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July 16, 2024
 

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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 / 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 Times
LIFE / Food & Drink / Destination Restaurants 2021
Jan 16, 2022
Every meal at Mekumi feels like an education
When it comes to sushi, what happens before the chef gets hold of the fish is just as important as his or her technique in preparing it.
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink / TOKYO FOOD FILE
Jan 2, 2022
2021 was a tough year, but Tokyo chefs remain undeterred
While the past year saw restaurants closing due to state-of-emergency restrictions, the food scene continued to progress.
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink / Destination Restaurants 2021
Dec 19, 2021
A focus on crab and other Hokuriku specialties makes dining at Kataori a sublime experience
All the best chefs search out the finest ingredients, but Takuya Kataori takes this quest to the ultimate extreme.
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink / TOKYO FOOD FILE
Dec 1, 2021
With its newly awarded Michelin star, Est prepares a holiday feast
Chef Guillaume Bracaval's offerings at Est are mostly a local affair, and a three-day holiday special sees the establishment splurging on luxury.
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink / Destination Restaurants 2021
Nov 21, 2021
The chef keeping the culinary tradition of Edo alive in Akita
Customers don't just get a good meal at Nihonryori Takamura in Akita, they get a slice of Edo Period dining culture.
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink / TOKYO FOOD FILE
Nov 6, 2021
It’s a tale of two (fresh) pastas at Pastificio Sugino and Lina Stores
Nothing beats fresh pasta. That said, not all pasta fresca is created equal. Those hankering for a truly top-notch plate should head to Pastificio Sugino.
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink / Destination Restaurants 2021
Oct 17, 2021
Chimikepp: Modern French cuisine finds a home in Hokkaido
For some, the allure of this remote region is its bracing snowscape or outdoor activities. For others, it's knowing they will dine very well at Chimikepp Hotel.
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink / TOKYO FOOD FILE
Oct 2, 2021
An Com: Modern Vietnamese meets modern sake
An Com takes the beguiling flavors of Vietnam and reinterprets them with Japanese inflections, giving its dishes a sophistication that feels entirely suited for its contemporary setting.
Japan Times
LIFE / Food & Drink / Destination Restaurants 2021
Sep 18, 2021
Nihonryori Yukimoto: Grounded in tradition, a kaiseki lineage evolves
Chef Takayuki Hagiwara blends Japanese aesthetics with a quietly contemporary cooking style that uses the local bounty of Nagano Prefecture to its fullest.
Bloodied Trump survives assassination attempt at political rally
Former U.S. President Donald Trump is surrounded and evacuated by Secret Service agents at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on Saturday. Trump was rushed off stage at the rally after shots rang out.
How to beat Japan’s summer heat in ways better for the planet
Tenugui towels hang up to dry at a dyeing company in Sakai, Osaka Prefecture, on May 8. The durable and versatile tenugui, which many people have in their homes, can be used in many ways to cool one’s body.
The neurological disorder that 'kills culture'
Akiko Trush says her experience with the neurological disorder dystonia left her feeling like she wanted to chop her own hand off.
Amid same-sex marriage ban, LGBTQ couples opt for 'photo weddings'
A lesbian couple, consisting of a 35-year-old woman (left) and 40-year-old woman, cover their faces with bouquets as they pose for wedding photos in Yokohama on Nov. 1.
China and Russia conduct joint Pacific military patrol
The Russian corvette Gromkiy enters the Chinese port of Zhanjiang as part of a joint China-Russia naval exercise on Saturday.
How to beat Japan’s summer heat in ways better for the planet
Tenugui towels hang up to dry at a dyeing company in Sakai, Osaka Prefecture, on May 8. The durable and versatile tenugui, which many people have in their homes, can be used in many ways to cool one’s body.
After Trump shooting, U.S. presidential race might take a violent turn
United States Secret Service Counter Snipers stand guard on a rooftop during a campaign rally for U.S. President Donald Trump in Avoca, Pennsylvania, in 2020.
No AC this summer? No problem (for me).
Think air conditioning is a requirement for a Tokyo summer? Think again.
She’s paying ¥1 million to help behind the scenes at the Paris Olympics
Mai Tarumi, who previously volunteered at the postponed Tokyo Olympics in 2021, has a travel budget of ¥1 million for her trip to volunteer at the Paris Games.
How to tweak your diet when temperatures spike
Most people think of hydration as a strictly liquid-based concept, but eating foods with high water content is an essential part of making it through a Japanese summer unscathed.

Podcast

You can often see generations of families enjoying performances together at Fuji Rock Festival.
Japan’s summer music festivals are feeling the heat in more ways than one

Longform

Akiko Trush says her experience with the neurological disorder dystonia left her feeling like she wanted to chop her own hand off.
The neurological disorder that 'kills culture'
By Tomoko Otake

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