Gokayama is famous for its: gassho-zukuri villages. But its isolation in the mountains also created something travellers can easily overlook: a distinctive local food culture. Historically, this wasn’t a place where residents could simply import whatever ingredients they wanted. People relied heavily on what the mountains, rivers and small farming communities could provide. That means … Read more
Takayama is one of the best food destinations in Japan’s mountains. Most visitors arrive knowing about: Hida beef. And yes: you should absolutely eat it. But Takayama’s food culture goes much further. This small mountain city has developed distinctive foods around: cold winters + pure mountain water + local cattle + buckwheat + preserved vegetables … Read more
Takayama is one of the best small food cities to include in a Japan itinerary. Hida beef gets most of the attention. And yes: you absolutely should eat Hida beef. But Takayama’s food scene goes much further. This mountain city is also known for: The city is compact enough that most of the restaurants in … Read more
If you’re going to eat Hida beef once in Japan: Takayama is the place to do it. Hida beef is one of Gifu Prefecture’s most famous foods and one of the main reasons Takayama has become such a good destination for food-focused travellers. You’ll find it served almost everywhere. But there’s a big difference between … Read more
Kanazawa is one of Japan’s most underrated food cities. Most first-time visitors know about the city’s seafood. And they’re right. Kanazawa’s position near the Sea of Japan gives it access to exceptional fish, shellfish, crab and shrimp. But stopping at sushi would be a mistake. Kanazawa also has its own traditional Kaga cuisine, distinctive oden, … Read more
Kanazawa is one of the best cities in Japan for sushi. Its location near the Sea of Japan gives restaurants access to outstanding seafood from Ishikawa and the wider Hokuriku region, including seasonal fish and shellfish that many first-time visitors rarely encounter elsewhere. And you don’t need to spend ¥20,000 on omakase to eat well. … Read more
Omicho Market is one of the best places to experience Kanazawa’s food culture. Known as “Kanazawa’s Kitchen,” the market has been feeding the city for more than 300 years and contains more than 170 shops and businesses selling everything from fresh Sea of Japan seafood to local vegetables, fruit, dried goods and prepared food. But … Read more
Eating well in Kanazawa doesn’t have to be expensive. The city may be famous for premium sushi, snow crab and traditional Kaga cuisine, but some of Kanazawa’s most enjoyable meals are also among its cheapest. Think: Kanazawa curry for around ¥1,000 bowls of ramen udon after a night in Katamachi casual sushi local set meals … Read more
Kanazawa is one of the best food cities to add to a Japan itinerary. Its location near the Sea of Japan gives the city access to exceptional seafood, while the historic Kaga region has developed its own distinctive food culture around seasonal ingredients, local vegetables, sake and beautifully presented Japanese cuisine. For first-time visitors, there … Read more
January is one of the most distinctive times to travel in Japan. Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka are cold but often relatively dry, while Hokkaido, the Japanese Alps and the Sea of Japan side of the country can be covered in deep snow. It is also a month with two very different personalities. The first few … Read more