Tokyo is one of the world's most exciting dining destinations. The city features a wide range of both local and regional Japanese cuisine in addition to all types of international fare. Its top restaurants have accrued more Michelin stars than both Paris and New York combined. But good food can be found at every price range from cheap hole-in-the-wall joints to expensive high-class restaurants with every budget in between.

Tokyo specialties

As Japan's political center for over four centuries, Tokyo has naturally exerted great influence on Japanese cuisine. Consequently, some Tokyo specialties have become so popular that they are now known as the standard version of the dish rather than a local specialty. Local creations from Tokyo (formerly called Edo) are often referred to as "Edo-mae", literally meaning "in front of Edo", in reference to Edo Bay (now Tokyo Bay) which provided the city with its local seafood. The following are some popular Tokyo specialties:

  • Nigiri-zushi
  • Tempura
  • Soba
  • Chankonabe
  • Monjayaki
  • Tsukudani
  • Tokyo Sweets

Regional specialties from across Japan

Tokyo is also a good place to enjoy regional Japanese foods from across the country, which have been available in Tokyo since the Edo Period when the regional lords (daimyo) from across Japan were forced to maintain large villas in the capital and spend alternate years there. A by-product of this policy to keep the regional lords under the shogun's control was the influx of various regional cooking styles into the capital.

These days, foods from across the country can be found at many restaurants specialized in regional cuisines. Some of the most popular regional foods that can be sampled around Tokyo come from Okinawa, Kagoshima, Fukuoka, Kyoto and Hokkaido. In addition, successful restaurants from across Japan often open outlets in Tokyo in an effort to branch out and make a name for themselves.

International dining

International food is enjoying great popularity in Tokyo, and many Japanese chefs have achieved recognition for their skills in foreign cooking, often acquired by practical training overseas. Furthermore, Tokyo is home to various international communities, which have brought a variety of different cuisines with them.

While popular foods such as Chinese, Indian, Italian, French and Korean can be found virtually anywhere in the city, there are also a few districts serving less prominent international cuisines especially around the embassies located in the Azabu, Hiroo and Roppongi districts. Below are a few of the more concentrated international districts:

  • Shin Okubo - Koreatown
  • Kagurazaka - France Town
  • Ikebukuro - Chinatown

Casual dining

There are lots and lots of casual dining restaurants of all types found across Tokyo. While restaurants are easy to find just about anywhere in the city, good places to go for a large variety of them are around train stations, entertainment districts and the restaurant floors of most department stores, where there is usually a good selection of restaurants ranging from Japanese cuisine to international dining.

Izakaya are the most common type of casual dining establishments and are good places to try a variety of dishes. They can be found in droves around train stations and entertainment districts and serve popular food items such as yakitori, sashimi and of course beer. The following are a few casual dining areas around Tokyo that are well known for their atmosphere:

  • Shinjuku
  • Yurakucho
  • Asakusa

Fine dining

Tokyo is well known for its fine dining and has the highest number of Michelin-starred restaurants of any city in the world. Fine dining restaurants are often found on the top floors of skyscrapers and major hotels, and the cuisine served at these restaurants ranges from traditional Japanese to international and fusion fare. Of course, they tend to be priced accordingly, and some restaurants may require advance reservations. The following are a few districts that are known for their fine dining establishments.

  • Tokyo Station
  • Shiodome
  • Shinjuku
  • Ginza
  • Azabu

Themed dining

Themed cafes such as maid and butler cafes, as well as pet cafes are popular attractions where you can converse or play games with a maid or butler, or spend time with animals such as cats, rabbits or birds while eating light meals or enjoying a coffee or tea. Maid cafes can easily be found in Akihabara whereas butler cafes are more concentrated around Ikebukuro. Pet cafes can be found in small numbers around the city. All these types of cafes usually charge a small cover charge in addition to food and drinks.

Another type of themed dining are food theme parks which typically feature different variations of a specific food such as ramen or gyoza. Despite the name, food theme parks are usually indoors and work similarly to a food court except that all the vendors are selling variations and regional types of the same dish. Some food theme parks around Tokyo include the Namja Gyoza Stadium in Ikebukuro and a ramen theme park in Aquacity on Odaiba.

Those looking for a quirky and entertaining meal, themed restaurants like the Ninja Restaurant can be a fun and appealing attraction. Themed restaurants are decorated similarly to amusement parks, have themed menus and staff dressed in costume. The food usually follows the overall theme, and there may be some type of performance during the meal.

Japanese-style breakfast

The easiest place to try a Japanese-style breakfast are hotels, many of which offer Japanese breakfast set meals or buffets with both Japanese and Western dishes. Otherwise a Japanese-style breakfast is difficult to find as most restaurants and coffee shops tend to serve Western-style breakfasts or coffee and toast sets only. One option may be gyudon restaurants which often offer basic Japanese breakfast sets at cheap prices.

For the more adventurous, the sushi restaurants in the Tsukiji Outer Market and at Toyosu Market are open from early morning, offering fresh sushi for breakfast. Note that many of these restaurants close by mid-afternoon.

Hotels around Tokyo

    • SAKE Bar Hotel Asakusa
      A boutique hotel with free-flowing Japanese sake, two-minutes from Asakusa Station. Savor our original sake while relaxing with an open-air footbath.
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    • Mokkoan
      Budget-friendly
      Featuring free WiFi and a hot tub, Mokkoan offers accommodation in Kita Ward, Tokyo. Private parking is available on site. Every room comes with a flat-screen TV with cable channels. Certain units have a seating area where you can relax. For your comfort, you will find slippers and free toiletries. You will find a shared kitchen at the property. The guest house also offers free use of bicycles. Yokohama is 37 km from Mokkoan, while Chiba is 41 km away. The nearest airport is Tokyo Haneda International Airport, 24 km from Mokkoan.
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    • 7 Rooms Hotel & Cafe
      Budget-friendly
      Conveniently set in the Edogawa district of Tokyo, 7 Rooms Hotel & Cafe is situated 1.3 km from Furukawa Shinsui Park, 1.5 km from Gyosen Park and 1.6 km from Ukita Park. The 2-star hotel has air-conditioned rooms with a private bathroom and free WiFi. The property is non-smoking and is located 700 metres from Subway Museum. The rooms in the hotel are equipped with a kettle. All units will provide guests with a fridge. Shin Nagashima River Shinsui Park is 1.7 km from 7 Rooms Hotel & Cafe, while Former House of Udagawa Family is 2.6 km away. The nearest airport is Tokyo Haneda Airport, 22 km from the accommodation.
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    • cyashitsu ryokan asakusa
      Mid-range
      Situated in Tokyo, 300 metres from Asakusa Fujiasama Shrine and 7.5 km from the centre, cyashitsu ryokan asakusa features air-conditioned accommodation with free WiFi, and an open-air bath. This 3-star ryokan offers a lift and full-day security. The ryokan has a hot tub and luggage storage space. At the ryokan, the units come with a wardrobe. Each unit has a safety deposit box and some rooms include city views. The units are equipped with heating facilities. At the ryokan, the family-friendly restaurant is open for dinner and specialises in Japanese cuisine. Guests can also relax in the shared lounge area. Popular points of interest near cyashitsu ryokan asakusa include Nitenmon Gate, Edo Taito Traditional Crafts Center and Hozomon Gate. The nearest airport is Tokyo Haneda Airport, 24 km from the accommodation.
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    • Kaminarimon Ryokan
      Luxury
      Kaminarimon Ryokan offers accommodation with free WiFi. The rooms are air-conditioned and come with a flat-screen TV, fridge and Nespresso coffee machine. An electric kettle, a green tea set and free toiletries are provided. The hotel offers laundry service for an additional fee. Kaminarimon Ryokan is a 2-minute walk to the Asakusa Metro Station. From there, destinations like Akihabara, Ginza and Ueno are a 15-minute subway ride away. There are many dining options and convenience stores within a few minutes' walk from the hotel.
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    • Ryokan Nakadaya
      Budget-friendly
      Situated in Tokyo, within 1.5 km of Sensoji Temple and 2.2 km of Tokyo Skytree, Ryokan Nakadaya offers accommodation with a shared lounge. The property is set 3.5 km from Edo Tokyo Museum, 6 km from Marunouchi Building and 6 km from Yasukuni Shrine. Free WiFi is available. The units in the inn are equipped with a flat-screen TV. Each room is equipped with a shared bathroom. The nearest airport is Tokyo Haneda International Airport, 19 km from the property.
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    • The Okura Tokyo
      Luxury
      Composed of 2 buildings, The Okura Tokyo boasts a garden and bar. Among the facilities of this property are a restaurant, a 24-hour front desk and room service, along with free WiFi. The accommodation features a concierge, ticket service and currency exchange for guests. All rooms are fitted with air conditioning, a fridge, kettle and flat-screen TV with satellite channels. All guest rooms have a private bathroom with a bath, hairdryer, bidet and free toiletries. Located on 28-40 floors, Prestige Tower offers rooms with cityscape views. Guests booking room type with Club Lounge Access in Heritage Wing can enjoy Club Lounge. Spacious rooms in Heritage Wing include complimentary welcome drink, steam sauna and spa bath. Guests at the hotel can enjoy a buffet breakfast. Popular points of interest near The Okura Tokyo include Iino Hall and Conference Centre, National Diet Building and Space FS Shiodome. The nearest airport is Tokyo Haneda International, 22 km from the hotel, and the property offers a paid airport shuttle service.
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    • ulu Tokyo
      Luxury
      Attractively located in the Koto Ward district of Tokyo, ulu Tokyo is set 500 metres from Shibusawa Eiichi Taku Monument, 700 metres from Site of Mutsu Munemitsu Residence and 500 metres from Shinkawa Historic Place Monument. The 4-star hotel has air-conditioned rooms with a private bathroom and free WiFi. The property is non-smoking and is situated 700 metres from Monument of Electric Experiment at Hiraga Gennai. The rooms at the hotel are fitted with a flat-screen TV and a kitchen. Ulu Tokyo features some rooms with city views, and all rooms are equipped with a balcony. At the accommodation rooms are equipped with bed linen and towels. Popular points of interest near ulu Tokyo include Masago Monument, Bank of Japan Origin Place Monument and Takao Inari Shrine. The nearest airport is Tokyo Haneda Airport, 17 km from the hotel.
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    • ENT TERRACE AKIHABARA
      Budget-friendly
      Ideally situated in the centre of Tokyo, ENT TERRACE AKIHABARA is within 400 metres of Origami Kaikan and 500 metres of TKP Garden City Premium Akihabara. The property is close to several well-known attractions, 500 metres from Yushima Seido, 400 metres from EDO Culture Complex and 500 metres from Ochanomizu Park. The accommodation features a 24-hour front desk, a shuttle service, room service and free WiFi throughout the property. All rooms in the hotel are fitted with air conditioning, a flat-screen TV with satellite channels, a kitchen, a dining area, a safety deposit box and a private bathroom with a bidet, free toiletries and a hairdryer. At ENT TERRACE AKIHABARA the rooms include bed linen and towels. Popular points of interest near the accommodation include Kamezumiinari Shrine, Akihabara Neribei Park and Yushima Goryo Shrine. The nearest airport is Tokyo Haneda Airport, 21 km from ENT TERRACE AKIHABARA.
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    • Hotel Gajoen Tokyo
      Luxury
      Boasting chic decor with touches of Japanese traditional aethetics, Hotel Gajoen Tokyo is a member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World. 7 dining options are featured, and free parking is available on site. JR Meguro Station is 6 minutes on foot and Tokyo Metropolitan Teien Art Museum is a 12-minute stroll. Free WiFi is provided throughout. All spacious rooms rooms include a satellite TV with cable channels, minibar, a coffee machine and handy smartphone. An en suite bathroom is fitted with a spa bath, free toiletries and hairdryer. For your comfort, some rooms include a sauna. Guests can unwind in a Japanese-style garden or at a library on site The front desk is open for 24 hours a day, and there are a pastry shop and gift shop at the property. Massage services and room services can be arranged. Shunyuki serves signature Chinese delicacies, while Tofutei offers an authentic Japanese kaiseki multi-course meal. Teppanyaki Japanese wagyu beed, American-style grilled dishes and Italian cuisine can be sampled on site. Live piano performance can also be enjoyed at an on-site cafe lounge in the day time. JR Shibuya Station is a 5-minute train ride, while JR Shinagawa Station is 8 minutes by train from Hotel Gajoen Tokyo. The nearest airport is Tokyo Haneda International Airport, 10 km away.
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    • Tokyo Hikari Guesthouse
      Budget-friendly
      The cosy Tokyo Hikari Guesthouse offers private rooms and dorm beds, only a 1-minute walk from Kuramae Subway Station. It also features a shared lounge with WiFi/wired internet, tea and cooking facilities, all for free. A washing machine with detergent can be used free of charge. Rooms are air-conditioned and come with extra-long beds. Linens are changed every 3 nights. Bathrooms and toilets are shared, a shared hairdryer is provided free of charge and bath towels are available with an extra charge. Open from October 2014, Tokyo Hikari has a small, sunny garden. Luggage storage is available. Guesthouse Tokyo Hikari is a 15-minute walk from Asakusa.
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Experiences around Tokyo

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