Cool Stuff in Japan

Todaiji Temple and Deer Park

Samurai Cafe

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The Iron Fairies Ginza

Ichiran Ramen

Cafe Ron Ron

All you can eat desserts delivered by conveyor belt!

Lunch at Kyubey Ginza

Nijigen Cospa Akiba

Unicorn Gundam Statue

Hakone Geo Museum

Ashinoko Hanaori

Dug Jazz Bar

Bar Albatross at Golden Gai

SEGA Akihabara 3rd

Fukagawa Edo Museum

nokishita 711 gin & cocktail labo.

Round1 Kyoto - Kawaramachi

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.

Nijo Castle

Menbakaichidai Fire Ramen

Scallion-focused ramen that is literally set on fire 🔥

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.

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.

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.

Hinoya Curry

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

Ghibli Museum

Samurai Museum

Fuunji Tsukemen

Brewpub Center Point

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.

Hitachino Brewing Lab

​Laid back. Very good craft brew. Eat beforehand.​

Tsukiji Market​

Go for lunch for the freshest sushi imaginable.

Rokurinsha ​Ramen

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

Golden Gai

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

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.

Design Festa Gallery​

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

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.

Sensō-ji Temple

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

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

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.​

Beer Bar Ushitora

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

Minato Mirai 21

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

Cup Noodles Museum

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

Paletas

​Pretty cool place for ice cream.​

Aritsugu – Knife Store

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

Tea Ceremony at En​

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

Gear Show

​​​Better than Cirque, if they’re still running​.

Fushimi Inari

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

Samurai Kembu Kyoto

​​​Demonstrations for tourists. Very nice.

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.

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.

Osakan Cuisine

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

Miyajima

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

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 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.