Hand-Picked Eats & Sights in Tokyo

Even the greatest adventurers had help. TokyoSpark is your insider guide to discovering the interesting, unique, and quirky Tokyo.

Don’t know much about Tokyo yet? Start with my Tokyo Orientation then check out my Tokyo Guide.

My latest Japanese food guides:

The Last Guide to Japanese Wagyu Beef You'll Ever Need

Wagyu is the stuff of legends. Magnificent, purebred, meticulously raised Japanese beef.

The Incredible Price of Sushi in Tokyo: High and Low

You’ve probably heard Tokyo is super expensive. And you’re right, it sure can be. Sushi in Tokyo can either be incredibly expensive, or remarkably cheap.

What Is Sushi? At Least 12 Awesome Things You Didn't Know

Sushi doesn’t mean raw fish like you probably imagine anytime you hear the word. That sushi chef in white with that cool hat masterfully crafting the perfect piece of sushi.

Where to Eat Ramen in Shinjuku; 7 Remarkable Ramen Shops to Discover

I often get asked where the “best” places to eat ramen in Tokyo are. This question is impossible to answer because the best is different for everyone.

What are Soba Noodles? Japan's Traditional Noodle Dish

What if I told you there is a noodle dish in Japan that is probably one of the healthiest, but more unknown noodle dishes in the world?

The Complete Guide to Shabu-Shabu: Yes, Delicious Boiled Meat

What is shabu-shabu? A hot pot dish where you swish very thinly sliced meat in near boiling hot broth -- instantly cooking the meat while you swish it around.

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My recent dining recommendations:

Yoroniku: When You Just Have To Have the Best Yakiniku There Is

Yoroniku is an award-winning A5 wagyu yakiniku restaurant with a pure focus on impeccable atmosphere and unbelievable Japanese BBQ flavor.

Kitakata Bannai: A Meat Lover's Dream Bowl of Ramen

Kitakata Bannai is a tonkotsu ramen chain specializing in thick noodle ramen topped with yakibuta chashu in clear soup and a surprisingly deep, hearty flavor.

Imafuku: A5 Wagyu Shabu-Shabu & Sukiyaki Absolute Perfection

Imafuku is a Michelin-starred wagyu shabu-shabu and sukiyaki restaurant specializing in top-notch quality dining in Minato, Tokyo.

Sumibiyaki Yakiniku Nakahara: A5 Wagyu Grilled to Perfection

Sumibiyaki Yakiniku Nakahara is a top-end A5 wagyu yakiniku restaurant specializing in perfecting the yakiniku grilling experience in Chiyoda.

Ushisuke: A Yakiniku Restaurant Even Your Dog Can Enjoy With You

Ushisuke is a yakiniku restaurant with multiple locations in Tokyo, where -- yes -- you can actually bring your pet dogs along to enjoy delicious grilled meat.

Torisoba Kotobuki: Yes, Lemon Ramen is Actually a Real Thing

Torisoba Kotobuki is a unique ramen shop in Ikebukuro with a zingy twist on the menu: ramen made with loads of citrusy lemon.

Hi, I’m Chad Thiele. I’m the founder of TokyoSpark.

I’m the eternal visitor. I work on a military base, live outside the local economy, and get to enjoy Tokyo like a visitor everyday — for the last 22 years — learn more about me here.

I hand-pick the delicious eats, interesting sights, and intriguing Japanese culture; refine it, and add my own research and experience.

Don’t trust an algorithm for your information

I love social media. But the info you receive is filtered through an algorithm showing you popular, sometimes superficial content — or worse, sponsored content.

I focus on real, authentic content that passes my “human filter” and on decades of experience — TokyoSpark arrives in your inbox unfiltered, unbought and unbossed.