It’s always interesting to be immersed in a different culture. Your senses are in overdrive about all the new experiences. It was an adventure exploring Tokyo, Hakone, Osaka, Kyoto, and Nara. They each had their special features and every day was a new discovery.

I’ve condensed our two-week trip into 13 favorite things. Here are some recommendations of what you should do on your trip.

Eat!

This is what I anticipated the most about our trip and it did not disappoint! From street food tours to Michelin meals, we had so many different food experiences. See these posts for more about eating in Japan:

• 20 Best Eats and Drinks I Had in Japan
• 8 Best Foodie Experiences in Japan
• Kaiseki Michelin Meal at Yugen in Osaka, Japan
• Sushi Omakase at Sushi Punch in Tokyo, Japan
• Wagyu Tasting at Tsurugyu in Osaka, Japan

Want an easy way to try new food? Join a food tour! We did the Ninja Food Tour in Tokyo and Taste Osaka in Osaka.

Stay in a Ryokan with an Onsen

I was wary about this experience before the trip because I’m not great at relaxing, but it was one of my favorites! We stayed at a ryokan (traditional Japanese hotel) in Hakone, which is a mountain town known for its onsens (hot springs). Our hotel had baths with hot spring water that we enjoyed soaking in every day. Ryokans typically offer dinner and breakfast with the stay, and the kaiseki meals (traditional, multi-course) were beautiful and filling! There are a few mountain towns around Mt Fuji and Hakone is about a 2.5 hr train ride from Tokyo, a great stop on the way if you’re also planning to visit Osaka and Kyoto.

Visit Tsujiki Fish Market

This market in Tokyo was my favorite we visited. The food was top-notch and varied. From wagyu skewers to grilled seafood, the freshness is on another level. Come early mid-morning and enjoy bites throughout the market.

Admire Japanese fashion

You can’t miss it when you’re walking the streets or riding the subway. Japanese fashion, women in particular, features unique ensembles. You wouldn’t necessarily call it trendy (as in commonplace fashion) but it’s effortlessly cool. There is also an abundance of thrift stores in Japan. Visit the Shimoktazawa neighborhood for a lot of options. And lastly, you’ll also see traditional kimonos, especially in touristy areas. Locals and tourists rent and wear these for photo shoots and special occasions. Some locals wear these for work, like in a tea ceremony shop.

Visit a Buddhist Temple or Shinto Shrine

There are many religious buildings to choose from in every city. My favorite was Todai-ji Temple in Nara. This Buddhist temple was built in the 8th century, and while it has gone through several reconstructions, the expanse of the building and complex are awe-inspiring. No matter which temple you visit, go early or expect it to be crowded. Here are some other temples we visited:

• Hie Shrine (Tokyo)
• Senso-ji Temple (Tokyo)
• Asakusa Shrine (Tokyo)
• Meji Jingu Shrine (Tokyo) – another favorite, this is in a huge park
• Shitennoji Temple (Osaka)
• Hokan-ji Temple (Kyoto)
• Kiyomizu-dera Temple (Kyoto)
• Fushimi-Inari Shrine (Kyoto)

See Nara’s Bowing Deer

While the experience itself can be a little off-putting, especially when deer are nipping at you, the bowing deer are a unique thing to see. Vendors sell stacks of crackers near the parks. These deer have been conditionally trained to bow for crackers, so walk up to a deer and bow, and feed it a cracker when it bows back. Avoid the deer with antlers, as they tend to be more aggressive. (Nara is about a 30-minute train from Osaka and a 45-minute train from Kyoto.)

Visit a Museum

There are many cool museums, and we went to two. Team Labs has locations in Tokyo and Osaka and is known for its immersive experiences. Imagine walking into a room knee-deep in water with projections of fish swimming around or a room full of suspended flowers. We also went to the Hakone Open Air Museum, which has large sculptures spread out over their outdoor property plus a stained-glass tower and a whole exhibit building about Picasso.

A few museums we missed that you could try are the Ghibli Museum in Mitaka (outside Tokyo), the Yayoi Kusama Museum in Tokyo, and the Cup Noodles Museum in Osaka.

Visit the Bamboo Forest

The Arashiyama Bamboo Grove in Kyoto is a magical place. It feels like a whimsical scene in a Studio Ghibli movie. It’s a quick walk through the forest on a paved path, and get there before 8 am to avoid the hordes of visitors.

Get to Know Locals

What better way to learn about Japan than through the locals? One of the ways I do it is through food tours, especially since there is a language barrier. (We did the Ninja Food Tour in Tokyo and Taste Osaka in Osaka.) We happened to meet a new friend while on a food tour, who we met up with the next night. Through Google Translate, we had an active conversation and enjoyed time at restaurants and bars frequented by locals.

To meet locals more proactively, look for Facebook groups like Girls Love Travel to connect or book a tour on EatWith.

Walk through a shopping district

Every city has one or multiple! You’ll see a long covered pedestrian road filled with shops, and they’re typically in touristy areas. There will be lots of food options and souvenir shops. Try walking off the busy strip for places “off the path” that may have cheaper items. However, these places can be overwhelming and very similar, so plan ahead!

• Kuroman Ichiba Market in Osaka
• Nishiki Market in Kyoto
• Dotonbori and Namba neighborhoods in Osaka

See Mt Fuji

One of the reasons we stayed in Hakone was to see Mt Fuji. The surrounding towns have natural springs and great views. Unfortunately, we only got a quick glance of Mt Fuji on train rides because it was cloudy on the days we were there, but in Hakone, you can see it when you ride the ropeway up to Owakudani and take the sightseeing pirate ship cruise around Lake Ashi.

While many visitors admire the mountain from afar, climbing Mt Fuji is also one of Japan’s most iconic adventures, especially during the official summer season. If you’re considering the ascent, many travelers choose to climb Mt Fuji with a certified local guide to navigate the route safely and learn more about the mountain.

Ride a Bullet Train

A possibly commonplace thing where you are but not in the U.S. is bullet trains. The first time we saw one speed through the train station, we looked at each other in amazement. It is called the Shinkansen and goes up to 320 kms per hour. Taking this train between cities will save you some time.

Wander, Explore, and Be in Wonder

One of the best parts of travel is going somewhere you’ve never been before and discovering something new. So make time to wander the streets with no clear direction, meander through a market, or take a detour to see something because you’re curious. And then be in wonder and gratitude for the experience. I look through my photos and see things we happened upon: a Buddhist temple, a waterfall, a fluffy duck, and so many creative manhole covers.

I started noticing and taking pictures of all the manhole covers because they’re so pretty and unique. These started as a PR campaign in the 80s for taxpayers to get on board with modernizing the sewer system. The enthusiasm has grown into another feature that makes Japan endearing. Almost 12,000 unique designs can be found in Japan!

These are the surprises that complete your trip. Make a trip plan, but leave room for unexpected adventures.

Here are a few other things we tried and other recommendations:

• Gaming complexes like in the Akihabara neighborhood in Tokyo
• Bar districts like Golden Gai in Tokyo
• Itoya in Tokyo, a six-floor stationery store
• Walk through Shibuya Crossing, the world’s busiest pedestrian crossing
• Relax at a spa
• Karaoke
• Souvenir shop (especially Japanese snacks) at Mega Don Quixote (seven floors!)
• Sengokuhara Pampas Grass Fields in Hakone
• Enjoy bidets
• DisneyLand in Tokyo
• Universal Studios/Nintendo World in Osaka

Take my suggestions and make YOUR trip.

Enjoy your visit to Japan!

Want more Japan recommendations? Check out these posts.

The post 13 Best Things To Do in Japan for a Fantastic Trip appeared first on Fearless Captivations.

Read this post for all my favorite things we ate – dishes you’ll find in Japan – and some restaurant recommendations.

When I plan a trip, I like to bookmark restaurants that seem to have good reviews and are near a certain sight we’re planning to visit. We made it to about 3 of the 10 I had bookmarked and that was because we had reservations! I tell you this so you know getting to a specific place in Japan was much harder than I thought it would be. Sometimes things that were “close” ended up being a 20-minute train. Sometimes we had to satisfy hangry humans ASAP.

I also tell you this because while we didn’t visit the places I had bookmarked, we still had incredible food resulting from quick Google searches, and the “we walked by and it looked good.” Yes, have a few places (the fewer the better) you absolutely must visit, but also leave room to be spontaneous because you’re likely to still enjoy great eats in Japan!

And now, these are the eats and drinks that I will dream about until I return.

Beef / Gyukatsu

While fish is the common choice in Japan, I enjoyed the beef immensely! We had melt-in-your-mouth beef skewers at the fish market (you can’t miss it, there are huge signs for this place) and a fun beef tasting at a restaurant in Osaka. And while tonkatsu (breaded, deep-fried pork cutlet) is popular, gyukatsu (the beef version) is a must-try as well!

Where we ate:

• Gyukatsu Motomura – gyukatsu, multiple locations in Japan
• Tsuguyru in Osaka – beef tasting
• Tsukiji Ihachi at Tsukiji Fish Market in Tokyo

Eel / Unagi

Eel was already one of my favorite seafood but eating it freshly grilled at the fish market was incredibly satisfying! You can find it at street food stalls.

Daifuku / Mochi / Warabi

I had mochi on a few occasions but the most delicious was a street stand on a quieter street at Tsukiji Fish Market. They had a few flavors but the strawberry was so good! You may also see savory mochi wrapped in seaweed.

It’s called daifuku when the mochi is wrapped around something like a strawberry or red bean. It’s called warabi or warabimochi when the mochi is dipped or topped with sauce and powder.

Ramen

I had ramen three times, and they were all delicious! Fish ramen is a growing trend, and it’s a lighter broth option. We also went to the classic chain – Ichiran – but be prepared for a wait in prime time. The last place was a spur-of-the-moment pick when we needed to find food near Senso-ji Temple in Tokyo, and it was so good! 

Most ramen places have ordering machines so the staff doesn’t need to handle payment. You’ll get a small receipt which you’ll give to a server.

Where we ate:

• Ichiran – Chain restaurant with many locations
• One Dragon Tan Tan Noodles in Tokyo – Beef broth ramen
• Maru de Sankaku in Osaka – Fish ramen

Matcha

We tried to enjoy matcha everywhere! We enjoyed it fresh in a tea ceremony and at the end of a nice meal, but we also had it in ice cream and other treats.

Where we ate:

• Kaminari Issa – matcha ice cream and drinks near Senso-ji Temple in Tokyo
• Bongen Coffee in Tokyo – pretty good coffee too but has a very long wait

Okonomiyaki

I had never had okonmiyaki before, so it was a magical experience. This savory Japanese pancake is made with flour, cabbage, and a choice of additions like pork or shrimp. There are two styles. Osaka style is a big mix of ingredients while Hiroshima style is layered ingredients, sometimes including noodles.

Where we ate:

• Torame Yokocho in Osaka – it’s a food hall so look for the specific stall in the back left

Cheese Tart

Follow your nose to the cheese tart! We went to two different places, and my favorite was Grand Riviere in Hakone, which drew us in with the fragrance of fresh-baked tarts. The crust is almost like a buttery shortbread cookie. We also went to Pablo in Osaka, which you’ll know is popular from the long line! They sell a few flavors, including strawberry, chocolate, and matcha.

Where we ate:

• Grand Riviere in Hakone
• Pablo in Osaka

Taiyaki

These filled pastries are made fresh, typically at a food stall. We happened upon one after dinner one night. We got one with red bean and one with custard. Yum!

Japanese pancakes

The special thing about Japanese pancakes is that they’re extra fluffy, like a souffle!

Where we ate:

• Northshore in Osaka

Yuzu sorbet

One of my favorite desserts I had was a yuzu sorbet. Yuzu looks like a lemon but tastes like a combination of lemon and grapefruit.

Sushi

Of course sushi! We ate sushi most days. It can come as a side dish, like a few pieces in a bento box or kaiseki dinner. We also had a multi-course sushi omakase, which was a great way to end the trip.

Where we ate:

• Shimokita Rokkaku in Tokyo
• Sushi Punch in Tokyo

Yakitori

These Japanese skewers are typically grilled over a charcoal fire and are easily found in izakayas (low-key Japanese bars) or street markets.

Where we ate:

• Omoide Yokocho – food stall alley in Tokyo
• Kuroman Ichiba Market – food stall market in Osaka
• Nishiki Market – food stall market in Kyoto

Tempura

One of my favorite parts of our multi-course dinners at a traditional Japanese hotel we stayed at was the tempura. It was light and crispy yet the vegetable shined through.

Fishcake

One thing you can find in fish markets and street stalls is fish cake. These are typically ground fish made into balls or patties and served on a skewer or in oden, which is a soup.

Egg Salad Sandwich

People raved about the egg salad sandwiches in Japan, so it was a must-try. The best one I had was from 7-Eleven, as many have suggested.

Uni

A sushi meal delicacy is uni and at Japanese street markets, you can enjoy extra fresh. You’ll see them laid out and they may include an uni variety. The best was at Tsukiji Fish Market in Tokyo.

Fruit

I thoroughly enjoyed all the fresh fruit in Japan. Many desserts include fruit for a light and fresh ending to a meal. At markets, you’ll see big, beautiful fruit. I especially liked the persimmons and muscat grapes.  

Natto Beans / Japanese Breakfast

When in Japan, you eat fish and natto beans for breakfast! The traditional Japanese breakfast usually includes grilled fish, rice, miso soup, pickled things, and natto. Natto, which is fermented soybeans, is also lovingly called “stinky beans.” I didn’t find them too stinky, and they are good when mixed with rice, especially since they can be a bit sticky.

Takoyaki

These balls have a flour batter with pieces of octopus. If you’re looking for a place to enjoy it, look for a big red octopus face on the outside and you’ll find the Tako Tako King chain.

Sake / Shochu / Beer

There are plenty of alcoholic beverage choices in Japan.

• Sake – If you’re looking for something unique to Japan, it would be this rice wine, their national beverage. There’s a growing movement that seeks to make sake cool, so look out for sake bars.
• Shochu – This is a distilled liquor that is weaker than liquors like whiskey or vodka but stronger than wine or sake. My go-to way to drink it is a chuhai or shochu highball, which is mixed with soda water and lemon.
• Beer – When in Japan, the typical beer brands are Asahi and Sapporo, but you can find Hitachino as a craft option. Also, keep an eye out for local craft beers in specialty shops, and don’t expect to find IPAs in abundance.

It was fun to look back at all the delicious things we ate! I hope this gives you an idea of what to look out for on your trip or makes you want to book a trip to Japan.

For more posts about Japan, check out:

• Kaiseki Michelin Meal at Yugen in Osaka, Japan
• Wagyu Tasting at Tsurugyu in Osaka, Japan
• Sushi Omakase at Sushi Punch in Tokyo, Japan

The post 20 Best Eats and Drinks I Had in Japan appeared first on Fearless Captivations.

Sushi Punch

This restaurant went viral on Instagram, which is probably how I found it! Chef Yuichiro Sasaki opened his restaurant during the pandemic, serving local clientele, but as Japan opened up tourism again, a few foreign visitors shared their meals on social media. Now, 80% of Sushi Punch’s clientele are foreign travelers, and Chef Sasaki is considering opening a Los Angeles location!

With his chef skills and reserved charm, Chef Sasaki provides an entertaining omakase experience. As many have said, he may be the fittest and most photogenic sushi chef in the world!

The lunch omakase is about 9-11 courses while dinner is about 14-18 courses. Each meal ends with miso soup, as Japanese meals commonly do. You’ll be able to taste specialty dishes as well as nigiri. Throughout the meal, Chef Sasaki was excited to share the preparation for the nigiri, especially if there were certain processes like aging and marinating.

Keep reading to see our meal.

Chef’s Tasting

We enjoyed 19 courses of cooked dishes and nigiri. The first four dishes were specialty, cooked dishes, except for one dish of sashimi.

Here are the dishes we had. Note: there is one piece of nigiri I didn’t get the name of and I missed getting a photo of the Hokkaido Prawn.

Steamed Egg

Yellowtail Sashimi

Grilled Fish – I didn’t catch the name of this one but it was a flakey white fish and one of my favorites of the dinner!

Fried Spring Roll

Herring

Squid

Bluefin Tuna

Saury – This is a very common fish in Japan, but was unique to us

Spanish Mackerel

Slow Cooked Oyster

Crab with scallop, rice, onion jelly

Salmon Roe

Kohada

Monkfish Liver

Chūtoro (Fatty Tuna)

Anago (sea eel) – One of my favorites!

Sweet egg and chestnut

The meal was so delightful! Every piece was perfect and delicious. We each had our favorite pieces, but we were pleased we ended our trip with this meal.

How to Make a Reservation

You can make a reservation online on the TableCheck website. You must enter your credit card information but you are not charged until after your meal is completed.

Lunch is 12,000 yen (about $80) per person and dinner is 18,000 yen (about $118) per person. The pricing includes a 10% service charge.

If you cancel seven days before your reservation, you will have to pay 50% of the price. If you cancel three days or less before your reservation, you will have to pay 100% of the price.

How to Get There

Sushi Punch is located in the Azabujuban neighborhood of Tokyo. Following Google Maps will get you to the correct location. (It is called Sushi Panchi on Google.) When you get to the address, you’ll see a lit sign with eight squares. Go past the sign on the left to the elevator on the right. The restaurant is on the 7th floor. On the left is a photo of the outside from Google:

Details for Your Visit

Here’s a quick list of what to know prior to your visit.

• Cuisine: Sushi
• Meal offered: Lunch at 12 pm, dinner at 6 and 8:30 pm
• Ambiance: Formal, bright
• Attire: Business casual
• Noise Level: Quiet
• Dietary restrictions: Information requested on the reservation
• Reservation: Available online 2 months in advance
• Groups: Contact the restaurant for groups of more than 6 people

Sushi Punch
〒106-0045 Tokyo, Minato City, Azabujuban, 3 Chome−3−9 Vort麻布十番II 7F
https://www.instagram.com/sushi__punch

Looking for more Japan foodie experience? Check out these posts:

• 8 Best Foodie Experiences in Japan
• Kaiseki Michelin Meal at Yugen in Osaka, Japan
• 20 Best Eats and Drinks I Had in Japan
• Wagyu Tasting at Tsurugyu in Osaka, Japan

The post Sushi Omakase at Sushi Punch in Tokyo, Japan appeared first on Fearless Captivations.