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November 22, 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 / 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 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.
Two of America’s biggest debt holders are dumping Treasurys
The U.S. Treasury building in Washington. Investors in Japan and China sold a pile of U.S. debt in the last quarter, just before the U.S. presidential election.
Ishiba aggravates his own political failures with diplomatic faux pas
Prime Minster Shigeru Ishiba is greeted at the APEC summit in Lima by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Friday. The Japanese leader was criticized for remaining seated while meeting several world leaders at the event.
Japan's 3.31 million visitors in October set monthly record
Kiyomizu Temple in Kyoto in December 2023. Famous autumn leaf colors contributed to increased tourism demand last month from many markets across Asia, Europe and North America, the Japan National Tourism Organization has said.
Japan ranks last in romance satisfaction for second straight year
In a survey of 31 countries, Japan ranked last in terms of those who felt loved, with just 51% of respondents saying so.
Ruling coalition and DPP strike last-minute deal over economic policy
DPP policy chief Makoto Mahaguchi speaks at the party's policy gathering in Tokyo on Wednesday.
Japan, U.K. and Italy discuss inviting more countries to joint fighter project
A new concept model of a next-generation fighter jet to be jointly developed by Japan, Britain and Italy is on display in Farnborough, Hampshire, in July.
Haruki Murakami's 'The City and Its Uncertain Walls' gives deep deja vu
For “The City and Its Uncertain Walls,” translated into English by Philip Gabriel, Haruki Murakami confronts the ghosts who won't leave him alone.
Japanese expats in Asia find community through rugby
The Taiwan Fivewoods celebrate their victory at the 2023 Asian Japanese Rugby Cup in December of last year.
In Fukushima, a weekend of prose, poetry and translation
Aomori-based writer JJ Carter presented on tabletop gaming as creative inspiration for building characters and narratives.
For Dr. Nakamats, aging is just experience in action
Though he didn't win the recent gubernatorial election in Tokyo, the 96-year-old Dr. Nakamats' run was seen as inspirational in Japan's aging society.

Podcast

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