Japan For First-Timers
Is this the year of travel to Japan? Your FYP is more than likely overtaken by both seasoned travelers and novices (you can tell they’ve never been locked out of an Airbnb after a 24-hour travel day) posting about their trek to Japan this year. Recent years were dominated by Euro-summer trips, first-timers flaunting pictures of the Mediterranean Sea or finally experiencing a glass of wine on a Parisian patio, but new destinations are on the horizon. Maybe it’s the chokehold that Instagram’s influence has us in, or maybe because of the weakening Yen, but flocks to Japan don’t seem to be slowing down anytime soon.
As a recent first-timer, still in awe of the politeness woven into even the most minuscule of interactions, the seamless public transportation system, and boiled-egg skin trend (look it up), here’s where you should start in Japan’s 3 most popular cities.
Tokyo
Harajuku
Maybe you’ve heard Gwen Stefani praise Harajuku girls, but the magical blend of bright street art and shopaholic’s paradise just between Shibuya and Shinjuku is the only way to truly experience the kawaii aesthetic. While Harajuku style cannot be reduced to a certain trend, here you’ll find bright shops adorned in maximalist accessories, steampunk touches, or Lolita-style dresses. Continue shopping down Takeshita, walk the streets of Omotesando, browse though Tokyu Plaza Omotesando, where the escalator portal to flagships and high-end stores reflects from the outside in.
Tsukiji Fish Market
Go on an empty stomach and muster up your Anthony Bourdain courage. Your only guide should be where the lines form; everything is worth it. Wagyu skewers, tuna, grilled king crab, oysters, and eel are served in a portable fashion and eaten amongst the wandering crowds.
Daikanyama
Just outside of Shibuya, this Brooklyn-like neighborhood is a quieter, but bountiful escape from the mainstream bustle of Tokyoite life. Daikanyama’s trendy backstreets flaunt one-of-a-kind boutiques and stylish architecture. Visit on a weekend afternoon to see how Tokyo’s most fashionable residents spend their days off, but don’t overlook the underground venues to party like a local late into the night. To really get a feel for the nature of Daikanyama, here are two places I don’t recommend skipping:
01 T-Site
Start at T-Site, the perfect spot to flip through indie magazines and get lost in the bookshelves. Grab a couple of reads and walk over the bridge to the bookstore’s other side where plush lounge chairs and a bar dominate the space.
02 Hollywood Ranch Market
Next, wander off to Hollywood Ranch Market, an original brand perfecting American-casual style with organic textiles and passionate employees. If you care to chat with anyone in the store, they’ll be elated to introduce you to the authenticity of “Arigato Love Earth & Nature” and show you a few of their sister shops nearby.
Omoide Yokocho
A short walk away from the famous Shinjuku 4K digital cat billboard, Omoide Yokocho, or Memory Lane, juxtaposes the modern city landscape with a black market history and traditional Japanese aesthetics. The secret is simple: find any stall with available seats, and order small bites and drinks. My time in Omoide Yokocho was spent trying raw horse, various beef skewers, and drinking highballs while sitting elbow-to-elbow with other patrons.
Kyoto
Gion
Here’s where you’ll experience traditional Kyoto wooden architecture, tea houses, and shrines. The clip-clop of wooden sandals competes with the sound of the running river just below the lantern-lit streets as Geishas roam down Hanamikoji Street. After getting lost discovering the pagodas, Kyoto’s nocturnal beauty is best experienced through old-school bars and late-night okonomiyaki.
Here’s how I spent a night out in Gion:
In an accidental turn of events, I stumbled upon Rutubo, a Euro-Asian fusion izakaya cosplaying as an antique shop with smoky interiors. Sitting under dim lanterns and drinking cilantro shochu cocktails on old wooden barrels with locals, I felt really cool.
With an appetite worked up I made my way over to a reserved spot at Ichiho and shared an intimate dinner with the chefs. Each roll was a work of art and a mix of flavors I cannot compare to typical sushi in the States. Though hard to compete with the food, the true highlight of the evening was Google translating back and forth with the owner. With a few friendly words said about Ohtani, friendship was inevitably in the air.
After sharing more sake with new-found sushi chef friends, the need for a late-night snack was gnawing. I found myself just outside Gion standing in a long line waiting for okonomiyaki. Now, I’m convinced there’s nothing a Japanese pizza can’t fix, especially when it’s cooked right in front of you on a black stone grill topped with Kewpie mayonnaise.
Nakagyo
In a perfectly central location to experience your trip, this is what a day in Nakagyo will look like:
Where you’ll stay
Hotel Resol. A clean and minimalist-style accommodation prioritizing eco-friendly services, communal spaces, and friendly staff.
Morning coffee
Take a short walk over to an inconspicuous shop restored from machiya, Weekenders Coffee. They pour locally roasted beans and cherish their visitors who sip their lattes in the parking lot before setting out beyond Tominokoji Street.
Nijo Castle
Before opening up to the public, Nijo Castle was used as an imperial palace, showcasing Japan’s feudal-era architecture. Wind through the palace’s famously squeaky floors and get lost in the landscaped gardens and orchards.
Nishiki Market
A 30-minute walk from the castle will lead you to a narrow, 400-year-old passageway with over 100 open-air shops begging to be wandered through after a long day of sightseeing. Each specializes in something unique ranging from dashimaki tamago to Kyo-yaki ceramics.
Osaka
Amerika-mura
How do the Japanese do American style better than Americans themselves? This is a question you’ll find yourself asking walking through Amerika-mura, a center for Japanese culture to unfold through freedom of expression and a co-mingling of eclectic, American-inspired fashion. Sit for a while in Sankaku Koen Park and watch each passerby decorated in hip-hop, bright hairstyles, and Western vintage. Get your thrift fix here all the way down to Orange Street, with street-style and 1940s vintage ruling the shopping scene.
Dotonbori
The glow of blinding neon lights and picture-perfect signage towering over hungry crowds introduce the anything but dull atmosphere of Dotonbori. As the best place to experience Osaka’s love of food, Dotonbori’s crowded streets will lead you down a maze of nightlife and mouth-watering restaurants. Amidst the bustle of tourists, you can still find a peaceful restaurant hidden among the crowds. Here is where I had the best udon during my stay in Osaka, and while slurping my duck udon, I practically forgot about the hungry masses just beyond the door.
Thanks for reading! Please get in touch with info@hbtourandtravel.com or fill out an online booking request to learn more.
Claire