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A Cool Girls Guide to Japan
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Catie Strig
Spending 2 weeks in Japan for our honeymoon, traveling the highlights. Heres some places we're going to, have been recommended and tools that might be useful. My Biggest tip is to BOOK THINGS AHEAD OF TIME. Stuff absolutely will sell out. Will update...
Sections
6
 
Hotels
 
Tours
 
Things to Do
 
Restaurants and Bars
 
Trip Planning Tools
 
Shopping

Hotels

 
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Tokyo Hotel Babyyy
ANA InterContinental Tokyo
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Staying in a Ryokan is a must while in Japan, even for just one night
Yamagishi Ryokan in Minamitsuru District | 2024 Updated prices, deals - Klook International site
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More Ryokan options. If you have tattoos, its a great idea to get one with a private onsen!
Ryokans in Japan
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Kyoto Hotel option. This is where we are staying in Kyoto
Hotel Wing International Kyoto - Shijo Karasuma
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Temple stay in Japan
高野山 宿坊 桜池院 -Koyasan Shukubo Yochiin-, Koyasan, Japan
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Osaka Hotel Option
[Official] CANDEO HOTELS OSAKA NAMBA
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another ryokan option. Ryokans can be a bit spenno just fyi!
Ryokan Kounoyu, Minamioguni | 2024 Updated Prices, Deals
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Another Tokyo Hotel Option with a great view
InterContinental Tokyo Bay
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Temple Stays are different from Ryokans but still a cool idea
Temple Lodging Shukubo Kakurinbo, Minobu, Japan
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Tours

If you'd rather let someone else take the lead

 
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A great group trip to see the highlights of Japan
Japan Unrivalled
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Ive never actually done Topdeck but I like that they go to the Japanese Alps!
Delve Deep: Japan | Topdeck Travel
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Easy way to see a bunch of Tokyo in one go
Hop-On Hop-Off Tokyo Sightseeing Bus Pass - Klook
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if youre short on time, combine the insta famous Fushimi Inari Shrine and Bamboo forest all into one day
Uji, Fushimi Inari Taisha, & Arashiyama Bamboo Forest One Day Tour - Klook
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G adventures is my favorite tour company and I use them when I dont want to “think” or “plan”
Japan Tours & Travel - G Adventures
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A more upscale option (though it can skew older)
Splendours of Japan
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Things to Do

 
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Teamlab Planets. I believe Borderless is reopening soon!
teamLab Planets
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Tickets to Studio Ghibli Museum
Tokyo: Ghibli Museum Mitaka Ticket
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If you want to go to DisneySea you absolutely have to buy it via Klook as the Japanese Disney website only accepts japanese credit cards
Tokyo Disney Resort Park tickets: 1-Day pass
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Public Onsen. No uncovered tattoos! If you have them, try a ryokan stay with private onsen
Solaniwa Onsen Admission in Osaka
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Osaka is known for its street food. Take advantage!
Osaka Local Bar & Izakaya Crawl Evening Tour
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Come here to try all the Japanese Street Food
Tokyo Tsukiji Fish Market Food and Culture Walking Tour
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Tea ceremony in Kyoto. We're doing this on our honeymoon :)
Traditional Tea Ceremony wearing a Kimono in Kyoto MAIKOYA
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Super cute, theres tons of animal cafe options in Japan
Micro Pig Cafe Experience in Osaka
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day hike from Osaka. Try the fried maple leafs!
Minoh Falls
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The art of fixing broken pottery with gold filling
Japanese Traditional Kintsugi Experience in Tokyo
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Teamlab Borderless. Check up for Planets, the other exhibit
teamLab Borderless
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go super early or late to avoid crowds. Theres also a “secret” path around the mountain to see a bamboo forest
Fushimi Inari Taisha
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Leave a cat statue at the temple for Good Luck!
Gōtokuji Temple
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Mount Fuji day trip from Tokyo, just be ware the chances of seeing Mount Fuji are low!
Mt Fuji, Hakone Lake Ashi Cruise Bullet Train Day Trip from Tokyo
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Most Onsen dont allow tattoos. This one does
Tattoo-friendly open-air Onsen & drink
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Monkeys are gauranteed if youre there over winter
Snow Monkey Park & Shibu Onsen Afternoon Tour
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To see some nice leaves or sakura or just a nice easy walk
Philosopher's Path - Kyoto Travel
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Sushi making in Tokyo. I always try and take either a cooking class or food tour!
No1 Cooking Class in Tokyo! Sushi Making Experience in Asakusa
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Kyoto Geisha experience. A great option to see Geisha in a respectful way
Discover Geisha Arts: Gion Cultural Walk & Geisha Show
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When in Japan, why not?
Experience the World of Sumo
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Osaka Castle- just like in Shogun. Is anyone else watching that right now?
Ultimate Osaka Walking Tour(Osaka Castle, Shinsekai, Dotonbori)
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Shrine in Osaka. A quick but cool stop if youre in the area
Namba Yasaka Shrine
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Famous shrine in Miyajima Island
Itsukushima Jinja
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Peaceful garden in Kyoto to see the colorful autumn leaves
Yoshikien Garden
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Ring making in Tokyo, another event we're doing :)
Private Handmade Ring Workshop Activity
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Pottery class in Tokyo. Look up Kintsugi!!
Japanese Pottery Class in Tokyo
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Outdoor Art (if you want a break from the onsen) (doubtful)
THE HAKONE OPEN-AIR MUSEUM - About Us - Visit Us
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Get your fortune! Hot tip: the best fortune isnt actually the best fortune
Sensō-ji
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Osaka Aquarium, I havent been but apparently great for whale sharks and other massive aquatic fishies
General Admission to Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan
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Theatre in Kyoto. Has anyone been? This keeps getting recommended to me but I am…apprehensive
Show Tickets at Non-Verbal Theatre GEAR
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Moss Temple, would be super cool and haunting in the morning
Saihō-ji (Koke-dera) Temple
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Hakone Volcanic Valley. Its a toss up for me whether this or Hakone Open Air Museum
Hakone – the Great Boiling Valley
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Personal photographer in Tokyo. We've booked this too. I just want to get our cute piccies and move on with our lives ya know
Travel Tokyo with Your Own Personal Photographer
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Restaurants and Bars

 
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Cocktail bar in Kyoto if you want a break from Karaoke nights
Bar Ixey
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Coffee in Kyoto near the Fushimi Inari temple
Vermillion - cafe.
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Carbonara Udon. I wonder if this is touristy or actually good? Someone let me know please
Menchirashi
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Cocktails in Tokyo, We're going here toooooo
The Bellwood
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Near Gōtokuji Temple if you're in the area
Shiro-Hige’s Cream Puff Factory
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sushi train. Probably not the “best” sushi of your life but I feel like tis worth a try!
Genrokuzushi Shinsaibashi
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specializes in matcha. Also go to Uji if youre a matcha lover (I am not)
Wad Cafe
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Tonkatsu spot that I keep getting recommended
Tonkatsu Ganko Nara
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warabimochi! I cant wait to try this
Gion Komori
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Fun bar option- more cocktails haha
Bar Nayuta - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)
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Kaiseke, sit on the river side!
Arashiyama Itsukichaya
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3D lattes- I will be getting Totoro themed
CAFE REISSUE
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Egg Tarts baybeh- I seek them out in every city. IDK why. I just do.
Lord Stow's Bakery
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Michelin starred french spot in Osaka
Le Progrès
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Donuts- apparently better than Mister Donut. I'll be the judge of that
Hitsuji Doughnut
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Michelin starred sushi (quite the opposite of the sushi train)
Izuu
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Coffee on Miyajima Island
Miyajima Coffee
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Bagels in Tokyo. I love bagels but can be a bit of a bagel snob I wont lie
Bagelcafe88
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Japanese Curry- Japanese food is more than just sushi!
CURRY HOUSE CoCo ICHIBANYA, Japanese-style ...
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Pizzeria in Tokyo. You might be like …??? But I think its fun to try other countries takes on various food styles
Pizzeria e Braceria L'INSIEME
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Trip Planning Tools

 
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JR Train Travel Pass- check the calculator if its actually worth it for your trip
Buy Whole 7, 14 & 21 Days Japan Rail Pass Online - Explore Japan by Trains - Klook
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Calculator to determine if the JR Pass is worth it for you
JR Fare Calculator - See how much you save with the Japan Rail Pass
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Train from airport to city center
Tokyo Skyliner One Way Ticket (From Narita Airport to Ueno) - Klook
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Japan E Sim to stay connected
Unlock Seamless Connectivity with High-Speed Internet in Japan | eSIM QR Code Voucher - Klook
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If you have big luggage, you cant bring them on the train. Ship them ahead of time to your next destination
Hotel Luggage Delivery Service from Tokyo Hotels to Airport/Other Hotels - Klook
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Yes this seems obvious but you can actually download maps ahead of time so you can use it without data
Google Maps
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This is the site I use to plan how to get from A to B
Rome2Rio
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Just like maps, you can also download Google translate so you can use it offline and read Japanese signs
Google Translate
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For finding good japanese restaurants
Tabelog
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the bible to answer all your Japanese travel questions that I may not have
Japan Travel and Living Guide
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the Japan public transport card- you can add it to your apple wallet
Suica
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exactly how it sounds- I always use luggage storage if I get in early and just want to immediately explore
ecbo cloak - luggage storage with your smartphone
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Find hotels, bnbs etc- Asia focused
Agoda Official Site | Free Cancellation & Booking Deals | Over 2 Million Hotels
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I know Lonely planet is a bit old school but its fun
Lonely Planet Experience Japan
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Portable, rentable wifi while you're in Japan
Japan: Unlimited Pocket Wi-Fi Router Rental - Hotel Delivery
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Japan rail pass map- make sure the JR pass is actually worth it to you before you purchase!
Japan Rail Pass Map & Metro Maps
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Shopping

 
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Japanese makeup is so good. And Shiseido is the best
Advanced Super Revitalizing Cream
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an example in overstimulation
Don Quijote [store information]
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Ghibli store in Kyoto. This is different than the Ghibli Studio btw
Entrance to the Ghibli store in Kyoto, Japan.
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its like a 10 story Uniqlo
Uniqlo flagship store in Ginza Tokyo is enormous
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Stationary store in Tokyo
Shibuya Loft | The Official Tokyo Travel Guide, GO TOKYO
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