Cool Stuff in Japan
Need some pointers for planning an amazing first trip to Japan? Here’s my recommendations, resources, and crucial experiences you should not miss. I hope this helps on your journey. Your mileage may vary. Safe travels!
Last updated 10/8/26
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 (fr fr)
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. The one in Akihabara is known for hot spice.
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. My favorite spot is a quiet whiskey bar called…
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
Renowned 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
The standard must-see for all tourists. You can spend a whole afternoon walking around Asakusa’s historical district, shopping center, and by the river.
Sumida, Tokyo
Sumo at Ryogoku Kokugikan
Unforgettable experience. Rent an AM radio with a $30 deposit or bring your own and hear commentary broadcasted in English.
Shimokitazawa, Tokyo
Shimokitazawa Area
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.
Yokohama
Paletas
Pretty cool place for ice cream.
Yokohama
Paletas
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, if they’re still running.
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.
Chuo, Osaka
Space Station Bar
Console gaming and cocktails. English focused.
Kita, Osaka
Smokehouse Ape
Amazing craft beer selection, with many international choices.
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.
Research
Japan-Guide.com is a one-stop-shop for tourism advice. TripAdvisor, Atlas Obscura, OpenTable, Expedia, and Tabelog offer great insight into restaurants and attractions. Plot your stops into a custom Google Map to optimise neighborhood visits, and download an offline version before leaving.
Costs
A 2-week trip averages $3k. $1400 for airfare, $250-450 for shinkansen (bullet train) access. The yen never rebounded after Lockdown ended in Oct 2022, which boosts your spending power. 1 USD = ~130 JPY as of Apr 2023!
Lodgings
Choose functional business hotels with snug rooms at half the cost of the big chains. Frugal travelers find hostels clean, safe, and worth the risk of a shared-room snorer. I’ve enjoyed many stays at K’s House and Khaosan. Airbnb offers a local experience at a good price, but operate in a regulatory gray zone that might complicate your plans.
Transportation
The quintessential Japanese experience starts and ends with trains. Get a Suica card to simplify fare. JR Rail Passes aren’t big savings anymore, so optimize your trip with an English-speaking salesperson at any large JR Service Center.
Safety
Crime is practically non-existent for tourists, but take the same travel precautions in any city. Patrol officers will kindly provide directions to lost travellers and offer Lost & Found dropoff.
Meals
Daily cuisine is mostly agreeable for Western palates. You might get addicted to konbini (convenience store) food. Major restaurants supply English menus and display photos or plastic models. Vegans might encounter fish oil and such in sauces. Learn to communicate your dietary needs with confidence and hope for the best.
Hot Springs
Enjoying a public onsen with strangers is a wild experience. Learn etiquette, find a bathhouse, book a ryokan stay, and reserve a kaiseki meal for an authentic getaway.
Communication
Unless you’ve got T-Mobile, book a wifi hotspot via JRPass.com for pickup/dropoff at the airport. Major cities are plastered in English signage, and Google Translate fills the gaps as an AR superhero.