[MMM]

Ninnikuya is one of my favorite restaurants in Japan. The name means "Garlic Restaurant" and almost every dish has garlic in it.

It really isn't hard to walk around Umeda, Osaka or Sannomiya Japan and find hundreds of restaurants within a few blocks. Be sure to have yakiniku (table-top bbq) somewhere nice. Okonomiyaki in Osaka will be a must eat, but get it at a place where they can make it for you, not where you have to make it yourself (until you get good at it). A tradition meal in Kyoto will be a must, but it can also be had at a ryokan where you stay. These can be expensive and amazing, and should be had at least once.

I would recommend more than picking restaurants, picking what you want to eat. If you are staying at hotels they'll be able to help you out, no doubt.