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)
  • Try the regional specialties (see notes)
  • カツカレー - Pork culet with curry over rice
  • カレーパン - Curry bread
• 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
  • Daiso - Pretty much international at this point
  • Seria - I like them more than Daiso
• Muji

Cosmetics

• @Cosme
• Matsumoto Kiyoshi

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)
  • Known as the “in-between street” with lots of food stalls and shopping
  • 人力車 - Rickshaw rides are popular with optional guided tour
  • 招き猫 - Maneki Neko souvenirs are popular
  • 浅草寺 - Sensoji
  • 浅草神社 - Asakusa Shrine
• 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)

• 国立新美術館 (National Art Center)
• 東京タワー (Tokyo Tower)
• 増上寺 (Zojoji)

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)
  • 新山彦橋 - Shinyamabiko Bridge
  • 黒部川電気記念館 - Kurobe River Electricity Memorial Hall
• 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)
  • 人喰岩 - Man-eating rock
  • 奥鐘橋 - Okukane Bridge
  • 猿飛峡 - Sarutobi Canyon

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)
  • Observation deck at 90m but difficult to take photos
  • 五稜郭跡 - Inspired by the French star-shaped forts
  • 花見 - Popular area for flower viewing during cherry blossom season
• 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
  • さっぽろテレビ塔 (Sapporo TV Tower)
  • 札幌市時計台 (Sapporo Clock Tower)

小樽市 (Otaru)

• Can be done as a daytrip from Sapporo

Food

• 伊勢鮨壽司 (Izesushi)
• ミルク·プラント (Milk Plant)
• 山中牧場 (Yamanaka Dairy Farm)
• ルタオ (LeTAO)

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)

• 原爆ドーム (Atomic Bomb Dome)
• 広島平和記念資料館 (Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum)

岩国市 (Iwakuni)

• 錦帯橋 (Kintaikyo) - One of the top 3 wooden bridges in Japan

厳島 (Itsukushima)

• JR宮島フェリー (JR Miyajima Ferry)

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.
    • 紅葉谷コース (Momijidani Course)
    • 大元コース (Omoto Course)
    • 大聖院コ－ス (Daishoin Course)
  • 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

• 天文館通 (Tenmonkan Street)

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

• ひろめ市場 (Hirome Market)
  • 明神丸 (Myojinmaru)
• ひだまり小路 土佐茶カフェ (Hidamarikoji Tosa-cha) - Cute cafe

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.