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Perfect Japan Itinerary & Things to Do!
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items Favorite Places in Japan – From Tokyo’s hidden gems to Kyoto’s must-see spots, this list captures the best of each city we explored. After hours of research and on-the-ground discoveries, I’ve curated a guide of places that made our trip unforgettabl...
Map
Sections
3
Tokyo
Osaka
Kyoto
Tokyo
Step into a mind-bending, immersive art experience where you walk through water and become part of stunning digital installations. It’s a sensory journey that blurs the line between art and reality, perfect for anyone seeking a truly unique and inter...
teamLab Planets
The Bellwood’s 12-course omakase tasting menu takes you on a culinary journey, with each piece thoughtfully inspired by the flavors and culture of a different city or country, making it a global exploration through expertly crafted pairings. A playfu...
The Bellwood
Shibuya Scramble Crossing is a must-see for its sheer uniqueness—watch as up to 3,000 people navigate the intersection at once, with around 2.4 million crossing daily, it's one of the busiest and most iconic intersections in the world. It’s a mesmeri...
Shibuya Scramble Crossing
MiPig Café offers an adorable and unique experience where you can relax while cuddling with tiny, friendly pigs. It’s the perfect spot for animal lovers looking for a cute, cozy break in the heart of Harajuku!
mipig cafe Harajuku
A great place to stop by in Harajuku if you need a CBD fix or good healthy vegan food!
HealthyTOKYO
Takeshita Street is a fun, vibrant hub for discovering trendy fashion, quirky shops, and tasty street food. Perfect for a lively stroll and soaking in Tokyo’s youth culture!
Takeshita Street
AMAZING ramen carbonara!
Nihon Aburato
EatMe Tokyo is a dreamy boutique offering ultra-feminine styles with bows, lace, and delicate details. Perfect for finding cute, girly fashion pieces that add a touch of charm and whimsy to your wardrobe!
EATME
Shibuya Parco is a cutting-edge department store offering an incredible mix of high fashion, streetwear, art, and gourmet food. They even have a museum, hair salon and rooftop. It’s a must-visit for trendsetters and culture enthusiasts looking to exp...
Shibuya Parco
Ninja Restaurant Tokyo is a quirky, slightly gimmicky spot that offers a fun, immersive dining experience with ninja-themed antics. Would particularly be perfect for families and kids as it combines entertaining surprises with a unique meal, making i...
Ninja Tokyo
Tsukiji Fish Market is a must for fish and sushi lovers! Head there early in the morning to enjoy the freshest sushi for breakfast and beat the crowds, making it a delicious start to your day in Tokyo. Make sure to try one of the HUGE oysters; they l...
Tsukiji Outer Market
Ginza is Tokyo’s upscale neighborhood, known for its luxury shopping, high-end dining, and sleek architecture. It’s the perfect place to explore designer boutiques, gourmet restaurants, and enjoy a taste of Tokyo’s glamorous side.
Ginza
Mixology Salon in Tokyo offers an elegant cocktail experience, where innovative drinks are crafted with precision and a focus on Japanese tea. It’s a stylish spot for those looking to enjoy unique, expertly curated cocktails in a chic setting. Go for...
MIXOLOGY SALON
The spicy ramen here is unbeatable, no wonder they have 4.9*! Get there around 5:30pm shortly after they open and there won't be tooooo much of a wait, but it's worth it.
Gyumon Halal Ramen Asakusa
Tokyo Comedy Bar is the perfect way to end your night in Shibuya! Enjoy a hilarious lineup of stand-up comedy while sipping drinks, making it a fun and laid-back spot to unwind in the city.
Tokyo Comedy Bar: Home
Akihabara is a paradise for anime, manga, and tech enthusiasts! This vibrant neighborhood is packed with electronics stores, gaming arcades, and themed cafés, making it the ultimate destination for pop culture and gadget lovers.
Akihabara Electric Town
Senso-ji Temple is Tokyo’s oldest and most iconic temple, offering a serene escape with beautiful traditional architecture. Stroll through the vibrant Nakamise shopping street with lots of fun food stalls and souvenirs.
Sensō-ji
The SG Club in Tokyo is known for its wildly creative cocktails that push the boundaries of mixology, truly one of the most innovative cocktail bars we've been to. I tried one The Charlie Brown Loves Wagu which infuses peanut butter & Kobe beef, ...
The SG Club
DisneySea is a one-of-a-kind park that is themed around oceanic adventures where different areas are named after ports. Must get there at 9am to be able to sign up for rides to skip the lines (and even then they sell out fast). The evening lightshow ...
Tokyo DisneySea
Omoide Yokocho is the spot for authentic yakitori in a nostalgic, narrow alleyway full of charm. Enjoy grilled skewers and a retro vibe for a true Tokyo street food experience!
Omoide Yokocho
Golden Gai is a quirky, nostalgic district filled with tiny bars, each with its own unique vibe. Perfect for bar hopping and a fun night out in Shinjuku!
Shinjuku Golden-Gai
Bellustar Hotel is a stunning place to stay, offering luxury and beautiful views. Definitely have a drink on their rooftop during sunset! While it’s located in the lively, slightly edgier part of Shinjuku, it’s the perfect retreat after a fun night o...
BELLUSTAR TOKYO, A Pan Pacific Hotel
Osaka
The Umeda Sky Building is an architectural marvel with its floating garden observatory offering panoramic views of Osaka. Don't forget to check out the rooftop and take a selfie near the locks!
Umeda Sky Building
W Hotel Osaka is the perfect place to stay in Osaka with it's stylish and bold design, it feels like a luxury retreat in the heart of the bustling city. The buffet breakfast is also unreal and all the amenities (ie. gym, spa, pool) are gorgeous.
W Osaka
Kirip Truman is a hidden gem in Tokyo’s cocktail scene, known for its intimate setting and expertly crafted drinks (the bartender is an actual chemist)! With a speakeasy vibe and a focus on creative, well-balanced cocktails, it’s the perfect spot for...
KIRIP TRUMAN
Must go for sunset! Beautiful view over Osaka castle. One side with a more direct view is just for BBQ (so make reservations if you want to try that), but the other side also offers a nice view just for cocktails.
BLUE BIRDS ROOF TOP TERRACE
Nice castle to walk through with it impressive architecture and beautiful surrounding gardens. We enjoyed looking at it from BlueBird Terrace over cocktails the best.
Osaka Castle
Go to Dotonbori Street at night for it's vibrant neon signs, bustling energy, and endless street food options. It’s the perfect place to experience the city’s famous takoyaki (octopus balls), okonomiyaki (japanese pancakes), and enjoy walking around ...
Dotonbori
Shinsekai is a retro neighborhood considered the “New World”; it has lots of street food stalls and an iconic Tsutenkaku Tower. Fun place to check our briefly but don't need to dedicate a ton of time here.
Shin Sekai "New World"
Kyoto
Nijo Castle is a beautifully preserved UNESCO World Heritage site; we enjoyed walking through it briefly and enjoying the serene gardens. No need to go through the whole inside
Nijō Castle
loMUST go to this bustling food market packed with with fresh seafood, local specialties, and unique street food. It’s the perfect spot to sample authentic Kyoto flavors and pick up some traditional ingredients or souvenirs. Also lots of places to tr...
Nishiki Market
The truffle martini here is to die for! Would return for this… wow
Stars'n Cacio
Walk down this narrow, lantern-lit alley in the evening to experience old-school Kyoto charm. The streets is lined with jazz, bars, eateries and cozy teahouses and is the perfect way to end the day.
Pontocho Alley
You have to try Breakfast Udon Express in Kyoto! It’s this little hidden gem where you can grab fresh, delicious udon first thing in the morning. Perfect for a quick, tasty breakfast before exploring the city—it’s a total local experience!
Breakfast Udon Express
Sanneizaka Street is such a picturesque, sloping street in Kyoto, lined with traditional wooden shops, cafés, and souvenir spots. It feels like you’re stepping back in time, and it’s the perfect place to wander and soak up Kyoto’s old-world charm. It...
Sannenzaka Ninenzaka
Gyukatsu Moromura in Kyoto is the place to try perfectly crispy, tender beef cutlet! It’s a small, cozy spot, and you cook the gyukatsu right at your table; a truly fresh, melt-in-your-mouth experience.
Gyukatsu Motomura Sanjo Kawaramachi Branch
We actually stumbled up on this peaceful spot featuring a massive statue of Kannon, the Goddess of Mercy. It’s a quiet, reflective place dedicated to honoring those who lost their lives in World War II, offering a serene break from the city’s hustle.
Ryōzen Kannon Temple