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Montreal is packed with fantastic Japanese food spots and cultural activities, but some places have that extra spark — the kind of spark that feels like stepping into a teleportation machine and landing on the vibrant streets of Tokyo, Kyoto, or Osaka.
Whether you’re craving the perfect bowl of ramen, shopping for a kimono, or trying to win manga plushies at a claw arcade, this city is full of hidden gems that channel Japan’s unique energy.
From sleek minimalist spaces to deep-rooted traditions, here are nine spots that bring the essence of Japan to Montreal. And the best part? No passport required!
Kumamoto Ramen
Price: 💸💸
When:
- Wednesday and Thursday from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
- Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
- Saturday from 12 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
- Sunday from 12 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Address: 855, boul. Decarie (Ville Saint-Laurent)
Why You Need To Go: Do you fantasize about eating ramen in your own private booth with minimal human interaction? Whether you’re a die-hard introvert or a ramen enthusiast who wants to savour every slurp in peace, Kumamoto is here to make that dream a reality.
This Montreal spot — known for its Hakata-style ramen, featuring a rich, slow-cooked pork-bone broth and delicate noodles — offers a unique solo dining experience, Japanese-style, in which your ramen is served discreetly through a small opening behind a curtain.
That’s right — no more scrambling to find dining companions when your next ramen craving hits!
But just because you can dine alone here, doesn’t mean you have to. Kumamoto also offers group tables, so you can share this delicious experience with good company.
ClawMee Arcade
Price: Token packages start at $10 for 11 tokens (each machine requires 3 to 7 tokens per play)
When: Varies by location
Address:
- 4275, rue Saint-Denis
- 3500, boul. Cote Vertu Ouest #175
- 9270, boul. Lacordaire
- More at clawmee.com/en/find-us
Why You Need To Go: Imagine hauling around a pink shopping cart brimming with Hello Kitty and Pokémon plushies in a spacious room adorned with cherry blossom trees. It doesn’t get much more kawaii than this chain of colorful, neon-lit claw arcades, which has locations scattered throughout the Greater Montreal area. These crane games, incredibly popular in Japan and surprisingly easy to win compared to their North American counterparts, have been popping up all over the city since last summer. Not only do they make for a fun and budget-friendly date night, but they’re also the perfect way to feel like you’ve been whisked away to Japan — without needing a plane ticket!
Le Fullsun Épicerie
@arethaeats NEW instant noodles in town! Living in 3024 with the ez cook instant ramen machine. . 📍Le Fullsun, 1423 Rue Montcalm, Montreal . This modern convenience store lets you cook a ramen and eat it there for a quick meal. You could choose from a selection of 65 instant noodles and a big selection of toppings! I went for the samyang Korean potato ramen which had a great chewy texture. Do be warned, the toppings add up quickly since they range from $1-$3. And as any convenience store should, they also have snacks and drinks. I heard their banh mi was also really good! #ramen #conveniencestore #mtl #montreal #instantnoodles
Price: Ramen costs $0.99 to $2.49 per package and toppings range from $1 to $3. There’s an added $1 charge for a “cooking bowl” when you opt to make your ramen in-store.
When:
- Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- Friday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
- Saturday from 12 p.m. to 9 p.m.
- Sunday from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Address: 1423, rue Montcalm
Why You Need To Go: Le Fullsun offers Montrealers a taste of Japan’s elite convenience store culture by allowing customers to cook their own customized instant noodle dishes in-store, turning this fast snack into a cheap and hearty meal. With a selection of 65+ packaged ramen choices, and topping options including beef, kimchi, and cheese, this depanneur is basically the closest you can get to being at a 7-Eleven in Tokyo — without leaving Montreal. In addition to ramen, Le Fullsun features a variety of Asian snacks, drinks, and condiments, as well as a full menu of bánh mì sandwiches and smoothies, all highly praised on social media.
O-Taku Manga Lounge
Price: Free entry plus the cost of purchases; Memberships available at $12.99 and $59.99 per year
When: Daily from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. or 9 p.m.
Address: 3623, rue Saint-Denis
Why You Need To Go: At O-Taku Manga Lounge, you’ll discover bookshelves filled with thousands of manga titles to explore in their iconic reading lounge. But beyond Japanese comics and graphic novels, O-Taku fosters a sense of community for manga enthusiasts through Japanese lessons, drawing classes, in-store events, and more. Plus, you can indulge in delicious snacks like onigiri, ramen, and bubble tea from their café while immersing yourself in the captivating pages of your favourite manga. Is this Tokyo’s Akihabara neighborhood? No, it’s the Plateau-Mont-Royal!
TSUJIRI Montreal
Price: 💸
When:
- Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday from 12 p.m. to 7 p.m.
- Friday and Saturday from 12 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Address: 1418, rue Crescent
Why You Need To Go: This tea house actually originated in Japan — no wonder it brings a little slice of Kyoto to Montreal’s downtown core. With an array of tea drinks, premium matcha, and exquisite desserts, TSUJIRI Montreal is a go-to spot for high-quality sweets and the minimalist yet comfortable aesthetic Japan is renowned for.
Customers rave about the matcha ice cream, with Google reviewer Mark Padilla stating, “Their atmosphere/aesthetic is so Japanese that sometimes I have to remind myself that I am still in Montreal (sadly) and not in Japan.”
Kimono Vintage
When:
- Monday, Thursday and Friday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Address: 783, rue de Bienville
Why You Need To Go: If you’re in the market for a kimono, look no further than Kimono Vintage, a Montreal shop specializing in imported Japanese clothing, including yukata, yukata accessories, haori, samué, bags, and jinbei for kids. Browse through their stunning collection of colourful prints and quality fabrics, and leave dressed to the nines in formal Japanese attire that can transport you from Montreal’s Plateau neighborhood to Tokyo’s Yanaka Ginza neighborhood.
Kyoto Fleurs
When:
- Monday to Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- Thursday and Friday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Address: 1893, av. du Mont-Royal E.
Why You Need To Go: According to Montreal’s Japan Week, Kyoto Fleurs has been a fixture on avenue du Mont-Royal since 2015, offering customers a wide variety of fresh flowers, preserved dried flowers and houseplants with a distinctly Japanese flair. In addition to its stunning floral arrangements, this dreamy shop hosts workshops in Ikebana, matcha preparation, origami, Japanese tea ceremonies, and more. Whether you’re looking to stay in tune with Japanese floral trends or simply want to escape to a realm of natural beauty, Kyoto Fleurs has you covered.
Matcha Zanmai
Price: 💸
When: Daily from 12 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Address: 1428, rue Mackay
Why You Need To Go: Tokyo-native Yukiko Sekiya, pastry chef and owner of Yuki Bakery, brings us Matcha Zanmai, a delightful matcha-centric tea house, creamery, and bakery in the heart of downtown. From matcha parfaits to matcha mochi cookies, this cozy little shop beautifully embodies the Japanese art of shokunin — the pursuit of mastery in one specific craft.
LeDon Donburi
Price: 💸💸
When:
- Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.
- Friday and Saturday from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Address: 168, rue Beaubien E.
Why You Need To Go: LeDon Donburi serves up comforting rice bowls, delicious appetizers, and a variety of cocktails — all inspired by the owners’ travels to Japan. If their goal was to bring a piece of Japan to Montreal, they’ve certainly succeeded, as noted by enthusiastic Google reviewers.
“The place is a little bit small, but it feels like you are in a real small restaurant in Japan,” writes one reviewer, who gave the restaurant five out of five stars.
“Looking for a taste of Japan? Here’s one in Montreal that serves some traditional Donburi that would make you feel like if you were in JAPAN!” writes another.
It’s not often you find a Japanese restaurant in Montreal that specializes specifically in donburi (rice bowls), making a trip to Rosemont Petite-Patrie well worth it to experience this satisfying dish.
Prices and operating hours are confirmed at the time of publishing, but they can change at any time. Taxes and fees may not be included.
