I feel most of by now that Japan is one in all my favorite locations on the earth. I’ve completed earlier metropolis guides (my final Tokyo one linked right here, excuse the previous formatting – it was 10 years in the past!) however it is a new, up to date one with in every single place we went this journey. Kyoto can be subsequent!
HOW TO GET THERE
We booked our flights with Finnair, it labored out less expensive than BA and had direct flights to Tokyo Haneda, it companions with Japan Airways (whom our flight was with) and I can not advocate sufficient. We received a taxi to our Resort from the airport after an extended flight however I’ve caught the practice earlier than and it’s fairly simple.
TRAVELLING IN JULY
July is such a good time to journey round Japan! There have been many causes for this: firstly, we travelled in July for our honeymoon and cherished it – the Gion competition (Arts competition) was on in Kyoto, it was very HOT which made it arduous in some methods but additionally meant there have been much less vacationers than, say, September (when a lot of excursions are on) or April (thought of the most effective time to go to for cherry blossom season). It’s round 30 levels in Tokyo however in every single place had air-con, even the metro stations, plus the tall buildings means there may be loads of shade so it felt extra nice than travelling round London in related climate. It was very humid and it’s wet season, though we solely had one quick downpour this whole journey (final time we had just a few days of rain) . We selected college holidays because it meant our youngsters went on their very own vacation with grandparents on the identical time. If we return, it could positively be with the youngsters (possibly in 5 years time), as soon as they’ll actually get entangled and deal with jetlag a bit simpler, we noticed tons extra households with older children this time round.
HOW TO GET AROUND
We walked or took the metro in every single place, taxis are fairly costly and it’s really easy to navigate the town utilizing public transport. We used a Shinkansen (bullet practice) cross to get from Tokyo to Kyoto and one thing we didn’t realise final time is that you simply additionally get free journey on all of the JR strains in Tokyo and Kyoto together with your bullet practice cross. Usually, you may get to the place you want on these strains alone (or stroll a bit further to make it work) which saved us fairly a bit of cash. However the bullet practice won’t be essentially the most value efficient determination if you happen to’re not travelling round that a lot. You will get extra native trains or buses between Osaka/Kyoto/Tokyo which could work out higher worth to your journey.
For different metro journeys we simply topped up a card with money and used it like an oyster, it was actually reasonably priced to get round this fashion (these playing cards/passes work in Kyoto too). All the time ensure you faucet out at stations – I by chance didn’t faucet out in Tokyo after which my card didn’t work in Kyoto and I needed to wait till I received again to Tokyo to type it! For Kyoto I simply paid per journey.
In case you are travelling round, there is a wonderful baggage forwarding service (Takkyubin) which your resort will help you with. We used it as soon as (though has gone up in value since final time – it’s now roughly £15-£20 a suitcase) this journey, we despatched our suitcase forward to Kyoto and took a holdall into Mount Koya for one night time and our case was ready for us in Kyoto. They provide subsequent day supply normally however I in all probability wouldn’t danger it the day you fly dwelling! Most stations even have baggage storage if it’s essential depart instances for a day.
WHERE TO STAY
We stayed on the Muji Resort in Ginza. I’ve solely stayed in Ginza as soon as round 15 years in the past after I was travelling alone – it’s the buying district with tons of luxurious retailers so figured it was a protected place to remain as a younger lady alone. Funnily sufficient we didn’t even go to Ginza final journey as we thought it was boring – however we LOVED staying there this time! The retailers shut within the night after which it’s so quiet, it feels fairly villagey, native and protected (particularly because it so properly lit from all of the indicators). Right here’s why we cherished Ginza:
The Muji resort – I used to be so excited to remain right here and it didn’t disappoint. Small however completely fashioned rooms, it was minimal but practical, calm and comfy. It’s above their flagship retailer and as you check-in they current you with an inventory of things you possibly can take dwelling with you (together with slippers and stationery!). Breakfast was the proper introduction to easy Japanese residing: udon noodles, fish and curry but additionally eggs and bacon if you want. Our tip is to not go all the way down to breakfast on the hour (as that’s what everybody does!) – attempt 10 to or 10 previous the hour.
Nightlife – Ginza isn’t buzzing like different Tokyo districts at night time but it surely has a stunning ambiance and we found so many superb eating places in our neighbourhood. We cherished heading out on the metro within the day after which simply strolling to and from dinner within the night. There have been a great deal of karaoke locations close by too.
Location – Ginza is admittedly near most locations, you possibly can stroll to Shimbashi, it’s close to Tsukiji Fish Market and our resort was additionally proper by the Metro (Ginza-Itchome) which is a central cease for getting across the metropolis.
The buying – this journey I wished to benefit from the retailers extra and Ginza has all of them – Daiso (the 100 yen retailer, every thing below £1), Itoya (100 yr previous stationery retailer), and Loft in addition to the fancier shops like Louis Vuitton and Gucci (which we didn’t frequent!).
WHAT TO DO
This time we wished to spend time in Tokyo like locals, we did all the large sights final time (the Sensō-ji Temple, Yoyogi Park, Harajuku) and this time we wished to only eat and calm down. However first: Studio Ghibli Museum (which was shut final time we had been right here – it’s closed on Tuesdays!). It’s actually arduous to resolve whether or not or to not go to this museum, you’re not allowed to take pictures inside so there’s not a lot to analysis on-line and it’s a forty five minute journey exterior the town however we determined to take a punt on it, in any case we had been in Tokyo and Chris is a big fan.
It was attractive, the world of Mitaka itself was suburban, leafy and a pleasure to stroll round, attempt to get there on time because the queues begin for the gallery as quickly because it opens. There are limitations on guests on a regular basis (Oomi Japan organised our ticket for this, aparently they’re fairly arduous to pay money for prematurely!) which suggests it’s busy however not overly so. There have been quite a lot of households and youngsters (had been we the one grown-ups on our personal? Maybe, however we didn’t really feel bizarre) and there’s a lot to see: unique illustrations, stills from movies, a lot of interactive parts and also you get to see a novel quick movie solely out there to guests (in Japanese, but it surely’s fairly a easy plot so we adopted!). It was a morning properly spent, it nonetheless felt very native and never too touristy, you can also’t spent various hours there which was a pleasant shock and meant we had been again to the centre of Tokyo by lunchtime.
My favorite store in Tokyo is Loft and there’s a 5/6 story one in Ginza which I spent quite a lot of time in. It’s like strolling across the backside flooring of a division retailer like Selfridges: teas, chcoclates, gifting, stationery – however far more reasonably priced. The change price to GBP was actually good, so even within the 100yen retailer Daiso (my different favorite retailer), every merchandise was round 65p every. We primarily purchased presents for the youngsters or stationery we are able to’t get simply within the UK (see my reel on what I purchased right here). Lawson, 7 Eleven and any Pharmacies are additionally value visiting, the place you’ll find quirky presents, meals, snacks and Japanese magnificence merchandise cheaply.
Akihabara was one other place on our checklist as we solely briefly visited final time, it’s ‘Electrical City’ and a bigger than life a part of the town full of anime and manga retailers, gaming shops and 5 story buildings full of ‘Claw Machines’ that didn’t appear to be rigged – we each gained on our first go! It’s a tween/teen heaven but additionally enjoyable for adults, we loved spending just a few hours right here and introduced again photobooth stickers of us as anime characters (after utilizing the sweetness stations arrange subsequent to the cubicles, in fact).
A spotlight was karaoke, there are many locations to do it – Large Echo is a well-liked one, we did Karaoke Kan which was proper by our resort and had nice views out to Tokyo (it was roughly £25 for an hour which included 2 beers).
After which we spent the remainder of our time consuming!
WHERE TO EAT
We primarily ate noodles in Japan, it’s a lot simpler to return throughout and a less expensive, on a regular basis meal. You possibly can’t actually go incorrect with ramen right here and even the most cost effective meals you order from a merchandising machine is scrumptious! Our first night time we arrived late so requested the workers at Muji for his or her suggestions (I’d at all times advocate this) and we ended up in a cute, fashionable ramen place close by referred to as Menya Yukou – 2 beers, 2 ramen dishes and a facet of gyozas got here to £20. There’s no tipping tradition in Japan so it made an enormous distinction to how a lot we spent.
We love the simplicity of Coco Ichibanya for katsu curry. Kaitensushi (conveyor belt sushi) is an reasonably priced solution to eat however they’re not as frequent as you’d suppose, lots are in shops or practice stations – we did see Sushi-go-round which seemed good and for reasonably priced sushi – Sushi No Midori. One of the best locations for us are the small, unassuming locations that don’t look fancy, they typically have the most effective ambiance, too. In Ginza most eating places are at floor stage, so many locations in Tokyo you need to get a carry to the doorway and it’s very arduous to again out if you happen to’re unsure on the vibe! Right here you possibly can peek in and see if it’s busy or the meals seems good.
We did a ‘Ramen Tour’ while in Tokyo with Frank, a ramen fanatic (his website 5am ramen ought to turn into your go-to if visiting) who taught us the various kinds of ramen, from my favorite: tsukemen (dipping noodles) to all of the completely different types of broths and toppings. He gave us a low-down on his high 5 ramen eating places in Ginza (they had been all inside 5 minutes stroll!), gave us their historical past and backstory (every one had a distinct segment: feminine owned, household run for 50 years, well-known for his or her spicy broth and so on) and we picked our favorite to go to.
We ended up in Hashigo – it was a easy bar, no tables and so busy that as quickly as you’ve completed, you permit, to let these within the queue behind you begin. It was the most effective ramen I’ve ever tasted and it was a small unassuming place we’d handed by just a few instances with out noticing (in all probability as a result of there have been no English indicators – however they’d an English menu as soon as seated). These had been Frank’s different ramen suggestions (in/round Ginza):
A small phrase of warning: if you happen to purchase snacks or a takeaway iced espresso, there are not any bins. Actually. Not one on the streets. We spent hours strolling round with a plastic container and couldn’t discover any. We realised after some time that nobody was consuming ‘on the go’ and there are even indicators in cafes asking if you happen to take away, you are taking your garbage dwelling with you. I’m nonetheless incredulous that the streets are so clear with none bins! However that’s one other one of many superb issues about Japan.
EXTRA INFO
We took primarily money, which appears loopy in such a contemporary metropolis but it surely helped us monitor our spending plus we had learn just a few articles saying that abroad playing cards don’t at all times work and the few instances we tried our card they had been temperamental! All over the place we went accepted money no downside, and within the countryside it’s most well-liked (the Temple we stayed in Kyosan insisted on money, and apparently it’s fairly arduous to withdraw as solely sure cashpoints inside 7 Elevens work with abroad playing cards). One thing to remember.
Knowledge roaming was costly for us, so we used wi-fi from the resort. Most tube stations and buying malls (and Starbucks) have wi-fi readly out there and in locations like Kyoto they’d their very own ‘metropolis wifi’.
Plugs and voltage are the identical because the US, in different phrases your straighteners won’t work. Fortunately I had a pair of $5 Goal mini straighteners which served me properly!
Google translate is useful for menus however we discovered no downside with language and had been at all times understood not directly!
We booked our flights then used Oomi Journey for lots of our itinerary (beforehand Distinctive Japan Excursions – whom we booked our honeymoon with!). We paid for our journey and knew roughly the place we wished to go however Darina helped ebook every thing and all of the extras we wouldn’t have imagined – our itinerary was fairly easy this time and was mainly Tokyo – Koyasan – Kyoto – Tokyo – London (our final journey was extra intricate and you’ll personalise your itinerary as a lot as you want). Oomi really useful the Muji Resort, the journey to Koyasan, booked all our bullet trains and transport, in Koyasan we had a non-public tour information and stayed in a single day in a Buddhist Temple run by Monks, in Tokyo we additionally did a sushi making course run by essentially the most superb Japanese girls. It’s completely doable to ebook Japan by your self however for the additional journeys (particularly Koyasan, or the unimaginable island of Amami the place we visited on our honeymoon, quite a lot of these inns haven’t any English web sites), Oomi helped make it further particular (and saved us time while working full-time with two children!). This isn’t a paid promotion however wished to provide a shout out, as I’ve really useful them to anybody we all know going to Japan!
A number of reasonably priced eating places really useful by Oomi Japan:
Ramen Jiro (well-known ramen spot, queues begin as early as 7am!)
Tonkatsu Maruya – a typical workplace employees lunch spot
Yakitori Takumi – for yakitori, typical Japanese kebab type meals, meat charcoaled on (typically) bamboo skewers)
