Japan Food Bucket List: 15 Must-Try Foods for Your First Trip

In general, a two-week trip to Japan gives you around forty opportunities to eat. That sounds like plenty, until you realize that all 47 prefectures have their own specialties and food traditions. This Japan food bucket list therefore narrows the field to fifteen essential Japanese food experiences, helping first-time visitors decide what deserves a place in their itinerary. Each entry then tells you what to order, where the dish tastes best, and what to expect to pay in yen and US dollars. The list also covers daily budgets, reservations, and dietary restrictions. TOCQuick Answer: What Food Should You Try in Japan? First-time visitors should generally prioritize ramen, sushi, yakitori, and matcha sweets. After that, add tempura, wagyu or yakiniku, udon or soba, Japanese curry, tonkatsu, okonomiyaki, and takoyaki. With more days to spare, include sukiyaki or shabu-shabu, a traditional Japanese breakfast, an ekiben for a train journey, and at least one regional specialty. Japan Food Bucket List at a Glance Prices generally cover casual to mid-range dining, shown as broad per-person ranges. Premium sushi, wagyu, tempura, and kaiseki, however, can cost considerably more. Dollar amount...