When it comes to Japanese food cities there is simply no other country on earth that can compete. From the smallest rural towns to the biggest metropolises, the food culture of Japan is ingrained into daily life.
Forget grabbing a sandwich and running, here eating is done with pride and attention to detail, whether it is the humblest bowl of noodles or the most extravagant sushi platter. Counting down from thirteen to one, these are the best Japanese food cities in the opinion of The Street Food Guy.
Click to read about the best street food countries in South-East Asia.
13. Kagoshima
Right at the southern tip of Kyushu lies Kagoshima, a city with volcanic landscapes and equally fiery food. Kagoshima is one of those Japanese food cities that has a real sense of place, with the smoke of Sakurajima volcano dominating the skyline while black pork dominates the menus. Known locally as Kurobuta, Kagoshima’s black pork is slow cooked, grilled, or dunked in steaming hotpots, and is so tender it melts on your tongue.
Number 1 dish to try: Kurobuta pork shabu shabu.
12. Fukuoka
Still in Kyushu, Fukuoka is famous throughout Japan for one thing above all else, Hakata ramen. If you like your broth thick, fatty and absolutely bursting with flavor, this is the place to be. This is also one of the Japanese food cities where street food is still alive and well thanks to the yatai stalls that pop up at night. Sitting on a plastic stool slurping noodles by the riverside is the perfect way to get under the skin of Fukuoka.
Number 1 dish to try: Hakata tonkotsu ramen.
11. Kanazawa
Kanazawa on the Sea of Japan side is one of the great underrated Japanese food cities. Thanks to its location it has some of the freshest seafood in the country, and the local markets are bursting with life. Sushi here is as good as anything you will find in Tokyo, and it is usually cheaper. Kanazawa is also known for gold leaf, which you will find sprinkled on desserts, ice cream and even coffee.
Number 1 dish to try: Nodoguro grilled fish.
Photo: Günaydın Hüzün
10. Nagoya
Nagoya gets unfairly overlooked as a food destination but it should not be. This is one of the Japanese food cities that has forged its own very unique culinary identity. Hitsumabushi is the dish to hunt down, a grilled eel rice dish served in three stages, first plain, then with toppings, then finally with broth poured over. It is ritualistic, tasty and very Nagoya.
Number 1 dish to try: Hitsumabushi grilled eel rice.
9. Sapporo
Way up north in Hokkaido, Sapporo is famous for its beer, snow festivals and food. The cold climate means food here is hearty, warming and generous. Soup curry is the local obsession, spicy broth filled with meat and vegetables, eaten in steaming bowls during winter. Sapporo is also where miso ramen was born, giving Japan one of its great noodle variations.
Number 1 dish to try: Miso ramen.
Photo: さき えじま
8. Kobe
Kobe is of course famous the world over for Kobe beef, one of the most luxurious meats you can ever eat. This is also one of the Japanese food cities that has a deep connection with foreign cuisine, thanks to its history as a port city. You will find everything from Chinese noodles to Western cakes, but the real star of the show is beef so tender and marbled you could cut it with chopsticks.
Number 1 dish to try: Kobe beef steak (of course)
Photo: andi
Photo: Gokie
7. Kyoto
Kyoto is a city of temples, history and refined cuisine. Kaiseki, the Japanese art of haute dining, is perfected here with multi course seasonal meals that feel almost spiritual. But there is more to Kyoto than expensive meals, with matcha sweets, tofu dishes and yuba (tofu skin) making appearances in markets and casual restaurants. Kyoto is one of those Japanese food cities where even snacks have a ceremonial feel.
Number 1 dish to try: Kaiseki seasonal meal.
6. Nara
Just down the road from Kyoto is Nara, another city dripping with history and ancient culture. As far as Japanese food cities go Nara is on the quieter side, but it has its own culinary gems. Kakinoha sushi is the most famous, sushi wrapped in persimmon leaves, creating a preserved style that dates back centuries. It is a taste of old Japan that you will not easily forget.
Number 1 dish to try: Kakinoha sushi.
Photo: bailey
5. Yokohama
Yokohama is one of the great modern Japanese food cities, with a huge Chinese influence thanks to its Chinatown, the biggest in Japan. Eating here feels like a mash up of Japanese precision and Chinese boldness, whether it is noodles, dumplings or buns stuffed with pork. Ramen has a special place here too, with the city being home to the Cup Noodles Museum and countless ramen shops.
Number 1 dish to try: Sanma men ramen.
Photo: Semra Suv
4. Hiroshima
Hiroshima is a city that rebuilt itself after tragedy and has put its own twist on Japanese food culture. The star of the show here is Hiroshima style okonomiyaki, a layered pancake of noodles, cabbage, pork and sauce that is cooked in front of you on a hotplate. This is street food theatre at its best, and one of the true icons of Japanese food cities.
Number 1 dish to try: Hiroshima style okonomiyaki.
3. Tokyo
Tokyo is not just the capital of Japan but also the food capital of the world. This is one of the Japanese food cities where literally everything exists, from the most expensive Michelin starred sushi restaurants to hole in the wall joints serving nothing but grilled chicken skewers. Tokyo is the city where food trends start and spread across the country. Sushi is king, but everything from tempura to curry rice is done here at the highest possible level.
Number 1 dish to try: Edomae sushi.
2. Fukuoka again? Correction — Oita
Oita in Kyushu deserves its place as one of the Japanese food cities for one very simple reason, chicken tempura. Known as toriten, this is fried chicken tempura served with ponzu dipping sauce, and it is addictive. Oita is also famous for its onsen hot springs, and food here often has that same comforting and restorative quality.
Number 1 dish to try: Toriten chicken tempura.
1. Osaka
Number one on the list of Japanese food cities is Osaka (https://www.youngpioneertours.com/osaka/), and it could never have been anywhere else. Known as the nation’s kitchen, Osaka is the beating heart of street food culture in Japan. Takoyaki octopus balls, okonomiyaki pancakes, kushikatsu deep fried skewers, and a nightlife that revolves around eating until you literally cannot move. Food here is fun, messy, loud and utterly delicious, and it sums up why Osaka is the king of Japanese food cities.
Number 1 dish to try: Takoyaki octopus balls.
Click to check out the best street food cities in the world.
And those are the best Japanese food cities according to me, but hey I am still exploring this wonderful country and all the food it has to throw at me.
Click to check out my Japan Tours with YPT