What the heck is that? From stewed intestines to fish sperm sushi, the food scene in Japan is anything but bland.
“What’s inside those fried balls? Is that still alive? How do I order? Is that a robot pouring my beer???” are all common questions you’ll find yourself asking on an adventure through the seahorse-shaped country (you’ll probably find those on the menu too).
Eating mysterious food in a foreign land is something we wholeheartedly encourage. Here’s where to go and some of the most unusual and weird things to eat in Tokyo and beyond:
Omoide Yokocho (aka Piss Alley), Shinjuku, Tokyo
It’s smoky, crammed, noisy and greasy (and has a pretty off-putting name), but Piss Alley is one of the best spots to try Japan’s favourite snack-on-a-stick: yakitori (aka chicken skewers). There’s a huge variety of chicken meat that can end up on your skewer, so here’s what to look out for:
Momo – Thigh
Tebasaki – Wings
Bonjiri – Tail
Seseri – Neck
Kawa – Skin
Sasami – Under breast
Reba – Liver
Tsukene – Chicken meatballs
Shiro – Small intestine
Toriniku – Breast
Nankotsu – Cartilage
If chicken isn’t your vibe, there’s loads of other great dishes on offer. Pull up a stool, grab a beer and order anything from shiitake mushrooms and rice cakes to pig’s testicles and salamander. Oishi.
Golden Gai, Shinjuku, Tokyo
After your yakitori adventure, get lost in Golden Gai, a maze of narrow lanes lined with tiny drinking dens. Each bar has its own unique theme, some blasting heavy metal or J-Pop, while others adorn the walls/ceiling/floors with Evil Knievel/Americana memorabilia or rugby paraphernalia.
Some bars here are for locals only, but if there’s a drinks list in English at the door, you’re welcome to head on in. If you’re feeling peckish, most places serve snacks with your beer, whisky or sake, or have izakaya-style menus which include gyoza, motsunikomi (stewed pork intestines), yakisoba (fried noodles) and edamame.
Tsukiji Fish Market, Tokyo
Best way to conquer a hangover after a night in Golden Gai? A fresh sushi breakfast at the Tsukiji Fish Market, obvs. Line up at Sushi Dai or Daiwa Sushi, wade through the crowds and snack as you go, or – if you’re super keen for some fishy business – check out the live tuna auctions.
You’ll need to get up early (or stay up all night) for this one; visitors are capped at 120 each day and are admitted on a first-come, first-served basis. Aim to get there at about 3am if you want in on the action.
Note: The Tsukiji inner market is expected to move sites before the Japan 2020 Olympics. Keep an eye on the Tsujiki Fish Market website before you go.
Gion, Kyoto
Kyoto’s geisha district seems mysterious to the uninitiated. Wandering down Hanami-Koji Street, it’s easy to imagine secret societies wheeling and dealing behind closed doors, worlds away from the tourists outside. But the reality isn’t quite as James Bond as you’d think.
The traditional machiya townhouses are actually expensive, high-end Kaiseki Ryorii (multi-course) restaurants. If you’ve got yen to burn, you’re in the right place. Here, you can taste traditional Japanese food, but most places will set you back at least $150 AUD – your accommodation or guide can help you book a table in advance.
If you’re on a shoestring (like me), head to the backstreets of Shijo Dori and pop into an izakaya, curry house or ramen bar after catching a geisha show at Gion Corner.
Oh, and if you spot a geisha, be respectful and ask if you can take a photo first. Here’s a handy translation: Shashin wo totte mo ii desu ka?
Dotonburi, Osaka
Head towards the neon running man in Osaka’s version of Times Square and pick up some takoyaki on the way.
The ball-shaped snack – filled with diced octopus, batter, ginger and spring onion – is cooked in a moulded iron pan over a verrrrrry high heat, then topped with takoyaki sauce, mayonnaise and dried bonito (and they’re DELICIOUS).
Grab a plate from a street-side vendor and keep exploring Dotonbori’s bustling hub.
FACT: an octopus’s reproductive system is in its head. True story. If you’re not into cephalopods, track down an okonomiyaki restaurant, where you can channel your inner chef and cook a Kansai-style cabbage pancake filled with veggies, seafood and meat on a hotplate at your table.
Okonomimura, Downtown Hiroshima
Pancake wars: it’s a thing. In the red corner, Osaka has mastered the art of the Kansai-style okonomiyaki pancake, where ingredients (see above) are mixed in with a batter and fried into a big, thick cake.
In the blue corner, Hiroshima are doing things their own way, frying a thin pancake and then topping it with cabbage, yakisoba noodles, and anything else that takes their fancy.
Head downtown to Okonomimura to get into Hiroshima’s signature dish and pick a side. Either way, Kansai or Hiroshima, these made-to-order pancakes are delicious so, y’know, everyone wins.
Plan a Foodie Trip to Japan
Japan is such a fascinating country with so many amazing tourist attractions and foods to sample. If you want to discover the highlights view our Japan gap year trips, group tours or if you like the idea of moving to the far east consider taking a TEFL certification and teaching English.