Vegetarians
If everything so far sounds a bit meat and fish orientated don't be alarmed - there are plenty of vegetarian options in Japan. In fact eating meat was prohibited in Japan for more than a thousand years prior to 1868!
Try the wonderful zaru soba (buck-wheat noodles served cold with a dipping sauce), a bowl of udon (thicker noodles) in a mountain vegetable soup, tofu steak or okonomiyaki. If you are feeling adventurous you could try natto - a sticky and slightly smelly concoction made of fermented soya beans. The Japanese liken it to marmite - you'll either love it or hate it.