The Master of Ceremonies for the lively event was none other than Atsugiri Jason, one of Japan’s top foreign-born comedians. The LIVE JAPAN Awards 2017 feature five different categories, made up of Gourmet, Experience, Shopping (divided into large retailers and small retailers), Sightseeing, and LIVE JAPAN Staff Recommendation. The winners were decided in accordance with how many people clicked on articles about them and their own spot information on LIVE JAPAN.

The winners of the LIVE JAPAN Awards 2017 were showcased from April 13 (Thu) to April 16 (Sun), on a 14.5 meter long screen inside the Tokyo Metro Promenade of Shinjuku Station.

*LIVE JAPAN (https://livejapan.com/) launched on April 13, 2016 as a sightseeing information service for international visitors to Japan. The website provides accurate, detailed, and real-time information in and around Tokyo in a one-stop guide, including restaurants, shops, shopping centers, ATMs, and more.

The LIVE JAPAN Awards 2017 features some of the best that Tokyo has to offer to international visitors to Japan. Let’s take a look at the winners of the LIVE JAPAN Awards 2017!

Tokyo is a gourmet metropolis known all around the world. Sushi, tempura, yakiniku, okonomiyaki, curry – from classic Japanese dishes to international cuisine, there is many an exquisite gourmet experience to be made! The Gourmet category of the LIVE JAPAN Awards 2017 honors those restaurants, cafes, and bars that have been the 10 most popular ones among international visitors to Tokyo.

Top Winner: ITAMAE SUSHI (Shinjuku Toei Bldg.)

In April 2015, Itamae Sushi opened its biggest branch in Shinjuku's famous Kabukicho district. Boasting seating for 100, including counter seating for 18, the restaurant is laid out around a semi-stage cooking area, allowing diners to observe the techniques of the sushi chefs, up to 24 hours a day. With 11 branches in Japan and more than 60 overseas, Itamae chefs know their fish, carefully selecting their ingredients directly from the Tsukiji Fish Market and ports across Japan. Itamae Sushi offers high-quality sushi in a foreigner-friendly atmosphere and their chefs are happy to recommend wine, champagne, sake or shochu to best complement the sushi.

Top Winner: Subaru Travel

Subaru Travel offers personalized, private tours in English with licensed professional drivers. You can create your own itinerary and venture out anywhere, at any time, directly from your hotel. These taxi drivers know Tokyo like the back of their hands and can take you to lesser known sights and prime photo spots.

Top Winner: Tokyu Department Store Toyoko

Tokyu Department Store Shibuya Station TOYOKO is next to Shibuya Station, where eight train lines including the JR make a stop. The so-called ”terminal department store” is located in one of the busiest shopping areas in Japan. TOKYU FOOD SHOW on the B1 floor is a very popular food-theme park. In the TOYOKO Norengai, many long-established stores have opened their own branches to promote traditional Japanese tastes, handmade foods and new concepts. The department store also sells branded fashion items, gadgets and cosmetics.

Top Winner: Lotte Duty Free Tokyo Ginza

Lotte Duty Free Ginza store is located at the Sukiyabashi crossing where Ginza, one of Japan’s premiere shopping districts, connects with the Hibiya area. Taking up two floors inside the new Ginza landmark TOKYU PLAZA GINZA, the store stocks over 150 famous brand products and at 4,400 m² (47,400 ft²) boasts the largest store area in the capital for a airport-style duty free shop.

Top Winner: Tsukiji Market

The Tsukiji Outer Market is located on the outer rim of the famous wholesale market in Tokyo. About 400 shops specialize in food-related products, such as freshly caught seafood, high quality fresh produce, cooking tools, and tableware. There are also many restaurants that serve fresh seafood in the form of sushi and kaisen-don (seafood over rice). The general information center, Johoichiba Puratto Tsukiji, opened in 2012. The center offers information about shops, sightseeing, and transportation, as well as selling related souvenirs.

Top Winner: Tokyo Sushi-Making Tour

The Tokyo Sushi-Making Tour offers visitors to Japan the chance to make and eat various types of sushi! Their friendly, English-speaking instructors not only teach participants the basics of preparing sushi, but also provide comprehensive knowledge on the cuisine’s history and eating etiquette. It’s a fun and delicious experience that sushi-lovers should not pass up!

LIVE JAPAN would once again like to congratulate all of this year’s winners and extend a special thank you to the readers who have helped make the website’s first year a success! From live information and travel tips, to Japanese culture guides, LIVE JAPAN has truly enjoyed helping to make travel dreams a reality. Look forward to even more exciting content in the future from LIVE JAPAN Perfect Guide Tokyo!