Destination Restaurants

Presented by The Japan Times since 2021, Destination Restaurants seeks out Japan’s best restaurants beyond big cities, selected by Japanese experts with international diners in mind.

Tsukumo

TAEKO TERAO Contributing writer

Tsukumo showcases Nara’s far-flung history The Japanese restaurant Tsukumo opened near Nara Station in 2015 and relocated in 2021. Its...

Restaurant Pas Mal

Takeo Terao Contributing writer

French cuisine in Yamagata, home of ‘brand’ foods Restaurant Pas Mal could be called the sole authentic French restaurant in...

Casa del Cibo

Takeo Terao Contributing writer

Italian cuisine that conveys the appeal of Hachinohe The Italian restaurant Casa del Cibo is located in Hachinohe, Aomori Prefecture,...

Oryouri Fujii

TAEKO TERAO Contributing writer

Restaurant preserves Toyama’s craft culture Iwase, home of the restaurant Oryouri Fujii, is a beautiful district in Toyama on the...

Otowa

Takeo Terao Contributing writer

French restaurant connects cuisine with society Utsunomiya, the capital of Tochigi Prefecture and the home of Otowa Restaurant, can be...

6 Six

Takeo Terao Contributing writer

Popular French restaurant on small Okinawa isle Situated in the island of Kouri, the French restaurant 6 Six (pronounced “shisu,”...

Villa del Nido

Takeo Terao Contributing writer

Italian restaurant blossoms in lush, rugged setting Mount Unzen is an active volcanic complex in the center of the Shimabara...

Dewaya

TAEKO TERAO Contributing writer

Pure flavors of local northern cooking The town of Nishikawa, home to the Dewaya restaurant and inn, is about 40...

L’Atelier de Noto

TAEKO TERAO Contributing writer

French restaurant, producers forge Noto future Facing the Sea of Japan on the Noto Peninsula in northern Ishikawa Prefecture, Wajima...

Satoyama Jujo restaurant

TAEKO TERAO Contributing writer

Cooking shaped by Niigata mountains, history The Osawa district of Minami-uonuma in Niigata Prefecture has long been known for its...

Shizuoka restaurant Chakaiseki Onjaku:Fishmonger, chef collaborate on kaiseki cuisine

Takeo Terao Contributing writer

With the local food movement as popular as ever these days, forgotten regional ingredients are in the spotlight, and chefs...

Don Bravo

TAKEO TERAO
CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Italian restaurant innovates in suburban Tokyo Don Bravo is neither located in a rural area abundant with nature, nor in...