I went to the foodie capital of the world where I had the best cheap meals of my life as well as £1.50 snacks
I NEVER thought of myself as a big foodie – until I went to the dining capital of the world.
While great food can be found in places like Italy and Mexico, the very best is found in Tokyo.
The capital city of Tokyo is known for it’s fine dining – it has more Michelin star restaurants than both Paris and New York combined.
It was named the best city for food and drink this year in the Food & Wine’s Global Tastemakers list, with previous accolades including the “world’s best food city” by Saveur magazine.
There’s never been a better time to visit Japan, with the yen being weak against the pound, so your money goes further.
And I found the food places that only cost a few pounds for some of the best food I’ve ever eaten.
In the Harujuku district was our favourite find, Harajuku Gyozaro tucked away inside a condensation-covered shack.
Only serving gyoza, we had six of the best pork dumpling that were both soft on the top and crispy on the bottom for just 290 yen (£1.50).
Safe to say we came back the next day and ordered another two batches, opting for steamed (the only other option being fried).
Or there was the many vending machine ramens, better than ones I’d had at a restaurant in the UK.
One of my favourite ramen restaurants was Kyushu Jangara Ramen, with a massive bowl I couldn’t finish for just £8.
Most places give you free unlimited noodles too – if you can fit them in.
While less on the cheap side, the deserts are also the most fun ever.
There are the chocolate filled fish, the entire milk bread loafs stuffed with cream and ice cream, the numerous matcha mochi as well as the famous matcha KitKats.
My favourite was Crunky, tiny balls of chocolate filled with rice crispies not unlike a Crunch bar.
This is best found at the many 7-Eleven corner shops across the country – with more than 21,000 to choose from.
It’s safe to say I came back feeling extremely well-fed – and a suitcase stuffed with snacks.
It’s not the only amazing thing about Japan.
Most hotels will even give you free pyjamas for your stay.
The Sun’s Ryan Gray said: “Some came in two-piece top and bottom sets, others were more traditional robes with a fancy sash to tie around the waste, known as a yukata.
“They ranged from simple single colour designs to much fancier patterned garments, all of which I was happy to slip into after a shower at the end of a long day of exploring.”
Flights to Japan from the UK start for as little as £197 each way, with the cheapest flights being with China Eastern Airways, stopping in Shanghai.
Flights take around 16 hours.
Can’t quite make it to Japan? Here’s an English park that makes you feel like you are there.
What else can you do in Japan?
The Sun’s Assistant Travel Editor Sophie Swietochowski visited Japan last year – here’s what she said.
The chaos of capital city Tokyo, with its neon lights, skyscrapers and maze of zebra crossings herding teeming crowds, is not a reflection of the entire country.
Japan’s culture stretches far and wide and the best way to get an overall flavour is a guided tour — you can tick off the sights and will have an expert on hand to answer any questions, about traditions and history or the best places to eat.
My whirlwind itinerary, with knowledgeable Richard from Inside Japan Tours, began in Japan’s second-largest city Osaka.
Japan sticks closely to tradition and while you can find chunks of it woven into Osaka and nearly every region, heading to an onsen town is the best way to soak it up.
But Kyoto is the place to go to find these houses of worship in abundance.
It’s hard to believe the city is Japan’s former capital, especially for those like me who associate the country with the bright lights and big crowds of its current capital, Tokyo.