I went to Japan this past summer for the first time in over 10 years! Here are some of the places I really enjoyed :)
Map
Sections
3
Tokyo 🗼
Kyoto 🍡
Osaka 🎌
Tokyo 🗼
super central location! a short walk from shinjuku train station
JR KYUSHU HOTEL Blossom Shinjuku
Expect a long line and wait, but the udon is definitely on top 3
Menchirashi
They are a little pricey, but if you're looking for a quality knife this place is great and the workers were so helpful :)
This whole street has a bunch of knife shops so there are other options
MUSASHI
Another spot that has many different locations! There's usually a wait, but it seemed to go fast. You order at a kiosk and then take your ticket into the one-person booth
Ichiran Ramen
Revolving sushi 🍣 they make it right in front of you and they have some going on the revolver. So many seafood options
Kaitenzushi Nemuro Hanamaru Ginza
You don't even have to eat here! The train station is Harry Potter themed, they have a store, and they have to go food options if you don't want to sit down to eat 🪄
Harry Potter Cafe
Kyoto 🍡
it's not too close to the Shinkansen, but it is close to another train station and central to a lot of the things we wanted to do in the city
DoubleTree by Hilton Kyoto Higashiyama
Their soba was really good and it was tucked away with such a pretty view
Otowa Saryo
A nice spot to stop at when you visit the bamboo forest! They offer many different soba dishes
Arashiyama Yoshimura
Nice spot to get coffee after exploring the bamboo forest! There might be a line and there's not a lot of space to sit inside but you can find space outside usually
% ARABICA Kyoto Arashiyama
Where you can choose/design your own jewelry ✨ they make it right in front of you! they have many stores throughout Japan, but I went to the one in Kyoto
Kyoto Ninenzaka Store | glänta
Keep walking up for more empty spots to get pics :) in the summer it was super humid and I got bit by mosquitos. Be prepared to walk a lot if you want to see everything
Fushimi Inari Taisha
You can make your own perfume here! They have all the scents numbered and once you bring it to the people making your perfume, then they will tell you the name is each scent. We just walked in (no appointment) and it was very reasonably priced
MY ONLY FRAGRANCE
So many different gyoza options 🥟🤤
MOTOI Gyoza
Osaka 🎌
Expect a line, but id say it's worth it! A friend recommended this place to me and I def recommend! They make it in front of you at the table
Namba Okonomiyaki Ajinoya Honten
Central location! Couple train stops away from Shinkansen. It's on the same street as some bars, karaoke, and restaurants but you can't hear it once you're in the room.
Bonus points because they had a laundry room 🧺
HOTEL THE FLAG Shinsaibashi
Even if you don't go into the castle, because you do have to pay to go in, just walking around is a nice break from the hustle of dontonbori.
If you do decide to go in, if you take the stairs instead of waiting for the elevator you don't have to wai...
