A filmmaker based in Los Cabos, Mexico, is attracting attention online in Japan with his stunningly beautiful food video. Entitled “A Taste of Japan”, Mike Arce’s video features the food he fell in love with on a trip to the Land of the Rising Sun. In an impressively expansive gourmet tour, Arce sampled everything from Kyoto speciality tofu cuisine to delicious hot-plate favourites like okonomiyaki and sukiyaki, even squeezing in a trip to Sukiyabashi Jiro in Roppongi for some high-class sushi, too.
If you didn’t already want to go to Japan really, really badly, you will after you watch this!
As Japanese netizens were quick to point out, this might not be the best video to watch if you’re hungry! (Or prone to food-induced jealousy…)
▼ The video opens at a Cold Stone Ice Cream server. The food’s not looking very Japanese yet (although the great service definitely is), but don’t worry; the best is yet to come!
▼ A bubbling pot of sukiyaki hot-pot. Hungry yet?
▼ The meat from sukiyaki is usually dipped in raw egg before eating. Is this the world’s most gracefully mixed egg?!
▼ Even on these flower-cut mushrooms, the attention to detail is impressive.
▼ More food cooked right in front of your eyes, this time in an okonomiyaki restaurant.
▼ Okonominomnomnom… excuse me while I wipe the drool off my keyboard.
▼ Even more batter-based goodness at a takoyaki (soft balls of batter with fried octopus) stand.
▼ Choosing beautifully marbled beef for yakiniku.
As if that wasn’t enough, our food hero heads to the Roppongi branch of Sukiyabashi Jiro.
▼ Arce was given permission to film chef Takashi Ono. Here he is at work:
▼ Jealous yet? I know I am…
Arce, who studied at the Sydney Film School before returning to his hometown in Mexico, writes: “Filmmaking in Mexico, even independent, is not an easy task. Nevertheless, I try to get involved in any project I can in the hopes of producing my own.”
No time to watch the whole video? You can watch the world-class sushi section separately, too:
Man, I’m hungry now…
Sukiyabashi Jiro Sushi Rice: How good is rice from Japan’s legendary sushi restaurant?
American chef perfectly captures the scrumptious soul of Japanese cuisine 【Video】
Japan’s most popular curry rice restaurant chain, Coco Ichibanya, might be for sale
Tamagotchi evolves into a ring for its 30th anniversary, preorders now open
Family Mart releases Famima convenience store products nationwide, but which ones are worth buying?
One Piece Day 2026 brings new art, music, and new cast announcements
Finally! Japan’s big three convenience store chains announce rice ball price reductions
A real-world Pokémon Poké Ball hotel is opening in Japan at a still-secret location [Video]
Solo travel in Japan: Hidden beer garden in Tokyo is a haven for single visitors
Studio Ghibli unveils new anime calendars and diary planners for 2027
Hobonichi unveils new 2027 planners, diaries and stationery with One Piece, Suica Penguin, Hello Kitty and a must-buy Mini Techo
Family Mart releases new Human Made Cup Noodle in Japan, with freebies for Nigo fans
Japan’s final Penguin Suica train cards have already shipped, and when they’re gone, they’re gone
Japan approves foreign resident visa renewal fee increases of up to 967 percent, starts soon
Japan tripled its departure tax to fund tourism but is using the money on cherry blossoms and bears
Farewell Final Ceremony announced for Tokyo’s life-size Gundam statue, will stream live
Hikaru Utada sings new song in Shinkansen commercial for Japan’s Supreme Class cabins
Nike x One Piece collection brings Devil Fruits to sneakers and streetwear in Japan
12-year-old British girl who went missing in Tokyo found safe after visiting anime sites around Yokohama
7-year-old boy left behind on Mt. Fuji by his own dad
Sushi Bus: Japan’s first conveyor-belt bus lets you eat sushi while sightseeing around Tokyo
Pokémon Center Online designates first Pokémon items that will require Japanese ID card to buy
Japanese toilet aims to attract foreign tourists but not everybody is happy about it
New Japanese vending machine at Shinkansen station sells cups of ice on platform
Study finds hundreds of people in Indonesia legally named after Naruto, Inuyasha, other anime stars
Japan announces sudden 400-percent increase in visa fees for foreigners entering the country
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Studio Ghibli has a new anime out, and there’s only one place in the world where you can see it
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Tokyo subway installing new ticket gates that don’t accept payment through Suica or other IC cards
Japanese ninja certification exam attracts 131 candidates from Japan and abroad
Salomon releases Japan-exclusive Mt. Fuji hiking gear that doubles as an amazing souvenir
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】