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Tokyo Food
Eating out in Tokyo bears many of the same characteristics as the other things that make this city stand out.
It's fast, efficient and often bite-sized but ? much like the hi-tech, big-business culture ? doesn't often come cheap.
Although it can be difficult to indulge in restaurant dining as much as you would like if you're in Tokyo on a budget, there are ways you can experience the uniqueness of the city without breaking the bank.
The fact that there is no culture of tipping in Japan is a start ? so the price on the menu is the actual price you pay. However, be canny where you choose and follow the locals. Don't be drawn into the anywhere that is cheap but looks empty ? restaurants in subway and train stations, for example, are notorious for providing a cheap bite to satisfy a soon-to-be-empty-again stomach.
One of the most Japanese ways of grabbing a quick bite is to hunt out a Tachigui Soba. These urban snackbars serve a wide variety of noodles in a hurry and at a very reasonable price ? but wear your comfy shoes, as you are almost certain to have to stand up to eat.
The Tachigui Sobars ('tachigui' means to stand and eat and 'soba' is a type of noodle) exist mostly to feed hungry businessmen on the go, of which Japan has many. Drinks (usually just water) are free though ? an added bonus.
If you are not so concerned with eating Japanese-style, one of the best methods of finding a reasonably-priced but satisfying meal is to combine Tokyo's thriving Italian restaurant culture with it's penchant for lunchtime specials.
Many Italian eateries will offer a wide selection of food for a set menu price between certain times around lunch. While it may not be the most adventurous of dining experiences, it can be a good way to give the wallet a rest.
For the really daring, however, the Tsukiji Central Wholesale Market contains the world's largest fish market and offers something a little more Japanese but at a price ? you'll have to get there before 09:00 local time to catch any of the action. While tourists have been banned from the tuna auctions that happen at 05:00 because of the disruption they were causing, there are still many visitors to Tsukiji throughout the morning's trading.
It is also one of the best ways to start off your day Tokyo style ? why not grab a sushi breakfast from one of the market's many restaurants.
Sushi is, of course, the nation's most exportable dish and you should definitely taste a little while you are here. While part of the locals' national diet and so readily available at a range of prices, the sushi restaurants are also often at the top of the city's spectacularly stellar league of dining establishments.
Fill your visit with hotel breakfasts and lunchtime specials and then consider splashing out on one of the world's most stunning restaurants before you go home.
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Eating & Drinking
