Food has always been one of Japan’s top draws. Now, however, a new survey argues that Japan may be more than a place with some decent grub. Here’s the data that shows Tokyo may not just be a good place to eat, but one of the world’s top capitals for dedicated foodies.
Ranking behind Paris and Athens
You don’t have to tell tourists that Japan is where the food is. In numerous surveys – such as an ITMedia survey in late 2023 – food ranks among the top three reasons people want to visit Japan.
Japan isn’t unique in this. A report by American Express showed that 81% of travelers – 4 out of 5 – ranked trying local foods and cuisines as the most anticipated part of their trip.
So how does Japan’s capital city, Tokyo, rank next to other capital cities around the world? Our friends at Japan Rail Pass commissioned a survey to answer that question.
Starting with a seed list of 30 capital cities, JR Rail Pass ranked capitals based on multiple criteria, including but not limited to:
- Number of five-star restaurants (as determined by a leading travel review Web site)
- Number of Michelin Guide restaurants
- Average cost per meal
- Global Food Security Index (GFSI) score, a leading measure of food security
- Number of national dishes (dishes strongly associated with a given country)
The result? Out of 30 world capitals, Tokyo ranked number three for foodies, with a score of 81.34/100. It came behind Athens in the number two slot (83.86/100) and, unsurprisingly, Paris in number one (92.71).
More 5-star restaurants than Paris
Renowned worldwide as a capital of fine cuisine, it’s not surprising to see Paris in the number one position. What is surprising is that Tokyo beat Paris in 5-star restaurants. The capital of Japan had 4,738 such rated restaurants compared to Paris’ 2,109.
Tokyo also ranked high due to its significant number of Michelin Guide restaurants (537). (I’ve written before about some of these locations myself, such as the delicious Ramen Break Beats in Meguro.) The survey identified seven dishes unique to Japan, tying it with Athens (7) and putting it behind Paris (12).
Tokyo also did well in terms of bang for your buck. Average cost for a meal for two people was $44.78. And to be honest, that seems high. Tokyo has a ton of places where two people can get out the door for around USD $20-$25, especially at current exchange rates.
Other culinary capitals
Athens, one of the West’s most historic cities, ranked second thanks to unique local dishes such as Bougatsa and Moussaka. It lost points due to its low number of 5-star rated restaurants (627) but made up for it thanks to the relatively low average food cost.
The JR Rail Pass survey calculated its scores using a percentrank method from a list of 30 pre-selected capital cities. The final results normalized factors such as number of 5 star restaurants and Michelin Guide restaurants by city population.
Finishing behind Tokyo to round out the top 10 were Zurich, Amsterdam, Prague, Valetta, Brussels, Dublin, and Madrid.
Hidden culinary delights around Japan
Of course, you can find great food in Japan even outside of Tokyo. Most people outside of Japan who think of Japanese food immediately think of staples such as ramen, sushi, and kara-age. However, Japan is host to a number of different types of restaurants and cuisines.
At izakaya (ๅฑ ้ ๅฑ), for example, you can eat a variety of small dishes while enjoying your favorite Japanese sake or a couple of highballs. Teishoku (ๅฎ้ฃ) restaurants offer a fixed meal with a main portion (usually fish or meat) with a number of delicious sides. Shokudo, hot pot/shabu shabu, and “family restaurants” (ใใกใใฌใน; famiresu) are other must-try staples.
Japan is also host to a number of regional cuisines that you can eat at specialty shops in Tokyo as well as in their birthplaces. You can enjoy okonomiyaki, Japan’s popular savory pancake, in both its Osaka and Hiroshima variants. Nagoya’s spicy “Taiwan ramen” is a treat for anyone who wants a little kick in their noodles.
Japan’s towns and prefectures even manage to put their stamp on seemingly simple dishes such as soba (่้บฆ, buckwheat noodles). Challenge yourself to seek out and try the Big Three soba varieties – wanko soba from Morioka, Togakushi soba from Nagano Prefecture, and Izumo soba from Shimane Prefecture. (UJ highly recommends enjoying a tower of Izumo soba after a visit to Izumo Taisha, one of Japan’s most beautiful Shinto shrines.)
Like other countries, Japan has also put its own spin on foreign cuisines. Omuraisu, hambagu, and doria are just a few examples of “Western” food (ๆด้ฃ; yoshoku) that you should try during your stay here.
Get around all of Japan
Japan Rail Pass does more than just run great surveys. True to their name, you can use their Web site to purchase the iconic Japan Rail Pass, which you can use to travel all across Japan for up to 14 days for a single price. (Note: Affiliate link – UJ earns a commission at no cost to you if you make a purchase.)
Just need to get around a specific region of Japan? Save money with a regional-specific Japan Rail Pass to get you around areas such as Kansai, Kyushu, and more.
Need more advice on what to see and do in Japan? Contact Unseen Japan Tours – we’ll be happy to devise an itinerary and guided tour days specific to your interests.
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Sources
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2023 Global Travel Trends Report. American Express
