Have you eaten yet? The “30 Most Popular Japanese Restaurants Among Foreign Travelers” are out

Travel Center / Comprehensive Report

What restaurants do foreign travelers think are a must for food in Japan? TripAdvisor recently released its ranking of the “2015’s Most Popular Japanese Restaurants Among Foreign Travelers”, but the top 30 are mostly concentrated in Kyoto, Tokyo, and Osaka, showing that these three areas remain the most frequently visited destinations for the majority of international visitors.

The ranking is based on data collected from foreign travelers who left reviews on TripAdvisor between April 2014 and March 2015.

▲ Famous for its wagyu steak, おおつか (Photo / Screenshot fromMYNAVI)

1st Place: Kyoto おおつか (ootsuka)
“Wagyu” cuisine is considered one of the must-try foods for many foreign visitors to Japan, and おおつか is renowned for its Wagyu steaks. It enjoys immense popularity not only among international guests but also with locals. Located in the popular tourist area of Arashiyama in Kyoto, the restaurant draws a constant stream of overseas visitors.

Address: 20-10, Sagatenryuji Kurumamichi Cho, Ukyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto Prefecture
Transportation: Near the Arashiyama Torokko Saga Station

▲ TAPAS MOLECULAR BAR at Mandarin Oriental Tokyo (Photo / FromMandarin Oriental Tokyo official website)

2nd Place: Tokyo TAPAS MOLECULAR BAR
Located on the 38th floor of Mandarin Oriental Tokyo, TAPAS MOLECULAR BAR is distinguished by its two chefs who use Japanese ingredients to create dishes on-site and serve them in the style of a sushi bar. Its romantic and luxurious dining space helped it leap from 12th place last year to second place this year.

Address: 2-1-1 Nihonbashi Muromachi, Chuo-ku, Tokyo

▲ When visiting Kyoto Imperial Garden, be sure to check out this steakhouse highly praised by both locals and international travelers (Photo / FromMeat Dishes Fans Facebook page)

3rd Place: Kyoto はふう 本店
The steakhouse “はふう 本店,” located near Kyoto Imperial Garden, not only receives perfect ratings for its food, but also earns praise from foreign visitors for maintaining excellent service even during busy times.

Address: 471-1, Yokocho 9-ya Machi, Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto-shi (uphill from Irie River on Furuichicho)
Transportation: About 10 minutes on foot from Kyoto Municipal Subway Tozai Line, Kyoto City Hall Station
About 10 minutes on foot from Kyoto Municipal Subway Karasuma Line, Marutake-machi Station

Below is the full list of the top 30 foreign-favorite restaurants, including Sushi Dai and Taiwa Sushi at Tsukiji Market, as well as Ippudo Dotonbori, Ippudo Shibuya, and Ippudo Kinryogoku—all popular spots among Taiwanese travelers.

% Kyushu region's famous beef bowl shop (Photo provided by netizen Elaine)

“2015’s Most Popular Japanese Restaurants Among Foreign Travelers”

1. “おおつか” (Kyoto)
2. "TAPAS MOLECULAR BAR" (Tokyo)
3. "Hafuu Main Store" (Kyoto)
4. "Heianraku" (Gifu, Takayama)
5. "Matsusaka Wagyu Yakiniku M Hozenji Yokocho Branch" (Osaka)
6. "SUSHI BAR YASUDA" (Tokyo)
7. "Kubeyan Ginza Main Store" (Tokyo)
8. "Kamib8 Wagyu Kaiseki 511" (Tokyo)
9. "Kiji Umeda Sky Building Branch" (Osaka)
10. "Ippudo Shibuya Branch" (Tokyo)
11. "Center4 Hamburgers" (Gifu, Takayama)
12. "Sushi Dai" (Tokyo)
13. "Tokyo Shibuya Tofuya Ukai" (Tokyo)
14. "Okonomiyaki"< 长田屋”(广岛)
15. "Umeoka Sushi Midori Yamate Branch" (Tokyo)
16. "NARISAWA" (Tokyo)
17. "Hanamoya" (Tokyo)
18. "Harajuku Gyoza Ro" (Tokyo)
19. "Tsukiji Kiyomura Sushizanmai Shinjuku East Branch" (Tokyo)
20. "Kaiten Sushi Kyoto CHOJIRO Shiokoji Branch" (Kyoto)
21. "NINJA AKASAKA" (Tokyo)
22. "Ippudo Nishiki Branch" (Kyoto)
23. "Wakkoqu Shin-Kamiyacho Branch" (Kamiyacho)
24. "Ippudo Dotonbori Branch" (Osaka)
25. "Yamato Sushi" (Tokyo)
26. "Genki Sushi Shibuya Branch" (Tokyo)
27. "Abucha No. 2 Store" (Hokkaido, Shirogane Onsen)
28. "Sushi no Musashi Sanjo Main Store" (Kyoto)
29. "Kamib8 Wagyu Steak Restaurant Steak Land KOBE" (Kamiyacho)
30. "Katsukura Kyoto Building Branch" (Kyoto)