They Said Japan is Just Sushi...They Were Wrong

Think Japan is just sushi and seafood? Think again. In this video, I explore the hidden world of Japanese food beyond the stereotypes — starting with a visit to my favorite Italian restaurant in Wakayama City, followed by a deep dive into one of Japan’s best-kept foodie secrets: the department store basement, or depachika. I team up with travel YouTuber Ninja Monkey, but during filming, a sudden tsunami alert changes everything. We shift plans, head inland, and discover an incredible variety of non-fish foods — from freshly made dorayaki to gourmet bentos, traditional sweets, and even high-end fruit. If you’re vegetarian, don’t eat seafood, or are just curious about what locals actually eat in Japan, this episode is for you. It’s a behind-the-scenes look at Japanese food culture that you won’t find in tourist guides. 👉 Want to see what daily life and food are really like in Japan? Hit that like button, subscribe, and come along for the ride! 🎥 Featuring: 🧑‍🍳 St. Zephyr Italian Restaurant – Wakayama’s hidden gem https://maps.app.goo.gl/cJdj63gFSbqjC... 🌊 Real-life tsunami alert during filming 🎬 Guest appearance:    / @ninjamonkeyguy   🍱 Kintetsu Wakayama Basement Food Hall – Sweet and savoury discoveries 🛍️ Shop my Japan-inspired merch: https://chani-japan-shop.fourthwall.c... 📮 Join the Postcard Club: http://ko-fi.com/chanijapan/tiers 🎓 Visit my courses at https://www.chanijapan.com/ 🇯🇵 If you are new to the channel, my name is Chani and I am a middle aged Australian who was stuck in a rut and moved to Japan to live. I bought an Akiya or empty house and started renovating. I'd love it if you subscribed and joined the community. Some links included in the description of my videos are affiliate links. This helps me to run my channel & continue put out content for you all ❤️ 🏡 Looking to buy a cheap house in Japan? If you are interested in the discounted Cheap Houses Japan Newsletter, here is the link for a 20% discount: http://cheaphousesjapan.com/chani I look forward to seeing you in the next video 😀 @ChaniJapan Exploring non-seafood options in Japan reveals tasty alternatives beyond the usual sushi, especially when you're not a fan of sashimi. A sudden tsunami warning prompted a change of plans, highlighting the importance of disaster preparedness in coastal areas like Wakayama. Discovering unexpected flavors while considering tsunami safety adds a unique twist to this Japan travel experience.