Harper West
Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, and this is no different in Japan. Breakfast options in Japan include hotels, restaurants, bakeries, convenience stores, and fast-food restaurants. While not all Japanese hotels include breakfast, it is a common perk, with some offering complimentary breakfast buffets. Japanese-style hotels, particularly traditional ryokan inns, approach breakfast differently, focusing on Japanese cuisine with set times and seasonal menus. Business hotels that cater to domestic travelers often provide simple buffets with Japanese and Western items. Hotel breakfasts in Japan offer a unique experience, ranging from traditional rice and fish combos to Western-style fried foods and salads.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of hotels | Traditional ryokan inns, business hotels, luxury hotels, budget hostels, capsule hotels |
| Breakfast options | Traditional Japanese breakfast, Western alternatives, buffets, coffee and pastries, fast food |
| Typical Japanese breakfast items | Rice, miso soup, grilled fish, tamagoyaki, pickled vegetables, nori seaweed, green tea |
| Breakfast service | Set times, early start and finish, oshibori (hot towels) provided |
| Price | Mid-range and luxury hotels rarely include breakfast, business hotels often do |
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What You'll Learn
Traditional Japanese breakfasts
The Japanese breakfast also includes grilled fish, such as salted salmon, which is a little charred with crisp skin. It is often served with a daikon radish, which is a traditional accompaniment for oily fish. Other side dishes include cold braised daikon, blanched spinach dressed with sesame oil and rice vinegar, tofu topped with scallions and bonito flakes, and natto (fermented soybeans).
The breakfast is typically served with hot green tea, although coffee is now widely available. The meal is usually served at set times, with carefully planned seasonal menus. The focus remains on Japanese cuisine, although some properties now offer Western alternatives. The dishes are thoughtfully arranged and presented, with a composition of colour, taste, aroma, and texture.
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Western-style breakfasts
Breakfast is often included with hotel stays in Japan, offering convenience and value for money. While traditional Japanese hotels serve a breakfast centred on steamed white rice, miso soup, grilled fish, and pickled vegetables, Western-style breakfasts are also widely available.
Business hotels, which cater primarily to domestic travellers, often provide simple but satisfying buffets with both Western and Japanese options. These hotels prioritise efficiency, knowing that their guests may have early meetings or sightseeing plans. The Comfort Hotel chain in Tokyo, for example, offers a small but adequate mix of Japanese and Western choices.
For those seeking a purely Western breakfast experience, coffee shops in Japan often serve "morning sets" that pair coffee with toast, eggs, and small side dishes. These sets offer a blend of Japanese and Western breakfast concepts at reasonable prices. Local cafes also serve a variety of Western-style dishes, including coffee, toast, egg or ham sandwiches, pancakes, and cake.
It is important to note that serving styles and times can vary significantly between hotels in Japan. While some hotels offer breakfast buffets, others may provide set meals or allow guests to order à la carte. Breakfast service may start as early as 6:30 am but tends to finish earlier than Western visitors expect. Therefore, guests are advised to check with their hotel for specific details on what is included in their reservation and the serving times for breakfast.
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Breakfast buffets
The Atrium, a luxury hotel, boasts a breakfast buffet with a spread of 100 Western and Japanese dishes and drinks. The buffet features premium ingredients such as certified organic fruits and vegetables, freshly baked breads and pastries, and high-grade processed meats. The egg station is a highlight, where a chef prepares omelets, eggs Benedict, and other egg dishes to your liking. The buffet also includes a selection of sushi and sashimi, such as fatty maguro (tuna) and ikura (salmon roe).
Hotel Piena Kobe, a four-star hotel in Kobe, is renowned for its breakfast buffet, which offers a range of classical European dishes. For those seeking a more traditional Japanese breakfast experience, ryokan inns typically serve carefully planned seasonal menus centred around Japanese cuisine, although some may offer Western alternatives upon request. These breakfasts are often beautifully presented, with each component thoughtfully arranged.
The Kita no Banya restaurant in Hakodate offers a breakfast buffet inspired by the city's famous morning market. The buffet features a variety of colourful Hokkaido specialties, including juicy grilled corn, seafood prepared in various styles, and the must-try kaisen donburi seafood rice bowl. Guests can create their own bowl by choosing from a selection of fresh seafood to scoop on top of rice.
While some hotels include breakfast in their room rate, others charge extra for it. It is recommended to contact the hotel directly to confirm what is included in your reservation. Breakfast buffets can be a convenient option, especially for families or when you want a leisurely start to your day. However, it is worth considering that there is a plethora of delicious food to explore in Japan, and you may prefer to save your stomach space for these culinary adventures.
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Breakfast at non-hotel eateries
Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, and Japan offers a variety of options to start your day with. While Japanese hotels do offer breakfast, you might want to explore other options as well. Here are some non-hotel eateries where you can enjoy a delightful breakfast in Japan:
Kissaten (traditional Japanese cafes)
If you want to experience a blend of European influence and the Japanese teahouse culture, head to a Kissaten. These traditional Japanese cafes offer a "morning set" or "morning service," which typically includes a hot cup of coffee or tea, thick toast, eggs, ham, and a breakfast sandwich. Some Kissaten might even treat you to a small salad, yogurt, or sausages, adding a delightful twist to your morning meal. Nagoya, in particular, is known for its breakfast sets, where cafes compete to offer lavish spreads and all-you-can-eat buffets.
Coffee Shops
Coffee shops in Japan often serve "morning sets," a combination of coffee with toast, eggs, and small side dishes at reasonable prices. These sets offer a unique blend of Japanese and Western breakfast concepts, making them popular among local business people and students. If you're looking for a quick bite and a cup of coffee, chains like Doutor Coffee offer cheap morning sets across the country.
Bakeries
Japan boasts some of the world's best pastries, so it's worth visiting bakeries for your morning meal. Bakeries usually open around 8-10 am, but if you're an early bird, you can always buy your breakfast the evening before and enjoy it the next morning.
Sushi Restaurants
If you're in a port city, you might want to try something different for breakfast. Head to the fish markets, where sushi restaurants open early and offer impeccably fresh seafood to start your day. While sushi for breakfast might seem unusual, it's a delightful way to experience Japan's culinary delights.
Fast Food Restaurants
For a quick bite, Japan has a range of fast-food options, including the ubiquitous McDonald's and Starbucks. Local chains like Dotour offer coffee and pastries, while Yoshinoya, Sukiya, and Matsuya serve gyudon beef bowls. These restaurants provide a convenient and affordable breakfast option when you're on the go.
Convenience Stores
If you're looking for a quick and affordable bite, convenience stores like konbini offer sandwiches, pancakes, and other light breakfast options. While the experience might not be as luxurious, you'll find a range of calories to start your day.
Whether you're seeking a traditional Japanese breakfast or a familiar Western spread, these non-hotel eateries in Japan will surely satisfy your morning cravings!
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Breakfast with family
Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, and this is no different when you're on holiday in Japan with your family. It's a chance to fuel up for a day of exploring, and to spend quality time together before you head out.
When it comes to breakfast, Japanese hotels offer a range of options. Traditional Japanese-style hotels, or ryokan inns, typically serve a very traditional breakfast featuring steamed white rice, miso soup, grilled fish, and side dishes of vegetables and pickles. These meals often arrive as beautiful set meals, with each component thoughtfully arranged and presented. Some travellers recommend opting for this traditional breakfast, as it's a unique experience and a chance to try something new. It's also a good option for families, as it's usually included in the room rate, and it's convenient to eat at the hotel before heading out for the day.
However, it's worth noting that traditional Japanese breakfasts can be an acquired taste for some. Some travellers prefer to opt for Western-style breakfasts, which are more commonly found in Western-style hotels. These might include eggs, toast, coffee, and pastries. If you're staying in a business hotel, you'll likely have the option to choose between Japanese and Western breakfast items. Some hotels also offer breakfast buffets, which can be a great way to sample a variety of dishes, but these may come at an additional cost.
If you're looking for a more budget-friendly option, or if you want to explore local eateries, there are plenty of alternatives to hotel breakfasts. Bakeries, convenience stores, and fast-food restaurants offer breakfast options at reasonable prices. You can also try local coffee shops, which often serve "morning sets" that pair coffee with toast, eggs, and small side dishes. Sushi restaurants in port cities often open early, offering fresh seafood for breakfast, which can be an unusual but appealing way to start the day.
Ultimately, whether you opt for a hotel breakfast or explore other options, there are plenty of delicious ways to start your day in Japan with your family. It's a chance to try new flavours, bond over shared meals, and create memorable experiences together.
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Frequently asked questions
No, not all Japanese hotels include breakfast. Some business hotels include a simple breakfast buffet with both Japanese and Western items, while traditional inns almost always serve a very traditional Japanese breakfast featuring fish, rice, and miso soup.
There are many hotels in Japan that offer breakfast buffets with a variety of Japanese and Western dishes. Some of these include Hotel Piena Kobe, The Atrium, Kita no Banya, and La Vista Hakodate Bay.
There are many other breakfast options in Japan besides hotel breakfasts, such as bakeries, convenience stores, fast-food restaurants, and local cafes. Traditional Japanese breakfasts can also be found at sushi restaurants in port cities and coffee shops, which often serve "morning sets" that pair coffee with toast, eggs, and small side dishes.
