53. FOOD GUIDE : Food court, Markets, Themed restaurants

Food Court

Food courts in Japan, often referred to as "food halls" (offen located at the last floor in department stores) offer a fascinating culinary experience with a vast array of options that range from traditional Japanese dishes to international cuisine. These food courts are not only popular among tourists but also locals who appreciate good food at affordable prices.

TOKYO

• Kabukichô tower food court

• Toranomon Yokocho

• Chaos Kitchen, Shibuya Parco

• Shin-Okubo Kankoku Yokocho

• Asakusa Yokocho

• Tsukishima Monja Street

• Tokyo Station’s Kitchen Street

KANSAI (Osaka, Kyoto)

• Kyoto tower food court

• Kyoto Ramen Kyoji

• Aeon mall food court

• ABENO Haruka food court

• Abeno Q ‘ kitchen

• LUCUA FOOD HALL, Osaka

• Mosaic Food Hall Kobe

• Herbis Osaka UMEDA

Insolite Restaurants & Cafés

Japan is known for its innovative and quirky dining experiences. Here are some unusual restaurants and cafes you can find in Japan:

• HINATORIYAMA : Flooting food

• Diverse Avatar Working Network : who Hires Paralyzed People to Control Robot Servers

• Zauo : to catch your own fish

• Restaurant Ninja : Be immersed in a ninja village

• Ramen factory. To make and cook your own Ramen To reserve: http://www.fireramen.com/ramenfactory/

• Menbaka Fire Ramen : Ramen with a big fire

• Shinsaibashi Neon Restaurant Street

• Bear Paw Cafe Osaka

• Pink kawaii cafe Osaka

• Kyoto Kumonocha : Famous trendy cloud cake

• Diaorama restaurant : a shelter for cat & restaurant. Here for details : https://www.railway-cats.com/menu

• Muscle Girls Bar : with big msucle girls !

• Little TGV maid café

• Curry Station NIAGARA for a Train Themed restaurant

• Hananomai Ryōgoku sumo themed restaurant

• Vegan UZU RAMEN team lab ramen restaurant

• MR KANSO OSAKA : eat only in can !

• The JTRRD Cafe

• Janbo-tsuribune Tsurikichi in Shinsekai: you can catch your own fish

• HIROBUN : flooting noodle, Kyoto

• Frankenstein Ramen" in Shinsaibashi. Famous for ice cream ramen

• Unimocc art cafe gallery : paint on your pastry

Themed restaurants & cafés

Japan is also known for themed restaurants & cafes. Here are some themed restaurants and cafes you can find in Japan:

TOKYO

• Harry Potter cafe

• Vampire cafe

• Sanrio cafe

• 2D cafe shinokubo

• School themed cafe

• Reissue Cafe (Cat)

• Shirohige’s Cream Puff Factory Daita & Kichijoji Corn Barley For ghibli vibes and inspired.

• Kirby cafe Tokyo

• Pokémon cafe

• Pompompurin Cafe

• Peanuts Cafe Snoopy Museum Tokyo

• Cat cafe Temari no Ouchi

• Tom and jerrys dinner

• Eorzea Final Fantasy Cafe

• Miffy cafe Tokyo

• Alice In Fantasy Restaurant

  KANSAI

• Miffy Snack Hall Gion & Miffy Sakura Kitchen ARASHIYAMA

• Snoopy Cha-ya at Nishiki Market

• Kuse ga Tsuyoi Menya Reiwa : jojo’s themed ramen

• Rilakkuma Sabo at Arashiyama

• Kotori Cafe Shinsaibashi : birds themed

• PENNENNENEMU Osaka : Story Book themed, with lot of books to read

Depachika

Depachika is a term derived from combining "depato" (department store) and "chika" (basement), referring to the luxurious food halls located on the basement floors of Japan's many department stores. These food halls offer a dizzying array of high-quality foods, ranging from ready-to-eat meals to gourmet ingredients, sweets, and bento boxes. They are a key element of Japan's unique and celebrated food culture.

If you plan to visit a depachika, here are a few tips:

Visit During Off-Peak Hours: To avoid crowds, consider visiting in the morning or late afternoon. Lunchtime can be particularly busy.

For exemple you have the Depachika of Matsuya Ginza.

The Markets

Toyosu Market (New Tsukiji) In Tokyo

Opens at 8:00 and closed around 14:00 on weekdays (opened at 10 on Sundays and sometimes Wednesday)

Oened in October 2018, Toyosu Market is the new location for the world-famous Tsukiji Fish Market, which moved to a more modern facility on the man-made island of Toyosu in Tokyo Bay.

It’s is the largest wholesale fish and seafood market in the world, including extensive areas for both inner and outer markets. The inner market is where the wholesale business and famous tuna auctions take place, while the outer market is a mix of wholesale and retail shops that sell everything from kitchen tools to groceries and seafood.

If you want to see the auction, it’s a bit complicated since it’s begin very early in the morning around 5:00 am and the subway to get there starts running around 5:15 So you’ll need a taxi to get there You can see the auction from window, it’s free and for best view the access is by lottery.

Yanaka Ginza, Tokyo

In the traditional neighborhood of Yanaka, part of Tokyo's Shitamachi (old town) this charming shopping street offers a nostalgic feel with its Showa-era buildings and small, family-owned shops. It’s Ideal for those looking to experience the slower pace of Tokyo life, with shops selling traditional crafts, snacks, and street food.

Ameyoko, Ueno

Situated under the train tracks between Ueno and Okachimachi stations in Tokyo. This bustling market street offers a variety of goods ranging from fresh food and spices to clothing and cosmetics. Originally known for its black market post-World War II, Ameyoko has a vibrant, energetic atmosphere. It's a great place to snag a bargain, enjoy street food, and soak up a lively slice of Tokyo's shopping culture.

Osaka Central Fish Market (Osaka no Uoichi)

Close to Osaka Bay, this market is a crucial hub for seafood distribution in Osaka. Known for its early morning tuna auctions, the Osaka Central Fish Market is a smaller but less touristy alternative to Tokyo's famous fish market. It offers a wide range of fresh seafood, including various types of fish, shellfish, and other marine products.

Kuromon Market

Located in Osaka's Chuo Ward, a short distance from Namba Station. Sometimes referred to as "Osaka's Kitchen," this market is famous for its fresh seafood, produce, and other delicacies.

You enjoy a wide array of street food, including fresh sushi, grilled seafood, and other local specialties. It's an ideal spot for food enthusiasts wanting to experience the daily life of locals.

Tsuruhashi Wholesale Market

Tsuruhashi Wholesale Market is a lesser-known but significant market located in Osaka, Japan. It is particularly famous for being part of the Tsuruhashi area, which is home to one of the largest Korean communities in Japan. This gives the market a unique blend of Japanese and Korean cultures, especially evident in the food offerings and goods available.

Nishiki Market In Kyoto

Situated in the heart of Kyoto, Nishiki Market is a narrow, five-block long shopping street lined with more than one hundred shops and restaurants. Known as "Kyoto's Kitchen," this lively market specializes in all things food, including fresh seafood, produce, knives, and cookware. It is also a great place to find Kyoto specialties, such as pickles, Japanese sweets, and dried seafood.

Kyoto City Central Wholesale Market

The Kyoto City Central Wholesale Market is a crucial hub for the distribution of fresh food and produce in Kyoto. This market primarily serves as a wholesale center for businesses, including local restaurants, retailers, and food service providers. It's less known to tourists compared to markets like Nishiki Market in Kyoto, but it plays an essential role in the city’s food industry.

Family restaurant culture in Japan

Family restaurants, or "famiresu" as they are colloquially known in Japan, play a unique and popular role in Japanese dining culture. These establishments are designed to offer a welcoming atmosphere suitable for diners of all ages, providing a broad range of menu options that cater to various tastes and preferences at reasonable prices.

The menus typically feature a wide array of dishes, from Japanese cuisine to Western-style. There's often a children's menu with smaller portions and less spicy options.

Service at family restaurants is usually quick and efficient. While not offering fine dining levels of service, the staff are friendly, and the atmosphere is casual and relaxed.

Popular Family Restaurant Chains in Japan

• Denny’s : Adapted to suit Japanese tastes, Denny's in Japan differs significantly from its American counterpart, with a menu that includes both local and Western dishes.

• Saizeriya: An Italian-inspired chain, Saizeriya is incredibly popular for its extremely affordable prices and a menu that includes pasta, pizza, and gratin.

• Gusto and Coco’s: a mix of Japanese and Western dishes, with Coco’s being slightly more Americanized.

• Jonathan’s: Known for its cozy atmosphere, Jonathan’s offers a variety of seasonal dishes and classic family restaurant fare.
  

🍱 THE CHEAPEST RESTAURANT CHAINS 🍱

Here are the restaurant chains that you will find everywhere and which offer complete meals for generally inexpensive.

• Yoshinoya (吉野家)

• Marugame Seimen (丸亀製麺)

• Tenya (てんや)

• Katsuya (かつや)

• Coco Ichi (CoCo壱番屋)

• Cafe Restaurant Gusto (Cafeレストラン ガスト)

• Sukiya (すき家)

• Hidakaya (日高屋)

• Matsuya (松屋)

• Saizeriya (サイゼリア)