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I'm planning a trip to Japan in a couple months.

Here in Korea, shops and restaurants often don't open until late morning--even most coffee shops aren't open for breakfast. The main exceptions are places like convenience stores and McDonald's. As much as I enjoy a McMuffin, I don't want to eat one every day that I'm in Japan.

Are there places open for breakfast in Japan? Or should I look into reserving a room in a hotel that includes breakfast?

When I travel, I like to try the local food. And I don't usually eat big breakfasts, but I like to have something to carry me through until I find lunch/my next meal--especially since I may not be on my regular schedule or know when I'll be eating again. It's difficult to enjoy a trip with a growling stomach.

Blaszard
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miltonaut
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3 Answers3

36

Yes, there are tons of places open for breakfast in any Japanese city. In particular, cafes open early and nearly always offer a Western-style "morning set" (モーニングセット) usually consisting of toast, eggs and coffee. Here's the morning menu at Doutor, one of the larger chains, but local mom-and-pop cafes also have similar offerings.

A "proper" full American/English breakfast (eggs, bacon, sausage, pancakes etc) is harder to find in Japan. Outside large Western hotels where you'll pay through the nose, your best bet is likely family restaurants (ファミレス famiresu), some of which open early and offer this. Denny's, in particular, is ubiquitous and does a reasonable facsimile for 500 yen and up: http://www.dennys.jp/menu/select-morning/

If you're looking for a more local experience, Japanese fast food chains like Yoshinoya also open early and serve Japanese-style breakfasts, typically rice, miso soup and grilled fish (search for 朝食). Just beware the raw egg, which you're supposed to stir into your rice, and the little plastic pack of natto (fermented soybeans), which most non-Japanese find tough going, particularly first thing in the morning. Or if you're an adventurous eater, go to your local market and have raw fish for breakfast with the fishermen!

lambshaanxy
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5

You can always go to nearest 24x7 "kombini" and buy obento in Japan.

vdudouyt
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In the neighborhoods which have a subway or rail stop there are many places which serve breakfast items just outside the stations. I tried everything from pastry filled with egg, cheese, ham and other foods popular to Westerners, as well as fish and sushi. Eggs are very popular.

Nicholas Cimato
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