The HUB

The HUB is an expat institution in Japan. A popular chain of restaurants modeled after British-style pubs with over 100 locations in Japan. They offer food and drinks at a reasonable price (especially during happy hour), have TVs showing sports, and are created with mingling in mind. 

Designed to be a meeting ground for Japanese people and foreigners, the HUB has a mixed reputation with some expats describing it as a meat-market and others appreciating it as a place where you can meet and talk to Japanese people in English, even though some Japanese people will be there only to practice their English.

If you want to interact with Japanese people but don’t speak much, or any, Japanese or are just too nervous, shy, or not quite ready to go to the small izakayas in the various yokochos I recommend, you could always go to the HUB. Keep in mind that the locations near the biggest tourist centers (Shibuya, Shinjuku, Roppongi) will be the most meat-market-y, while the ones in regular neighborhoods (Kichijoji, Takadanobaba, etc.) will be more chill.

This place can serve as an easy entry point for expats or travelers who want to hang out and talk with locals. In fact, a friend of mine met his wife at the HUB. 

B-Class Gourmet/B-Kyuu Gurume

B-kyuu gurume (B-class gourmet) is a Japanese term for everyday, comfort food that is incredibly tasty. It’s the Japanese equivalent of finding a local hole-in-the-wall place serving the most authentic slice of pizza in NY, the crispiest, yet tenderest suadero tacos in Mexico City, the freshest po’boy in New Orleans, etc.

Japanese foods that fall into this category include ramen, curry, udon, yakisoba, okonomiyaki, donburi (gyudon, katsudon, oyakodon), onigiri, ekiben, karaage, pizza toast, and purin (custard pudding) at a small kissaten, and other foods that people consider comfort food or soul food. Even sushi has this level of food. Everyday sushi is different from special occasion sushi.

To qualify for B-kyuu gurume status, the food needs to be inexpensive, for regular people, and truly good or iconic in its particular category.

The best way to find these places is by word of mouth. This is not the stuff you ask your concierge. This is something you ask the taxi driver, the shopkeepers at the shotengai, regular hotel staff, and servers and bartenders at small izakayas.

When you go to a place and like the food/vibe there, ask the people working there for recommendations of places they like to go for a standard lunch or after-work meal. Explain that you’re not looking for something fancy. Don’t ask them for food they think you’d like, ask them for the exact foods they go to eat.

This type of adventure is what I live for when I travel. I leave lots of open space in my itinerary to go and explore recommendations I get on the ground once I’m in Japan (or anywhere. I do this wherever I travel.).

Once you get a taste for this, it’s hard to go back to the formality and sterility of the “best” whatever restaurants in the lists you find in the fancy magazines designed to tell you how to impress your friends and neighbors. Go explore. Talk to some people. Discover your own local version of the place you are visiting. Seriously, it’s the best.

2026 Japan Travel Consults

Want to supercharge your next Japan trip? Or get someone special, that one-of-a-kind gift they’ll love? Book a Japan Travel Consult with me.

I’ll give you personalized insider knowledge and answer your biggest questions about your trip so you can have the best possible time in Japan.

Japan Travel Consults is a new offering designed for people who want individualized help with their Japan travel decisions. Whether you're planning your first trip to Japan, considering a move, seeking deeper cultural immersion, or looking to refine an existing itinerary, this service is designed to accelerate your planning and help you experience Japan like an insider.

1-hour consult is $150

What Japan Travel Consults Is

Japan Travel Consults is a personalized, one-on-one consultation with me, where you'll have direct access to Japan travel expertise refined through years of living, working, and exploring Japan. During your 1-hour session, we'll focus on your specific travel goals and challenges.

This is ideal for:

• First-time visitors seeking authentic recommendations beyond guidebooks

• Travelers planning multi-city itineraries and neighborhood exploration

• Individuals considering relocation or extended stays in Japan

• Experienced Japan visitors wanting to deepen their cultural understanding

• Anyone seeking insider guidance on dining, neighborhoods, logistics, and local experiences

What You'll Receive

During your one-hour consultation, you can expect:

• Personalized itinerary guidance tailored to your interests, travel style, and timeline

• Authentic neighborhood and restaurant recommendations based on local knowledge, not tourist guides

• Local insider tips for experiencing Japan like a resident, not a tourist

• Direct Q&A time to address your specific travel concerns and questions

What Japan Travel Consults Is NOT

To set clear expectations, this service does not include:

• Full trip planning or itinerary creation. This is a consultation session, not a complete planning service. You'll receive guidance and direction, but creating detailed day-by-day itineraries requires a separate engagement

• Ongoing support or follow-up consultations. Pricing covers a single 60-minute session. Additional sessions are available at the standard $150/hour rate

• Booking services. I don't make hotel, flight, or restaurant reservations on your behalf

• Real-time trip support. This is pre-trip planning only, not during-travel assistance

• Translation or language learning instruction beyond general cultural and communication tips

A lot of ground can be covered in a 1-hour consult, but you are welcome to contact me to book a 2-hour consult if you prefer.

If you have any questions, please reply to this email or send a new one to [email protected].

The most clicked link from the previous issue was for this fantastic Japanese Cookbook.

The 2nd most clicked link from the previous issue was for this book about how Tokyo is designed (currently 40% off).

These made-in-Japan nail-clippers make great stocking stuffers and are so much better than whatever you are using now.

The one inexpensive item everyone should buy before visiting Japan (sorry for the broken link last week!).

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