It’s no surprise that Japan’s tourism has been booming over the past few years. For the first half of 2025, the United Nations World Tourism Organization recorded that overseas arrivals to Japan rose by 21%, marking a strong year-on-year increase. While some anticipate a dip in traveller numbers this year, the country continues to captivate tourists worldwide with its culture, landscapes, and, of course, food. For that last bit, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government has recently launched its official travel and food website, GO TOKYO Gourmet, to help travelers choose the best dining experience when visiting Japan.
Planning eating experiences better
GO TOKYO Gourmet’s main goal is to further promote Tokyo’s vibrant food culture domestically and internationally. Here, it showcases the country’s culture, food, and tradition through carefully curated photos and videos. In the hopes of attracting more travelers, the website gives the public an overview of what their taste buds can expect when visiting Japan. It categorizes posts for easier access on topics like dining tips, vegan options, and more. More importantly, the website also offers direct reservation links to restaurants as well as information about food events or festivals nearby.
More than just a restaurant guide, the GO TOKYO Gourmet offers a rich exploration of Tokyo’s culinary culture by tracing food innovations rooting from the Edo period to the present. It explores the experiences of local chefs, along with food industry sustainability and diversity. Visitors can also enjoy in-depth interviews and feature articles highlighting the chefs and experts who are shaping Tokyo’s dynamic food scene.
Reset and recharge
While there are thousands of articles and websites that feature Japan, the government-backed GO TOKYO Gourmet gives that stamp of credibility and authenticity of content and affiliates. The flipside, though, is that you might just miss out on hole-in-the-wall gems if you rely too much on this. That being said, if you’re planning a trip to Japan and are looking for reliable restaurants to try out first, the website is a one-stop portal for immersive food and cultural discovery to consider.
Photo credit: The feature image is symbolic and has been taken by Jezael Melgoza. The images used in the body of the article are owned by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government and have been provided for press usage.
Sources: PR Newswire / Aline Sauvegrain Tanabe (Nikkei Asia)
