Ramen on a rainy night, a bento from the supermarket on the way home, a tray of snacks you cannot find anywhere else. Japanese food and culture are so much part of everyday Singapore that many of us forget they come with a community and a long story behind them.

Welcome to part 4 of Many Faces of Singapore, our series celebrating the communities beyond the Chinese, Malay and Indian groups that make this island richer. This guide is for everyone: whether you are Japanese and missing home, a curious first-timer, or a long-time fan of matcha everything.

Catch up on the series:

A Community with a Long Singapore Story

A Community with a Long Singapore Story
For illustrative purposes only. Actual locations, scenes, and appearances may vary.
Credit: InSingapura.com (AI-assisted)

Japanese connections to Singapore go back well over a century. According to the National Heritage Board's Roots.gov.sg, the Japanese Consulate opened here in 1889, the Japanese Association was founded in 1915 and the Japanese Club followed in 1922. Much of the early community lived and worked around Middle Road, an area that was nicknamed "Little Japan".

Recent research from the National University of Singapore, supported by an NHB Heritage Research Grant, found that this community was more varied than many people assume, with shops, schools, clinics and institutions that moved around the city over the years. The National Library Board's BiblioAsia also features a rare map from around 1919 showing where early residents lived and worked, including Short Street, home to the Japanese Association and its school.

Today's community is different, and so is its story. Japanese residents and families have been part of Singapore's neighbourhoods, schools and workplaces for decades, and the Japan Creative Centre, set up in 2009, shares Japanese arts and culture with everyone through film festivals, exhibitions and workshops. Japanese groups have also joined the Chingay parade since 1987, as noted in a 2019 MCCY speech.

Japanese Supermarkets: Snack, Stock Up and Wander

Japanese Supermarkets: Snack, Stock Up and Wander
For illustrative purposes only. Actual locations, scenes, and appearances may vary.
Credit: InSingapura.com (AI-assisted)

If you love browsing aisles, Japanese supermarkets are a treat. Based on recent roundups by TheSmartLocal and The Singapore Women's Weekly, here are names worth knowing:

  • Don Don Donki: the big, busy one, with outlets including Orchard, Tanjong Pagar, HarbourFront Centre and City Square.
  • Meidi-Ya: a long-standing favourite at Great World City and Millenia Walk.
  • Isetan: department store with a supermarket section, at Shaw Centre and Westgate.
  • Iroha Mart: at Plaza Singapura.
  • Fish Mart Sakuraya, Kuriya, J-Mart, Zairyo and Shinsen: smaller shops worth a look for seafood, ready meals and pantry items.

Good to know: Outlet lists change, so confirm the nearest branch and its opening hours before heading out. If you are buying for a Muslim household, look for the MUIS halal certificate on individual products or at the outlet. Zairyo was reported in 2021 to have a halal section, but please check this directly as it may have changed.

Where to Eat: From Ramen Counters to Izakaya Lanes

Where to Eat: From Ramen Counters to Izakaya Lanes
For illustrative purposes only. Actual locations, scenes, and appearances may vary.
Credit: InSingapura.com (AI-assisted)

Japanese dining in Singapore ranges from quick ramen counters to special-occasion omakase. Honeycombers' June 2026 list of Japanese restaurants is a good starting point for the dressier end of the spectrum, with addresses for each.

For something more casual, the Singapore Women's Weekly reported in 2021 that Orchard Plaza was being shaped into a Tokyo-style alley of small bars and izakayas, with spots serving yakitori, sake and oysters. Cuppage Plaza has long been known for its late-night ramen shops and izakayas too. Venues change quickly, so use these as neighbourhood ideas rather than a fixed list.

A few tips:

  • Many small izakayas have limited seats, so reservations help.
  • Halal-certified Japanese options exist, including Isuramuya at JCube (reported in 2021). Always check the current MUIS certificate before you go.
  • Vegetarians can look for vegetable tempura, inari, udon and onigiri, but ask about dashi (fish stock), which is often hidden in broths.

Festivals, Film and Fun for Everyone

Singaporeans have been fans of Japanese pop culture for years. A 2023 MFA speech mentions The Doraemon Exhibition at the National Museum of Singapore, its first global showcase outside Japan, and a self-service library with more than 5,000 manga. The Japan Creative Centre also runs events such as the annual Japanese Film Festival.

Community events add to the fun. In 2026, the People's Association's Nippon Natsu Matsuri (25 July, Hougang) and Japan Rail Fair (6 to 8 February, Urban Park at Guoco Tower, free) have already taken place, but similar events tend to return each year. Keep an eye on OnePA, the Japan Creative Centre and local event listings so you do not miss the next one.

Read the series from the start:

Previous in the series, the Indonesian community:

Next in Many Faces of Singapore: the Korean community and its food, shops and culture.