Co-bloggers E & M go to Japan just about every year or multiple times a year, and would unequivocally say it is our favorite country in the world to visit. We often joke about just moving there, because it’s such an awesome country (M isn’t joking anymore, he lives there now!) Anytime we hear friends or family say they’re thinking about going to Japan, we immediately start gushing about how amazing it is, how awesome/polite/kind the people are, how safe it is, and how you’d never get bored or run out of things to do there, etc etc. It really has something for everyone. With Japan becoming more and more accessible through fare deals and award availability, I am regularly getting questions for what to do, where to eat, etc.

Similar to my other Trip Suggestions posts, the *** denotes things I feel like are must-do’s. Of course, everyone’s interests are different, but hopefully this will give you a good starting point. This post will be a constant work in progress, as Michael and I input more experiences of our own each time we go, and collect must-do suggestions from friends and readers.

General Info

  • www.japan-guide.com – Almost everything you need to know, from top-rated attractions, opening times, entrance fees, how to get from A to B, learn about the differences between the types of transportation, view cherry blossom schedule, etc etc. This is by far my favorite and the most comprehensive guide I suggest to everyone for planning your own trip to Japan. I wish every country had such a thorough and detailed free guide like this on the internet!
  • www.tabelog.com – The premier food guide to Japan. Anything above 3.5 (out of 5) is going to be amazing by our standards because the Japanese are very very critical. However, the only problem is this site is in Japanese, so it may be a bit difficult to navigate.
  • www.tokyocheapo.com – Japan doesn’t have to be expensive. Get lots of ideas from here.
  • Japan Rail Pass – 7/14/21-day passes available for unlimited rides on the JR system, including one of the bullet trains. Weigh the advantages/disadvantages against just flying with Avios. JR pass would be more flexible and efficient (i.e. don’t have to go to the airport, not tied down to specific flight times, no delays, etc).
    • Rail Pass Calculator – Use this site to calculate whether you will save money with a rail pass vs. just buying individual tickets. (Thanks for pointing this one out Dawn! See, japan-guide.com is amazing!)
  • hyperdia.com – Transportation timetable and route calculator for everything except for city buses.
  • Suica card – Transportation card for subways/trains, also widely accepted at all convenience stores, many restaurants, lockers, stores, etc. Definitely get one! This blog post contains lots of photos on navigating the machine to buy a physical card.
    • You can now add Suica to Apple Pay! You can either create one from scratch, or transfer a physical card onto Apple Pay (if you do, you can no longer use the plastic card). P.S. Use CSR to load for 3x and pay everywhere with it! You don’t need to unlock your phone when swiping, so it is very convenient. I love it because my phone is always in my hand already anyways (looking at directions, etc). You can also reload on the fly and it gives you instant notifications whenever you use it and an easy to read transaction history. So much better than the physical card.
    • Update: there is now an English app to make it a lot easier to add Suica to your phone.
  • Buying discount tickets:
    • If you are are willing to brave a Japanese interface, Loppi machines, located at Lawson convenience stores can provide great discounts. Often you can search online for “Loppi [insert name of activity]” and you can find the code to enter and the current deals. Here is a guide to using Loppi machines.
    • Another way to buy discounted tickets are at kinken shops. These are shops located near major subway stations (one major store is Access Tickets) that sell discounted train tickets and activity tickets like Disneyland. I’ve personally used it for saving $20 on a Disneyland ticket! It’s at your own risk, but I think the risk is low.
  • Pocket Concierge – Get reservations at popular restaurants for a small fee. Good option if you don’t have a hotel concierge to work with. Most upscale restaurants won’t take reservations from foreigners directly without working with a hotel concierge, and American Express Platinum Concierge will only work with your hotel concierge.
  • Department store food courts
    • Go to the basements of any large department store like Isetan or Hankyu and you will find a wonderful world of amazing food. Great for when you are out wandering and are hungry and don’t have time for a sit-down restaurant or to wait in line at some popular ramen joint.
  • Money:
    • Japan is a cash-based society. Make sure to withdraw plenty of cash with your bank debit card at the airport (for good rates). Good debit cards are Schwab and CapitalOne.
    • Most ATMs in Japan will not work with your American debit card. You’ll need to find a 7-11 (they’re everywhere), a post office, or an American bank like Citibank in order to withdraw more cash.
    • Good general tip is to not use a money exchange counter. Use an ATM.
  • If you’re a big fan of the reality television series Terrace House, they have seasons set in Tokyo, Shonan (south of Tokyo) and in Karuizawa (a ski resort town 1 hour northwest of Tokyo.) Here are Google saved maps of all the locations they go on the show. They tend to be good ideas for restaurants, bars, and cool areas to check out.

Seasons

Sakura (cherry blossom) season:

Summer season (hot and humid):

  • Recommend doing indoor activities and nighttime activities, or visiting cooler parts of the country like Hokkaido. Okinawa is also a great choice, for scuba, etc.
  • Fireworks season – in the hot summers, the thing to do is dress up in yukatas (thin and light summer kimonos) and go out with your SO, friends, or family to one of Japan’s amazing pyrotechnic shows. Seriously, once you go to one of these, American fireworks shows will look like little sparklers. These Japanese shows often set off over 15k fireworks and are huge, stunning displays that will leave you speechless. If you go to Japan in the summer, you MUST go to a fireworks show! Tokyo has a bunch almost every weekend, but there are huge shows held elsewhere in the country as well. You’ll want to google for the current calendar, but here’s one example search result.

Fall (colors) season:

  • To be added – definitely hit up Kyoto

Winter (snow) season:

  • To be added – obviously, Hokkaido and Niseko, and the snow monkey onsen

Tokyo

Stay

  • Hyatt:
    • *** Andaz Tokyo!!!! (Cat 7) *** – Toranomon, HIGHLY recommended. Definitely our favorite Hyatt in the world. Incredible views. Has a nice cocktail hour, even more amazing breakfast. Just a few blocks from the station (on flat ground) on the convenient Ginza line. Great pool/fitness area with beautiful views (and famous for their carbonated hot tub, there’s also a water massage pool too), and if you like free massage chairs, the private ones in the locker rooms are excellent. 😀 Globalists get free rentals of swimsuits, swim caps, goggles, workout shirts/shorts, socks, and shoes. The guest rooms are well-appointed and all have great unobstructed views. Great bathroom amenities and has a Toto Neorest which is definitely worth mentioning (self-opening/closing, self flushing, self cleaning, heated, all that good stuff).
    • *** Park Hyatt Tokyo (Cat 7) *** – Shinjuku, great views, highly recommended for the experience, but inconvenient to the super busy/confusing Shinjuku station (uphill walk from the station for 15-20 min, there is a shuttle but we hardly used it due to the timings and long waits).
    • Grand Hyatt Tokyo (Cat6) – Roppongi, easier chance of getting a suite upgrade if you’re Globalist. The suites are nice. Great views if you get a high floor, has a nice club lounge with mediocre breakfast and great happy hour, a convenient location to the subway, and attached to a nice mall. Also has free rentals of swim/workout gear for Globalists. Their pool/spa/fitness area is nice, but has no views. They do have free massage chairs too, though! Pro Tip: If you don’t like June Jacobs amenities, you can request for REN amenities which are significantly better.
    • Hyatt Regency Tokyo (Cat 3) – Shinjuku, good views, decent hotel with a club lounge, relatively small mediocre breakfast and happy hour, convenient to Shinjuku station (few blocks walk on flat ground). I still hate the Shinjuku station though. Otherwise a bit dated. Was recently downgraded from Category 4 to 3, which is more fitting, in my opinion.
    • Hyatt Centric Ginza (Cat 6) – Ginza, very modern and new hotel with nice suites, relatively small breakfast, no views, no cocktail hour, no onsen or pool. Very convenient location to multiple subway and JR lines, smack in the middle of amazing shopping for all budgets, and great for spending the night before a flight out as it is on a direct line to the airport.
    • In my opinion, I would stay at Andaz Tokyo > Grand Hyatt > Hyatt Centric > Park Hyatt > Hyatt Regency based on convenience first and luxury second
  • SPG/Marriott/Ritz-Carlton:
    • *** Prince Gallery Kioicho *** – HIGHLY recommended by my friend Kenneth and many others. Incredible views, amazing breakfast. Convenient as it is located directly on top of a subway station.
    • Ritz Carlton Tokyo – Roppongi Hills, great high views, convenient to the new and impressive Tokyo Midtown mall.
  • Hilton:
    • Conrad – Shiodome, beautiful hotel with great views if you can get the Rainbow Bridge side, and located close to Tsukiji and Shimbashi. Breakfast in the club lounge is decent.
  • IHG:
    • Intercontinental ANA The Strings – Shinagawa, beautiful hotel with gorgeous water feature in the lobby, located in the JR East One building on top of the bustling Shinagawa station. Easy station to navigate and only 15 min ride to Haneda. Great location for a last night in Tokyo.
  • Other:
    • First Cabin Kyobashi – great “capsule hotel” with segregated men’s and women’s areas, very cheap but super modern and clean. Great proximity to Tokyo Station, Kyobashi Station, and Takaracho Station (direct access to HND), and walking distance from Ginza. Book it on hotels.com with discounted gift cards. Was around $30-40 per night when booked it, great for a one night stay before an early flight. Not a good choice for light sleepers since you will be able to hear others snoring.

Transportation

NRT:

  • By far the fastest way – take Keisei Skyliner into town (41 min from NRT to Ueno for around US$20). If you buy the tickets online in advance you can get a discount. Consider getting the bundle with the unlimited Tokyo subway pass.
  • There’s also the Narita Express (NEX) which takes you to major train stations like Shinjuku, Shibuya, Yokohama, etc. If you want to get tickets for the Narita Express but there’s a long line at the ticket counters, you can also get your tickets at the Travel Service Center. It’s around US$27 one-way or US$36 round-trip (this is the discount price for foreigners).
  • I’ve never used it, but apparently the airport limousine buses are comfortable and can drop you off and pick you up at major hotels. Cost is around US $30 for adults, but there are discount tickets for foreigners, such as 4 ticket pack for US $80 or a round trip for US $45 if only flying in and out of Narita. https://www.limousinebus.co.jp/en/bus_services/narita/index
    • There’s a US ~$10 bus as well that goes to Tokyo Station: http://www.keiseibus.co.jp/inbound/tokyoshuttle/en/
  • Luggage delivery to/from the airport. Luggage delivery in Japan is a very common service and not actually too expensive. Japan is actually efficient enough to offer same day luggage delivery to almost anywhere. Prices range from $10-25 for a piece, depending on size. https://www.gpa-net.co.jp/en/passenger-service/baggage-delivery/to_airport.html
  • Definitely do NOT take a taxi (US$300+!)
  • Narita offers free tours of the town if you have a long layover: http://www.narita-transit-program.jp/ (from my friend Dawn at ShareTraveler.com, thanks!)

HND:

  • Take the Keikyu subway line (<30 min). Super easy, and awesome airport. The Tokyo monorail goes to Hamamatsucho and is around US $6, or is covered by the JR Rail Pass. The Asakusa subway line also goes to and from Haneda airport.
    • Be sure to explore the 4th and 5th floors before you enter security! It’s a lot more interesting and fun before security — there is a cute Kyoto-themed street with its own “yokocho” (alley of restaurants), a bunch of cute stores, a Japanese-style bridge and “shrine”, an outdoor observation deck to view takeoffs and landings, a Don Quijote, flight simulator games, and even a planetarium café.

Tokyo Recommendations map

A map of cool things to do and see, and hype restaurants in Tokyo, curated off of Tabelog, RamenDB, Ramen Beast, and personal experience/recommendations. Keep in mind that these are popular restaurants, so there will likely be a line!

Sushi

Top 50 sushi restaurants in Tokyo according to Tabelog.com users (the Yelp of Japan.)

Dessert

Kantaro the Sweet Toothed Salaryman is a Japanese show on Netflix about a Tokyo salaryman who goofs off during his sales visits by stopping by dessert shops. The places are real, so worth checking out if you are really into dessert. Japanese desserts have a large varieties (parfaits, shaved ice, chocolates, puddings, pancakes, bean desserts, jellies, etc.) so go satisfy that sweet tooth!

Here is a list and map of all the places visited on the show.

Mochi (Dessert)

Themed Cafes

  • Owl café
  • Cat cafés

Other

  • Other things to look out for:
    • Nagasaki champon noodles (pork broth with egg noodles and seafood)
    • Onigiri (triangular seaweed-wrapped rice and stuffings) – found at any convenience store, great for a snack
    • Butadon (pork rice bowl)
    • Oyakodon (chicken rice bowl)
    • Takoyaki (octopus balls, more of an Osaka thing)
    • Okonomiyaki (savory pancake, more of an Osaka thing)

Ikebukuro

  • Sunshine City – First city within a city. Aquarium, theme parks, museum, planetarium, shops, restaurants, skyscraper with observation deck. Great place for kids.
    • Namja Town – Fun indoor theme park to bring kids. Lots of games, small rides and attractions, food corners like gyoza stadium.

Shibuya

  • *** Shibuya Crossing *** – Hachiko exit of Shibuya Station. Fun to people-watch from the second floor of Starbucks overlooking the crossing (above the Tsutaya sign).
  • *** Yoyogi Park *** – Nice huge park, fun for people watching and sakura picnics (hanami). Between Harajuku and Shibuya. Free.
  • *** Meiji Shrine *** – Next to Yoyogi Park, beautiful shrine in a forrest. Free.
  • Dog Heart – play with puppies and dogs, you can even rent one to take to the nearby Yoyogi Park for an hour!

Harajuku

  • *** Takeshita-dori *** – Fun people watching, small street for shopping, seeing interesting things, and eating Marion Crepes.
  • Ometesando Hills – High end shopping, also some high quality local shops (but if you’re going to Kyoto, save your souvenir shopping for there!)

Ebisu

Tsukiji

  • Tsukiji Outer Market – Lots of great street food, try the tamago (egg) on a stick.
  • Wholesale Market – Can’t go in before 10 am.
  • Tsukiji Fish Market – The famous fish market that will be moving (and closing to the public) soon. Go while you can and check out the tuna auction (research online for times/ticket info). Then eat breakfast at one of the famous sushi restaurants nearby like Sushi Dai or Daiwa.

Shiodome

  • Shiodome City Center – Check out the Panasonic Living Showroom (free) to see some innovation and technology and the Ghibli clock on the Nippon TV Tower.
  • *** Hama Rikyu *** – One of my favorite Japanese gardens in Tokyo. Has a nice teahouse. Y300 admission, near Shiodome Station or via the Tokyo Water Bus.

Marunouchi/Tokyo Station

  • *** Tokyo Station *** – Beautiful from the outside and fun to explore all the underground shops and restaurants.
  • *** Imperial Palace / East Gardens / Kitanomaru Park *** – Free public gardens. Walk around the moat to Chidorigafuchi and view the romantic couples rowing their boats under the trees (especially beautiful when they’re in full bloom during sakura season).
  • Tokyo International Forum – attend one of the exhibits or events here.

Ginza

  • Shopping – upscale shopping district with really beautiful architecture, most of the nicest restaurants are located here. Visit on a weekend when the central street is closed to traffic.
  • Kabukiza Theater – Awesome architecture. Consider watching a play.
  • *** Sony Building *** – Huge showroom (multi-story) with the latest products to play with. Fun for kids as well. Free.

Roppongi Hills

  • *** Don Quijote *** – The largest Don Quijote, open 24 hours, 8 stories of interesting shopping. Tax-free for tourists (just check out at the correct desk).
  • Mori Garden – Japanese landscape garden and great place for sakura.
  • Mori Tower – Skyscraper with observation deck.

Akihabara

  • Go electronics shopping
  • Check out a Maid Cafe (you will definitely be solicited for one while you’re walking around, but list any here that you’d particularly recommend)
  • Tokyo Anime Center
  • Sega VR Area at Sega Tower 3, 6th Floor – a full body VR experience (it tracks your full body movements/walking), reserve a spot online
  • People watch or try your hand at pachinko games
  • Good description of many attractions in Akihabara

Asakusa

  • *** Nakamise Dori & Shin-Nakamise Dori *** – The historic and beautiful shopping street that leads up to Sensoji Temple.
  • *** Sensoji Temple *** – Possibly the most famous/touristy temple in Tokyo, it is beautiful. Free.
  • *** Sumida Park *** – Walk along the river and enjoy the sakura and skyline.
  • *** Tokyo Water Bus *** – Cruise in the futuristic Himiko boat down the river from Asakusa Pier underneath all the awesome bridges (best one is Rainbow Bridge, esp at night) to Odaiba! 50 minutes, Y1560, 2-4 boats per day, from Sumida Park.

Ueno

  • Ueno Park – Nice pond in the middle, has food stalls somewhere in the middle. A lot of stuff to explore. Gorgeous especially during cherry blossom season. Many temples, museums, and a zoo.

Other

  • Go karaoke!

Day Trips

Hakone/Fuji Five Lakes

Stay

  • Hyatt:
    • *** Hyatt Regency Hakone *** – highly recommended. Amazing breakfast. Fairly short walk to one of the cable car stations, which connects to the Hakone Ropeway. Free hotel shuttle to Odawara Station.

Transportation

Food

Do

  • Hakone Open Air Museum
  • Yunnesun – awesome unique onsens like red wine, green tea, coffee baths
  • Hakone Round Course
    • Hakone Ropeway
      • Stop at Owakudani Station and walk up to Kurotamago Teahouse (famous for sulfur and black onsen eggs)
    • Lake Ashi pirate ship sightseeing cruise = 30 min to Hakonemachi-ko
      • Walk to Hakone Check Point and explore
      • Walk to Onshi Hakone Koen Park and explore
    • Walk Cedar Avenue between Hakonemachi and Motohakone – beautiful cedar trees
    • Motohakone-ko
      • Hakone Jinja Shrine (free)
      • Hotel Yamano for the azaleas (Y800)
      • Ashinoko-chaya (discount available with Fuji Hakone Pass) famous for udon/soba with tofu skin (right next to the port)
    • Walk Old Tokaido Road (or take bus line K) from Motohakone to Amazake Chaya
      • Amazake Chaya – oldest teahouse, famous for hot, sweet rice wine and snacks
  • Kirin Fuji-Gotemba Distillery Tour – free tour of whisky distillery (reservations required)
  • Fuji Five Lakes – Kawaguchi-ko is the most developed
    • *** Kachi Kachi Ropeway *** – view of the lake and Mt. Fuji from a gondola. Can take gondola up and hike 30 min down, or vice versa, or just take it roundtrip. Discount available with Fuji Hakone Pass.
    • *** Arakura Sengen Shrine/Chureito Pagoda *** (beautiful pagoda with backdrop of Mt. Fuji. In the spring, you’d also have sakura blossoms in this view)
    • *** Fuji Subaru Land Doggy Park *** – hundreds of dogs to play with, rental dogs available. You can also play with goats. Lots of other attractions here too, check out their website and click on Play. Great for kids. Discount available with Fuji Hakone Pass.
    • *** Kawaguchiko Natural Living Center *** (free)
    • Wind/Ice Caves
  • *** Fuji Shibazakura Festival *** – beautiful pink moss flowers with a backdrop of Mt. Fuji, this festival is usually in May. Check the bloom status on their Facebook page, they will post a photo daily so you can decide whether or not to go. Nice festival food as well, like wagyu on a stick!
  • Tulip Festival at Grinpa – best seen in late April/early May. Check the bloom status on their Facebook page before deciding to go that day.
  • *** Oshino Hakkai *** (8 ponds)
  • Fuji-Q theme park
  • Yamanakako Hananomiyako Flower Park (free) – check flowering status on their Facebook page. The bus stop is Hananomiyako Koen (5 min from Oshino Hakkai).

Nagoya

Stay

Transportation

  • Shinkansen

Food

Do

  • Yamazaki River – Amazing sakura viewing path, lined for nearly 1 km, one of Japan’s top 100 spots. (exit from Mizuhoundojohigashi Station).
  • Satsuki and Mei’s House – The super detailed recreated house from My Neighbor Totoro at Morikoro Park. Y500 adults, Y250 children.
  • *** Toyota Kaikan Plant *** – Free museum and tour (tour reservations required).

Kyoto

Kyoto recommendations map

Stay

  • Hyatt:
    • *** Hyatt Regency Kyoto *** – highly recommended, very nice
  • SPG/Marriott/Ritz-Carlton:
    • Westin Miyako – decent
    • *** Ritz Carlton Kyoto ***

Transportation

  • Rent a bike!

Food

Udon

  • Yamamotomenzo (tabelog) – Around $1000-2000. Near Higashiyama.

Other

  • Kyoshumi Hisaiwa (tabelog) – Amazing bento boxes to go, great to order before the train ride.

Do

Central Kyoto

*** Esther’s Evening Walking Map for Shijo-dori area (~2-3 hours to enjoy) ***

  • *** Nishiki Market *** – Amazing bustling fresh market experience. Many free samples. Must come here early though since the market closes early, I’d suggest starting at like 4 pm.
  • *** Teramiachi & Shingyoku Shopping Arcades *** – Covered shopping and restaurant streets, really great for buying local gifts.
  • *** Kiyamachi-dori *** – After shopping, walk down the canal lining this street. It is beautiful illuminated at night especially if the sakura are in bloom. Walk as far as you’d like, then turn right and find yourself in Pontocho Alley.
  • *** Pontocho *** – Waterfront narrow cobblestone alley, beautiful walk, many great restaurants. Even if you don’t eat here, be sure to walk down this street, especially in the evening.
  • Cross the bridge into Gion and make your way to *** Tsujiri Matcha Cafe *** (10a-10p). Their matcha ice cream is amazing!
  • *** Gion District *** – Explore this beautiful area, and you might catch a glimpse of a geisha.
  • *** Maruyama Park *** – Yasaka Shrine is the beautiful gate to this park. Lots of street food here if it’s not too late, beautiful park with a weeping sakura tree that is illuminated at night. Free admission.

Kyoto Shijo-dori Evening Walking Map

Eastern Kyoto

  • *** Kiyomizudera *** – The most famous temple in Kyoto, best viewed during sakura and fall colors season (illuminated at night). Y400. The beautiful historic pathway leading up to it is called Higashiyama and is lined with shops and mochi.
  • Ginkakuji – “Silver” temple (not actually silver). The Philosopher’s Path starts around here. Y500.
  • *** Philosopher’s Path (tetsugaku no michi) *** – Beautiful walk, especially in sakura season or fall colors season.
  • *** Nanzenji Temple *** – The Philisopher’s Path leads here. Temple with huge grounds that are mostly free, and a lot of fun to explore.
  • *** Kodaiji Temple *** – Watch the light show here. Beautiful gardens and bamboo grove as well.

Southern Kyoto

Northern Kyoto

  • *** Kinkakuji *** – Gold-plated temple, second most famous temple in Kyoto. Has a tea garden. Y400.
  • *** Shugakuin Imperial Villa *** – Beautiful gardens and imperial buildings. Free, but requires reservations. See link for details.
  • *** Ninnaji *** – Beautiful temple with pond and rock garden, great sakura viewing. Sometimes free, check link.
  • *** Ryoanji *** – Temple with the most famous rock garden. Y500.
  • Kibune – Small town with shrine, hiking trails, ryokan, and summer kaiseki dining on platforms built over the river.

Western Kyoto

  • *** Arashiyama *** – Walk over the famous Togetsukyo Bridge, go to the Monkey Park Iwatayama (Y550), bamboo forest
  • Daikaku-ji Temple (Y500). View link for more attractions in this area.
  • *** Suntory Yamazaki Distillery *** – Museum (free), whisky library, and tasting counter (Y500 per dram). Guided tours require reservations, Y1000.

Day Trips:

  • *** Amanohashidate (bridge in heaven) ***
    • One of Japan’s 3 most scenic views. Beautiful sandbar covered in pine trees. Explore beaches, temples, and shrines. Rent a bike and go on sightseeing cruises.
  • *** Himeji ***
    • Himeji Castle (Japan’s best preserved feudal castle)
    • Mount Shosha (Last Samurai temple mountain)
    • Kokoen Garden
  • Iga
    • Iga-ryu Ninja Museum – ninja show, fun for kids
    • Ueno Castle
  • Matsusaka
    • This city is most famous for wagyu (find a wagyu restaurant on Tabelog)
  • Ise
    • *** Ise Shrines (Outer & Inner) and Oharaimachi *** – awesome old street and shrines in Mie, located separately from each other
    • Meoto Iwe (wedded rocks) – Try to go there during high tide, when the rocks are actually separated by water. Even better, do so in the early hours of a fine summer day, and you will be able to see the sun rising between the two rocks. If you hit the jackpot, you get everything plus the silhouette of Mt.Fuji in the distance.

Osaka

Stay

  • Hyatt:
    • Hyatt Regency Osaka – don’t recommend, very far from things, although a very nice hotel
  • IHG:
    • *** Intercontinental Osaka *** – HIGHLY recommend, best location, beautiful hotel

Transportation

KIX:

ITM:

Shinkansen:

Food

Takoyaki

  • Takonotetsu (tabelog) – Grill your own takoyaki at your table. Near Umeda Station.

Okonomiyaki

  • *** Mizuno *** – in Dotonbori

Crab

  • Kani Douraku?

Udon

  • Byakuan (tabelog) – Curry udon. Around Y1000. Near Kanzakigawa.

Yakiniku

  • Maiyou (tabelog) – Grilled beef. Around Y2500. Near Minamimorimachi Station.

Other

  • *** Issindo 一心堂 *** – AMAZING fresh-fruit-in-center mochi! Not only do they have strawberry mochi, but they also have pear, peach, melon, mango, etc. Located in B1 of Hankyu Dept Store at Umeda Station.
  • Kirufebon (tabelog) – Great fruit tarts. “Straight up crack” (@infernorice). Near Osaka Station.
  • Tayutayu (tabelog) – Pork dishes. Around Y3000. Near Umeda Station.

Do

  • *** Dotonbori *** – Famous Glico running man and bridge
  • Hozenji Yokocho
  • Namba Walk
  • Shinsaibashi-suji Shopping Street
  • *** Grand Front Osaka *** – Beautiful mall to just explore, attached to the station
    • Tenku-no-noen Farm – Nice sky farm on top of Osaka Station.
  • *** Osaka Castle *** – Beautiful castle, especially for sakura viewing.
  • *** Umeda Sky Building & Kuchu Teien Observatory *** – Nice observatory for viewing the city at any time of the day.

Day Trips

  • Kumano Nachi Taisha & Seigantoji Temple – Beautiful shrine area with waterfall in the background (tallest waterfall in Japan) and cherry blossom trees.
    • Daimon-zaka – Cobblestone staircase hike from base of valley to the Kumano Nachi Taisha and waterfall. It is lined with centuries old Japanese cedars (cryptomeria), camphor tress and bamboo groves. Daimon-zaka means “large gate slope” referring to a gate that once stood nearby. This is an excellent short walk on the Kumano Kodo pilgrimage route. The actual staircase is about 600 meters long with 267 stairs. At the end of the slope is the impressive Meitosugi – “husband and wife cedar trees”, whose roots are entwined beneath the path. Close by is the Daimon-zaka Chaya where you can rent Heian period kimonos, great for some memorial photos. Near the top of the slope you can catch your first glimpse of the awe-inspiring Nachi falls.
  • Shirahama
    • 三段壁 (Sandanbeki) – consists of three steep cliffs with a large network of caves at water level. An elevator is taken down to the caves, which has a shrine inside and a network of tunnels. (Caves 1300Y, hours 8:00–17:00)
    • 平草原(Heisogen Park) – cherry blossoms
    • 千畳敷 (Senjojiki) – Japanese for “One Thousand Tatami Mats”, which describes the appearance of these flat, sheet-like rocks. The Senjojiki are located along the coast, and visitors can walk out onto them.
    • 崎の湯 (Sakinoyu) – an outdoor bath that is located right along the seashore, and it affords a view out across the water. It dates back over a thousand years and is mentioned in some of Japan’s most ancient texts. 420Y, hours 8:00–18:00, closed Mon
    • しらすな (Shirasuna) – This beach-side onsen has a large bath that can accommodate about 100 people. Because the bath is in plain view to pedestrians, bathing suits must be worn, contrary to regular onsen etiquette. Free Oct-Apr, hours 10:00–15:00, closed Mon.
    • 白良浜 (Beach) – The name Shirahama is Japanese for “white beach”, and refers to the resort’s other major attraction, a 500 meter long sand beach. Many large hotels are situated around the beach so that visitors will be just a few steps from the water. Nightly fireworks are held during summer.
    • 円月島 (Engetsu Island) – This uniquely shaped rock formation is situated off the western coast of the city. In the evenings of some days of the year, the setting sun can be seen through the hole in the middle of the rock.
  • Wakayama
  • Mt. Koya – Overnight at a Buddhist temple. Many hiking and walking trails around here.
  • Mt. Yoshinoyama – The most famous place in Japan to view cherry blossoms.
  • Nara – Nara Park with aggressive wild deer, some of Japan’s oldest and largest temples, National Museum, Japanese gardens, and Heijo Palace.

Hiroshima

Stay

Transportation

Food

Do

Day Trip

  • Miyajima – Small island most famous for its giant torii gate in the water at high tide. One of Japan’s 3 most scenic views. Y300 admission.

Fukuoka

Stay

  • Grand Hyatt Fukuoka

Transportation

Food

Do

Day Trip

  • *** Kawachi Fujien Wisteria Garden (more photos) *** – Ridiculously gorgeous for wisteria season and fall colors season. Need advance tickets for peak season. Y500-1500 depending on season.
  • *** Takachiho Gorge *** – Gorge-ous (haha) waterfalls into the gorge. Rent a boat and row down the gorge to view the waterfalls (Y2000 for 30 min). Walk along the trail above to the Takachiho Shrine. The gorge is illuminated during summer.
  • Amano Iwato Shrine – Beautiful pathway to this shrine inside a cave with thousands of stacked stones. Free admission.
  • Kumamoto Castle – One of the most complete castles in Japan with large castle grounds and variety of buildings, popular sakura viewing spot. Due to the 2016 earthquake, the inner grounds are currently closed to the public.

Okinawa

Stay

  • Ritz Carlton Okinawa

Transportation

Food

Do

Hokkaido

Hokkaido is one of our favorite regions in Japan. It’s beautiful, relaxed, and very high quality seafood, meat, fruit, and dairy products (chocolate, ice cream, yogurt, milk, and more). Seriously, the food is on another level from the rest of Japan, and we all know how good food in Japan is.

Summer in Niseko, Otaru, and Sapporo

I transitioned to using Wanderlog for planning this trip, so please check out my list here, which will detail activities and food.

Stay

Sapporo

  • Crowne Plaza ANA Sapporo is quite nice. 40k IHG points.

Transportation

  • The Shinkansen goes all the way up to Hakodate, where you can transfer to regional lines.
  • To fully explore the parks of Hokkaido, this is one of the few places in Japan a car is recommended.
  • To get to Niseko, most people take reserved buses from New Chitose Airport or Sapporo. You can also take a train to Kutchan station (don’t go to Niseko station, it is much farther), but it is more the local part of Niseko, to get to the more touristy areas of Niseko requires further connections. It is expected that the Shinkansen line directly to Kutchan will be completed by 2030 something.

Do

Sapporo

  • Sapporo Factory tour. With the paid tour comes an all you can drink beer tasting for 30 minutes. Otherwise you can pay for a separate beer tasting. The factory complex also has a very good all you can eat mutton (Genghis Khan) restaurant.
  • Shiro Koibito (White Lover’s) Park – a very popular Japanese souvenir. You can explore.
  • The Sapporo Snow Festival is held during the first few weeks of February, and is a sight to behold, with over 10 blocks of snow and ice sculptures, food stalls, music, etc. There are multiple sculptures that are many stories tall and wide, and frequently also have projection mapping shows.
  • There are two seafood markets: Sapporo Central Wholesale Market, and Nijo Market.

Niseko

  • Go skiing / snowboarding! Niseko has four interlinked resorts, and some of the best powder in the world. Also, there are a ton of foreigners in Niseko and it is set up very well for foreign visitors. The largest resort here is Grand Hirafu, which included in the same ticket as Hanazono. You can either buy tickets for Grand Hirafu / Hanazono, Niseko Village, Annapuri separately, or buy a whole mountain pass. You can get great deals on lift ticket packets from Loppi machines.
  • To get to/from Niseko, most people take a limousine bus from New Chitose Airport or Sapporo. Book these in advance. More buses come from the airport than Sapporo. Alternatively, take the train to Kutchan station (NOT Niseko station, very confusing so don’t make that mistake).

Naoshima (japan-guide.com)

Naoshima is a super interesting island with many art pieces and art and architecture museums installed and managed by a group of artists under the Benesse Corporation. For example, it has many public artworks, including the famous Yayoi Kusama pumpkins, scattered around.

How to get there

Most people take a ferry from Uno, a port city near Okayama. There are more ferries and infrastructure at the Miyanoura port as compared to the Honmura port, including luggage storage, restaurants, places to stay, and bike rentals. The Honmura port is definitely a possibility as well, but timing and and transportation will be more limited.

Where to stay?

Staying at the Benesse House has benefits of exclusive access to some architecture pieces and access to the grounds and special events at night. Otherwise, grab any hotel or AirBnB across the island.

How to get around?

Rent an electric bike! It’s not too expensive per day, and the island is easily bikeable (you’ll want a bike for some of the hills.) Otherwise, there technically are buses, but the schedules are confusing and some routes are limited to local residents. Taxis are very limited. There is a free shuttle around the Benesse Area during daylight hours.

What to see?

Besides the various scattered art pieces around the island, there are a couple of interesting museums and things to check out.

** The Chichu Art Museum ** is an art museum with very interesting architecture, centered around a limited number of pieces of art. Exploring the museum is a bit of a surreal experience.

** The Benesse House ** is full of interesting modern art pieces. Some of the museum is restricted to overnight guests only.

I Love Yu is a small onsen with art pieces inside. I found it somewhat interesting but not a must see.