Kanazawa, the capital city of Ishikawa prefecture, is located in the Hokuriku region on the central coast of Japan’s main island facing the Sea of Japan. Historically, the city’s prime location, equidistant from Edo (modern-day Tokyo) and Kyoto, offered Kanazawa easy access to both cultures. Many areas throughout Kanazawa still retain a traditional look, so much so that it is often referred to as “Little Kyoto”.

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When dining in Japan’s metropolitan capital of Tokyo, there are few foods more native to the city than sushi. Tokyo is the birthplace of nigiri-style sushi, the iconic ball of vinegared rice topped with a beautiful cut of fresh fish or other seafood, which developed as a lunchtime food for laborers, merchants, and artisans during the 1800s. Nigiri sushi is also known as Edomae sushi, after Tokyo’s former name, “Edo”.

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Sendai, the capital of Miyagi prefecture, is located on the northeastern coast of Japan. The area offers some of the best scenery in Japan, with gorgeous mountains to the west, and Matsushima Bay on the Pacific Ocean to the east—one of the top three most scenic locations in the country. But home not only stunning scenery, the food of the region is also fantastic.

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Explore one of Japan’s most diverse culinary scenes in Hiroshima, located on the westernmost part of Japan’s main island. Bordered by the Seto Inland Sea, the southern Hiroshima coastline is dotted with numerous fishing villages and more than 100 tiny islands. Hiroshima produces two-thirds of Japan’s oysters and enjoys a huge bounty of fish and shellfish that vary throughout the year. The area’s unique geography is home to a rich, biodiverse ocean environment, rewarding it with some of the best seafood in the country. Here are 8 Hiroshima sushi restaurants where one can sample the finest coastal cuisine the area has to offer.

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A city renowned for its spiritual and artistic tradition, Kyoto is also home to a storied culinary history—including a unique sushi culture unlike any other. As a landlocked city, Kyoto traditionally did not have access to fresh fish, which fostered an inventive Kyoto style of sushi emphasizing preserved and pickled ingredients. Following the Great East Japan Earthquake of 1923, however, displaced sushi chefs came to Kyoto and brought with them the familiar Edo-mae (Tokyo) style sushi of fresh fish atop a ball of rice. Kyoto sushi has since evolved to incorporate aspects of both traditional Kyoto dining—with its emphasis on high-quality, local, seasonal ingredients—and Edo-mae sushi techniques. Here are 8 must-try Kyoto sushi restaurants that combine the peerless tradition of yesterday with the tastes of today.

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The Roppongi district is known as Tokyo’s upscale center of entertainment, complete with high-end hotels, chic bars, and a fantastic nightlife. Bordered by two large commercial hubs, Roppongi Hills at one end and Roppongi Midtown at the other, this peerless shopping destination offers the allure of numerous luxury brands, while the sheer variety of museums, galleries, and art installations in the area create a bustling art scene. Due to its close proximity to a number of foreign embassies, Roppongi draws a diverse crowd of esteemed overseas visitors, so it’s no surprise then that the area is home to one of the best dining scenes in Tokyo and throughout Japan. For visitors looking to enjoy the finest in Japanese cuisine, here are 7 Roppongi sushi restaurants that not only provide the best sushi in Roppongi but also furnish the ultimate seafood dining experience.

Continue reading Roppongi Sushi Restaurants: 7 Luxurious Tokyo Seafood Finds

When it comes to Japan’s northernmost prefecture, most epicureans likely envision refreshingly chilled ale, expertly braised cuts of succulent Genghis Khan mutton and delectable mountains of cheese and other dairy products. While the culinary prominence of Hokkaido’s meat and dairy products is undeniable, ignoring its teeming seafood culture would not only be cruel to your stomach, but would serve to discount those who have made it their life’s work. Nowhere is this dedication to craft, seasonal excellence and exceptional flavor more apparent than in the realm of sushi and sashimi, where master chefs effortlessly mold the ocean’s bounty to their whims for your pleasure. Come out of the cold with these 7 top-notch Sapporo sushi restaurant recommendations.

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Tokyo’s Ginza is a glittering upscale oasis that, for discerning epicureans, offers a veritable cornucopia of culinary possibilities. Contemporary eateries coexist with traditional establishments, all united by the common pillars of quality, service, and unwavering commitment to gathering only the finest ingredients. Read on to discover why Ginza is especially renowned for its flourishing seafood and sushi scene—and learn about the very best places to experiencethe freshness for yourself!

Continue reading Ginza Sushi Restaurant Guide: 8 Sumptuous Seafood Treasures