Food & Restaurant Wishlist
What does everyone want to try?
Must-Try Foods
Add your votes and must-haves!
Street Food & Snacks
- Takoyaki (octopus balls) — Osaka specialty
- Okonomiyaki (savory pancake) — Osaka/Hiroshima style
- Taiyaki (fish-shaped cake with filling)
- Yakitori (grilled chicken skewers)
- Melon pan (sweet bread)
- Onigiri (rice balls) — konbini has amazing ones
- Karaage (fried chicken)
- Gyoza (dumplings)
- Crepes — Harajuku specialty
Sit-Down Meals
- Ramen — different styles in each city
- Sushi — conveyor belt or traditional
- Tempura
- Tonkatsu (breaded pork cutlet)
- Udon / Soba noodles
- Curry rice (Japanese style)
- Yakiniku (Japanese BBQ)
- Shabu-shabu or Sukiyaki (hot pot)
Sweets & Desserts
- Matcha anything (ice cream, cake, latte)
- Mochi / Daifuku
- Japanese cheesecake
- Kakigori (shaved ice) — perfect for July!
- Convenience store desserts — surprisingly amazing
- Parfaits — Japan does these incredibly
Drinks
- Vending machine exploration — weird flavors!
- Melon soda
- Ramune (marble soda)
- Japanese iced coffee
- Canned coffee (hot or cold from vending machines)
Restaurant Targets
Specific places we want to try (add as we research):
Tokyo
| Restaurant | Area | What | Priority | Booked? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pokemon Cafe | Nihombashi | Themed cafe | High | Pending |
Kyoto
| Restaurant | Area | What | Priority | Booked? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kawadoko restaurant (TBD) | Pontocho | River platform dining — July seasonal! | High | Pending |
Osaka
| Restaurant | Area | What | Priority | Booked? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pokemon Cafe | Shinsaibashi | Themed cafe | High | Pending |
| Dotonbori street food | Namba | Everything | High | Walk-up |
Family Member Requests
Papa wants to try:
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Mama wants to try:
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Bubu wants to try:
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Gaby wants to try:
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Dietary Notes
Allergies to communicate:
Preferences:
Vegetarian-friendly spots to research:
Convenience Store (Konbini) Guide
Don’t sleep on konbini food — it’s legitimately great!
Best Items to Try
7-Eleven:
- Onigiri (rice balls)
- Egg salad sandwiches
- Fried chicken (famichiki-style)
- Premium desserts
FamilyMart:
- Famichiki (fried chicken)
- Pasta dishes
- Sweets
Lawson:
- Karaage-kun (fried chicken nuggets)
- Premium roll cake
- Oden (winter comfort food)
Pro Tips
- Hot food section near register
- Microwave available for bento
- Look for “limited edition” seasonal items
- Late-night discounts on expiring items
Food Budget
| Category | Budget (¥/day) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Breakfast | Often at hotel or konbini | |
| Lunch | ||
| Dinner | ||
| Snacks/Drinks | ||
| Special meals | Nice restaurants, cafes |
Eating Etiquette Reminders
- No tipping — Really, don’t
- Itadakimasu before eating (like “bon appetit”)
- Gochisousama after eating (thanks for the meal)
- Slurping noodles is polite — shows you enjoy it!
- Don’t walk and eat — Find a spot to stand/sit
- Chopstick rules: Never stick upright in rice, don’t pass food chopstick-to-chopstick
- Oshibori (wet towel) is for hands only, not face
Discovery Log
Great finds during the trip:
| What | Where | Rating | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | |||
| ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | |||
| ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |