Japan Short Visit Guide

Japan is a country where there are so many things to do. However if you are coming for a short visit of 10-12 days, focusing on Tokyo and the Kansai Area is great for a first visit to Japan and the Short Guide addresses this with some little extras.

I tried to put some highlights for a nice 10-12 day trip in Japan. I advise you to focus on Tokyo and parts of the Kansai area. Depending on your trip rhythm, you have destinations off of Tokyo that you should visit and they are famous for their Onsen (Japanese thermal water). You could go for a day trip or sleep a night around. The same applies for destinations off of Kansai such as Hiroshima.

The short visit guide is divided into regions to make it easier to navigate. You can drown in a guide such as Lonely Planet which has extensive references but you can find here to dos to experience Japan properly.

Little Parenthesis:

Here is a little introduction before choosing your route. Japan has 5 main island sets: Honshu (where Tokyo and Kansai is), Kyushu (on the west with Fukuoka as the main city), Shikoku (in the bay of Kansai/Hiroshima), Hokkaido (northern most main island) and Okinawa (a set of islands to the South). Honshu is the main island where you the main areas are: Kanto area that includes Tokyo and Yokohama; the Kansai area that includes Osaka, Kyoto, Nara, Kobe and Wakayama; in between you have the famous Mount Fuji area, Nagano and Kanazawa areas; the Hiroshima area is on the West of Kansai; the Tohoku area on the Northern part. Honshu comprises most of the things you know about Japan. Kyushu is a happy island with lots of nature tourism, good food, and beautiful beaches. Hokkaido is the cold part of Japan with amazing ski and snowboard destination and delicious fresh foods like delicious veggies and precious food such as Sea Urchins, Scallops, and its famous Milk, etc. Hokkaido really became part of the Japanese Empire in the 1800s. Okinawa is the Hawaii like set of islands that is a heaven for snorkeling and diving; it also has its peculiar cuisine since historically it was an independent Kingdom with a different language.

Apps to Download:

If you do not read Japanese, for rail transport download the app “Japan Travel”. You can search for routes from a station to another and even find the closest stations to where you are or where you are going to. If you are curious for some gourmet discoveries, download “Gurunavi”.

If you do read Japanese, for transport download “乗換案内” by Jorudan. For food either the Japanese version of Gurunavi (“ぐるなび”) or Taberogu.

For taxis, though you have so many taxis in Japan that are super safe and reliable, you can use Uber in the big cities.

Money and Sim Card:

At the airport, sim cards are not very present, they rather have Rental Phone and rental Access Point for WiFi with a rent per day. Go to the Softbank or Docomo desk in Tokyo. If you are keen on having a sim card, you can go into town to any Bic Camera and get a sim card for a week including data and phone or simply data. I advise you to go with purely data as it is fast: use the Ninja Package.

For money exchange: do it at the bank it is the easiest and has acceptable rates as not all ATM in town will take foreign cards.

Foods and Drinks to try:

Foods:

Yakiniku, shabu shabu, fugu (poisonous fish), Takoyaki (in osaka), Okonomiyaki (in Osaka for Osaka style with pork, and in Hiroshima for Hiroshima style with oysters Kaki), Yaki soba (osaka), Oden during winter, and sushi, Yakitori, Kushi katsu, and fried Oysters Kaki and lots more.

Drinks:

Nihonshu which is the sake you know. Also try Shochu either on the rocks or with Soda. Try different kinds of Shochu such as Mugi (barley), Shiso (plant leaf), Imo (Potato). My favorite is an Imo Shochu of the brand Kuro Kiri Shima.

Also try the Plum Sake which is called Ume Shu. You can have it on the rocks or with Soda. For canned alcohol, try ChuHai.

Area A: Kanto Area and surroundings:

A.1. Tokyo:

Where to stay?

You have many options in Tokyo and it is big however I strongly recommend the Shibuya area since it is very well connected with different Railways and lines. My favorite hotel in Shibuya is Cerulean Tower Hotel because is it well located, close to the main station, comfortable and has amazing views.

If you like a foreigner area, you can stay in Roppongi such as in the luxurious Grand Hyatt Tokyo.

If you want an office like area with amazing city views, you can stay in Shinjuku area for example in Park Hyatt Hotel.

Shibuya Area:

Shibuya is a very vibrant district with an infinite amount of restaurants and shopping.

Must dos in Shibuya are the Hachiko crossing (yes, the Hachiko dog). Try to be there on weekdays around 6PM which is the rush hour. That way you can experience the biggest Pedestrian Crossing. After crossing this pedestrian crossing, a good upper view in from Starbucks 2F.

On side streets, you have more charming small shops and restaurants. So go to the Shimo Kitazawa area.

Shibuya is full of bars and Clubs. The most famous clubs are:

-          The Womb: 150-0044, Tokyo, Shibuya, 2-16 Maruyamacho

-          I2: 150-0042 Tokyo, Shibuya, Udagawacho, 13−8, Chitose Kaikan B1

After Partying, if you are hungry, go to any Ramen shop like for example the famous Ippudo Ramen chain with Kyushu style ramen: Tokyo, Shibuya-ku 1-3-13.

If you fancy some fun, prior or after dinner you can go to a game center such as:

-          Club Sega: Maruhan Pachinko Tower 1F・B1F, 258-6 Udagawa-cho, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo

Make sure to play the drum games and the PuriKura Photo Booth.

Fish Market Area:

Tsukiji fish market at around 4 AM is a nice after party sightseeing or if you are an early bird (the market is closed on weekends).

You can also have breakfast in one of the many sushi restaurants there. Follow the queue for the best ones. Try the Miso soup with clams, and a wide variety of sushi in this order: Hotate, Tai, Hammachi, Otoro, Uni, Anago, Unagi. And ask for the recommended fish of the day, make sure to start from light color fish and end with darker/redder for your taste buds to appreciate. Make sure not to mix your ginger or wasabi with the soy sauce. And use very a tiny bit of soy sauce when you have to.

Obviously, you can go to the Tsukiji area for lunch too. There are lots of sushi restaurants surrounding it. I advise you not to go during weekends because it will be very crowded.

Ginza:

Ginza is a famous street for shopping and sushi restaurants too. It is the equivalent of the 5^th avenue in New York. It has the most luxurious brands and restaurants in Japan. Ginza, dubbed the Gold District, is a must see. If you fancy having a good shopping or high end restaurants it is the place to go to.

Some of my favorite places are here.

If you would like the try the traditional Sukiyaki or ShabuShabu food, go to Yoshizawa: 104-0061 Tokyo, Chuo-ku, Ginza 3-9-19.

For a great luxurious Sushi place: Seamon (pronounced in Japanese Shimon): Tokyo, Chuo-ku, Ginza, 5-5-13 Sakaguchi Bldg. 6F

For premium beef Yakiniku (grill meat yourself) go to Ginza Shoutaien: Tokyo, Chuo-ku, Ginza 5-9-5. They have Horumon which is a specialty meet that we do not usually eat like the stomach, etc. If you are adventurous, don’t hesitate to try it. 

Akihabara Area:

Go to Akihabara for the electronics and anime world. You have lots of maid cafe where you can have a coffee and some desert while being served by waitresses wearing funky Victorian Maid dresses or Cosplay of anime characters (costume play). In some maid cafes, you can also dress up yourself.

You can also be spoon fed like in: Café & Kitchen Cos-cha: Chiyoda-ku, Soto-Kanda 3-7-12-2F, www.cos-cha.com

Akihabara is also a great place to go figuring hunting by entering in different buildings that sells collectibles for anime and manga fans.

Roppongi:

Roppongi is nice for some museums, jazz clubs, and classy restaurants.

Check the Mori Art Museum: 106-6150 Tokyo, Minato-ku, Roppongi 6-10-1 53F

Also you visit the National Art Center: 106-8558 Tokyo, Minato-ku, Roppongi, 7-22-2

Oh, yeah, I forgot, if you are a fan of Snoopy, you can go for a visit of the Snoopy Museum Tokyo: Tokyo, Minato-ku, Roppongi 5-6-20

For the restaurant with maybe one of the best views and food in Tokyo, go to  the Toranomon Hills Tavern and Lounge bar on the 51^st floor and then you can finish it off with a really nice roof top bar just above it: 105-0001 Tokyo, Minato-ku, Toranomon 1-23-4

For amazing quality foods with a great experience of charcoal food live cooking go for dinner to Roppongi Robotaya: 106-0032 Tokyo, Minato-ku, 1F Roppongi 4-4-3, 1F.

For a nice western style trendy bar go to R2 Supper Club: 106-0032 Tokyo, Minato-ku, Roppongi 7-14-23, 1F Centrum Roppongi Building.
For a classy atmosphere restaurant and a swanky bar with a great selection of westernized sea food and meats go to Grand Hyatt Roppongi's The Oak Door : Tokyo, Minato-ku, Roppongi 6-10-

For a great club with 5 floors and different atmospheres go to Feria: 106-0032 Tokyo, Minato-ku, Roppongi 7-13-7

My ideal track is Robataya, R2 bar, Feria club and then Karaoke after. You must go to a Karaoke with Japanese people and it usually opens until the first train or even later.
If you are hungry later, you can hit some ramen joint such as Taketora: 106-0032 Tokyo, Minato-ku, Roppongi.
For a nice western style brunch specially on Saturday, go to Lauderdale and get their eggs either with salmon or shrimps: Tokyo, Minato-ku, Roppongi 6-15-1.
 

Shinjuku:

Shinjuku is very nice to see. It has lots of entertainnent and lots of restaurants. The Western part hosts the governmental office towers and many luxurious hotels while the other parts have the lively bars, restaurants and let’s say the no so well reputed kind of place like the Kabukicho district.

Go see the show of the Robot Cabaret Show, make sure not to order or eat any food because you have much better options in the area: 160-0021 Shinjuku-ku, Kabuki-cho, 1-7-1, Shinjuku Robot Bldg.

Depending on what time you are going there, go before or after the Robot show to a Yakiniku (japanese bbq retaurant) or Nabe/shabushabu restaurant. Your hotel can help out with that. If you are an Eel fan, one of my favorite places is an Eel specialized restaurant with a wide selection of Japanese alcohol. Go to Unagi Senmonten Unatetsu: 160-0021 Tokyo, Shinjuku-ku, Kabukicho 1-11-2

For more cultural activities, go to the Samurai Museum: 160-0021 Toyko, Shinjuku-ku, Kabuki-cho 2-25-6, Eiwa Dairoku Bldg 1F

For dinner/drinks with a great view and nice Jazz bar in the Western Park of Shinjuku, in the hotel where “Lost in Translation” was filmed go to: Park Hyatt hotel go to the New York Bar and Grill: Japan, 163-1055 Tokyo, Shinjuku-Ku, Nishi Shinjuku, 3-7-1-2

Yoyogi and Omottte Sando:

I like doing that after a visit to Yoyogi Park where you can see people doing Cosplay (costume playing) and visit the Meiji Jingu and Yoyogi Hachiman Shrines.

Omottesando for nice little bars and restaurants as well as a nice walk. You will find lots of nice little shops too.

A super cool Yukata and Kimono store that also has modern clothing inspired by traditional Japanese clothing with a collection for men, women and kids is Sou-Sou Kyoto Kimono: 107-0062 Tokyo, Minato, Minamiaoyama, 5-4-24

Try ending up your day just before sunset to enjoy the sunset at 2 Rooms Grill and Bar: 107-0061 Tokyo, Minato-ku, Kita-Aoyama 3-11-7, 5F AO Building

Shimbashi:

Shimbashi is the hangout of Japanese Company Men with lots of interesting food places. This area is also famous for the various popular Japanese-style bars with the retro trend of Tachinomiya (standing bars) that you should experience.

For superb Tempura Tachinomiya with fish taken fresh from the aquarium in front of you, go to this lovely tiny place: TachiTemMaru: Tokyo, Minato-Ku, Shimbashi 3-15-7.
For an authentic Tachinomiya with a wide selection of Japanese Sake specially Shochu and very tasty small dishes to nibble on (such as Maguro) go to Tachinomi Ryoma: Tokyo, Minato-ku, Shimbashi 2-13-3.

For an amazing selection of Oysters, go to Ostrea: 105-0004 Tokyo, Minato, Shinbashi, 2 Chome−101, カシマビル1F.

For a very authentically Japanese bar that is really calm and focuses on the experience of drinking go to Bar Atrium: 105-0004 Tokyo, Minato-ku, Shimbashi 2-15-3, B1F

Ueno:

Ueno is famous for its park and some of the museums it has. It will be a nice cultural day if you fancy that.

Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum: 110-0007 Tokyo, Uenokoen 8-36, Taito

Tokyo National Museum: 110-8712 Tokyo, Uenokoen 13-9, Taito

National Museum of Nature and Science: 110-8718 Tokyo, Uenokoen 7-20, Taito

A.2. Yamanashi:

The only ways to go there is to take the train or a car. Train is a fun experience and you will be taking partially the bullet train or JR train then a local train followed by a short taxi ride.

1 day including one afternoon, night and until noon or you add to it one extra half day for bicycling around the area and discover around. The target of being there is to stay in an Onsen Ryokan which a traditional Japanese hotel (ryokan) with a natural thermal water spa. It is very relaxing and the full board typically has 5-7 course meals inclusive. You will also dress up in Yukata all the time.

Yamanashi is also known for its wineries.

Hotel Konanso is a great one for that and with a Mount Fuji view from the room. You can also have a private Onsen in the room. Konanso: 4020-2 Funatsu, Minamitsuru-gun, Fujikawaguchiko-machi 401-0301, Yamanashi Prefecture.

Area B: Kansai

In Kansai, I advise you to sleep in Osaka, the kitchen of Japan and which is central to the whole of Kansai. If coming from Kanto, make sure to take the Shinkansen (bullet train) to Kyoto or Shin Osaka depending where you are staying.

B.1. Kyoto:

2-3 days depending on your pace.

Go there early in the morning from Osaka of you are staying there, taking the JR from say Umeda station to Kyoto station. At Kyoto station buy the 1-day pass for 500yen and make sure to take a map of buses with main touristic sights mentioned on them. Kyoto station is architecturally nice to see.

Paths to do according to zones:

Go to the Imperial Palace Garden (check when it is open and reservation online) takes approx 3 hours.

A quick 3-5 hours Silver temple, Golden temple, Ryuanjin Zen Stone Garden. The 3 are next to each other. For lunch, I like Soba and Udon noodles there are is a nice place around the Golden Temple.

Gontaro Kinkakuji: 603-8365 Kyoto-shi, Kita-ku 26, Hirano Miyajikicho

Kyomizutera is a long walk but worth it especially during the Hanami (cherry blossom period) and Koyo (autumn leaves period) it takes approx 2-3 hours.

Fushimi Inari is on the other side of Kyomizutera and a bit towards the south if you take the golden temple as a reference. Many tourists skip it but it is by far my favorite. Try being there 1 hour from sunset and being on the top of hill at sunset. It would take including transport 3 hours. Don’t worry on the top of the hill there is a vending machine if you are thirsty.

If you have time, go to Sanjusangen-do, it is a bit further and not a very well-advertised temple. It is super impressive but no pics allowed.

Make sure to have a Tea Ceremony in Kyoto. For a famous tea place and shop go to Ippodo: 604-0915 Kyoto, Nakagyo-ku, Teramachi-dori Nijo

An area to hang out in is the Gion district also known as the Geisha District.

For Clubs, go to Sekai World. It is a very fine club especially when they have world renowned DJs. Check their schedule online www.world-kyoto.com. If you are sleeping in Osaka, go late there, stay late then come back with the first train.

B.2. Kobe:

1/2 to 1 day. Super easy ride from Osaka either by Express Hankyu or JR. See the port and you can check out the Earthquake museum. You can go up the Kobe tower if you want a cute view. For Kobe beef restaurants, well rate ones can be googled or your hotel can help out. I go to random ones every time.

If you have time and want to start with an early morning, I advise you to go to Himerji Castle and do the port on your way back.

B.3. Osaka:

Also known as the comedy and gangster city and kitchen of Japan. Eat lots of foods and go to Namba area, Umeda area (check the sunset for at Sky Tower Building), and go to the Kayukan Aquarium. You have so many party scenes and bars.

Tourism wise you can do Osaka-Jo (castle) if you didn’t a castle anywhere else in Japan before.

If you want to visit the "popular" old post war  part of Osaka go to Tennoji, it is nice at night with the lights and all. This area is famous for the Kushi Katsu (fried sticks) restaurants.

My neighborhood bar is Captain Kangaroo. Don't expect a swanky bar but it is a meeting point and you can ask for where to party next. I am sure that you will have people willing to go with you to clubbing or another nightly scene. Go to the bold funny guy and say you are Gino's friend if you need some help: 530-0002 Osaka Kita-ku, Sonezakishinchi 1-5-20

11eme club is a good one if you are in the Shinsaibashi-Namba area. And you have lots of bars to visit around in Amemura.

Make sure to enter into a super local tiny standing restaurant for Okonomiyaki.

If hungry on the way, try the octopus balls, Takoyaki.

Typically after party we go to Yoshinoya or the Dragon faced Ramen in Namba next to ebisu bashi.

Oh yeah Ebisu bashi is nice to see at night before dinner/clubbing.

If you are looking for a fun experience Go to Spa World. A Spa thermal water building.

B.4. Nara:

1 day. Ancient capital of japan. Lots of old temples to see. If weather is nice and you are comfortable with maps, take a bicycle otherwise bus. I usually take a bike with a map and cycle around. Big budha of Todai-ji is the big must (play the game everybody does, pass by a whole in 1 of the pillars, u will see people arnd it and doing it. It is supposed to be te buddhas nose nostril size). See a nice pagoda.

B.5. Hiroshima/Miyajima:

1.5- 2 days.

Go there from Kansai in Train.

Spend the day in Hiroshima. To do in Hiroshima: Hiroshima peace memorial, the museum are worth it, no need to do more. Make sure to take train then ferry boat to be just before 2 hours before sunset in Miyajima to catch the tide and sunset while having the Tori in sight. You can also walk up to it in low tide. Spend the rest of time on Miyajima island. Sleep in a Ryokan on Miyajima.

Area C: More:

If you like diving and have time: go to Okinawa, it is few hours flight from Osaka; you can take ANA for mileage or simply take the low cost Peach for 3000 yen if bought in advance. In Okinawa you need to rent a car. Check for the right season. For a good diving guide and program go with Reef Encounters on the main island: www.reefencounters.org

If you want to visit a traditional village in Japan: visit the Shirakawago in Kanazawa. It is on the Sea of Japan side and between Kanto and Kansai.