A collection of my favorite things I did in Japan. Every spot here was worth the visit. It’s a mix of popular must-sees and a few hidden gems. If you’re planning a trip, these are the places I’d absolutely recommend.
Map
Sections
5
Tokyo
Kanazawa
Kyoto
Osaka
Nara
Tokyo
Chill spot with a killer view of Tokyo Tower
Shiba Park
Retro game heaven—pure nostalgia overload
Super Potato Akihabara Branch
5 stories of funky and affordable souvenirs
Don Quijote
nice spot to see the cherry blossoms IF the cherry blossoms are blooming at the time you go
Meguro River
one of the world’s busiest intersections. Take the subway to Shibuya Station and head upstairs to the Starbucks, where you’ll have an overhead view of all the action
Shibuya Crossing
Panoramic views of Tokyo (Buy tickets online in advance) Take one of the elevators on the 1st or 2nd floor on the exterior of Shibuya Scramble Crossing in order to reach the 14th floor where the Shibuya Sky entry gates are. From there, you’ll be dire...
Shibuya Sky
shopping! can buy some souvenirs and stationary here
Shibuya Loft
hedgehog cafe!
Chiku Chiku Cafe
Inside this magical, tree-filled green space lies Meiji Jingu, a large shrine complex with a famous iris garden that blooms in June. You’ll also find the much-photographed wall of ceremonial sake barrels not far from the shrine’s entrance
Yoyogi Park
Tokyo’s epicenter of all things cute and cool.
Harajuku
Located in Harajuku. Try their Tonkotsu Ramen!
Gyukatsu Motomura (Harajuku Branch)
cute animal cafe with otters
HARRY HARAJUKU terrace
Free, You can access the observation decks via the 1st floor elevator, though be prepared for a short-ish queue depending on the day and time of your visit.
Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building
biggest cat cafe in Japan (no reservation required, walk in, last entry 7:30pm)
Cat Cafe Mocha Lounge (Shinjuku)
meaning “Memory Lane”, this lantern-lit alley is jam-packed with tiny izakaya (Japanese pubs), yakitori shops, and watering holes.
Omoide Yokocho
a massive green space in the heart of Tokyo. Pay the 200 yen admission fee and wander the numerous garden paths, which are lined with cherry blossoms in the spring. There’s also a greenhouse, Chinese garden, and an open field with great views of the city skyline
Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden
LOVE Tokyo Disneysea! Reasonable prices, amazing food, gorgeous atmosphere. The rides are cool too
Tokyo DisneySea
Kanazawa
One of the most picturesque parts of Kanazawa. Get gold leaf ice cream here! Kanazawa produces 99% of Japan’s gold leaves
Higashi Chaya District (Eastern Teahouse District)
Sake tasting. Buy tickets online in advance. Really fun experience!
SAKE SHOP Fukumitsuya Kanazawaten
can enjoy the exterior but $2 to enter (the inside doesn’t have anything interesting)
Kanazawa Castle
One of the “Three Great Gardens” of Japan. Has reflecting pools, moss gardens, and a traditional tea house
Kenroku-en
I didn't get a chance to check this place out but really wanted to
Nomura-ke Samurai House
Kyoto
a.k.a. the Golden Pavilion. The view of the building from across the reflecting pool is unforgettable
Kinkaku-ji
a.k.a. the Silver Pavilion. The temple has a slightly confusing name because it’s not actually silver! Ginkakuji has two fantastic gardens, including one made of raked sand.
Ginkakuji
This scenic footpath runs along a canal and is lined with charming cafes, shops, and cherry blossoms in the spring
Philosopher's Path
Definitely recommend going to a tea ceremony in Kyoto!
Tea Ceremony
Lantern-filled alley lined with mysterious entrances. Recommend finding dinner here!
Pontocho District
the most famous shrine in Japan. The orange arch pics you have probably seen online (recommended to come before 8am to avoid crowds)
Fushimi Inari Taisha
With 10 floors packed with clothes, accessories, electronics, and more. But the best thing about Daimaru is the enormous basement food hall, where hundreds of stalls sell everything from tempura to bread to traditional sweets.
Daimaru Kyoto
One of the most fun part of my Japan trip. Recommend if you enjoy sushi :)
Sushi-Making Experience
Famous market. Get a handmade knife engraved at Aritsugu!
Nishiki Market
Easily the most popular temple in Kyoto (if not all of Japan). FYI its very crowded!
Kiyomizu-dera
historic castle built in 1603 as the official Kyoto residence of Tokugawa Ieyasu, the first shogun of the Edo period
Nijō Castle
Osaka
Super photogenic and kinda magical, even when crowded.
Arashiyama Bamboo Forest
Nonstop eating in Japan’s street food capital—10/10 would do again.
Osaka Food Tour
filled with towering neon signs, clubs, bars, and restaurants serving up local specialties (looks amazing at night)
Dotonbori
a huge green space in the middle of Osaka.
Tennoji Park
the Insta-famous street with a view of Tsutenkaku tower. The whole place has the feel of a carnival with music, game centers, and abundant street food vendors
Shinsekai
Michelin star Kaiseki. AMAZING food! And the chef was so nice
Rakushin
The 40th floor observation deck provides unparalleled panoramic views over Osaka (But ticket online in advance- ticket is good for the whole day
Umeda Sky Building
offers the highest views of Osaka. The observation deck occupies the top three floors of the Abeno Harukas building. (best at night)
Harukas 300 - Observation deck
picturesque nature reserve with a hiking trail and waterfall
Minoh National Park
Closed tuesdays
Cup Noodle Museum
Nara
The main highlight of the park is the deers, thousands of them roaming freely. You can feed them Shika Senbei or Deer cookies which are available for 150 Yen.
Nara Park
($5 entry fee) Built in the 17th century, it is a lovely Japanese landscape garden consisting of many ponds, a few tea houses and walking trails.
Isuien Garden
The most famous temple in the whole of Nara. Inside the Tōdai-ji temple is a 15 metre high Buddha, which is also very impressive ($4)
Tōdai-ji
Get mochi here. Famous for their dramatic mochi-pounding process, a tradition known as mochitsuki in Japanese
