Mount Fuji at 6AM local time - pure bliss.
JAPAN - Tokyo | Kyoto | Hiroshima | Osaka
- Okay so first off, remember to book your JR Passes. This is basically your travel buddy while you're visiting different parts of Japan and will allow you to use their train system (which is awesome by the way). It is pricey but you'll definitely need it and it's super easy to use. Once you purchase your tickets (I recommend Japan Experience), you'll just need to exchange the ticket at any main JR Station - whether it be in Shinjuku, Shibuya or Tokyo! Then each time you arrive to any station, just head over to the counter next to the gates and show them your pass. You can also use them for Shinkansens but there are some restrictions, just double check before you board.
- Download the app 'Hyperdia'. It'll become your train map while you're traveling to different places whether it's short distances like Shibuya to Harajuku or Tokyo to Mt. Fuji. This app basically shows you which trains to take, how much it will be, how long it will take and live timetables to your destination. Use it, live it, breathe it!
- Prepare to wait in a lot of lines, especially for popular places like Ichiran Ramen, Gyukatsu Motomura Shinjuku (best place for katsu!), Sushidai and a lot more! It's well worth it in the end though, trust me.
- Make sure you go to Donquijote in Osaka. It's a huge variety store that has everything from snacks, skincare, makeup, BB guns, Gundam, toys and so much more. There's usually a Donquijote in each city but the Osaka one is the best in my opinion!
- Go to Kobe to eat Kobe beef. It is absolutely DIVINE! (reference photos above) I ate at La Shomon and they had fantastic service along with beautiful cuts of beef! Ya'll need to try it.
- Buy your tickets to Disney Sea now. Like right now! It's my favourite theme park to date, seriously! I freakin' love Disney and DS Japan really exceeded my expectations and I would go back every time. Use their fast past system and make sure you go on all the rides! I loved Disneyland aswell but holy shit, DS was too good.
- Definitely make time to check out all the temples that Kyoto and Osaka have to offer. Obviously you can't go to all of them but I fell in love with the Kiyomizu Dera Temple (first few photos of this post) in Kyoto and couldn't recommend it more! The atmosphere, scenery, food and crowd is nothing short of spectacular. Just jump on Google and have a look! There are thousands of different temples and I'm sure ya'll have seen all of them on social media, haha.
- Please please please do the Mario Kart Tour! Unfortunately I didn't get a chance cos I had forgotten that you needed an international license (which you can get from RACV). I remember just waiting to cross the famous Shibuya intersection when all the karts just lined up! It was awesome, I was so jelly!
- Visit the Robot Restaurant in Shinjuku. Seriously there's no words to explain it, you just have to go. It's so weird and random but so funny at the same time.
- Drink Melon Soda! It's so good. Oh and try Melon Buns!
- Visit the famous 'Ramen Street' in Tokyo Station, where 8 of the greatest ramen restaurants are under one roof. I had my first dipping noodle experience here and it was delish! Most of these restaurants have vending machines outside where you can order your food, pay and a receipt will print out which you'll then give to one of the staff. Super easy, and there's also picture references too in case they don't have an english menu.
- If you love all things stationary like I do, go to Tokyu Hands! It's literally a huge homeware store that has just enough of .. well everything.
- If you love all things technology like literally just technology, Yodobashi in Akihabara or Umeda is your one destination. Any technological thing you might need, they're 98.76% likely to have it.
- Take sticker photos cos why the hell not?! My bestie and I took some and Japan really know how to make your eyes 50x bigger than it really is and your skin 100% better than what it actually looks like haha.
- Shinsaibashi is one of the best places to go shopping. It's a long ass walk but well worth it in the end! And it's also right next to Dotonbori so after you're done shopping, hit up Dotonbori for some great street food like Takoyaki balls!
- Hiroshima is definitely a place that you can't miss. Learn about the history, discover the city and pray for peace at Hiroshima Memorial Park. Visit the museum, grab an audio headset and walk through as it tells you the stories behind the all of the pieces. Then head out to the busy markets where there's heaps of food stalls, shops and events, all happening in one long ass strip!
- 7Eleven was my best friend. Anytime I was feeling peckish or wanted a quick snack for the road, I would always hit up 7/11! They have bomb ass sandwiches, sushis, baked goods and even hot foods!
- Want the best photo of Shibuya Crossing? Head up to the second floor of Starbucks! Good luck trying to find a seat though, I went at night and it was hella crazy up there!
- Go to all the endless gashapon machines! Japan literally has a toy for everything .. and I mean everything! Like if you love banana peels, they got you. If you love dogs in cream puffs, yep, they also got you. Any anime series you can think so, Gundam, Fairy Tail, Sailor Moon, One Piece .. you name it, they definitely got you, haha. Oh and play with all the claw machines too! Can't even tell you how much money I spent on them hahaha. It was ridiculous.
- If you're running short on JPY and need to exchange currency, visit Ninja Money Exchange for the highest exchange rates! Easy to get to, and super quick as well!
There is definitely so much more I could add but this is just a small recap to some of the places and things I would recommend! I absolutely fell in love with Japan and would travel back in a heart beat! If you have any questions then drop me a comment or shoot me an email! But other than that, I hope you guys enjoyed my first post on PV and hopefully I'll see you in the next one!
Let me know if you have any travel plans lined up! I'll be heading to Singapore and Malaysia in early October and I can't wait!
Til next time loves,
Nina
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