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April 01, 2025
 

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Robbie Swinnerton
Robbie Swinnerton has been living, eating and writing about food in Tokyo for over 30 years. His column, Tokyo Food File, has run in The Japan Times since 1998.
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink / Destination Restaurants
Dec 4, 2022
At Akai, tranquil dining without distractions
Minutes from the sacred island of Miyajima, chef Kenji Akai's cuisine showcases its own divine simplicity.
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink / TOKYO FOOD FILE
Nov 27, 2022
Noma sets sights on Kyoto, and diners bite in droves
The acclaimed Copenhagen restaurant's second extended residence in Japan shifts to the country's ancient capital.
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink / Destination Restaurants
Nov 6, 2022
Dining from forest and field at Niigata's Satoyama Jujo
The Sanaburi dining room in Minamiuonuma serves dishes so fresh they come straight from the soil — sometimes literally.
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink / TOKYO FOOD FILE
Oct 16, 2022
From ‘gastrobar’ origins, Tinc Gana elevates modern Spanish cuisine
Chef Jerome Quilbeuf prefers to start each meal with “the finest cured ham in the world.'
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink / Destination Restaurants
Oct 2, 2022
At Don Bravo, creativity and wood-fired pizzas draw diners from afar
Far from the epicurean districts of Tokyo, this Chofu spot still manages to attract gourmands with omakase (chef's choice) pizza and much more.
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink / TOKYO FOOD FILE
Sep 18, 2022
Tokyo's new sushi shops keep focus on quality but pare back on frills
Dreaming of sushi? Having nightmares about the bill? Believe it or not, you can find a middle ground.
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink / Destination Restaurants
Sep 4, 2022
The old capital’s cuisine — redefined in Kamakura
Chef Yasunori Kitajima draws on almost two decades in top Kyoto kitchens to create a cuisine reflecting his own background in historic Kamakura.
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink / TOKYO FOOD FILE
Aug 21, 2022
Nine by La Cime leads the way as dining out in Tokyo regains its sheen
As coronavirus constraints loosened, the first half of this year brought a host of new openings, with much more for us to look forward to as we head into the cooler season.
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink / TOKYO FOOD FILE
Aug 7, 2022
Sip on sake’s unfiltered kin at Heiwa Shuzo’s new brewpub
Even from across the bar, there's no mistaking a bottle of milky doburoku for sake, its refined counterpart.
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink / TOKYO FOOD FILE
Jul 24, 2022
If you can’t beat the heat, savor it at Kakan
The best kept (and spiciest) secret in Kanagawa tofu dishes has finally come to Tokyo.
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink / TOKYO FOOD FILE
Jul 10, 2022
From the Andes to Akasaka, Maz stands apart
With Maz, Tokyo gains a stunning jewel of Peruvian cuisine.
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink / TOKYO FOOD FILE
Jun 26, 2022
At Tonkatsu Nanaido, perfect pork cutlets from a renowned yakitori chef
Chef Takashi Imai made his name with grilled chicken, but he also excels when it comes to deep-fried pork cutlets.
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink / TOKYO FOOD FILE
Jun 12, 2022
Atsuki Kuroda's new house blends style and taste
'No genre!' says chef Atsuki Kuroda of the stunning, satisfying menu at AC House.
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink / TOKYO FOOD FILE
May 22, 2022
Libushi Bashamichi: Raising the bar for casual craft beer dining
Delicate ales, hearty stouts and a sophisticated menu make a visit to this Yokohama taproom a must for any craft brew connoisseur.
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink / TOKYO FOOD FILE
May 8, 2022
Sota Atsumi brings Parisian flair back home to Tokyo
One of the most intriguing restaurant openings at the end of last year passed under the radar of many Tokyo gastronomes. That was due in part to timing: In November, the pandemic still had many people leery about eating out. But the other reason for the low-key start is that Sota Atsumi, the chef in...
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink / TOKYO FOOD FILE
Apr 11, 2022
Azuki to Kouri elevates Japan's classic summertime sweet
Azuki to Kouri. “Red Beans and Ice.” Whichever language you prefer, the name of Tokyo’s newest, hottest dessert counter evokes one of Japan’s classic summertime treats.
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink
Apr 1, 2022
A night to savor for Japan's restaurants at 2022 Asia's 50 Best awards
It was a result for the ages: 11 restaurants from Japan made the cut, including eight in the top 20. If that wasn't enough, the top prize went to Tokyo's much loved Den.
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink / TOKYO FOOD FILE
Mar 20, 2022
Parklet’s bread and breakfasts bring a taste of California to Nihonbashi
Parklet is a bakery and cafe with a West Coast vibe. Standouts on the menu include its fruit bread and several creative spreads for your morning slice.
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink / Destination Restaurants 2021
Mar 6, 2022
Etat d'esprit: A modern take on Okinawan cuisine
Drawing on his French training but inspired by local tradition, Yasuhiro Tomari has developed a uniquely creative approach to fine dining at Etat d'esprit.
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink / TOKYO FOOD FILE
Feb 6, 2022
Middle Eastern flavors from Byblos and Falafelista spice up takeouts amid the latest COVID-19 wave
With the amount of new coronavirus cases once again on the rise, you may prefer to revert back to the practice of ordering food to go.
Japan's biggest beef bowl chain Sukiya to shut nearly 2,000 stores after rat and bug contamination
Zensho Holdings, operator of fast-food chain Sukiya, said it will close all of its stores in Japan, except for a small number in shopping centers, between Monday and Friday following recent contamination incidents.
Alert raised for volcano in southwestern Japan
Shinmoedake, a volcano located between Miyazaki and Kagoshima prefectures, in November 2019
Japan considers all possible options as Trump threatens new auto tariffs
Subaru cars awaiting export at a port in Yokohama on Thursday.
Nankai Trough earthquake could kill 298,000 people, government says
Residents participate in an evacuation drill held with West Japan Railway in Shirahama, Wakayama Prefecture, in January 2024 to prepare for a Nankai Trough earthquake and a possible tsunami following the quake.
Japan, South Korea and China vow to strengthen trade ties amid looming U.S. tariffs
Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Yoji Muto (left), South Korean Trade Industry and Energy Minister Ahn Duk-geun (center) and Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao during a trilateral meeting in Seoul on Sunday
A Canadian made a weekend trip to Costco a Japanese pastime
Under the watchful eye of Ken Theriault, Costco representative director and Japan country manager, the American membership-model wholesaler has flourished in Japan.
Tokyo tech failures lean into misfortune, mistakes and missteps
Tsuyoshi Domoto in Tokyo's Shinjuku Ward on March 28. As an entrepreneur, Domoto experienced plenty of setbacks but maintains a positive attitude and continues to pursue his dreams.
Who among the opposition would join the ruling coalition?
Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba enters his office in Tokyo on Friday.
Traveling the Three-Star Road, the tourist route made from thin air
Scenes like this snow-covered bridge leading to the village of Shirakawa-go are what make the Three-Star Road worth traveling — its name notwithstanding.
Recent spate of wildfires in Japan and South Korea linked to climate change
Smoke and flames rise from a wildfire in Andong, South Korea, on Tuesday.

Podcast

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