Japan Express
Last inspected: Jan 14, 2026
74
Score
Inspectors have visited Japan Express nine times, with records going back to 2022. The most recent report on file is from Jan 14, 2026. Medium risk typically reflects a handful of issues that inspectors wrote up but didn't deem critical.
The picture has improved over the last few visits: recent inspections have averaged around six violations, down from roughly nine violations earlier in the record.
The most common issue across all inspections has been “handwash sink not accessible for employee use”, showing up five times.
Restaurants in Winter Park average 83, so Japan Express trails the local norm. Taken together, the history looks like that of a busy facility working through the usual inspection cycle.
9
Inspections
0
Critical latest
1
Major latest
4
Minor latest
Inspection History
Jan 14, 2026
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 4 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Intermediate - No soap provided at handwash sink. Hand wash sink at dish area **Corrected On-Site**
31B-03-4
Basic - Ceiling vent missing. At prep area
36-36-4
Basic - Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. Chicken thawing at room temperature. Operator placed inside walk in cooler **Corrected On-Site**
06-01-5
Basic - Walk-in cooler shelves with rust that has pitted the surface.
14-17-4
Basic - Water leaking from pipe and/or faucet/handle. Leaking faucet at hand wash sink at prep station
29-11-4
74
Aug 6, 2025
Routine - Food
2 major violations. 5 minor violations.
View 7 violations
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Hand wash sink blocked with plastic container at dish area **Corrected On-Site**
31A-09-4
Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Sanitizer spray bottle with no label next to register **Corrected On-Site**
41-17-4
Basic - Current Hotel and Restaurant license not displayed.
50-09-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. Teriyaki container in walk in cooler **Corrected On-Site**
08B-38-4
Basic - Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. Interior of microwave soiled next to sushi station **Corrected On-Site**
22-08-4
Basic - Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust. Walls soiled with grease next to fryer
36-27-5
Basic - Water leaking from pipe and/or faucet/handle. Leaking faucet in hand wash sink next to prep station
29-11-4
64
Feb 20, 2025
Routine - Food
2 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place
FL-36
Equipment Adequate to Maintain Product Temperature
FL-29
67
Oct 24, 2024
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 5 minor violations.
View 8 violations
High Priority - Raw animal foods not properly separated from one another based upon minimum required cooking temperature when stored in a freezer - not all products commercially packaged. Raw chicken over raw shrimp in white chest freezer **Corrected On-Site**
08A-17-6
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Bucket inside handwash sink **Corrected On-Site**
31A-09-4
Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Sani spray Bottle with no label next to drive thru window **Corrected On-Site**
41-17-4
Basic - Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. In chest freezers
14-69-4
Basic - Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. Interior of microwave with food debris
22-08-4
Basic - Open dumpster lid. **Corrected On-Site**
33-16-4
Basic - Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust. Walls around kitchen soiled with grease
36-27-5
Basic - Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. In cook line **Corrected On-Site**
21-12-4
55
Apr 10, 2024
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 5 minor violations.
View 7 violations
Proper Eating, Tasting, Drinking, or Tobacco Use
FL-06
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Proper Sanitizer Contact Time and Concentration
FL-33
Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place
FL-36
Food and Non-Food Contact Surfaces Designed and Constructed
FL-50
Potentially Hazardous Food Held at Proper Temperature
FL-16
43
Oct 31, 2023
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 2 major violations. 8 minor violations.
View 12 violations
High Priority - Non-food grade paper/paper towel used as liner for food container. Cut onions stored in bus tub lined with cardboard. Operator discarded onions **Corrected On-Site**
14-86-1
High Priority - Stop Sale issued due to food not being in a wholesome, sound condition. Cut onions stored in bus tub lined with cardboard box
01B-13-4
Intermediate - No soap provided at handwash sink. At hand wash sink at dish wash area **Corrected On-Site**
31B-03-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Hand wash sink at dish wash area blocked by by soiled dishes.Operator moved to sink **Corrected On-Site**
31A-09-4
Basic - Exterior door has a gap at the threshold that opens to the outside. Exit door at back of kitchen
35B-01-4
Basic - Food not stored at least 6 inches off of the floor. Cooking oil stored on floor at cooks line **Corrected On-Site**
08B-47-4
Basic - Garbage enclosure area in disrepair. The door is rusted on the right side and dented Dumpster lid is open
33-24-4
Basic - In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses. Tongs stored on flat top grill handle at cooks line **Corrected On-Site**
10-20-4
Basic - Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. Interior of microwaves at cooks line and sushi bar
22-08-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Under flat top grill on cooks line has accumulation of grease debris
23-03-4
Basic - Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. Thawing tuna in walk in cooler not removed from packaging as directed by instructions
06-01-5
Basic - Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust. Walls throughout kitchen and at storage area where boxed sodas are stored
36-27-5
41
Aug 2, 2023
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
Jun 2, 2023
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 3 major violations. 5 minor violations.
View 9 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw beef stored over margarine and cream cheese in the walk in cooler **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
08A-05-6
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Hand washing sink at front counter had chemical bottle stored in the sink **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
31A-09-4
Intermediate - No proof provided that food employees are informed of their responsibility to report to the person in charge information about their health and activities related to foodborne illnesses. Printed operator food employee reporting agreement **Warning**
11-26-1
Intermediate - Required employee training expired for all employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. **Warning**
53B-05-5
Basic - Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. Microwave at front line **Warning**
22-08-4
Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Flour had bowl instead of scoop located at prod area **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
14-01-5
Basic - Employee personal food not properly identified and segregated from food to be served to the public. Employee food stored in glass reach in cooler at the front line **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
08B-49-4
Basic - Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. Yellow fin tuna thawing in packaging that required to be removed before thawing. Item was still frozen,operator cut packaging **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
06-01-5
Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Flour and salt removed from original packaging with no label at prep area **Warning**
02D-01-5
50
Dec 14, 2022
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 1 major violation. 7 minor violations.
View 10 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over or with unwashed produce. Raw shrimp over ready to eat **Corrected On-Site**
08A-04-5
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over canned/bottled drinks. Shell eggs over case of soda **Corrected On-Site**
08A-11-5
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Hand washing sink located at prep area blocked by acrylic pans **Corrected On-Site**
31A-09-4
Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. In use large white square cutting board
14-09-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. Cases of teriyaki glaze and vinegar stored on the floor by cooks line **Corrected On-Site**
08B-38-4
Basic - In-use ice scoop stored on soiled surface between uses. Ice scoop stored in soiled scoop holder.Operator removed and washed ice scoop and holder **Corrected On-Site**
10-12-5
Basic - Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. Two microwaves in facility have soiled interiors
22-08-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Filters and cover on ice machine have an accumulation of dust
23-03-4
Basic - Single-service articles improperly stored. Single serve spoons and lids stored on floor by the drive thru **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
25-05-4
Basic - Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. At the front line wet towel stored next to sanitizer spray. Operator made bucket with chlorine to store wet wiping cloth. Took reading of solution 100ppm **Corrected On-Site**
21-12-4
47
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Japan Express last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Japan Express on file is from Jan 14, 2026. The public record contains nine inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Japan Express?
Across the inspection record, “handwash sink not accessible for employee use” has been cited five times, more than any other issue at Japan Express.
How does Japan Express compare to other restaurants in Winter Park?
Japan Express most recently scored 74 out of 100, which is lower than the Winter Park average of 83.
Has Japan Express' inspection record improved over time?
Yes. Recent inspections at Japan Express have averaged around six violations per visit, down from roughly nine earlier in the record.
What does a medium risk rating mean?
A medium risk rating at Japan Express means the most recent inspection turned up a handful of issues that the health department wrote up but did not classify as critical.
How often is Japan Express inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Japan Express is inspected around three times per year on average.
Nearby Restaurants