Japan is a country of rich culinary heritage shaped by various geographical and social factors. Its cuisine is protected by UNESCO as a world intangible cultural heritage. The japanese food philosophy is characterized by a strong connection with nature, respect for food and such processing that will emphasize their natural beauty, seasonality and taste. Japanese aesthetics and elaboration of dishes have influenced and shaped world gastronomic trends for more than half a century. In addition to being rich in flavors, Japanese cuisine is one, along with the Mediterranean diet, of the healthiest in the world. Current gastronomic trends are shaped primarily by consumer demand for better health, desire for new ethnic tastes, increased environmental awareness, ethical production, increased demand for quality products without harmful ingredients and the demand for sustainability. Japanese cuisine naturally imposes itself in response to the needs of the modern consumer. The aim of this paper is to show that in Croatia, a country of diverse culinary traditions, Japanese cuisine is present as part of world gastronomic trends. Croatia is also a Mediterranean country, rich in fish and seafood, and has excellent conditions for combining Japanese cuisine with Croatian ingredients.