Ranking
An editorial ranking of restaurants, cafés and bars: grades from A+ to F, price range, and the Tabelog score where one exists.
Places ranked: 2,446
Okinawa · Casual Dining
A top-rated burger joint in Sonoda, Okinawa, known for its handmade, slightly sweet buns and coarse, juicy patties. Visitors come for the signature Ralph’s Special, a surprisingly successful combination of peanut butter, bacon, and cheese.
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Kanagawa · Dessert Shop
A celebrated Japanese sweets shop in Hakone's Yumoto district, famous for its signature Yumochi. This unique confection, with its pillowy texture and delicate yuzu aroma, is a local specialty worth seeking out.
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Kyoto · Coffee Shop
A beloved retro café (kissaten) in Kyoto's Nakagyo ward, Kissa Madrague draws crowds for its legendary 'Corona' egg sandwich—a towering, fluffy omelette between toast. A must for its Showa-era atmosphere.
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Kyoto · Pâtisserie
A New York chocolatier in a renovated Kyoto townhouse (machiya) in the Nakagyo ward. Famous for its artistic ganaches and a photogenic café serving rich chocolate desserts, it's a popular stop for special gifts and indulgent treats.
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Hyōgo · Coffee Shop
A celebrated kissaten in Kobe's Kitanagasadori district, where coffee is a hand-dripped ritual served in vintage cups. Go for the meticulous preparation, the hushed, classical atmosphere, and the famously dense cheesecake.
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Fukuoka · Pâtisserie
A celebrated pâtisserie in Fukuoka's Arato district, steps from Ohori Park. It's a top destination for its signature 'Jacques' cake—a pear and caramel mousse—and other finely balanced French-style pastries designed for takeout.
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Kyoto · Pâtisserie
The Kyoto flagship of a historic chocolatier, offering exquisite bonbons, cakes, and a signature chocolate shaved ice. Its glass-fronted salon and seasonal riverside terrace make it a standout sweets destination in Kiyamachi.
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Shizuoka · Dessert Shop
In a tranquil garden in Higashiyama, Gotemba, this teahouse from the famed Toraya brand offers freshly made Japanese sweets. Visitors can watch artisans at work in an acclaimed building by architect Naitō Hiroshi before enjoying the sweets on an…
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Hiroshima · Bar
A tiny standing bar in Hiroshima's Ginzancho district where a master pourer serves one brand of beer in five distinct ways. It's a unique tasting experience focused on the art of the pour, turning a simple draught into a lesson in texture and…
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Nagano · Dessert Shop
The main store of a century-old confectionery brand in Ueda, housed in a registered cultural property from the Taisho era. It's the only place to buy the fresh, soft version of their signature Misuzu Ame fruit jellies.
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Tokyo · Bar
A popular standing bar in Asakusa serving a wide, rotating selection of premium sake alongside inventive, restaurant-quality small plates. It's known for its high value and lively local atmosphere.
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Kyoto · Coffee Shop
A beloved 1968 coffee shop (kissaten) in Kyoto's Nakagyo ward, Kissa Tirol is a destination for its retro mountain-lodge interior and two iconic dishes: a nostalgic Japanese curry and a famously thick egg sandwich.
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Osaka · Dessert Shop
For over 70 years, this beloved takeout stand in Osaka's Abeno district has specialized in sweet potato snacks. It's famous for its signature "Abeno Potato," a unique take on candied sweet potato with a distinctively soft and fluffy texture.
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Okinawa · Seafood Restaurant
A bright yellow food truck on Miyako Island serving Hawaiian-style garlic shrimp plates. Visitors come for the intensely flavourful butter-garlic sauce and the stunning 'Miyako Blue' sea views from its open terrace and lawn.
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