BEYOND SUSHI: BEST EATS & TREATS IN JAPAN

Let us recommend some of the best 'washoku' restaurants serving fresh vegetables and seafood where you can enjoy selections of local sake from the same region as the sourced ingredients.

Michelin-starred chef David Bouley presented a seminar on 'ichiju-sansai' to 20 chefs from Aramark Corporation, one of the largest food service providers for educational institutions in the U.S.

The basic foundation of a traditional Japanese meal is 'ichiju-sansai,' which literally means 'one soup and three dishes.' This refers to a meal consisting of a bowl of soup, a main dish and two sides, supported by rice and Japanese pickles.

Rice is at the center of many traditional Japanese meals, providing a healthy staple to the Japanese diet. And here's a wonderful selection of seasonal rice meals, including many that are fantastic for both vegetarian and even vegan food lovers.

Here's a run-down of five of the tastiest-looking Japanese treats that have traditionally been enjoyed in different seasons, from hot 'zenzai' in winter to ice-cold 'ujikintoki' to beat the summer heat.

Enjoy a Japanese-style lunch at any of these nine Ginza restaurants.