
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】
Japanese ninja certification exam attracts 131 candidates from Japan and abroad
Studio Ghibli store Donguri Republic announces opening of first-ever store in America
7-Eleven Japan to start selling Vietnamese banh mi sandwiches this summer
Japanese sweets shop sells an ohagi so exquisite it sells out by noon
Starbucks Japan releases new Frappuccino, tea and soda drinks for summer
Forget Tokyo go-karts – there’s a new way to sightsee on four wheels in Japan
Suspected Japanese ice cream cartel under investigation for price-fixing
Studio Ghibli adds new My Neighbour Totoro music box to its anime merchandise store in Japan
All-you-can-eat cheese restaurant in Tokyo is a hidden gem not many people know about
Pokémon coming to Japan’s highway rest stops with exclusive merch and stamp rally this summer
New Japanese overnight train coming to connect Tokyo with Tohoku in sleep-travel style
Universal Studios Japan is giving Frieren anime fans the chance to make unforgettable memories.
Tokyo’s life-size Gundam is getting a new look before its end-of-summer removal
Japanese bento shop touches hearts by selling super cheap boxed lunches for around a dollar
7-Eleven Japan joins the craze for Korean Gamja Cheese Balls
Starbucks Japan releases new limited-edition summer drinks…and a pastry for dunking
Lawson upsizes convenience store food for a limited time with two must-try Japanese meals
Uniqlo reveals third round of massive 100-year-anniversary manga T-shirts for Jump’s Shueisha
Even at twice regular Daiso price, this handy item is still great for summer travel in Japan
New official Ghibli anime food cookbook will teach you how to make Ponyo’s ramen and more
Japanese convenience store Lawson launches new “mini supermarket” chain, L Minimart
Japan’s real-world Pokémon hot spring’s first photos are here![Photos]
Kyoto public junior high school becomes first in Japan with a hoodie school uniform
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Japan’s 5.3 million beautiful Hitachi Nemophila flowers are now in full bloom[Photos]
Pokémon and Ikea Japan cross over into each other’s worlds with collaboration events
Wisteria season starts early with blooming of Japan’s Great Wisteria in its beautiful garden