Hi,

I'll have a two week vacation coming up where I will be doing some travel in Japan. I've been to most places before but I'm looking for some good dining recommendations. Nothing too fancy, although if the experience is very good I might consider the more expensive options as well..... budget about JPY 10.000-20.000 a night for 2. But for something really good it can rise.

I will be staying at:

• Tokyo (Sjinjuku)
• Hakone (Hyatt)
• Okayama (Granvia/station)
• Miyajima (Iwaso, so dinner is included)
• Kyoto (Granva/station)

A bit of travel to get a good experience won't be a problem, especially by train/subway in Tokyo and Kyoto.
What I'm looking for is some good food in a nice ambiance. Preferably with some local specialties or influence.... but I also like a good ramen or yakatori place :-).

For ramen in Tokyo, I highly recommend ROKURINSHA. It's located on "Ramen Street" under the Shinkansen platforms at Tokyo Station. They specialize in Tsukemen, which is dipping ramen. Long lines often, but very worth the wait.

Kyoto:

Gion Nanba is a bit more expensive than your specified budget, but an excellent restaurant. Approximately JPY 20,000 per person.

Gion Suetomo is also fantastic, although a bit more expensive still. Both of these restaurants are well worth it.

Tokyo:

Yakitori Toriyoshi (Akasaka Mitsuke is closest to Shinjuku)
Tempura Mikawa (Roppongi or Monzen Nakacho)
Imahan in Odakyu Daiichi life building (adjacent to Hyatt Regency Tokyo) for Sukiyaki/Shabu Shabu etc...
Kokugyu in Yoyogi is a good yakiniku restaurant that offers good value (usually around JPY 10,000 per person)

Goran Kadan, 20 minute walk from the Hyatt Hakone, five minute walk from Gora Station, or short cab ride from either, is a really nice place for kaiseki Japanese food, and one of the most beautiful hotels in Japan to boot.

Thanks all... Was travelling and just reconnected. Will do some homework.

Not a fancy place and probably better for light dinner or lunch; this is in Shinjuku very close to the station

http://mrfoodnotes.blogspot.com/2012...okyo_5708.html

I really enjoyed a restaurant a short walk from Shinjuku Station called Tempura Tsunahachi and they were super friendly and I really enjoyed sitting at the counter watching the cooks prepare the tempura they would serve to me.

My tempura set was JPY2,000 but they do have different choices that can be double that amount that but I'd recommend it for good tempura in the Shinjuku area as I thought it was a really good value and would return if I was back in the area.

Thanks for the link to Gion Nanba. Looks fantastic, and we'll be less than 5 minutes from there. What is the sort of dress expected at this sort of place? is dressy casual OK?

There is no dress code, but smart casual would definitely be best. You do not need to dress up, but you will feel more comfortable if you do not wear excessively casual clothing, as it is a fine restaurant. You will be asked to remove your shoes when you arrive IIRC.

It is a fantastic restaurant, I am sure you will enjoy it! Reservations are required, and to taste all of their specialties go for the full dinner course menu.

one more thing - for the best experience I would highly recommend reserving counter seats, especially if you want to watch the chefs meticulously prepare each dish. Otherwise go for a private dining table on the ground floor.

I just got back and had some great meals.... thanks for all the recommendations.

The one's that stood out for me:
- Tempura Tsunahachi in Sjinjuku
- Goran Kadan in Gora/Hakone
- Honke Owariya in Kyoto

For the great food and the ambiance.....
I also liked the food at Iwaso, but it was not spectacular.

And I had some great Ramen and Yakatori at places that are still nameless, just stumbled into when I was walking around.

I also had Tonkatsu Rikyu in Gora on the list but it didn't work out time-wise...

Mrs. Milepig and I were at Gion Nanba last night. Great experience, wonderful food overall. Some reviewers complained about ingredients making repeat appearances and we had a bit of that - last night was Sea Bream night, and it appeared in at least 3 dishes.

Service started out great, and we had the experience of the server taking pains to explain ingredients even bringing out a Japanese/English food book to help. Then at one point there was a long pause for us, while the table behind us surged ahead 2-3 courses (we started together), ours dribbled out, and then suddenly our last three courses came pretty much all at once, followed immediately by the bill, unasked for - a first in Japan for us.

It is HOT HOT HOT in Kyoto this week, and I fit right in with other diners wearing a pair of slacks and a long sleeved cotton shirt. No one was wearing a jacket.

But all in all, we had a great time. Oh, for the record since to website I found mentioned it, they DO take major credit cards.