If You Seek Authentic Japan, Choose Itadaki in Osu Nagoya
Let me give you the short answer first: yes, you can walk into Itadaki in Osu, Nagoya without knowing a single word of Japanese — and still have one of the most memorable meals of your entire trip. I'm Masayuki Goto, founder of Itadaki, and I'll explain exactly how we've made that possible, and why […]
When You've Done the Golden Route, Discover Nagoya's Rare Wagyu
You've stood beneath the torii gates of Fushimi Inari. You've watched the deer wander through Nara Park. You've eaten ramen in Tokyo, sushi in Osaka, and matcha everything in Kyoto. And now — on your second or third trip to Japan — you find yourself asking a quietly exciting question: Where do I go that […]
Beyond Tokyo Kyoto Osaka: Your Nagoya Discovery at Itadaki
You've mapped out Tokyo, ticked off Kyoto's temples, and eaten your way through Osaka's Dotonbori. Now you're eyeing Nagoya — and somewhere between researching Nagoya Castle and trying to figure out how to reach Shirakawa-go, you found us. Maybe through a friend's Instagram post. Maybe through a Google Maps rabbit hole late at night. Either […]
Guest Story: How a Golden Route Traveler Fell for Nagoya
Here's a number that surprises most first-time visitors to Japan: according to travel surveys, fewer than 15% of Golden Route travelers — those following the classic Tokyo→Kyoto→Osaka path — include Nagoya in their itinerary. And yet, among repeat visitors to Japan, Nagoya has quietly become one of the most talked-about detours on the circuit. The […]
A Day at Itadaki: What Japanese Foodies Come For
Every serious food traveler eventually hits a wall. You've had the sushi omakase in Tokyo. You've eaten Kobe beef in Hyogo. You've lined up for ramen at midnight in Fukuoka. The meals were extraordinary — and yet, somewhere between your fifth bowl of matcha soft serve and your third kaiseki course, a quiet thought surfaces: […]
My Journey Beyond Tokyo and Kyoto: Discovering Nagoya's Hidden Gem
You've done Tokyo. You've done Kyoto. You've done Osaka. Maybe you've already ticked off Nishiki Market, Dotonbori, and Tsukiji. And yet, somewhere in the back of your mind, a quiet question lingers: Is there something I'm missing? A meal that will actually stay with me for years — not just because it tasted good, but […]
Why My Third Japan Trip Was All About Nagoya
A guest walked into Itadaki a few months ago and, halfway through her bowl, looked up and said something I still think about: "This is my third trip to Japan, and I've never made it to Nagoya before. I don't know why it took me this long." She'd done Tokyo twice. Kyoto twice. Osaka, Hiroshima, […]
How I Found Itadaki After Multiple Japan Trips
There's a certain shift that happens after you've visited Japan three or four times. The first trip is about ticking off the obvious destinations — Senso-ji in Tokyo, Fushimi Inari in Kyoto, the deer in Nara. By the third trip, though, you start chasing something harder to define. You want the places that aren't in […]
Nagoya Restaurants vs Tokyo: What Repeat Visitors Choose
You've done Tokyo. You know Tsukiji, you've queued at Ichiran, you've eaten your way through Shinjuku's memory lane. You've had the conveyor belt sushi in Osaka, the tonkatsu in Kyoto, the matcha everything everywhere. And then, on your third or fourth trip to Japan, you start asking a different question. Where do people actually eat? […]
Nagoya vs Osaka Food Scene: A Foodie's Honest Comparison
Here's the honest answer upfront: Osaka wins on volume and variety. Nagoya wins on exclusivity and discovery. If you're trying to decide which city deserves a spot on your Japan food itinerary — or whether Nagoya is even worth a detour — this comparison will give you a clear picture. And if you're already planning […]