Sushi is tourists' favourite Japanese dish: survey

Foreign tourists visiting Japan enjoy sushi above any other national dish, according to a survey by the Japan National Tourism Organisation.

The state-run agency said it interviewed more than 15,000 foreign tourists as they left Japan and asked what their favourite food had been during their visit.

Four out of ten picked sushi - morsels of vinegar-flavoured rice usually served with sliced raw seafood.

Ramen, a noodle soup that originated in China, came in second with 21 percent of visitors placing it top, just ahead of sashimi - bite-sized slices of raw fish.

Tempura - fish, shellfish or vegetables deep fried in batter - was fourth and udon, a thick noodle made from wheat flour, was fifth.