Japan: Travel Guide from a Half-Japanese Native

Asakusa

Sensōji Temple is one of Tokyo’s most iconic and historic landmarks, making it a must-visit when exploring Asakusa

It’s best to visit first thing in the morning (around 7:30 – 8 AM) before the crowds start pouring in. You can see in our photos how empty it is without the crowds! The temple grounds are peaceful at this time, allowing you to take in the stunning architecture, pass through the Kaminarimon (Thunder Gate), and participate in traditions like wafting incense over yourself for good fortune or drawing omikuji (fortune slips).

Right outside Sensōji, Nakamise Shopping Street is lined with stalls selling souvenirs and traditional street food, but keep in mind that most shops don’t open until 9 – 10 AM. If you visit the temple early, you can always come back later to browse or grab lunch. This street is the perfect place to try out fun Japanese snacks and find fun souvenirs.

We stayed at APA Hotel, just a 5-minute walk from Sensōji and Nakamise, which made everything super convenient. Note that it’s not a fancy hotel! It’s quite small! But it was perfect for us since we just needed a spot to drop off our bags and sleep.

Shibuya

Shibuya is one of Tokyo’s most vibrant and energetic districts, known for its iconic Shibuya Crossing. It’s a must-visit spot if you’re a big city person, especially at night! It’s one of the best spots you can go in Tokyo for shopping.

Aside from crossing the famous intersection, you can explore Shibuya Scramble Square for incredible city views, shop at Shibuya 109 for trendy fashion, or check out Miyashita Park, a stylish rooftop park with cafes and stores.

If you’re hungry, I highly recommend trying Yasubee, a tsukemen restaurant about a 15-minute walk from Shibuya Crossing. Tsukemen is a style of ramen where the noodles are served separately from the broth, allowing you to dip them into a rich, concentrated soup. This spot was a huge hit with my friends, and they even said it was one of their favorite meals of the entire trip!

Harajuku

Harajuku is just one train stop away from Shibuya on the JR Yamanote Line. If you prefer to walk, it’s only a 15-minute walk.

Harajuku is the heart of Tokyo’s youth culture and fashion scene. No visit is complete without a stroll down Takeshita Street. This bustling, colorful street is packed with quirky fashion boutiques, souvenir shops, and some of the most over-the-top sweets you’ll find in Japan. It’s most well-known for its crepes and cotton candy, although you will have no problem finding something to satisfy your sweet tooth there.

Just a 5-minute walk from the chaos of Takeshita Street is Meiji Jingu, one of Tokyo’s most serene and significant Shinto shrines.

Surrounded by a dense forest of over 100,000 trees, the shrine is a peaceful escape from the city. You’ll be greeted by a massive torii gate at the entrance, followed by a walk through a calm, wooded path. It’s a beautiful contrast to the lively energy of Takeshita Street, and visiting both in the same day gives you a perfect mix of modern and traditional Japan.

Food Tour in Tokyo

While you’re in Tokyo (and especially if you are in the Harajuku/Shibuya area), I highly recommend doing a food tour with Mayuko’s Little Kitchen.

We were lucky to have Mayuko (the owner, pictured) lead our tour! She also offers cooking classes in her own kitchen, though she’s on maternity leave until Oct. 2025; however, her food tour will still operate during that time!

Mayuko’s English is excellent, and her website is easy to navigate. Beware that many other food tours and cooking classes can have tedious, or Japanese-only sites.

On the food tour, Mayuko took us to three hidden gem restaurants that we never would have found on our own. Even with my experience living in Japan, these spots were incredibly unique and offered a completely different side of Japanese cuisine.

We tried so many dishes, some even my mom, who was completely born and raised in Japan, had never encountered.

This isn’t a tour for those looking for basic Japanese food—it’s perfect for adventurous eaters, with a focus on incredible, fresh seafood.

Yokohama

I used to live in Yokohama and absolutely love the area—especially because it has a more westernized feel than many parts of Japan. The Yamate neighborhood is full of beautiful old Western-style homes and charming hillside streets. That said, if you’re visiting Japan for less than a week or two, it might not be a top priority—it doesn’t feel quite super “Japan-esque”.

If you do make the trip, Chinatown is definitely the highlight. It’s the largest in Japan and packed with beautiful temples and endless food options. You’ll find everything from steamed pork buns and soup dumplings to crispy duck and sesame balls. It’s worth a quick visit while you snack and stroll.

Yokohama makes for a great day trip from Tokyo, and it’s easy to pair Chinatown with a visit to Motomachi for boutique shopping or a relaxing walk along Yamashita Park by the harbor.

It’s a quieter, more laid-back side of Japan that still has plenty to offer—especially if you want to see something a little different.

Like I mentioned before, Yokohama as a whole is not a top priority place I’d recommend if you’re in Japan for a short amount of time. A lot of the restaurants here are pretty Westernized, along with the scenery.

Kamakura

Kamakura is a coastal town just about an hour south of Tokyo by train, making it a super easy and worthwhile day trip. If you’re visiting Japan—even for less than a week—I’d say it’s a must-see! The vibe is completely different from the fast pace of Tokyo, and it gives you a glimpse into Japan’s more traditional, spiritual side without having to travel far.

The most iconic sight in Kamakura is the Daibutsu (pictured), or Great Buddha. This massive bronze statue stands over 13 meters tall and has been sitting peacefully under the open sky since the 15th century. It’s awe-inspiring in person. You can even step inside the statue to see how it was constructed, which is a fun and unique detail.

Pro-Tip: Go right when it opens if you can at 8 AM to avoid crowds!

If you’re visiting Kamakura, two of the most popular spots besides the Daibutsu are Hasedera Temple and Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine (the red shrine pictured). Both are beautiful in their own ways, but if I had to pick just one, I’d go with Tsurugaoka Hachimangu.

The time I went to Tsurugaoka Hachimangu is pictured, I was lucky enough to go on a slightly rainy day when no one else was out! The walk leading up to the shrine is grand and scenic, and the shrine itself sits at the heart of Kamakura.

Right nearby is Komachi Street, which is a must! It’s an adorable pedestrian street lined with snack stalls, cafes, and local shops. You’ll find everything from matcha soft serve to taiyaki and little handmade souvenirs. Even if you’re short on time, walking down Komachi Street for a treat or two really adds to the charm of the Kamakura experience.

Hasedera Temple is also worth seeing if you have extra time. It’s perched on a hillside with sweeping ocean views, especially beautiful during hydrangea season. The temple grounds are peaceful and full of smaller statues, gardens, and hidden corners. But overall, if you’re doing a half-day trip, I’d prioritize Tsurugaoka Shrine and Komachi Street—you’ll get that perfect mix of culture, charm, and a little indulgence.

Bonus: Enoshima Island

Enoshima Island is another spot I’d only recommend if you’re in Japan for more than a couple of weeks. You could squeeze it into half a day, especially if you’re already in Kamakura or staying nearby, but it would make for a pretty packed itinerary. Personally, I’d take a full day trip out there!

The island is connected to the mainland by a long pedestrian bridge, and as you walk over, you get beautiful views of the ocean—on a clear day, you can even see Mt. Fuji in the distance.

Once on the island, there’s a lot to explore: the Enoshima Shrine, tucked into the hillside with bright red torii gates; the Iwaya Caves, and the Sea Candle, a lighthouse observatory with panoramic views of the coastline.

If the weather’s nice, you can even hang out at the nearby beach or stroll along the coast. It’s a fun mix of nature, coastal vibes, and old-school charm. There are also a bunch of shops and food stalls lining the approach to the island—perfect for grabbing grilled seafood skewers, soft serve, or freshly baked manju.

Kinkakuji

Kinkakuji, also known as the Golden Pavilion, is one of the most iconic and photogenic spots in Kyoto. It lives up to the hype.

The top two floors of the temple are covered in real gold leaf. The temple itself can’t be entered, but the walking path around the grounds offers multiple viewpoints to take it all in. The gardens are peaceful and very well-kept.

As a side note: the last time I went to Japan, my group did Kinkakuji, Ryoanji, and Arashiyama (I’ll touch on the two latter locations down below) all in one day, with time to spare in the evening! It doesn’t take too long to walk through, but it’s absolutely one of those “can’t-miss” places if you’re in Kyoto.

Food by Kinkakuji

Katsu:

If you want some of the best (and inexpensive) katsu (fried breaded pork cutlet) of your life, you need to go to Katsurai. It’s about a 15 minute walk from Kinkakuji.

It’s a hole-in-the-wall, so don’t worry about making a reservation (unless you have a group of 8+ people I’d say, just to be polite). My whole meal was about $10!

Conveyor Belt Sushi:

This is not specific to Kinkakuji area (you can find it all over Japan), but there is a Kura Sushi within walking distance. Kura Sushi is a popular conveyor belt sushi chain.

It’s all-you-can-eat sushi for around $10-15, depending on how much you eat, but that was our group’s max. Each plate is priced differently, but you can check the prices on the iPad at your table. They even offer dessert plates—our friends loved the crepe cake (pictured half-eaten).

Conveyor belt sushi spots usually offer non-sushi items for those in your group who aren’t into sushi, but if you are a sushi lover, skip the extras like ramen—they’re rarely worth it, and usually costa more than sushi!

Ryoanji

Ryoanji is one of Kyoto’s most iconic Zen temples, known especially for its famous rock garden. It’s quiet, still, and deeply meditative. If you’re looking for something peaceful and serene, I’d highly recommend it.

That said, it’s not somewhere I personally feel the need to visit more than once (even though I have been multiple times haha).

But that might just be me—my cousin actually said Ryoanji was one of his favorite experiences in all of Kyoto. So take my opinion with a grain of salt—it might be exactly your kind of vibe.

Arashiyama Bamboo Forest

The Arashiyama Bamboo Forest is a must if you’re in Kyoto! It’s a peaceful path lined with towering bamboo stalks.

It’s located in the Arashiyama district on the western edge of Kyoto, and getting there from central Kyoto takes about 30 – 45 minutes by train. Once you’re there, walking through the bamboo grove itself only takes around 15 – 30 minutes, depending on how crowded it is and how often you stop for photos.

While the path is short, it’s worth pairing with other nearby spots like the scenic Togetsukyo Bridge, Tenryu-ji Temple (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), or even a little rowboat ride on the river if the weather’s nice. There are also plenty of charming cafes and snack stands in the area, so it’s easy to make a relaxing half-day or even full-day outing out of your visit.

Just keep in mind that it can get very crowded during peak hours, so going early in the morning is your best bet for a quieter, more magical experience.

Fushimi Inari Shrine

Fushimi Inari Shrine is one of Kyoto’s most iconic spots. It’s known for its long path of red torii gates. Last time I went to Japan, we did Fushimi Inari on the same day as Ninenzaka, Sannenzaka, Kiyomizudera, and Byodoin (which are next in this blog post).

Dedicated to Inari, the Shinto god of rice and prosperity, the shrine is recognizable by the thousands of gates donated as offerings, each inscribed with names and dates. It’s just a short train ride from Kyoto Station, making it close by. Plus it’s free to enter.

The hike is peaceful, taking you through stretches of forest and smaller shrines. The full loop takes about 2 – 3 hours if you go all the way to the top, but even walking a portion of it gives you the full magical effect of the gates. If you go as soon as it opens in the morning, you’ll avoid the biggest crowds.

Ninenzaka, Sannenzaka, and Kiyomizudera

Ninenzaka and Sannenzaka are two of the most picturesque streets in Kyoto. They feel like stepping straight into old Japan. The stone paths are lined with beautifully preserved traditional wooden buildings and shops selling everything from handcrafted souvenirs to matcha sweets. It’s best early in the morning or later in the evening when the crowds thin out a bit.

They’re also perfectly situated for exploring some of Kyoto’s most famous landmarks, like Kiyomizudera at the top of the hill. The walk up to the temple is a charming street lined with shops and snacks that make the experience feel festive and full of life. Come ready for a treat! It’s a must-visit spot in Kyoto that blends natural beauty, cultural significance, and a bit of touristy fun all in one.

Byodo-in

Byodo-in is a stunning UNESCO World Heritage Site located in Uji, just outside of Kyoto, and it’s absolutely worth the short trip. The main hall, the Phoenix Hall, seems to float over a tranquil pond, creating a dreamy, mirror-like reflection that makes it one of the most iconic images in all of Japan (you’ve probably seen it before—it’s on the 10 yen coin!).

It’s especially peaceful compared to some of the more crowded Kyoto temples, and the museum on-site is small but thoughtfully curated. If you’re into photography, architecture, or just want a quiet and beautiful place to wander, Byodo-in is a great choice. Plus, Uji is famous for its high-quality matcha, so you can make a whole afternoon of it with a temple visit followed by tea and sweets.

Dotonbori

Dotonbori is the lively heart of Osaka and an absolute must if you’re visiting the city. It’s loud, colorful, and a little chaotic—in the best way possible. The canal is lined with towering billboards (including the famous Glico running man), street performers, and nonstop food stalls and restaurants. It’s the kind of place where you can eat your way through Osaka’s most iconic dishes—one being takoyaki, or savory octopus-filled balls (pictured).

Go in the evening when all the lights are on and the streets are packed—it’s tourist sure, but it’s one of those spots that totally lives up to the hype.

Dotonbori

Dotonbori is the lively heart of Osaka and an absolute must if you’re visiting the city. It’s loud, colorful, and a little chaotic—in the best way possible. The canal is lined with towering billboards (including the famous Glico running man), street performers, and nonstop food stalls and restaurants. It’s the kind of place where you can eat your way through Osaka’s most iconic dishes—one being takoyaki, or savory octopus-filled balls (pictured).

Go in the evening when all the lights are on and the streets are packed—it’s tourist sure, but it’s one of those spots that totally lives up to the hype.