Cool Stuff in Japan

Nara

Todaiji Temple and Deer Park

Kita, Osaka

Samurai Cafe

Roppongi, Tokyo

teamLab Borderless

Toyosu, Tokyo

teamLab Planets

Ginza, Tokyo

The Iron Fairies Ginza

Chain across Japan

Ichiran Ramen

Shibuya, Tokyo

Cafe Ron Ron

All you can eat desserts delivered by conveyor belt!

Ginza, Tokyo

Lunch at Kyubey Ginza

Akihabara, Tokyo

Nijigen Cospa Akiba

Odaiba, Tokyo

Unicorn Gundam Statue

Hakone

Hakone Geo Museum

Hakone

Ashinoko Hanaori

Shinjuku, Tokyo

Dug Jazz Bar

Shinjuku, Tokyo

Bar Albatross at Golden Gai

Akihabara, Tokyo

SEGA Akihabara 3rd

Koto, Tokyo

Fukagawa Edo Museum

Shimogyo, Kyoto

nokishita 711 gin & cocktail labo.

Minato, Kyoto

Round1 Kyoto – Kawaramachi

Kamigyo, Kyoto

Ippodo Tea Kyoto

Operating since 1717, Ippodo offers a narrow assortment of green teas that please a bitter palate. Easily my favorite chaya in the world.

Nakagyo, Kyoto

Nijo Castle

Nakagyo, Kyoto

Menbakaichidai Fire Ramen

Scallion-focused ramen that is literally set on fire 🔥

Umeda, Osaka

Gudetama Cafe Osaka

Sanrio’s lovable “lazy egg” has his own cafe! Enjoy an assortment of egg-themed dishes, parfaits, and beverages as a grown-ass adult.

Chain across Osaka

Beard Papa Creme Puffs

This Osaka-based dessert shop sells at-request cream puffs. Chicago has a shop but it pales compared to the original at Osaka Station.

Everywhere

KFC (no joke)

Colonel Sanders’ seven herbs and spices is much-loved in Japan. Their recipe is lighter, crispier, mild. You might catch the life-sized statues of him as Santa in winter.

Chain across Tokyo

Hinoya Curry

The location in Kanda, Tokyo won a 2013 grand prize.

Mitaka, Tokyo

Ghibli Museum

Shinjuku, Tokyo

Samurai Museum

Shibuya, Tokyo

Fuunji Tsukemen

Kita, Osaka

Brewpub Center Point

Ginza, Tokyo

Bar High Five

Custom cocktails based on your tastes around $20–25. They get busy, no reservations. Dress nice. The bartenders speak English and are some of the nicest people. Owner is a very chatty, lively fellow.

Akihabara, Tokyo

Hitachino Brewing Lab

Laid back. Very good craft brew. Eat beforehand.

Chuo, Tokyo

Tsukiji Market

Go for lunch for the freshest sushi imaginable.

Chiyoda, Tokyo

Rokurinsha Ramen

This is a small chain but very worth it. Try the yuzu broth at the end.

Shinjuku, Tokyo

Golden Gai

Expensive drinks, but a must-see regardless. These types of places have seat charges.

Shibuya, Tokyo

Yoyogi Park

This ordinary park transforms into clubhouse central on Sunday afternoons with nice weather. Meetups of all kinds gather: jogging club, garden club, jump rope club, rockabilly dance club, husky parade, exotic animal keepers, video game harpists, and all the folks gathering to people-watch. A Tokyo cultural experience not to miss. If you see torii, you entered the wrong park.

Shibuya, Tokyo

Design Festa Gallery

Renown arts and graphic design gallery. Easily accessible near the Harajuku/Shinjuku area, close to Yoyogi Park.

Akasaka, Tokyo

Ninja Akasaka

Extremely cheesy, worthwhile experience. The food is great! Make a reservation two days prior. Parties of 6 or more require pre-ordering your courses.

Asakusa, Tokyo

Sensō-ji Temple

You can spend a whole afternoon walking around Asakusa’s historical district, shopping center, and by the river.

Sumida, Tokyo

Sumo at Ryogoku Kokugikan

This is a fascinating experience. You can rent an AM radio with a $30 deposit or bring your own and hear commentary broadcasted in English.

Shimokitazawa, Tokyo

Shimokitazawa

Great neighborhood with shops, food, record stores. Kinda out of the way but gives you a better idea of Tokyo life outside of the 23 special wards.

Shimokitazawa, Tokyo

Beer Bar Ushitora

One of the most amazing craft pubs I’ve ever visited.

Yokohama

Minato Mirai 21

Kinda like the Navy Pier of Yokohama. Great for people-watching. 12 minutes from Tokyo by bullet train.

Yokohama

Cup Noodles Museum

Kinda for kids but fascinating from a designer’s perspective. You can make your own cup noodles as a souvenir.

Nakagyo, Kyoto

Aritsugu – Knife Store

450 year old knife seller in Nishiki Market, adjacent to Kiyiomizudera Shopping District.

Nakagyo, Kyoto

Tea Ceremony at En

Really friendly staff, small demonstration, beautiful tea ceremony room.

Nakagyo, Kyoto

Gear Show

Better than Cirque. This show has been running a long time!

Fushimi, Kyoto

Fushimi Inari

A must. About 2–3 hours to the top and back.

Higashiyama, Kyoto

Samurai Kembu Kyoto

Demonstrations for tourists. Very nice.

Minami, Kyoto

Drinking at Kamo River

Get some chuhai, beer, or whiskey and drink at the river. There’s a lot of street performers and people relaxing as the city winds by.

Between Kyoto and Osaka

Suntory Yamazaki Distillery

This is truly vacation. Go here with some cash for the whisky museum and the tasting room. If you can swing it, book a distillery tour. They’re cheap but fill up fast. Oyamazaki station is 20 mins from Kyoto in Osaka Prefecture.

Osaka

Osakan Cuisine

Stuff as much food in as you can. Okonomiyaki, takoyaki, and kushikatsu are musts.

Near Hiroshima

Miyajima

Spend a day on Miyajima island. Lots of hiking, food, and wild deer.

Hiroshima

Peace Park and Museum

Hiroshima is a powerful experience. Visit the museum and memorials in the morning, and try Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki for lunch.

Kinosaki

Kinosaki Onsen

This is a great day-trip or you can book a ryokan for the night. Maybe 2.5 hours west of Kyoto on trains through the mountains. The town is mostly a getaway for locals and tourists, and shops shut down around 6pm because everyone’s eating dinner in their rooms. The bathhouse itself is maybe $10 and you can spend a few hours there.