There are countless shrines and temples around Japan, from the ultra-famous to the small neighborhood shrines and temples for locals to visit regularly. Monks live and train in temples, and you may even see some walking around at the larger temples. Temples often have a statue of Buddha, incense burners, and some have a cemetery attached to them. You know it’s a shrine when there is a large torii gate at the entrance you know, those orange 3-sided structures that are an icon of Japan? Kyoto Sake Brewery Tour: Get to know how sake is produced using this 400-year old brewing tradition.Ĭrazy Cute Kawaii Food Tour: If you’re into all things cute, the food tour in Harajuku might be just up your alley!īefore we delve into this one, let’s have a quick chat about some basic differences between shrines and temples… Old Town Tokyo Food Tour: walk the streets of charming Yanaka neighborhood, which still has the small-town feel to it. Retro Osaka Street Food Tour: Explore the unique district of Shinsekai, which dates back to the early 1900s.

While they were both good, we really, really loved the tour in the Shinsekai district of Osaka. We went on two food tours with Arigato, one in Osaka and one in Tokyo. Oh, and you’ll get more than one freakin’ incredible meal. Not only do you get to eat at the hidden gems around the city, but you’ll learn things most other tourists are oblivious to. We discovered food tours a couple of years ago, and are kind of obsessed now.

Ĭalling all foodies! If you want to try as much Japanese food as possible and learn about the cuisine on a deeper level, a food tour is where it’s at!

Oh, and it is quite helpful to be with someone who speaks a bit of Japanese when ordering because many izakayas don’t have English menus. If you are hesitant about going to an izakaya on your own, Magical Trip offers tours where you can share the experience with a local and other travelers. They might bring a small (aka tiny!) little dish that is supposedly what you’re paying for (as well as your seat). Good to know: some izakayas charge a “cover fee”, which varies based on the place (we paid on average around 300 yen per person). Tokyo: Yakitori Alley, Memory Lane a.k.a. You can find izakayas all around the country, but here are some famous areas to hop from one izakaya to another: We had some really cool izakaya experiences where we mingled with locals, tried dishes we wouldn’t have otherwise, and had an overall great evening. Often times, izakayas only fit around 15 people, so it becomes as much about the atmosphere as it is about trying small dishes and drinks.

One of our favorite ways to feel like you’re experiencing local life is to pop into an izakaya (tiny, casual bar with food) and order a drink and some small plates.

ViaHero is a trip planning platform that will connect you to a local in Japan who will help you plan an authentic itinerary that supports their community. Supporting off-the-beaten path experiences is a great way to keep tourism dollars local. If you know anything about us, you know that we’ve gotchu covered with an info-packed Kumano Kodo guide (plus TONS of photos!). But we have a feeling this trail won’t be under the radar for long.Īnother great thing about this trail is that you can adjust the hiking days to fit your travel plans (it’s possible to do just 2 days or as many as 6 days). It is such a unique way to see Japan, and a great way to support locals living outside of major cities. Ultimate Japan Travel Guide: Everything You Need to Know for Your First Trip to Japanĭuring our time on the trail, we saw a whopping total of 18 other people! How is that even possible in Japan?! This region has started gaining more attention in recent years, and that’s great.

Essential Japan Travel Tips & Fun Facts.Trip to Japan Cost: Tips for Budget Travel in Japan.Japan Rail Pass: Where to Buy & Is It Worthwhile?.Best Time to Visit Japan: When to Go & When to Avoid.Resources for planning your perfect Japan trip Whether this is your first time visiting, or you are a frequent traveler to the “land of the rising sun,” we’ve got a collection of fun and exciting things to do in Japan for all travelers. With epic adventures in nature as well as crazy experiences you can’t have anywhere else in the world, there are so many things to do in Japan that it will likely take a few visits to check them all off your bucket list.įrom dancing robots to monkeys in hot springs to bamboo forests, we made a list of all the things you won’t want to miss on your trip to Japan. Japan is a country with a perfect mix of quirky chaos and tranquil bliss.

Pokemon snap elsewhere forest