Eating in Japan: from ramen to sake

Lunch: ramen and sushi for a few euros

Lunch in Japan is incredibly cheap. Ramen restaurants are everywhere. Here's a tip: ask for kaidama, extra noodles added to your broth. That will really satisfy your hunger.

Conveyor belt sushi bars (kaiten-zushi) work the same way: you grab what you want, eat, and pay for your plates. This is budget-friendly too, costing around a few euros per meal.

Want to spend even less? Visit the supermarket in the late afternoon. Fresh food gets discounted there because it needs to be sold quickly. You can keep it cool in your room and eat it tomorrow.

• •Ask for kaidama for extra noodles in ramen restaurants.
• •Visit supermarkets late in the afternoon for discounts on fresh food.

Snacking on the go: the one rule

There is a vending machine or a convenience store on every corner. Coffee, tea, drinks, sandwiches: everything is available, and cheap too.

But here is the most important rule: you do not eat or drink while walking. It is not because it is forbidden, but because the streets in Japan are clean, and that is something people are proud of. If you consume something while walking, you will get really uncomfortable looks. Instead: buy something, stand or sit somewhere for a moment, enjoy it, and throw your rubbish in a bin (they are available, especially near vending machines).

• •Never eat or drink while walking.
• •Stop to sit or stand while consuming something.
• •Throw your rubbish in a bin near a vending machine or convenience store.

Tasting sake in a real brewery

For something special, book a tour at the Ishikawa-shuzo Brewery. There you can see how sake is made and taste what they produce. Look out especially for the junmai, a pure rice wine. This is not the sweet stuff from restaurants, but true craftsmanship. They also have a fruity ale.

This kind of tour feels like real contact with the country. And yes: leave a tip for your tour guide.

• •Taste the junmai sake directly at the brewery.
• •Leave a tip for your tour guide if you book a tour.

Travelling quietly on the Shinkansen

You travel through Japan on the Tōkaidō Shinkansen, the high-speed train. This is a great service, fast and reliable. But it is also a place where everyone values silence.

That means no loud music, no talking loudly on the phone, and no shouting with your travel companion. It sounds strict, but this is how Japanese travellers travel together. It makes everyone feel better.

• •Keep quiet on the train.
• •No music, no phone calls, and no loud talking.