Twentythree

Cheap eats are getting harder to find in Tokyo, but these tips from a local will guide you to some hidden gems.

If you’ve ever thought to use AI when looking for somewhere to eat in Japan, it doesn’t always produce the best results. Not only will it sometimes direct you to restaurants that might be closed down, it doesn’t always have the most-up-to-date information when it comes to prices, and that can be especially unhelpful when you’re looking for a “One Coin” meal, as we often are.

These “One Coin” meals refer to lunches that don’t go over 500 yen (US$3.20), Japan’s largest denomination coin, and while they used to be widely available throughout the country, rising prices these days are making them harder to find. So what’s the best course of action when you want to find a “One Coin” meal? You ditch the machine and ask a local with experience, which for us is our reporter Yuichiro Wasai, who knows all the nooks and crannies of the food scene in Tokyo, particularly around Shinjuku, where our office is located.

Today, he’s introducing us to his top three places to eat lunch under 500 yen in Shinjuku, with one proviso – that he excludes Saizeriya, which is one of the best, and perhaps most well-knwon places to get a cheap feed.

So, let’s take a wander with Yuichiro, our local cheap eats guide for the day, whose first stop on the tour is the third place spot…

▼ … Kanoya.

Located about 10 seconds on foot from the southeast exit of JR Shinjuku Station, this branch of the popular noodle chain is particularly popular with workers looking for a cheap lunch. Prices are surprisingly cheap for such a central location, with a variety of options under 500 yen, such as Kake Udon or Kake Soba for 360 yen, Tanuki Udon or Soba for 420 yen, and Tsukimi Udon or Soba for 420 yen.

▼ Tsukimi (moon-viewing) noodles are so-called as they contain egg, which is said to resemble the full moon.

While the low prices might be more in line with what you’d expect at a standing soba noodle shop, this store provides seating, which is a nice bonus. Out of all the three restaurants in his list, Kanoya is the one Yuicihiro visits the most, but he’s put it in third place as there are two others that pip it at the post.

▼ In second place… Kameya.

Just as impressive as the aforementioned Kanoya, and with a similar-sounding name, this branch of Kameya in Shinjuku is slightly more touristy, due to its location in Omoide Yokocho, a popular tourist spot.

The cute exterior has many people stopping to take photos of the store as they pass through the tiny alleyway, but you really should stop here for a feed, as it ticks all the boxes of “cheap, delicious, and fast” that are so important to time-pressed diners on a budget. To give you an idea of the menu and prices, there’s Kake Udon or Soba for 390 yen, Kitsune Udon or Soba for 450 yen, and Egg Udon or Soba for 460 yen.

These prices don’t seem like they’re from 2026, nor do they seem like the prices you’d expect at a store so close to Shinjuku Station. To top it all off, this branch is open 24 hours, so you can stop by for breakfast, lunch or even a late meal after a night of drinking.

▼ The noodles here are great value for money, but you’ll want to keep in mind that, like Kanoya, this branch only accepts cash payments.

So which restaurant tops the list in first place?

▼ The Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building Cafeteria.

This cafeteria is designed to serve the many employees who work inside the government building, but it’s also open to the general public, making it a hidden gem for those who know how to find it.

Located on the 32nd floor, the cafeteria has stunning panoramic views of Tokyo, so it’s truly baffling that they offer a menu with a variety of dishes under 500 yen, such as Zaru Soba or Udon for 460 yen, Kitsune Soba or Udon for 480 yen, and Soy Sauce Ramen for 500 yen.

▼ The menu at the ticket machines is displayed in both Japanese and English.

▼ Zaru soba is one of Yuichiro’s highly recommended dishes here, particularly in the warmer months, when cold noodles really hit the spot.

Although the Shinjuku Ward Office also has a cafeteria that’s open to the public, in terms of the view, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building’s cafeteria is by far the best.

▼ The prices are low but the views are top-class.

▼ If you have a slightly bigger budget, you can enjoy set meals in the 700-900 yen range.

The daily special on this particular day was the Pork Fillet Cutlet with Sesame Sauce Set Meal (970 yen), which was great value.

▼ It’s amazing that you can get a pork cutlet with so many side dishes for only 970 yen.

If you do visit the cafeteria, it’s recommended that you avoid peak lunch hours, when it’s crowded with employees who are given priority service, due to their limited time for lunch breaks. Visiting during off-peak times means you’ll have more seating options and more of a chance for a window seat, where you can linger for a while and enjoy the view.

Tokyo’s food scene is ever-changing, so these prices are current as of this writing. With operating costs continually rising, we’re not sure how much longer these prices will be available, so now’s the time to enjoy a One Coin meal in Shinjuku while you can, and there are a few other hidden places in Tokyo still holding strong with meals under 500 yen.

Restaurant information 

Kanoya Shinjuku Southeast Exit Store /
Address: Tokyo-to, Shinjuku-ku, Shinjuku 3-36-2, Shinjuku Kirin Building 1F
Hours: 7:30 a.m.-11:00 p.m.

Kameya Shinjuku Store/
Address: Tokyo-to, Shinjuku-ku, Nishi-Shinjuku 1-2-10, (inside Omoide Yokocho)
Open 24 hours
Closed  Sundays

Staff Cafeteria, 32nd Floor, First Main Building
Address: Tokyo-to, Shinjuku-ku, Nishi-Shinjuku 2-8-1
Hours: 11:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. (lunch); 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. (cafe menu)
Closed on days when the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building is closed.

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The poor man’s Dr Pepper might not be so poor after all. 

Have you ever heard of a soft drink called Mr Popper? Here in Japan, it’s a drink that’s currently enjoying cult status after becoming a hot topic on social media, where people have been pointing out its similarities to Dr Pepper, in taste as well as looks.

▼ That’s because Mr Popper is actually a Dr Pepper knock-off brand, and it can be found at the Yamaya liquor chain.

When we visited to try the drink, it was so popular that it had completely sold out, with staff saying they weren’t sure when they would be getting more in stock. After several more attempts, and with our thirst for it growing every time, the situation remained unchanged, until one day, a month later…

▼… there it was!

Sitting on the shelf were one-litre (33.8-ounce) bottles of the stuff, priced at 149 yen (US$0.95) each and advertised with the slogan “An addictive refreshing sensation!” Buying any three of the sodas in the range (which includes a root beer that looks suspiciously like A&W) costs 429 yen, which works out to be 144 yen per bottle.

Taking a look at the back of the Mr Popper revealed it was an original creation by Fuji Canning Company, which plans, develops, and sells its own brand of soft drinks.

We picked up a Mr Popper and a Dr Pepper to compare them back in the office.

The colours and fonts, as well as the logo design, are undeniably similar.

Taking a peek at the back of the Dr Pepper revealed it was made by Coca-Cola Japan.

After admiring the similarities in appearance, it was time to test the flavour. We started by pouring the Dr Pepper into a glass, where we immediately noticed it had a minimal amount of foam, suggesting that the carbonation was a little weak.

When we poured ourselves a glass of Dr Pepper, however, a well-formed foam appeared.

Lining them up side by side, the difference became even clearer, with the bubbles significantly weaker in Mr Popper, indicating there would likely be a big difference in the drinking experience.

Our reporter Mr Sato was the first to try them, starting with the Dr Pepper, so he could get a feel for the taste. When he took a sip, a strong fruity flavor spread throughout his palate, along with a stimulating burst of carbonation. That was when he remembered that Dr Pepper is characterized by a stronger sweetness compared to Coca-Cola and Pepsi. So how was the Mr Popper by comparison?

“It’s incredibly similar to Dr Pepper. I don’t usually drink cola, so even if the contents of the two were swapped, I wouldn’t notice – I’d definitely fail if this were a blind taste test”

Fellow reporter and avid Coca-Cola drinker Takamichi Furusawa also tried them out, and he said:

“These are quite similar. Because it’s not so sweet, Mr Popper feels more refreshing .”

Finally, our reporter P.K. Sanjun, who often drinks Dr Pepper on overseas trips, also took a taste, saying:

“Wow, these aren’t just brothers – they’re more like twins.”  

All three of our reporters were surprised by how similar the flavours were, saying the taste was pretty much identical. It’s no wonder everyone on social media has been raving about Mr Popper – it may look like a cheap knockoff but it satisfies a thirst for Dr Pepper, which is particularly handy in a country where Dr Pepper can be incredibly hard to find.

Related: Yamaya Liquor Store, Fuji Canning Co., Ltd.
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Match your nail art to your favourite drink with this surprising new release. 

Starbucks is known for unusual, Japan-exclusive releases, but these new items tend to cover drinks and related drinkware and accessories. Now, the chain has surprised fans by branching out with a new, never-before-seen product: gel nail stickers.

Before we take a look at that exciting product, the chain wants us to know that it’s also giving us two new “chunky” drinks, so we’ll have something to enjoy with our nails.

▼ The first new beverage is the Chunky Strawberry Milk (Tall size only, 609 yen [US$3.89] for takeout, 620 yen dine-in).

According to Starbucks, this is an evolved version of last year’s popular THE Strawberry Milk, with added strawberry pulp for even more fruity flavour. It’s a gently sweet strawberry milk that allows you to enjoy a generous amount of chunky strawberry pulp. In addition to its light mouthfeel, thanks to the airy blend of milk, this drink features a contrasting layer of strawberry and milk, with its appearance transforming into a soft pink hue when mixed.

▼ Strawberry Chocolate Frappuccino (Tall size only, 732 yen takeout; 745 yen dine-in)

This Frappuccino combines the sweet and tart flavour of strawberries with the richness of milk and chocolate, while crunchy chocolate chips provide a satisfying textural contrast in between. The combination is balanced in such a way to bring out the best in both the strawberry and the chocolate, creating a delicious Frappuccino with well-rounded flavours.

Now it’s time to explore the new nail stickers, which have been created in collaboration with “self-gel” nail brand Ohora. This brand seeks to “find beauty in everyday life,” bringing small moments of joy to their customers, and there are three varieties available, each with a special connection to Starbucks.

▼ Strawberry Milk

As you may have guessed, this set celebrates the new chunky strawberry beverages, with matching milk-and-berry hues and tiny stickers with Starbucks motifs to offset them.

▼ Double Tall Latte

This design expresses the soft gradation of milk and espresso in a latte, with smooth, blended brown tones adorned with delicate motifs reminiscent of latte art. According to Starbucks, this allows you to “enjoy the expression of a single cup unfolding within your fingertips”.

▼ Starbucks Green

This set is a celebration of Starbucks’ signature green, combined with accents that evoke the chain’s cups and the messages that appear on them.

▼ Priced at 2,750 yen each, these self-gel nail sets are a clever way to accessorise your look with your favourite Starbucks beverage.

▼ These Insta-worthy nails will look great on social media too.

The nail sets will be sold exclusively at the official online store from 6:00 a.m. on 11 May, while the new drinks will be available at Starbucks stores around Japan that same day, or 8 May for Starbucks Rewards members. As always, these unique releases will only be available for a limited time.

Source, images: Press release
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Even when Mt. Fuji is hidden in shadows, there’s still something breathtaking to see here.

When picking a hotel for traveling in Japan, “has views of Mt. Fuji” is definitely a big plus. Japan’s tallest mountain is a symbol of the country itself, and its beauty is so timeless that admiring it at length will always feel like time well spent.

But what about after the sun goes down? While we’re thankful that the plan to put electric lights on Mt. Fuji didn’t go through, that does mean that hotels that boast that they offer views of Mt. Fuji really only offer views of Mt. Fuji during the day, and so they start to feel less special at night.

However, a notable exception next month will be Kaneyamaen, an onsen (hot spring) hotel located near the foot of Mt. Fuji in the town of Fujiyoshida, Yamanashi Prefecture. Kaneyamaen has an expansive garden, and part of the grounds stretch across the Katsura River, which becomes a gathering place for fireflies in early summer.

Next month, the hotel will be holding its Hotaru Matsuri, or Firefly Festival, coinciding with peak firefly activity in the garden. Special firefly viewing sessions will be held nightly from 8 to 8:45 p.m.

Accommodation packages include pre-viewing refreshments of matcha green tea, classical Japanese confectionaries, and amazake (a sweet, non-alcoholic sake) served in the late afternoon and early evening…

…and at night, violin performances will be held in one of the garden’s pavilions.

And with firefly viewing being something that’s been enjoyed in Japan for generations, the hotel also offers yukata (summer kimono) rentals and fittings, so that even first-timers can get into the traditional spirit.

Kaneyamaen’s Firefly Festival runs from June 5 to 27.

Related: Kaneyamaen official website
Source, images: PR Times
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Lunch Pack falls flat in the noodles-and-bread department, but there is a silver lining.

Yamazaki Baking’s popular Lunch Pack series of sandwich pockets has become famous around the world for its unusual fillings, but now there’s a new limited-edition variety that takes things one step further.

▼ Iekei Tonkotsu Shoyu Ramen Style.

Iekei (literally “house/family style”) is a type of ramen that features tonkotsu shoyu (pork bone and soy sauce broth) with thick, straight noodles, and it was first invented in Yokohama in 1974, by a ramen shop called Yoshimuraya.

This new sandwich has been created under the supervision of Yoshimuraya, and it’s the fourth of its kind, following previous releases in 2016, 2019, and 2021. Scheduled to be sold in the Kanto region (in and around Tokyo), Nagano Prefecture, and parts of Shizuoka Prefecture from 1 May through to the end of June, we were keen to find out how this new release would taste, so we picked one up at our local supermarket for a taste test.

Upon opening the pack, we pulled out what looked to be a plain, white bread sandwich.

After slicing it in half, though, the truth was revealed, as its saucy centre gave us a peek at the contents. To our surprise, there really were noodles here, and they were thick, in the style of Iekei.

▼ Seeing noodles inside white bread like this makes for a very unusual sight.

The thick sauce raised our expectations for a mouthful of rich pork bone and soy sauce broth in the style of Iekei ramen, but when we took a bite…

▼…we were sorely disappointed.

To put it bluntly, it just didn’t taste like Iekei ramen. While it was indeed soy sauce-based, it had more of a sweet, teriyaki-like flavour, and it was such a departure from what we were expecting that we didn’t even get the feeling that this was ramen at all. After taking another bite, we felt it lacked the flavour of chicken oil (chiyu), which is one of the characteristics of Iekei ramen.

▼ Checking the ingredients, though, we could see that chicken oil (“鶏油”) was listed as an ingredient, but it was indiscernible on the palate.

For those who aren’t familiar with the taste of Iekei ramen, this sandwich will be a novel experience, thanks to the unusual filling, but for diehard Iekei lovers, it’s a sad disappointment.

▼ The flavour of the Iekei you’d hoped for will feel blurred and distant when you eat this sandwich.

▼ Taking a look inside the sandwich reveals the short-cut noodles are paired with chopped pieces of char siu pork.

But they just don’t have the hearty richness of the large pieces you get in a bowl of Iekei, pushing the flavour further into the distant recesses of the mind.

To be clear, this is not a bad sandwich – it’s just more like a mysterious savory bread that longs to be like Iekei ramen. After thinking about it, though, we came to the realisation that the way it hints at Iekei without actually getting there is a clever selling point, because after eating the lunch pack we found ourselves yearning for a bowl of Iekei ramen.

This craving was so strong that we recommend checking your surroundings to see if there are any Iekei ramen shops nearby before trying this sandwich. That way, if the lunch pack falls short of your expectations, you’ll be able to fill the gap with a real bowl of noodles, and if you’re near this ramen joint you can try a different bread-and-noodles experience with a baguette and grilled cheese topping.

Photos ©SoraNews24
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