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Your Guide to Akasaka Area

Your Guide to Akasaka Area

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About the Area

Akasaka area is one of the most central districts in Tokyo. It is home to the HQ of many companies, shopping centers, and embassies. Even Japan’s Prime Minister’s residence is located in Akasaka. Along with the modern business skyscrapers, you will find here the famous shrines and parks. All of these make it a desirable upscale residential neighborhood in Tokyo. And this is your guide to the Akasaka area.

How to Get Here

There are several station in the district served by different metro lines:

Akasaka-Mitsuke Station (Marunouchi, Chiyoda, Ginza, Hanzomon Lines).

Tameike-Sanno Station (Namboku and Ginza Lines).

Akasaka station Station (Chiyoda Line).

If you are coming from Haneda Airport, take Keikyu Main Line to Shimbashi station. At Shimbashi station transfer to Ginza Line and get off at Tameike-Sanno station.

If you are coming from Narita Airport, we suggest that you take Skyliner to Keisei Ueno station, and there you switch to Ginza Line and go to Tameike-Sanno station.

What to Do

Many tend to think that Akasaka is a boring district dedicated strictly to business. However pretty much anyone will find here something interesting. If you like shopping, you can head to Tokyo Midtown or visit the local smaller shops, such as Tokyo Little House.

If you are into the Japanese culture, know that is also a district with several famous shrines. Hie shrine is one of them. It is one of the major shrines in Tokyo, and it becomes a hot spot in spring during the blooming cherry trees and later the wisteria plants. For the more European vibes, we recommend visiting Akasaka Palace, also known by the name The State Guest House.

In case you are coming to Akasaka with small children, you can visit the open playgrounds at Tokyo Midtown and Akasaka Sakas. For the rainy days, check out the playrooms such as Plaza Akasaka Nandemo.

Where to Eat

Since food is the informal religion in Japan, in Akasaka you will find many dining options. At lunchtime, you can get a delicious maguro bowl with the highest quality ingredients for a very reasonable price at Kappo Wachi (割烹 和知). In case you prefer European food, you go to the pizzeria Maruumo, which has been around for the past 40 years. Akasaka is also home to some of the Michelin-starred restaurants, take for example Sushi Saito, which has 3 stars and is considered to be the best sushi restaurant in Japan. Lastly, if you are looking for a good cup of coffee head to Streamer Coffee Company Akasaka or to Jaime for coffee and a dessert.

Where to Stay

We, Tokyo Furnished Apartments, are one of the leading accommodation providers to foreign and expatriate communities in Tokyo. We provide our clients with unparalleled service that covers all needs for a comfortable, worry-free stay in Japan. In Akasaka, we have many tastefully furnished and functionally equipped apartments.

Best things you can in Tokyo during the Golden Week

Best things you can in Tokyo during the Golden Week

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In a few days, Golden Week starts in Japan. In this article, we collected some of the best things you can do in Tokyo during the Golden Week.

Tokyo Skytree Town Carp Streamer Festival

This Carp Streamer Festival is one of the biggest in the city and it is dedicated to Children’s Day.  800 carp streamers will be fluttering in the air. Besides the main event, there are many other activities available for the whole family at Tokyo Sky Tree. The festival will last until May 8.

Kameido Tenjin Shrine Wisteria Festival

Sakura is not the only famous flower blooming in Japan in spring. Wisteria is another very popular and absolutely stunning plant you can enjoy in late April-early May. In Tokyo one of the best locations to see it is at the Kameido Tenjin Shrine. The event is completely free of charge and will last until May 5.

Bunkyo Azalea Festival at Nezu Shrine

Another beautiful flower is Azalea. The bloom starts in early April and lasts until late May. A popular spot to head to, if you want to see these flowers in Tokyo, is Nezu Shrine. The event will be held until May 1 and the admission cost is 300 yen. As the shrine is very close to Yanaka Ginza, you can visit this shopping street after the festival.

Spicey and Delicious Gourmet Festival in Hibiya

The festival will take place from April 30 till May 4. It is going to be full of delicious food, mainly meat, but also seafood and sweets. One of the most interesting dishes seems to be a burger made of shark meat, so make sure to come early before it is sold out.

Tokyo Tower Taiwan Festival 2022

This ongoing festival will be held until May 8. What makes this festival so popular is that you get a chance to try all of the most famous Taiwanese dishes in one place. A ticket for one day is 800 yen for an adult, but for this price, besides the access to the event, you also get two instant noodles and a bottle of tea. Or for additional 200 yen, you can switch it to a juicy Taiwanese pineapple.

World Wine Festival Tokyo Midtown Hibiya

The wine festival will start on April 29. More than 120 kinds of wine from all parts of the world will be represented in this event. Even if you work until late, you can stop by after your work as the event will be running until 9 PM every day. The event is free of charge but if you want to participate in the free tasting seminar, you should make your reservation online 3 days in advance.

Things with kids during the rainy season 2

valley park stand

Best Nomad Cafes in Tokyo

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More and more companies allow or even require us to refrain from coming to the office and working from home. However, working from home can be difficult if you have a small apartment, small kids, or a problem focusing. Also, some people just like going to cafes and changing the scenery a bit. Here is a list of the cafes that have free WIFI, outlets, comfortable tables, and an overall atmosphere that brings you into working mode.

Downstairs Coffee – Mercedes Benz Connection

Located in Roppongi just across the street from Tokyo Midtown. This is a very comfortable cafe that can be your improvised office throughout the whole day. The prices at the cafe are also very comfortable, and you can buy yourself a lunch or a cup of coffee with sweet treats.

Standard Coffee Aoyama

A cozy cafe located just a step away from Aoyama-Itchome station. WIFI is pretty reliable and some of the seats have outlets. Lunches and seasonal baked goods are also available.

Berth Coffee

Located inside Citan hostel in Chuo ward. The cafe has two floors, with comfortable chair seats or sofa seats on the underground floor. Despite being located in a hostel, the cafe is pretty quiet and allows good concentration.

Seattle’s Best Coffee Roppongi Store

On the second floor of this cafe, you will find tables equipped with outlets and WIFI, of course. On the first floor, you can buy yourself a cup of coffee and the famous original Cinnabon.

Cozy Style Coffee

A bit off the beaten path, but cozy, and stylish, and serves great coffee. They roast their coffee on-site, and light meals are great too. Not everyone knows but there is a sitting area on the second floor, too.

Brooklyn Roastery Tokyo International Forum

This cafe is located inside Tokyo International Forum. Only a few minutes from Tokyo station. Totally suitable for work. But they also have nice baked goods and bagels from one of the most popular bagel shops in Tokyo, Tanuki Appetizing, on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays.

Starbucks Azabujuban

Days, when you could charge your PC at Starbucks, are pretty much gone. Now only a few brunches have this option. One of them is the Starbucks shop in Azabujuban, specifically on the third floor.

Café 1886 at Bocsh

Cafe at the showroom of Bocsh. There are plenty of outlets, free WIFI and you can also eat here a full lunch.

Roasted coffee laboratory

This cafe is conveniently located in Shibuya. You will find here good coffee, WIFI, and outlets, and on a sunny day, you can enjoy their terrace seating (no outlets there tho…).

Jaho coffee

A stylish coffee shop in Tamachi/Mita area. Serving plenty of baked goods, some lite meals, and of course coffee. The atmosphere inside is also very nice, both for work and for meeting friends.

Café Jaskolka

One of the cafes in the back streets of Setagaya. The food is good, with plenty of seasonal desserts and cakes, great coffee, and WIFI with the outlets. The interior is very nice and cozy which makes it a nice place to stay for a couple of hours.

Valley Park Stand

A cafe in the Sequence Hotel in Miyashita Park. This cafe is located in a convenient central area. Good WIFI connections, outlets, and light meals along with the coffee. If you are hungry for something more substantial, just go and grab something from the food court of Miyashita Park.

Racines FARM to PARK

This cafe/restaurant is located in South Ikebukuro. Super chilled vibes, green park nearby… The food is nice, and you also can bring in the donuts from their sister donut shop Racines, Bread & Salad. Or you can just order their coffee, which is also quite cheap and makes it a pretty budget working space.

10 ° CAFÉ

If you are anywhere Takadanobaba area, head to this cafe, where even talking is not appreciated, as the cafe focuses on the working mood. This makes it another cafe where you can spend hours working with breaks for food and snacks.

KNOT HOTEL

The lobby of the Knot Hotel in Shinjuku is perfect for work. However be noted that since the coronavirus started, the number of seats was shrunk. When you become hungry, you can buy some bread goods from their bakery. On Sundays, the bakery sells only vegan goods. So, even if you do not work on the weekends, stay worth paying a visit.

Tullys, Jonathan’s, Doutor Coffee, Komeda

Aside from the very specific cafes mentioned above, many of these chain cafes and restaurants are also equipped with WIFI and places to charge your laptop.

Best Breakfast Spots in Tokyo

cherryblossom_nakano

Secret Sakura Guide for Tokyo

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We have all been to Nakameguro, Yoyogi Park, Ueno Park, and Sumida River to see the famous cherry blossom. So, in this guide, these places won’t be mentioned. Here we bring you the less-known but absolutely mind-blowing spots to enjoy the sakura.

Nakano Street

Want to be mind-blown? Head to Nakano Street which starts from Nakano stations and lasts, lasts, lasts. It is absolutely breathtaking. Not many words are needed. Just come and see it by yourself.

Kinuta Park

This place is ranked as one of the 10 best spots to see the cherry blossom in Tokyo, and yet it is not very much known among the people who do not live in Yoga. The place is stunning with many sakura trees and plenty of space to have a picnic.

Sengawa river

Another nice place by the river is to enjoy the cherry blossom if you are in Setagaya. Actually, if you walk all the way, you can get to the previously mentioned Kinuta Park.

Kanda River

The place started to become more known in the past years, but compared to the other Sakura places, this one is still quite free of tons of people and you can see the Sakura and take photos without other people in the background. Also, there are several kinds of sakura trees, so the blooming period is pretty long.

Omiya park

Okay, so technically this is not Tokyo, but the access here is pretty easy. And it is worth the effort to come here, as we are talking about a beautiful peaceful park with more than 1,000 Sakura trees.

Shingashi River at Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine

Again, not Tokyo, but very close. In a small town like Kawagoe, you can find here quite a few places to enjoy the cherry blossom. But the most recommended is the Shingashi River. You can come here when the bloom is almost finished, and you will see the river full of beautiful pink petals. It is stunning.

There are also 3 special illuminations that will be held during this period.

Shibuya Sakuragaoka Sakura Matsuri

The illumination will be held until April 17, but the best view will be during the bloom peak, which is until about April 5. The event is completely free of charge and anyone can enjoy it.

Kioi Spring at Tokyo Garden Terrace

This illumination is also free of charge and located just a short walking distance from Akasaka. If you are lucky, you will be able to see the rainbow illumination as well. Why lucky? Because it happens only once a day for a minute and the times are random.

Naked Sakura Pilgrimage

Last but not least is the illumination which is a collaboration between Kanda Myojin Shrine and digital art collective Naked Inc. The event will be held until April 10. The shrine will be not only illuminated but also interactive. Come here, pray for luck, and enjoy the event.

Our Favorite Foliage Spots in Tokyo

bicycles in tokyo

101 Guide to Riding a Bicycle in Tokyo

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101 Guide to Riding a Bicycle in Tokyo

Please read our 101 guide to riding a bicycle in Tokyo.

2 Main Types of Bicycles

The most common type of bicycle you will see everywhere is a simple bicycle with only one gear, a simple lock, a kickstand, and often a child seat. This is why they are also called “mamachari” (mom’s bicycle). Another type is an electric bicycle, which has a battery and allows you to travel to further destinations. They are also equipped with baskets on the front, where you can keep your stuff.

Rental services

Like in many other cities around the world, Tokyo has also started to use more bicycles and there are more and more rental services opening. You can rent a bicycle on an hourly basis or for a whole day. Some of the services also provide an option for an annual membership. Here are some of the rental services that are available across the city:

Docomo Cycle

Docomo bike share is available across the city and the country. Just download the app, register, find the closest bicycle station and start using it.  All the information you need is available in English here.

Hello Cycling

Similar to Docomo’s service, Hello Cycling also allows you to download the app and use its bikes. You can find all the relevant information here.

Pippa

The last one is Pippa, which works on the same principles.

Buying a bicycle and registering it

If you want to buy a bicycle you can do it online or offline.

You can search for a new bicycle on Amazon or Rakuten. Or you can visit a physical shop. There are plenty of them around the train stations. Also, some of the Don Quixote shops sell bikes as well. For the used bicycles, you can look them up on the internet, Facebook groups, or Craigslist.

As you all know, Japan is considered to be a relatively safe country. Although, even here bicycle theft is not rare. Therefore, you must register your bike, so when something happens, it will be possible to track the bike. If you are buying a new one, the shop is supposed to take care of it. If this is a second-hand one, just go to the nearest police station and do the registration yourself. It costs only 660 yen after the tax. For another 6,000 yen, you can make insurance for your bicycle, which is not a must but recommended.

Rules and parking

One of the major rules is that cyclists are not supposed to use sidewalks. However, almost everyone uses them anyway, even the police officers. If you do not follow this rule, at least remember that you are not allowed to beep the pedestrians. When you ride on a road, you are supposed to do it in the same direction as traffic.

Another important rule is to park only in the designated parking areas, otherwise, your bike can be removed by the authorities, and the only way to get it back will be by paying a fine.

The third big rule is drinking alcohol and then riding a bicycle is strictly prohibited and if the police catch you, the penalty might be severe.

Other rules say that you are not allowed to use a phone, headphones, or an umbrella while on the bicycle. Even if you see others doing this, it is not okay.  

Now you know where to buy or rent a bicycle. Follow a few simple logical rules and you will be fine. Happy riding to you all!

Everything you should know about renting a car in Japan

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international schools in tokyo

5 Top International Schools in Tokyo

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5 Top International Schools in Tokyo

At the moment there are more than 40 international schools in Tokyo. among these schools you will find 1 German school, 2 French schools, and the rest teach in English. However, there is a difference even between the school which use English as their main language. The primary difference is in the curriculum. Some use IB (International Baccalaureate), some use a British system, a Canadian system, American, or even Indian.  There is also one school for the kids with special needs. The prices are different too, it starts with about a million yen per year and goes up to more than three millions. The schools are spread throughout the city and can be found in almost every ward, however the majority of them is concentrated in Shibuya and Minato. 

The following list includes the schools that Tokyo expats choose most often:

Aoba-Japan International School

The studies are conducted in English. The average number of students in class is 20 kids. The campus for smaller kids is located in Meguro, while the bigger kids study in Hikarigaoka campus. 

Tokyo International School (TIS)

Another school with English as a main language, but it is called international for a reason. They have students from 55 different nationalities. The school is located in Minamiazabu and there are 18-20 kids per class.

United School of Tokyo

A bit smaller school than the two previously mentioned, with only 300 students, mostly American nationality. The campus is located in Shibuya in a wealthy area of Tomigaya. However the tuition fee here is one of the lowest, and costs on average 1,600,000 yen per year.

Horizon Japan International School

In fact, this school is located in Yokohama, but the commute is really easy and might be worth it. It is also one of the biggest schools with more than 450 students (1/3 international students, 1/3 dual nationality, 1/3 Japanese students). Tuition is high but not more expensive than in many other schools, the average check for one year is 1,950,000 yen.

Axis International School

The school is rather small but is a good fir for kids of all ages, from 2 to 18 yo. The system at school is an American education system, and it is located in a family friendly area in Kichijoji. However, a tuition is a little pricey, with average of 2,200,200 yen per year.

As you can see, there are many options for you, if you have been relocated to Japan or a Japanese national who wants to give his/her kids international education. Of course, it is not always cheap, but it will open many doors to your children in the future. Choose wisely!

Things with kids during the rainy season

Things to do with children during the rainy season in Tokyo – Part 2

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breakfast

Best Breakfast Spots in Tokyo

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Best Breakfast Spots in Tokyo

Surprisingly or not, one of the things that are most difficult for the Tokyo expats, newbies, or those whose lived here for decades, is a lack of Western-style breakfasts. Japanese people often kick off their day with a bowl of rice, fish, and miso soup. For those who come from Europe or America, this kind of breakfast has nothing to do with what they are used to. Luckily in the past few years, the situation in Tokyo has started to change. Now you can find more and more places offering breakfast that includes bread, eggs, oatmeal, etc. Here are our recommendations for the best breakfast spots in Tokyo.

Brasserie Viron Shibuya

Viron in Shibuya has probably one of the most popular breakfast offers in all of Tokyo. The place has been serving this breakfast for years now and it is still very popular, especially on the weekends. By ordering their morning set, you will be able to enjoy some of their bread and pastries. You will be also served several jams and honey, and of course, you can take as much as you want of them. Hot and cold drinks are offered to complement your meal. All this makes it almost a royalty-worthy breakfast.

Bills Ginza

Bills is a very popular cafe with several branches around the city. One of them is in Ginza. Here you will find traditional Aussie breakfasts, such as scrambled eggs, toast, bacon, roasted tomatoes,
fennel sausages, and mushrooms. For those who crave something a little bit sweeter in the morning, they also offer grain porridges with fruits and fruit bowls.

Sawamura Shinjuku

Sawamura is a popular bakery and restaurant. At their Shinjuku brunch, you can have breakfast starting at 7 AM. Treat yourself to bacon with eggs or to a heartful French toast.

Breakfast&Brunch Jade5

The place is already quite popular but this list won’t be complete without it. Jade5 is a small and cozy cafe located in Hiroo. Their breakfast option includes pancakes or French toast which are served throughout the day.

World Breakfast Allday

We mentioned them in our other posts. This cafe is famous for serving traditional breakfasts from different countries around the globe. Additionally to the stable American, English, and Taiwanese breakfasts, every two months or so, they serve a meal from a new country. It is a nice experience and never gets boring.

Crisscross

Crisscross is a popular cafe in Aoyama. Here you will find many good options regardless of what time you visit, but their breakfast is especially remarkable. We recommend getting the avocado salmon toast with a potato salad or their signature buttermilk pancakes with a sunny side up.

District

A new place which was opened only a year ago and it is located inside Kimpton hotel in Shinjuku. The brunch menu is served every day until 3 PM. It includes 2 main dishes, a selection of coffee and tea, and a bucket of freshly baked bread and croissants from Pierre Herme. You can also ask for the bread refills. Not a bad deal!

Did you know about these places or was it new to you? Let us know your favorite breakfast spot in Tokyo.

Best international cafes and restaurants in Tokyo

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pets in tokyo

Having a pet in Tokyo

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Having a Pet in Tokyo

Having a pet in Tokyo might have different implications from having a dog or a cat in the country you are coming from. In this article, we will summarize some of the important points in regards to adopting or buying a pet in Japan.

Pet-friendly accommodation

First of all and most importantly, you should remember that animals are not allowed in every building and every apartment. We are not talking only about rental properties, but even if you decide to buy an apartment, you might find out that the animals are not permitted, as they can make noise and disturb the other tenants. Thus, if you planning on getting a furry friend one day or already have one, make sure that you can keep it in the apartment you are checking out. 

Buying and Adopting

Once you confirmed that animals are allowed in where you live, you can start looking for an animal. You can adopt or buy them. If you are going for adoption, there are several adopting agencies. Regardless of the agency you choose, you will need to fill in an application form, prepare your apartment, prepare the money to pay to the agency to cover all the vaccinations, etc. Once everything is done, and you are approved, you can get a pet for a trial period. During the next 1-2 weeks the agency will see if you and an animal have the match. If it is all fine, congratulations, now you have a pet!  
Buying is much easier but it is also much more pricey. On average a puppy costa 300,000-500,000 yen but the sky’s the limit.

Cost of having a pet

Having a pet in Japan is expensive. Starting with a pet-friendly apartment, which usually is a little more expensive. Afterward, you also need to make the vaccinations, buy food, buy essentials such as a leash, toys, etc. The statistic says that having a dog will cost you around 300,000 yen/a year and 160,000 yen for a cat.

Hospitals

Finding a hospital for your fluffy buddy isn’t a problem in Tokyo. It might become a problem if you do not speak Japanese well. Here are some of the clinics that can provide their services in English as well: Toranomon Veterinary Clinic, Akasaka Animal Hospital, Animal 24.

Etiquette

Of course, there are also rules and proper etiquette when it comes to pets and especially bringing them to a public area. But no worries! There is nothing too crazy or complicated. First of all, please make sure you clean after your dog! Secondly, always keep your dog on a leash. Thirdly, be aware that not all cafes and restaurants allow pets. You can check if the place is pet-friendly on their Tabelog page or by calling them directly. Lastly, if you wish to use a train or a taxi with your pet, know that the pet must be inside a cage. Approved cage sizes are also better be checked in advance. 

Did you find this information useful? is it really that much different from your own country? Any other information we should have covered in this post? Let us know in the comments down below.

If for whatever reason you cannot have a pet now but you love them very much, head to one of the pet cafes we mentioned in this post.

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La Jolla

Best International Cafes and Restaurants in Tokyo

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Best International Cafes and Restaurants in Tokyo

Miss your home country’s food? Ready for a new foodie adventure? Tokyo has it all. Cuisines from all over the world, and the prices are quite reasonable. Here is a list of some of the best international cafes and restaurants in Tokyo.

Minsk’s Kitchen

This restaurant serves traditional Belorussian dishes since 2002. The food tastes authentic and the place is tastefully decorated with Belorussian motives. All of the staff members are coming from the former Soviet Union countries, for the full experience. 

Healthy KanTomoka

If you are in a mood to try Korean food but don’t know where to begin and do not wish to spend a ton of money on it, head to Healthy KanTomoka in Shin-Okubo area. Here you can order one main dish and additionally to it, you will get access to a buffet with 20 different traditional and famous Korean dishes, such as buchimgae, gimbap, tteokbokki, and more. It is recommended to make a reservation and to come as a group because the main dish is rather big.

Tokyo Dòujiāng Life

This is a Taiwanese cafe that specializes in Taiwanese breakfast. It is open from 9 AM until 3 PM, but the place is so popular, that most of the baked goods are sold out before 11. Hence, if you are interested in trying the famous fried bread or other pastries, come early. 

Stockholm 

This is the only Swedish restaurant in Tokyo that gives you an opportunity to enjoy a real Swedish-style viking buffet – Smorgasbord. Come here for their weekend’s lunch and enjoy more than 60 different kinds of food for as little as 3,800 yen. 

La Jolla

La Jolla is another Tokyo establishment. This restaurant in Hiroo has been around since the 80s. The place serves Mexican-American dishes, as well as traditional Mexican food and snacks. We love this place for the delicious food and for the relaxed atmosphere. 

Pizzeria Ciro

What a lovely place serving Neapolitan-style pizza! Amazing atmosphere and amazing menu. They have more than 30 kinds of pizza and some side dishes. Everything is carefully prepared, tastes divine, and all not that expensive. The place is located not in a central area and yet quite popular, therefore reservations are recommended. 

Shamaim

Shamaim is an Israeli food restaurant in Nerima. It serves hummus, falafel, majadra, a trendy shakshuka, etc. It also offers an all-you-can-eat menu, so you can enjoy all of the dishes all at once. The service is also superb!

New Nanay’s

This Filipino restaurant in Roppongi is one of the very few Philippine restaurants in all of Tokyo. Before the COVID you could enjoy a buffet-style lunch here, but even now it is worth visiting and trying various dishes and desserts from the Philippines. 

World Breakfast AllDay

Last but not least is World’s Breakfast AllDay cafe with its several branches, in Gaienmae and Kichijoji. Every two months they serve a traditional breakfast from another country. They already featured Egyptian breakfast, Polish breakfast, Finnish breakfast, and more. On their regular menu, they have American, Taiwanese, Thai breakfasts. Follow their SNS for more updates and the changing menu. 

Of course, it is only a few examples of the international eateries that you can find in Tokyo. We encourage you to look up for more and try them. It is almost like traveling but in this case, you do not need your passport.

Japanese Food You Need to Eat in Winter

Summer Food to Fight the NATSUBATE

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Oden

Japanese Food You Need to Try in Winter

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Japanese Food You Get to Eat in Winter

Just like there are dishes that usually are eaten in summer, there is also food that is consumed more in winter. Here is a short list of the comfort foods you should try in the cold season.

Oden

Oden is one of the hot-pot dishes popular in Japan during the cold season. It may consist of different ingredients. The most popular are boiled eggs, daikon, konjac, and fishcakes stewed in a light soy dashi broth. The flavor of this dish may vary between different regions. You can find in oden anywhere from a convenience store to this 100-years old establishment in Azabujuban. 

Nikuman

The most basic nikuman is a steamed bun with a meat filling. Nikuman is a popular snack throughout the year, but it becomes especially precious, convenient, and quick bite in winter.

Oshiruko

Shiruko is a sweet red bean soup or porridge eaten with mochi or with glutinous rice flour dumplings. Just like oden, in different regions, you will find a slightly different version of the dish. For example, in Okinawa, they even put shiruko over the shaved ice. 

Mochi

Mochi is a rice cake made of rice that was pounded into paste and molded into the desired shape. It can be eaten all year-round but it is also considered to be a traditional food for the Japanese New Year. You can use and eat mochi in many ways. As a daifuku, on oshiruko, or as a savory dish putting it into your udon. 

Sukiyaki

Sukiyaki is another popular hot-pot dish eaten in winter. Similar to the more known shabu-shabu, it is also made of thinly sliced beef, tofu, and vegetables. But unlike the shabu-shabu sauce is a bit sweeter, as it is prepared with soy sauce, mirin, and sugar. We recommend going to Washoku SATO restaurant for a sukiyaki all-you-can-eat plan. 

Yakiimo

Yakiimo, or in English roasted sweet potato, is popular in Asia street food, especially in winter. The potato is roasted in heat stones and depending on the potato kind, it can be a savory snack or a dessert if it is beniharuka kind. 

Mikan and Strawberries

When it comes to fruits, mikan and strawberry are definitely the most popular during the cold months. They are finally mellow and the price is the most affordable. You can the fruits, or you can go picking the fruits by yourself at the farms. It is actually quite a popular activity in Japan. Or check any dessert buffets and afternoon tea sets, you will see that the menu is all about strawberries. One of the most popular strawberry buffets is held at Westin Tokyo. 

Hope you will enjoy your wintery foodie experiences. Here are some other posts about Japanese food:

Summer Food to Fight the NATSUBATE

Best Cheap Eateries in Tokyo

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