Top Local Dishes & Where to Try Them in Hachiōji, Tōkyō, Japan

1. Hachiōji Mochi

Soft and chewy rice cake made from glutinous rice flour, filled with red bean paste or sweetened azuki beans.

Traditional Ingredients: Uses locally sourced glutinous rice and azuki beans.
Unique Texture: Soft texture contrasts with the slightly crunchy outer layer.
Seasonal Variants: Available in various flavors depending on the season.

Grilled mochi coated with soy sauce and sugar, enjoyed hot off the grill.

Local Delicacy: A traditional dish dating back to the Edo period.
Sweet and Savory: The contrasting flavors of sweet and salty make it irresistible.
Street Food Experience: Enjoy this dish at street food stalls throughout Hachiōji.

Hot pot dish made with a variety of seasonal vegetables, seafood, and locally produced chicken or beef.

Local Produce: Includes fresh, seasonal ingredients sourced from nearby farms.
Shared Experience: A communal dish that brings families and friends together.
Customizable: You can customize your nabe with various ingredients to suit your taste.

Thick, curly noodles in a rich pork bone broth with slices of char-grilled pork and locally grown bamboo shoots.

Robust Broth: The pork bone broth is simmered for hours to achieve its rich flavor.
Local Ingredients: Uses locally sourced pork and bamboo shoots in the ramen.
Char-Grilled Pork: The char-grilled pork adds a smoky flavor to the dish.

Thin buckwheat noodles served in a dashi-based broth with slices of locally produced chicken or tempura.

Traditional Technique: The noodles are made using the traditional Japanese soba-making technique.
Fresh Ingredients: Includes fresh, locally sourced chicken or tempura as toppings.
Dashi-Based Broth: The dashi broth adds a unique umami flavor to the dish.

Crispy fried vegetables and seafood coated in light, delicate batter.

Locally Sourced Ingredients: Uses fresh, seasonal vegetables and seafood sourced from nearby farms and markets.
Light Batter: The batter is light and crispy, allowing the natural flavors of the ingredients to shine.
Artisanal Skill: Prepared by skilled tempura masters with years of experience.

Steamed rice dish served with locally produced chicken or vegetables.

Locally Sourced Ingredients: Uses fresh, locally sourced chicken or vegetables.
Simple and Comforting: A simple, comforting dish that showcases the flavors of Hachiōji.
Customizable: Can be customized with various toppings and sauces.

Hot tofu dish served with dipping sauce, enjoyed in a natural hot spring bath.

Natural Hot Spring Bath: Enjoy the dish while soaking in a natural hot spring bath.
Fresh Tofu: Uses fresh, locally produced tofu.
Relaxing Experience: A relaxing experience that promotes wellness and rejuvenation.

Tofu skin rolled up and cooked in various ways such as stir-fried or simmered.

Locally Produced Tofu: Uses fresh, locally produced tofu.
Versatile Ingredient: Can be prepared in various ways to create different textures and flavors.
Traditional Technique: Prepared using the traditional tofu-making technique.

Thin slices of beef and vegetables cooked in a pot of simmering broth.

Fresh Ingredients: Uses fresh, locally sourced ingredients.
Customizable: Can be customized with various dipping sauces and vegetables.
Social Experience: A social experience that encourages interaction and shared cooking.

Fresh sushi made with locally sourced fish and vegetables.

Locally Sourced Ingredients: Uses fresh, locally sourced fish and vegetables.
Artisanal Skill: Prepared by skilled sushi masters with years of experience.
Variety of Sushi Styles: Offers various styles of sushi, from nigiri to maki rolls.

Grilled skewered chicken, served with various seasonings.

Locally Produced Chicken: Uses fresh, locally produced chicken.
Artisanal Skill: Prepared by skilled yakitori masters with years of experience.
Versatile Seasonings: Can be seasoned with various sauces and spices to suit your taste.

A hot pot dish made with various seafood, vegetables, and tofu simmered in a flavorful dashi broth.

Locally Sourced Ingredients: Uses fresh, locally sourced seafood, vegetables, and tofu.
Comforting Experience: A comforting dish that warms the soul on a cold day.
Customizable: Can be customized with various ingredients to suit your taste.

Chicken stew made with the chicken's offal and served over rice.

Locally Produced Chicken: Uses fresh, locally produced chicken.
Flavorful Broth: The broth is flavored with the chicken's offal, creating a rich and savory taste.
Comforting Experience: A comforting dish that warms the soul on a cold day.

Various desserts flavored with matcha green tea, such as mochi, cake, and ice cream.

Local Specialty: Hachiōji is known for its high-quality matcha.
Traditional Ingredient: Uses locally produced matcha green tea.
Versatile Options: Offers various dessert options to suit different tastes and preferences.