Japan Travel Guide

It’s been a long time coming. 

Anyone who knows me, and has asked me for Japan travel tips, knows that they never got any tips from me. For that, I apologize. The idea of creating a polished list of best places to eat, see, and travel in Japan is impossible in an ever-changing, always adapting country. Nevertheless, I’ve compiled a list of my must-go’s and must-trys, and will do my best to update it each time I visit Japan. 

A Couple notes:

  • This document is categorized by city, then further into food (to eat), drinks (to drink), and sightseeing / activities (to do). 
  • No subsection by area, unfortunately, so you’ll need to do a bit of pre-planning. I’m creating some mock-itineraries but that may take a while, and am also working on a shareable Google Map with all places flagged!
  • In the appendix, I’ve added some extra notes about where to stay, how to get around, how to act, and more. These are a great crash course into “fitting in” with the culture – so please take a moment to read!
  • I’ve marked pricy options specifically with ($$$$).
  • This is heavily weighted towards Tokyo, because I’ve spent most of my time there.
  • 💡 Maika Pro Tips! – are additional personal notes I’ve begun adding to this guide. Read them for some extra guidance or things to look out for.

Let’s get rolling. 

Tokyo

A few years ago I created a Tokyo one day itinerary – it’s a bit outdated, but a good place to start if you want an idea of how to structure your day. 

To Eat

Japanese Breakfast

  • Hatsufuji – easy and traditional Japanese breakfast.
  • Yoshinoya – cheap, fast, delicious – a chain located everywhere.
  • Tsumugi – fancy Japanese breakfast
  • Tsukiji outer market – more below on the “To Do” section. Walk around the market from early in the morning and eat as you go. Bring cash.
    You may be a bit overwhelmed figuring out where to eat – if you’re looking for a sit-down type of place, anywhere is probably fine, but here are two I know are solid:
    – Tsukiji Kagura Sushi: Opens at 11am, and it lines up.
    – Tsukiji Koromo Sushi: For a spot that opens earlier (8:30/9am) try this tiny bar-only spot.
    – 秀徳2号店: If you’re over the crowds, this spot is right around the corner and provides more breathing room. Opens 11am.
    💡 Maika’s Pro Tip: Not sure if this is still the case, but there is an external staircase on the right hand side of the main entrance that brings you to the second floor of the same restaurant, that I believe opens at 10am. The upstairs is nice! Try to go up there.
  • Hotel buffet breakfasts – not even close to what you’re used to at American hotels. You can dine at many of the hotel breakfast buffets even if you’re not a guest. Check out Park Hyatt Tokyo and Classka and Hilltop Hotel – but expect to pay a premium

Western-friendly Breakfast

  • Bills – an Australian owned and themed cafe serving up brunch, lunch and dinner. Although there are multiple locations around Japan, my favorite is the one on Omotesando, in the Shibuya area. Get there when it opens or expect to wait up to 2 hours.
  • Sarabeths – has a lot of traditional breakfast fare. 
  • City Bakery – an easy spot for coffee and a quick bite, multiple spots around Japan.
  • Bubbys – inspired by the NYC spot.
  • Mercer Brunch Ginza Terrace – if you’re feeling bad and bougie, lines up early.
  • Eggcelent – for the egg lover in all of us

Bakeries

Ramen

  • Ichiran – you’ll find this chain peppered throughout Japan, for good reason. Go for the aesthetic, stay for the desk-like seating that tastes good at all times of day (especially at the end of a night of drinking)
  • Rokurinsha – located in the basement of Tokyo station, it’s among many other ramen shops as part of the “Ramen Street.” Tsukemen, also known as “dipping ramen” is my favorite way to eat ramen, and this one is top notch.
  • TBH i’m not a big ramen eater so check out this list for more spots: https://www.eater.com/maps/best-ramen-tokyo-japan 
  • Shuuichi – Curry ramen. You read that right.
  • Afuri – So solid.

Sushi

  • Sushi Ten ($$$$) – Excellent sushi place. Get counter seats. Course ~$120pp. Book a few days in advance. It’s on the second floor. Black curtain hanging from the door, no name on it.
  • Kura Sushi – Conveyor belt sushi and a must-try while in Japan. This is a chain with multiple spots around the country. Be amazed.
  • Sushi Aoki ($$$$) – More experimental and unconventional.
  • Sushi Nakamura ($$$$) – Traditional sushi.
  • Nishiazabu Taku ($$$$) – Not even sure how you’re supposed to get a reservation here but its absolutely phenomenal. If you have to ask how much it costs, don’t go.
  • Higashiazabu Amamoto ($$$$) – Dying from the memory.

Other Japanese

  • Nikugen, Roppingi — Yakiniku (You order plates of meat and grill it at your table.)
  • Katsuzen — Michelin 1* pork cutlet place.
  • Imafuku — Michelin 1* Shabu shabu and Sukiyaki place. I’d choose the Sukiyaki course. Deelicious.  Book in advance!
  • Narisawa ($$$$) – Rated one of the best restaurants in the world. Course ~$300pp Book two months in advance on the 1st of the month.
  • Udon Shin – Small but delicious noodle shop.
  • Nabezo – A great sukiyaki and shabu shabu (hot pot) spot. Great for groups (but book in advance).
  • Tsujihan – Expect a line up to 2 hours.
  • Tsurutokame ($$$$) – Kaiseki.
  • Nihonbashi Tendon Kaenko Hannosuke – Tempura

Izakaya (Note: Izakaya = Japanese-style restaurant/bar, usually casual. These are the places to go if you want a good atmosphere.)

  • Shibuya Yokocho — A cluster of izakayas, all under one roof, newly finished in Summer 2020. It’s highly unique, old-style, but beautiful.
  • Ebisu Yokocho – An older, grungier version of Shibuya Yokocho. 
  • Uoshin Nogizaka – fish based Izakaya. Great for pesky pescatarians.
  • Juban Ukyou — Great higher-end izakaya. Book in advance!
  • SG Low – A modern and hip, fusion-style izakaya located in Shibuya. 💡 Maika’s Pro Tip – it’s behind a door you wouldn’t think about opening 😉

Non-Japanese

To Drink

Cafe

  • Lattest Omotesando Espresso Bar – sister store to very popular streamer coffee, good vibes, less busy.
  • Lotus Cafe – beautiful cakes too, expect a line.
  • Streamer Coffee Company – my favorite place to get some work done.
  • Turret Coffee – best americano of my life. Maybe the best coffee of my life – And I’ve had a lot of coffee.
  • Paddlers Coffee
  • Chop Coffee
  • Snow & Coffee Table – very aesthetic, small cafe with nice outdoor seating. 
  • Freeman Cafe
  • Janai Coffee – what starts as a nice coffee shop transforms into something unique… see below for spoilers 👀 (cred: Anand)
  • Unplugged Coffee Stand – It’s a coffee shop that doubles as a bar at night. It’s this interesting triangle shape on the inside, which is cool because the owner loves NYC and themed a lot of it in a vintage, NYC, type way (re: flat iron building). It has a vibey upstairs area that I like to chill in. Oh also, the coffee is super great. They have roasters from around the world and from Japan as well. (cred: Nathaniel)

Alcohol

  • Commune 2nd – outdoor drink spot in Omotesando.
  • The Public Six — Lively bar.
  • Mogambo — By Andy: “From 11 pm on weekends, this place is madness. Casual carnage.”
  • Two Rooms ($$$$) — Lively, high-end bar with good views. Head to the bar, not the restaurant. My go-to bar when I was at Cirque Du Soleil.
  • New York Bar, Park Hyatt ($$$$) — On the 51st Floor of the Park Hyatt in Shinjuku.
  • The SG Club – on the list of Asia’s best 50 bars. Book a seat ahead – the menu is creative and the atmosphere is *chefs kiss.*
  • Mikkeller Tokyo
  • Bar TRENCH ($$$$) – Excellent atmosphere. Part of a family of bars. If one is too busy, try one of the others located nearby. On the list of World’s 50 best bars.
  • Gen Yamamoto ($$$$)
  • Ise Kadoya Craft Beer Shimbashi Shop – Cute brewery in a bustling train station.
  • Hitachino Brewing Marunouchi – Another cute brewery in an even more bustling train station.
  • Janai Coffee – you might’ve seen this on the coffee list above, but make no mistake, there’s something afoot. When you spin the logo…. (try on mobile) you may find how to access the hidden speakeasy bar with coffee-inspired cocktails.
  • Gout de Jaune – down a dark set of inconspicuous stairs lies a cozy, very popular wine bar. This place gets packed on the weekends so make sure to book ahead.
  • Code Name MIXOLOGY – this one is a hidden gem! the gorgeous bar is only made more beautiful by the epic menu and dapper bartenders. They have a fair share of sweet / dessert-forward options too if that’s your thing.

To Do

Morning

  • Tsukiji Outer Market – The actual fish auction/market section moved location in late 2018, see “Toyosu Fish Auction” but the consumer-facing part is still there and very fun to walk around. Expect lines at most places. Everything closes down around 2–3 pm.
  • Toyosu Fish Auction and Market – a bit of an underrated gem, in my opinion. It’s a bit hard to get to, but a great option for those just landing and dealing with jet lag. The auction is free to view (get there around 5am) from an observation deck, and you can enjoy line-free sushi spots and other restaurants at your leisure. There’s also a great market and shopping area for off-beat purchases like miso, knives, and tea.
  • Meiji Jingu – A beautiful temple and area located right in the heart of Tokyo’s Harajuku area. I recommend going early in the morning to avoid crowds, and pairing it with Harajuku after. 
  • Senso-ji Temple – This temple (along with the surrounding area, Asakusa, in the “Afternoon” section below) is a must-visit. The huge temple area and giant lanterns in the entrance gates are a great photo too. Visit early as it gets crowded in the afternoon.

Afternoon 

  • Asakusa – after visiting Senso-ji Temple, you can spend an entire afternoon looking at the shops leading up to the temple itself, and getting lost in the side streets and shotengai (shopping streets) in the surrounding neighborhood.
  • Akihabara – both an electronic and otaku’s wet dream, Akihabara (“Akiba”) has a lil somethin’ somethin’ for everyone. Check out the maid cafes.
  • Harajuku – an epic place. truly.
  • Takeshita Dori – fondly nicknamed “take a shit street,” this is a long street lined with shops, food, snacks, and lots of people. Eat a crepe for me.
  • Omotesando – a popular area of shops and side streets. You can spend an entire day just wandering around.
  • Cat Street – one my favorite ways to spend an afternoon in Tokyo is walking Cat Street. It cuts across from Harajuku to Shibuya, and constantly seems to be changing with new shops and things to see. Take a stroll and see what you find.
  • TeamLab Borderless — It’s a digital art museum with a few locations around Asia. There is also one called TeamLab Planets which is equally good. Book in advance.
  • Sumo — Check to see if it’s on during your stay. It’s amazing to see live. Turn up at 4 pm, to watch the final 2 hours of fights. Any earlier and you’ll be bored by the end. Book in advance. I’ve personally never been but tourists seem to want to see it.
  • MariCar Go-kart around Tokyo, dressed up as your favorite Mario character. Bring an international driver’s permit prior to coming to Japan if you want to do this. (Instructions: USA, UK, Australia, Canada).
  • Cat Cafe — Very clean, good atmosphere. (Owl Cafes and Hedgehog cafes exist too. Just punch them in google maps to find one closest.)
  • Ghibli Museum — Ghibli fans get excited! A bit of a trip. The link tells you how to get tickets. Book in advance.
  • 33rd Floor – This recently opened and isn’t being well-advertised, so go before it gets packed with tourists! The newly opened Azabudai Hills building has a free viewpoint on the 33rd floor, and the views are worth the trip. 💡 Maika’s Pro Tip – the entrance can be a bit hard to find. Make sure you’re on the main level, then find your way to the entrance to the business offices (not the shops and dining). If you’re not already on the ground floor, head down there, then you’ll find a bit of an inconspicuous set of elevators with a small sign that announces the viewpoint floor. Young men dressed well should guide you up. 💡💡Maika’s Double Pro Tip – There is a cafe/restaurant up on the 33rd floor, but it is a bit stuffy up there, so you can also grab a drink at the new %Arabica location that’s open on the 4th floor (back on the shops and dining side of the complex)!

Night

  • Shibuya Crossing – You’ve seen it in pretty much every movie that takes place in modern Japan. It’s actually pretty cool – lights are pretty at night.
  • Omoide Yokocho – A collection of smelly alleys of izakaya-style shops in Shinjuku. An excellent place to explore.
  • 1 Oak — yehaaaaaa.
  • AiSotope Lounge – fruity.
  • Golden Gai — A ton of tiny bars (3-7 people capacity max) intertwined in a maze of alleys in Shinjuku. All have a different, crazy theme & decor, from 50’s rock to Colombian cumbia. Most of them have a cover (around $10 – so don’t be surprised) but some of them are free. Japanese custom is to chill at a bar rather than bar hop. When cheering, you say “kampai” but when clinking glasses, try to hit lower than them, to humble yourself. They’ll love this little sign of appreciation. You can easily spend a few hours here. This is a MUST DO.
    • Araku – if you’re feeling intimidated, this one is particularly foreigner-friendly.
  • Robot Cafe Shinjuku — It’s a show, not a cafe. It’s almost a must-see. Your impression will probably be, “What the fuck just happened?!” in a good way. Don’t bother with the food. I’ve personally never been and have heard to avoid the place, but its up to you.
  • Karaoke!

Kyoto

Kyoto is a sightseer’s paradise. If you can, give yourself a few days here.

The best way by far to get around the city and most of the major sightseeing spots is by bus. It’s fairly easy to figure out the bus system – and you can ride with your Suica/Pasmo card (see Appendix). Kyoto also has a one-day and two-day pass that becomes a financially better choice as long as you’re planning on using it a couple times! As always, taxis and trains are great choices depending on where you’re going.

Food is incredible in Kyoto (as it is everywhere in Japan). Come hungry.

To Eat

Breakfast

  • Dining 603: don’t blink or you might miss it. We came for the cream-cheese-stuffed bagels but stayed for the wooden interior. Apparently they rent out a room too?
  • City Bakery: If you want something safe and simple (safe = understands english), City Bakery is your spot. This is actually a chain, so you can find these all around. Still delicious!
  • Mash Kyoto: Bakery!
  • Slo: Another Bakery!
  • Sagan: Don’t miss the opportunity to eat here! Traditional Japanese breakfast sets supplemented by fresh baked goods. I LOVE the way they present their menu, and the space is unique.

Lunch

  • Donguri Kyoto Station: Okonomiyaki.
  • Ine – Kyoto is known for their tofu. There’s a bunch of restaurants along this road, this is just the one I happened to stop in. Well-priced lunch spreads, and delicious. 

Dinner

  • Pontocho: This is a street/area – not a restaurant. You absolutely must walk this alley at night. Lined with izakaya, bars, and other cozy nooks, it’s aesthetic and you’ll find great eats. 
  • AWOMB Nishi-Kiyamachi: Also open for lunch. Sushi restaurant with a unique presentation style and an even stranger name.
  • Okazuya Ishikawa: Traditional Japanese, casual.
  • Kikunoi Roan ($$$$): Kaiseki
  • Gion Tsubaki ($$$$): Kaiseki
  • Mitate ($$$$) – Exceptional course dinner.
  • Monk ($$$$) – Another exceptional course dinner.
  • Sushi Gion Matsuda ($$$$) – Omakase sushi. This was good, but overpriced. Only adding it to the list here as it was fairly foreigner friendly, if that’s something you’re more comfortable with.
  • おうち割烹月をみ: I stumbled upon this izakaya-style restaurant on one of the coolest nighttime alleyways in Japan. Every dish was excellent, but I’m not sure there is an English menu. Saw a geisha while leaving the restaurant!

To Drink

Coffee:

Bars:

  • Bar Ezo: a chic cocktail bar serving strong drinks. Owner has an interesting background, and traveled around the country to find the wood he used to make the bar counter.
  • Bee’s Knees: Beautiful speakeasy and award-winning team.
  • Apotheca: stunning cocktails
  • Local SAKE and BEER stand 336: One of my favorite spots / activities in the east Kyoto area. This tiny sake spot is tucked away on a corner in the winding streets leading up to Kiyomizu-dera. 

To Do

I would split Kyoto into two main areas, although you could segment them much further. I recommend planning ahead by area, so you’re not caught crossing the city multiple times. 

Arashiyama –  Located around 40 minutes away from Tokyo station by train, Arashiyama is worth a half or full-day trip. 

  • Bamboo Forest: a fan favorite. A big tourist destination.
  • Tenryu-ji: the main temple in the Arashiyama area. It’s huge! Pay the full amount to go inside the temple and in the garden. It’s worth it.
    • If you want to experience traditional zen-buddhist food, there’s a restaurant in the courtyard – very, very tasty and a great set lunch.
  • Further out but well worth it if you have time is seeing the little temple called Otagi Nenbutsu-ji

Kiyo-Mizudera & old streets (early in the morning or during sunset) – there is so much to explore on the streets leading up to the temple + the temple itself, so take it slow and give yourself plenty of time. 

Fushimi Inari Taisha – This is a shrine famous for its thousands of red gates around a path you can hike through. If you choose to do the entire hike, it is a bit long, so allot for a few hours and wear good shoes.

Kinkakuji: the Golden Pavilion! So pretty! 

Imperial Palace: If you’re a history buff, check out the old Imperial Palace. They have English language tours happen throughout the day at set times.

Nijo Castle: Visit to compare the styles and see how the shoguns vs. emperors lived. There’s a very similar style castle in Osaka and in other cities around the country.

Rengo-in Sanjusangendo Temple – Less famous, less crowded, equally great.

Nara

If you’re visiting Kyoto and have the flexibility to add another day to the itinerary, I highly recommend spending it in Nara. Located ~40 minutes by train on the Nara line from Kyoto Station, it’s an easy addition to your trip.

There’s a surprising amount to do in Nara, but there is one big route that will help you hit 80% of it. Here’s a helpful map:

Once you find the big main street from the station, the path is fairly easy to follow and will wind you through the big temples and viewpoints in the area. Bring good walking shoes!

💡 Maika Pro Tip: Nara is famous for its bowing deer 🦌 (yes, the deer bow to you!). The first place you run into the dear is likely going to be this large park area. While it’s tempting to buy the deer crackers and try to feed the deer in that area, those dear are pretty sluggish and overindulged from all of the visitors. If you wait until later in the path, you’ll come across more energetic, healthy, and hungrier deer that are more fun to interact with. Buy your crackers now or later, but hold on to them until later in the route!

To Eat

  • Manna Food: Indian food in Japan? Yes. Japan actually has some of the best Indian food I’ve ever had (and Italian food, and French food…. you get the idea). If you’re struggling to find vegetarian food while in Japan, stop by here for a great lunch deal and some solid naan.
  • Curry House Mine: homey Japanese Curry House!
  • Nakatanidou: A famous mochi and confectionary shop. There will probably be a line (it moves fast) and they’ll likely be making it fresh right in front of you. Get a fresh one and eat it warm! mochi mochi!

To Drink

  • Rokumei Coffee: A beautifully branded coffee shop nestled in the busier streets of Nara. It gets busy but there is a lot of seating inside.

To Do

You’ll hit these places if you follow the route in the map above (even roughly) – no need to over-plan!

  • Kofuku-ji: Temple
  • National Treasure Hall: This museum (you’ll probably see it on the path you walk) was actually pretty cool. Old artifacts and national treasures.
  • Todai-ji: Massive Temple. You do NOT want to miss this one – and definitely pay to go inside. I have never seen a more massive statue in my entire life.
  • Higashimuki Shopping Street & Mochiidono Shopping Arcade – You’ll see more of these in Osaka, but fun to walk around if you have extra time as you head back towards the station.

Uji

Uji is most famously known for Tea/Matcha! Any tea lover should make time for a half-day trip here. You could easily make this into a full day-trip too, if you take the time to really explore everything!

You can get to Uji on the same Nara Line that you take from Nara from Kyoto Station. Super easy, 30-40 minute trip.

To Eat

  • 茶房 櫟: This place was awesome. They offer different lunch sets with matcha soba noodles and other side dishes. You eat in a tatami room with a beautiful view of the river.
  • Tatsumiya: Kaiseki restaurant – nice.

To Drink

  • Tsuen Main Branch: claims to be the “oldest tea house” in Japan! 💡 Maika Pro Tip: the Matcha itself was underwhelming (you can find better tea elsewhere) but it was a cool place to see, if only for the historical aspect.
  • Taihoan: another famous tea house
  • Starbucks: I know – but stop by just to look at how pretty it is!
  • ますだ茶舗 TEA STAND SHOP: This modern-looking shop serves an interesting selection of tea-drinks, both iced and hot. You can even get it cut with various types of alcohol – its 5 o’clock somewhere!

To Do

  • Fukujuen Uji: Make your own matcha! They have an activity that walks you through grinding and preparing your very own matcha. 💡 Maika Pro Tip: Book ahead, or you can try to get there early and see if there are slots available later that day and come back (that’s what I did)
  • Takumi no Yakata: Learn and experience tea! This place offers guidance on brewing and informational instruction on various kinds of teas.
  • Byodo-in Temple: For a (kinda hefty) entrance fee, you can walk around the gorgeous garden. The museum entrance fee is included, so be sure to check it out. 💡 Maika Pro Tip: You’ll need to pay extra to actually enter the temple in the middle, so go through the museum before deciding if you want to do that. They let people into the temple in waves every 30 minutes.

Osaka

Osaka is awesome, but you may not make it here if you have a shorter trip (and that’s ok). Only visit for a day if you really have the time.You can definitely combine it with Nara or the surrounding areas to make the most of the journey there.

Osaka is known for its street food. One of the few places where it’s acceptable to be walking around eating outside – the stalls are plenty and the food is front and center.

To Eat

Rikuro’s Namba Main Branch: Have you ever wished you could buy an entire cheesecake for 800 yen? No me neither. But I didn’t know this was missing from my life until I had it. They pump out fresh cheesecakes every minute, and you can stand in a short line to get them. Have a few bites while its hot, and taste how the flavor changes 1 day, 2 days after. Magic.

Okonomiyaki Sanpei: It’s a small 10-seater spot with one chef that serves traditional Okonomiyaki right in front of you. I once waited here for 2 hours in line. Don’t wait for two hours – eat here if the wait is short – it’s very good and on many of the “must visit” lists about Osaka.

Okonomiyaki Mizuno: Another solid okonomiyaki spot.

Kushiya Monogatari: There’s a lot of stuff on skewers here – and this place is everything deep fried. Fun.

Matsuzakagyu Yakiniku – Amazing grilled beef restaurant

Octopus balls (Takoyaki) – try these from the street vendors around the Ebisu bridge area

To Drink

Craft Beer Works Kamikaze: A brewery a few blocks from the heart of Osaka. They have flights!

Bar Nayuta: An excellent speakeasy that’s actually quite hard to find. Ping me if you need help 🙂 

Bar has no menu so be ready to describe what you like. 

To Do

My favorite thing to do in Osaka is walk around Dotonbori, snack on street foods, and dipping in and out of the various stores. There’s a maze-like number of intersecting shopping streets that you can get lost in for hours. 

Osaka Castle: A historic landmark of Osaka. You can go in and around the castle grounds. A great afternoon stroll!

Round1 Stadium: it’s a huge game center and great banter.

Walk and drink – Grab a drink from any convenience store (this is a good start point) and walk around Namba and Shinsaibashi in the afternoon/evening. The street called Shinsaibashi-suji and the general Ebisu bridge area is fun. You’ll see a bunch of host boys and scouts later in the evening trying to pick up girls there. (If you want to understand the Host/Hostess culture, watch The Great Happiness Space – Tale of an Osaka Love Thief. It won the 2006 Edinburgh Film Festival for best documentary.

Shinsekai: This is Osaka’s historic retro old area. I had heard good things, but it was a bit underwhelming when we visited. There’s some spots to play old arcade games, and could be cool for the retro-history fan or photographer to see the area.

Near Osaka

Koyasan: Day trip from Osaka. 2 hours train ride south and up in the mountains, this is like Kyoto without the crowds. Buddhist community, 1200 years old. Wonderful.

Kobe: Go for the meat, stay for the meat.

//

If you have a request for a particular city, or want to add your recommendations to this list, please let me know!

The majority of these recommendations come from good friends – for all who contributed, thank you. I owe an extra special thank you to Andy Morgan, who’s travel guide filled in a few blanks here.

You can follow me on Instagram and Twitter.

…

Appendix

Where to stay

It can be intimidating to know where to stay if you’re just trying to find “Tokyo Hotels” on Google. Each area is quite different – so I recommend staying in one of the larger areas that has a central train station as your home base – Shibuya, Shinjuku, etc., are good places to look.

Airbnb is a fine option if you’re comfortable with it. It may end up costing a bit more than a hotel or other options, though. 

There are many budget-friendly (and in Japanese style, very clean and presentable) hotels around the country. Dormy Inn and APA hotels are great and reasonable – some even have a public bath in the hotel! Be sure to book in advance. If you want an experience and are trying to be as cheap as possible, check out the hostels or stay in a “capsule hotel” (some of these are male-only).

If you’re trying to empty the pockets, the Grand Hyatt or the Ritz-Carlton are in the Roppongi area, though there are a lot of similarly ridiculously cool hotels around the Tokyo station. Warning: The Tokyo Station area is neither central nor convenient for the fun stuff. It’s great to visit but I don’t recommend booking a hotel there.

Japan is a safe country. There is no such thing as a ‘bad’ neighborhood where you need to be careful walking around.

You should stay at a ryokan at least once on your trip. A ryokan is a traditional Japanese hotel or inn. They typically serve food (like dinner and breakfast), have tatami-floors, and hot spring baths. If you’re feeling brave, try to avoid the ones geared towards foreigners as they tend to be quite experience (although beautiful). My favorite place to book a ryokan is Kyoto, but if you can get to Hakone, that’s going to be great too. Make sure to add the meals (typically dinner and breakfast) – they’re a great value for the price and absolutely an experience!

How to act

Be on time: Japan is a punctual country. Trains leave on time and not a moment later – I mean it. If you’re 10 seconds late, the train is gone. If the train is late to arrive/depart for any reason, you may hear them apologizing over the intercom and handing out “late passes” to those going to work that are affected (seriously). Unlike America, where being 5 minutes late is “no problem,” being 5 minutes early is almost considered late in Japan. 

Reservations: (at restaurants and other events) are recommended (especially with groups larger than 4) and often necessary. Try not to cancel or change your reservation either. At many of these smaller restaurants, they may only serve 8-10 people a night, so if your party doesn’t come, they lose out on half of their revenue for that day. Show up on time for dinner reservations as well. 💡 Maika Pro Tip: it’s getting harder and harder to walk into places in Japan, especially good spots. If you want good meals, save yourself the trouble and just book in advance. Also- if you’re anything more than 2 people, its probably safer to have a reservation – really.

Making Reservations: Many places (especially more local ones) in Japan only take reservations by phone. Yeah, this sucks, but if you really want to go, have your hotel call and make a reservation for you (they are happy to do this) or ask a friend!

Do not touch taxi doors: by this I mean do not grab the door handle of the taxi door to open/close the door. The driver will yell at you. In Japan, taxi doors open and close automatically, so just wait for them to open and close the door for you. 

Seating charges: some places, especially smaller establishments and bars, will charge a seating fee. Don’t be surprised if there’s an extra 500-1200 yen on the bill per person. This isn’t too common though, and mainly in certain areas.

No substitutions / customizations: sorry but your vegan, dairy free, “don’t like x and y,” neediness is not going to pass in Japan (not sorry). Asking the wait staff to make alterations and changes to accommodate you is not going to fly, so don’t do it. Just eat what you get and stop being a pansy for this one trip. Allergies are a bit different, but if you’re allergic to shellfish, don’t go to a shrimp restaurant and expect them to serve you, please.

J-Walking: You’ll notice people standing and waiting for minutes without a single car in sight on tiny little streets if the light is red. Try not to be that guy.

Do not walk around while eating or drinking: in Japan it’s frowned upon to eat and drink while walking in public areas. If stores are selling street-style food, you should eat and finish eating the food you bought in front of the store you bought it from. It’s considered rude to throw away your trash from another restaurant in someone else’s trash can. So buy it, eat it there, throw it away there, and go on your way.

Trash: Good luck finding a trash can. Hold on to it until you can find a proper one later. You’ll also notice that there are usually multiple trash cans labeled with different things. Japan takes recycling and separating track seriously, so try your best to follow the instructions. 💡 Maika Pro Tip: if you NEED a trash can, the convenience store (7/11, Family Mart, etc.) or Starbucks is your best bet. 💡💡 Double Maika Pro Tip: as mentioned above, if you buy food on the street (stall, cart, truck, etc.) you can return your rubbish back to the stall and they’ll take it from you.

STFU: Japan is a very courteous culture: not putting others out, or causing burden or inconvenience to others. As part of that, you’ll find that most public areas, even inside restaurants, are very quiet. Try not to speak in loud voices, or at all, on the train or in other forms of transportation. When you are speaking, it’s best to speak in a hushed tone. If you’re loud, everyone will stare at you. Please try not to take loud phone calls in public, and do not answer your phone on the train.

Escalators: Everyone stands on one side of the escalators to allow others in more of a rush to walk up the other side. Follow the people in front of you to know which side to stand on. In Tokyo they stand on one side of the escalator while in Osaka they stand on the other side. I know, don’t ask me why.

Dress Code: Japan is quite conservative in dress, for the most part. In the city, you’ll find many of the business men and women all dressed exactly the same (suits, dress skirts, etc.). Shorts are rarely seen unless you’re working out, even on hot summer days. Try to cover your shoulders and midriff (sorry gen z). 

Lines / Patience: Japanese people love to line up. They’re also all incredibly patient. If there’s anything popular going on in Japan (particularly in Tokyo) there is going to be a line. Be prepared for this, and don’t be an asshole.

Cash: Japan is still a cash-heavy culture. Many places still only accept cash, so you don’t want to be caught without it! Carry enough with you for a full meal just in case you get caught at a spot. There are ATMs at most convenience stores. 💡 Maika Pro Tip: Coins are actually useful in Japan! It’s not like the change in the USA that you might be inclined to leave behind. Some of them are worth ~$1, or even ~$5. I recommend bringing a small coin pouch with you or a wallet that has a coin holder section.

Suica Card: “Suica” is one of the brands that enables the transportation cards you might see people using. They’re green/silver in color and enable you to tap on and off buses, trains, vending machines, and pay for stuff in some stores. It’s like a pre-charge debit card that you can top up at any time! 💡 Maika Pro Tip: You can actually add a digital Suica card to your Apple Wallet! Go to the upper right, “add a card” icon, and look for the transportation cards section. Search for Suica or Tokyo, and it should show up. You can top-up with Apple Pay or other cards in your Apple Wallet! Now you just tap your phone to hop on/off! If you want a physical one, go to one of the ticket machines at a major train station in Japan and walk through the prompts to buy one.

Train tickets: DO NOT LOSE THEM. If you’re opting to just buy the individual train tickets as you travel instead of using an IC card (ex. Suica) know that they’re extremely losable – often tiny little tickets or card-sized ones for the shinkansen that you can easily just stuff in your pocket and forget about. If you lose it, they’re going to make you pay for the entire fare again so just don’t.

How to pay

Do not tip: Japan is a no-tipping culture! Don’t tip – in some places they might even consider it rude.

Cash: Japan is still a very cash-heavy countries, especially in spots further from the cities. Definitely carry some cash with you wherever you go.

Card: Some places do not take card at all, and may not accept some brands. Bring a couple options with you, and also bring cash!

The Tray: Many places will have a little metallic tray near the register. Put your cash on the tray – don’t hand it to the person directly. The card can go on the tray too, or some people will take it from you directly. When they give you change back, they may put it on the tray for you to take, or they might put it directly in your hand. Just roll with it.

Suica: Many places now accept Suica (the transportation debit card) to pay. If you want, you can load your Suica up with a lot of money and play at convenience stores, vending machines, and other places with it.

How to get around

JR Pass: Many people ask me if the JR Pass is a good deal. My answer: it depends. The economics change depending on where you’re planning on going, and how often you plan to take the bullet train. On its own, the bullet train tickets are quite expensive. If you plan to take the bullet train at least 3-4 times, I’d recommend getting the JR pass. One thing to note: the JR Pass does not let you ride every bullet train, just most of them – and you’ll be in the non-reserved-seating cars, so you’ll need to check which one those are on every train. JR Pass also lets you ride around the JR trains too! 

  • Note: You have to order the JR Pass ahead of time, then exchange the order for the actual pass when you get to Japan. Also, don’t lose it. If you lose it (like my friend did on the first train ride there, sorry Cailin!) it cannot be replaced.

Taxis: Taxis are a great choice of transportation around the country. They’re clean and reliable. You can tell if they’re available, taken, or not in service by what is displayed on top of the car. If, for any reason, many open taxis drive by you without stopping, it could be because you’re standing in an area where they’re not allowed to stop. Try moving to a different street.

Uber: Uber is in Japan now! Many Ubers are actually just hooked up to the taxi system, so it’s a great option to get around if you’re used to riding in Ubers already.

Trains: Trains in Japan are a staple. They’re extremely reliable and go all over.

Buses: I’ve recently woken up to how good the bus system is in Japan! These also go all over, and there are many buses that travel long distances at a more affordable (albeit slower) price.

Suica / Pasmo: These are the IC cards that basically act as debit cards. You can buy and reload them at basically every train station, and they’re incredibly useful. They’re now available in many mobile wallets, so you don’t even need the physical card anymore!

…

If you made it this far – thank you!

I hope you have a wonderful trip to Japan. This is a living document, so if you come across a true gem or have any comments / tips to make this guide even better, please do not hesitate to send it my way!

Other Guides

Here are some other great guides for further reading.

https://www.kalzumeus.com/japan-recommendations/

https://haaaaruko.notion.site/Haruko-s-Guide-to-Tokyo-e7858b63919a44bf9759d06a6c374a3a