Nishiki Market vs Kuromon and Tsukiji: 2026 Hours and Rules
Nishiki Market asks you to eat at the shop, Kuromon welcomes eating as you stroll, and Toyosu shuts on Sundays. Hours, closed days and manners for 2026.
12 min read ·Food
9 stories · Updated October 3, 2026
Kobe Beef in Japan 2026: A5 Grades, Rules and Where to Eat
Kobe beef is Tajima cattle raised in Hyogo with marbling of BMS 6 or higher and quality grade 4 or 5, so it can be A4. About 5,500 head qualify a year.
11 min read ·
Types of Ramen in Japan 2026: Tonkotsu, Miso, Shoyu, Shio
The four main types of ramen are shoyu, miso and shio, named for the seasoning, and tonkotsu, a pork bone soup. Sapporo is known for miso, Kyushu for tonkotsu.
12 min read ·
Conveyor Belt Sushi in Japan 2026: Prices and How to Order
Conveyor belt sushi plates typically start at 100 yen, and at 120 yen at Sushiro. Order on the touch panel, never put a plate back, and pay at the end.
12 min read ·
Izakaya in Japan 2026: Otoshi, Drinking Age and Golden Gai
An izakaya is a Japanese pub: otoshi arrives as a seating charge, you order drinks first and do not tip. The drinking age is 20, even though adults are 18.
13 min read ·More stories
- Food
Japanese Snacks to Bring Home in 2026: Tax-Free and Customs
Japanese snacks go in your carry-on in any amount; sake bought before security goes in the hold. From 1 November 2026 the tax comes back after a customs check.
12 min read · - Food
Ekiben in Japan 2026: Where to Buy Bento for the Shinkansen
Buy your ekiben before boarding: Standard Class on the Tokaido Shinkansen has no food sales. Where to shop at Tokyo Station, depachika and supermarkets.
11 min read · - Food
Vegetarian Food in Japan 2026: Vegan, Halal and What to Ask
You can eat vegetarian in Japan, but dashi fish stock hides in soups and sauces. How to ask, plus halal, shojin ryori and the 9 labelled allergens.
13 min read · - Food
What Japan Convenience Store Food Is Worth It? 2026 Picks
Start with an onigiri, the egg sandwich and a machine coffee. Most konbini are open 24 hours, take-away food is taxed at 8% and eating in at 10%.
13 min read ·
Photo credits
- Nishiki Market vs Kuromon and Tsukiji: 2026 Hours and Rules — Nishiki Ichiba by pokpok313 in Kyoto.jpg by pokpok313 from Nishiki Ichiba, Nakagyo, Kyoto (CC BY-SA 2.0), via Wikimedia Commons.
- Kobe Beef in Japan 2026: A5 Grades, Rules and Where to Eat — 4 Kobe Beef, Kobe Japan.jpg by Orlando G. Calvo (CC BY-SA 3.0), via Wikimedia Commons.
- Types of Ramen in Japan 2026: Tonkotsu, Miso, Shoyu, Shio — Ramen with eggs.jpg by Douglas Paul Perkins (CC0), via Wikimedia Commons.
- Conveyor Belt Sushi in Japan 2026: Prices and How to Order — Conveyor belt sushi by MissionControl in Kyoto.jpg by MissionControl from Kyoto (CC BY-SA 2.0), via Wikimedia Commons.
- Izakaya in Japan 2026: Otoshi, Drinking Age and Golden Gai — 4 Chome Koyasumachi, Hachiōji-shi, Tōkyō-to 192-0904, Japan - panoramio (74).jpg by 運転太郎 (CC BY 3.0), via Wikimedia Commons.
- Japanese Snacks to Bring Home in 2026: Tax-Free and Customs — Sweet Snack (41957536).jpeg by Victor Cormier (CC BY 3.0), via Wikimedia Commons.
- Ekiben in Japan 2026: Where to Buy Bento for the Shinkansen — Box lunch sold at Kanazawa station (27865979835).jpg by pelican from Tokyo, Japan (CC BY-SA 2.0), via Wikimedia Commons.
- Vegetarian Food in Japan 2026: Vegan, Halal and What to Ask — JapaneseBuddhistCuisineInSpring ShojinRyouri.jpg by サフィル (CC BY-SA 4.0), via Wikimedia Commons.
- What Japan Convenience Store Food Is Worth It? 2026 Picks — Onigiri (6959188603).jpg by Brice Argenson from Paris, France (CC BY-SA 2.0), via Wikimedia Commons.