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Stories, guides, and sustainable travel inspiration— Page 7 of 14

Food & Drink

Tonkatsu Guide: Japan's Crispy Pork Cutlet and Best Restaurants

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Tonkatsu is one of Japan's most satisfying everyday dishes — but the best versions are miles from what you'd expect. Here's how to eat it properly.

Food & Drink

Japanese Wagyu: Types, Grades, and Where to Eat the Best Beef

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Japanese wagyu is the most celebrated beef in the world — but grades, names, and prices vary enormously. Here's how to understand it and where to eat the real thing.

Food & Drink

Omakase Dining in Tokyo: What It Is, How to Book, What It Costs

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Omakase — 'I leave it to you' — is Japan's most immersive dining experience. Here's everything you need to know to book and enjoy one in Tokyo.

Food & Drink

Best Ramen in Osaka: Top Shops by Style

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Osaka is not as famous for ramen as Tokyo or Fukuoka, but it has excellent shops across every style. Here's where to find the best bowls in the city.

Food & Drink

Best Sushi Restaurants in Tokyo: From Conveyor Belt to Omakase

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Tokyo has more Michelin-starred sushi restaurants than any city on earth. Here's how to find the right one at every budget, from 130-yen plates to 50,000-yen omakase.

Food & Drink

Japanese Street Food Complete List: 30 Must-Try Snacks

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From takoyaki to taiyaki, Japan's street food scene spans every flavor and region. Here are 30 snacks every visitor should track down.

Food & Drink

Matcha vs Hojicha vs Sencha: Japan's Green Tea Varieties Explained

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Japan produces dozens of distinct green teas, each with its own growing method, flavor, and ritual. Here's how to understand and enjoy the main varieties.

Food & Drink

Japanese Whisky Guide: Suntory, Nikka, and Where to Taste

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Japanese whisky has taken the world stage, winning international awards and selling out globally. Here's the essential guide to tasting it where it's made.

Food & Drink

Best Izakaya Food: 20 Dishes to Order at a Japanese Pub

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The izakaya is Japan's most social dining institution. Here are the 20 dishes every first-timer should order at a Japanese pub, with ordering guidance.

Food & Drink

Sushi vs Sashimi vs Nigiri: What's the Difference and How to Order

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Confused by the difference between sushi, sashimi, and nigiri? This guide explains every form, the ordering etiquette, and what to eat at each restaurant type.

Food & Drink

Japanese Ramen Types Explained: Tonkotsu, Shoyu, Miso, Shio

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Japan has four main ramen broth styles and dozens of regional variations. This guide explains every type and which regions to try them in.

Food & Drink

Kanazawa Food Guide: Seafood, Gold Leaf, and Market Food

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Kanazawa is Japan's hidden food capital — a city that rivals Kyoto in culinary tradition but receives a fraction of the visitors. Here's what to eat.

Food & Drink

Sendai Food Guide: Gyutan Beef Tongue and Seafood

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Sendai is the gateway to Tohoku and home to Japan's greatest beef tongue culture, plus some of the Pacific coast's finest seafood and oysters.

Food & Drink

Nagoya Food Guide: Miso Katsu, Hitsumabushi, and Morning Sets

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Nagoya has one of Japan's proudest regional food cultures — from miso-drenched pork cutlets to eel rice and a legendary morning cafe tradition.

Food & Drink

Hiroshima Food Guide: Oysters, Tsukemen, and Momiji Manju

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Hiroshima has one of Japan's most distinctive regional food cultures — built around oysters, a unique layered okonomiyaki, and a beloved maple-shaped sweet.

Food & Drink

Okinawa Food Guide: Champuru, Sea Grapes, and Awamori

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Okinawa's food is unlike anything else in Japan — a unique blend of Chinese, Japanese, and indigenous Ryukyuan influences with ingredients found nowhere else.

Food & Drink

Hokkaido Food Guide: Crab, Miso Ramen, Dairy, and Soup Curry

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Hokkaido's cold northern climate produces Japan's best seafood, dairy, and ramen. This guide covers every dish worth seeking out on Japan's northernmost island.

Food & Drink

Fukuoka Food Guide: Ramen, Motsu Nabe, and Hakata Street Stalls

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Fukuoka is arguably Japan's best food city. From tonkotsu ramen to yatai street stalls, here's everything worth eating in Hakata.

Itineraries

Japan Healthcare for Tourists: Hospitals, Pharmacies, Emergency Numbers

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Japan's healthcare system is excellent — if you know how to navigate it. Here are the emergency numbers, hospital options, and pharmacy tips every visitor needs.

Itineraries

Japan Travel Insurance: What You Need and What to Skip

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Japan is safe and its healthcare is excellent — but travel insurance still matters. Here's exactly what coverage you need and what's not worth paying for.

Itineraries

How to Book a Ryokan: What to Expect, Deposit Rules, Best Sites

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Booking a ryokan in Japan requires understanding check-in customs, meal plans, deposit rules, and which platforms actually carry the best inventory.

Itineraries

Airbnb vs Hotels vs Ryokan: Which to Choose in Japan

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Japan offers three very different accommodation experiences — Airbnb, hotels, and ryokan. Here's how to choose the right one for your trip.

Budget Travel

Manga Kissa (Internet Cafes) as Accommodation: Budget Hack Guide

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Japan's manga kissa (internet cafes) offer overnight stays from 1,500 yen — a real budget hack used by locals and savvy travelers alike.

Family & Couples

Love Hotels in Japan: What They Are, How They Work (For Couples)

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Love hotels in Japan offer surprisingly clean, private, and affordable rooms for couples — here's exactly how they work and what to expect.