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.

Continue reading Kyoto Sushi Restaurant Guide: 8 Seafood Gems of Old Japan

Kaiseki is the quintessential Japanese haute cuisine, a tasting course characterized by the perfection of its preparation and elegant presentation. Originally a meal of small dishes meant to accompany the bitter green tea of Japanese tea ceremonies, kaiseki has become a dazzling culinary tradition unto itself. Kaiseki eschews strong sauces or overly complex arrangements, instead presenting every dish with stark simplicity around natural themes that highlight the superior quality of seasonal ingredients. This absence of artifice means that every ingredient must be selected at the height of freshness and then carefully prepared to showcase its true flavor.

Continue reading Best Kaiseki Kyoto: 13 Restaurants Redefining Japan's Old World Cuisine

Over 1,200 years old, Japan’s most historic city and former capital is a top travel destination not only for its UNESCO world heritage sites but also for its amazing culinary delights. Kyoto has a vibrant nightlife, and the gastronomically inclined on an evening outing should look no further than one of Kyoto's many izakaya. An integral part of Japanese food culture both high and low, izakaya have long been the place where Japanese people go to unwind after a long day. For good food, good drinks, and a heavy dose of traditional Japan, here are 10 Kyoto izakaya that are sure to more than satisfy your epicurean desires.

Continue reading 10 Kyoto Izakaya: The "Spirits" of Tradition in Japan’s Old Capital

Kobe, located on Osaka Bay in western Japan, is a port city best known for its eponymous local brand of beef. Japanese beef, or wagyu, includes several breeds of cattle that have been domesticated from wild oxen, with the various regions of Japan specializing in their own local wagyu brands. Kobe beef, in particular, is world famous for its intense marbling. Rich and sweet without being greasy, the meat possesses a unique tenderness and melting texture that is second to none.

Continue reading Where to Eat Kobe Beef: 12 Havens of Grilled Greatness