Homesick for American food in Japan?

Above, familiar golden arches can be found in the Shibuya section of Tokyo.

Homesick for American food in Japan?

by Armand Vaquer


Many have asked around in different message boards and newsgroups on the Internet about food in Japan. Some G-fans like Japanese food and some don't. If you are planning a trip to Japan, whether it is with a tour or on your own, your fears can be put to rest as there are many American restaurants available in Japan if you want to confine your diet to familiar gastric delights or just take a break from Japanese dishes.

There are several American chains in the Tokyo area. McDonald's is located almost everywhere (no, it doesn't cost ten bucks for a Big Mac). In fact, one McDonald's used to be a mere few feet away from the Godzilla statue in Hibiya Park. There are Denny's restaurants in the Shibuya and Asakusa sections of Tokyo (there's more). There is also a Burger King in Shibuya. For you coffee addicts, there are many Starbuck's coffee shops all over Tokyo and in other cities in Japan (they like their java too). To go along with your coffee, there are many donut shops around as well.


Colonel Harland Sanders is prominent in Japan. There are Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) outlets everywhere. The Japanese usually refer to KFC as "Kentucky." I saw one at the train station in Kumamoto, Japan on Kyushu in 2007. They also generally have a life-size statue of Col. Sanders (sometimes even wearing a kimono) in front of the store.

One favorite place is Becker's under the train tracks separating Hibiya and Ginza. They serve excellent hamburgers and have good coffee.

There's also a Subway sandwich store in the underground Aoyama-Ichome subway station.

Checking around in Japan travel websites, there are other cuisines that can be found, including French, Chinese, Mexican and Italian food. There's even AM-PM and Seven-Eleven mini-marts here and there.

So, if you are reluctant about making a trip to Japan due to dietary concerns, don't fret! You can still consume a Whopper or a Big Mac in Japan.