Mochi, Memories, and Massive Jet Lag
Konnichiwa besties! This past week and a half, I’ve been in the lovely land of Japan. I’ve tasted the most delicious Japanese sweets, eaten my own weight in Sushi and Wagyu beef, and I guess also seen some incredible sights. Japan was always a trip-of-a-lifetime / bucket list destination for me, so having been to Tokyo, Kyoto, Nara, and Osaka will now become my sole personality for the foreseeable future.
I know I’m going to get all the questions my way about suggestions, especially since I have so many friends planning trips to Japan super soon for the cherry blossom season - so thought I’d put it all in a blog! And I also included my biggest culture shocks since being here to help you all know a little more of what to expect.
Arrival / Getting Around:
-Arrive to Haneda International Airport (Tokyo): We arrived at 3pm JST and I loved this transition- barely any jet lag at all. We were able to grab dinner and go to bed around 8pm which gave us enough rest to fuel day 2.
-Taxi or Metro: You can take the Keikyu Line to central Tokyo which is great and I really recommend it but Taxi is also super affordable and takes card which is a plus over the metro tickets.
-There’s also a JR (Japan Rail) and other specialized lines, so make sure to look up what makes sense to purchase in advance for your visit:)
Tokyo - Sightseeing:
If you aren’t coming one of the three months that Japan hosts professional Sumo matches, you can still see the traditional practice in action, complete with an explanation of its basic rules, a delicious Tonkqtsu lunch, and the ability to be humbled via the wrestling yourself with a former champion in a Sumo suit. Available almost every day and during various times.
Ginza Art Aquarium
Incredible projected light displays over hundreds of thousands of fish! Pretty epic, especially as a TeamLabs alternative.
If you want an inauthentic experience that you will laugh and enjoy throughout, I highly recommend making sushi in Asakusa near the Senso-Ji temple. There is a tutorial on four kinds of nigiri and then it’s your turn to DIY your own sushi variations.
I loved our tour around Senso-Ji, Asakusa Shrine, and Namikase Dori, and their company does a bunch of walking tours in Tokyo and Kyoto, including a popular Shinjuku night tour across the Japanese nightlife. If you’ve never done a free walking tour before, you have a chance to give a tip at the end based off the tour experience so it’s a bit more affordable and convenient option.
Akihabara electric town
Such a cool, modern, lit-up part of eastern Tokyo. I loved looking at the arcades and checking out the world’s largest electronics store!
Obaido - Island:
You need to do yourself a favor and cross rainbow bridge to just experience these stunning views in Obaido island. Unreal.
If you love cats as much as I do, you cannot miss Tokyo’s wide array of pet stores and cat cafes. The cat cafes are super affordable and this one is a great option in Shinjuku city with tons and tons of kitties, study space, books and computers you can rent, and even adorable treats you can purchase to feed the cats with!
Shibuya Square / Hatchiko Waits Station
Times Square meets Japan in Shibuya crossing, where thousands of people flock in every direction. Complete with beautiful fashion shops and restaurants, and the famous station where bestie Hatchiko may still be waiting for his owner, as the famous tale goes.
Tekashita Street
I loved this adorable street near Shibuya/Shinjuku with amazing eateries and souvenir shops. Also let me just say- the cheapest souvenirs are HERE. Don’t go to one of the other markets, you will overpay for souvenirs!
Tokyo Metropolitan Building
There are many available observatory options, like the Tokyo Skytree and Tokyo Tower, but if you want a free one that has all the same flare, check out the municipal building, which also occasionally has light-up shows.
Menju Jinju Shrine + Yoyogi Park
The perfect pair on a nice day to see some blooms and also a gorgeous shrine that is a perfect display of the Shinto culture. Loved this and it’s a must see!
Kyoto - Sightseeing:
This was absolutely incredible. We toured several beautiful Geiko districts and finished with a performance from an amazing 18 year old Meiko who absolutely took my breath away.
Incredible Temple/Shrine CulturE
It’s easy to get overwhelmed here, so which do I think are worth it?
Fushimi Inari Taisha- a Shinto shrine with thousands of brightly orange colored gates
Kennin-ji Temple- The oldest zen Buddhist temple of all which also popularized the practice of tea ceremonies
Golden Pavilion- a World Heritage site that absolutely took my breath away, I can’t recommend it enough
Kiyomizu-dera Temple- Translates to mean pure water, as it’s surrounded by water and gorgeous climb up. Highly recommend!
Yasaka Shrine - Beautiful Pagoda that can be seen from below
- Sassenzaka and Ninensaka paths
Great shopping streets that lead you on a whimsical journey across the city’s landmarks and let you stop for snacks!
Arishiyama:
This area of Kyoto boasts so much beautiful nature, including a boundless bamboo forest and even a wild monkey park! It is a bit of a hike to get to the monkeys so the bamboo forest and Tenryu-ji temple is an all encompassing itinerary on its own
Nara - Sightseeing:
Nara Deer Park
My favorite part of the week? Hundreds, 1300 to be exact, of wild deer running around all over Nara. You can pay for rice crackers to feed them and once you get past some initial scaries, they’re super friendly!
Tōdai-Ji
Not only is this the largest wooden structure in the world, but it houses the largest statue of the golden Buddha. Definitely recommend taking a look!
Osaka - Sightseeing:
Osaka Castle
Features one of the most impressive plum blossom groves in all of Japan and offers a picturesque view. Can also purchase tickets to view the interior if you want!
Dotonbori Street and Shinsaibashi-Suji Shopping Street
The hippy, modern district of Minami features these two streets that look like they are taken straight out of a magazine. Comparable to the Las Vegas strip, the water views and thrift shopping is next level, and don’t even get me started on the food!!
Food Recs:
1 the only place we’ve been twice in a 3 day vacation period Asuka Wagyu Yakiniku (Kyoto)
Ippudo Ramen (Tokyo)
Strawberry Fetish (Tokyo)
Tsukiji Market (Tokyo) - particularly Maguroya Kurogin has the best fatty tuna you HAVE TO TRY
Nishiki Market (Kyoto)
Piss Alley (Tokyo) - narrow alley lit up with lanterns that serves delicious skewer assortments grilled to perfection
Sate Robot Hotpot (Kyoto)
Pablo’s Cheese Tarts (Osaka)
Try Okonomiyaki Japanese Savory Pancake (Osaka)
What I do recommend:
-Renting an eSIM from the airport AND getting $$$ direct from an airport ATM:
-Use. The. Metro!!: It is seriously so spacious, so frequent, and so convenient! There’s space for oversized baggage, comfy seats, and a relatively easy (and translatable) system to get around.
-Enjoy the blooming season and get some Starbucks to match: You may think April is the only time to see the famous Japanese Sakura, but as we noted, there are many beautiful plum and Kawazu-Sakura (early Sakura trees) growing in February. My favorite places to see these were: Yoyogi Park, Tokyo Imperial Palace, Kyoto Imperial Palace, and Osaka Castle Plum Groves. Also Starbucks has the most adorable cups for Sakura season and fun drinks to match!
-Get a foot bath/ foot massage! Arishiyama and Kyoto have some great ones and we got a lovely foot bath at Arishyu Foot Therapy. Well deserved after all the walking😂
What I don’t recommend:
-Not having cash currency: be my guest, but contrary to what the machines say, the metro ticket stations ONLY accept cash (no card) and the majority of food shops/stores are cash only as well.
-Omakase: Before I get a lot of confused faces, let me explain that I don’t think you should swear off all Omakase but do bear in mind that Japanese sushi is not the American maki rolls you think of when you picture sushi (there’s a good reason it’s called a CALIFORNIA roll) and unless u are the least picky eater and are ready to unveil the big bucks, it may not be worth it. I’d choose hotpot over it any day.
-Tokyo imperial palace internal tour (and specifically being late if you do want to go). Be there at 9 for the morning tour!
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Culture shocks:
1.) The Toilets are Insane. I am ready for the “Sharon those are just bidets” hate but it really was my first shock upon existing the gate we landed at. These toilets massage your rear, clean it, and treat it all in all like a car going through a car wash. I tried it twice but I think I’m ready to get back to American reality.
2.) Back to the left side we go! Not only do the Japanese drive on the left side of the road, we also walk to the left and stand on the left of escalators… I always forget how long this takes to get used to!!
3.) There are TVs available in all taxis right in front of the driver dashboard!! So just one of the many things very illegal in the U.S and super normal in Japan.
4.) Everyone is so patient (no running frantically and knocking things over like us)
5.) Everything is a vending machine (ramen, ramune, tobacco, fresh squeezed orange juice, you name it!)
6.) You’re your own person - even at the airport, you scan independently and not as a family or group
7.) Very high context, I didn’t hear a “no” at all this week! You get really good at paying attention to and understanding body language
8.) To go hand in hand with 1, everything is automated, from the hand washing to the bullet trains to free WiFi spots to sake dispensers in the lobby of hotels
9.) big star on this one Hospitality!Hotels all have amenities bars with tea, razors, lotion, body towels, shaving gel, and pretty much anything you could ever want. We were able to rent umbrellas with no cost at one hotel and were treated like royalty pretty much everywhere we went
10.) Punctuality is a MUST. The story goes that we made an advance reservation for a guided indoor tour of the Tokyo imperial palace and arrived at the right time… to the wrong gate. By the time we realized our mistake and SPRINTED to the right one, we were refused at the gate despite it being (no exaggeration) 10:02 to a 10:00 start time. Point being: if you’re anything like me, prioritize being early!
11.) The other big no no? Eating on the go. Whether it’s a boba tea or ice cream, you eat where you’re at or take it with you to enjoy later. Otherwise you may as well write “American found here” on your forehead in permanent marker
12.) Trash cans don’t exist. I mean they do, but finding one on the street is like playing peek-a-boo. You’re more likely to win tickets to see Taylor Swift in concert. The amazing part of this one though is how clean the Japanese are nonetheless! They have mini Tori gates (which are the entrances to shrines) posted on the sidewalk to remind people to a.) not litter and b.) not piss on the sidewalk if you’re drunk b/c that’s probably not the holy thing to do
13.) On a smaller note, there are no spoons for the miso soup!! We asked for some from a tour guide and she cracked up and asked if it’s “offensive” to eat straight from the bowl in America
14.) Everyone is SOOOOO nice and always ready to help: from the first day, when I caused enough commotion that the metro doors slammed in my face and a lovely couple guided us to the exit of the station we needed to get off at, to the man who ran panting after my dad to give him a 10 yen note he dropped- the Japanese people are kind and believe in being generous and honorable. I asked a woman if I could borrow a chair at Starbucks and she -no joke- packed up her workbooks and said “of course right away”, giving up the whole table for us. This means it’s also way safer than other European countries- one of our tour guides shared that her daughter has lost her phone on the metro THREE times and had it returned each time. And another told us they have a routine of sleeping on the subway and they’ve never once had to worry about someone swiping their bags.
15.) Slippers are super important everywhere! Expect that it’s a sign of respect to not be barefoot in most situations, and keep your slippers on in public bathrooms and on the plane (Delta provided us the comfiest ones both ways!)
16.) Huge appreciation for American culture: This has its pros and cons, but it really surprised me how interested and excited many Japanese people are by the American lifestyle, especially after listening to most Europeans trash talk it. They even have a street in Osaka called Amerikura with a giant “mall of America” style building complete with a miniature Statue of Liberty, tons of U.S. college sweatshirts, and piles of garbage (the one area where you can find a ton of it in Japan lol).
17.) Putting your feet up on a couch (especially without slippers, see 15) is a big no no. The Japanese view this is a filthy American routine and it’s one of their biggest culture shocks coming to the States
18.) A hot towel comes out with all/most meals! One of the big things I’ll miss:(
19.) LOTS of walking: I think I peaked at 30,000 steps in a day? Which is a new personal record I’m not trying to break any time soon
20.) Smaller is better: The clothes- small. The Starbucks cups- only available in our version of a “tall”. There are even minicars that are owned by a large majority of Japanese citizens.
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My first time in Asia does mean a lot of jet lag, which I’m preparing to fight off as I (currently) finish off the 13 hour flight back (total) home. All worth it though, I spent the majority of the time back looking through pictures and thinking about how no Japanese food experience I have in Chicago will ever measure up again:) I will be back, if only to visit Tokyo Disneyland and try those little alien mochis🥰😂
Happy to answer any and all questions anyone has! Thanks for coming along and happy traveling!