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LunchTrip Japan · since 2008

In-person Flights

A Flight is a lunch that travels. Everyone boards together, meets one country through someone who has lived there, talks it over, and shares a meal from that country.

LunchTrip Japan has been running Flights since 2008. LunchTrip Foundation brings the same ideas to the US.

Passengers at long tables at a LunchTrip Japan Flight in a Thai restaurant in Ebisu, Tokyo
A plate of som tam, green papaya salad, served at a Flight in Ebisu

From LunchTrip Japan Flights

What a Flight is like

Since 2008, LunchTrip Japan has run more than 200 Flights to nearly 80 countries and regions. Most Flights are hosted at a small restaurant that serves authentic cuisine from the destination country.

The crew, dressed as flight attendants, welcome passengers aboard and host the Flight. Then the guide, someone who has lived in the country, introduces it with photos, stories and the small details of everyday life. Passengers talk over what they’ve learned in small groups. And then everyone eats: the country’s food, shared at the same tables.

Have you lived in another country? Our Virtual Flights need guides too. Become a guide and help review one.

These photos are from two of those Flights: a special Flight at Gapao Shokudo, a Thai restaurant in Ebisu, in 2019, and a Thailand Flight at Baby Thai in Shinjuku in 2025.

A full room listening to a guide, with the Thai flag in the window, Ebisu 2019
A full room for the special Flight. Ebisu, 2019.
A bowl of tom yum soup
Tom yum, hot and sour.
Pad kra pao, basil stir-fry with rice and a fried egg
Pad kra pao with a fried egg.
A guide shows photos on a laptop to passengers around a table, Shinjuku 2025
Photos from home, passed around the table. Shinjuku, 2025.
A platter of fried wontons, fish cakes and grilled pork
A platter to share.
Fresh spring rolls in a small bowl
Fresh spring rolls to start.

Flight log

Every LunchTrip Japan Flight

LunchTrip Japan writes up its Flights on its blog, in Japanese. This is every Flight we found there, newest first. The English titles are our translations, and each link goes to the original report.

215Flights
~80countries and regions
78Kids Flights at nurseries
2008first Flight
20252 Flights
  1. ThailandBaby Thai (Shinjuku)Traveling to Thailand with kids?Report (Japanese): Thailand, May 11 2025

Kids Flights at nurseries (1): USA (Chicago)

20234 Flights
  1. Palestine (West Bank)Bisan (Jujo)Looking at the unreported everydayReport (Japanese): Palestine (West Bank), Dec 9 2023

Kids Flights at nurseries (3): Burkina Faso, USA (Seattle), Morocco

20224 Flights
  1. MyanmarOnlineMyanmar Flight featuring the film "Passage of Life"Report (Japanese): Myanmar, Feb 20 2022
  2. UkraineOnlineThe Ukraine I knowReport (Japanese): Ukraine, Apr 9 2022
  3. USA (Seattle)OnlineReport (Japanese): USA (Seattle), Nov 26 2022

Kids Flights at nurseries (1): Nepal

20215 Flights
  1. UgandaOnlineUganda Flight "Light"Report (Japanese): Uganda, Feb 28 2021
  2. SyriaOnlineSyria Flight "Light"Report (Japanese): Syria, Apr 24 2021
  3. VietnamOnlineVietnam Flight Light featuring the film "Along the Sea": thinking about technical intern traineesReport (Japanese): Vietnam, Jul 19 2021
  4. Kurds in JapanOnlineGetting to know the Kurds of TokyoReport (Japanese): Kurds in Japan, Aug 18 2021
  5. ChinaOnlineTo landscapes you have never seenReport (Japanese): China, Nov 24 2021
20209 Flights
  1. Australia64 Barrack St. (Nishi-Shinbashi)Portraits of the Earth from a continent of lightReport (Japanese): Australia, Jan 19 2020
  2. IsraelDavid's Deli (Mita)A journey to learn about Jewish cultureReport (Japanese): Israel, Feb 8 2020
  3. PalestineOnlineFind New "Palestine" 2020Report (Japanese): Palestine, Feb 29 2020
  4. USA (Virginia)OnlineA journey through the history and culture of America's little-known birthplaceReport (Japanese): USA (Virginia), May 24 2020
  5. SwedenOnlineDemocracy from a country with 85% youth turnout: your step changes societyReport (Japanese): Sweden, Jul 5 2020
  6. NetherlandsOnlineDiversity, gender and the value of work: what living there revealedReport (Japanese): Netherlands, Jul 26 2020
  7. FijiOnline"Happiness habits" from a top-ranked island nation: life design for the new normalReport (Japanese): Fiji, Aug 23 2020
  8. USA (New York)OnlineA journey into New York today: COVID-19, BLM and the presidential electionReport (Japanese): USA (New York), Oct 4 2020
  9. Kurds in JapanOnlineChildren raised in Japan who face detention as adultsReport (Japanese): Kurds in Japan, Nov 15 2020
20197 Flights
  1. PolandSow Experience office (Sendagaya)The cultural flavor of a hidden film powerhouseReport (Japanese): Poland, Jan 13 2019
  2. DenmarkSOHOLM (Tennozu Isle)Hints from Denmark, a world leader in happiness: finding your own way to learn, work and liveReport (Japanese): Denmark, Mar 10 2019
  3. BrazilKobeReport (Japanese): Brazil, Apr 2019
  4. Costa RicaJICA Ichigaya, J's CafeThe future of the world, as told by paradiseReport (Japanese): Costa Rica, May 12 2019
  5. Special Flight (international cooperation)SpecialEbisu Gapao Shokudo (Thai restaurant)From South America to Africa and Asia in two hours!? Thinking about the world through foodReport (Japanese): Special Flight (international cooperation), Aug 17 2019
  6. IndonesiaJICA Ichigaya, J's CafeThe richness of slow fashion through traditional batikReport (Japanese): Indonesia, Oct 6 2019
  7. Year-end special FlightSpecialSakura Cafe HatagayaEveryone's shape of travelReport (Japanese): Year-end special Flight, Nov 30 2019
201818 Flights
  1. RussiaChaika (Takadanobaba)From "scary Russia" to "fun Russia"Report (Japanese): Russia, Jan 21 2018
  2. MalaysiaOsakaReport (Japanese): Malaysia, Mar 2018
  3. SyriaZenobia (Hiroo)Connecting Syria's past and presentReport (Japanese): Syria, Mar 18 2018
  4. EgyptOsakaReport (Japanese): Egypt, Jul 2018
  5. Sri LankaSow Experience office (Sendagaya)Rethinking your body through AyurvedaReport (Japanese): Sri Lanka, Jul 28 2018
  6. CanadaCoat of Arms (Nagoya)Report (Japanese): Canada, Aug 21 2018
  7. KenyaCalabash (Hamamatsucho)With love on African roses / the Kenya Flight bound for happinessReport (Japanese): Kenya, Sep 2 2018
  8. ZambiaSakura Cafe HatagayaWorld Food Day month: "The joy of eating together"Report (Japanese): Zambia, Oct 20 2018
  9. ItalyOsakaReport (Japanese): Italy, Dec 2018

Kids Flights at nurseries (9): USA, Italy, Canada, Colombia, Hokkaido (Japan), Taiwan, Mongolia, South Korea, Indonesia (Bali)

201732 Flights
  1. EstoniaTAM Tokyo (Kanda-Ogawamachi)Visiting the cutting edge and traditionReport (Japanese): Estonia, Jan 22 2017
  2. Saudi ArabiaOsaka Halal RestaurantReport (Japanese): Saudi Arabia, Feb 12 2017
  3. MyanmarKAIDO books & coffee (Shinagawa)Myanmar's charms through fermented foodReport (Japanese): Myanmar, Mar 12 2017
  4. SingaporeRasa (Malaysian & Singaporean restaurant)This is the cutting edge! Education in SingaporeReport (Japanese): Singapore, Jun 4 2017
  5. TibetTibet House Japan (Liaison Office of the Dalai Lama)Through the eyes of a director who followed an exiled Tibetan womanReport (Japanese): Tibet, Jul 2 2017
  6. IndiaDelhi (Ginza)It's summer, it's curry! India's charms through spicesReport (Japanese): India, Aug 19 2017
  7. UgandaCalabash (Hamamatsucho)Captivated by African printsReport (Japanese): Uganda, Oct 9 2017

Kids Flights at nurseries (25): Vanuatu, South Korea, England, Burkina Faso, England, Taiwan, Philippines, South Korea, Bolivia, Israel, Myanmar, USA, Sri Lanka, Japan, Madagascar, Colombia, Indonesia (Bali), New Zealand, Bangladesh, Italy, Uzbekistan, Mie (Japan), Belarus, Hong Kong, Portugal

201631 Flights
  1. IndonesiaPelangi Cafe (Meguro)Report (Japanese): Indonesia, Jan 30 2016
  2. PeruArco Iris Bombes (Gotanda)Report (Japanese): Peru, Feb 21 2016
  3. Switzerland (Geneva)Rissho UniversityThinking about peace and refugees over cheeseReport (Japanese): Switzerland (Geneva), Mar 26 2016
  4. Shinagawa (Japan)SpecialCafe & Hall ours (Osaki)Mini LunchTrip Shinagawa Flight: Shinagawa as seen by the crewReport (Japanese): Shinagawa (Japan), Apr 17 2016
  5. FinlandCookpad HQ (Ebisu Garden Place)A holiday in Finland's natureReport (Japanese): Finland, May 21 2016
  6. SingaporeBizReach HQ (Shibuya)Working in SingaporeReport (Japanese): Singapore, Aug 21 2016
  7. BrazilRestaurante Grill Iguaçu (Gaienmae)Colorful, delicious BrazilReport (Japanese): Brazil, Oct 30 2016
  8. MongoliaUlaanbaatar (Ryogoku)Mongolia's city and countrysideReport (Japanese): Mongolia, Dec 10 2016

Kids Flights at nurseries (23): Hokkaido (Japan), USA, Brazil, India, Nepal, Israel, Mongolia, Philippines, Nepal, Madagascar, Kazakhstan, Taiwan, Bangladesh, Brazil, Canada, USA, Niigata (Japan), Around the world, France, France, Africa, Israel, Canada

201524 Flights
  1. RussiaCafe Russia (Kichijoji)Report (Japanese): Russia, Jan 25 2015
  2. PalestineAl Mina (Kanda)Find New "Palestine"Report (Japanese): Palestine, Feb 11 2015
  3. Palestine (history & present)SpecialAl Mina (Kanda)The Palestine question: history and presentReport (Japanese): Palestine (history & present), Mar 1 2015
  4. Solomon IslandsSansan, Inc. office space (Aoyama)Life in nature without electricity, gas or running waterReport (Japanese): Solomon Islands, Mar 8 2015
  5. GhanaCalabash (Hamamatsucho)Real Ghanaian chocolate to the worldReport (Japanese): Ghana, Mar 29 2015
  6. MalaysiaMalay Asian Cuisine (Aoyama)Getting to know Malaysia through colorful foodReport (Japanese): Malaysia, Apr 19 2015
  7. Siberia (Russia)Junon (Ogikubo)With a "Sekai Fushigi Hakken!" Mystery HunterReport (Japanese): Siberia (Russia), Jun 27 2015
  8. China (Chinese cuisine)SpecialHyatt Regency TokyoLunchTrip special Flight: Chinese cuisine with Hyatt Regency TokyoReport (Japanese): China (Chinese cuisine), Aug 2 2015
  9. UzbekistanAlohiddin (Hatchobori)A crossroads of peoples and culturesReport (Japanese): Uzbekistan, Sep 6 2015
  10. Madagascar study tour ("Japan Flight" in Madagascar)SpecialMadagascarIntroduce Japan through food: a journey to know and connect with MadagascarReport (Japanese): Madagascar study tour ("Japan Flight" in Madagascar), Sep 19 2015
  11. ZambiaYennenga (Shibuya)Report (Japanese): Zambia, Sep 27 2015
  12. AustraliaTabiemon travel café (Nerima)A trip you can enjoy even with kidsReport (Japanese): Australia, Oct 17 2015
  13. EthiopiaEmbassyEthiopian Ambassador's Residence (Fukasawa)Get to know Ethiopia, East Africa's birthplace of coffeeReport (Japanese): Ethiopia, Oct 24 2015
  14. MadagascarEmbassyEmbassy of Madagascar (Moto-Azabu)Madagascar embassy Flight & tour reportReport (Japanese): Madagascar, Nov 3 2015
  15. Italymiyamas' bar & dine (Shibuya)Italy for Italy loversReport (Japanese): Italy, Dec 6 2015

Kids Flights at nurseries (9): New Zealand, Guatemala, Israel, Myanmar, Ishikawa & Fukui (Japan), Peru, Canada, Belize, Switzerland

201428 Flights
  1. Passengers' New Year's EventSpecialRoppongi Hills Club – La CucinaReport (Japanese): Passengers' New Year's Event, Jan 5 2014
  2. RussiaMoskva+7 (Umeda, Osaka)Report (Japanese): Russia, Feb 8 2014
  3. MyanmarEmbassyEmbassy of MyanmarReport (Japanese): Myanmar, Feb 9 2014
  4. EthiopiaAtari (café restaurant, PARCO)Report (Japanese): Ethiopia, Feb 20 2014
  5. SerbiaEmbassyEmbassy of SerbiaReport (Japanese): Serbia, Feb 23 2014
  6. New ZealandKiwi Kitchen (Shirokanedai)Report (Japanese): New Zealand, Mar 6 2014
  7. PhilippinesNew Kamayan (Roppongi)Report (Japanese): Philippines, Apr 7 2014
  8. KenyaCalabash (Hamamatsucho)The Maasai todayReport (Japanese): Kenya, Apr 13 2014
  9. IndiaSingh's Kitchen (Nipponbashi, Osaka)Report (Japanese): India, Apr 19 2014
  10. RwandaCalabash (Hamamatsucho)A journey to think about Rwanda today and tomorrowReport (Japanese): Rwanda, Jun 22 2014
  11. BangladeshSapana (Akasaka-mitsuke)Report (Japanese): Bangladesh, Jun 29 2014
  12. UKSherlock Holmes British pub (Umeda, Osaka)Report (Japanese): UK, Jun 29 2014
  13. LaosLan Xang (Kichijoji)Report (Japanese): Laos, Jul 20 2014
  14. AustraliaWorld Beer Museum, Grand Front OsakaReport (Japanese): Australia, Aug 31 2014
  15. Laos study tour ("Japan Flight" in Vientiane)SpecialVientiane (Laos)Introduce Japan through food: a journey to know and connect with LaosReport (Japanese): Laos study tour ("Japan Flight" in Vientiane), Sep 21 2014
  16. MexicoAmenro La Fiesta (Roppongi)Report (Japanese): Mexico, Oct 19 2014
  17. KyrgyzstanOsakaReport (Japanese): Kyrgyzstan, Oct 25 2014
  18. Laos (tour report)SpecialBackpacker's Cafe Tabibito Shokudo (Kichijoji)Laos's charms, seen and tasted: report on our first overseas tourReport (Japanese): Laos (tour report), Nov 3 2014
  19. Spain (TUFS joint lecture)SpecialTokyo University of Foreign StudiesJoint lecture: TUFS President × LunchTripReport (Japanese): Spain (TUFS joint lecture), Nov 23 2014
  20. MyanmarShwe O (Takadanobaba)Colors of MyanmarReport (Japanese): Myanmar, Dec 21 2014
  21. FranceOsakaReport (Japanese): France, Dec 23 2014

Kids Flights at nurseries (7): Australia, Nepal, Burkina Faso, Mexico, USA, India, Turkey

201315 Flights
  1. ThailandNam Thai (Shizuoka)Local is even more fun!Report (Japanese): Thailand, Feb 3 2013
  2. Icelandeatable (catering by Lilla Dalarna)Report (Japanese): Iceland, Feb 10 2013
  3. VietnamOtemachi Sankei PlazaThe Vietnam I want to know, the Vietnam I want to visitReport (Japanese): Vietnam, Feb 19 2013
  4. Italy (opera)Maestro (New National Theatre Tokyo)Report (Japanese): Italy (opera), Mar 3 2013
  5. SyriaTokyoNew international cooperation and three wonderful womenReport (Japanese): Syria, Apr 14 2013
  6. BhutanTokyoThe "happy country": what is it really like?Report (Japanese): Bhutan, May 11 2013
  7. Indonesia (Bali)Happy Bali (Shin-Osaka)Report (Japanese): Indonesia (Bali), Jun 2 2013
  8. Philippineseatable (Ebisu)Report (Japanese): Philippines, Jun 23 2013
  9. Hong KongShin Hokkaien (Roppongi)Report (Japanese): Hong Kong, Jul 28 2013
  10. IranEmbassyEmbassy of Iran (ambassador's residence)Report (Japanese): Iran, Sep 21 2013
  11. IndiaNamaste Nippon (Shizuoka)Report (Japanese): India, Sep 22 2013
  12. Passengers' EventSpecialRoppongi Hills Club – La CucinaLunchTrip Special Flight: Passengers' EventReport (Japanese): Passengers' Event, Nov 2 2013
  13. Burkina FasoYennenga (Shibuya)Report (Japanese): Burkina Faso, Nov 16 2013
  14. KenyaCalabash (Hamamatsucho)Report (Japanese): Kenya, Dec 1 2013
  15. CambodiaAngkor Wat (Yoyogi)Report (Japanese): Cambodia, Dec 8 2013
201213 Flights
  1. Saudi ArabiaEmbassyRoyal Embassy of Saudi ArabiaSaudi youth culture / Saudi–Japan tiesReport (Japanese): Saudi Arabia, Jan 22 2012
  2. IndonesiaJembatan Merah (Shinjuku)Report (Japanese): Indonesia, Mar 25 2012
  3. France & Italy (Paris–Milan)FukuokaParis–Milan: travel as if you live thereReport (Japanese): France & Italy (Paris–Milan), May 2012
  4. NepalGanesha (Shibuya)Nepali food and clothing cultureReport (Japanese): Nepal, Jun 10 2012
  5. MadagascarEmbassyEmbassy of Madagascar (Hiroo)Madagascar and Japan: find what we shareReport (Japanese): Madagascar, Jul 7 2012
  6. TanzaniaEmbassyEmbassy of Tanzania (Yoga)Tanzania and Japan: what each can learn from the otherReport (Japanese): Tanzania, Jul 21 2012
  7. Indonesia (business seminar)SpecialJembatan Merah (Shinjuku)Was 7-Eleven in Indonesia a restaurant business?Report (Japanese): Indonesia (business seminar), Sep 26 2012
  8. HawaiiTsunami Royal Palace (Ebisu)The Hawaii you can't put in a bookReport (Japanese): Hawaii, Sep 30 2012
  9. Travel talk (no single destination)SpecialJembatan Merah (Shinjuku)LunchTrip! Let's chat about travelReport (Japanese): Travel talk (no single destination), Oct 27 2012
  10. Brazil (business seminar)SpecialCafé do Centro (Marunouchi)Keys to developing people and going globalReport (Japanese): Brazil (business seminar), Oct 31 2012
  11. Indonesia (business seminar)SpecialJembatan Merah (Shinjuku)What would you do with JKT48?Report (Japanese): Indonesia (business seminar), Nov 9 2012
  12. PakistanEmbassyEmbassy of Pakistan (Hiroo)Design a tour to get to know PakistanReport (Japanese): Pakistan, Nov 18 2012
  13. BrazilBacana (Ginza)With a guide who took leave to travel around the worldReport (Japanese): Brazil, Dec 16 2012
20117 Flights
  1. JordanAl Mina (Kanda)Report (Japanese): Jordan, Mar 20 2011
  2. EgyptEmbassyEmbassy of EgyptReport (Japanese): Egypt, May 14 2011
  3. FinlandFinland Cafe (Daikanyama)Report (Japanese): Finland, Jul 3 2011
  4. Costa RicaFukuokaReport (Japanese): Costa Rica, Aug 21 2011
  5. TogoCalabash (Hamamatsucho)Report (Japanese): Togo, Sep 4 2011
  6. CroatiaShinmachi Most (Osaka)Report (Japanese): Croatia, Oct 16 2011
  7. MongoliaUlaanbaatar (Ryogoku)Report (Japanese): Mongolia, Nov 3 2011
20107 Flights
  1. NorwayAlt Gott (Kichijoji)Report (Japanese): Norway, Feb 21 2010
  2. Canada (Vancouver)Good Honest Grub (Ebisu)Report (Japanese): Canada (Vancouver), Apr 25 2010
  3. Africa (Cameroonian food)Mitsubishi Corporation (in-house, 28th-floor room)Report (Japanese): Africa (Cameroonian food), Jun 10 2010
  4. ThailandIm Aroi (Nakameguro)Report (Japanese): Thailand, Jun 20 2010
  5. SpainEspaña (Shinjuku)The Tomato Festival and ways of workingReport (Japanese): Spain, Aug 22 2010
  6. PolandDášenka (Czech restaurant, Yotsuya)Report (Japanese): Poland, Oct 24 2010
  7. South KoreaHanmiri (Shin-Okubo)Discover an unseen Korea, told by a Korea expertReport (Japanese): South Korea, Dec 19 2010
20096 Flights
  1. PeruTokyoReport (Japanese): Peru, Feb 14 2009
  2. ChinaRakurakuyaReport (Japanese): China, Apr 5 2009
  3. TurkeyBosphorus Hasan (Shinjuku 2-chome)Report (Japanese): Turkey, Jun 7 2009
  4. IndiaTaj Mahal (Nishi-Shinjuku)Report (Japanese): India, Aug 23 2009
  5. EgyptPalmyra (Ikebukuro)Report (Japanese): Egypt, Oct 25 2009
  6. ArgentinaCosta Latina (Komaba)Report (Japanese): Argentina, Dec 23 2009
20083 Flights
  1. CambodiaAngkor Wat (Yoyogi)Report (Japanese): Cambodia, Aug 31 2008
  2. HawaiiMuuMuu Coffee (Aoyama-itchome)Report (Japanese): Hawaii, Oct 13 2008
  3. IsraelDavid's Deli (Shirokane-Takanawa)Report (Japanese): Israel, Dec 2008

On board

About two and a half hours, always in the same order

1. Pre-flight reading

Passengers read up on the country before boarding.

2. The guide’s introduction

Someone who has lived there introduces the country.

3. Workshop

Small groups take on a discussion, a debate or a “what would you do?”

4. The meal

Everyone shares an authentic meal from the country.

Attendees are passengers, volunteers are crew, and the person who has lived in the country is the guide.

Passengers

Get a real stamp

At the Flight, the crew shows a QR code. Scan it with your phone camera and an in-person stamp goes into your Virtual Flights passport, next to the countries you’ve flown to online.

Crew

Make the stamp code

Pick the country and the date, then show the code on a screen or print it as a poster. It works for any country, not just the ones in Virtual Flights.

Open the crew page →

Hosts and guides

Bring a Flight to your town

Have you lived in another country, or would you like to host a Flight at your school or community center? We’d love to hear from you.

Get in touch →