Table For One

Experiencing Shojin Ryori: A Mindful Japanese Travel Experience

Me Time Japan Team | December 28, 2025

How a Temple Meal Teaches Mindfulness on Your Japan Journey A quiet temple meal can reveal something unexpected about how we eat and travel. This is one moment from our journey in Japan, and what it quietly taught us about mindfulness. One Meal at a Temple During our Japanese journey, we sit at a long wooden table inside a temple dining hall. The room is simple and quiet, separated from the busy world outside. Soft light filters in, and for a moment, no one speaks. Much of what we learned about shojin ryori came directly from the monks who prepared these meals. A tray is placed in front of us. … arrow_forward

Uncovering the Best “Old School” Ramen Shops in Japan

Me Time Japan Team | November 8, 2025

Ramen is a world-famous noodle dish and certainly a must try food in Japan! Many ramen lovers in Japan say, “the best way to know the local culture here is to try their ramen.” All over the world, we can find fine and casual ramen dinning, but ramen in Japan remains different with these other places. One of the reasons international ramen tastes different from the Japanese ramen is the water. We spoke with a Japanese master/chef from a popular Japanese ramen shop opened which opened a few new branches in New York a few years ago. The master/chef said “it’s very unfortunate that we aren’t be able to produce … arrow_forward

Table For One Me Time Guide Japanese Diaspora Cultural Footprint

Our Choice for the Best Korean-Japanese BBQ In Japan

Me Time Japan Team | June 30, 2025

Yakiniku means grilled meat in Japanese, and Yakiniku restaurants can be found in every restaurant row in Japan. There are approximately 20,000 yakiniku restaurants in the country. Some specialize in premium brand-name beef such as Kobe and Matsusaka beef, while others specialize in offal and game meat. There are All-You-Can-Eat buffets, as well as conveyor belt yakiniku, just like conveyor belt sushi! These days, the yakiniku trend keenly focuses on the dizzying variety of sauces. Many restaurants choose specific sauces depending on the particular type of meat that they serve. In addition, it is not unusual for customers to be served at least four or five different kinds of sauces. And there are … arrow_forward

Table For One Me Time Guide

You’ll Never Grow Weary – Me Time Izakaya Hopping Guide in Tokyo

Me Time Japan Team | April 29, 2025

If you’ve always dreamed of traveling to Japan and can’t wait any longer for your friends to join you, Tokyo is a perfect place to jumpstart your solo travel adventures. You’ll never feel like a fish out of water among the other tourists that visit this food and drink culture hub each year. In addition, you will never weary of dining alone because the Japanese culture in Tokyo favors those who love to drink and eat alone! If you would like to enjoy a fun and non-intimidating solo night out, please head to our Tokyo favorites list below where you can enjoy a delicious dinner to relax, reflect and recharge. … arrow_forward

Table For One Me Time Guide

The Taxi-Driver’s and Pro Solo Foodies’ Eatery Guide in Tokyo

Me Time Japan Team | February 8, 2025

Taxi drivers in Tokyo always know the fastest way to get to the train station or airport. They also know where the best restaurants are to dine. During our many taxi rides across the city, we talked to drivers about the best places to have Japanese B-kyu gurume—a unique Japanese style of B-class gourmet cuisine which is prized for its flavors. This cuisine is typically prepared in small restaurants, using local and relatively inexpensive ingredients. A complete meal here typically costs under 1500 yen (US$15), which better fits a driver’s budget. Here are our results of taxi driver B-kyu gurume restaurants in Tokyo, where the food tastes like you are transported straight to … arrow_forward

Table For One Me Time Guide

Maximize Your Me-Time: 48 Hours in Kyoto’s Best Locations

Me Time Japan Team | August 10, 2024

Embark on a me-time adventure to Kyoto, where you can experience the true essence of “me time.” A journey from Tokyo Station to Kyoto via the Shinkansen takes just over two hours. While an early start on a day morning might be a bit challenging for some, it allows you to maximize your travel time and fully enjoy the adventure. Begin your journey with breakfast on the Shinkansen, setting the tone for a whimsical and fulfilling trip. Kyoto is perfect for a 2-night, 3-day trip, offering exciting experiences even for travel in Japan for the very first time. Here’s a delightful plan for two days to recommend you enjoy in Kyoto: Perfect Balance … arrow_forward

Table For One

Me-Time Munchies: Exploring Tokyo’s Yakitori

Me Time Japan Team | July 10, 2024

Tokyo is the perfect place to embark on your me-time adventures. You’ll seamlessly blend in with other tourists and locals in this vibrant hub of food and drink culture. Embracing me-time dining is effortless in Tokyo, where the culture celebrates those who enjoy eating and drinking by themselves. For a delightful and relaxed evening to unwind, reflect, and recharge, kindly explore our favorite Yakitori spots in Tokyo below. Yakitori offers a casual dining experience with a variety of small and affordable dishes. The meal is simply perfect when accompanied by your drink of choice, ideal for me-timers! A Taste of History: Yakitori (Grilled BBQ Skewers) Yakitori, a timeless culinary tradition … arrow_forward

Table For One Life Style

Alone and Thriving: Cultivating Joy in Your Solo Moments

Me Time Japan Team | May 15, 2024

“Doing things solo” is an opportunity to re-make oneself by establishing mental independence and freedom from dependence on others. Here are the rules for eating alone in New York, an idea that’s quickly becoming popular! Over the past few years, people have gained a better understanding and appreciation today of the idea of doing things solo, whether it’s drinking alone, traveling alone, or eating alone. Doing things solo is all about moving at your own pace, and making your actions and experience about your own approach. The concept is mental independence and freedom from a certain dependence on others, instead of negative feelings of loneliness or being left out. We … arrow_forward

Table For One Me Time Guide

Best Guide: Find Your Favorite Indian Curry In Osaka

Me Time Japan Team | February 15, 2024

The influx of foreign tourists to Osaka is on the rise, and they relish dining at the various curry shops just as much as the locals (maybe even more!). While you may be familiar with Japanese foods like sushi, soba, and tempura, consider exploring the myriad curry dishes Japan has to offer on your next visit. We find that curry consumption in Japan is remarkably high, ranking second only to India. There are many kinds of curries out there, with different types of spices, various levels of spiciness, and a dizzying number of vegetable and meat combinations. Osaka has a famous saying called Kuidaore(食い倒れ), which means to spoil yourself with … arrow_forward

Table For One Cultural Footprint

The History of the Japanese Table For One

Me Time Japan Team | October 30, 2023

In Japan, the Edo period between 1603 to 1868 was a representative era of modern Japanese culture, and the history of Table For One was already in full bloom. Under the stable political system of the Edo period, many citizens became economically prosperous, and thus, the food/restaurant industry was emerging along with the development of the urban economy. During this development, eating habits changed from 2 meals a day to 3 meals a day. Dishes such as sushi, soba, tempura, and unagi (eel) were sold at food stands as fast-food service which suited the people of Edo’s busy lifestyle. Also, certain restaurants which were called Izakaya and Teishokuya (another name … arrow_forward

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