Where to visit
Capital: Tokyo
If you’d like to visit big cities: Tokyo and Osaka
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Osaka
@ayuka_travel
Another big city in Japan. A captivating blend of modernity and tradition, entices with its vibrant street food scene, historic landmarks, and warm-hearted locals, creating a dynamic and unforgettable urban experience. 4/5
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If you want to explore Osaka more, check my Osaka guide
If you’d like to see traditional buildings and culture: Kyoto, Nara, and Kanazawa
Kyoto
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A timeless realm where ancient temples, serene gardens, and traditional tea houses transport you into the heart of Japan's rich cultural heritage.
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Nara
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It's famous for its ancient temples, including Todai-ji with the Great Buddha. Nara Park is home to hundreds of friendly deer.
The city was Japan's capital from 710 to 784, making it a historic center.
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Kanazawa
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Kanazawa, a city of artistic charm and historical elegance, invites you to explore its exquisite traditional craftsmanship, beautifully preserved geisha districts, and stunning Kenrokuen Garden.
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Beaches: Okinawa
Okinawa
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A tropical paradise in Japan, where crystal-clear turquoise waters, white sandy beaches, and a unique blend of indigenous culture and modern relaxation await your exploration. Best season: June ~ October
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Skiing and Snowboarding: Hokkaido
Niseko
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Hokkaido, Japan's northern frontier, has breathtaking natural beauty, boasting expansive landscapes, dramatic mountains, and a vibrant tapestry of outdoor adventures. I highly recommend to go skiing there and try seafood!
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Amusement park
Tokyo Disney Resort
Tokyo Disney Resort
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Tokyo Disney Resort is technically in Chiba. There are two parks which areDisney land and Disney sea
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Universal Studio Japan
Universal Studios Japan
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Universal Studio of Japan. Don't miss the many anime collaborations and events. Price changes depend on the date, so check the website.
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Giburi park
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Fujiq highland
FUJI Q
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They have the most scary roller coaster in Japan. They are collaborating with some anime.
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World heritage Site in Japan
Horyuji (temple in Nara)
Horyuji Temple
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Horyuji is one of Japan's oldest and most significant Buddhist temples, renowned for its ancient architecture and invaluable collection of early Buddhist art and relics.
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Kyoto city (Kyoto)
Kyoto
@ayuka_travel
A timeless realm where ancient temples, serene gardens, and traditional tea houses transport you into the heart of Japan's rich cultural heritage.
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Genbaku dome (Hiroshima)
Atomic Bomb Dome
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The "Atomic Bomb Dome" in Hiroshima is a preserved structure that serves as a poignant memorial to the tragic events of the atomic bombing during World War II.
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・Nikko temple (Tochigi)
Nikko Toshogu
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Nikko Toshogu Shrine is a grand Shinto shrine located in Nikko, Japan, dedicated to Tokugawa Ieyasu, featuring intricate architecture, ornate decorations, and serene natural surroundings.
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Mt. Fuji (Yamanashi, Shizuoka)
Mount Fuji
@ayuka_travel
Mount Fuji, an iconic and majestic stratovolcano, stands as Japan's highest peak and a symbol of natural beauty, attracting adventurers, artists, and seekers of awe-inspiring landscapes from around the world.
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Himeji Castle (Hyogo)
Himeji Castle
@ayuka_travel
Himeji Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a stunning and meticulously preserved feudal-era Japanese castle that captivates with its majestic white façade and intricate defensive architecture. Recommend to visit there for a day trip from Osaka.
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And more.
There are 25 World Heritage Sites in Japan.
Where to stay in Japan: Hotel recommendations
Japanese restaurants
You don't need to spend a lot to try Japanese food. Here are some chain restaurants in Japan. I picked one location for each, but you will find these restaurants in more places.
1. Sushi
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Kura Sushi Global Flagship Store Harajuku
@ayuka_travel
One of the most famous kaitenzushi restaurants in Japan. This branch gives you Japanese traditional and fun architecture vibes! Make sure you make a reservation or go there very early.
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2. Gyudon restaurant
"Gyudon" (牛丼) is a popular dish in Japanese fast-food restaurants and eateries. It consists of a bowl of steamed white rice topped with thinly sliced beef and onions that have been simmered in a flavorful soy-based sauce.
Sukiya Shinjuku South Restaurant
@ayuka_travel
Sukiya is another well-established gyudon chain that offers a wide range of beef bowl variations. Their menu includes not only classic gyudon but also creative options like cheese gyudon and kimchi gyudon.
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Yoshinoya
@ayuka_travel
Yoshinoya is one of Japan's most famous gyudon chains, with a history dating back to 1899. They are known for their affordable and delicious gyudon bowls, which feature thinly sliced beef simmered in a flavorful soy-based sauce, served on top of a bed of steaming rice.
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3. Udon
Hanamaru Udon Ginza Five
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A popular udon noodle chain is known for its fast-casual dining experience.
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Marugame Seimen JR Yurakucho Station
@ayuka_travel
A renowned udon chain offering a wide selection of freshly made udon noodles. You can customize their bowls with different broths, toppings, and tempura items, creating a unique udon experience.
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4. Izakaya (Japanese informal pub and tavern)
Torikizoku
@ayuka_travel
An izakaya (Japanese pub) chain known for its budget-friendly menu, particularly its grilled chicken skewers (yakitori). It's a popular spot for enjoying a wide range of tasty Japanese pub food and drinks. All menus are 300 yen
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Uotami
@ayuka_travel
Uotami is an izakaya chain specializing in seafood dishes. They offer a variety of seafood options, including sashimi, grilled fish, and seafood hot pots, making it a great choice for seafood lovers.
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5. Humburger
Mos burger (Japanese burger fast food chains)
MOS BURGER Morishita Shop
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Japanese hamburger restaurant
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6. Japanese curry
CoCo Ichiban-ya
@ayuka_travel
A curry restaurant chain. They serve customizable curry dishes with choices of toppings, spice levels, and side dishes, allowing you to create their perfect curry meal.
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7. Ramen
There are many Ramen restaurants in Japan. You should try at least one ramen when you are there! It's affordable in Japan🍜
Tenkaippin - Kabuki-cho
@ayuka_travel
Known for its rich and flavorful tonkotsu ramen broth. They offer a unique, hearty ramen experience with a focus on bold flavors.
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Ichiran
Ichiran Ramen
@ayuka_travel
Specialized in "tonkotsu ramen" What sets them apart is their individual dining booths, where customers can enjoy their ramen in private, customizing the flavor to their liking through a ticket-based system.
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Coffee chains to try (not Starbucks)
Komeda coffee
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Saint Marc Cafe
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Hoshino Coffee
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Ueshima coffee
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3. Shopping
I picked one location for each, but you will find these shops in more places.
Uniqlo
UNIQLO
@ayuka_travel
UNIQLO, renowned for its blend of affordability and superior quality, stands out as a prominent fast-fashion brand; while enjoying a shopping spree in Japan, make sure to explore their offerings, as they tend to be more budget-friendly compared to international prices.
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GU - Cheaper than Uniqlo
GU
@ayuka_travel
Offering budget-friendly options even more affordable than UNIQLO, though, with a slight compromise on quality, this is a great choice for those seeking the most economical way to achieve a stylish Japanese ensemble.
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Daiso
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ドンキホーテ/ Don Quijote
Don Quijote Shinjuku Tonanguchi
@ayuka_travel
You can buy a wide range of products, including cosmetics, snacks, medicines, souvenirs, and much more.
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Are you an Otaku?
Then Animate is your best friend:)
Animate Akihabara
@ayuka_travel
"Animate" is a chain of specialty stores in Japan that focuses on anime, manga, and related pop culture merchandise, offering a wide range of products such as manga books, anime DVDs, character goods, and collectibles for enthusiasts and fans of Japanese animation and comics.
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Jump Shop Shibuya Parco
@ayuka_travel
Jump shop is where you can buy goods from Jump manga. ex: One piece
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Cheap second hand shop: BOOK OFF
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When should you visit Japan
+ pros and cons of each season (just my opinion)
Spring
Pros
・Sakura season🌸
・Perfect weather
Summer
Pros
・Fireworks festivals
• Local summer festivals
Cons
・Burning hot (over 30℃ everyday, max can be 40℃）
・Very humid
Fall
Pros
・Perfect weather
・Koyo season: visit temples and shrines to see the landscape (mainly in November)
Cons
・ Typhoon season
It's important to be aware that Japan experiences typhoon season (Mainly in August and September). My advice is to ensure your schedule isn't too tight and to have travel insurance that covers flight cancellations and extended hotel stays. Additionally, stay updated on public transportation information, as services might halt before the typhoon arrives. Many establishments may close early or for the entire day.
Winter
Pros
・Good snow for skiing and snowboarding
• Onsen (Japanese hot spring) feels perfect
Cons
・The temperature is really depends on where you go (- 20℃ ~ 15℃)
When am I going to visit Japan if I am a traveler…
I would recommend choosing to come to Japan in either April or October to November. Of course, the decision is entirely up to you and depends on what you want to do in Japan, but I would say these months are the best times to visit.
Transportation
Metro, trains, buses - Use Suica for this.
For iPhone users:
go to wallet →click + on the right corner → Transit card → Search Suica (Any of these cards in the picture work)
The difference is that Suica and PASMO are widely used in Kanto, including Tokyo, and ICOCA is widely used in Kansai, including Osaka.
For Android:
go to the Google wallet app → select “Payment”→Select “Payment method” E-money → Add suica
Taxi
JR Rail pass7 days
LCC airline companies if you wanna use plane domestically.
・Peach
・Jetstar
Currency
¥ | Yen | 円
Check currency rate here👇
General information and tips
Plug
A type: same as the US, Canada, and Mexico
E-sim (Internet)
I recommend you buy ESIM to make your travels easier.
You will find a lot of free wifi in public; however, it's not very stable, and sometimes it just doesn’t work.
Make sure your phone is eSIM-compatible
In case you want to find free WiFi
Download Google Maps and Google Translate.
Google maps: google maps is enough to look for places and see how to get there
Google translator or DeepL: Download translator app to communicate easily
The big city is always very crowded
Avoid taking trains during rush hour (7:30am - 9:00am) (5pm - 7pm) if you don't like packed trains.
Book restaurants or go early (before 12pm for lunch, before 6pm for dinner) You can book restaurants from Google, by phone, or tabelog
Avoid National holidays if you can (National holidays in Japan in 2023 & 2024)
Osaka amazing pass
I recommend this ticket if you are staying in Osaka for more than 2 days and want to explore everything.
If your phone is out of charge, rent a mobile charger
165 (about $1 ) yen for 30 min ~
You can find it at convenience stores and many other places.
Carry your passport with you
You need your passport to get tax-free when you buy something. You can use tax free if you buy something over ¥5,500. I recommend buying everything at once in order to use this.
Use as ID in case you need it
Useful Apps (Summery)
Googel Maps: This covers most of things you need. If you don’t want to download any apps, download Google Maps and you’re ready!
Taxi: Go Taxi, S ride
Tabelog
Google Translate or DeepL
Airalo: Esim
Japan Travel - Route, Map Guide
LINE
Thatch: Download this app and keep my travel guide ready to use
Airports
Which airport should you arrive at?
Narita International Airport
@ayuka_travel
The biggest airport in Japan. It takes more than 1 hour to get to the center of Tokyo. Arriving at Narita airport is usually the cheapest option to come to Japan. ( of course depends on where you are coming from)
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Haneda Airport
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Closest International airport to the center of Tokyo. It usually takes less than 1 hour to get there. Flighting here is a little bit more expensive than flighting at Narita airport. Book a flight to arrive here if your priority is convenience.
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Kansai International Airport (KIX)
@ayuka_travel
The International Airport in Osaka prefecture. It takes about 1 hour to get to Osaka city by train. Book a flight to arrive here if you want to go to Osaka, Kyoto, Nara, or Kobe.
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Emergency Call
Emergency Call for Fire, Ambulance or Emergency Rescue: 119
Call them if you are in emergency, it’s FREE
Emergency Call to Police: 110
Police Consultation in English:
☎️ 03-3503-8484
🗓️ 8:30-17:15, Mon-Fr
More Info↓
General Questions
1. Is Japan really safe?
I always felt secure, even when exploring alone at night. Nonetheless, staying vigilant about your surroundings is essential. Remember not to leave your belongings unattended, and avoid excessive drinking. With these precautions, you should have a worry-free journey!
2. How common is English in Japan?
Many people speak English nowadays, especially in tourist areas. However, it's better to have Google Translate handy, just in case.
3. Is a trip to Japan budget-friendly?
Definitely, depending on your travel style, but there are reasons why Japan is budget-friendly:
・The Japanese yen had significantly depreciated.
・Numerous ways exist to save money. Skip convenience stores; supermarkets are more cost-effective. Plus, tap water is safe to drink if you want to save money by not buying water every day.
・Night buses offer budget- friendly travel if you want to travel far. (Shinkansen, bullet train, is usually the most expensive option to move around.)
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