A sheikh’s love letter to Japanese food in Dubai, from Yamanote to Mimi San

Earlier this year, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, declared his love of Japan after an eventful trip.

Its tourism industry is thriving once more, as visitors from the UAE (making use of eVisas rolled out this year) travel for a taste of its famed cuisine, with sushi and ramen two of the many popular staples.

Sheikh Hamdan is not the only member of an Emirati ruling family who has an affection for the Far East, with Sheikh Suhail Al Maktoum even setting up his own Japanese cafe Yamanote Atelier, which specialises in baked goods, from croissants to tarts and buns.