Tokyo and Osaka are both wonderful places to eat, but they have a different vibe. In Osaka, conversations seem to start a little more easily. Someone might recommend their favourite takoyaki shop, and you may even hear a cheerful ookini—Osaka’s way of saying “thank you.”

I’ve written about ramen before, but there’s one thing I could happily talk about again: the soup.

When I think of a Shinkansen trip, I think of ekiben. Yes, the train is fast and the view is lovely, but I also look forward to choosing what I’m going to eat.

When you hear the word bakery, what do you picture in your country? Sandwiches? French baguettes? Sourdough bread? Pies? Cakes and cookies?

You’ve probably seen matcha in lattes, ice cream and beautifully layered desserts. But a bowl of traditional Japanese matcha is a rather different experience.

Conveyor belt sushi is one of the easiest and most entertaining ways to enjoy sushi in Japan.

Onigiri are one of Japan’s simplest and most comforting foods.

Ramen is one of Japan’s most famous foods, but it is much more than just noodles in soup.