Food & culture · Asia
A taste of Japan
Three local flavours and the everyday rituals that turn a meal into a memory.
At the table
Understand the place through its food
In Japan, food carries geography, season and history. Start with everyday dishes, visit a market early and ask what local people are eating now.
Kaiseki
A seasonal sequence of precise, beautifully balanced dishes.
Ramen
Regional bowls reveal very different broths, noodles and toppings.
Depachika
Department-store food halls filled with immaculate local specialities.
Eat with curiosity
Good table manners for travellers
Choose busy independent places, learn a polite greeting and treat the menu as a conversation rather than a checklist. Ask before photographing people or food preparation, and follow local cues around service and tipping.
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