A cultural travel guide to the world

Taste of place

A taste of place

Behind every dish is a city’s history and manners: why sushi was Edo’s fast food, which old shop first served Peking duck, whether the Margherita pizza story is fact or legend. 47 signature dishes, each with its origin, how to eat it and local etiquette, plus “what to eat nearby” for 249 sights and festivals, with must-tries, where to eat, dining etiquette and typical prices.

Japan

Japan travel guide →
Hiroshima okonomiyaki

FoodHiroshima, Japan

Hiroshima okonomiyaki

Layers of batter, cabbage, pork and noodles — after the atomic bomb, it was what kept Hiroshima fed.

Tonkotsu ramen

FoodFukuoka, Japan

Hakata tonkotsu ramen

Milky pork-bone broth, very thin noodles, and kaedama — a refill of noodles.

Takoyaki in Osaka

FoodOsaka, Japan

Osaka takoyaki

Invented by an Osaka street vendor in 1935, it became synonymous with the 'city of flour foods'.

Kaiseki in Kyoto

FoodKyoto, Japan

Kyoto kaiseki

From the simple meal of the tea ceremony to the pinnacle of Japanese cuisine, devoted to the seasons and to tableware.

Nigiri sushi

FoodTokyo, Japan

Edomae sushi

Today's nigiri sushi began as Edo's street 'fast food'.

Yatai beside the Naka River in Nakasu

FoodHakata, Fukuoka

Nakasu yatai, Fukuoka

The last stronghold of Japan's yatai culture: ramen, oden and toasts with strangers by the river at dusk.

What to eat near the sights88 places