Nah that is comparing apples and oranges. Roti does Steaks, Oysters, Burgers etc. whereas Cicada is all about Mediterranean dishes - Tagines, 20 types of Sherry, various dips and flat breads etc. I otherwise agree that neither are basically anywhere near the best at being representative, but that depends on what the questioner is really looking for.

Excellent recommendations from Uncle Yabai and to my mind mostly spot on comments, though a bit harsh on Cicada I thought! However it is tough to get a reservation at Cicada since the recent change of location.

Tony Roma's was just a provocative example. The ribs at Hato's have hardly any meat on them and as a result are underwhelming and expensive. The smoke, marinade and sauce they use are excellent, but surely ribs are supposed to be satisfying and substantial comfort food. That is the ethos of barbecue. Hato's is otherwise an excellent place, a shame you normally need a reservation to get in, but absolutely worth going to.

Ribs, Tony Roma's - at least they are meaty, substantial, old-school yes but this is 'comfort food' not Michelin star cuisine. Heck, make that most USA menus around town, those ribs at Hatos are style over substance. This all being true, I echo other voices saying that Baird Beer's Taproom in Bashamichi has very good and authentic barbecue as a whole, whether on the bar menu or the huge individual Fat Boy Ribs for those that crave such a thing, that they grill for you one by one, price decided per 100g. I personally also like the Sakura smoked chicken.

Very generous report, enjoyed reading it

20 minute walk from the station to the festival, interesting but not culinarily inspiring. Go for the culture but not the food. Not far enough away from Tokyo to be unique or regionally quirky.

You are on the right track with the Ryokan's own food the first night. Go local, it is not such a big place, more of a town than a city, and there really aren't any destination restaurants to fail to find and miss out on. You really need to decide when you get there. It is nothing like Tokyo.

Quintessence, as is less Japanese therefore can be found elsewhere.

Ninisix, I am sure that you are trying to help, but I cannot understand your English. What does 'chose Ginza' mean, and what connection does tsumami have to this thread?