After exploring Kyoto and Osaka Castle, I sought out conveyor belt sushi—a dining experience I hadn't yet tried. Wandering through a busy area, I spotted plates of food moving past diners in a line and knew I'd found the right place.

The concept is straightforward: sit at the bar, order a beverage, and grab plates as they pass by. Prepare yourself for which piece of sushi you would like to devour as it approaches—it requires speed and timing. Plates cost roughly $1.50 each, making it affordable dining. I consumed 16 plates before calling it quits—far outpacing an elderly Japanese gentleman who had only three plates plus soup.

An unexpected moment of connection occurred when the older man shared sake with me after a brief conversation in broken English and Japanese. This warm sake surpassed anything I'd experienced back home. Despite being full of raw fish, rice and sake, I appreciated the meal's quality and atmosphere so much I returned to a different conveyor belt sushi restaurant the following evening.

I enthusiastically recommend the experience to anyone visiting Japan—it was one of the most satisfying meals I've ever had.