I RECOMMEND...

Over the last 6 years, I've visited numerous Japanese restaurants in Northern California (USA). Eventually, I finally visited Japan for the first time this year. I was so grateful to taste real Japanese food and be able to experience different types of dining cultures in Japan. 

After coming back to Berkeley, I found myself in misery living in a place with limited authentic Japanese food available. I couldn't wait to go to Japan once again. As a result, I visited Japan a few times and had quite an adventure throughout different prefectures! 

I hope this list will help you find your favorite Japanese restaurants while traveling! The list is still "under construction." Last update 11/27/2016.

FINLAND                                           

Helsinki

Restaurant Gaijin

• Sashimi, Unagi + Truffle Nigiri, Miso Salmon, Beetroot Sorbet

Sushi Wagocoro

• Omakase, Unagi Oshizushi (pressed sushi), and Futomaki 

JAPAN                                         

HOKKAIDO PREFECTURE

Hakodate

• Hakodate Morning Market 函館朝市
• Scallop, sea urchin, raw squid, squid ink ice cream, and Yubari melon

Sapporo

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HYOGO PREFECTURE

Amagasaki

• Rock'n & Billy Super 1 ロックンビリーS1 
• Shio, Shoyu Ramen, and Tsukemen

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KYOTO PREFECTURE

Kyoto

• Toraya Confectionery 虎屋菓寮
• あんみつ Anmitsu, 羊羹 Yokan, 抹茶 Matcha, and 最中 Monaka Souvenirs

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OSAKA PREFECTURE

coming soon!

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TOKYO PREFECTURE

Setagaya

• JTAN
• Black Sesame Oil & Red Spicy Tantanmen
• Ootoya 大戸屋 
• Charcoal-grilled chicken & mackerel Teishoku (Japanese meal set)
• Shiro-Hige’s Cream Puff Factory白髭のシュークリーム工房
• Totoro Cream Puffs and Cookies

Tokyo

• Afuri
• Yuzu Ramen
• Kikanbo Spicy Ramen 鬼金棒 カラシビ 味噌らー麺 
• Spicy Miso Ramen
• Negishi ねぎし
• Grilled Gyutan (Beef Tongue) Teishok
• Shinjuku Memory Lane新宿西口思い出横丁
• Yakitori

MEXICO                                                  

Coming soon!

UNITED STATES                                    

CALIFORNIA (NORTHERN)

Alameda

• Kamakura Japanese Restaurant
• Sushi House
• Yojimbo
• Yume Sushi (no photos allowed)

Albany

• Oori Rice Triangles
• Sugata Japanese Restaurant

Berkeley

• Akemi
• C U Sushi
• Ippuku
• Iyasare (no photos allowed)
• Kamado Sushi
• Kaze Ramen
• Kiku Sushi
• Kirala Japanese Restaurant
• Kirala 2 Japanese Cuisine
• KoJa Kitchen
• Kyoto
• Mitama Restaurant
• Muracci’s Berkeley
• Tamon Tea
• Zabu Zabu

Daly City

• Tani’s Kitchen
• Tamago, Sashimi, and maki-sushi

El Cerrito

• Sushi Sho

Emeryville

• Miyozen Sushi & Roll
• Shiba Ramen
• Clear Ramen & Miso Ramen
• Soy Milk Ramen & Spicy Ramen

Oakland

• ABURAYA Japanese Fried Chicken
• AS B-Dama
• Geta
• Kansai
• Kushido Yakitori
• Ramen Shop

• Monterey Bay squid and pork fried rice
• Tori Paitan Ramen
• Red Miso Mochi Ice Cream

Palo Alto

• Yayoi
• Kara-age and Nan-ban chicken Teishoku

Richmond

• Kamza Sushi Palace

San Francisco

• Ajisen Ramen (inside Westfield San Francisco Centre Food Court)
• Belly Good Cafe & Crepes (inside Lower Pacific Heights Mall)
• Izakaya Sozai
• Japanese Tea Garden (Snack House)
• Dorayaki, Kuzumochi, and Gen-mai-cha
• Katana-Ya
• Ramen Yamadaya
• May’s Coffee Shop (inside Lower Pacific Heights Mall)
• Mensho Tokyo
• Shio, Organic (Shoyu), Tori Paitan, & Vegan Tantanmen
• Mifune Don Restaurant (inside Lower Pacific Heights Mall)
• Mifune Restaurant (inside Lower Pacific Heights Mall)
• On the Bridge (inside Lower Pacific Heights Mall)
• Saison (3-star Michelin)
• Japanese-inspired dishes
• Sapporo-Ya Japanese Restaurant (inside Lower Pacific Heights Mall)
• Sophie’s Crepes (inside Lower Pacific Heights Mall) 
• Tan Tan Coffee Shop (inside Lower Pacific Heights Mall)
• Wako Japanese Restaurant
• Sushi, Monkfish Liver, and Tamago

San Mateo

• Sushi Yoshizumi (1-star Michelin) 
• Sushi & Small Dishes

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CALIFORNIA (SOUTHERN)

Coming soon!

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ILLINOIS

Chicago

• Alinea (3-star Michelin)
• Japanese-inspired dishes

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NEW YORK

Coming soon!