What & Where to Eat in Japan on Your Honeymoon
A honeymoon in Japan is always a great choice. And that’s especially the case if you enjoy food!
Japan offers a culinary adventure that spans from Michelin-starred restaurants to hidden street food stalls – and so much good food in between!
What’s more, every city and region in Japan boasts its own specialties, cooking techniques & dining styles, providing newlyweds with a delicious way to explore Japanese cuisine at its source.
We’ve assembled this Japan honeymoon dining guide just for you, newlyweds!
Romantic Dining Experiences: Japan Honeymoon Splurges & Special Occasions
Your honeymoon calls for special dining experiences, right?
Japan delivers those time and time again!
Kaiseki Dining on Your Honeymoon in Kyoto, Osaka or Tokyo
For a uniquely Japanese experience, try kaiseki dining. This multi-course meal is the pinnacle of Japanese cuisine, emphasizing seasonal ingredients & beautiful presentation. In Kyoto, Hanasaki (with two locations in old homes in the Gion & Yasaka area) offers an exquisite kaiseki experience.
As you savor each meticulously prepared dish, you'll appreciate the thought & artistry that goes into every aspect of the meal. Doesn’t that sound like a metaphor for a successful marriage?! Kaiseki is a Japan honeymoon dining experience you’re going to remember and talk about for a long time!
You can find kaiseki in many restaurants in Kyoto as well as Osaka and Tokyo.
Michelin-Star Restaurants: Dining in True Style on Your Honeymoon in Japan
Speaking of Tokyo, did you know that Tokyo has more Michelin star restaurants than any other city in the world?! When in Japan’s capital, be sure to reserve a Michelin-star dining experience as part of your honeymoon in Japan.
But not all Michelin-star restaurants are created equally. Your choices include:
omakase sushi experiences (Ginza Harutaka,
kaiseki dining (Daigo, Komuro)
modern Japanese cuisine (Narisawa, Noued)
Japanese cuisine fusion with French or other European influences (Denkushiflori)
Regional & local Japanese cooking (Washokuya Taichi, Negima)
Ramen (Nakiryu, Konjiki Hototogisu, Ginza Hachigo)
… among many other fine places. Also, don’t overlook the Bib Gourmand selections in the Michelin Guide, as they represent great value and are often closer to traditional or elevated-everyday eats in Japan.
Regional Specialties & Eating Adventures on Your Japan Honeymoon
Each region of Japan has its own culinary strengths, often closely tied to local ingredients, culture & history. When visiting these regions on your honeymoon in Japan, eating local should be a priority.
In Osaka, which we like to think of as Japan’s food capital, the stars are takoyaki (doughy octopus balls) and okonomiyaki (a savory pancake/crepe filled with various ingredients). Want to know more? Check out our takoyaki & okonomiyaki article! Osaka has tons of great eats, of course; stray away from the touristy Dotonbori & Tsutenkaku areas and either (a) follow your eyes/nose, or (b) search Google Maps, as any restaurant (outside of tourist districts) rated 3.2 stars or above is bound to be good local eats on your honeymoon in Osaka.
Traveling to Fukuoka on the island of Kyushu? Try the city's famous Hakata ramen. Unlike the tangy miso ramen of Sapporo, Hakata ramen features a rich, creamy tonkotsu (pork bone) broth & thin, straight noodles. The best way to eat Hakata ramen is probably to pull up a chair at a yatai night stall, ask the chef/owner for their recommendation, and enjoy a piping hot bowl of Hakata ramen with a few new friends huddled around the pop-up kitchen cart. What a unique dining experience on your Japan honeymoon!
In Kobe, you can treat yourselves to the renowned Kobe beef. This highly marbled, melt-in-your-mouth beef is a true delicacy. At Iwasaki (near Kobe’s central Ikuta Shrine and Sannomiya area), chefs prepare the beef teppanyaki-style right before your eyes, creating a dinner & a show in one. It’s a bit of a Japan honeymoon dining splurge, but one you’re unlikely to forget.
If you’re visiting nearby Himeji Castle, enjoy Kobe beef at Steak Senju for lunch – or get the local Himeji beef, which is a fraction of the price and is just as tender and tasty! Himeji is also known for conger eel, called anago, and you can find great local restaurants near the castle and train station for your honeymoon dining pleasure.
If your honeymoon takes you to Hiroshima, try the local style of okonomiyaki, which includes layers of noodles. Okonomi-mura, a building dedicated entirely to okonomiyaki restaurants, offers plenty of options. Share a table with locals & other travelers as you customize your own okonomiyaki.
Heading to Nagoya to put Ghibli Park on your Japan honeymoon itinerary? Nagoya is home to Japan's best comfort food! Check out their miso katsu, a pork cutlet in a thick, tangy miso sauce – Yabaton has several locations serving this good stuff! Nagoya honeymoon eats also include kishimen, a noodle soup not unlike udon; hitsumabushi, an eel dish on rice; and a fun pub experience at Yamachan (many locations) with a big menu featuring (among other favorites) their signature fried chicken wings.
Hokkaido has some of the best seafood in Japan! Check out the seafood market in Otaru, albeit a bit touristy in high season, as the stalls each serve up a bowl of kaisendon – various sashimi on rice. Nearby Sapporo has miso ramen (and many other ramen varieties), of course, but also delicious soup curry and jingisukan BBQ lamb. Plenty of choices for eating on your honeymoon in Hokkaido!
You can also get great seafood for honeymoon eats in the Tohoku region (Aomori, Sendai & environs) as well as in Kanazawa, which may be known for the best, freshest seafood in Japan (sushi restaurants here are all great, from conveyor belt kaiten sushi to omakase fine dining).
Unique Dining Experiences & Local Eats on Your Japan Honeymoon
For couples seeking something out of the ordinary when it comes to honeymoon eats, Japan offers plenty of unique dining experiences.
In Tokyo, the Robot Restaurant in Shinjuku provides a sensory overload of lights, music & performances - all while you enjoy your meal. It's more about the spectacle than the food, but it's a Japan honeymoon dining experience you won't forget.
In Nagano Prefecture, try dining in a traditional irori (sunken hearth). At Fujioto in the historic post town of Tsumago, you can enjoy local specialties cooked over an open hearth in a centuries-old building. It's a cozy, intimate evening that feels like stepping back in time.
Want something truly local for a Japan honeymoon eating experience? Wander into one of Japan’s many food complexes. (I’m not talking about the tourist traps like Nishiki Market in Kyoto, Kuromon Ichiba in Osaka or Tsukiji in Tokyo – those are anything but local nowadays) No, if you want the real deal for food on your Japan honeymoon, find an office building or shopping complex with food in the basement.
In Osaka, this means Osaka Ekimae Buildings 1, 2 & 3, a labyrinth of restaurants and bars that are very active at lunchtime (packed with office workers in a rush) and again after five (when the local character really comes out). Every Japanese city has a place like this, be it in Tokyo (Shinjuku), Kobe (San Plaza), Kyoto, Nagoya or elsewhere. They’re often around train stations, too.
Speaking of station areas, here you’ll find department stores which are known for their food selection. It tends to come in three varieties:
sit-down restaurants within the department store, often on a top floor
Basement supermarkets, where you can buy ingredients to take home & cook
“Depachika” basement food halls
It’s the Depachika which really shine and are a must when eating on your Japan honeymoon. These food halls are massive, taking up the entire basement footprint (often on two floors even), offering all kinds of prepared foods that you can enjoy at your hotel, in the park or (sometimes) in a nearby eating area. Depachika are famous in Japan for having sales in the evening, trying to move out merchandise before closing time. Great department store eats on your honeymoon in Japan include Hanshin & Hankyu in Osaka; Ikebukuro Tobu, Shinjuku Isetan, Shibuya Tokyu and Takashimaya Nihonbashi in Tokyo; Daimaru in Kyoto; and Mitsukoshi Sakae in Nagoya (among many others).
Cooking Classes & Food Tours When Honeymooning in Japan
What better way to bring a taste of your honeymoon home than by learning to cook Japanese dishes together? In Tokyo, Buddha Bellies offers cooking classes ranging from sushi making to bento preparation. You'll learn techniques you can use long after your honeymoon is over.
In Kanazawa, known for its fresh seafood as mentioned earlier, take a tour of Omicho Market with a local guide. You'll learn about seasonal ingredients & maybe even pick up some for a cooking class afterward. It's a great way to connect with local food culture & create lasting memories.
For honeymoon couples interested in Japan's drinking culture, why not embark on a sake tour in Kobe. Learn about the brewing process, taste different varieties & perhaps even try your hand at making your own. It's an educational & fun way to appreciate Japan's national beverage.
Vegetarian & Vegan Options for Honeymooners in Japan
While Japan can be challenging for vegetarians & vegans on a honeymoon, more options are becoming available, especially in larger cities. In Tokyo, Ain Soph offers vegan versions of Japanese favorites like ramen & gyoza. The cozy atmosphere makes it ideal for a Japan honeymoon date night.
Kyoto, with its Buddhist temple cuisine tradition, is a great place for plant-based eating. Shigetsu, located within the beautiful Tenryu-ji Temple, offers exquisite shojin ryori (Buddhist vegetarian cuisine). Enjoying meticulously prepared seasonal vegetables while overlooking a zen garden is a romantic experience for your Japan honeymoon dining.
Save Room on Your Japan Honeymoon for Sweet Eats & Fabulous Desserts
Want to indulge that sweet tooth? Go on, it’s your honeymoon!
Japan is famous for its sweets and desserts. Now, one thing to know is that a lot of restaurants in Japan don’t serve dessert. In fact, if you’re going for ramen or other comfort food, you’re not meant to linger. Instead, once the meal is done, head to a dessert spot and enjoy sweets and coffee together.
In Tokyo, Nakamura Tokichi Honten serves some of the best matcha desserts in the city. Their matcha parfait, layered with green tea jelly, mochi & ice cream, is a great way to cool off on a warm day. If you see kakigori shave ice, that’s another summer treat — and it’s practically everywhere in Japan.
In Kyoto, try traditional wagashi at Kagizen Yoshifusa, a confectionery shop that's been in business since the Edo period. These delicate sweets, often shaped to resemble seasonal motifs, are the exact right accompaniment to a cup of green tea.
For a modern twist on Japanese sweets, visit Dominique Ansel Bakery in Tokyo. The creator of the Cronut offers Japan-exclusive items like the Paris Tokyo, a croissant filled with green tea pastry cream & topped with black sesame.
Romantic Food-Related Activities
Beyond just eating, there are many food-related activities that are particularly enjoyable for honeymooners.
In Uji, just outside Kyoto, take a green tea tour. Learn about the cultivation & processing of Japan's famous green tea, then enjoy a tea ceremony together - a lesson in mindfulness & appreciation that serves well in married life.
In Yamanashi Prefecture, go fruit picking at a local orchard. Depending on the season, you might harvest juicy peaches, crisp apples or sweet grapes. Many orchards offer all-you-can-eat options, so indulge to your heart's content on a Japan honeymoon.
For a unique & romantic experience, try dining in the dark at The Blind Cafe in Tokyo. This sensory dining experience encourages you to focus on taste, smell & touch, creating an intimate atmosphere for honeymooners in Japan.
Izakaya Hopping: Pub Dining on Your Japan Honeymoon
Don’t leave Japan without experiencing izakaya culture. These cuisine-focused Japanese pubs are great for trying a variety of small dishes while enjoying drinks on a honeymoon evening.
In Tokyo's Shinjuku district, Golden Gai is a maze of narrow alleys packed with tiny izakayas, each with its own unique character. Spend an evening hopping from one to another, sampling different specialties & soaking in the lively atmosphere.
In Fukuoka, join locals at a yatai (food stall) for a casual dinner under the stars. These open-air stalls, which pop up along the river in the evening, offer a variety of dishes from ramen to grilled skewers. It's a great way to mingle with locals & experience Fukuoka's famous food culture.
Izakaya are everywhere in Japan. Some have English menus. Many take reservations, especially for weekends and/or in tourist areas. Use your translation app if need be. And take it slowly, order a couple or few small plates with each round of drinks. Look around; if it seems good, ask the server what other people are enjoying.
Planning Your Japan Honeymoon Eating Experiences
When planning your gastronomic tour of Japan, keep these tips in mind:
Make reservations for high-end restaurants well in advance, especially for kaiseki meals & Michelin-starred venues. Many local restaurants also take reservations and it’s a good idea for peace of mind.
Be adventurous – try local specialties even if they seem unfamiliar. You might discover a new favorite kind of Japanese food!
Learn basic Japanese phrases related to food & dining. It'll help you navigate menus & communicate with staff in less touristy areas.
Think about and plan ahead for dietary restrictions. While options for vegetarians & those with allergies are increasing, it's wise to research in advance.
Don't overplan – leave room for spontaneous discoveries. Some of the best meals often come from stumbling upon a hidden local spot in Japan.
As you explore Japan's diverse cuisines together, you're creating lasting memories. Whether you're raising a cup of sake in a cozy izakaya or admiring the artistry of a kaiseki meal, savor the beginning of your married life together in style on a Japan honeymoon.
Want to know more about how Japan Travel Pros can help plan your honeymoon in Japan? Schedule a free honeymoon travel consultation with one of our experts:
Congratulations and bon appetit!
FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions About Japan Honeymoon Dining
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So many great choices! Kaiseki ryori (multi-course traditional meal), private dining in a ryokan, rooftop restaurants with city views, or intimate sushi omakase experiences... these all come to mind.
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Book well in advance (2-3 months) through your hotel concierge or use online booking services like TableAll. Some restaurants require reservations through specific channels. Don'e hesitate to ask us at Japan Travel Pros about how we can help!
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Try a couple's cooking class, visit a whisky distillery or sake brewery, enjoy a tea ceremony, or take a food photography tour together.
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Research vegetarian/vegan-friendly restaurants in advance, learn key phrases to communicate your needs, and consider booking tours specifically catering to your dietary requirements.