I think alot about why I love Japan so much, and even beyond being a food heaven, of all kinds, its a place where all of my nerd fantasies truly come true! Food, videogames, cars, wrestling, baseball, tech, cameras are all cherished Japan pastimes, and things i have cared deeply about since I was a kid. Not to mention how prompt everyone is with timing, and a place where mass transit reigns supreme! A country steeped in tradition, but also seemingly 20 years of us, there is nothing like Japan…God I love it there!
Below are all the new spots I went to in 2026, but if you are looking for every place Ive ever been to on my 5 trips to Japan, along with bars, activities, hotels, a downloadable google map, and so much more, click below
Tokyo Guide
Popo– Since 1973 Popo has been a beloved local sando shop in the Nishinippori neighborhood. They usually have about 20 types of sandos, all made on ultra soft shokupan, and all really cheap, think around 300 yen. I of course got the egg salad sando, which might have been a bit too salty for me, but could be perfect for you, because the bread was great! Just a heads up, they only take cash, and their hours can be a little difficult!
Popo
Ginza Tsuboyaki-Imo- Another shop for you Japanese sweet potato lovers! At Ginza Tsuboyaki-Imo, they have all these special clay pots, where they slow roast the sweet potatoes over charcoal for three hours, and that’s it. Done. nothing. With this cooking process it concentrates their sweetness, and leaves the sweet potatoes with this custardy interior. You can do full, half, bite sized, and even vacuumed sealed to travel back with.
Ginza Tsuboyaki-Imo
Kitchen Nankai Jinbocho- For decades people have lined up at the neighborhood yoshoku joint, Kitchen Nankai Jinbocho, all for their katsu curry! Theirs stands out with its dark, almost black color coming from cooking it down for 10 hours, with 10 spices. You get that fantastic crunch of the pork tonkatsu, comforting rice, and the curry has that deep umami flavor, with just a little sweetness, and just a little spicy kick. Worth the wait! Just remember to bring cash.
Kitchen Nankai Jinbocho
Nihonbashi Philly- The best Philly cheesesteak in the world might be in Tokyo Japan! Stepping into Nihonbashi Philly is like stepping into a portal straight to the City of Brotherly Love. There is Philly sports merch everywhere, and even more importantly, a cheesesteak that will blow you away. It’s chopped ribeye with fried onions, and a house made cheese wiz sauce on this custom seeded roll, all in perfect harmony!
Nihonbashi Philly
Pizza Bar on 38th- High up on the 38th floor of the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Tokyo, you will not only find stunning views of Tokyo, but truly a one of a kind pizza experience from world renowned pizzaioli or pizashokunin here in Japan, Daniele Cason. It’s currently ranked #2 on the top 50 pizza places in the world, #1 in Asia, and holds a spot in the Michelin guide for Tokyo. This reservation won’t be easy, but if you can get in, you get an omakase experience that was the most interest and unique pizza meals Ive ever had! The meal is 15,180 yen for lunch, and 21,505 yen for dinner, you get on extra pizza for dinner. That’s about $100 at the moment, more expensive than most pizza, but beyond worth it for an experience you will always remember!
Pizza Bar on 38th
Ribera Steakhouse- Ribera is more than just a steakhouse, its a right of passage in the pro wrestling world. They have two locations in Tokyo, and since the 1970s its not only been serving locals its no frills western style steaks, you get a steak, rice, a veggie, and only pick between size, but is a pilgrimage for wrestlers and wrestling fans. It was its large portions that originally brought the wrestler Bruiser Brody here in the 70s, and very quickly it became a favorite for all gaijin wrestlers working in Japan. The restaurant is covered in photos, telling the story of pro wrestling in Japan, and with Bruiser also began the tradition of wrestlers being gifted with a satin Ribera jacket! You can’t buy this jacket; it’s an honor reserved only for wrestlers, and a who’s who of the wrestling world has one.
Getting to go there in person, pay respect to so many of my favorites, and sit under their photos was genuinely meaningful. Was it the best steak in the whole world? Idk, but with its huge portions, and cheap price, I paid 4500 yen for a 1 pound piece of steak, it’s easy to see why this spot is legendary for wrestlers who need all that protein and carbs.
Sushi Kagura- Sushi Kagura is a very classic sushi omakase with a 20 course meal for 22,000 yen! To me the best part of the meal was the that we were able to book their private room which sits up to 4 people, and allowed us to have this really intimate and more special meal with not only friends, but with the chef.
Sushi Kagura
Yakiniku Ushigoro Omotesandoten- Yakiniku Ushigoro Omotesandoten is an upscale yakinuku with not only a Korean spin, but with some absolutely unforgettable bites with a focus on premium a5 grad Japanese black wagyu. I got the avocado kimchi, beet tartare with caviar, a beef tenderloin cutlet sandwich with shaved truffle, beef tongue, and a beef tenderloin risotto which also had black truffle shaved in! Some of the most unforgettable wagyu bites, just make sure to make a reservation.
Yakiniku Ushigoro Omotesandoten
Looking for even more cities in Japan? I also have guides for Kyoto, Sapporo, and Osaka.
AloJapan.com