The true charm of travel lies in visiting places you’ve never been before.
Beyond strolling through the streets of Tokyo or Osaka, you’ll find encounters with warm-hearted locals, the beauty of handmade crafts, and unexpected experiences waiting to be discovered.
If you seek such discoveries, a rental car is your best companion.
With TOCOO!, a rental car service designed for international visitors, you can freely explore rural towns and hidden gems beyond the reach of trains.
In this article, we’ll introduce recommended spots where you can deeply experience Japan — through its food, culture, and nature.
Kushinobo Shibuya Scramble Square Branch
Founded in 1950 in Osaka, Kushinobo is one of Japan’s most renowned and long-established kushi-katsu (fried skewers) specialty restaurants. Each skewer is carefully crafted with seasonal ingredients and expert technique, coated in a light and crispy batter that enhances the natural flavors of the ingredients. From meat and seafood to vegetables, every skewer is fried using a unique blend of breadcrumbs and oil, resulting in a perfectly crisp exterior and tender, juicy interior. You can enjoy them with a variety of homemade sauces, salt, or ponzu according to your taste.
At the Kushinobo Shibuya Scramble Square branch, you can savor freshly fried skewers in a serene, modern Japanese-style setting located 230 meters above the city, offering panoramic views of Shibuya. It’s an ideal place to experience refined Japanese flavors between shopping and sightseeing.
Guests parking at Shibuya Hikarie or Shibuya Stream can receive a discount parking voucher.
Official Website：http://www.kushinobo.co.jp/location.html
Mannoya Co., Ltd.
Mannoya is a restaurant group based in Osaka that originally started as a wholesale meat business and has since expanded into yakiniku (grilled meat), shabu-shabu, and izakaya-style restaurants.
Since its founding, Mannoya has focused exclusively on unbred female black-haired Wagyu cattle, pursuing the highest standards in meat quality, fat texture, and freshness. They carefully select only the finest beef with a low melting point, following the principle of serving only meat that they would proudly share with their own family.
There are multiple Mannoya locations throughout Osaka, many situated in popular tourist areas. Examples include Yakiniku Mannoya Tennoji near Tennoji Station and Yakiniku Mannoya Whity Umeda in Umeda’s underground shopping mall. Other branches can be found in Shinsaibashi, LUCUA Osaka, and Ohatsu Tenjin Ura-Sando, each with its own concept that highlights the appeal of Wagyu beef.
Mannoya’s operations span yakiniku, shabu-shabu, offal dishes, and butcher sales, offering guests the opportunity to experience the depth of Japan’s meat culture in a comfortable setting and at reasonable prices.
Official Website：http://www.mannoya.com/
The Heart of Dim Sum
The Heart of Dim Sum is a Japanese-style dim sum specialty restaurant that takes pride in making every dumpling from scratch, including the wrapper.
Each gyoza skin is made with 100% “Haruyutaka” wheat from Hokkaido, known for its chewy texture. The thickness and moisture levels of the wrappers are carefully adjusted for grilled or boiled gyoza, and every dumpling is wrapped by hand with precision and care.
The filling uses plenty of homemade chicken broth simmered for six hours, creating a deep yet gentle flavor without using garlic.
Conveniently located for both travelers and locals, it’s a favorite stop before or after a baseball game or during a day of sightseeing. Guests can enjoy freshly made dim sum in the restaurant or purchase frozen gyoza to take home as souvenirs.
The staff put their hearts into every dish, hoping guests can experience the warmth and craftsmanship of Japan’s handmade dim sum culture.
Official Website：https://www.eat-class.co.jp/
Kasumi Kitayoshi
Located in Ohatsu Tenjin, Umeda, Osaka, Kasumi Kitayoshi is a long-established crab specialty restaurant that serves fresh crabs and seafood directly from Kasumi Port in Hyogo Prefecture, prepared with expert craftsmanship.
Founded in 1879 (Meiji 12), the restaurant is directly managed by Kitayoshi Shoten, a seafood wholesaler with 146 years of history. Thanks to their daily participation in morning auctions, diners can enjoy live crabs delivered straight from the Japan Sea — right inside the restaurant.
Guests can savor Kasumi crab and Matsuba crab shipped directly from the fishing ports of the Sea of Japan throughout the year, all while staying in Osaka.
Just a 3-minute walk from Umeda Station, the restaurant offers a calm, traditional Japanese ambiance and a variety of exquisite course menus, including crab sashimi, grilled crab, and crab hot pot. For those seeking a more intimate experience, the restaurant’s popular VIP private rooms provide a relaxing and luxurious setting.
Guided by the philosophy “Delivering deliciousness and inspiration from the Meiji era into the future,” Kasumi Kitayoshi invites you to enjoy an authentic crab experience from the Japan Sea — without leaving Osaka.
Official Website：https://maps.app.goo.gl/5PgoC7ahXz8uDJiaA?g_st=ipc
Curry Shokudo COCORO
A soup curry restaurant featured in the Michelin Guide
One of Hokkaido’s most iconic local dishes, soup curry, has countless restaurants across Sapporo—but among them, Curry Shokudo Kokoro stands out as one of the pioneering establishments. Whether you’re new to soup curry or already a devoted fan, this restaurant promises a satisfying experience.
Guided by the motto “A meal you can enjoy every day that’s good for your body,” Kokoro’s soup curry is crafted to be both healthy and flavorful, offering well-balanced nutrition that’s perfect for women and children alike.
The restaurant’s signature soup is made using the French culinary technique “fond de veau.” Since its founding in 2001, Kokoro has continuously refined its recipe to create a soup curry even those sensitive to spice can enjoy. The final broth combines chicken, pork, and beef bones with onions, six kinds of vegetables, and two types of fruits, simmered for 11 hours to produce a deep, rich bouillon. This is then blended with carefully extracted kelp stock and 21 spices for a refined yet bold flavor.
Kokoro also takes pride in its ingredients: the restaurant uses “Nanatsuboshi” rice from a contracted farm, Goto Farm in Kuriyama, and the rare “Hokkai No. 50” potatoes from Ueno Farm in Kyowa Town—both unique to Sapporo.
Recommended Dish: Chicken & Vegetable Soup Curry (pictured)
A colorful combination of 17 seasonal vegetables and bone-in chicken, this signature menu item captures the essence of Kokoro’s flavor in one bowl.
Official Website： https://cocoro-soupcurry.com/en/
Tokyo Island Shuttle by TOHO AIR Service
The Tokyo Island Shuttle is Japan’s only regular helicopter transportation route, connecting six of Tokyo’s islands: Oshima, Toshima, Miyakejima, Mikurajima, Hachijojima, and Aogashima.
Serving as both a transportation lifeline for island residents and a unique travel experience for visitors, the Tokyo Island Shuttle plays an essential role in connecting these remote islands. Loved by locals and travelers alike, it offers a fast and reliable link across the islands.
Operating 10 flights daily, the shuttle provides high reliability, speed, and comfort, achieving an impressive service record over the years. To date, it has carried more than 500,000 passengers, continuing to support both daily life and tourism across Tokyo’s island region.
Official Website：https://tohoair-tal.jp/
Menya Gokkei
Menya Gokkei® has two locations: the Ichijoji main shop and the Enmachi shop. Our signature dish is “Toridaku® Ramen,” a rich, hearty ramen made with an abundant variety of chicken parts. This one-of-a-kind creation offers a flavor experience you won’t find anywhere else in the world.
The soup is so thick and rich that a spoon or chopsticks can actually stand upright in it! Menya Gokkei® welcomes countless guests not only from across Japan but from all over the globe.
We look forward to welcoming you.
Official Website：https://gokkei.co.jp/
PumeHnacafe
Located just a 10-minute walk from Kinkakuji (The Golden Pavilion). In an area famous for historic sites like Kitano Tenmangu and Ryoanji, take a break from your stroll and feel a tropical breeze at the Hawaiian-style “PumeHana cafe.” Inside, Hawaiian music fills the bright, white-themed space, while soft natural light creates a relaxing, resort-like atmosphere. Our colorful drinks and tropical plating enhance the vacation mood, offering perfect “Instagrammable” moments. Our popular Loco Moco, rich Catalana, and Macadamia Pancakes offer gentle flavors that help soothe your travel fatigue. True to our name “PumeHana,” which means “warmth” or “affection” in Hawaiian, we cherish creating moments where you can truly relax. We offer counter seats for solo travelers and spacious table seats suitable for families with children. Enjoy a moment of “Hawaii time” to unwind right here in Kyoto.
Perfect for creating precious memories with your loved ones. We are waiting for you at PumeHana cafe.
Official Website：https://www.pumehana-cafe.com/
Yamaya Factory Terrace
“Yamaya Factory Terrace” is an experiential facility focused on spicy cod roe (mentaiko), themed around “Know,” “Buy,” and “Eat.” We created this facility next to our factory because we want you to love mentaiko even more. In the “Mentai Factory” tour, you can enjoy learning about the manufacturing process through engaging videos and exhibits. Large viewing windows allow you to see the actual production line, while other areas are introduced via video. Admission is free, and no reservation is required during business hours. At our restaurant, you can enjoy set menus featuring fresh spicy cod roe delivered straight from the factory. The set includes all-you-can-eat spicy cod roe, rice, miso soup, and salad. In the market, you’ll find a wide lineup of Yamaya products, including the “freshly made mentai” exclusive to this location. Please note that the facility is cashless only; cash payments are not accepted.
【Basic Information】
Business Hours: 10:00 – 17:00
Regular Holidays: Irregular holidays
Phone Number: 092-652-2208
Location: 2nd Floor, 1-1 Irodori-dai, Sasaguri-machi, Kasuya-gun, Fukuoka Prefecture
URL: https://www.yamaya.com/factoryterrace/
Jidori Shokudo
Jidori Shokudo is located on National Route 263 on the border of Fukuoka and Saga prefectures (Magaribuchi, Sawara-ku, Fukuoka City). Here, you can enjoy three different types of chicken (Young Chicken, Breeding Chicken, and Parent Chicken) grilled on a lava stone plate. We work day and night to select chickens with rich fat so you can experience the “true taste of chicken.” Please try our “Specially Selected Chicken.” While standard chicken is raised for about 50 to 60 days, our boasted “Fatty Breeding Chicken” is raised free-range and stress-free for over 400 days. The moment you take a bite, the sweetness of the fat spreads in your mouth—you’ll be surprised by the difference! The lava stone plate’s far-infrared rays cook the meat until fluffy. Be sure to grill vegetables in the savory chicken fat spreading on the plate—they taste exceptional! However, there is one downside to lava stone grilling: the oil splatters. While we guarantee the taste, we cannot guarantee your clothes won’t get stained! Please visit us in casual, washable clothing (like work clothes)! Come taste the “Jidori Shokudo World” that will change your concept of chicken!
Business Hours 11:00～20:00 (Lo.19:30)
Store Holidays December 30th～January 2nd
TEL 092-803-1055
Official Website：: https//www.magaribuchi.jp
Setouchi Island Cruise
Experience the extraordinary with a private cruiser—like a taxi on the sea. Cruise the Seto Inland Sea elegantly on a luxurious boat. Indulge your five senses with the scenery, art, and food culture unique to this region. From affordable short cruises to custom routes where you can travel freely, we propose plans that perfectly match your desires. The Seto Inland Sea was selected by The New York Times in 2019 as a must-visit destination. Enjoy a luxurious trip touring superb views and culture on a special private cruiser. Why not spend an extraordinary time on the calm sea, exploring the unique history and art of each island? Just like a rental car for the ocean, please enjoy the charm of Setouchi to your heart’s content at your own pace.
Official Website：https://setouchi-ic.com/
Kanzan
I discovered the joy of hearing people say my cooking was “delicious” during my student days, which led me to become a chef. After 16 years of training at Kyoto Arashiyama Kitcho and 8 years at Hiiragiya Ryokan, I opened Kanzan. I am particularly passionate about Kyoto vegetables, using produce grown in the fertile soil and pure water near the Shugakuin Imperial Villa. We strive to ensure you enjoy a delicious and memorable dining experience.
Official Website：https://kanzan-kyoto.com/
Arashiyama Gyatei
We offer Obanzai Gozen (traditional Kyoto-style home cooking sets) that change with the four seasons. Please enjoy 12 colorful small dishes, painstakingly prepared by our artisans. We combine seasonal ingredients with Kyoto-style seasoning, using unique local produce in innovative arrangements. Enjoy a touch of luxury prepared in a way that naturally brings a smile to your face. The name “Gyatei” comes from a passage in the Heart Sutra and means “Go as you please” or “Do as you like.” Eat what you like, as much as you like, with the people you like. Please enjoy a relaxing meal and conversation to your heart’s content.
Official Website：https://arashiyama-gyatei.com/
Genka Bistro Cheese Plus
A Cheese Bistro that masters both deliciousness and value. We have 18 locations across Japan (Tokyo, Hyogo, Kyoto, Osaka, Shiga, Aichi, Miyazaki, Nagano). This isn’t “cheap but mediocre”—it’s a bistro where cheese lovers can enjoy authentic dishes at reasonable prices.
Signature Menu:
Homemade Chicago Pizza: Enjoy a moving experience as cheese flows out like an avalanche.
Dishes where Cheese is the Star: From pasta and ajillo to meat dishes, cheese takes center stage.
Please enjoy the exquisite marriage of carefully selected ingredients and cheese.
Alcohol provided at Cost Price: You can enjoy cheese and wine to your heart’s content.
We offer uncompromising taste at prices that are easy on your wallet.
A new cheese experience awaits you.
Official Website：https://than.co.jp/
Cafe Bar Misora Kyosora, where you can feel healing under the starry sky for the first time in Kyoto
Kyoto’s first planetarium cafe & bar, Misora, brings a fantastic, extraordinary atmosphere to the streets of Gion. A romantic resort space where a million stars rain down. It is a hideaway cafe & bar perfect for those seeking an escape from daily life to spend a special moment. Relax in the slowly flowing time with our popular original cocktails inspired by the stars. We also offer cute non-alcoholic cocktails, so even those who don’t drink alcohol can fully enjoy the experience. For birthdays and anniversaries, we can stage a surprise performance recreating the starry sky of a specific date. Ideal for dates, girls’ nights out, and making sightseeing memories! Open from 17:00 to 23:00 on weekdays and 12:00 to 23:00 on weekends and holidays. Located just a 5-minute walk from Gion-Shijo Station, right near Yasaka Shrine. A romantic resort experience that will remain in your heart—Misora Kyosora. We sincerely await your reservation and visit.
Official Website：https://misora.home-kyoto.com/
Tatemachi Cannele
“Tatemachi Cannele” is a canelé specialty shop directly operated by the confectionery Castagna. We carefully hand-bake each canelé, a traditional sweet from the Bordeaux region of France, adding our unique Tatemachi Cannele arrangements. Our flavor combinations change monthly to match the season. Every month, enjoy the excitement of choosing from various flavors, their lovely appearance, and seasonal tastes. Currently, Tatemachi Cannele has 9 locations nationwide, including:
・Hiroshima: Tatemachi Cannele Main Store, Tatemachi Cannele + (Hiroshima Station ekie)
・Tokyo: SHIBUYA (Tokyu Food Show), SHINAGAWA (Ecute Shinagawa), MARUNOUCHI (Marunouchi Building)
・Saitama: OMIYA (Ecute Omiya)
・Osaka: SHINSAIBASHI (Daimaru), OSA (Eki Marche Osaka)
・Okayama: OKJ (Sun Station Okayama) We also offer store-limited products, baked goods like pound cakes, and frozen sweets such as catalana and cheesecake. Please stop by when you are in the neighborhood. We look forward to your visit.
Official Website：https://www.instagram.com/tatemachi_cannele/
Ounodoukutsu
Our store boasts one of the largest sales floors in the Tokai district, handling a wide range of hobby merchandise such as figures, character goods, plastic models, game software, trading cards, air guns, musical instruments, and more. We also have a crane game corner and gachapon (capsule toy) section, providing a highly entertaining environment. With over 120 parking spaces and more than 50 duel space seats, we offer convenience and a comfortable environment for extended stays. We also hold events where you can freely enjoy Gunpla building experiences and retro games. As a “Comprehensive Hobby Base” where you can enjoy everything from purchasing to experiencing, we are creating a store that responds to diverse needs.
Official Website：https://ounodoukutsu.jp/
Atelier Anniversary
Heart-fluttering at first glance. Captivating at first bite. Fresh sweets where beauty and sweetness melt together, traditional British tea cakes, and baked goods that make your heart skip a beat. Atelier Anniversary’s sweets possess a deliciousness that makes you crave them again as soon as you taste them. Anniversary started from Wedding Cakes Founded in 1990. In the past, wedding cakes were often tall, inedible imitations. We challenged this by creating “Wedding cakes that can be entirely eaten, even if small,” continuing to craft special cakes that give form to the couple’s feelings. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, we delivered over 7,000 units annually and have created hundreds of thousands of wedding cakes to date. Popular Products:
・Mariage Dear Princess: A gorgeous decoration resembling a small wedding cake. Enjoy the luxurious taste of two-tiered chocolate and shortcake.
・Lovely Ribbon Pink: A masterpiece with a lovely pink ribbon design that makes the heart flutter. Features fluffy sponge, smooth melt-in-your-mouth cream, and a chocolate ribbon. Please enjoy a special moment with Atelier Anniversary’s sweets, where beauty and deliciousness become one.
Official Website：http://www.anniversary-web.co.jp/
Asakusa Sumo Club
Asakusa Sumo Club is an interactive entertainment facility where you can learn about Sumo, a traditional Japanese culture, while experiencing it up close. Through demonstrations and commentary by former sumo wrestlers, we introduce match rules, history, training methods, and more in an easy-to-understand manner. We have received great acclaim from overseas guests watching sumo for the first time. Inside the facility, you can watch impactful matches and enjoy experiences unique to a sumo stable. Taking photos and “Challenge Sumo,” where you can actually challenge a wrestler, are popular activities. Many travelers visit us while sightseeing in Asakusa to deeply enjoy traditional Japanese culture. By all means, please enjoy a special Sumo experience unique to Japan.
Official Website：https://asakusa-sumo.com/
Noix de Coco
Located in a prime location just a 4-minute walk from Tenjinbashisuji 6-chome Station. The interior, a renovated traditional house, features semi-private rooms for a relaxing dining experience. Our famous dish, Sirloin Roast Beef, has won the Grand Prix for 3 consecutive years on one of Japan’s largest online shopping sites. Its deliciousness lies in its melt-in-your-mouth texture—celebrities have praised it as a “taste you want to experience once in a lifetime!” It is a unique flavor you won’t find in roast beef anywhere else. We also offer a satisfying menu including Crab Rice Bowls, Beef Tongue Stew, and French-style Stewed Pork.
Official Website：https://noix-de-coco.com/
Your travel destination isn’t always found within the pages of a guidebook.
Sometimes it’s a dish you discover in a small, unexpected restaurant, a cultural experience you stumble upon by chance, or the peaceful air you breathe in the quiet of nature — these are the moments that make a journey truly special.
With a TOCOO! rental car, you can freely chart your own course, guided by curiosity and spontaneity.
On your next trip to Japan, why not turn the wheel toward wherever your heart leads, instead of simply following your itinerary?
