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
Aichi Prefecture · Delicatessen (Deli)
Behind a deli counter in Nagoya's Nishi Ward lies UNE TABLE, a tiny French restaurant serving just one group at a time for dinner. Expect technically polished cooking from a La-Vagabond-trained chef in an exceptionally private setting.
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Nagano · Casual Dining
A destination Italian restaurant in Mochizuki, Nagano, where a solo chef transforms local Shinshu produce into creative, vegetable-forward plates. Known for its signature warm and raw vegetable salad and handmade pastas.
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Nara · Fine Dining
A seafood-focused izakaya near Shin-Omiya Station in Nara, praised for its exceptionally fresh sashimi and a vast menu of over 80 creative small plates. The warm, personal service from the owner-chef makes it a local favourite.
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Nara · Fine Dining
A French restaurant in Nara where a Michelin-experienced chef serves precise, generous cooking from an open counter. The restaurant is particularly praised for its deeply flavoured bouillabaisse made with local seafood.
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Hiroshima · Casual Dining
A small, friendly restaurant in Hiroshima's Takaramachi district serving authentic Sri Lankan 'rice-and-curry' plates. The daily-changing menu lets you mix multiple curries and sides at the table, creating evolving flavours with each bite.
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Hokkaido · Casual Dining
A hugely popular restaurant in Asahikawa, Hokkaido, famous for its exceptionally fresh, tender lamb grilled over charcoal. Diners come for high-quality meat with no gamey smell and a unique finale: rice fried in the grill pan.
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Ishikawa · Pâtisserie
A celebrated pâtisserie by chef Hironobu Tsuji, set inside the Ishikawa Prefectural Museum in Kanazawa. Visitors come for meticulously crafted French-style cakes that showcase local ingredients, served in a serene, glass-walled room with forest…
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Hokkaido · Dessert Shop
A melon-focused dessert shop in Nakafurano, next to the famous lavender fields. It's a popular stop for travellers wanting to try fresh, high-quality Furano melons, especially the signature half-melon topped with soft-serve ice cream.
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Tokyo · Pâtisserie
A German confectionery counter in the Isetan department store in Shinjuku, specializing in authentic baumkuchen made to a century-old recipe. It's a go-to for high-quality, beautifully packaged edible souvenirs.
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Hokkaido · Diner
A fisherman-run restaurant on the Shakotan Peninsula in Hokkaido, serving exceptionally fresh sea urchin. It's a destination for uni lovers seeking the famously sweet local bafun uni, available only in very limited quantities.
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Nara · Café
Experience exceptional kakigori (shaved ice) in Nara at this teahouse, set within a relocated 200-year-old merchant house with serene garden views. It's famous for its giant, fluffy portions and rich, house-made syrups.
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Kyoto · Café
Experience formal afternoon tea in a restored Meiji-era mansion in Kyoto. This cafe is celebrated for its elaborate plated desserts, seasonal kakigori, and elegant period interiors near Maruyama Park.
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Nara · Casual Dining
In Nara's Mochiidono Center Street arcade, this popular shop serves unique Japanese curry. It's known for its signature flour-free green 'wakakusa' curry and 'aigake' plates that let you combine sauces, with excellent options for vegetarians.
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Tokyo · Izakaya
A tiny, one-man izakaya in a Shinjuku basement, celebrated for its rare Shizuoka-style oden and a unique kombu-infused hot shochu. It's a destination for those seeking distinctive Japanese pub food at excellent prices, if they can secure a seat.
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Hokkaido · Gelateria
A world-champion gelateria in Abashiri, Hokkaido, celebrated for its exceptionally smooth texture and inventive use of local ingredients. Visitors come for unique flavours like intense pistachio and the one-of-a-kind roasted crab shell.
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Yamanashi · Café
A seasonal café in Yamanashi run by a peach farm, famous for its 'Peach Jewel' parfait. It's a destination for visitors wanting to taste hyper-fresh peaches straight from the orchard, but be prepared for long waits in summer.
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Kanagawa · Casual Dining
A celebrated Sri Lankan restaurant in Yamato, Kanagawa, serving authentic home cooking. Visitors come for the complex spice of its signature three-curry plate and rich chicken biryani, both offering excellent value.
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Tokyo · Izakaya
An izakaya in Ebisu offering a single-price omakase menu with an extensive, guided sake pairing. For a deep dive into the world of Japanese sake, this is a destination experience known for its exceptional value.
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