General
- SIM - Getting an eSim is the way to go these days! Compare prices online. Wifi can be difficult to find but there's always manga cafes when in need.
- Money - Prefer Cash over card. Post office has ATMs.
- Coin Lockers - Paid storage but almost all train stations and airports have it
- Free Tissues - Advertisements but skip the black ones... they bleed!
- Koi fish - Don't feed the ones inside a store's pond! They don't like it but I've seen people feed at temples and rivers...
- Shoes - Look out for signs to take off your shoes!
- Trash - Bring a plastic bag since there aren't trash bins on the streets. However, convenient stores usually have them.
Getting around
- JR Pass
- Only available to tourist but gives unlimited rail access across Japan. Available in 7, 14 and 21 days. Amazing value and I get it almost every time.
- Useful map
- Useful train timetable
- JR EAST Pass - More specific when based out of Tokyo
- N’EX Tokyo Round-trip ticket - Value purchase to/from Narita airport
Food
- Ramen - Try the regional specialties (see notes)
- おでん (Oden)
- お好み焼き (Okonomiyaki)
- カレー (Curry)
- たこ焼き (Takoyaki) - Famous in Osaka; I love Mentaiko and Cheese!
- モスバーガー (Mos Burger) - Burger chain
- もんじゃ焼き (Monjayaki) - Popular in Tokyo
- 回転寿司 (Kaitenzushi) - Conveyor belt sushi at various price points!
- 駅弁 (Ekiben) - Bento for your long train rides!
- European food - Similar to Americanized asian food, there's the reverse
Dessert
- BAKE Cheese Tart - Hokkaido cheese tarts literally melt in your mouth
- Baskin Robins - Everyone calls it 31
- Häagen-Dazs - Exclusive limited flavors you'll never see outside of Japan. 紫いも (Purple Sweet Potato) is one of my favorites!
- Kit Kats - Many flavors can be purchased online these days but some flavors are more local and harder to come by.
- Mister Donut - Known as ミスド ("Misdo”)
- Tokyo Milk Cheese Factory - I love everything they make!!
- プッチンプリ (Pucchin Purin) - Honestly Glica anything!
- バウムクーヘン (Baumkuchen) - A German cake but far more popular in Japan. Matcha is my favorite flavor.
Drinking
- 生酒 (Namazake) - Sake in general but espeically unpasteurized sake! Very popular in the spring right after brewing season. Highly recommend!
- 居酒屋 (Izakaya) - A casual bar with food that's very popular for after-work drinking
Convenience stores
- They’re everywhere and opened 24/7
- It’s like a mini supermarket and sell lots of inexpensive ready to eat meals
- 7 Eleven, Lawson, Sunkus, Family Mart, Newsday, AM/PM, Kiosk, etc.
- Vending Machines are everywhere
- Glica ice cream - Often seen near train stations
- Coolish ice cream - They've expanded with many flavors
Activities
- 温泉 (Onsen) - Many old school places don't allow tattoos. Highly suggest the natural ones in the more rural areas.
- 足湯 (Ashiyu) - Public foot bath that's usually free and often found near resting areas like train stations
- カラオケ (Karaoke) - Very common to rent a whole room. Serves food and drinks, and some have scoring systems etc.
- パチンコ (Pachinko) - Pinball gambling that's very popular. It's very loud inside so maybe bring ear plugs!
Shopping
- ドン・キホーテ (Don Quijote)
- Discount chain store in most major cities that sells literally everything you want to bring home
- There is a MEGA branch in Shibuya
- 100円ショップ (¥100 shop) - Better than 99 cent stores
- Muji
Cosmetics
Kanto - Tokyo
- Suica Card - For riding the metro. I'm not sure how the tourist one works but the local one is available digitally and I've used it as an e-wallet in additional to the metro.
Excursions
- ディズニーシー (Disney Sea) - Unique to Japan and closer to Narita airport
- 三鷹の森ジブリ美術館 (Ghibli Museum) - Purchase tickets in advance. No photos and the films didn't have subtitles.
- 中野ブロードウェイ (Nakano Broadway)
- Old school shopping center
- Daily Chiko - 8 stack ice cream
秋葉原 (Akihabara)
- ヨドバシカメラ (Yodobashi Camera) - There are other branches but this one here is like 9 floors!
Themed Cafes
- Cats, Dogs, Gundam, Hello Kitty, Wedding, etc. Host Clubs are a thing too.
- めいどりーみん (MaiDreamin) - Maid Cafe that has expanded lots since 2010
Arcades
- GiGO - Used to be SEGA
- Super Potato
- TAITO’s Hey
- UFOキャッチャー (UFO Catcher) - You can ask the attendent for help
- ガシャポン (Gachapon) - Good luck!
- プリクラ (Purikura) - Sticker photos!
浅草 (Asakura) & nearby
- 仲見世商店街 (Nakamise-dori)
- アサヒグループ本社 (Asahi Headquarters) - Known as うんこビル (Poop building) due to the golden flame ornament shaped like a 金のうんこ (Golden turd)
- 東京スカイツリー (Tokyo Skytree) - Walking distance!
銀座 (Ginza)
- 築地場外市場 (Tsukiji Outer Market) - Used to be a Tuna auction early morning and other happenings but things have changed so check their website for updates
- すしざんまい 本店 (Sushizanmai Honten) - Gets very crowded
池袋 (Ikebukuro)
- いけふくろう (Ikefukuro)
- Inside the train station but this whole area is themed with Owls
- It's a play on the words for "Fukuro" (meaning Owl) and "Ikebukuro"
- サンシャインシティ (Sunshine City)
- ばくだん焼本舗 (Bakudan-yaki Honpo) - Not the typical size with lots of filling
お台場 (Odaiba)
- For the views, ride in the first train car when heading towards here
- Palette Town closed after 20+ years so I'm not really sure what's here anymore...
- 自由の女神像 - Statue of Liberty replica
- レインボーブリッジ - Rainbow bridge is rainbow at night
六本木 (Roppongi) & 汐留 (Shiodome)
渋谷区 (Shibuya) & 新宿区 (Shinjuku)
- 忠犬ハチ公像 (Hachiko Statue) - Famous backstory and a popular meeting spot
- 渋谷スクランブル交差点 (Shibuya Scramble Crossing) - One of the better spots to view the chaos is inside the train station (as you walk towards the exit, impossible to miss) since it's elevated
- SHIBUYA 109
- ワタリウム美術館 (Watarium Art Museum)
- 代々木公園 (Yoyogi Park)
- すずや (Suzuya) - Try the Tonkatsu Chazuke
原宿 (Harajuku)
- 竹下通り (Takeshita Street) - Shopping and lots of fashionable crepes
- Marion Crêpes
Kanto - Kanagawa
江の島 (Enoshima)
- You can get here by riding the Enoshima Electric Railway from Kamakura.
- Asahi
- They sell a giant pressed Senbei! My friend and I waited on a very long line for this. We probably waited a whole hour.
- They are famous for pressing octopus into Maruyaki Tako Senbei, ¥350.
- Enoshima Shrine - Free entrance unless you want to see the Benten statue.
- There are Mt. Fuji viewing spots by the bridge.
鎌倉 (Kamakura)
- いも吉館
- Murasaki Imo & Matcha mix soft serve. Eat this.
- They sell other Omiyage (souvenirs) like Murasaki Imo flavored Baumkuchen!
- Dango shops!
- I like Mitarashi flavor (soy sauce glaze) the most.
- I tried the flavor Sakura Mitarashi for science but no.
- Hato Sable
- This is, for whatever reason, a classic souvenir to buy - Dove shaped cookies.
- They also sell other traditional Japanese sweets as well based on the season.
Things to do
- Kotoku-in (高徳院) - Also known as the Great Buddha of Kamakura
- Tsurugaoka Hachimangu (鶴岡八幡宮) - The most important Shinto shine here.
横浜市 (Yokohama)
- Costco
- コスモクロック21 (Cosmo Clock 21)
- スカイウォーク (Skywalk) - I believe they reopened!
- 中華街 (Chinatown) - Largest one in Japan
箱根町 (Hakone)
- Hot springs
Kansai - Kyoto
- Omikuji - Get your fortune at the temples!
京都市 (Kyoto)
- 三十三間堂 (Sanjusangendo)
- 元離宮二条城 (Nijō Castle)
- 東本願寺 (Higashi Honganji)
- 渉成園 (Shoseien) - Detached and known as Kikoku-tei
- 京都タワー (Kyoto Tower) - Walking distance
- 清水寺 (Kiyomizudera)
- 知恩院 (Chionin)
- 金閣寺 (Kinkakuji) - Golden pavilion
- 銀閣寺 (Ginkakuji) - Silver pavilion
- 龍安寺 (Ryoanji)
Kansai - Osaka
大阪市 (Osaka)
- Osaka Pass - Covers most of the popular spots at a great value
- 道頓堀 (Dotonbori)
- Very busy area for food and shopping
- かに道楽 (Kani Doraku)
- グリコサイン (Glica Man) - Famous sign!
- 大阪城天守閣 (Osaka castle) - Reconstructed as most castles are in Japan
- 天保山大観覧車 (Temponzan Ferris Wheel)
- 梅田スカイビル (Umeda Sky Building) - Floating garden observatory at night is nice but the line might be really long
- 海遊館 (Kaiyukan) - Really nice
- 通天閣 (Tsutenkaku) - Umeda is a bit nicer between the two, for me
Kansai - Hyogo
神戸市 (Kobe)
- 北野町 (Kitano-Cho) - Area full of 異人館 (western-style mansions)
- 南京町 (Nankinmachi) - Chinatown of the Kansai region
- 生田神社 (Ikuta Shrine)
Chubu - Ishikawa
- じぶ煮 (Jibuni) - Regional dish with seasoned duck, chicken, or seafood (crab)
- 金沢カレー (Kanazawa Curry) - Regional speciality
- Curry is thicker and richer, served with shredded cabbage in a steel bowl with a spork. The cutlet has a drizzle of tonkatsu sauce and is placed directly over the curry that covers the rice.
金沢市 (Kanazawa)
Food
- ゴールドカレー (Gold Curry)
- チャンピオンカレー (Champion’s Curry) - Founder invented this curry edition
- 居酒屋ちょん兵衛 (Izakaya Chombee) - Right by the train station
- 鮨一平 (Sushi Ippei) - Owned by a lovely couple who spoke and only opened for dinner. Tucked in an alley so might be hard to find.
Things to do
- ひがし茶屋街 (Higashi Chayagai) - Eastern, most popular
- Ochaya SHIMA - Feudal era teahouse that converted to a museum.
- にし茶屋街 (Nishi Chayagai) - Western
- 主計町茶屋街 (Kazuemachi Chayagai)
- 兼六園 (Kenrokuen) - One of the Three Great Gardens of Japan
- 金沢21世紀美術館 (21st Century Museum) - Swimming Pool exhibit was cool and other areas didn’t allow photography
Chubu - Toyama
黒部峡谷 (Kurobe Gorge)
- 黒部峡谷トロッコ列車 (Kurobe Gorge Railway)
- Located at Unazuki Station which is about a 5 minute walk from 宇奈月温泉駅 (Unazukionsen Station)
- This is a sightseeing train (with stops) that was used to aid the construction of Kurobe Dam. The railway is ~20km. Sit on the right side for the better view when going in.
- Check the schedule as it's not opened all year round
Stations
- 宇奈月駅 (Unazuki Station)
- 黒薙駅 (Kuronagi Station)
- 後曳橋 - Atobiki Bridge
- 鐘釣駅 (Kanetsuri Station)
- 万年雪展望台 - Mannenyuki Overvation Deck
- 欅平駅 (Keyakidaira Station)
Chubu - Shizuoka
- かつ政 (Katsumasa) - Katsu's good, has multiple branches
- 御殿場プレミアム・アウトレット - Gotemba Premium Outlets has amazing views of Mt. Fuji in the background
三島市 (Mishima)
- Mt. Fuji is visible from many places and town was very walkable
Food
- 田子の月 (Taga no Tsuki)
- Famous confectionery shop selling very cute snacks
- 富士山頂 (Fujisancho) is shaped like a little Mt. Fuji!
Things to do
- 三嶋大社 (Mishima Taisha) - Shinto shrine
- 楽寿園 (Rakujuen Park) - Lots of animals roaming
- 佐野美術館 (Sano Art Museum)
- 源兵衛橋 Genbee Bridge - Saw many ducks
- サントムーン (SUN TO MOON) - Local shopping mall
富士山 (Mount Fuji)
- Buy Wasabi flavored kit kats!
- 富士急ハイランド (Fuji-Q Highland)
- Roller coasters are called jet coasters
- ええじゃないか (Eejanaika)
- ドドンパ (Dodonpa)
- Fujiyama
- ふじやま温泉 (Fujiyama Onsen) - Traditional hot springs
Hokkaido
- ジンギスカン (Jingisukan) - Regional dish
- Mutton yakiniku named after "Genghis Khan"
- Usually cooked on a Mongolian grill
- Northern Ramen styles
- Sapporo - Birthplace of Miso ramen. Sometimes with a slice of butter.
- Hakodate - Shio (salt) based with medium noodles
- Ashikawa - Shoyu broth with thin and wavy noodles
函館市 (Hakodate)
Food
- 函太郎 (Kantaro Sushi) - Conveyor belt sushi restaurant by the water
Things to do
- 函館山ロープウェイ山麓 (Mt. Hakodate Ropeway) - Famous for night view
- 五稜郭タワー (Goryokaku Tower)
- 金森赤レンガ倉庫 - Kanemori Red Brick Warehouse area lights up at night
大沼公園 (Onumakoen)
- 大沼国定公園 - Onuma Quasi-National Park
- 沼の家 (Numa no ya) - Highly recommend the famous Dango!! Since 1905!
- あんと正油 (Red bean paste with soy sauce)
- 胡麻と正油 (Sesame with soy sauce) - Smaller production
- Fresh milk - Requires a deposit for the jar which can be returned
- 谷口菓子舗 (Taniguchi Dango Shop) - They sell a 三色折 (3 color discount) which includes Red bean paste, Sesame, and Soy sauce.
札幌市 (Sapporo)
Food
- けやき (Keyaki) - Famous but tiny Ramen shop, long lines
- すみれ (Sumire) - Famous Ramen shop
- 成吉思汗だるま (Daruma) - Eat Jingisukan, long lines
- KINOTOYA BAKE - Cheese tart is a must
Things to do
- もいわ山ロープウェイ (Mt. Moiwa Ropeway) - Night views
- 北海道神宮 (Hokkaido Shrine)
- 北海道神宮例大祭 (Hokkaido Shrine Festival) - Summer only in mid June
- 円山公園 (Maruyama Park)
- 大通公園 (Odori Park) - Known as "Large street" and splits the north and south of the city
小樽市 (Otaru)
- Can be done as a daytrip from Sapporo
Food
Things to do
- オルゴール堂蒸気からくり時計 Otaru Steam Clock - World’s largest steam clock
- ステンドグラス美術館 (Stained Glass Museum)
- 北一硝子 (Kitaichi Glass)
- 小樽オルゴール堂 (Otaru Music Box Museum)
- "Orugoru" (Music box) is a loan word (Dutch) with fasinating history
- 小樽運河 (Otaru Canal)
旭川市 (Asahikawa)
- Can be done as a daytrip from Sapporo
- らぅめん青葉 (Aoba Ramen) - Asahikawa shoyu ramen since 1947!
- 旭川市旭山動物園 (Asahikawa Zoo) - Polar bear and Penguin exhibits
Chugoku
広島市 (Hiroshima)
岩国市 (Iwakuni)
- 錦帯橋 (Kintaikyo) - One of the top 3 wooden bridges in Japan
厳島 (Itsukushima)
Food
- 游鹿里茶屋 (Yukarichaya) - Lovely tea house but might be hard to find. The hill in the backyard has great views!
Things to do
- 嚴島神社 (Itsukushima Jinja) - When the tide is low enough in the evening, you can walk right up to the 鳥居 (Torii)
- 弥山 (Mt. Misen)
- Recommend taking one of 3 foot paths to wait out the tide change. The trials are well paved but the signage is a bit small.
- 宮島ロープウエー (Miyajima Ropeway) - Alternatively there is a cable car
- 弥山 展望台 (Mount Misen Observatory)
- 紅葉谷公園 (Momijidani Park) - Lots of deer walking around
Kyushu
- Sand bath experience - Famous in Ibusuki City
福岡市 (Fukuoka)
- JR Beetle - Ferry to/from Busan, Korea
鹿児島市 (Kagoshima)
- しろくま (Shirokuma) - Regional frozen dessert speciality. It's a type of kakigori (shaved ice) popular in the south.
- かごしま黒豚 (Kagoshima Kurobuta) - Berkshire pork raised in Kagoshima Prefecture
Food
- 柿の木 (Kakinoki) - Ramen shop
- 天文館むじゃき (Tenmonkan Mujaki) - Famous for Shirokuma!
- 味の六白 (Aji no Roppaku) - Eat Kagoshima Kurobuta
Things to do
桜島 (Sakurajima)
- Can be done as a daytrip from Kagoshima. There's a ferry at Kagoshima Port.
- Active Volcano - Recommend wearing close toe shoes
- 桜島ビジターセンター - Sakurajima Visitor Center has all the information you need
- 湯之平展望所 (Yunohira Observation Deck)
Shikoku
高知県 (Kochi)
- 鰹のタタキ (Katsuo no Tataki) - Regional speciality, seared bonito
- アイスクリン (Aisukurin) - Regional speciality, ice cream
Food
Things to do
- 高知城 (Kochi Castle) - This castle is the original building but not too interesting. The entrance fee was around ¥500.
- はりまや橋 (Harimayabashi Bridge)
- からくり時計 (Karakuri Clock) - Tells the story about a star-crossed love between a Buddhist monk and a merchant’s daughter who was later forced to flee. The clock show is hourly.
- アンパンマン像 (Anpanman Statue)
いの町 (Ino)
- Can be done as a daytrip from Kochi
- 紙の博物館 (Paper Museum) - I did the “Tosa Washi workshop” which was to make paper. It lasted around an hour and I used the paper later on as postcards. No spoken English in 2013.
琴平町 (Kotohira)
- 讃岐うどん (Sanuki Udon)
- Noodles are square shaped with flat edges. It was very famous in Kagawa Prefecture. I prefer the cold version with a soft-boiled egg.
- こんぴらうどん (Kompira udon) - Famous, traditional, and delicious
- こんぴらさん (Konpira-san) - On the slope of Mount Zozu. About 1368 steps to the inner shrine.