Instagramable Restaurants Across Japan
by Laura Studarus
For a meal that looks as good as it tastes
Much has been written about Japan’s extensive theme-restaurant industry. While often a fun experience, more attention is sometimes paid to the décor of theme cafes than to the quality of the food served.
But you don’t have to sacrifice having a good meal to get the shot. Given Japan’s love affair with food (see their 414 Michelin stars as proof), there are plenty of restaurants that offer incredible food and photo-worthy dining experiences. From simple snacks to multi-course meals, here are a few of our favorites across Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka.
TREE by NAKED
Tree by Naked is an immersive dining experience that fuses high-end culinary dishes (with vegetarian options available), wine and tea pairings, projection mapping, and even a splash of virtual reality. It’s equal parts adventure and meal, as over seven courses, a planted seed becomes a tree, snow gently falls around you, and your table is joined by a host of eerie “forest creatures” (you’ll have to see it to understand). Experience the phases of life as you experience the phases of fullness — ending with dessert served at the branches of the tree of life.
If the 33,000-yen price tag doesn’t fit your budget, or the available seatings don’t fit your schedule, don’t fret—TREE by NAKED is also open for lunch, featuring casual vegan and gluten-free menus served in a dining room featuring a low-key version of their signature projection art.
Gucci Osteria Tokyo
As if the name wasn’t enough to tip you off, Gucci Osteria Tokyo is a gorgeous dining spot. However, the famous fashion house’s eatery is an exercise in good taste, both in décor (think: Alice in Wonderland at Fashion Week) and in food—so much, in fact, it’s on the elite list of Tokyo’s Michelin Star restaurants. Celebrate the meeting of cultures by ordering “the parmigiana that wants to be a ramen,” a playful meeting of eggplant and garlic pasta covered in traditional Japanese broth.
Shiro-Hige’s Cream Puff Factory
There are theme cafes, and then there’s Shiro-Hige’s Cream Puff Factory, a two-story café that perfectly evokes the cozy Ghibli-film food vibe. They’re the only bakery in the world licensed to create desserts in the shape of Hayao Miyazaki’s most beloved characters, a mission they take seriously. Just be sure to show up early if your goal is to snack on their signature Totoro-shaped cream puffs—a line forms before they open at 10:30, and only one round of sweets is baked per day!
Aoyama Flower Market Teahouse
It’s difficult to envision a more scenic place for a cup of tea and a treat than Aoyama Flower Market Teahouse. Based on the concept of “living with flowers every day,” their cafes in Aoyama, Kichijyoji, and Akasaka are vibrant greenhouses, with flowers appearing not only on tables and walls but also in their signature French toasts and parfaits. Pair with a cup of tea for the perfect, photo-worthy sip and snap.
Coffee Zingaro
Located on the second floor of a fairly non-descript mall, Coffee Zingaro is an unexpected surprise—a traditional Japanese coffee shop transformed into a prismatic burst of color. The eatery is the work of Takashi Murakami, and his manically grinning flowers can be found on everything from the original video art and the food to the mugs holding your daily caffeine fix (be sure to buy one for a souvenir!). But it isn’t just fun—although there certainly isn’t another word to describe the video game screens that serve as tables, allowing you to play classic games like Mario Bros, Donkey Kong, and Street Fighter while you grab a snack. Between coffee sourced from Fuglen Tokyo and pastries made by Tonari no Kaido (a Murakami-funded bakery), you’ll have a meal that tastes just as good as it looks.
Kyoto
Vegan Ramen UZU Kyoto
The experience of dining at Vegan Ramen UZU Kyoto starts with a server applying essential oil to your hands at the door to set the meditative mood. From there, it’s a short trip into the darkened dining room where you’ll be served mushroom-based ramen, your meal lit by TeamLab’s “Reversed Indiscretion,” a surreal piece of digital art that creates calligraphy-like swoops across the walls and table. You really can’t go wrong with their plant-based menu, but tea lovers will appreciate the unusual and delicious Green Tea ramen with kelp, shiitake, and plenty of EN Tea’s Energy Boost Green tea.
Note: The Tokyo branch of the restaurant is located at TeamLab Planets—and features an entirely different piece of artwork. Just be sure to make reservations in advance, both locations cannot serve walk-ups due to limited dining space.
Kyoto Gogyo
Kyoto Gogyo serves delectable “burnt ramen,” made by cooking their broth at extremely high temperatures to create their signature char. If you’re angling for dinner and a show (or Instagram snap), be sure to request a seat at the bar to catch the regular wall of (controlled) flames.
Panel Café
Sure, super-fluffy pancakes have become ubiquitous across Japan in the last few years. But Panel Café gets top marks for its unique flavor combinations (dare you not to smile while cracking through matcha crème brûlée) and for serving each over-the-top creation with a sidecar of ice cream (life is short, and sugar rushes are fun). Enjoy each decadent helping in a dining room that splits the difference between English pub and Phantom of the Opera chic before walking off your buzz in the nearby Higashiyama district.
Osaka
Teppanyaki Keyaki
Sometimes, the magic is in the location, not the décor. Teppanyaki Keyaki offers up views of the nearby Osaka Castle from every seat in the house. Book at sunset to watch the sky slowly change and the lights switch on. But magic hour isn’t just reserved for the sky. If you can tear your eyes from the view, you’ll appreciate the mouth-watering sight of skilled chefs preparing Kobe beef and locally sourced seafood and vegetables at your table.
OKO - Fun Okonomiyaki Bar
Okonomiyaki, thin savory pancakes layered high with toppings, is practically the signature dish of Osaka. At OKO - Fun Okonomiyaki Bar, the concept is pushed into wildly different directions with flavor combinations like Mentaiko potato mayo cheese, Bibimbap-style rice bowl, and Italian-style rice—in addition to a legion of vegetarian and vegan offerings. Enjoy owner Shiho’s creations (yup—that’s her behind the grill) in the multi-story, brightly colored dining room, where guests are encouraged to add to the playful environment by writing a message on the wall.
Bear Paw Café
The Bear Paw Café is about as kawaii as it gets. Receiving their coffee or aesthetically pleasing parfait from a bear paw—sounds like the ultimate gimmick. However, the tiny hole in the wall (literally) is an important community hub, employing students of the Mental Support Academy. So, enjoy doing a good deed while you’re having a snack and a giggle.