipes considerably and really made it their own! Other dishes on this list might make the #1 spot on other blogs, but for me, ramen is the best thing you can eat in Japan! It’s rich, complex while still being simple and best of all, it’s cheap and filling!

There are hundreds, if not thousands, of different ramen variations to suit any palette. And you can find a new ramen shop almost on every corner. The most traditional type of ramen is made with soy sauce and miso in a pork bone broth. Then it’s topped with a slice of tender pork, spring onions, bamboo shoots and a lovely soft boiled egg (always add the egg!)

Whereas sushi comes in a wide range of prices, ramen is reliably the same price everywhere you. Of course, there is the occasional upscale version but those you really have to seek out. You can get it dirt cheap from the konbini, but for the most part, ramen restaurants around the city will serve you up a hot bowl of noodle soup for less than $10. Suppose you love ramen as much as me. In that case, you HAVE to check out the ramen museum in Yokohama! Here you can sample recipes and dishes from all over Japan in one easy-to-access spot just an hour outside Tokyo!

#2 Sushi

Even people who have never been to Japan associate Sushi as its National dish. And while it might seem like a common response to what to eat in Japan, it’s up there for a reason. Sushi in Japan really is just that good! The word ‘sushi’ means “sour-tasting”. It is named because of the sushi rice, which is always seasoned with “sour” rice vinegar. Japan is the 5th largest island nation and is surrounded by water, and therefore, by fish! But it’s not just proximity to the waters which is important. It is the legacy of the craft and the care taken in preparing the sushi.

While you might think that sushi all about the fish, most sushi chefs will tell you it’s actually all about the rice! Chefs will spend years developing the perfect relationship with their rice farmers to get the best product possible. They ensure it is cooked at the ideal temperature so that the fish almost melts onto and in your mouth.

Another great thing about sushi is that it can be eaten as inexpensively as possible, either from Japanese convenience stores (konbinis) or conveyor belt sushi restaurants. But it also can be one of the most upscale and almost performative meals of your entire life. At high-end sushi restaurants, the chef takes you on a journey with the creations he hands over the bar. You’ve never tasted fish like this before.

And while there is something truly special about those expensive Michelin starred restaurants, the cheap sushi you can get at the corner izakaya is still made from high-quality fish which tastes as fresh as anything you’ve had before.

#3 Konbini Egg Salad Sandwich

I know, I know, an egg salad sandwich sounds like a CRAZY recommendation. I can hear you yelling now, “I came all the way to Japan to eat an egg salad sandwich?! No way!” And I implore you to prove me wrong. I have an entire post dedicated to my love of these sandwiches. Which maybe tells you a little more about my I suppose… But I’m not alone! Famed chef and TV personality Anthony Bourdain touted the sando’s magnificence too!

The combination of that oh-so-perfectly soft bread, cut without the crusts and the creamy soft boiled egg salad inside is heaven. Japan doesn’t do the typical North American breakfast (and rightly so), but if you’re looking to eat your egg in the morning, this is a great way to do it.

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#4 Okonomiyaki

Okonomiyaki is probably the food I have the most fun with! Okonomiyaki is a dish made from a thick savoury batter that is poured over a hot cooktop. Add into the batter you add shredded cabbage and your choice of ingredients. The classic is filled with pork belly and topped with dried bonito flakes, kewpie mayo (the best mayo in the world) and a sweet brown sauce. The customization of this dish is one reasons I love it since you can get a different mixture every time. There is also a regional variety which includes noodles served on top! Extra yummy

But what makes okonomiyaki so fun is that in many restaurants, you make it yourself! You sit at a table with the hot cooktop, and the waiter will bring over the ingredients. Then, you mix it all up and cook right there on the table in front of you. You can add as much or as little of the condiments as you like to top it off. While some people aren’t fans of cooking your own meal at a restaurant, I LOVE it! It’s such a great way to learn more about the food you’re eating and a great activity to enjoy with your fellow travellers. Don’t worry at all if you don’t know what you’re doing. The waiters are ALWAYS so helpful and will even do it all for you if you really feel like you’re mucking it up.

#5 Bento Box / Ekiben

Bento Boxes and Ekiben are perfectly curated boxes of brightly coloured foods. Each item is placed together to create a complimentary meal to satisfy your every craving. The reason I love them so much is that they look almost too pretty to eat. Every item is carefully tucked away into its own section. “Bento” translates into the English word for “boxed-lunch.” These meals were designed to be eaten on the go. The invention of the bento box dates back to the Kamakura period (1185 to 1333). Back then, they were pretty simple and made mostly to carry rice.

It wasn’t until the late 16th century that the boxes evolved into a more luxurious design during the Edo period. Beautiful lacquered wooden boxes were made to display bite-sized food within. These fancy bento boxes were called the ‘Makunouchi.’ This translates into “between acts” as the lacquered boxes were designed to be sold inside Kabuki theatres and eaten during the intermission. You buy simple bento boxes at every konbini, but you can also buy more specialty ones at shops around Japan.

Ekiben comes from the words “eki,” which means railway station. These bento boxes were designed exclusively for travellers on the railway. Sometimes people needed to travel long distances into big cities for work, so this was an excellent solution for people who needed to eat their dinner on the train. But who didn’t have time to prepare a healthy meal themselves. Ekibens are traditionally meant to be enjoyed on the train from one city to another. If you don’t have any long train journey scheduled, don’t like that stop you! Go to your local train station and pick up one of these gorgeous ekibens. They make for a great picnic outside or even just eaten on your bed in the hotel.

#6 Soba Noodles

Soba noodles are such a simple dish but one that is truly unbelievable to eat. The meaning of ‘Soba’ refers to the buckwheat used to make the noodles. Soba can be eaten both cold and warm. The cold version is actually my favourite. The buckwheat adds a slightly nuttier flavour to the noodles, which I feel like you can taste better in the cold version. They are generally served on a little bamboo tray.

If you ordered the cold version then you can dip the noodles into the sauce provided. The warm noodles are served directly into the bowl of hot dashi broth. Soba is generally served with spring onions, nori (seaweed), as well as a bit of wasabi. Some of my best restaurant experiences have been at soba shops. I don’t know what it is about soba shops but they seem to be run by the kindest people! It makes dining inside a true joy.

#7 Sukiyaki and Shabu-Shabu

I felt I needed to group together Sukiyaki and Shabu-Shabu together as they are very similar, and I couldn’t choose between them both. Each of these consists of cooking your own meat in a hot pot on your own table.

Sukiyaki

The word ‘Sukiyaki’ means ‘cook what you like‘. And this is pretty much exactly what you do. They bring you all the ingredients and appliances and you choose the rest. You can cook the meat as much or as little as you prefer. Or add in tons of veggies or skip them altogether.

The meal is prepared using a shallow pan set on top of a hot fire. You add the meat and veggies into the hot pan first and then top it with the Sukiyaki sauce. The sauce flavours all the ingredients inside the pot as they cook. Once the meat is done cooking you can enjoy it out of the pot or over some rice. One way in which Sukiyaki is traditionally eaten is with a raw egg. When you get to the table you’ll find an egg and a bowl on the side. Crack the egg and beat it in the small bowl. Then dip the hot meat inside before eating. While eating raw egg sounds scary, the meat is so hot it cooks down the egg slightly and gives it almost a buttery taste.

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Shabu-Shabu

Whereas Sukiyaki is made in a shallow pot, Shabu-Shabu is made using a deep bot. The word ‘shabu-shabu’ is s an onomatopoeia word for the noise the meat makes when you add the meat and swish it around in the broth. The hot pot is filled with a boiling broth, rather than the rich sauce used in sukiyaki. Into this pot, you once more can add your own ingredients. You add in all your veggies first. Once they have started cooking, you dip the paper-thin shreds of beef into the pot. The water is so hot, the meat cooks within seconds. Once your meat is cooked, you can dip it into a Ponzo sauce to deepen the flavour.

As you add more and more to the pot, the broth gets more and more flavourful. At the end of the meal, you can spoon it out and drink it like soup! In both Sukiyaki and Shabu-shabu restaurants, the atmosphere inside is always so boisterous and fun! Like you were crashing a party already in full swing. These kind of meals are best eaten with large groups but even if it’s just the two of you, you’ll still have a wonderful time.

#8 Curry

Curry was originally introduced to Japan by the British in the late 19th century. But over the years, the recipe has been adapted to the Japanese palette. Their version of curry is completely unique. It is much sweeter than Indian curry and doesn’t have any of Thai curries’ coconut milk. Japanese curry is prepared more like a rich stew with a thick and sweet sauce. Japanese curry is served with rice and topped with any combination of ingredients. Everything from deep-fried pork katsu, crispy chicken to shrimp tempura and assorted vegetables.

Curry shops are everywhere. And the meal is so filling at such a low price. My favourite place to go is CoCo Curry, this shop just seems to add that extra something special which makes their version absolutely addictive. On the table, you’ll find a small jar of pickles. Throw these on as a little savoury crunch needed to cut the grease of the curry.

#9 Yakitori

Yakitori restaurant can generally be found by the smoke and steam billowing out of their doors. Yakitori was invented in Japan in 1682 when it was introduced to the population via a cookbook called “Gouruinichiyo Ryourisho.” In its simplest form, Yakitori is a bite-sized piece of meat skewered on a bamboo stick. The meat is then grilled over a charcoal fire give it that smokey flavour. After being cooked, it is seasoned with either tare sauce or salt. Tare sauce is made of mirin rice wine, soy sauce, sake and sugar. It adds an amazing kick to the fatty meat.

One of the most extraordinary things about Yakitori is that each piece costs about 120 yen. At that price, it’s an excellent opportunity for you to try different items you might have never had before. We ate everything from hearts to livers and even chicken skin! And it was all delicious (well, maybe the liver just wasn’t for me, but that’s a personal preferenced). Yakitori restaurants, unless they are super upscale, are tiny and crammed full of people. Most of the time you’ll eat at the bar facing the chefs cooking the tiny skewers. He places them on the long grill which stretches almost across the entire restaurant! The atmosphere is terrific, and salarymen come in from the bars late at night to fill up on greasy to prevent an early morning hangover. It’s really a party!

#10 Mochi

I had to end the top ten list off with a dessert. And the dessert which still calls my name to this day is Daifuku Mochi. Daifukumochi, or daifuku, is a Japanese sweet made of mochi paste. Mochi is a Japanese rice cake made from glutinous rice, water, sugar and cornstarch. The mixture is pounded into a paste until it can be moulded into the desired shape. The mochi is wrapped around a sweet filling, most commonly sweetened red bean paste. During the springtime, they have my favourite flavour; Ichigo (strawberry). This version is usually only on sale during the spring when the strawberries are in season. But the blend of the rich paste with the tart and sweet strawberry is stupendeous!

Now that we’ve outlined the best of the best, I’ve broken up the rest of the items on the bucket list into different categories. So depending on the time of day or what you’re feeling, you can find what you’re looking for. Feel free to download my Japanese Food Bucket List to take on your trip! See if you can find them all!

Drinks

Coffee

While Japan might not be the first country that comes to mind when you think of rich coffee culture, you might find yourself to be ultimately in awe of it once you discover it. Unlike the long history of espresso in Italy or Australia’s complex latte culture, Japan has been slowly and quietly assembling some of the best roasters worldwide. Like everything in Japan, they took making the best coffee cup to the extreme. Firstly, Japanese service is the best in the world so their baristas are top-notch. Secondly, they take such care in presenting even a simple cup of coffee. Pour-over coffee is definitely the most popular form of elegant coffee in Japan so if you see a cafe that does the pour-over, head right inside! It’s mesmerizing to watch the baristas take SUCH care to create your morning brew for you.

Macha Tea

Macha is made from the finely ground powder of specialty Japanese-grown green tea leaves. This type of tea is another example of things that can be on the high and low end of the price spectrum. It can be drunk out of a vending machine or in an elaborate tea ceremony using only ceremonial-grade tea leaves. Macha tea is so prevalent in Japan that often in restaurants, you’ll find a small bowl of macha powder right on the table. This is free of charge, and you can have as much as you want! For them, a meal without tea just isn’t a meal.

My favourite way to enjoy a cup of macha is in a tea house, preferably in the middle of a zen garden. The bamboo and tatami-covered rooms have open windows that look out onto the landscape around you. You can sit and enjoy the tea, surrounded by some of the most beautiful sights. In tea rooms, you will also be served Wagashi with your macha tea. Wagashi is a traditional Japanese sweet that provides a beautiful contrast to the bitter tea and mellows out the flavour.

Sake

Sake is one of the most popular alcoholic drinks enjoyed in Japan. The key ingredient in good sake is high-quality rice. The rice is processed with water, koji mould and yeast and fermented until the mixture reaches its optimal flavour. Then it is filtered and ready to be drunk. Sake is known to pair exceptionally well with the umami flavours used in Japanese cuisine. So it’s the best drunk along with a meal. While sake might seem like a luxury drink, you can find sake as cheap as a few hundred yen a glass. At the most expensive restaurant we ate at in Japan, I treated myself to a glass of their specialty sake. And I was shocked to find it only cost 900 yen! The joys of local production.

Umeshu

Umeshu is one of the most incredible liquors I drank in Japan! It is plum wine made from soaking Japanese plums in shochu, sugar and water for years at a time. The result is this almost thick, sweet drink that retains the tang of the plums. Since the liquor is so potent, it is usually served mixed with a bit of soda water. It is very similar to icewine, and since I’m Canadian, I think I really was drawn to the flavour.

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Breakfast

Tamagoyaki

Tamagoyaki translates literally to “cooked egg,” which is precisely what it is. This dish is essentially a rolled-up omelette. It is served either on its own, over rice or skewered on a large bamboo stick to be eaten on the go. The egg is whipped into this light and fluffy texture and cooked on a special pan. As each layered cooks, it is rolled over itself. Once it is done, the Tamagoyaki is covered in a light soy sauce. Despite the egg containing no sugar, it tastes so sweet! This dish surprises you at first, as you don’t expect eggs to be so sweet. But the taste is buttery, light and delicious. Most people eat this for breakfast, but it is also a popular item added to bento boxes or chirashi bowls.

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Onigiri

The classic breakfast food for many Japanese people is Onigiri. Onigiri is a rice ball formed into a triangle and wrapped in nori (seaweed). The nori wrapping provides a great cover, so your hands don’t get covered in sticky rice. The rice ball is filled with various flavours—everything from tuna, mayo and shrimp, egg and pickled plum. The pickled plum flavour is meatless and an excellent option for vegans. While being vegan in Japan might be more difficult, it’s definitely not impossible. My personal favourite variety is the Mentaiko. Mentaiko means “spicy cod roe.” It’s not too spicy but has the perfect salty kick to get things started in the morning.

Chirashi

Chirashi is one of the most lovely ways to enjoy fresh fish straight from the market. If you visit a local fish market, directly outside you’ll usually find a series of little restaurants, and one of the most commonly served meals is Chirashi. The word ‘chirashi’ means ‘to scatter’. Chirashi contains various bits of sashimi (raw fish), scattered on top of a warm bed of vinegared rice. The dish was invented to use up pieces of the fish that weren’t “pretty” enough to be served as straight-up sashimi.

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Many of the fish market workers eat a bowl as their breakfast. In fact, breakfast time is when the fish, which has just been brought out the market floor, will actually be the freshest! So don’t be scared to have a bowl of rice and raw fish for breakfast!

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Melon Pan

Melon pan is a sweet bread sold in bakeries and konbinis all over Japan. And despite the name, it actually doesn’t have any melon in it. It’s named as such because its outer later, once baked, resembles a melon’s skin texture. This soft bun is that perfect level of sweetness which makes it great for breakfast.

Snacks

Nikuman

A great side dish for lunch is the Chinese steamed buns, called Nikuman, which you can find inside konbinis right near the counter. These come with fillings like pork, spicy curry, bean paste, Thai shrimp, even pizza! Pizza might sound weird but trust me, the Frankenstein creation is surprisingly delicious! These are little hot pockets of heaven and make for a great lunch on the go. Despite being such a ubiquitous creation they are unbelievable delicious, so don’t let the low price fool you!

Miso Soup

If you have a meal in a traditional Japanese restaurant, almost regardless of the time of day, more often than not, it will start with a warm bowl of miso soup. You might think you’ve had miso soup before, but REAL Japanese miso soup is unreal! Miso soup is made from, surprise surprise, miso paste! Miso paste is made from fermented soybeans.

It might interest you to know that in Japan, there are more miso flavours almost than there are types of soft drinks. The grocery aisles filled with miso paste seem to go on forever. While miso soup is made up of the same ingredients every time; miso paste, dashi broth, tofus, green onions and seaweed, each chef makes it his own. Since the miso soup is what you start the meal off with, it acts almost as an introduction to what’s to come from the cook.

Gyoza

Gyoza was a recipe that Japanese soldiers wanted to recreate for themselves when they got home from China post-World War II. Gyoza is made from thinly rolled dough and filled with pork, cabbage, green onions and mushroom. It is then formed into moon-shaped dumplings. The true test of good gyoza is that hard, crispy bottom and a soft and moist interior. Gyoza shops are everywhere in Japan. You can hop inside and just chow down! These are such great snack options to tide you over throughout the day.

Yakisoba

Yakisoba, for me, feels like a day out at the ballpark. When coming to a baseball game in Japan, you can bring in as much food as you want. Outside the stadiums, there are usually dozens of local vendors selling to-go meals. When we went, we were sure to pick up some fresh Yakisoba. Yakisoba feels like an event-type food. It is ALWAYS present during the summer festivals that pop up all over Japan. Served up on huge cooktops, piled a mile high!

Yakisoba means “cooked soba”. And yet these noodles don’t contain any buckwheat as other soba noodles usually do. The dish was inspired by Chinese fried noodles. When it originally came to Japan, wheat was very expensive. So thinly shredded cabbage was added to fill out the dish, creating a new iconic recipe. Today, Yakisoba is made by stir-frying the cooked noodles, cabbage, carrots, and pork, then topped with the pickled ginger and traditional yakisoba sauce. They are addictive and the best sports game food I’ve ever had!

Kushikatsu

‘Kushi’ translates to “skewers,” and ‘katsu’ means deep-fried, so together Kushikatsu means “deep-fried skewers”. This dish is originally from Osaka but can be found all over Japan. These are served in little izakayas close to the train stations. Kushikatsu makes for a great snack before dinner instead of an entire meal (although you can definitely opt to make it your whole meal as well). You can order pretty much anything deep-friend here, everything from; beef, chicken gizzard, chicken eggs, pork, sausages, shrimp, scallops, octopus, onions, sweet potatoes, lotus roots and lots, lots more!

Like Yakitori, each one of these skewers is relatively inexpensive. So you have an excellent opportunity to try out a bunch of different items you might be curious about. After getting the Kushikatsu dolled out to your table or at the counter, you can dip the sticks into the sweet sauce provided. Or just into some plain salt to really taste the depth of flavour of the item.

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Curry Bread

Curry Bread is crispy on the outside, soft and chewy on the inside. The dish is made from fried bread filled with different flavours of Japanese curry. You can choose spicy or non-spicy, although my preference and recommendation would undoubtedly be the spicy version. The bread frys up so nicely that these incredible puffs of fried dough dot the exterior of the treat. These are especially good if you’re visiting on a cold day!

Age Manju

“Age” means deep-fried, and “Manju” is a Japanese steamed bun with various fillings. The Age Manju is a deep friend variety of this long-loved treat. The Manju is dipped in a batter coating and fried, warming up the filling inside. These delicious little hot pockets are indeed something that can’t be missed!

Oden

As the perfect entry to your dinner at the konbini, start off with traditional Japanese comfort food, Oden. Oden originated as Japanese-style street food during the Edo period. The dish starts with a richly flavoured soup, and different ingredients are added to it. This adds more flavour and texture to the soup. Unlike other soups, you can actually pick and choose what items are added into your oden, making it a personalized experience. You can choose from things like fish cakes, grilled meat, daikon rashies, hard-boiled eggs, deep-fried tofu coin purses and seasonal veggies. Oden is a favourite food to eat during the colder winter months, but it is on offer all year round.

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Karaage

Karaage (aka deep-fried chicken) is a classic Japanese dish you’ll find at convenience stores. Although you can get karaage everywhere, Lawson’s does it best! They serve their Karaage in both regular and spicy nuggets, but let’s face it, if you want the premium version, you go for the spicy! Lawson’s brand is not only the most delicious (in my personal opinion), but their packaging with that cute little chick is adorable!

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Senbei

Senbei are round crackers made from rice and mixed with sugar and syrup. The dough is flattened and cut into perfect circles. The crackers are then cooked over a grill of burning coals, giving them a distinct roasted flavour. There are dozens of different flavours of crackers, from sweet, to savoury to super spicy. My favourite was the sweetened seaweed, which had a lovely taste and a beautiful colour from the crispy seaweed.

Takoyaki

Takoyaki is one of the most famous street foods that first originated in Osaka. When translated, Takoyaki means ‘octopus balls’. The dish consists of spherical dumplings made from a savoury batter filled with a bite-sized piece of tako (octopus). Once the batter is cooked, the dumplings are covered in a sweet and savoury sauce, kewpie mayo, seaweed and bonito flakes. The dish tastes very similar to okonomiyaki but with the addition of the tako.

Meals

Kaiseki

Kaiseki or kaiseki-ryōri is a traditional multi-course Japanese dinner. These are often served in Ryokans as your dinner included in your stay. If you aren’t staying at a Ryokan, you can also find Kaiseki meals at specialty restaurants around Japan. One reason why some Ryokans are so expensive is that the fancy meal is included in the price. During the Kaiseki, you will be served a dozen or more dishes, each one featuring local and seasonal specialties.

These are served in small, beautiful ceramic dishes, each one made to compliment the food on top. The plating is thought to enhance the flavour of the food as well. This is one of those meals that is more than the sum of its parts. It is an art form all of its own. This is perhaps one of Japan’s few meals that cannot be found for a low price. But the splurge is definitely worth it. I would advise you to stay in a Ryokan to enjoy the complete experience.

Udon

Like Ramen, which was brought to Japan from China, the origins of Udon also lie in China. Thick wheat noodles served inside a hot soup broth was a meal brought to Japan’s shores in the 700s. Still, it wasn’t until the dish was refined and changed into a uniquely Japanese meal that it gained popularity in the 1700s. Udon’s modern version is thick noodles that are served in a dashi broth, topped with scallions and seaweed. Udon noodles are definitely the chewiest of all the noodles you can find in Japan. I find a bowl of Udon to be the most filling! To add a little bit more oomph to your bowl, top the udon with some freshly made tempura or grilled mochi cakes!

Tempura

Although tempura is often served alongside other dishes, like mentioned above with the udon, it can easily be a meal all of its own. Tempura has been enjoyed in Japan since the mid-16th century. It was one of the favourite dishes of Tokugawa Ieyasu, the first shogun of the Edo era. Although traditional tempura is simply deep-fried shrimp, there are also other fish and vegetable varieties you can sample as well. This is a great way to try out new items from daikon to mushrooms, eel, lotus root and sweet potato. Tempura is often served atop a bowl of rice with a side of warm miso soup. The key to eating fresh tempura is not to let it sit for too long, as this will cause the tempura to get soggy. And no one wants that!

Gyūdon

Gyūdon might be considered “fast food”, often eaten by salarymen on their lunchbreak trying to rush back to work. But I actually think there is something charmingly delicious about this meal. Gyūdon consists of a bowl of beef and onion simmered in a sweet dashi sauce. It is served on top of rice or noodles along with a raw or soft boiled egg and many green onions. The egg yolk adds a creamy, salty, umami flavour to the dish. So much more complex than just a hamburger we get in our fast-food restaurants.

Gyūdon is available at many chain restaurants like Yoshinoya, Matsuya or Sukiya. But you can also find superior Gyudon in restaurants around Japan made with high-quality beef and sometimes even Wagu! Whether you get the high-end experience or an affordable version, you are in for a treat.

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Unagi

Unagi is Japanese for “freshwater eel”. I actually think eel might be my favourite kind of fish to have in Japan. Unagi is a dish that dates back to the Edo period in Japan when it was customary to eat at summer festivals. It was thought to help with stamina in the hot weather. When the eel is prepared, the fillets are covered in a sweet soy sauce and broiled over a charcoal grill. The broiling almost caramelizes the sauce and creates this slightly crispy texture to the fish. It is generally served on a bed of rice to make a full meal.

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Tonkatsu

Tonkatsu is the ultimate in crispy, fried pork. It is considered “yoshoku,” which refers to a style of food influenced by western cooking. But this isn’t a new invention; the word originates from the Meiji Restoration time in 1898. Like most other yoshoku foods, the Japanese took the original tonkatsu recipe and made it their own. Today, tonkatsu is made by coating pork chops in crisp panko breadcrumbs and deep-frying them until they are golden brown in colour. They are normally served with a large pile of shredded cabbage. The reason for the pairing is that the vitamin inside cabbage balances the gastric reaction that the fats inside the fried pork creates in your body. Just another example of how cuisine in Japan is more than just making things taste good. It thinks ahead and wants to take care of your body as well!

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Uni Ikura Don

Although this dish is native to Hokkaido, anywhere you can find a local fish market with fresh uni, you can find Uni Ikura Don. Uni Ikura Don is much like chirashi, but instead of a variety of fish, it contains only uni (sea urchin) and a heaping scoop of salmon roe. If you’ve never had uni before, you definitely should give it a try! Uni does indeed have a strong taste of the ocean and is creamy and buttery in texture. The salmon roe’s crunchy texture is a wonderful contrast to the uni and is what makes this dish such a great combo! While it’s not the cheapest option, you can easily share one bowl between two people as it’s pretty rich.

Wagyu Beef

While Wagyu beef might be a huge splurge at home, since Wagyu comes from Japan, you can eat it here in a much more affordable way. Don’t get me wrong. It’s still costly and not a budget option, but eating local foods is always more affordable; than when they are shipped internationally. Wagyu beef is actually a class of meat made from a variety of Japanese cattle. There are different grades of Wagyu, each of which is progressively more expensive.

Wagyu beef is so good because the meat contains lots of marbled ribbons of fat, making it almost buttery soft to eat. It even has a slightly sweet flavour derived from the fat. Like other types of meat, the Wagyu is served in many different cuts, which also have different prices. Suppose you’re looking to taste some Wagyu at the most low-cost option. In that case, many shabu-shabu or sukiyaki restaurants offer thin slices of Wagyu as meal sets. Because the meat is sliced so thin, you can sample a little bit without it being prohibitively expensive.

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Desserts

Taiyaki

Taiyaki is a popular Japanese treat made with a pancake-like batter poured into a mould in the shape of a cute fish. It’s then filled with various fillings like chocolate, vanilla custard or the best of them all, matcha! These are too cute to pass up but also taste delicious. You can also get taiyaki served with ice cream in the centre and the blend of the hot cake with the cold ice cream is fantastical!

Kakigōri

If you’re in Japan during their hot summer, you need to get yourself a Kakigōri stat! Kakigōri is shaved iced, covered in condensed milk or flavoured syrup and sometimes topped with fruits and other little sweets. Although electric shavers have been invented, many local street vendors still use traditional hand-crank machines to serve up their Kakigōri. A massive block of ice is placed inside, and the crank spins around to carefully shave the ice into thin ribbons into the bowl below. Unlike snow cones we have in North America which are dense and crunchy, Kakigōri is as soft as freshly fallen snow and feels like eating a cloud! The perfect way to cool down after a day in the heat!

Creative Ice Cream Flavours

Japan has an obsession with soft-serve ice cream. I don’t know what they do to make it impossibly creamy, but it’s definitely the best soft-serve I’ve had in my life. But what is the best part are the flavours. You can get more than just chocolate or vanilla swirl. There is everything from taro (sweet potato), chestnut, macha, sesame, soda and melon! Never pass up a new flavour to try as some are regional specialties.

Japanese Cakes

Although cakes don’t seem synonymous with Japanese cuisine, Japan has truly made them their own. Japanese people seem to really like their desserts less sweet than we might take them in North America, and I far prefer it that way. Instead of traditional icing, they prefer to use thick, whipped cream to cover their cakes. But what really makes their cakes stand out are the colours, the incredible designs and the sheer artistry poured into a simple slice of cake. Whether it’s at a konbini or a grocery store or even in a cafe, you’ll be amazed at how many flavours there are!

Is there anything not worth eating?!

The one thing which I think gets over-hyped in Japan is KFC. Famously eating a KFC Christmas dinner has become one of the top viral news stories which reappear every December. While Japanese people might love it, I found it was the same, if not slightly worse than the KFC anywhere else in the world. I guess I was expecting it to be somehow different. Somehow deserving of the huge hubbub. But no, it just tastes the same. I would definitely give this one a miss.

I hope this gives you a ton of ideas as to what to eat on your next trip to Japan. There is honestly so much to try, and this city always leaves you wanting more! Don’t hesitate to try new things, ask questions and look for recommendations. Don’t let a restaurant with no English menu put you off. People in Japan are I think the most helpful and generous in the world and anyone you ask will be more than willing to help you interpret menu, even if they don’t speak English themselves. You’d be surprised how much can be communicated with just gestures and the internet!

Let me know in the comments what your favourite Japanese dish is or what you’re looking forward to trying more!

Happy Travels, Adventurers!

The post The Best Foods to Eat in Japan! The Ultimate Foodie Bucket List first appeared on The Creative Adventurer.

What is Sakura?

“Sakura” is the Japanese word for cherry blossoms. The pale pink petals are indeed edible. They have a very mild flavour and can be slightly bitter, so they are often paired with sweets as the sweetness balances out the bitterness. The taste is a hint of cherries, while the dominant flavour is very floral.

Sakura Mochi

Sakura mochi is my favourite way to enjoy the taste of the cherry blossom. This is a traditional Japanese sweet made with pink-coloured rice wrapped in a pickled sakura leaf. Often there is also a pickled or sugared sakura blossom placed on top or inside the leaf to add extra flavour. 

While the rice-wrapped Sakura mochi is the most popular, a Kanto-style version is made using a dough flavoured with the Sakura. Red bean paste is placed inside the dough and the entire thing is wrapped up in a pickled sakura leaf.

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Sakura-Cha

One of the most delicate ways to have Sakura is in a cup of tea. Sakura-cha (cherry blossom tea) is made with salted sakura blossoms and sugar. It is one of the most prestigious blends, often served at weddings. As sakura blossoms are thought to represent good luck, this is another reason for their popularity at many celebrations. Look for this tea in tea houses and special cafes.

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Sakura Kit Kat

One of the most popular souvenirs to bring home for your friends and family (and to eat yourself) is Sakura flavoured Kit Kats. Flavoured Kit Kats are an obsession in Japan, despite seeming like an American import. They have been transformed into hundreds of different varieties, from red bean to peach parfait and even wasabi! In the springtime, we find a variety of Sakura-flavoured Kit Kats in stock pretty much everywhere you go. In the past, they have offered flavours like; sakura mochi, sakura sake and even Sakura macha. You can find these all over the place in convenience stores, Don Quijotes, supermarkets and even at Duty-Free before you get on the plane home. Perfect for last-minute souvenirs!

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Sakura Pepsi

While I am admittedly more of a Coke fan over Pepsi, Sakura Pepsi is the one exception. While Coke does come out with some rebranded packaging during Sakura season, the product remains the same. Pepsi, on the other hand, offers this neon pink drink flavoured with Sakura. It’s very similar to cherry Pepsi but perhaps just slightly more floral and a little bit sour.

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Sakura Pocky

Pocky is one of the most famous Japanese exports, which people are even addicted to here in North America. Pocky was invented in 1966 by Yoshiaki Koma. The original Pocky sticks are long, thin stick like biscuits which are coated in chocolate. During the Sakura season, the Sakura Pocky sticks are covered in a pale pink, white chocolate flavoured with Sakura. Another excellent idea for souvenirs for friends and family.

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Starbucks Sakura Drinks

Every holiday season, Starbucks comes out with a variety of specialty drinks. And Sakura season is no different. In fact, it is one of the most popular times of the year for Starbucks. In addition to the new flavours of drinks, Starbucks always comes out with seasonal merchandise. The sakura merch is known to sell out as soon as it hits the floor, with people lining up well in advance of store openings to ensure they get it! This year the drinks on offer are special sakura berry lattes and frappuccinos. The sakura blend is mixed with strawberry jam for an even more sweet and refreshing way to welcome in springtime.

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If you can’t make it out to Japan to see and experience the amazing food for yourself you should check out Sugoi Mart, a Japanese online store, shipping all over the world everything that Japan has to offer. From snacks, chocolates, anime licenses to toys and collectibles, our motto is pretty much: You want it? They have it! If they don’t, let them know and they will! Use Promo code: CREATIVE15 for 15% OFF today!

Starbucks Konbini Drink

Cheaper options for Starbucks lovers are the Starbucks konbini drinks. These are made from Starbucks blends but at a much lower price as they are mass-produced and don’t require a barista. In any fridge section of the konbini, you can get the Sakura smoothie. The smooth is flavoured with sakura and mixed with vanilla plus a layer of strawberry jelly on the bottom. It even comes with its own little green straw to drink with, like the stem of the cherry blossom!

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Starbucks Sakura Foods

Starbucks is one of the best places for seasonal food every season in Japan. More than any other country, Japan Starbucks is famous for its seasonal menus, and the Sakura season is undoubtedly the best time for this. The menu changes every year, but their sakura cakes and donuts are a staple for the Spring and a delicious accompaniment for your hot or cold drink.

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Lipton’s Sakura Tea Latte

Another popular konbini drink is Lipton’s Sakura Tea Latte. This uber-sweet beverage is a black tea combined with milk and sakura flavouring. These come in the most adorable pink packaging with lots of sakura flowers on the outside. They are to be drunk chilled so find them in the fridge section of your local konbini.

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Sakura Sugar

Another way to bring some sakura home with you is in these souvenir bottles of sakura sugar. These bottles have inside them sugar marinated in sakura flavour and dried bits of the flower itself. This is an excellent centrepiece for your at-home tea & coffee station and makes for an extraordinary gift. These are sold in lots of souvenir shops around Japan, but if you missed out, you could usually find it at duty-free as well.

Calbee Sakura Prawn Crackers

Calbee crackers are a popular everyday snack here in Japan, eaten since 1964. They are made of prawns and potatoes and shaped into iconic sticks. During sakura season, the crackers get a dusting of sakura petals which gives the snack that addictive sweet-salty flavour.

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Sakura Sake

Sake is no doubt the most traditional Japanese liquor. It somehow feels more elegant than other drinks. Maybe it’s the beautiful and delicate ceramic glasses you pour the sake into before drinking it. Or perhaps it’s how the clear liquid looks so simple yet has such a deep, complex flavour. But in the springtime, there is the most beautiful version of sake (in my opinion), the sakura sake. This pale pink bottle comes with a whole sakura flower inside, perfectly preserved in the peak of its bloom. These can usually be found inside Don Quijote or other liquor stores around Japan.

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Sakura Higashi Candies

One of the oldest forms of candy in Japan is higashi. Higashi are sweets made by pressing fine sugar into simple wooden frames moulded in the form of different seasonal flowers. Once the sugar is dried, it is popped out of the frame and painted with edible colour. These sweets are meant to be eaten alongside a cup of matcha, which can be quite bitter to balance out the candy’s sweetness. During sakura season, these candies are shaped into sakura flowers and flavoured with the delicate taste of the bloom. These can be found in Don Quijote and many confectionary shops along touristy streets.

Sakura-Matcha Cream Collon

Cream Collon is one of the top-selling sweet snacks in Japan. Cream Collon is a cylindrical waffle-style biscuit filled in the center with various varieties of cream. During the springtime, you’ll find the limited edition of Cream Collon that is flavoured with cherry blossoms and, instead of a vanilla wafer, it features a matcha biscuit!

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Sakura Tokyo Banana

Tokyo Banana is a popular kind of omiyage which many Japanese people buy to bring home to their friends and family after a vacation. This is considered polite and almost a requirement when you return to the office, almost as a treat for your co-workers who didn’t get to go away. Since you need to serve so many people, omiyage is usually individually wrapped snacks, great for sharing. Tokyo Bananas are little sponge cakes filled with banana custard. During the sakura season, the yellow sponge cake is printed with pink sakura petals. The banana cream is given a hint of sakura flavouring to add to the limited edition cakes.

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Sakura Beer

Asahi is the top-selling beer in Japan. Although the beer’s taste doesn’t change during the springtime, they always come out with limited edition designs on their cans and bottles. These feature pretty pink cherry blossom petals and celebratory designs. Other brands also come out with sakura bottle designs so keep your eye open wherever you go. These are a great addition to your hanami party.

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Sakura Mister Donut

The Japanese love their donuts. Although donuts seem as American as apple pie, the Japanese have come to love the sweet treat, and the most popular place to buy a freshly made donut is at Mister Donut. In the springtime, they come out with a limited series “Sakura Donuts Menu”. They offer various different kinds of donuts with cherry blossom flavours. These start to come out during the first week of March and continue into early April.

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Sakura Mochifuwa Pancake

Mochifuwa pancakes are a favourite treat in konbinis year-round. They are soft pillowy pastries with a layer of butter and maple syrup inside, like a little pancake sandwich. These are coloured with pink food colouring and filled with sakura petals and red bean paste during the springtime. The taste is so delicate and I really like these better than the original.

Sakura Baumkuchen 

Baumkuchen is an adorably shaped dessert which has gained notoriety in Japan despite the dessert’s origin in Germany. The word “Baumkuchen” in German translates to “tree cake,” as the dessert is formed by creating concentric rings of cake that resemble a tree’s rings. Head over FamilyMart in the springtime to find the Cherry Blossom Baumkuchen. It is so soft, like a pillow and perfectly flavoured with cherry blossom syrup.

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Sakura McFloat

McDonald’s in Japan offers ice cream floats with any of their soda pops on tap. Something which I’m truly WAITING to come to North America! During sakura season, McDonald’s offers the Sakura McFloat, which is made with a limited edition cherry soda and topped with a swirl of soft-serve ice cream. If you’d prefer the vegan version, without the ice cream, you can always order just the cherry soda without the soft serve.

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Sakura Anpan

Anpan is one of the oldest Japanese pastries. It is made from a sweet roll and then filled with red bean paste. Find limited-edition anpans during the Spring inside convenience stores. These are coloured pale pink and topped with candied cherry blossoms.

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Sakura Parfaits

One of my favourite desserts in Japan are parfaits. The country seems to love creating these opulent layered treats, which are as colourful as delicious. You can find gourmet sakura parfaits sold at dessert shops and cafes around the city. But if you’re looking for a more affordable version, then the Konbini as they have their fair share of fantastic sakura parfaits.

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Sakura Mintia Mints

To keep your breath fresh but on-trend, you need to pick up a pack of Sakura Mintia Mints. These are both floral and sweet and are packaged inside the most beautiful little box. Your breath might be less than appealing but that doesn’t mean the antidote has to be just as nose curling.

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Sakura Ice Cream Sandwiches

Inside konbinis, everywhere you go are these huge freezers in the middle of the aisles with hundreds of frozen treats. During sakura season, head over and find one of their sakura-flavoured ice cream sandwiches. These are so delicious as the delicate flavour of the sakura really sings inside the creamy dessert. They also have plain sakura ice cream for those who can’t eat gluten, a great option that doesn’t feel like a sad alternative.

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Sakura Royal Milk Tea

Whenever you’re visiting a new country, you NEED to make a point of visiting a grocery store. There are so many incredible things to eat that don’t require an entire kitchen to be found there. I think visiting a grocery store is a great way to get a sense of the real people who live there, not just of the touristy food which caters to visitors.

Grocery stores have lots of neat things you might never have imagined you can bring home as a souvenir or gifts for friends. One of these things is powdered milk tea packs. They come in large bags with lots of small packs inside of instant milk tea. Just pour in boiling water and you have an instant tea latte. During the spring, these come in darling pink packages with sakura flavoured milk tea inside. A great way to keep springtime with you all year round!

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Sakura season is truly a magical time to be in Japan. Enjoying these treats is one of the best ways to relax and enjoy the springtime weather as you take in the sights of the beautiful cherry blossom trees! Let me know which of these delicious treats are your favourite or if there are any you love that I missed!

Happy Travels, Adventurers!

The post The Best Sakura Food and Drinks to try in Japan first appeared on The Creative Adventurer.

Vending machines make up a considerable section of the fabric of the country whether you are in a big city or out in the countryside. There are 5 million vending machines to be found across the country. That’s one vending machine for every 23 people, and these babies rack in more than $60 billion annually! So next time you’re visiting Japan, you need to check them out! 

To learn more about Vending Machines’ history in Japan, head over to my blog post! While there are all kinds of different vending machine categories around the country, the most prevalent are the drinks machines. If you’re a vending machine hunter like me, you’ll want to look closely inside each one you pass just to check out any new flavours or items you might not have seen before.

Checklist

Check out Vendo Drink Checklist if you want use this as a guide to find all the best things to drink out of vending machines in Japan!

How to Pay

Japan is a majorly cash-based society. A surprising thing considering how we sometimes view Japan as this metropolis of modernity. Most vending machines require coins to dispense any item inside. In the past few years, we have seen more and more modern machines, some of which have entirely LED displays. These newer machines can accept cards but often then only work with local credit cards.

Over the years, more machines have been retrofitted for tap payments. This works with your Suica and Pasmo metro cards. These cards are meant to be used to pay for your trips on the metro but can be preloaded with funds and used at vending machines and even some convenience stores. Suppose you are travelling on the public rail system. In that case, you’ll need one of these cards, so I would always advise you to load it up with more money than you think as you’ll find so many different ways to use your cards.

Hot vs. Cold

Modern vending machines in Japan can keep their drink hot or cold, often in the same machine. Cold beverages generally have a blue LED light with the characters “つめた～い” written on the bottom. On the other hand, the hot drinks have a red light and say “あったか～い.”

Coffee Vending Machine

One type of machine which you’ll only find in Japan is the canned coffee vending machine. These were invented in 1970 before the prevalence of coffee shops had hit the street. Back then, people mainly drank coffee at home and those who didn’t have time to brew it themselves were excited to find they could get coffee pre-made right on the street from a vending machine.

These early machines were separated into hot and cold machines so people could have their brew whichever way they preferred. Later more modernized versions of coffee vending machines allow you to get both hot and cold coffees in the same machine. These can be found pretty much everywhere you go.

If you are interested in finding out which one of the dozens and dozens of coffee brands and flavours to buy, it’s really a personal preference. The most commonly found brands are Boss, Wonda, Pokka, Kirin, and Georgia. For the most part, any coffee listed as a “milk” or “latte” drink will be very, very sweet. BOSS Black is an excellent option for those who take their coffee plain. This is very comparable to an American drip coffee. Kirin FIRE is my favourite blend, and if you do like a sweet but not too sweet milk coffee, try BOSS Rainbow blend that is like a latte in a can.

Tea

Tea seems to be synonymous with the cultural fabric of Japan. The tea ceremony, known as chanoyu, or sado, is all about honouring tea. So much care is taken in preparing and presenting the precious ambrosia. It is one of the most honoured traditions in the country. But you don’t need a fancy ceremony to enjoy a cup (or, in this case, a bottle) of tea. Tea is second only to coffee in terms of its presence in vending machines. You can sample many different varieties. I find the teas to be packaged in even more beautiful bottles than the coffee and you’ll often find seasonal designs that give some variety to the packaging.

Green Tea

Without a doubt, the most popular tea in Japan is green tea. This tea blend is said to improve health, increase brain function, reduce heart disease, lower the risk of diabetes and even lower your cancer risk. Green tea often comes in clear bottles, so you can distinguish from the tea’s colour how strong it is. Green tea is served both hot and cold, so you can be refreshed no matter what time of year it is!

Jasmine Tea

Jasmine Tea is my absolute favourite blend of tea. Green tea can sometimes be a little bitter for some, whereas jasmine tea is so delicate. Even without any sweetener, it is perfect and keeps you really warm on those cold days!

English Tea

If you like black tea, then look out for anything labelled “English Tea“. You can get a variety of English-style tea in vending machines all around Japan. These are almost always accompanied by milk and sugar. Sometimes they are called “royal” milk tea, after the Queen of England!

Hot Lemon

Another popular option for tea is Hot Lemon. Hot Lemon tea is sweet and sour and full of vitamin C. It’s like drinking hot lemonade. This is great if you got off the plane with a little cold and need a quick fix!

Mugi-cha

One of the most unique tea flavours found in Japan is Mugi-cha. This tea is made from barley and is traditionally drunk in the summer over ice. The tea has a roasted barley flavour and slight bitter after taste, which slightly resembles coffee. While its certainly unique, I think you need to give it a try since some people ADORE it!

Fruit Flavoured Tea

Fruit flavoured teas are generally served cold and are great for hot days. They come in unique flavours like lychee, peach, melon and even the iconic sakura during the springtime. Since the flavours tend to be seasonal, there is always something unique on offer when you come to visit, so keep your eyes open for something brand new and different!

Coca-cola

Japan is home to perhaps the most extensive variety of soda flavours I’ve ever seen. While Coke, Pepsi and their other American soda brands are just as ubiquitous here as at home, you will find that there are significantly different flavours added into your favourite sodas. One of my favourites has got to be Coca-cola Peach. Made with the flavours of Georgia peaches, the fruit really amps up the taste of Coca-cola. Aomori is famous for its apples and has the highest apple production in Japan. In honour of these delicious apples, Japan came out with Coca-cola apple! Give it a try if you see it.

Fanta

Although Fanta is available worldwide in Japan, the flavours in Japan are out of control! You can find flavours like; Apple, Black Cherry, Peach, Lemon, Snow Squash, White Banana, Strawberry Cream, plum and melon. Surprisingly, Fanta melon is one of the most popular flavours. If you go into a McDonald’s, Fanta Melon is one of the only Fanta flavours on offer. It is often served with a scoop of ice cream as a melon float and truly I cant count the number of melon floats I had while travelling around Japan – they are that delicious!

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Salted Lychee 

A strange combination which you might not expect to find in a vending machine is Salted Lychee. Okinawa, a prefecture in Japan is known for the chef-quality salt. Kirin came out with a Salted Lychee drink that swept the nation! The salt is said to give this drink a pop of freshness and breaks up the sweetness of the lychee. It sounds strange but I really loved it and think you need to give it a try. 

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Bikkle

Many Asian cultures have a tradition of drinking yogurt-based drinks. Yogurt is excellent for your gut, and these drinks help with digestion. In Japan, the most popular brand is Bikkle, produced by the Suntory group. Its not too thick and if you like that zing which fermented foods give you, then this is for you!

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Aloe Juice

Aloe Vera gel is said to provide a sense of wellness and energy. The gel is made of bits of the plant’s membrane that are extracted into these drinks. The aloe membrane is also said to be good for your skin, so these Aloe Juice drinks are popular with young women. The texture is definitely not for everyone, but since most of the bottles are filled with other fruit juice, the taste is pretty pleasant.

Flavoured Water

Since Japan seems to have an aversion to plain water, and since I do too, I really appreciated all the different varieties of flavoured water vending machines have on offer. Suntory is the leader in this strange world of flavoured waters with options like yogurt, tea, honey lemon, white peach (my fave) and Pear. 

I Lohas is another famous brand, from Coca-Cola Japan, with flavours like white grape, orange, peach and lemon. But one unique thing about I Lohas is that they have regional flavours, which you can only find in some prefectures of Japan. In Hokkaido, you can drink blue honeysuckle. In Nagano, you can find apple, and in Tohoku, you can even drink blueberry!

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Pocari Sweat

Pocari Sweat is probably one of the worst English translations you could get for something you are expected to drink. And even more shocking is the actual taste of the drink, which is surprisingly salty! Pocari Sweat is one of the most popular energy drinks sold in Japan. It is a flavoured drink containing electrolytes, but that tastes like thick sweat. But I will say, on a hot day when I was feeling dehydrated, it really worked to put me back together!

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Calpis Water

Calpis Water is another one of those yogurt-flavoured drinks, but this one is much more diluted than Bikkle. It is like a bottle of watered-down milk, with that sweet-sour taste. Sounds unappetizing, but this is actually one of the country’s best sellers. Sometimes you’ll find a variety of flavours from peach, grape and mango.

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Rare Milk 

I’m a massive fan of a glass of milk, so I loved seeing cold cartons of milk sold in these vending machines. In fact, on Platform 5 at JR Akihabara Station, you can find a particular vending machine that sells specialty milk from regions all over Japan. There is vanilla-flavoured milk from Kumamoto. You can also get special milk usually only sold in Fukushima, inside this machine!

Ichigo Milk or Strawberry milk is one of the most popular flavours outside of regular plain milk. It’s not as sweet as North American strawberry-flavoured milk, and I think it’s wonderfully refreshing!

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Pancake Milkshake

Ever wonder what it might be like to drink a pancake? Well, wonder no more! In Japan, you can find Morinaga Pancake milkshake in a can! Morinaga is a famous powdered pancake mix brand you usually find in the grocery store, but they wanted to find a way to bring this breakfast treat into the vending machines. Why? I don’t know. The taste resembles one of those meal replacement drinks. It is slightly gritty in texture but does indeed taste like a canned pancake milkshake!

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Dekavita C

Unlike many other countries, Japan doesn’t seem to rely as strongly on “Red Bull.” Instead, they favour Dekavita C. Dekavita C is Japan’s long-selling energy drink. “Deka” means “big” in Japanese, and “vita” stands for “vitamins,” and “C” stands for vitamin C. This beverage contains 8 different kinds of vitamins and even the all-important royal jelly extract.

Royal jelly is a gelatinous substance produced by honey bees. Studies have suggested that royal jelly is likely to enhance collagen production and even i said to reduces PMS and menopause symptoms!

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Ribbon Futte Futte Jelape

If Royal Jelly is something you love, you need to find yourself some Ribbon Futte Futte Jelly Grape. The drink has a layer of grape royal jelly on the bottom of the bottle. Before drinking it, you must vigorously shake it up to break up the jelly into a drinkable form. Again, not for anyone with an aversion to textural drinks, but it’s super tasty!

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Marusan Soy Milk Drink

If you don’t drink milk, whether it’s because of your allergies or dietary restrictions, you should seek out Marusan Soy Milk Drinks. These come in all sorts of flavours from peach, mango, cherry, apple pie, chestnut, red bean, roasted sweet potato, mixed fruits, banana, matcha, almond, coffee, tea and chocolate. While these are rarer to find, they are a must-try if you come across them in a vending machine! If you cant find them in a vendo, head over to the konbini!

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After reading this hopefully you find that you’re thirsty to get outside and explore Japan’s Vending Machines! If you are planning a trip, be sure to fit in some exploring time to find all these treasures. Let me know in the comments if I missed any of your favourites!

Happy Travels, Adventurers!

The post Wonderful Vending Machine Drinks to Try on Your Next Trip to Japan first appeared on The Creative Adventurer.

Vending machines make up a huge section of the fabric of the country whether you are in a big city or out in the countryside. There are 5 million vending machines to be found across the country. That’s one vending machine for every 23 people and these babies rack in more than $60 billion annually! So next time you’re visiting Japan you need to check them out! But you’ll be surprised to find more than just soda and candy inside…

Japanese vending machines sell everything from flowers to fish. From bread to bees. Uncovering hidden vending machines selling strange oddities becomes an unwritten game on your travels. Every new street you walk down an opportunity to discover something new!

Japanese Vending Machines

1. History
2. Why are Vending Machines so Popular in Japan?
3. How to Pay
4. Checklist
5. Drink Vending Machines
6. Popcorn Vending Machine
7. Canned Oden
8. Mystery Vending Machine
9. Akihabara Gachapon Hall
10. Sake Tasting Vending Machine
11. Pokémon vending machine
12. Omamori Vending Machine
13. Shibuya 109 T-shirt Vending Machine
14. Hot Food Vending Machine
15. Fruit Vending Machines
16. Natto Vending Machine
17. Flower Vending Machine
18. Dashi Soup Stock 
19. Bread in a Can
20. Bugs in a Can
21. Umbrella Vending Machine
22. Cigarette Machine
23. Corn Potage
24. Ice Cream
25. Crepes
26. Medical Masks
27. Vegetable Vending Machines
28. Egg Vending Machines
29. Rice Vending Machines
30. Curry Vending Machine
31. Instant Noodles Vending Machine
32. PCR Testing Kit Vending Machine
33. Jihanki Shokudo

History

The very first vending machine was made in Alexandria in 251 BC! It was a holy water dispenser. It worked by inserting a coin into a slot and the weight of the coin would trigger a lever to dispense a vial of holy water. The different weights of the various coins would dispense different sizes of holy water. Impressive that such an invention dates back so far into history.

The first Japanese vending machine was made in 1888. It was designed by Tawaraya Koshichi who was an amateur inventor and full-time furniture maker. Koshichi sold tobacco out of his machine, a popular kind of vending machine still to this day.

One of the oldest remaining vending machines is still on display in the Postal Museum of Japan, located in Tokyo. The machine dated back to 1904 and was an automatic stamp and postcard vending machine.

The boom of vending machines began in the 1950s with automated “fountain-style juice dispensers” installed inside office buildings. These machines would dispense a cup of juice for just 10 yen into a small paper cup. You could get a little taste of your favourite drink without needing to leave the office. These caught on like wildfire and more and more machines began appearing all over Japan.  In the 60s and 70s, vending machines were used to dispense short-distance tickets at train stations. In these more remote locations where it wasn’t financially viable to employ human workers 24/hours a day, these made a huge change in how the rail system functioned. And now, automated machines are responsible for almost 100% of the ticketing at metro stations in Japan.

Why are Vending Machines so Popular in Japan?

There are lots of different reasons why the vending machine’s popularity exploded in Japan. In many of the larger, more populated cities, real estate costs are astronomically high. Therefore, vending machines have become the best option to replace medium and small-sized convenience stores. This also means cost-savings in the workforce as you don’t need to employ a cashier full time to checkout customers. All you need is one man to replace the stock every few days (or more frequently depending on the location.)

Japanese people are also overly concerned with convenience. They are busy people with workdays exceeding those of any other country. So being able to run out and get a coffee from a “vendo” means you don’t even need to walk down the street to the local coffee shop.

While other countries keep most of their vending machines safe indoors, in Japan there are millions outside. The crime rate in Japan is so low that the machines are rarely ever vandalized. Lastly, Japanese people love automation. Japan has long been a country of extraordinary inventions. Many of these vending machines are an automated answer to a physical problem and the Japanese love to see their ingenuity in action.

How to Pay

Japan is a majorly cash-based society. A surprising thing considering how we sometimes view Japan as this metropolis of modernity. Most vending machines require coins to dispense any item inside. In the past few years we can started to see more and more modern machines, some of which have entirely LED displays. These newer machines are able to accept cards but often then only works with local credit cards.

Over the years, more and more machines have been retrofitted with tap payments. This works with your Suica and Pasmo metro cards. These cards are meant to be used to pay for your trips on the metro but can be preloaded with funds and used at vending machines and even some convenience stores. If you are travelling on the public rail system you’ll need one of these cards so I would always advise you to load it up with more money than you think as you’ll find so many different ways to use your cards.

Checklist

I’ve included a fun checklist of the most interesting vending machines I’ve found on my travels if you want to make a game of this hunt too! If you discover some new ones, add them to the list and please comment on this post of what they are and where you found them here so other people can find them too! Some of these vending have specific locations and I’ve done my best to add those to a google map at the bottom of this post for you to follow! Others are scattered around the city so you just need to keep your eyes peeled. Happy Hunting!

Drink Vending Machines

I have an entire post dedicated just to the incredible and exciting drinks you can find inside vending machines in Japan. In general, these consist of the following categories:

• Sodas
• Juices
• Yogurt Drinks
• Milk
• Coffee
• Tea
• Water
• Vitamin Drinks
• Alcohol

Feel free to check out my post entirely dedicated to these unique creations to see if you can find them all or discover a new favourite for yourself.

Popcorn Vending Machine

Akihabara, the kingdom of Otaku culture, is one of the main hubs where you can find the best vending machines in the city! One of the most popular places for vending machine hunters has been dubbed Akihabara Vending Machine Corner. I’ve pinned the location of this place on the map at the bottom of this post.

Right out front is the ever-popular Popcorn Vending Machine. This retro-styled machine pops freshly made popcorn on demand for just 220 yen a cup. While the device looks old and run down, the popcorn it produces is surprisingly fresh and delicious! That’s one of the most interesting things about Japan, even those things that look old and unusable are maintained in perfect working order. So don’t let the age fool you!

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Canned Oden

Also found in Akihabara’s vending machine corner is the canned oden machine. Oden is a Japanese one-pot dish consisting of ingredients like boiled eggs, daikon, konjac, and fishcakes all inside a light, soy-flavoured dashi broth. The canned version is served piping hot, even inside the vending machine. You peel off the lid and inside is a little toothpick that helps you eat all the ingredients in the soup. To drink the broth you just need to sip it like a drink. While this might seem pretty strange for those in a rush or who need a hit of oden before the konbinis open, this is super convenient!

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If you can’t make it out to Japan to see and experience the amazing food for yourself you should check out Sugoi Mart, a Japanese online store, shipping all over the world everything that Japan has to offer. From snacks, chocolates, anime licenses to toys and collectibles, our motto is pretty much: You want it? They have it! If they don’t, let them know and they will! Use Promo code: CREATIVE15 for 15% OFF today!

Mystery Vending Machine

Perhaps one machine that has gained notoriety over the last few years is the Akihabara Mystery Vending Machine. To be honest with you, this machine is a total novelty. While it’s interesting to look at, don’t waste your money getting anything from inside it. Inside this ubiquitous machine, are a series of white boxes. On the exteriors are strange notes and weird poems that have absolutely nothing to do with the contents inside. Each one costs around 500 yen and while they suck you in to imagine you’ll get a real unique surprise they are nothing more than stale chocolates and other cheap everyday snacks. It’s worth a laugh to look at but save your money for something else.

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Akihabara Gachapon Hall

Gachapon refers to the little vending machines that dispense capsule toys. The word ‘Gachapon ‘is onomatopoeia for the sound the crank makes when you use the machine. These little brightly coloured machines each contain different sets of toys, and you never know which item from the collection you’re going to receive. It’s totally random. Most locations include some rare toys which become sought-after collector treasures. The toys change pretty often, so there’s always something new to buy.

We found little plastic cats were sitting on rice cookers, tiny replicas of vintage buckets, Pokemon-shaped cookies, and lots of Japanese cartoon characters often themed around the nearest holiday. These make for small, cheap souvenirs to bring home for friends and family. They are wonderfully weird and always unexpected. The Akihabara Gachapon Hall is where you can find hundreds of these machines all in one place. Although spotting them all over the city is a fun little activity, if you’re looking for something in particular, then this is the place you should check out!

Sake Tasting Vending Machine

Located inside the minature mall near the west exit of Ryogoku Station is ‘Tokyo Store.’ Inside this small stand-up bar, you’ll find a series of sake vending machines. Inside the metal and glass boxes are sake bottles from all over Japan. But you aren’t buying the whole bottle. Instead, you can drop your coins into the dispenser and try out a small shot of sake from that region. Inside each machine are three types of sake: Junmai shu (200 yen/cup), Ginjo-shu (300 yen/cup) and Daiginjo-shu (400 yen/cup). Each one is brewed slightly differently, and they each have progressively stronger alcohol content. The more alcohol, the more expensive the drink.

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To use the vending machines, take one of the small blue and white ceramic cups from the clean station and choose your sake. Place the cup under the dispenser and drop in your coins. Then your cup will be filled up with that specified sake! If you don’t have 100 yen coins, there is a change dispense located at the store’s front. If you’ve never tried sake before, this is a great way to see what you like and don’t like. Feel free to share your shots with a friend to ensure you don’t get too buzzed, as some of the sake can be pretty strong!

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Pokémon vending machine

Over in Odaiba, you can find a Pokémon vending machine. Pokémon stores are one of the most sought after shops in Tokyo. Since the Odaiba mall doesn’t have a Pokémon store, they have installed this little vendo to ensure, you can still “catch them all!” This is one of the most modern vending machines, with a touch screen and a digital inventory. Inside this machine, you’ll find everything from the newest plushy toys to themed keychains. They are dispensed into these adorable white and red boxes, an added bonus to the entire experience.

Omamori Vending Machine

Omamori are Japanese amulets commonly sold at Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples. Each one is dedicated to particular Shinto kami. Kamis are important spirits or gods in Shintoism. The kami embody values and virtues and are thought to be ancient ancestors made of different forces of nature. Outside Japanese shrines, there are usually little shops where you can buy various Omamori. These amulets are said to provide various forms of luck or protection.

Over the years, as fewer people are working inside these shrines as the population dwindles, they needed to come up with a way to still sell these items. In this case, vending machines have given visitors the ability to get their dose of protection at any time of the day, without the need for an open kiosk. Good luck on demand. Can’t get more modern than that!

Shibuya 109 T-shirt Vending Machine

At the entrance to the popular shopping mall Shibuya 109, you’ll find a brightly coloured t-shirt vending machine. Inside this machine, you’ll find a series of graphic souvenir t-shirts. The shirts aren’t the cheapest at 1,200 to 2,500 yen apiece, but honestly, the shirts’ designs are pretty impressive.

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Hot Food Vending Machine

24-Hour Hot Meal Vending Machines are found throughout the country in areas where there might not be a restaurant or where people find themselves after hours needing food. The items inside are frozen, and once you insert your money and select your meal, the frozen food is placed inside a microwave where it is reheated automatically. Depending on the type of meal you choose, it will take a different amount of time to reheat, and then the microwave door will pop open. They offer everything from hot dogs, takoyaki (octopus balls), hamburgers, fries and even the iconic fish-shaped dessert taiyaki! Although the food might be a little subpar, the boxes in which the food is packaged are surprisingly well designed. The Yakisoba is most likely your best bet as the noodles reheat pretty well, and the sauce is well flavoured enough to balance out the dish.

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Fruit Vending Machines

For a quick and healthy breakfast on the go, find yourself a Banana or Apple vending machine. These are mainly found inside train stations for people on their way to work. They are sold either by a bunch (for the bananas) or individually packaged. Japanese people tend not to shop for huge grocery orders like we do in North America. So their fridges aren’t constantly stocked with fresh food. So these machines are a great way for them to get some fresh fruit before heading off to work.

Natto Vending Machine

Natto might be the only thing I tried in Japan that I roundly objected to. That being said, so many people love it and swear by its health benefits. Natto is a traditional Japanese food made from soybeans that have been fermented. It’s considered a breakfast food but can be eaten anytime. While I’m a fan of fermented kimchi, there is something about the slimy and sticky texture of natto that I just can’t get on board with. Natto vending machines are another popular stop for many salary men and women on their work who need a quick breakfast on the go!

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Flower Vending Machine

In the lower levels of Shinjuku station, you might happen upon these flower vending machines. These vending machines are fairly large in order to dispense full sized bouquets which can even come inside glass vases. For those salarymen who might not have time to stop in at a florist on the way home to their beloved this is a great option. The flowers come in a vareity of sizes, as small as a single rose. They are replcaed daily so there is always something fresh.

Dashi Soup Stock 

At first glance, you might think this vending machine is selling black tea, but if you look closer, you might be shocked at what you see inside. Inside the brown liquid bottles is an entire fish! These are, in fact, not drinks but Dashi soup stock. Dashi is one of the most essential ingredients in many Japanese dishes, like ramen, okonomiyaki and takoyaki.

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It might seem strange to foreigners to see these in such large quantities taking up an entire vending machine, but running out of dashi might be like running out of sugar. And instead of going to the neighbours to borrow a cup of sugar, you can just go to the vending machine down the street. Suppose you’re interested in buying one but have no idea how to use it without cooking an entire pot of soup? In that case, you can pour some into some instant ramen to boost up the flavour or just drizzle it over soft-boiled eggs in the morning for an even more tasty meal.

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Bread in a Can

Inokashira Park, in the quaint neighbourhood of Kichijōji, is home to a few impressive vending machines. Inokashira Park is a beautiful park to visit outside the city centre if you’re looking for a peaceful place to escape to. One of the most popular vending machines you can find here is the canned bread vending machine! Canned bread was invented to preserve food during the war and is still something people eat today. Here in the park, these machine serves flavours like blueberry, strawberry and orange. Although this seems like a bad idea, the bread is surprisingly soft and the fruity jam really adds to the flavour.

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Bugs in a Can

If you thought bread in a can was weird, well, then Inokashira Park has a real surprise in store for you. You can also buy canned grasshoppers or bee larvae from the same vending machine! This is really for the brave at heart. That being said, the bugs are heavily flavoured in soya sauce, so the critters’ taste is pretty muted, you just have to get over the texture…

This vending machine is selling canned inago (grasshoppers) and hachinoko (bee larvae). Baby bees are expensive…! pic.twitter.com/XPvju73g8w

— Matt Alt (@Matt_Alt) January 18, 2016

Umbrella Vending Machine

Japan is known for its extreme weather. Japan’s rainy season lasts from the beginning of June to mid-July and can come out of nowhere. For this reason, you never want to be caught without an umbrella. Lucky for you, they have their fair share of Umbrella vending machines. The umbrellas cost only 500 yen and are surprisingly sturdy considering the low price!

Cigarette Machine

One of the only things I don’t like about Japan is the number of people smoking. Unlike many other countries, smoking is still wildly popular here. And therefore, Cigarette Vending Machines can be found everywhere you go. These require a special age-verification ID card to purchase anything to ensure underage people are not smoking. While I’m not the biggest fan of these machines’ popularity, as it seems to feed the addiction, I would be remiss not to mention them here.

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Corn Potage

You might have heard of the infamous Japanese corn soup in a can and indeed, it’s real! Corn Potage, or corn soup, is a drinkable meal that is served warm and on the go! These are super popular in the winter as a great way to warm up and feed your body as well! While it might seem strange, corn soup is absolutely delicious and totally worth your time and money to try! You just need to get past the idea of drinking chunky soup, and then you’ll be home free.

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Ice Cream

On hot days in the middle of Japan’s crushingly humid summers, there is nothing better than cold ice cream. But sometimes, when you’re wandering around the park, you don’t want to have to get up and walk all the way over to the convenience store. That’s where ice cream vending machines come in! Ice cream in Japan is superb, and there are so many unique varieties you can find inside these machines.

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Crepes

If ice cream isn’t your favourite dessert, not to fear, vending machines in Japan also serve up crepes! The crepe vending machines serve both hot and cold varieties. They have flavours like cheese and strawberry, chocolate and banana, custard, caramel and more! They cost around 200 yen apiece. These are pretty rare, so if you find one, definitely give it a try!

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Medical Masks

Well before COVID-19, Japan was all over the idea of wearing medical masks. Japanese people take the well-being of others very seriously. Before COVID-19, everyone would wear masks not because they were afraid of other people’s illnesses but instead, to wear if they were feeling unwell as to not spread the disease to others. Because illness can hit at any time, mask dispensers were extremely popular. The vending machine masks also allow the purchaser not to have to interact with anyone either, no need to go inside a convenience store. I’m sure they will be making lots more of these machines in 2021!

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Vegetable Vending Machines

Out in the country, instead of farmers’ markets, vegetable producers can place their goods inside vegetable vending machines where locals can come and pick up their shopping for the day. These have everything from radishes, lettuce, sweet potatoes and more! You won’t find these in big cities where grocery stores are more popular but they are great for rural areas. These are the Japanese version of farm stands we might find on country roads in North America.

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Egg Vending Machines

Eggs vending machines are another item you’ll find in the country. They come as small as packs of 6, the perfect size for a few soft-boiled eggs to make for breakfast in the morning. These vending machines are so adorable and often are designed to look like a giant chicken

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Rice Vending Machines

Another solution servicing the countryside is rice vending machines. These sell rice by the pound in all sorts of varieties. This is a great way to pick up the rice you need for the day or the week without travelling to the grocery store which can sometimes be a far drive depending on the ruralness of the area. Rice is the lifeblood of meals in Japan so the fact these are open 24 hours a day is fantastic!

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Curry Vending Machine

Curry in Japan is one of my favourite things to eat. Japanese curry is unlike Thai or Indian curry, it is a creation all of its own. One way which people have been eating curry for years is in these retort pouches. And vending machine curry pouches were a great way for people to get a delicious curry to cook quickly when they go home. Inside the laminate pouch are different varieties of curry and rice that just need to be dipped in boiling water or microwaved for 3-7 minutes. Then open the pouch and chow down on your curry. It might seem odd to buy your curry in a pouch when there are so many fast-food curry joints but some people who has a particular nostalgia for them swear the flavour is more pronounced in these retort pouches. You’ll have to try it for yourself to find out!

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Instant Noodles Vending Machine

Cup Noodles is a brand of instant ramen we all have eaten in college. It may have been invented in Japan in 1971 but it has since become a phenomenon all over the world. But in Japan, you can get your ramen fix from a Cup Noodles Vending Machine! These single-serving cups of freeze-dried noodles are brought to life with the addition of boiling water. These vending machines sell a variety of different flavours and after the cup is dispensed you use the on-site boiling water station to rehydrate your noodles!

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PCR Testing Kit Vending Machine

This is perhaps the more 2020 Japanese invention of all time – the vending machine PCR Covid testing kit. These machines sell at-home saliva-based kits for 4,500 yen. You just give yourself a swab and mail in the kit for analysis. No need to go into any pharmacies or hospitals for a test possibly spreading the virus further. Right now there are five locations, but more are said to be installed over the next few months.

Jihanki Shokudo

If you’re interested in an experience unlike any other, then head over to Jihanki Shokudo, the Automated Diner. Jihanki Shokudo is a fully unstaffed restaurant featuring a few retro vending machines. These serve up hot noodles, sandwiches, burgers and more! There are several tables inside where you can eat your reheated meal. In addition to the food, there are a series of drink vending machines and a few gatchapon as well. While the machines inside don’t look very fancy and slightly rundown, there are serviced frequently, and the food inside is as fresh as vending machine food can be. For any vending machine addict, it’s worth checking out just for the strangeness of the experience. 

I hope you enjoyed this list of the best vending machines you can seek out in Japan. But I’m sure there are lots more which I have yet to discover. If you have any favourites please let me know in the comments and I’ll be sure to seek them out on my next adventure to Japan.

Happy Travels, Adventurers!

The post Amazing Vending Machines You Won’t Believe Exist in Japan first appeared on The Creative Adventurer.

While a sandwich from a convenience store might sound wildly uninteresting when you’ve travelled halfway across the world to experience new and exciting cuisine, I implore you to give them a try. While it’s true I wouldn’t recommend ONLY eating these throughout your trip, I think they might surprise you. Some of the flavours and ingredients are things you’ll only find in Japan! So despite thinking you’ve eaten enough sandwiches before, you’ve never had one like this!

Table Of Contents

1. Where to Find Konbinis
2. History
   • The Bread
3. Egg Salad Sandwich
4. Strawberries n' Cream
5. Tonkatsu Sandwich 
6. Shrimp Cutlet & Tartare Sauce
7. Veggie Sandwich
8. Plump Tamago Sando
9. Curry Bread
10. Cream Cheese and Basil Chicken
11. Yakisoba
12. Blueberry Cheesecake Sandwich
13. Red Bean and Cream
14. Pudding Sandwich
15. Limited Editions
    • Happy Travels, Adventurers!

Where to Find Konbinis

There are more than 50,000 convenience stores across the country! It doesn’t matter if you’re in a big city or out in the countryside, a konbini is never far away. In fact, on our trip to Hakone during the offseason, the konbini was one of the only places we could find to eat for cheap. Our hotel had a restaurant, but the prices were much too high for us, and since it was off-season, all the local restaurants closed after lunch. But our trusty konbini down the road had everything we needed to have a stunning in-hotel feast! Completed of course with a series of sandwiches (or sandos for short in Japan).

History

You might be wondering to yourself, “are sandwiches really what I want to be eating in Japan?!” They might not seem like a traditional part of Japanese cusine, but Japan actually does have a long love affair with bread. In the 16th century, bread began to be imported from Portuguese trading ships that came into Nagasaki. The Japanese word for bread is “pan,” which comes from the Portuguese word for bread: “pão.”

But like many now-iconic dishes in Japan, they adapted the ingredients inside for the local palate. But the current incarnation of soft white bread comes from the postwar occupation era when imported wheat and powdered milk became one of the cheapest ingredients for school children’s lunches. An entire generation grew up eating pillowy soft white bread, and that nostalgic connection would persevere well into the next generation. In fact, in 2011, rice sales were down for the first time as more and more people have been eating bread over rice.

The Bread

Like everything in Japan, the design of their sandwiches is perfectly thought out. The bread is soft enough to ensure the filling doesn’t seep out but always fresh so that the bread never gets soggy. The sandwiches are made twice a day to ensure this fact. Often, they sell out so fast that you’re more likely not to find any at all than discover stale one. The filling is rarely too bulky and, therefore, never messy to eat. And best of all, the ingredients used to make the sandwiches are surprisingly high quality ensuring that even a little snack feels like a gourmet meal!

Below are my favourite sandwiches which I think you MUST-TRY on your next trip to Japan! All of these snacks cost less than 500 yen, so you can try them all without breaking the bank!

Egg Salad Sandwich

Ok, now, don’t get me wrong, recommending an egg salad sandwich from a convenience store anywhere else in the world might seem like a death wish. But Egg Salad Sandwiches in Japan are one of the most fantastic food items in the country. Honestly, if I could choose just five things to eat in Japan, this would make a list! Foodie legend Anthony Bourdain himself is coined as saying they are “unnatural, inexplicable and delicious.” The bread used in all konbini sandwiches is soft as a pillow and correctly served with the crusts cut off.

The actual egg salad is creamy beyond belief. They make sure to remove many of the egg whites from the dish, making it less healthy, but it sure makes it taste better! These are umami’s definition, and I’m not ashamed to say I ate one every morning! There is much discussion about who makes the best egg salad sandwich, and I think everyone has their own preference. Mine is Lawson but let me know what yours is.

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Strawberries n’ Cream

If egg sandwiches aren’t your bag, you need to try one of the sweet cream sandwiches. These are perfect as a gourmet breakfast option. Cream sandwiches are served inside the same fluffy white bread but are filled with various fresh fruit and light as a feather whipped cream. One of the best of these is the Strawberry cream sandwiches. Strawberries are a saught after fruit in Japan. Strawberries or ichigo have their own season in Japan, with gourmet varieties of the berry going for upwards of hundreds of dollars a box! But you won’t need to spend that much on these delectable treats. During certain times of the year, generally around Valentines, they add some custard to the sandwich for an even more luxurious taste!

Tonkatsu Sandwich 

One of the most simple and yet delicious lunches you can have is a Tonkatsu sandwich. Tonkatsu is a pork cutlet, which is literally sandwiched between two slices of that iconically soft bread, shredded cabbage and a thin Japanese mayo layer. The mixture of these textures is what makes this sandwich a 10/10! You can choose to warm this up in the microwave or just eat it right out of the bag. Either way, stunningly delicious!

Shrimp Cutlet & Tartare Sauce

An unsung hero of the sando crew is the Shrimp Cutlet & Tartare Sauce sandwich. The crispy shrimp is balanced perfectly with the umami flavour of onions and pickles in the tartare sauce. It has that little zing that amps up the taste just a little bit more! The shrimp is soft and juicy and since Japan is the centre of seafood always local!

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Veggie Sandwich

I get many questions about how hard it is to eat vegetarian in Japan because they are such a fish and seafood-focused culture. And while that’s true, there are LOTS options available to you if you do your research. One of the easiest options is this Veggie sandwich from 7-Eleven. This colourful sando has 6 different kinds of vegetables all packed into one meal! The addition of corn might seem odd, but I love the texture and flavour it adds.

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Plump Tamago Sando

For an even more gourmet experience with your egg salad sandwich, you need to head over to FamilyMart and try one of their Plump Tamago Sandos. Instead of mashing the entire egg up, two soft-boiled “plump” eggs are placed inside the sandwich, along with some extra salad. This makes the whole meal a little richer and more upscale than the traditional salad sando.

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Curry Bread

Although some might argue that this isn’t a traditional sandwich, it is bread with a filling. And in my opinion, that qualifies it as a sandwich. Curry Bread consists of Japanese beef or chicken curry wrapped in a piece of dough, which is then coated in bread crumbs and deep-fried. All convenience stores sell different takes on this. They can be warmed up in the oven just before eating for that perfect ooey-gooey curry filled center.

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Cream Cheese and Basil Chicken

A new item they began selling last year is the cream cheese and basil chicken sandwich. This is one of their more filling options and is so perfectly seasoned. It might be a little more “western” in terms of the flavours but is just as delicious nonetheless.

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Yakisoba

One of the strangest options you’ll find in many different iterations is a Yakisoba sandwich. Yakisoba is Japanese for “fried noodles.” The “soba” noodles are made from buckwheat instead of wheat flour. The noodles are covered in a thick brown sauce similar to Worcestershire sauce. They are generally topped with pickled ginger, parsley and some Japanese mayo. To hold such a hefty filling, these are served inside large sausage rolls. It’s one of the seemingly more intimidating options, but yakisoba is so delicious, as is the bread, so they make a great combo!

Blueberry Cheesecake Sandwich

One of my favourite sandwiches is this take on a simple grape jelly sandwich, the Blueberry Cheesecake sando. Instead of grape jelly, though (which isn’t always my first choice), you get softly cooked blueberries layered between unsweetened cream cheese. The combination of the tart cheese and sweet berries is perfection! It really is like eating a cheesecake!

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Red Bean and Cream

Adzuki, better know to us as “red beans,” is made into a sweet paste popular throughout Japan. You’ll find it in a myriad of different desserts, so it should be no surprise to see it in a sandwich as well. In fact, in 1874, the sandwich’s popularity rose to fame with the creation of the anpan, which was a bread roll filled with adzuki bean paste. Today we have a more modern version of the traditional recipe. The Red Beans and Cream sandwich blend the beans’ slightly gritty texture with the soft and supple sweet whipped cream. If you like red bean paste, then you MUST give this one a try!

Pudding Sandwich

For anyone who loves English bread pudding, boy, do I have a teat for you! FamilyMart sells a thick pudding cake sandwich that combines 2 types of cream and a thick layer of pudding between a special sponge flavoured bread. This is truly a dessert sando but 100% worth tasting on your next trip!

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Limited Editions

To compete with each other, convenience stores seem to be continually releasing “limited edition” items throughout the year. These are usually in line with fruits that are in season or something to match an upcoming holiday. During the summer, try the Peaches n’ Cream or their seasonal Gorotto Kiwi Cream sandwich. In the winter, they come out with sweet potatoes and cream products, almost like pumpkin pie sandwiches. I’ve seen macha flavoured bread filled with cream and even a chocolate pudding sandwich! There truly is always something exciting to try that you might never find again.

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Hopefully this guide to my favourite konbini sandos gave you some insight into the wonders that are Japanese convenience stores. Let me know if the comments if you’ve ever tried any of these or if you have some new favourites!

Happy Travels, Adventurers!

The post Ultimate Guide to the Best Konbini Sandwiches in Japan first appeared on The Creative Adventurer.