Japan's Gyudon shops Ranked

For those who don't know.... gyudon is one of the major staple foods of Japan. It is fast, simple and

delicious. Gyudon (literally beef bowl), is a Japanese dish consisting of a bowl of rice topped 

with beef and onion simmered in a mildly sweet sauce flavored with dashi (fish and seaweed stock), soy

sauce and mirin (sweet rice wine).

Behold: 

In Japan, there are 3 Big Fast Food Gyudon shops: Yoshinoya, Matsuya, and Sukiya. Similar to fast

food burger joints in the U.S. you can find these shops everywhere, prices are low, and the food

is...well...fast. My average wait time for getting gyudon is usually less than a minute.



So here is my personal ranking of these 3 behemoths.

#3

Recently, Yoshinoya raised the price of their standard gyudon from 300 yen to 380 yen. This is the same price as Matsuya but at Matsuya you get a miso soup with your gyudon. At Yoshinoya you have to pay extra for that. While the service is great and fast, the quality of the gyudon just doesn't match up with the recent price hike. For that reason, Yoshinoya gets the lowest score on the Gyudon scale.

#2 

Sukiya! Sukiya is a great choice. Definitely my favorite color scheme in my opinion (not sure if that has anything to do with food though). Overall the Gyudon was tasty and the portions were fairly big. What's nice about Sukiya is that it has more options than other gyudon shops. They even have cheese gyudon, which is pretty tasty. 

(Cheese gyudon can only be found at Sukiya)

#1 

Matsuya! Matsuya is pretty basic when it comes to gyudon, but I think the quality of the beef here is the best. It's simply great gyudon that comes with miso soup and is a perfect meal at any time of the day or night. (open 24 hours) Plus you can use a vending machine to place your order, so it is easy and you don't have to deal with flagging down one of the employees when you want the check.

So after much trial and error I found that my go to cheap gyudon shop is Matsuya. You can never go wrong here for the price and quality. It's simply the best cheap gyudon shop in Japan.

But...... wait. There is more.

There is one gyudon shop that I did not include in the list because this gyudon shop is TAKAI (expensive). So therefore it's not exactly cheap fast food. But in terms of deliciousness this shop is about 3 times better than any of the 3 cheap-o gyudon shops.

And this glorious tummy-tucking bundle of joy is........

Sutadon (すた丼)

While this is a chain restaurant, Sutadon, isn't as well known as the Big 3, especially to foreigners. It's one of the hidden secrets of gyudon. The name itself was derived from the word stamina, which you will need if you want to eat the biggest bowl of gyudon.

For a reasonable 780 yen you can get a huge bowl of gyudon including an egg and miso soup. It's very difficult to find a truly filling meal in Japan, but Sutadon is one of the few exceptions. As someone who is always hungry, I was able to eat sutadon for lunch and then I was so full that I didn't need to eat dinner that night. And the quality of the beef and rice + sauce is amazing. I can never look at Matsuya, Yoshinoya, or Sukiya the same way again after eating Sutadon. 

( an average sized portion at sutadon)

Tokyo's Famous Districts Defined in One Word

Shibuya - People

Go to Shibuya crossing on a Saturday evening and try crossing the street without running into someone. Bonus points if you try crossing the street while texting on your phone. But really, Shibuya is all about people and big lights. If you like shopping, meeting people, or spending a lot of money this place is good for you.

Ginza - Expensive

Ginza is the most expensive area in Japan. Here you can find world famous sushi for $300, hundreds of high end shopping centers and plenty of expensive restaurants. Other than spending money, Ginza really isn't all that interesting. I was a little disappointed actually at the lack of things to do aside from shopping. On a side note, you will probably be interviewed for a news program or TV show (I was twice in one day). Everyone seems to be filming in Ginza.

Harajuku - Loud

If you really want to experience culture shock in Japan, when you get off the plane head straight to Harajuku station and go down Takeshita street. Here you will find the craziest and the most "uniquely Japanese" costumes and outfits. The street is extremely crowded, the shops are loud and the shopkeepers are even louder. Oh, and they sell the most delicious crepes here. Also, just across the street is the huge Meiji temple and forest, one of the most calm and tranquil areas in Tokyo. It's a great contrast to see in literally a less than 1 minute walk.

Akihabara - Anime

If you've done any research at all about Akihabara, you would know that it's all about anime. Anime, electronics, collectables, video games and just about everything that is considered nerdy. It's the one place in Japan that holds true to all the stereotypes given to foreigners who watch a lot of anime. This is as close to the "fantasy dream Japan" that you will ever get.

Roppongi - 2-Faced

Roppongi is a pretty unique place in that during the daytime, it's quite the classy and luxurious place to be. There's some really nice museums and new shopping buildings that are modern and expensive. At night though, Roppongi is one of the most disgusting and sleazy places you will ever come across, especially for Japan's standards. It's best to plan which bar/nightclub you will be going to before you get to Roppongi, as there are a lot of annoying touts who will try to scam you/harass you. 

Ikebukuro - Mysterious 

To be honest, I really do enjoy spending time in Ikebukuro. Although the more I come here, the more bizarre it starts to seem to me. There's plenty of great and cheap restaurants here, you can do just about everything.... but there's a strangeness about Ikebukuro that I haven't found anywhere else in Tokyo. Firstly, visiting the East of West side of the station is a completely different experience. The West side it's pretty common to hear English being spoken, on the East side its much more rare to find someone who speaks English. There's also a much higher crime rate on the West side. On the East side however you will find a lot of back alleyways with very peculiar hotels and/or services that, if you have a Japanese friend, can translate the many different types of services you can buy. You will be amazed at the amount of options there are. Having a maid clean your ear with a Q-tip and renting a fake girlfriend to walk outside with were a few I came across.

Also, the theme of this district appears to be Owls. There is an own statue in the station as well as many scattered owl statues throughout the town. There is even an owl cafe where you can drink coffee and play with owls. Another odd fact is that there used to be a prison for war criminals on the site that is now the Sunshine 60 Building. 

Shinjuku - Business

Shinjuku is very much a business district. Everyone is commuting here in the morning and this is where the government building is as well (where you can access the top floor observatory for Free). There are many great and unique restaurants here such as the Robot Restaurant and Zauo. It's great for shopping and has one of Japan's most infamously dangerous areas (Kabuki-cho). Personally I don't particularly like Shinjuku. It's too big and it just doesn't have as much character as other districts in Tokyo. It seems like there is an endless opportunity for fun but in reality I always end up being disappointed when I come here. Maybe its because I always get lost in the vast maze of subway exits.

Takadanobaba - College

Takadanobaba or "Baba" for short, is where a few of Tokyo's large Universities are located and therefor it has become a bit of a Japanese college town. Here you will find some of the cheapest bars and izakayas in Tokyo. Also you will, of course, find many University students roaming around at night. I give this district 2 thumbs up.

Ryogoku - Sumo

If you are lucky enough to get tickets to a Sumo Tournament, Ryogoku is where you will go. Just outside the station there is the Sumo arena, Sumo museum, and Sumo themed Restaurant (which is quite delicious and cheap during lunch). You will probably also see a few scattered sumo wrestlers walking to their training building. Pretty cool place!

Asakusa - Historical

If you want to see temples and hang out at a shrine without leaving Tokyo, Asakusa is the place to be. Although very crowded on weekends, there's all the inner-zen fulfillment you will ever need at this big red temple. There's a huge outdoor market selling cultural foods/snacks and neat little souvenirs. Bonus: If you visit on the 3rd week of May you can see the huge Sanja Matsuri festival. 

Tsukiji - Fishy

Tsukiji, Mmmmm. Here you will find by far the freshest and most delicious sushi in the world. This is where the fish auction begins that sends fresh fish to the millions of Tokyoites. To actually see the auction you will need to line up at the Tsukiji information center by at least 4:30 am. Since the trains don't run at this time, you will need to either line up around midnight or find a hotel to sleep for a few hours. There are many sushi restaurants in this area that serve sushi for breakfast, and it will be the tastiest fish you will ever have the pleasure to experience. 

Where to find Robots in Japan

Robots! Japan! Robots! Japan!

One of the big things that people think of Japan is the love for everything high-tech.

Especially robots.

While robots don't roam the streets of Tokyo freely, there are quite a few places where you can meet a robot who may or may not speak English. Tokyo is where you will find the most robots of course.

First, head on over to Softbank in Omotesando (right next to Harajuku)





Here you will find a robot named "Pepper". He can show you things on his (chest iPad?), move around, recognize your face, and have a conversation! But for now, he can only speak in Japanese. But have no fear, there is another robot in this same store called "Nao" who speaks fluent English, although not as interesting or advanced as "Pepper".

"Nao" can do yoga, tell you a story, and play the 20 Questions game with you.

You can also meet Pepper and Nao at a few Bic Camera shops and Yamada Denki stores, which can be found all over Tokyo.

Another great place to go see great and terrifying robots is The Tokyo Museum of Emerging Science located in Odaiba.

This Museum is one of the most amazing museums I have ever been to in my life. They have all sorts of technology and interactive exhibits. What was especially great was the robots.

Yes, she is a talking and moving robot. There is even a room you can go in to make a phone call and then your voice will be played through the robot. It is slightly eerie at first, be warned.

"Baby Telenoid". Another robot you will see in the museum. Kowaii or Kawaii?

Speak into the microphone and the robot children will move and repeat what you say.

And finally.......ASIMO! The world's most advanced and human-like robot. He only comes out to perform at certain times throughout the day, so plan your schedule, as this is definitely the best experience when visiting the Tokyo Museum of Emerging Science. 

For more info, here is their website:

http://www.miraikan.jst.go.jp/en/

Finding Cheap places to stay in Japan.

Good news for budget travelers! Japan has some of the most innovative and economical lodging in the world. Even in Tokyo, one of the most expensive cities in the world, you can find plenty of low cost hotels/rooms that are safe and clean! Here's is a list of the top 5 places to stay:

1. Manga Cafes (about 2,000 yen/night)

While I personally would not recommend sleeping in a Manga Cafe for a vacation, it is probably the cheapest "hotel" you will ever find in Japan. It is perfectly OK to spend a night or two at a manga cafe, and in fact some people actually live in these cubicles. 

In a typical manga cafe, you can expect several floors of office cubicles which you will be able to choose from. There is normally a free and unlimited drink machine, sometimes free ice cream, massage chairs, and of course.....tons of manga(Japanese comic books). They will usually even have showers for you to use.

2. Capsule Hotels (2,000 yen - 6,000 yen/night)

Ahhhh.... Yes of course. The famous (or infamous) capsule hotels of Japan. Perhaps Japan is the only country in the world where sleeping in stacked tubes is an option for travelers as well as sleepy businessmen. For a pretty cheap price you can stay in one of these capsules which included pajamas, a capsule TV, and a shared bathroom/shower room. Usually capsule hotels are only for men but there are some women-only floors as well. 

3. Airbnb.com (1,000 yen - 20,000 yen/ night)

Probably my personal favorite place to find cheap accommodations is Airbnb! Airbnb is a site where home/apartment owners can rent out a room in their house for travelers. You can find almost any type of set-up with this site. From sleeping in someone's closet, to living in a treehouse, Airbnb has plenty of options. And you can easily filter the prices on their website to find the perfect place for you. It's also a great way of meeting new friends.

4. couchsurfing.com (Free!)

Yes! It is possible to a free place to stay in Japan. With couchsurfing.com friendly hosts are willing to let total strangers (Yes, I'm talking about you) sleep on their couch for a few nights for absolutely no cost! (Although you might want to buy them dinner or something one night). Sound too good to be true? Unfortunately it can be difficult to find a host, and even if you do, cancellations can happen easily. I was able to find one host for a few nights but unfortunately he had to cancel due to a business trip. But there are many people who would love to let a stranger stay at their home so that they can get a chance to speak English.

5. Hostels (1,000 yen - 5,000 yen/ night)

And of course, staying in a shared room with many bunk beds is also an option at hostels. Here you will probably have to sleep with anywhere between 3 and 20 other budget travelers. The plus side is, there is ample opportunity to meet new friends. The downside is that you will be in an open room with about 16 other people. (One of which probably snores at night.)

6. Urban Camping (Free!)

Fortunately, Japan is one of the safest, if not The safest country in the world. Therefor, while not recommended, it is actually possible to safely sleep on the streets of Tokyo or Osaka and wake up the next day with your wallet and passport still in your pocket. In fact, its a pretty common sight to see people camping out at trains stations after they missed their last train home after a night of partying during the Summer months(The last train usually stops running between midnight and 12:30am). If you can combine Urban camping with hitch-hiking and eating only free food samples at the local supermarket you could possibly be the first person in history to take a trip to Japan without spending a single 1-yen coin. 

Movies - Big Man Japan

Big Man Japan (2007)-

Directed by Hitoshi Matsumoto, "Big Man Japan" is truly one of the most unique films I have ever had the pleasure of viewing. Starting off as a fake documentary, featuring an isolated man who finds himself transforming into Japan's biggest superhero - the film revolves around him fighting Kaiju monsters of which have the recreated faces of famous Japanese comedians. For all the fans of peculiar Japanese sub-culture cinema, this film is the goldmine. By the time of the ending scene, I felt as though I had returned from another world, and in a good way. Acclaimed film Critic Roger Ebert was even a fan giving "Big Man Japan" a 3.5/4 stars.

First Japan Cheese Post

Welcome to Japan Cheese! I'm an English teacher from the U.S living and working in Tokyo, Japan since 2014. I have been learning a whole ton about Japanese culture, surviving, travel, getting jobs, ect.. so I thought I would share that information with you. Along with the many fascinations I find every day in one of the most peculiar cities in the world. Comments and suggestions are warmly welcomed.