Jimbochō is Tokyo’s last refuge for deep attention — a neighborhood where aging paper, century-old bookstores, kissaten, and curry houses push back against an eight-second world. Wandering its alleys becomes an act of resistance: a deliberate reclaiming of the mind from algorithms. From Saboru’s Showa charm to Bondy’s legendary curry and the quiet glow of Kanda Myōjin, Jimbochō reminds travelers how to think — and feel — again.

Discover Tokyo’s best sushi with MK’s curated guide to the city’s top omakase counters, Edomae classics, premium conveyor-belt experiences, and neighborhood favorites. From Michelin-starred sanctuaries to hidden gems, these restaurants showcase the craftsmanship, seasonality, and quiet mastery that define Tokyo’s sushi culture.

Ginza Tenryu draws long lines for a reason. Hidden on the fourth floor of a plain Ginza building, this iconic restaurant serves giant, garlic-free gyoza that are so juicy and quick to serve, it feels like they’re on tap. Inside, Beijing-style favorites—from tsubuta to ebi-chili—are perfected to their ideal form. Tenryu doesn’t just serve Chinese food; it raises the bar and resets expectations.

Hidden inside Tokyo Station’s vast network of halls and underground passages are some of the city’s most memorable dining spots. From legendary tsukemen and charcoal-grilled unagi to elegant wagashi, modern Chinese cuisine, and plant-based ramen, these ten restaurants capture the flavor and spirit of Japan’s busiest transit hub. A guide to quiet luxury, everyday comfort, and destination-worthy dishes beneath the station’s red-brick facade.

Beneath the chaos of Tokyo Station lies Tokyo Ramen Street — eight legendary ramen shops packed into a single hallway. What started in 2009 has become a pilgrimage spot for office workers, ramen lovers, and Shinkansen travelers seeking one perfect bowl before their train departs. Follow the aroma through the maze, pick a shop, press a button, and let Tokyo’s underground ramen hub unveil itself.

On Fukuoka’s western coast, Itoshima’s cafés unfold like a peaceful journey — from sea to mountain, from flavor to tranquility. Sip coffee by the waves, enjoy farm-fresh sweets outdoors, and finish with matcha in a moss garden. These 11 cafés embody the spirit of Japan’s slow life, where every cup, view, and moment reflects a gentle harmony between nature and craft.

Often dismissed as “boring,” Nagoya hides its brilliance in plain sight. In Naka Ward—the city’s beating heart—history, craftsmanship, and nightlife converge. From the gold-crested towers of Nagoya Castle to the neon pulse of Sakae and the timeless calm of Osu Kannon, this is Japan unfiltered: industrious, genuine, and alive. MK reveals the real Nagoya—bold, grounded, and unforgettable.

From Edo’s ashes to neon glory, Akihabara’s journey from samurai fires to otaku paradise defines Tokyo’s electric spirit.

Born from Tokyo’s postwar black market, Ame-Yokocho still buzzes with grit and charm. Beneath the JR Ueno tracks, hawkers shout, lanterns flicker, and the air mixes grilled squid with nostalgia. Rough, loud, and lively—Ame-Yoko is the Tokyo that never sold out, where authenticity flourishes amid the chaos.

Sapporo’s Chūō Ward is the city’s core—Odori’s green corridor, red-brick Akarenga, observatories overlooking night lights, and markets filled with crab, uni, and steaming miso ramen. Explore shrines, ride ropeways, enjoy jingisukan fresh off the grill, and relax in an urban ryokan. MK’s guide takes you to the best spots—quietly, precisely, deliciously.

Once a rival city to Fukuoka, Hakata still embodies Kyushu’s soul—a port filled with temples, ramen, and riverside neon lights. Walk where monks once met merchants, where the smell of broth and sea breeze fills the air, and where festivals still thunder through the streets. Let MK guide you through Hakata Ward’s shrines, yatai stalls, and hidden bars—the living spirit of Fukuoka revealed.

On the eastern shores of Lake Biwa lies Hikone—a castle town where time slows and beauty endures. Wander its Edo-period gardens, savor Omi beef in quiet restaurants, and rest beneath the gaze of a centuries-old fortress. Let MK guide you through Shiga’s still waters and hushed paths to discover Japan as it truly is—unhurried, reflective, alive.

Higashiyama Ward is Kyoto distilled—a living watercolor of stone lanes, willow-shaded riversides, and lantern-lit teahouses. Spared wartime destruction and preserved as Japan’s cultural ambassador, it anchors the nation’s past while Tokyo races toward the future. From World Heritage temples to discreet kaiseki kitchens, Higashiyama offers subtlety, depth, and immersion. Let MK guide you beyond the crowds into Kyoto’s most elegant and enduring heart.

Shinjuku is Tokyo’s beating heart—a district where neon streets, hidden bars, and tranquil gardens collide. From cherry blossoms at Shinjuku Gyoen to panoramic views at the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building, smoky yokochō alleys, Golden Gai nightlife, and luxury hotels, this guide covers it all. Discover where to eat, drink, shop, and stay with MK’s curated picks, offering the authentic side of Shinjuku beyond the crowds.

Shinsaibashi is Osaka’s most iconic shotengai—an endless corridor of commerce where Edo-era independence meets neon chaos. Stretching nearly 600 meters through the heart of Minami, it blends designer flagships and street food stalls, Ame-mura’s street fashion and Triangle Park’s skaters, izakayas and cabaret clubs. More than a shopping street, it’s Osaka distilled: wild, stylish, and unforgettable.

Hidden behind Jimbocho’s bookstores, Bondy Curry is the legendary birthplace of Tokyo’s European-style curry. Founded in 1973 by Koichi Murata, an artist turned chef inspired by French brown sauces, Bondy set the standard for Jimbocho’s rise as “curry town.” Expect steaming potatoes with house butter, rich beef curry with a hint of fruit, and a line of devotees winding through the Showa-era stairwell.

Just off Shinjuku Sanchome’s C5 exit, Chakura Curry Tokyo is a hidden six-seat counter operated by a solo chef with a talent for soulful, spice-rich dishes. Coconut shrimp, mango chutney, turmeric rice, and pickled beets come together in a dish that defies genres and sparks wanderlust and quiet introspection. With self-serve sparkling water and posters encouraging travel around the world, this unassuming second-floor spot attracts Tokyo’s in-the-know creatives for good reason

Explore Kyoto’s Gion District, where geishas still glide along cobblestone streets and tradition lives through the lantern-lit nights. This MK Deep Dive covers the history, atmosphere, etiquette, and must-try dining experiences that define Japan’s most iconic cultural neighborhood.

Tucked within Kaya Daimon Park in Itoshima, Totoro Forest is an unofficial Ghibli homage that stirs childhood memory and spiritual wonder. A camellia-lined tunnel evokes the magic of My Neighbor Totoro, where sunlight filters like grace through the canopy. With the Genkai Sea beyond and the scent of nostalgia in the air, this quiet forest path invites you to wander, reflect, and remember the beauty of what once was—or what we wish had been.

Discover Ishiyama-dera Temple, where Murasaki Shikibu found the inspiration to write The Tale of Genji. Overlooking Lake Biwa, this hillside sanctuary fuses literary history with spiritual legend—gold-prayer miracles, moonlit musings, and the 13th stop on the Saigoku Kannon pilgrimage. Let MK guide you through cedar forests, Heian-era echoes, and the place where Japan’s first novel began.