A Culinary Treasure Trove! A Complete Guide to Japan's Best Local Cuisine

Situated at the northernmost tip of the Japanese archipelago, Hokkaido has cultivated a unique food culture due to its climate, topography, and natural environment. This distinct foodways is bolstered by the colorful harvest of ingredients found across its vast landscapes and three seas, the Sea of Japan, the Sea of Okhotsk, and the Pacific Ocean. From the fertile farmlands sprout bountiful agricultural products, complemented by seafood from the rich waters, and dairy products found a plenty thanks to the lush and sprawling lands. With so much to taste and enjoy, the local flavors of Hokkaido are one undeniable draw for so many visitors.

Here are 7 must-try favorites that shine above all the tasty treasures in Hokkaido’s local food scene.

Located in the northern part of Honshu, Tohoku sees a notoriously cold climate and remarkable snowfall in winter. This harsh but rich natural environment leads to a bumper crop of grains and vegetables as well as succulent fish like tuna, salmon and other and tasty delights from the sea. Visitors here will find age-old dishes passed down over time, and a local cuisine that celebrates the utmost in simply delicious, rustic flavors. Gear up and prepare your belly for a region teaming with timeless, regional dishes from Japan.

Here are 11 must-try favorites that shine above all the tasty treasures in Tohoku Region’s local food scene.

The Kanto region, encompassing the capital city of Tokyo and its six surrounding prefectures, is where you’ll find a full-on taste adventure of local dishes to try. From meals prepared with seafood caught near the Tokyo Bay, historically referred to as “Edomae”, to dishes made from wheat grown predominantly in the inland areas, each regional plate celebrates the unique profile of the area where they’re made. What’s more, many of the iconic Japanese dishes people know and love like tempura and sushi actually got their start as street foods in old world Tokyo.

Here are 11 must-try favorites that shine above all the tasty treasures in Kanto’s local food scene.

Situated almost directly in the center of the Japanese archipelago is the Chubu region. With its coastline facing the Pacific Ocean and the towering Japanese Alps dominating its inland areas, this region boasts a diverse climate and topography.
Inland areas such as Nagano, Gifu, and Yamanashi prefectures aren't coastal, and as a result a number of their mainstay dishes center around grains like wheat. On the other side of the coin are Shizuoka and Mie prefectures, both of which are blessed with the bounties of the Pacific, resulting in seafood-centric local dishes.
What’s more, in the Tokai area, with Aichi Prefecture at its core, visitors will find a style of foodways all its own that centers around red miso. This is the origin of the full buffet of dishes that await, collectively known as "Nagoya Meshi" or "Nagoya cuisine".

Chubu is a region with plenty of local eats to try. To kick off your foodie tour, here’s 11 must try dishes to note.

The Hokuriku region sits on the Japan Sea end of central Honshu with a full range of different food cultures to explore. Here you’ll find Niigata, the acclaimed rice-producing prefecture, Toyama with the bountiful Toyama Bay, a premier fishing hub around the Japan Sea, and Ishikawa, home to the historic city of Kanazawa. Thanks to all the good eats that hail from this region, Hokuriku is one place where you can expect anything from the unbeatable taste of simply good ingredients to special dishes that reflect the local culture.

Here are 7 must-try favorites that shine above all the tasty treasures in Hokuriku Region’s local food scene.

The Kansai area boasts a multifaceted natural geography, flanked by the Sea of Japan to the north, Pacific Ocean to the south, and the Seto Inland Sea at its center. Visitors to the region will find a striking brocade of different landscapes await here, like the rugged mountains at spots like the Kii Peninsula, as well as countless different ways of living to match.
Osaka is the urban hub that sits at the region’s center, beloved in Japan for its tasty smorgasbord of different foods. Among them, “konamon”, or battered delights like takoyaki and okonomiyaki still reign supreme among the hungry tourists who come for a taste from near and far.

Here are 11 must-try favorites that shine above all the tasty treasures in Kansai’s local food scene.

The Chugoku Region of Japan is split in two with the relatively warm Sanyo region against the Seto Inland Sea, and the San’in region, blanketed with heavy snowfall in winter as it faces the Sea of Japan. The Sanyo region is bathed in sun, giving way to a robust harvest of vegetable crops and fruit trees. The San’in region thrives not only in farming, but dairy farming as well. Across both regions you’ll find dishes with distinct local flair and a bountiful store of delights from the sea no matter which way you go.

Here are 7 must-try favorites that shine above all the tasty treasures in Chugoku Region’s local food scene.

The central part of Shikoku is spliced by the Shikoku mountain range, leaving the regions to the north and south with a subtle split in natural environment and customs. The north faces the Seto Inland Sea, while the south faces the Pacific Ocean, allowing for distinct and delicious, local eats that celebrate the seafood caught nearby. Each prefecture is known to have its own local ramen, while the region as a whole is regarded in Japan as a mecca for udon, making this the perfect destination for noodle fanatics.

Here are 7 must-try favorites that shine above all the tasty treasures in Shikoku Region’s local food scene.

Kyushu is a large island that stretches from north to south, hugged on all four sides by seas with unique and varied waters. The island’s center is replete with rolling mountains, broad plateaus, and the grandeur of ever-changing landscapes. In terms of food, the areas to the north are home to a tradition of seafood-based cuisines, while the areas to the south, known for livestock farming, see a boom of meat-based dishes. Unlike Japan’s main Honshu island, dishes here tend to use sweeter soy sauces and barley miso for seasoning, a preference for shochu over sake, as well as other quirky food trends that set this area apart.

Here are 11 must-try favorites that shine above all the tasty treasures in Kyushu Region’s local food scene.

Hugged by coral reefs and an especially warm climate, Okinawa Prefecture sits at the southwestern tip of Japan with a strikingly distinct culture and natural landscapes to boot. In terms of the food scene, the people of Okinawa have long cherished pork, so much so that the wide range of dishes here have led the locals to say they’d “eat everything except the piggy’s squeak”. A teeming crop of tropical fruits and veggies are also big players in this foodie heaven, home to all the delicious local flavors you won’t find in Japan’s mainland.

Here are 7 must-try favorites that shine above all the tasty treasures in Okinawa’s local food scene.