All about Traditional Japanese Food & Cuisine

Japanese traditional food has always been famous for its cultural significance. It is so popular that you can see its appearance in every corner of the world. Japanese food is most famous for its culture significant resembled in special dishes such as sushi, soba,… as well as its refined and elegant flavors. These dishes not only taste good but also offer delicate visual beauty. Especially, it is made from carefully select seasonal ingredients to highlight the pure in taste, the simplicity in texture as well as to represent for the subtle Japanese chef.

There is no surprise that Japanese cuisine is listed as one of only three national food traditions by the UN. Do all of these marks make you curious enough to find out the list of traditional Japanese food prepared by our Japan Shore Excursions’ experts?

The Essence of Traditional Japanese Food

Japan’s traditional cuisine, washoku (和食), is not merely about eating, it’s an art form that captures the soul of the nation. Every dish is a poetic balance of harmony, seasonality, and deep respect for nature.

Rooted in the philosophy of the five colors (go-shiki), five flavors (go-mi), and five cooking techniques (go-ho), washoku transforms simple, natural ingredients into meals that delight both the eyes and the palate.

And if you’re arriving in Japan by cruise ship, even a short time ashore offers a gateway to this culinary world. You can try from delicate sushi to heartwarming miso soup, each bite tells a story of tradition, craftsmanship, and care.

Signature Traditional Japanese Food & Dishes to Try

Experience Japan through its iconic flavors. Delicate sushi, crispy tempura, hearty ramen, and comforting miso soup each reflect the country’s harmony between taste and tradition. Every bite reveals Japan’s respect for nature, seasonality, and craftsmanship.

Sushi - The most famous traditional Japanese dish

There is no need to talk much about this major symbol of Japan. Sushi is traditionally made with medium-grain white rice and vinegar. While some are often served with seafood, salmon, tuna, crab, etc, others are prepared with pickled ginger, wasabi, and soy sauce. Sushi has a boundless variety of types and forms depending on different regions and cooking styles. Some of the most popular ones are nigiri, gunkan, norimaki, temaki, oshizushi, etc.

As Japan consists of multiple islands surrounded by an ocean, it is incredibly rich in seafood supply. Especially, Japan Shore Excursions can offer tourists cruises to Yokohama city to visit Toyosu Fishery Market where visitors can try on fresh and delicious sushi at some of the most famous sushi restaurants in Japan during our Yokohama shore excursions.

Sashimi - The best way to enjoy Japanese fresh food

Among all traditional Japanese food, Sashimi stands out as one of the most authentic and elegant dishes in Japanese cuisine. It refers to thinly sliced raw food, often seafood, that highlights the freshness and natural flavor of the ingredients.

Sashimi can be defined as thinly sliced, raw food. Many people assume sashimi as seafood but other types of meats and foods like beef, chicken, horse or yuba tofu skin can also be served as sashimi. To make the presentation more appealing, Japanese chef often serves slices of raw food decorated with daikon or shiso leaves. Some common types are tuna, salmon, sea bream, mackerel, etc.

Tempura - The must-try dish when you visit Japan

Tempura is a must-try Japanese dish and one of the most beloved parts of traditional Japanese cuisine. It features battered and deep-fried seafood, fish, or vegetables, achieving a perfect balance of crispiness outside and tenderness inside.

This authentic Japanese food has regional variations: in Tokyo (Kanto region), tempura is enjoyed with a light soy-based dipping sauce, while in Kyoto and Osaka (Kansai region), it’s paired with flavored salt to enhance its subtle sweetness.

Udon - The most popular food in Japan

Udon is a thick and chewy noodle made from wheat flour which can be served both in hot and cold dishes. It is known as one of the most popular foods in Japan for its elegant taste and interesting slurping sounds people made while eating the noodles. There are various kinds of udon such as sanuki udon from Kagawa prefecture in southwest Japan, kishimen from Nagoya in central Japan, and inaniwa udon on Akita shore excursions in northern Japan.

Soba - The favorite noodle of Japanese

Soba is another type of traditional noodles dish in Japan. The noodle, made from buckwheat flour, is much thinner than Udon and is considered very healthy. Soba can be eaten both in hot broth or chilled with a dipping sauce. Toshikoshi soba, or often known as year-end soba, is a dish of noodles in hot broth especially served on New Year’s Eve. It’s a simple meal that you can enjoy at home with family or friends.

Miso soup - The classic Japanese dish for decades

Miso soup is a classic Japanese dish which can be served with any traditional meal. It consists of fermented soybean paste and dashi stock bringing up a significant savory taste for the dish. Depending on seasonal recipes and personal taste that many ingredients such as tofu, sliced green onions, fish, clams, and pork can be added.

Sukiyaki - The typical Japanese hotpot in winter

Sukiyaki is a one-pot dish containing beef, vegetables, and tofu slowly cooked or simmered with a sweet soy sauce broth in a shallow iron pot. Sugar and mirin are often added to the pot. The ingredients tend to be dipped in a bowl of raw eggs after being cooked in the pot. Sukiyaki is known as the most perfect way to enjoy the incredibly tender and rich taste of wagyu beef. It is very suitable to enjoy Sukiyaki in the winter where most of the Japanese year-end parties are held.

Kaiseki - The ultimate expressions of Japanese cuisine

Kaiseki, one of the most significant symbols of Japanese fine dining, is a traditional Japanese multi-course. It consists of small, seasonally themed dishes requiring precision and refinement. Its origins can be traced back many centuries ago in many tea ceremonies. Nowadays, kaiseki is usually served in specialized restaurants or Japanese style inn, especially on Kyoto shore excursions.

Kaiseki meals have a prescribed order to their dishes which often starts with aperitif and appetizers. Some of the most popular main dishes are soup, sashimi, boiled dish, grilled dish, etc. Especially, the Shokuji set includes rice, miso soup, and pickles. And the meal can be finished with desserts and sweets.

Unagi no Kabayaki - The highlight of traditional Japanese cuisine

Unagi no kabayaki is a popular eel dish that dates back to the Edo period. The name ‘kabayaki’ describes the cooking method, in which eel fillets after sweetened with soy sauce-based being broiled on a grill. The eel kabayaki with caramelize color is often served on top of a rice bowl then placed inside a tiered lacquered box.

Yaki Tori - The most common Japanese street food

Literally means ‘barbecued chicken’, Yaki Tori has been a traditional food since around the mid-17th century. The main ingredient is of course chicken but Japanese people make use of nearly every part of the chicken – from hear, liver to even a chicken comb. Bite-sized chicken pieces are seasoned with salt, rice wine, soy sauce or sugar then grilled on a skewer. The most common varieties are chicken thigh, chicken and spring onion, and chicken meatballs.

Wagashi - The special treat especially for Christmas

Wagashi, known as a traditional Japanese sweet changing depending on the seasons, is suitable to a Christmas make-over. It is created in festive shapes such as reindeer, Santa, holly leaves, puddings, and snowmen. The flavors inside embrace traditional tastes like red bean, burdock root, and green tea just to name a few.

Traditional Japanese Food for New Year Eve

Japanese New Year is an annual event with its own custom and the most important holiday in Japan. These days, Japanese culture is best expressed through Japanese significant cuisine.

Mochi - Delicious Japanese Rice Cake

Mochi, widely known as chewy rice cake, is a classic food well-suited to the Japanese New Year’s Day. These little round shape cakes are common sweets representing Japanese culture. One of the traditional New Year's activities involves preparing the mochi on New Year’s Day. Making mochi often takes time and requires a lot of effort though, people can buy them from many premade stores.

O-sechi ryori - Special Remark in Japanese New Year

O-sechi ryori is the significant feast for New Year’s Day. Each element of the dinner carries its own message of wishing for luck, prosperity, and health for the new year. This annual tradition once required days of subtle preparation, but nowadays premade O-sechi ryori can be found widely in department stores and restaurants.

Best Traditional Japanese Dessert

Sweet moments are an essential part of Japan’s culinary culture. Traditional Japanese desserts, known as wagashi, combine natural ingredients, elegant presentation, and subtle flavors that change with the seasons. Each treat offers a gentle balance of beauty and taste, inviting you to savor Japan’s sweetest traditions.

Anmitsu – Traditional Japanese Vegetarian Sweets

Anmitsu is a Japanese parfait made of agar jelly. The agar is mixed with water or fruit juice to create the gelatin for the jelly. It is often served in the bowl with anko, boiled peas, and different kinds of fruits such as peaches, pineapples, cherries, and satsuma orange. Sometimes people also add mochi, ice cream, and nontraditional fruits like strawberries into the bowl as toppings. One small notice is you should pour a little sweet black syrup onto the jelly before eating.

Dango – Japanese Sweet Dumplings

Dango plays the role of a Japanese dumpling and sweet made from rice flour (mochiko). The best way to enjoy Dango is to taste it with green tea. Traditional Dango is best suitable in certain seasons while with normal ones are year-round. One of the most popular variety is the “Mitarashi dango” which comes with a sweet and sticky syrup.

Daifuku – Tasty Mochi With Various Fillings

Daifuku is a typical Japanese dessert including small mochi balls stuffed with sweetened red bean paste -anko. There are many varieties of daifuku, most of which are palm-sized and covered in corn or potato starch to keep them from sticking together. The interior fillings also vary, the most popular ones include strawberries, sweet cream, apricot jam, pureed chestnuts, and even some trendy flavors recently like a coffee-flavored filling or crème caramel.

Dorayaki – Doraemon’s Favorite Red Bean Pancake

Dorayaki is a red bean pancake with anko paste filling. Two small pancake-like patties made from Castella serve as a type of sponge cake which had origins from Portugal and continues to be popular today. Recently, the fillings are Nutella instead of the original sweet anko paste.

Taiyaki – Interesting Fish-shaped Cake

Taiyaki is such a common street food in Japan that has many reviews posted all over the Internet. It imitates the fish-shape and is a traditional pancake batter pouring into a fish mold. The fillings contain a variety of ingredients including anko, custard, matcha, chocolate, sweet potato, or even savory varieties such as sausage or cheese.

Eating Etiquette & Cultural Tips in Japan

When enjoying traditional Japanese food, it’s not just about taste, it’s also about respect and mindfulness, two core values deeply rooted in Japanese food culture. Understanding a few simple dining customs will not only make your experience more authentic but also show appreciation for Japan’s culinary traditions.

1. Start with Gratitude - “Itadakimasu” & “Gochisousama”

Before eating, it’s polite to say “Itadakimasu” (いただきます) - a way of giving thanks for the food and the effort behind it. After finishing your meal, say “Gochisousama deshita” (ごちそうさまでした) to show gratitude to the chef or host. These simple phrases are an essential part of authentic Japanese dining etiquette, reflecting the country’s deep respect for nature, people, and food.

2. Master the Art of Chopsticks (Hashi)

Chopsticks are central to any Japanese meal, but they come with a few unspoken rules:

• Never stick chopsticks upright in a bowl of rice — it resembles a funeral ritual.
• Avoid passing food directly from one pair of chopsticks to another, which is also associated with funeral customs.
• Don’t use chopsticks to point or gesture.
• When taking food from shared dishes, use the opposite end of your chopsticks (the clean side).

Practicing these small gestures makes your dining experience smoother and shows respect for Japanese culture. This is also a vital part of enjoying traditional Japanese cuisine the right way.

3. Slurping Noodles Is Encouraged!

Unlike in many countries, in Japan, slurping noodles loudly isn’t considered rude. It’s actually a compliment to the chef! It shows that you’re enjoying the meal and helps enhance the flavor by mixing air with the noodles. So, when eating ramen, soba, or udon, feel free to slurp away. This fun tradition is one of the most charming aspects of authentic Japanese food culture and something every traveler should try at least once.

4. Cash, Tipping & Paying the Bill

In most traditional Japanese restaurants, you’ll pay at the counter rather than at the table. Tipping isn’t customary - great service is already included in the meal. Also, keep in mind that many small eateries and street food vendors near cruise ports accept cash only, so it’s a good idea to carry some yen. If you’re on a shore excursion in Japan, your guide may help with translation and payments at local restaurants.

5. Eating on the Go for Cruise Travelers Short on Time

If your cruise ship only stays at port for a few hours, you can still enjoy authentic Japanese food without rushing into a sit-down meal. Visit a konbini (Japanese convenience store) or grab a bento box at the station. These are packed with delicious items like sushi rolls, karaage chicken, and onigiri rice balls. They’re fresh, affordable, and give you a true taste of everyday Japanese cuisine, even on a tight schedule.

Famous Japanese Restaurants for Traditional Food

There are several traditional Japanese restaurants you should at least visit once when coming to Japan to best enjoy the authentic taste of Japanese cuisine. These are all picked by Japanese as special places embracing traditional Japanese fine dining.

Komakata Dozeu

This spectacular restaurant has been operating for more than two centuries. One step in and you would feel like you have stumbled into an Edo world where people sit on small cushions on top of tatami floors. You can enjoy Edo tastes through significant dishes that the restaurants are famous for such as Dozeu Nabe, Yanagawa, Kabayaki, and Dozeu Kara-age.
Address: 1-7-12, Komagata, Taito-ku, Tokyo, 111-0043

Sakura-nabe Nakae

Sakura-nabe Nakae has been running its business since 1905 at Yoshiwaraomon. This dish is a pot of horse meat which lists as a must-try when coming to the restaurant. Horse meat with low calories and low-fat mix with a sweetener and sesame oil. Besides, there are other delicious dishes available like sashimi or steak.
Address: 1-9-2, Nihonzutsumi, Taito-ku, Tokyo, 111-0021

Kanda Yabu Soba

Famous for being one of the most popular restaurants to serve "soba", Kanda Yabu Soba can satisfy even the most sophisticated people. A recommended menu for soba gourmets is "Kamonuki” – a dish taking soba out from kamo (duck) soba that can stimulate your appetite. Kanda Yabu Soba has always been the best choice of Edo people not only for its significant dish but also for its hospitality.
Address: 2-10, Kandaawajicho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, 101-0063

Asakusa Mugitoro

Asakusa Mugitoro born in 1929 where you can both enjoy delicious dishes and view the Sumida River and Komagatado. Because of its popularity, a long queue of people waiting for lines up in front of the restaurant. The buffet lunch is 1,000 yen in which you can enjoy a variety of food. For example, "Mugitoro” is a rich and healthy dish including plenty of grated yams mixed with secret broth.
Address: 2-2-4, Kaminarimon, Taito-ku, Tokyo, 111-0034

In conclusions, exploring traditional Japanese food is more than just satisfying your hunger, it’s a journey into Japan’s culture, history, and soul. As you taste, slurp, and savor, remember that each dish represents Japan’s dedication to simplicity, balance, and beauty. So, take your time, say “Itadakimasu,” and let your culinary adventure become one of the most unforgettable parts of your journey.