π―π΅ Japan Travel Guide
Last Updated: 2024
I first visited Japan in 2015, and Iβve been back four times since. It's my absolute favorite place to visit and keeps bringing me back for its incredible food, world-class design, and shopping/products you can't find anywhere else. Here are a few of my favorite spots!
π Prioritizing Cities
For your first visit and anything less than ten days, I'd spend something like 60% of your time in Tokyo (biggest city in Japan) and 40% in Kyoto (traditional, historical experience).
If you've visited Japan and are looking for something off the beaten path, I really enjoyed visiting Hakodate, Sapporo, and Otaru in the North (Hokkaido). I took an eight hour train ride which was half bullet train and half scenic local train-- would absolutely recommend if you have the time, but if not there are frequent, inexpensive flights from Tokyo.
Okinawa, Hiroshima, and Kamakura are all on my bucket list for future trips.
π² Eat
π½οΈ Ideas for a fancy meal
- Kyubei β This is my pick for a fancy omakase experience in Tokyo. Rumor has it that President Obama ate Kyubei sushi when he visited Japan! Pro-tip is that the meal is cheaper at lunch :)
- Japan is one of the few places Iβve visited where a hotel concierge comes in handy.Β I've been able to get reservations at "exclusive" spots without online booking with the help of a concierge.
- Sushi Bullpen β I stumbled upon this spot a couple of years ago-- it's bizarrely themed after baseball but serves excellent sushi at a casual ~10 seat counter. If I remember correctly, I spent around 5,000 yen for lunch without drinks or extras.
- Elio Locanda Italiana β Elio, the Italian chef, has lived in Tokyo for over 40 years, and it shows. The night that I dined there the former Japanese PM was there-- a really excellent meal.
π Casual suggestions
- Uogashi Nihon-Ichi (Standing sushi) β For the price, this is my absolute favorite spot to get nigiri in Tokyo. It's a chain so there is likely a spot near where you are staying-- you order either on a tablet or with the chef directly, and the nigiri is fresh and cheap.
- Tsujihan (Tokyo) β This is a really great kaisendon (seafood bowl) experience. For a couple thousand yen, you get sashimi, a seafood rice bowl, and a soup to pour over your seafood bowl towards the end.
- Kura Sushi (Flagship) β Conveyor belt sushi at its best. Kura is a chain, but their flagship location takes the experience up a notch and the Japanese locations are different (and cheaper) than their US counterparts.
- Pizza β Japan does pizza extremely well. Tokyo has a number of pizzerias serving Neapolitan-style pies that rival those in Italy.
- Curry β Japanese curry is such a delicious comfort food. The classic spot is CoCo Ichibanya, which serves rich, hearty plates perfect for a quick, satisfying meal.
- American-style diners β When we stayed somewhere without breakfast included, American-style diners like Dennys were a great bet. These are popular and cheap-- you usually order a simple set on a tablet and you can get a meal for two for less than $10.
- Okonomiyaki β I don't have a specific place to recommend, but you have to try Okonomiyaki when you're in Japan. Okonomiyaki is a savory pancake with cabbage, egg, and other mix-ins like meat or seafood. Absolutely delicious and typically cooked at your table.
- Noodles β Whether you prefer ramen, udon, or soba, there is an excellent option practically every few steps. Just find a busy spot and walk in!
πΈ Drink
- Mixology Heritage: This is a super fancy bar located in a restaurant street underneath the train tracks.
- SG Club, SG Low: These are sister bars, and SG Low has a great food menu to accompany drinks. Super trendy-- in fact, they just opened an NYC location!
- Hotel Bars: If you want an upscale experience, the bars at the Conrad Tokyo and Aman Tokyo both offer stunning views paired with really excellent drinks.
- Osake no Bijutsukan Shibuya Meiji dori: This is a bar that is inside of a Family Mart convenience store. You can actually get snacks from the convenience store and then sit down for a drink!
- Sapporo Ginza Lion: Japanβs oldest beer hall, located in Ginza, is a classic spot for a cold Sapporo. The architecture and lively atmosphere make it worth a visit.
- Ginza Beer Hall: Another great option for beer lovers, especially if youβre looking for something relaxed and casual.
- Ki No Bi House of Gin (Kyoto): You can visit the Ki No Bi "House of Gin" in Kyoto-- some of the best drinks I've had, and a bottle of their gin or "Ki No Tea" liqueur makes a great gift.
π¨ Stay
Japan has excellent hotels for every budget, from affordable yet comfortable options to luxurious stays that feel like a splurge. While you can have an awesome experience at a luxury $400+ hotel, you can often find hotels that are clean and well-located for under $100 a night.
π Tokyo
- Budget: Keisei Richmond Hotel Oshiage β I stayed here a few years ago-- while the rooms are small, it's well priced and super clean/modern. Located near Tokyo Skytree, itβs well-connected to public transit.
- Mid-Range: Shiba Park Hotel β This hotel was comfortable and well-located on a quiet street.
- Mid-Range: Nohga Hotel Akihabara Tokyo β This hotel was a fun place to stay-- the rooms were small but clean (a common pattern for hotels in Japan)-- we had breakfast included in our rate which turned out to be a great deal.
- Splurge: Conrad Tokyo β Iβve stayed at the Conrad a few times, and it's got to be my favorite fancy hotel in the world. The rooms are beautiful, the service is top-notch, and the views over Tokyo Bay are stunning. A pro tip is that you can often save by purchasing Hilton points and redeeming them for your stay.
- Splurge: Mesm Tokyo β We redeemed some free Marriott nights here the last time we stayed in Tokyo, and this hotel was so cool. It's recently built, and while the location isn't ideal it was on par with the Conrad in terms of its luxury.
π‘ Kyoto
- Mid-Range: Nohga Hotel Kiyomizu Kyoto β This was a stylish, well-designed hotel in a great location. Very cool rooftop, which is rare for Kyoto.
- Splurge: Roku Kyoto, LXR Hotels β We stayed here with some Hilton points-- this isn't at all centrally located but is an excellent retreat for a day or two with a large onsen-style pool.
π· Sapporo
- JR-EAST Hotel Mets Sapporo: Small rooms, but super clean hotel in the heart of Sapporo. Operated by the JR-EAST train company, I think?
π‘ Otaru
- UNWIND HOTEL&BAR OTARU: This was a cool hotel-- reminded me of a Kimpton in the US. Great location in the center of Otaru.
ποΈ Do
While most of the joy I get from traveling revolves around food and drink, Japan has so much more to offer.
π Shopping
- Muji: Muji's flagship store in Tokyo (Ginza) is worth visiting for their minimalistic home goods, clothing, and snacks. I love buying snacks to take home here-- lots of stuff you can't find in the US.
- Standard Goods: This is a store that's kind of like Muji but even less expensive. I got some bowl plates from here that I use pretty much every day at home.
- Uniqlo: If you've been to Uniqlo in the US, Uniqlo in Japan will be a real treat-- the selection is larger, and the prices are way lower. I often leave half of my suitcase open for a Uniqlo shopping spree.
- GU: Uniqloβs trendier, more budget-friendly sibling.
- Tokyu Hands: A multi-floor wonderland for stationery, DIY supplies, and quirky gifts.
- Don Quijote: This is a classic stop in JapanβDon Quijote has pretty much everything at great prices including snacks, souvenirs, and other random stuff.
π¨ Experiences
- Tsukiji (Old) vs Toyosu (New) S.S Tour: We did this tour with Toshi a few years back-- prices have risen, but between an early morning visit to the tuna auction and a late afternoon feast with Toshi and his wife, we found the experience to be well-worth it.
π Further Reading