{"id":26980,"date":"2018-05-14T10:00:08","date_gmt":"2018-05-14T00:00:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures?p=26980&preview=true&preview_id=26980"},"modified":"2024-09-18T16:11:37","modified_gmt":"2024-09-18T06:11:37","slug":"eat-and-drink-like-a-local-in-japan","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/eat-and-drink-like-a-local-in-japan\/","title":{"rendered":"How to eat and drink like a local in Japan"},"content":{"rendered":"

Japan<\/a> can be a dizzying place to make food choices.<\/strong> <\/span><\/p>\n

You’re trying to tick everything off your wish list while revisiting favourites, and being on the lookout for unknown gems – all against a backdrop of indecipherable menus, shop protocol (\u201cOK, now I have this ticket from the vending machine, how do I get my food?\u201d), venue evaluation (tiny \u201chomely\u201d restaurant vs. someone\u2019s living room), and locational logistics (up an elevator, down an escalator, into a train station restaurant strip, down an alleyway off an alleyway). And the immensity of the dining scene is not just numbers of places, but of people: walk home at 2am and you\u2019ll still see restaurants packed. <\/span><\/p>\n

This list of things to eat in Japan (we’ve focussed on Tokyo) is by no means exhaustive, but one with a bit of tradition and local culture behind it:<\/span><\/p>\n

1. Take the edge off at a combini<\/b><\/h3>\n

\"OnigiriUnlike convenience stores in many other countries, the food at Japanese \u201ccombini\u201d can be quite healthy and surprisingly good: there are bento boxes, salads, snacks, gyoza, and plenty of ready-made meals like soups and noodles. They\u2019re an excellent way to familiarise yourself with Japan\u2019s culinary offerings in one hit, and with around 50,000 combini across Japan, you won\u2019t be pushed to find one. <\/span><\/p>\n

Try: <\/b>Onigiri<\/span><\/i> aka rice triangles, a ubiquitous snack and one of the staples of Japanese cuisine. They come in a range variations – wrapped in nori, dipped in sesame seeds, in a circular shape, and fillings – tuna mayo, salmon, pickled plum, bonito flakes, fish roe, seaweed, all for 100-130 yen.<\/span><\/p>\n

RELATED: CONVENIENCE STORE FOOD: JAPAN\u2019S WORLD-BEATING CULINARY EXPERIENCE<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

2. Find a coffee<\/b><\/h3>\n

\"CoffeeBounce your way along the full caffeine spectrum in Tokyo from 100-yen vending machine cans (hot and<\/em> cold – what they lack in actual caffeine they make up for in novelty) to 100-yen combini coffees, traditional <\/span>kissaten<\/span><\/i> (retro cafes, some dating back 50 years or more) to third-wave coffee shops. <\/span><\/p>\n

For old-worldly kissaten:<\/b> Kabaya Coffee<\/span> (Yanaka), <\/span>Coffee Seibu<\/span> (Shinjuku), <\/span>Tricolor Honten<\/span><\/a> (Ginza), <\/span>Chatei Hatou<\/span><\/a> (Shibuya)
\n<\/span>For third-wave coffee:<\/b> Streamer<\/span> (multiple locations),<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Fuglen<\/span><\/a> (Yoyogi)<\/span>, <\/span>About Life Coffee<\/span> (Shibuya), <\/span>Onibus<\/span><\/a> (Nakameguro), <\/span>Blue Bottle<\/span><\/a> (multiple locations)<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n

3. Try a traditional breakfast<\/b><\/h3>\n

\"JapaneseTraditional-style breakfasts differ in grandeur depending on whether you\u2019re at an upmarket hotel or fancy ryokan (Japanese-style inn), or at a more pragmatic restaurant chain, where you\u2019ll be rubbing shoulders with office workers on their way to work. <\/span><\/p>\n

At its very basic, you can expect: rice, miso soup, grilled fish, pickles. Extra side dishes include chilled tofu, raw or soft-boiled eggs, natto (fermented soy beans), and a range of seasonal dishes like pumpkin cooked in dashi, green beans dressed with sesame sauce, and seaweed salads. <\/span><\/p>\n

For a reliable chain: <\/b>Yoshinoya<\/span><\/a> (multiple locations, approx 500 yen), <\/span>Matsuya<\/span><\/a> (multiple locations, approx 500 yen)
\n<\/span>For something more upmarket: <\/b>Claska Hotel<\/span> (Meguro, 1,500 yen),<\/span> Girandole<\/span><\/a> (Park Hyatt, Shinjuku, 4,200 yen), <\/span>Kanetanaka Sou<\/span> (Cerulean Tower, Shibuya, 3,370 yen), <\/span>Nadaman<\/span><\/a> (Imperial Hotel, Ginza, 3,240 yen).<\/span><\/p>\n

INDULGE IN A TRADITIONAL JAPANESE BREAKFAST ON ANY OF THESE JAPANESE ADVENTURES<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

4. Make a bakery stop<\/b><\/h3>\n

\"BakeryBread might not seem like the first thing you\u2019d think of eating in Japan, but to forgo bakeries in Tokyo would mean missing out. Think fun fusions like <\/span>mentaiko furansu pan<\/span><\/i> (a baguette filled with cod roe mayonnaise), <\/span>kare-pan<\/span><\/i> (crumbed donuts filled with Japanese curry), mugwort croissants, pretzels filled with red bean paste, pastry cubes filled with black bean and soy milk cream, and focaccias topped with lotus root, yuzu paste and cheese. <\/span><\/p>\n

For domestic chains and foreign imports:<\/b> Little Mermaid<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>Anderson<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>City Bakery<\/span><\/a> \u00a0(usually found around train stations and department store food courts)
\n<\/span>For craft bakeries:<\/b> Katane<\/span><\/a> (Yoyogi-Nishihara), <\/span>Trasparente<\/span><\/a> (Nakameguro, Daikanyama), <\/span>365 Jour<\/span><\/a> (Shibuya), <\/span>Sawamura<\/span><\/a> (Hiroo and Shinjuku).<\/span><\/p>\n

5. Get a wagashi pick-me-up, preferably paired with freshly whisked matcha<\/b><\/h3>\n

\"Wagashi\"Wagashi are traditional Japanese sweets, which were originally served as an accompaniment during tea ceremonies, and are made from natural ingredients like sweet bean paste, glutinous rice, nuts, dried fruit, and soy bean powder. They\u2019re like little edible treasures, with designs inspired by folk stories and nature: \u201dTsukimi dango\u201d (\u201cmoon-viewing dango\u201d) are eaten while watching the Autumn harvest moon, and have a round white shape; \u201cuguisu mochi\u201d (warbler bird mochi) have an abstract bird-like shape and are dusted in green soy bean powder, said to resemble the bird resting in the bushes in spring.<\/span><\/p>\n

For easy-to-access wagashi: <\/b>Supermarkets, convenience stores, Shinkansen gift sections and department stores
\n<\/span>For a more enchanting experience: <\/b>Higashiya<\/span><\/a> (Ginza), <\/span>Toraya cafe<\/span><\/a> (Roppongi, Hibiya, Maronouchi), <\/span>Kuriya Kashi Kurogi<\/span> (Ochanomizu), <\/span>Kosoan<\/span><\/a> (Meguro), <\/span>Yakumo Saryo<\/span><\/a> (Meguro).<\/span><\/p>\n

RELATED: EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT ETIQUETTE IN JAPAN<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

6. Pick up a bento from a depachika (and browse all other offerings)<\/b><\/h3>\n

\"Bento\u201cDepachika\u201d means \u201cdepartment store basement\u201d, but what it <\/span>actually<\/span><\/i> means, is \u201cunderground take-out food wonderland\u201d. In the basement level of flashier department stores in Japan, you\u2019ll find sprawling food retailers selling everything from steamed buns to miso-cured pickles, French pastries to square watermelons (yes, they do exist) to bento boxes. Bento boxes are a daily staple for locals, and have been so since the Edo period, when they were portable meals for aristocrats visiting the theatre or viewing cherry blossoms. You can find them at regular supermarkets and convenience stores, but a depachika will give you access to more selections and higher quality – and get to be dazzled by all the other edible goodies for sale.<\/span><\/p>\n

Try:<\/b> Tokyu Food Store<\/span> (Shibuya) – take your packed lunch to Yoyogi Koen;<\/span> Mitsukoshi<\/span><\/a> (Ginza) – take your packed lunch up to the open-air seating on level 9, or nearby Hamarikyu gardens; <\/span>Isetan<\/span><\/a> (Shinjuku) – take it to Shinjuku Gyoen gardens. <\/span><\/p>\n

7. Try hot and cold soba noodles<\/b><\/h3>\n

\"SobaMany people get off the plane to Tokyo and hot-foot it to the first ramen joint, but soba is the noodle with the deepest connection to Tokyo; it was one of the \u2018four kings\u2019 of Edo (the old name for Tokyo) food back from the fledgling days of the city\u2019s food culture, along with sushi, tempura and eel. Plus, the noodles are made from buckwheat flour, so are nutty, earthy and healthy. Hot or cold, served with tempura, braised pork or seaweed – they\u2019re all good.<\/span> <\/b><\/p>\n

For more modern fit-outs:<\/b> Ryan<\/span><\/a> (Shibuya) or <\/span>Miyota Soba<\/span><\/a> (Omotesando)
\n<\/span>For more traditional establishments: <\/b>Kaoriya<\/span><\/a> (Ebisu), <\/span>Kanda Matsuya<\/span><\/a> (Ochanomizu)
\n<\/span>For a reliable chain:<\/b> Yoshisoba<\/span><\/a>.<\/b><\/p>\n

RELATED: DO YOU REALLY NEED A RAIL PASS IN JAPAN?<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

8. Eat Edomae sushi<\/b><\/h3>\n

\"DifferentTokyo is the home of nigiri-style sushi (nigiri meaning \u201cpressed\u201d) – the sushi style that doesn\u2019t involve nori or wrapping, but a pressed rice cylinder topped with<\/span> a slice of fish or other ingredient. This style developed as a fast-food for workers back in the Edo period, and gets its name from meaning \u201cthe sea in front of Edo\u201d, where the seafood was sourced. While an upmarket sushi dinner can set you back several hundred dollars, going for lunch is a fraction of the price. Order \u201comakase\u201d, meaning chef\u2019s selection. <\/span><\/p>\n

Try:<\/b> Sushi Hisaichi<\/span> (Asakusa)<\/span><\/a>, <\/b>Shutoku<\/span><\/a> (Tsukiji, 2900 yen),<\/span> Sushi ishijima<\/span><\/a> (1,500 and 4,000 yen sets), or for a unique standing sushi experience, try <\/span>Uogashi<\/span> (multiple locations). Otherwise, head to the outer market of Tsukiji and take your pick – open from early, it\u2019s the perfect excuse for sushi and beer or sake for breakfast!<\/span><\/p>\n

9. Stop for a drink and snack standing up<\/b><\/h3>\n

\"TachinomiTachinomi (literally means \u201cstand-drink\u201d) and tachigui (\u201cstand-eat\u201d) started out as places for workers to get a quick, cheap bite and a drink on the way home. During the Japan\u2019s economic heyday of the 70s and 80s, these cheap eateries fell out of popularity, but are now coming back into vogue. <\/span><\/p>\n

Try: <\/b>YATA<\/span><\/a> sake bar (Shibuya, Shinjuku),<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Enishi<\/span> (Shinjuku), <\/span>Banhaiya<\/span><\/a> (Nakameguro), <\/span>Fujiya Honten Wine Bar<\/span><\/a> (Shibuya), <\/span>Moto<\/span><\/a> sake bar (Shinjuku)<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n

SUBSCRIBE TO INTREPID\u2019S NEWSLETTER FOR TRAVEL TIPS, COMPETITIONS, GIVEAWAYS & MORE<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

10. Dine on all of the small shared plates at an izakaya restaurant<\/b><\/h3>\n

\"IzakayaIzakaya are hard to define, but are often described as a Japanese \u201cgastropub\u201d; they\u2019re a dining experience based on food accompanied with a lot of booze. There\u2019s no one model for an izakaya: they may be a tiny 6-seater shop that looks like someone\u2019s storeroom, a 3-floor institution with dimly-lit winding corridors and intimate booths, or a basement full of rowdy tables and cigarette plumes. The dining style at an izakaya is small share plates of everything: sashimi, tempura, yakitori, wagyu beef, karaage (fried chicken), salads, vegetable dishes, tofu, noodles, Japanese-style pizza and everything in between – so they\u2019re perfect for trying heaps<\/em> of Japanese food, without leaving you broke (although they may leave you with a hangover). <\/span><\/p>\n

Try: <\/b>Uoshin<\/span><\/a> (Shibuya), <\/span>Unosato<\/span><\/a> (Shibuya), <\/span>Galali<\/span><\/a> (Aoyama), <\/span>Okage san<\/span><\/a> (Yotsuya), <\/span>Rakuchin<\/span><\/a> (Shibuya), <\/span>Shirube<\/span><\/a> (Shimokitazawa), <\/span>Sasagin<\/span><\/a> (Yoyogi-Uehara), <\/span>Uoteru<\/span><\/a> (Roppongi).<\/span><\/p>\n

11. Eat something cooked over charcoal<\/b><\/h3>\n

Charcoal has been used to cook food in Japan since the Jomon period (14,000 BC – 300 BC), and <\/span>binchotan<\/span><\/i> – high-quality white charcoal processed from the wood of Japanese <\/span>ubame <\/span><\/i>oak tree – since the Edo period. Binchotan is revered world-over for its unique heat, which seals in the flavour of food, while cooking it at a steady temperature to keep the inside tender. What this basically means is: juicy, smoky meat and vegetables. <\/span><\/p>\n

For a charcoal grill-style izakaya:<\/b> Echigoyayasokichi<\/span><\/a> (Ginza\/ Tsukiji), <\/span>Nakame no Teppen Honten<\/span><\/a> (Nakameguro), <\/span>Hakobune <\/span><\/a>(Shimbashi)
\n<\/span>For <\/b>yakitori <\/i><\/b>– chicken skewers grilled over charcoal:<\/b> Torishiki<\/span><\/a> (Meguro), <\/span>Birdland<\/span><\/a> (Ginza), <\/span>Jomon<\/span><\/a> (Roppongi), <\/span>Iguchi<\/span><\/a> (Nakameguro), or head to any of the tiny joints along the Yamanote train line from Yurakucho to Shimbashi station.<\/span><\/p>\n

12. Experience the ingenuity of Japanese-Italian and French fusion cuisine.<\/span><\/b><\/h3>\n

\"JapaneseThe attention to detail of Japanese chefs lends itself to mastery of both authentic Italian and French dishes, as well as creative fusions like uni and shaved truffles over baked rice, green pea mousse in kombu broth, risotto topped with dried abalone, jellied consomme with pickled local mackerel and <\/span>sudachi <\/span><\/i>citrus puree, <\/span>shirako<\/span><\/i> (cod milt) tartlets, cheese aged in sake lees. <\/span><\/p>\n

Try:<\/b> Wine no Ruisuke<\/span><\/a> (Shinjuku), <\/span>La Coccola<\/span> (Aoyama), <\/span>Restaurant Honda<\/span><\/a> (Aoyama), <\/span>Florilege<\/span><\/a> (Jingumae), <\/span>Gris<\/span> (Yoyogi-Uehara), <\/span>Craftale<\/span><\/a> (Nakameguro), <\/span>Salmon and Trout<\/span><\/a> (Shimokitazawa), <\/span>Eatrip<\/span><\/a> (Jingumae).<\/span><\/p>\n

TAKE A CULINARY TOUR THROUGH JAPAN ON A REAL FOOD ADVENTURE – DETAILS HERE<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

13. Go for a nijikai (second party)<\/b><\/h3>\n

Japan is a big fan of the \u201c<\/span>nijikai<\/span><\/i>\u201d, meaning \u201csecond party\u201d – so if you\u2019re still in the mood (and not at karaoke), head for a nightcap. <\/span><\/p>\n

For experimental cocktail numbers like blue cheese martinis:<\/b> Codename Mixology<\/span><\/a> (Akasaka)
\n<\/span>For a cocktail with a view:<\/b> Cerulean Tower\u2019s Bar Bellovisto<\/span><\/a> (Shibuya)
\n<\/span>For secluded cocktails:<\/b> Bar Kokage<\/span><\/a> (Akasaka)
\n<\/span>For vinyl records and whiskey:<\/b> Bar Martha<\/span><\/a> (Ebisu)
\n<\/span>For gimlets in a dimly-lit lounge: <\/b>Bar Tram<\/span><\/a> (Ebisu)
\n<\/span>For more rowdiness:<\/b> Ebisu Yokocho<\/span><\/a> or <\/span>Golden Gai<\/span><\/a>; Otherwise, anywhere you find open – many places open until 3am and beyond.<\/span><\/p>\n

14. Enjoy a post-sento cleansing ale, drinking yoghurt or vinegar-based elixir<\/b><\/h3>\n

What better way to cleanse all the eating and drinking than by stripping down and soaking up in a public hot tub? Sento are the urban version of onsen (natural hot springs), and were the main form of bathing before houses were equipped with bathrooms. Sento may be municipal water enriched with minerals, or may be natural hot spring water. After bathing, it\u2019s common practice to drink Yakult (drinking yoghurt), a beer, or whatever the house-made vinegar elixir is.<\/span> <\/b><\/p>\n

Try:<\/b> Kohmeisen<\/span><\/a> (Nakameguro), <\/span>Bunka-yokusen<\/span><\/a> (Ikejiri-Ohashi), <\/span>Jakotsuyu<\/span><\/a> (Asakusa), <\/span>Minami Aoyama Shimizu-yu<\/span><\/a> (Omotesando). \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Hungry? Thought so… Visit Japan on a small group adventure now<\/a> and eat ALL the things!<\/strong><\/p>\n

All images by Jessie Thompson.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Combinis, depachikas, izakayas and restaurants in alleys off alleys off alleys. Here’s everything you need to know about eating and drinking in Japan. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":16052,"featured_media":27039,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[9,1313],"tags":[260,21,1672,605],"class_list":["post-26980","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-food","category-guides","tag-food-adventures","tag-japan","tag-real-food-adventure","tag-tokyo","ipf_theme-food","ipf_region-japan"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nJapan Food & Drink: How to Eat Like a Local in Japan | Intrepid Travel Blog<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Japan can be an overwhelming place when it comes to food - vending machines dispensing hot coffee, robots pouring beer, sticky beans, raw fish, restaurants in houses, restaurants in subways, restaurants in alleys off alleys off alleys. This handy guide to food and drinks will make your choices a little bit easier.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/eat-and-drink-like-a-local-in-japan\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"How to eat and drink like a local in Japan\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Japan can be an overwhelming place when it comes to food - vending machines dispensing hot coffee, robots pouring beer, sticky beans, raw fish, restaurants in houses, restaurants in subways, restaurants in alleys off alleys off alleys. This handy guide to food and drinks will make your choices a little bit easier.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/eat-and-drink-like-a-local-in-japan\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"The Good Times by Intrepid\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/intrepidtravel\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2018-05-14T00:00:08+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2024-09-18T06:11:37+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/local-guide_sumibiyaki-e1526021410759.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"800\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"450\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Jessie Thompson\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@Intrepid_Travel\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@Intrepid_Travel\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Jessie Thompson\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"11 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/eat-and-drink-like-a-local-in-japan\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/eat-and-drink-like-a-local-in-japan\/\",\"name\":\"Japan Food & Drink: How to Eat Like a Local in Japan | Intrepid Travel Blog\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/eat-and-drink-like-a-local-in-japan\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/eat-and-drink-like-a-local-in-japan\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/local-guide_sumibiyaki-e1526021410759.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2018-05-14T00:00:08+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2024-09-18T06:11:37+00:00\",\"author\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/#\/schema\/person\/52c45c9b435a9984d862e2643bc60414\"},\"description\":\"Japan can be an overwhelming place when it comes to food - vending machines dispensing hot coffee, robots pouring beer, sticky beans, raw fish, restaurants in houses, restaurants in subways, restaurants in alleys off alleys off alleys. This handy guide to food and drinks will make your choices a little bit easier.\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/eat-and-drink-like-a-local-in-japan\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/eat-and-drink-like-a-local-in-japan\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/eat-and-drink-like-a-local-in-japan\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/local-guide_sumibiyaki-e1526021410759.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/local-guide_sumibiyaki-e1526021410759.jpg\",\"width\":800,\"height\":450,\"caption\":\"Sumibiyaki in Tokyo\"},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/eat-and-drink-like-a-local-in-japan\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"How to eat and drink like a local in Japan\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/\",\"name\":\"The Good Times by Intrepid\",\"description\":\"adventure news\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/#\/schema\/person\/52c45c9b435a9984d862e2643bc60414\",\"name\":\"Jessie Thompson\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/5768f10da904f07b291e16f9a52b285372a2e26ceba8ef9372932d80d2021d77?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/5768f10da904f07b291e16f9a52b285372a2e26ceba8ef9372932d80d2021d77?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"caption\":\"Jessie Thompson\"},\"description\":\"Tokyo-based, Australian-born writer, cook, and aspiring sake cup collector. Insatiably curious.\",\"sameAs\":[\"jessie_tttt\"],\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/author\/jessie-thompson\/\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Japan Food & Drink: How to Eat Like a Local in Japan | Intrepid Travel Blog","description":"Japan can be an overwhelming place when it comes to food - vending machines dispensing hot coffee, robots pouring beer, sticky beans, raw fish, restaurants in houses, restaurants in subways, restaurants in alleys off alleys off alleys. This handy guide to food and drinks will make your choices a little bit easier.","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/eat-and-drink-like-a-local-in-japan\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"How to eat and drink like a local in Japan","og_description":"Japan can be an overwhelming place when it comes to food - vending machines dispensing hot coffee, robots pouring beer, sticky beans, raw fish, restaurants in houses, restaurants in subways, restaurants in alleys off alleys off alleys. This handy guide to food and drinks will make your choices a little bit easier.","og_url":"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/eat-and-drink-like-a-local-in-japan\/","og_site_name":"The Good Times by Intrepid","article_publisher":"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/intrepidtravel\/","article_published_time":"2018-05-14T00:00:08+00:00","article_modified_time":"2024-09-18T06:11:37+00:00","og_image":[{"width":800,"height":450,"url":"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/local-guide_sumibiyaki-e1526021410759.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"author":"Jessie Thompson","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_creator":"@Intrepid_Travel","twitter_site":"@Intrepid_Travel","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"Jessie Thompson","Est. reading time":"11 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/eat-and-drink-like-a-local-in-japan\/","url":"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/eat-and-drink-like-a-local-in-japan\/","name":"Japan Food & Drink: How to Eat Like a Local in Japan | Intrepid Travel Blog","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/eat-and-drink-like-a-local-in-japan\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/eat-and-drink-like-a-local-in-japan\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/local-guide_sumibiyaki-e1526021410759.jpg","datePublished":"2018-05-14T00:00:08+00:00","dateModified":"2024-09-18T06:11:37+00:00","author":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/#\/schema\/person\/52c45c9b435a9984d862e2643bc60414"},"description":"Japan can be an overwhelming place when it comes to food - vending machines dispensing hot coffee, robots pouring beer, sticky beans, raw fish, restaurants in houses, restaurants in subways, restaurants in alleys off alleys off alleys. This handy guide to food and drinks will make your choices a little bit easier.","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/eat-and-drink-like-a-local-in-japan\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/eat-and-drink-like-a-local-in-japan\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/eat-and-drink-like-a-local-in-japan\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/local-guide_sumibiyaki-e1526021410759.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/local-guide_sumibiyaki-e1526021410759.jpg","width":800,"height":450,"caption":"Sumibiyaki in Tokyo"},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/eat-and-drink-like-a-local-in-japan\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"How to eat and drink like a local in Japan"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/#website","url":"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/","name":"The Good Times by Intrepid","description":"adventure news","potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/#\/schema\/person\/52c45c9b435a9984d862e2643bc60414","name":"Jessie Thompson","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/5768f10da904f07b291e16f9a52b285372a2e26ceba8ef9372932d80d2021d77?s=96&d=mm&r=g","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/5768f10da904f07b291e16f9a52b285372a2e26ceba8ef9372932d80d2021d77?s=96&d=mm&r=g","caption":"Jessie Thompson"},"description":"Tokyo-based, Australian-born writer, cook, and aspiring sake cup collector. Insatiably curious.","sameAs":["jessie_tttt"],"url":"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/author\/jessie-thompson\/"}]}},"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/local-guide_sumibiyaki-e1526021410759.jpg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p4OQMK-71a","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/26980","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/16052"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=26980"}],"version-history":[{"count":17,"href":"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/26980\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":75977,"href":"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/26980\/revisions\/75977"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/27039"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=26980"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=26980"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=26980"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}