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About Japan
Japan has been one of the most incredible countries I have every visited. It’s like being on another planet. Everything from the architecture, food, gardens, clothing is, well, so Japanese. I love their aesthetic. Nothing is done unconsciously. It’s a very easy country to navigate – the high-speed Shinkansen train goes everywhere. Interestingly even though the Japanese learn English in school not many people will speak English to you but it’s never an issue to get the info you need. They also don’t take credit cards everywhere, especially in cabs (which is strange in this day and age) so make sure you always have some cash with you. Also important to note is that they don’t tip in Japan.
I highly suggest getting the JR Pass which is a rail pass that is good for 7, 14 or 21 days. We did a 14 day pass (which we bought prior to our trip at www.jrpass.com). The great thing was that we activated it at the airport and so our train ride to the city centre was paid for by the pass. I also recommend that if you know all of the trips you will be taking by train, that when you activate the pass at the airport, you also reserve your seats for all of your upcoming trips. We were travelling with 7 people so this ensured we would always get seats together. You can click here www.hyperdia.com to see the train schedule.
We had a guide in both Tokyo and Kyoto. What was great about that is we were enlightened of all of the history at each place we visited and it made navigating our way through the city quite easy. I did take the subway quite a few times which seems daunting at first but if you go here, you can figure out the route to take: http://www.jorudan.co.jp/english/norikae/
A few other tips: buy a “data only” SIM card when you arrive; don’t be surprised that you have to take off your shoes at many establishments (and they have “toilet shoes” that you wear to the washroom)
A great resource is gotokyo.org for planning and what’s going on in Tokyo. Another good website is tokyoartbeat.com for upcoming art exhibits.
We stayed at the following hotels. I highly recommend staying in a ryokan at some point:
Tokyo – Hotel Peninsula
Takayama – Sumiyoshi Ryokan
Kyoto – Royal Park Hotel
Koya San – Shojoshin-in
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Eat / Play / Shop
EATING IN JAPAN
Tokyo:
-Harajuku Gyoza Ro
–Kohmen Ramen
-Tsunahachi (tempura)
-Yaketori alley (Yurakucho station; a must-see)
-Ramen St. (Tokyo station)
-Tokyu Food Show (basement of Tokyu Dept Store)
-Tsukijii Market: Daiwa Sushi (inside market); Sushi Zammai (outer market)
-Hantei (skewers)
-Sakata Udon (for best udon shops check out: Timeout Udon)
-Omae XEX Teppanyaki (one of my best meals ever; need reservation)
–Namiki Yabusoba
Night Out in Tokyo:
-Robot Restaurant
-Kanuchiko Red Light District
-Park Hyatt – drink at Kozu
-Smash Hits (karaoke)
Kyoto:
-Nishiki Market
-Daimaru Dept Store Food Court
-Yoshimura Kiyomizuan (soba; lunch)
-Gion Yasaka Endo (tempura)
-Syouraian (tofu; in woods with view of Oi River)
-Mishima-tei (sukiyaki)
-Hitomi (yakitori)
-Kappa-zushi
Night Out in Kyoto:
– Shimbashi in Gion (Geisha walk)
– Sanjo/Teramachi St.
-Pontocho Alley
-Kiyan Dori (south of Shijo-dori)
Takayama:
-Suzuya (Hida beef)
-Takumi-ya
-Ebisu-Houten (soba)
-Kyoya
Here are some websites I found helpful regarding food:
http://www.followmefoodie.com/2014/01/follow-me-foodie-to-tokyo-japan/
http://www.theguardian.com/travel/2012/feb/01/top-10-high-end-restaurants-tokyo
http://www.epicurious.com/articlesguides/diningtravel/restaurants/topfivetokyorestaurants
http://www.insidekyoto.com/best-restaurants-in-kyoto
http://www.kyoto.travel/dining/
http://www.hida.jp/english/dining/takayama-local-food-2
SHOPPING IN JAPAN
Tokyo:
-Takeshita-dori St. (where Harajuku people shop – a must-see!)
-Ura-Harajuku (behind Takeshita)
-Omotesando Area (upscale)
-Cat St. (funky)
-Tokyu Hands (novelty)
-Uniqlo Flagship (a must-see)
-Kiddyland (animated character goods – I love Hello Kitty)
-Oriental Bazaar (good for typical Japanese stuff: Kimono, fans, paper)
-Takumi (craft shop)
-Itoya (stationary)
-Issey Miyake (he’s my favorite designer; the prices were 1/3 of what I pay in US)
Deptartment Stores: Takashimaya (good food court); Isetan; Daimaru (kimonos on 10thfloor)
Kyoto:
-Kohchosai Kosuga (all things bamboo)
-Shinmonzen-dori (antique street)
-Morita Washi (paper store)
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Itinerary
THINGS TO DO
Tokyo
Areas to visit:
- Harajuku
- Shinjuku
- Shibuya (Centre-Gai is main artery)
- Roppongi
- Ginza (high-end)
- Asakusa (visit the Senso-ji temple and Nakamise Dori street market)
- Akihabara (electronics, anime district)
- Kagurazaka (Tokyo’s French Quarter)
Museums:
-Tokyo Met Museum of Photography
-Mori Art Museum
-National Art Center
-Tokyo Met Mus. Art and Tokyo Nationional Museum (never visited so not sure how great they are)
Other:
-Tsukiji Fish Market
-Meiji-jingu temple
-Shinjuku Gyoen Nat Park
Kyoto
-Saiho-ji Zen Buddhist Temple (moss garden; MUST get tickets in advance-apply online- FYI it’s a crazy process)
-Fushimi-Inari Tais Shrine
-South Higashiyama district (walk Ishibei-koji lane)
-Path of Philosophy (during cherry blossoms)
-Sannen-zaka and Nineh-zaka (preserved streets; walk around)
-Kiyomizu-dera Temple (go early)
-Kinkaku-ji Temple (Golden Pavilion)
-Arashiyam Bamboo grove
-Ryoan-ji (famous rock garden)
-Tenryu-ji Temple
-Okochi-Sanso Villa
-Other temples: Chion-in,Ginakaku-ji,Tofuku-ji, Nanzen-ji, Sanjusangendo, Daitoku-ji,Otagi Nenbutsu-ji
Maruyama-koen (park)
Day trip to Nara: Todai-ji Daibutusu (Great Buddha), Isui-en, Nara-koen, Kasuga Taisha
-Tea ceremony at Kyoto En (check out: http://www.teaceremonyen.com)
-Dress like a Geisha (check out: http://www.kyotomaica.com)
Takayama
-Hida-no-sato (folk village; 10 min)
-Sanmachi-suji distr (3 quaint streets; photo opps)
-Yatai Kaikan (festival floats exhibit hall)
-Yoshijima Heritage House (for design buffs)
-walks: Teramachi, Shiroyama-koen, Higashiyama
-Miyagawa Morning market
-Fuji folk museum
Koyasan
-Okunoin (cemetery)
-Kongobuji Temple
-Koyasan Daimon (gate)
-Koyasan Daishi Kyokai (secret basement)
-Koyasan Choishimichi (walk)
-Koyasan Reihokan (museum)
