In subtle Japan, the simplicity of life in the countryside is as thrilling as the technicolor aggregations of Tokyo.

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In subtle Japan, where the simplicity and refinement of life in the countryside are as thrilling as the technicolor aggregations of Tokyo, centuries-old traditions—influenced by philosophies rooted in Zen and an ancient reverence for nature and the seasons—blend effortlessly with what also feels like life in the future. Stay in a family-run *machiya* in the southernmost tip of Kyushu and soak in an *onsen* on top of a skyscraper in the capital, which looks up to the stars. And the best part? All of these experiences are possible in one trip, thanks to the county’s immaculate *shinkansen* network, which makes traversing the island-nation seamless and efficient.

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Japan is the world’s epicenter of otaku, a ferocious and obsessive culture of (mostly young) fandom that fuels the worlds of manga, anime and video games. True to fanatical form, the country is overflowing with amusement parks, attractions, and other sites to spark the imagination. Whether your genre of choice is shounen demon slayers or *Sailor Moon*-esque *shoujo*, the bucolic, tender worlds of Studio Ghibli, or Madhouse melodramas, there is surely an animated fantasyland for you. Here, a guide to Japan’s many manga kingdoms.

<figure><img src="//images.ctfassets.net/6alb7q886wpg/2mhLDXOULh4IA8fw1nR7ws/044e7a1067c091c1c14d30864bf447b4/Anime_body1.jpg"/><figcaption>Ghibli Park and Museum © Studio Ghibli</figcaption></figure>

## Studio Ghibli Museum 

Studio Ghibli likely needs no introduction. One of Japan’s most renowned and successful animation studios, the cartoon factory has been responsible for whimsical, imaginative, and widely-beloved films like *Spirited Away* and *My Neighbor Totoro*. The [Ghibli Museum](https://www.ghibli-museum.jp/en/), a hands-on Japanime playpen for children and adults alike, is conveniently located in Mitaka, about 20 minutes from central Tokyo. Unlike other famous theme parks dedicated to animation houses, the focus here is on not just on iconic comic-book characters, but also the technology and production magic that goes into creating them. The museum was designed to resemble the buildings characteristic to Ghibli films: bright, idiosyncratic, and cleverly quaint, and it has a series of permanent exhibitions, most famously a replica of the CatBus from *Totoro*. Be warned, however: tickets sell out quickly (book in advance), and photography is strictly prohibited in the museum. 

## Ghibli Park

Beginning November 1, Studio Ghibli is expanding its footprint with [Ghibli Park](https://ghibli-park.jp/en/), which is less a theme park than a world in itself. As one might expect from the studio of Hayao Miyazaki, there’s nothing too bombastic or noisy here; rather, it’s a series of picturesque, deeply evocative scenes and structures scattered through a forest, giving one the sense of being dropped directly into a Ghibli film. At the time of its opening, Ghibli Park will feature three main areas: The Hill of Youth, where you can find shops and buildings from *Whisper of the Heart* and *The Cat Returns*; Dondoko Forest, complete with a replica of the house from *My Neighbor Totoro*; and Ghibli Grand Warehouse, in which a Park Güell-esque stairwell takes visitors through various sets, including a tunnel like the one that served as the rabbit hole to the magical worlds of *Spirited Away*. Two other areas are set to open in the spring: Mononoke Village, based on the 14th century epic *Princess Mononoke*, and Valley of the Witches, which will contain architectural elements from *Howl’s Moving Castle* and *Kiki’s Delivery Service*. 

<figure><img src="//images.ctfassets.net/6alb7q886wpg/5HVo28Wq89UVZwIIyV7WUu/1e358ca979ba40a4f9bac1cb23960b52/Anime_body2.jpg"/><figcaption>Ferris wheel and park © 2021SANRIO CO., LTD</figcaption></figure>

## Sanrio HarmonyLand and Sanrio PuroLand

Hello Kitty is the queen of *kawaii*, and Sanrio [HarmonyLand](https://www.harmonyland.jp/english/harmony/harmony.html) in Oita Prefecture on the island of Kyushu is her palace. Think Disney levels of overstimulating escapism, but with Sanrio characters like Keroppi and My Melody instead of Mickey and Minnie. But here it's really about the little white cat; there's a castle where Hello Kitty resides, a towering pink Hello Kitty ferris wheel, and even a Hello Kitty-themed ninja course. Sanrio PuroLand, an animated extravaganza closer to Tokyo, is smaller-scale, but equally fan-satisfying with its bustling Sanriotown, a cartoon neighborhood filled with eraser shops and cafes, and Lady Kitty House, a regal estate that Hello Kitty calls her second home.

<figure><img src="//images.ctfassets.net/6alb7q886wpg/3LV4EEUxlc0DIHoLvq2y0Z/d2799b9be02b3f940c56612404979462/Anime_body3.jpg"/><figcaption>Cafe and attraction courtesy of © Nintendo™ © Universal Studios</figcaption></figure>

## Super Nintendo Land, Universal Studios 

Universal Studios Japan is well-known for its themed attractions devoted to franchises like *Jurassic Park*, *Minion Park*, and *Harry Potter*. But the park’s [Super Nintendo World](https://super-nintendo-world.usj.co.jp/en/us/home), currently the world's only dedicated Nintendo theme park, is its most unique. After passing through the warp-pipe entrance, video-game visitors are greeted with a vertiginously-accurate, visually-stunning recreation of the virtual worlds from classic *Super Mario* titles. To bring Mushroom Kingdom and Bowser’s Castle to three-dimensional life, Universal Studios employed the mastermind behind Mario himself, Shigeru Miyamoto, to oversee every detail. There are even actual question-mark blocks that you can punch to trigger the signature *Super Mario* power-up sound. 

<figure><img src="//images.ctfassets.net/6alb7q886wpg/31zWPsnTYSQ2SehZRlzXMh/84018114ff45478a6331b59f2fcb1908/Anime_body4.jpg"/><figcaption>Attractions courtesy of Nijigen no Mori Theme Park</figcaption></figure>

## Nijigen no Mori Theme Park, or Awajishima Prefectural Park 

“Nijigen no mori” translates to “two-dimensional forest,” which is a fitting name for a [cosplay park](https://awaji-grandchariot.com/room/711/) dedicated to some of Japan’s most iconic anime and manga franchises (*Naruto*, *Shin-chan*, and *Godzilla*). Located on Awaji Island, just southwest of Osaka in Hyogo Prefecture, the park’s immersive, *Naruto*–themed landscape is modeled to look like the village of Konoha, complete with life-sized beasts, a replica Hokage Rock, and a real-life Ichiraku Ramen shop. (Thankfully, Naruto’s favorite haunt is a faithful reproduction, both in terms of aesthetics and noodle quality.) Rather than typical amusements, the park hosts ninja-themed quests and activities, augmented-reality carnival games, and riddles that must be solved before progressing further in the park. Plus, in another section of the park, a zipline takes visitors directly into the mouth of a 75-foot-tall *Godzilla* statue.

<figure><img src="//images.ctfassets.net/6alb7q886wpg/6wk9t2xcXmy84t1eqcW030/9c1c636af5064f2fc573ff26dfc2b599/Anime_body5.jpg"/><figcaption>Sailor Moon Museum © Naoko Takeuchi</figcaption></figure>

## Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon Museum

Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon Museum, a [pop-up exhibition](https://sailormoon-museum.com/en/) on view through December at Tokyo’s Roppongi Museum, is the largest-ever display of *Sailor Moon*-related art, costumes, and memorabilia— a holographic spectacle  of the superhero schoolgirl's 30-year history. Galleries feature original drawings and artworks by the show’s creator, Naoko Takeuchi; costumes used in the *Sailor Moon* stage musical; life-size models of each Sailor Scout’s weapon; moon-shaped *omurice*, and plenty of pink crystals. There are also recreations of various gowns worn throughout the series, including a glamorous wedding dress and tuxedo set. 

<figure class="align-right hidden"><img src="//images.ctfassets.net/6alb7q886wpg/6fLeRUo2KhOvlv4ujCMygq/9aeaa2b732c1481e070c332071841517/Anime-1.jpg"/><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

<figure class="align-right hidden"><img src="//images.ctfassets.net/6alb7q886wpg/6Ja7wbO9CxSKhbJDqjpct1/34a12d633beb02bf637c6e3fb4f43478/Anime-2.jpg"/><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

<figure class="align-right hidden"><img src="//images.ctfassets.net/6alb7q886wpg/5LGDdmPOSqDarS0uvaBLLA/cf24e5d53e71c7e5d238d5c34814023a/Anime-3.jpg"/><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

<figure class="align-right hidden"><img src="//images.ctfassets.net/6alb7q886wpg/3gz5YkTOXwHec6oFmLNmBQ/77954ed0611a02fba77e5a8c786ab6b9/Anime-4.jpg"/><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

<figure class="align-right hidden"><img src="//images.ctfassets.net/6alb7q886wpg/3DYmsHK0ciHNtDpIsjm9fA/74c0b08a1f7a5648ec15bfdedbfa8c89/Anime-5.jpg"/><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

<figure class="align-right hidden"><img src="//images.ctfassets.net/6alb7q886wpg/235velibSPpUiAWHnLWNgJ/e578749c61b8e503755b9cbf10ac22ce/Anime-6.jpg"/><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

<figure class="align-right hidden"><img src="//images.ctfassets.net/6alb7q886wpg/DgfZs09U4gBWP0VUatmRc/78cff0dca05aa8a7154f1d228ed0823e/Anime-7.jpg"/><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

<figure class="align-right hidden"><img src="//images.ctfassets.net/6alb7q886wpg/7n9MRKqXds44AzINn4qzbw/75051ff5381c15309816ec0f6fcf16b7/Anime-8.jpg"/><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

<figure class="align-right hidden"><img src="//images.ctfassets.net/6alb7q886wpg/5pyKWwF1E0D5d7bZ3zg2v6/1b155b4b75bd7afe4cf09d2be8a3a923/Anime-9.jpg"/><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

<figure class="align-right hidden"><img src="//images.ctfassets.net/6alb7q886wpg/7DZQ57UV4LSNMTEyNQkpMT/06333bb53e6acbe7e28965420e03f649/Anime-10.jpg"/><figcaption></figcaption></figure>


Discover various wonders on your next family trip to japan. Find things to do in Japan with kids, and learn about the Sailor Moon Museum, Studio Ghibli Museum and more.

Anime hero

Anime index

Things To Do in Japan with Kids - Manga Kingdoms | PRIOR

In Japan, the art of animated fun is taken seriously, and obsessively so.

The Many Manga Kingdoms of Japan

Crafts in Japan, revered by these Japanese themselves as much as by the rest of us, have a long history. Only a few of the many photographs in *[Handmade in Japan](https://us.gestalten.com/products/handmade-in-japan)*, a new book about the people behind those crafts, feature more than one person. That's because the precision and artistry we associate with Japanese anything, but especially traditional, handmade items, require focus, silence, and a combination of patience and tenacity. In other words: solitude.

Ninety year-old Ichibei Iwano didn't learn to spot the 0.02 mm difference in the thickness of his washi paper by discussing it in a conference room. Fujiwara Kanefusa didn't learn to use the color of a burning flame to determine the temperature of the ceremonial swords he smiths by Slacking about it in a group channel. Both gained their expertise by practicing, every day, in quiet rooms, their only conversations with the materials in front of them. 

The same goes for Tango Tanimura, a twentieth-generation [tea](https://www.prior.club/inspiration/tea-power-take-away) whisk maker in an unbroken line stretching back over 500 years. His ancestors also bore the name Tango; it was bestowed upon the family by the Tokugawa Shogunate to mark its status as its official supplier of chasen, or [tea](https://www.prior.club/inspiration/henrietta-lovell) whisks, and it’s been handed down. “It’s important for me to maintain the quality of the craftsmanship that my ancestors achieved,” Tanimura says. He carves each from a single piece of bamboo, flaring it out into two layers of thin tines, before cutting, shaving, and delicately curving each and every one. “The joy of making them is when a customer tells me their whisk lasted a long time, or was easy to use.”

[The book is out September 1](https://us.gestalten.com/products/handmade-in-japan), but Tokyo-based, Melbourne-born photographer Irwin Wong and his publisher gestalten shared an exclusive peek into Tanimura's workshop below.

<figure><img src="//images.ctfassets.net/oc8dxvhvd87u/4UTyJ7xTOMdmeEizATEOpC/b5e396351aedba15c79901064159e1ec/JapaneseCraft2.png"/></figure>

“The heritage of the Tanimura family becomes apparent on a visit to the workshop in Ikoma, Nara Prefecture. The workshop houses old scrolls depicting early designs of tea whisks and directions for carving them, as well as a fascinating collection of old whisks in a wide variety of shapes and sizes.”

<figure><img src="//images.ctfassets.net/oc8dxvhvd87u/TVaWwHjltVk6GvYAncgjl/d10c7cb799daee7ccdf5ea2d3e1eb22f/JapaneseCraft3.png"/></figure>

He “curves each of the 70 to 120 tines individually, using a wooden blade akin to a letter opener. The process is intended to make it more difficult for matcha powder to stick to the whisk. The resulting tea whisk is beautifully symmetrical, more akin to a flower than the stick that it used to be."

<figure><img src="//images.ctfassets.net/oc8dxvhvd87u/3BaEwu3P7YZt9qpIo0L8ap/489d7327aa0095fc93b853323b9d21e2/JapaneseCraft4.png"/></figure>

“Compared to other crafts, relatively few tools and materials are required for making a tea whisk. There are just a few different types of blades, and various types and lengths of bamboo are scattered around the studio. Each length of bamboo is cut down to the middle in eight perfectly even segments. Following  this, a series of deft cuts renders those segments into even thinner subparts. This process continues until the tines are about one millimeter thick.”

*Photographs by Irwin Wong from [Handmade in Japan: The Pursuit of Perfection in Traditional Crafts](https://us.gestalten.com/products/handmade-in-japan) (gestalten 2020)*

JapaneseCraft

Irwin Wong 

JapaneseCraft SQ

Uncover the profound beauty of traditional Japanese crafts and the transformative power of solitary work in gestalten's "Handmade in Japan." Witness the meticulous skill of woodblock carvers, pottery masters, and katana swordsmiths, each a testament to dedication honed in solitude. Explore ancient techniques, timeless designs, and the quiet perfection that emerges from focused craftsmanship. Find inspiration in solitude and discover the magic of handcrafted objects in this immersive book.

Handmade in Japan: Mastering Solitude & Craft - Dive into gestaltens Inspiring Book

Gestalten's new book Handmade in Japan highlights the beauty of traditional Japanese craftsmanship—and the importance of solitude in the process

A Master of One

Deciding on a meal in Tokyo can be overwhelming, especially for travelers with limited time and stomach space to sample everything the culinary capital has to offer. You need to go with a plan, or at least a rough idea of what you absolutely must try; while Tokyo is home to some of the world’s best dining, it can be possible to have a poor meal due to bad preparation. To make things more complicated, most popular dinner spots tend to operate by reservation-only. The easiest way to navigate it all is by planning an itinerary organized around foods or cuisine styles rather than restaurants— an efficient method of satisfying cravings for sushi, katsu, yakitori, and ramen all within a span of days. 

While this list of my favorite spots in Tokyo is far from exhaustive, it’s a testament to the city’s dynamic culinary landscape. My favorite meals have been found jumping into random lines, simply because I follow the rule that if there’s a line to get in, it must be good. One caveat: I didn’t list combinis like 7-11, Lawson, and Family Mart. Make it a point to visit them for midday snacks and drinks or late-night bites. 

### Sushi
__Sushi Manten__

Even with the weak Yen, omakase sushi dinners can be wildly expensive, not to mention impossible to reserve unless you’re willing to pay high fees for online booking services or have a concierge with pull. For a quick, affordable, and high-quality experience, make an online reservation at [Sushi Manten](https://www.manten-sushi.com/). There’s bar seating as well as two tables for larger parties, and turnover is efficient, so spots are easy to come by. It’ll run you approximately $30 per person for lunch or $50 for dinner (before drinks). Samplings may include chawanmushi (steamed egg) served with delicate crab meat, a hand roll overflowing with Hokkaido uni, and torched monkfish with yuzu zest. The only downside here is that you can’t add sushi to your meal like at other omakase spots, but that just leaves room for a second dinner.

<figure><img src="//images.ctfassets.net/6alb7q886wpg/1GJoEUryiP6b1QKyfVwrgZ/775f8a49fda131d4a0365009b6739c13/4.1.23_restaurants_body_1.jpg"/><figcaption>sashimi courtesy Sushiu Manten, small plates a plenty at Yakumo Saryo, Katsudon-ya Zuicho</figcaption></figure>

### Katsu
__Katsudon-ya Zuicho__

Any spot that blows up on TikTok invites some level of skepticism. But before you write off [Katsudon-ya Zuicho](https://www.google.com/maps/place/Katsudon-ya+Zuicho/@35.662703,139.6953601,15z/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x0:0x41c48d07160668ef?sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiV1taamvX9AhU4ElkFHR-lBOwQ_BJ6BAhrEAg) as a tourist trap, try hopping in the line at this family-owned restaurant; it can take up to an hour or more, but the prize for your patience— deep friend pork cutlet and egg over rice, the only item on the menu— is well worth it. At $12 a bowl, you can choose small, medium, or large amounts of rice for the same price. Go for the small; it’s more than enough food to last you until your next meal. If you’re lucky enough to snag a seat at the bar, you’ll also get to watch the chefs in the kitchen hard at work.

### Kaiseki
__Yakumo Saryo__

Getting to [Yakumo Saryo](https://yakumosaryo.jp/) is a trek — it’ll take roughly 45 minutes to an hour from the city center— but it’s well worth the visit. Designed by Shinichiro Ogata, the architect behind Aesop shops in Japan as well as restaurants like Odo in New York and Ogata in Paris, it’s both a culinary and aesthetic experience. The Japanese minimalist interiors in neutral shades coupled with the lush greenery in the space offer a serene break from the bustle of Tokyo. It's nearly impossible to get a table for dinner — it’s usually reserved for repeat customers and their friends— so go for breakfast. They offer a traditional Japanese-style meal complete with grilled fish, pickles, and delicate green tea, all served on immaculately curated ceramics. You can book a table via [My Concierge Japan](https://myconciergejapan.com/restaurants/yakumo-saryo/) in advance, but seats tend to fill up, so ask the service for alternative times if your schedule is flexible.

### Isomaru-Yaki
__Isomaru Suisan__

For a fun, nautical group dining experience, try grilling your own food at [Isomaru Suisan](https://www.google.com/maps/place/Isomaru+Suisan/@35.6925896,139.7008916,17z/data=!3m2!4b1!5s0x60188cda26894cfb:0x8ca3a70ec1c9b6c5!4m6!3m5!1s0x60188cd9f23ee37f:0x70b3e3513493e881!8m2!3d35.6925896!4d139.7030803!16s%2Fg%2F1tc_f7vl), a chain of restaurants specializing in seafood. The Shinjuku location is my favorite — it’s a smart way to pad your stomach before venturing off to nearby Golden Gai for a night of drinking. Sit on the provided floor cushions and order from a menu of fresh seafood, caught early in the morning by local fishermen. The blackboard menu changes every day, and you can even order the fish in the tanks, prepared on the spot however you want. The sake-marinated oysters and buttery scallops are both good bets, but for crab lovers the secret move is to order the miso-infused crab innards, grill them up, and then mix in the crab fried rice into the rich sauce. A word of warning: it does get smoky in there from all of the grills, so you will come out smelling like everyone’s dinner. 

### Ramen
__Ramen Hayashida__

No matter which ramen spot you hit up in Tokyo, you’re guaranteed a delicious bowl. [Nakiryu](http://www12.plala.or.jp/nakiryu/), one of the more famous spots, has a Michelin star and hours-long wait to boot. If you don’t want to stand in line, here’s a tip: they sell instant versions of their famous tantan ramen (a spicy noodle soup) in most 7-11s. Buy a few bowls of those as souvenirs and instead head to [Ramen Hayashida](https://www.ramenings.com/hayashida). By 10:30am you’ll find a sizable line outside, and for good reason — everyone wants a bowl of their Nodoguro ramen, a soup made from blackthroat perch. With only 60 bowls available every day, it’s worth getting there early for the delicate, savory broth paired with chewy noodles and slices of tender char siu. The best part? It’s less than $9 for a bowl.

### Pizza
__Pizza Slice 2__

A slice in Tokyo is better than any you’ll find in New York City. Bold words, especially from a born and raised South Brooklyn native like me who grew up eating at some of the borough’s iconic spots, but the wizards at [Pizza Slice 2](https://store.united-arrows.co.jp/brand/hby/pizza/?wovn=en) have won me over. Located down the street from the Pleats Please Issey Miyake shop in Aoyama, head down a flight of stairs and find yourself in a subway-tiled room that looks teleported straight from your favorite NYC corner joint. Besides the classic plain slice on offer, toppings are limited to the standards: pepperoni, sausage, mushrooms, and meatballs. Split a combo, which consists of two slices and a soda, as a midday snack. Not only is the cheese pull satisfyingly stretchy, the sauce is packed with flavor, and the crust is crisp yet chewy. 

<figure><img src="//images.ctfassets.net/6alb7q886wpg/zThYuB5JzjfhU6k9PgDD6/440603ae883834fd63354dbd4137f2b8/4.1.23_restaurants_body_2.jpg"/><figcaption>courtesy Ramen Hayashida, novel exterior at Isomaru Suisan, NYC via Tokyo at Pizza Slice 2</figcaption></figure>

### Uni
__Unitora Nakadori__

Tsukiji Outer Market has a dizzying array of choices. Do you wait for a spot at the infamous Sushi Dai at 5am? Perhaps you’d rather try the tamago vendor that sells skewers of fluffy eggs for $1? Or maybe you’ll want the seared tuna collar? Yes, yes, and yes. But if you’re a uni lover like I am, save room for [Unitora Nakadori](http://www.itadori.co.jp/shop/unitora_nakadori.html), which will serve up a bowl with five to six kinds of Hokkaido uni over rice with an egg yolk and sheet of nori. The waitress advises you to eat it from lightest to richest in flavor, trying it first on its own before dipping it into soy sauce. Every creamy bite tastes like the ocean, and you will want seconds. At approximately $50 a bowl, it’s worth it based on the sheer amount of uni you’ll consume.

### Tempura
__Tempura Motoyoshi__ 

Between combini ice cream, mochi shops with their plump confections stuffed with juicy fruits, fluffy pancake shops, reservation-only shaved ice cafes, and crepe stalls on the streets of Harajuku, dessert in Japan deserves its own category. One unexpected standout is [Tempura Motoyoshi](https://motoyoshi-1120.com/). While it might be tricky to get a spot at the Michelin-star restaurant for dinner, you can still sample a bit of what the place has to offer by grabbing dessert, which is served during all day. The deep-fried sweet potato slices paired with soft-serve ice cream are like the best version of French Fries dipped into a milkshake you’ll ever have. Salty, sweet, hot, and cold, it satisfies every craving you can have all at once. You’ll likely find a line, but it moves fast and is well worth the wait.

### Unagi & Anago
__Ichimatsu__

Sometimes you just have to follow your nose to find a great meal, and that was the case when my husband and I stumbled across [Ichimatsu](https://www.google.com/maps/place/%E5%B8%82%E6%9D%BE/@35.6660975,139.7598042,3a,75y,90t/data=!3m8!1e2!3m6!1sAF1QipOCDWqzyMPw4Nd1duWTgrxnpJ1ZndTuLsnxVs2o!2e10!3e12!6shttps:%2F%2Flh5.googleusercontent.com%2Fp%2FAF1QipOCDWqzyMPw4Nd1duWTgrxnpJ1ZndTuLsnxVs2o%3Dw114-h86-k-no!7i4032!8i3024!4m11!1m2!2m1!1sichimatsu+shimbashi!3m7!1s0x60188be9b6536139:0xb7eebd6190a2d1b1!8m2!3d35.6662294!4d139.7595653!10e5!15sChNpY2hpbWF0c3Ugc2hpbWJhc2hpWhUiE2ljaGltYXRzdSBzaGltYmFzaGmSARB1bmFnaV9yZXN0YXVyYW504AEA!16s%2Fg%2F1tdkxnxf) in the winding passageways at Shimbashi station. If the line of salarymen at lunchtime weren’t an indication of this shop’s popularity, the smoky scent of grilled eel wafting down the hallway was enough to lure us in. After pointing to the menu outside we sit down to orders of anago (freshwater eel) and unagi (soy sauce glazed eel) over rice, served in stylish lacquerware. Every bite is delicate and flavorful without a single bone to be found.

<figure><img src="//images.ctfassets.net/6alb7q886wpg/emsfQVhd95TblMDjTZVuL/c6b3c46fc7adf50a03e5f8e4182b1988/4.1.23_restaurants_body_3.jpg"/><figcaption>courtesy Unitora Nakadori, soft and crunchy at Tempura Motoyoshi, uni for days at Jyuban Ukyo</figcaption></figure>

### Izakaya
__Jyuban Ukyo__

With a crowd consisting of primarily businessmen entertaining clients, [Jyuban Ukyo](https://www.facebook.com/jyubanukyo/) in Azabujuban is definitely not your typical tourist spot. The restaurant has a tightly edited list of cocktails made with whiskey, gin, and sochu — try the sochu sour with tomato juice for a unique take on the Bloody Mary or the sochu with corn tea for a refreshing, not too sweet drink. The food consists of creative spins on izakaya fare like potato salad covered in generous slices of truffle, mackerel sashimi presented under a smoke-filled cloche, and dumplings paired with rich lobes of uni. If you’re still hungry, be sure to also order the pork belly, a tender cut that melts in your mouth.


4.1.23 restaurants HERO

4.1.23 restaurants INDEX

Explore Tokyo's culinary delights with a guide to 10 must-try spots, from omakase sushi to deep-fried katsu, offering a diverse range of delectable dishes in the heart of Japan's bustling metropolis.

Ramen and Katsu and Uni, Oh My! | PRIOR

Where there is a line in Tokyo, there is often a life-changing dish at the end of it. Here are 10 spots to sample Tokyo’s best in culinary offerings, from single-dish katsu joints and omakase dinners to multi-course traditional breakfasts in a high-design city oasis.


Japan

Explore Japan

The Many Manga Kingdoms of Japan

A Master of One

Ramen and Katsu and Uni, Oh My!

Oh... and also

Visit a sumo stable to watch their morning practice, where you’ll witness the rituals of this ancient tradition that remains Japan’s national sport.

Apprentice with an expert in the art of ki-oke (wooden buckets), which were historically used for baths and food storage–and are now used for everything from dog beds to champagne coolers to stools.

Stay in a traditional machiya townhouse, indicative of Kyoto’s architectural landscape prior to Japan's rapid modernization after the 1950’s.

Japan