Getting around Kyoto

Getting around Kyoto is easy for first-time visitors thanks to its reliable buses and trains. Buses are especially useful for reaching temples, while trains are best for longer trips to areas slightly further out, like Arashiyama and Fushimi Inari. The subway system is relatively straightforward in comparison to Tokyo too, with just two lines serving the city. Cycling is also a popular way to travel around, although for someone like myself who isn’t too comfortable travelling on two wheels, I stuck to public transport and my own two feet!

When we caught the bus to Kinkaku-ji (The Golden Pavilion), there was even a little screen inside the bus showing us where the stop was and which direction we needed to walk to find the temple. You don’t see things like that in many other countries!

Where to stay in Kyoto

I stayed in two hotels during my time in Kyoto.

• Hotel MyStays Kyoto Shijo: A budget friendly, modern and centrally located hotel. Walking distance to more than one train station which makes it an ideal base for exploring.
• Hiiragiya Bekkan: This is for those wanting to stay in a traditional ryokan. Staying here is more of an experience in itself as opposed to a base and a bed for the night. You can read more about my ryokan experience here: An Affordable Ryokan in Kyoto: My Authentic Japanese Experience

How to spend 4 days in Kyoto

Day 1

Start your Kyoto adventure by taking the bus to Kinkaku-ji aka The Golden Pavilion. This is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is an icon of Kyoto due to being covered in gold leaf. Although you can’t actually go inside the temple, it overlooks a beautiful pond so makes for a pretty picture or two.

There are other temples and shrines in the area close to Kinkaku-ji, however we opted to travel across the city to the Nanzen-ji Temple. Nanzen-ji is a zen Buddhist temple situated at the base of the Higashiyama mountains. It is one of the most well-known zen temples in Japan and is surrounded by peaceful gardens. We enjoyed a wander and stopped for ice cream as it was a beautiful day.

For lunch we chose to experience conveyor belt sushi at Musashi Sushi. There is a restaurant around 20 minutes subway ride away from Nanzen-ji. I’m sure there’s other great sushi nearby but I like to recommend places that I have personally been to and I found Musashi Sushi very easy to navigate. We ended up visiting two different Musashi Sushi restaurants during our stay.

After lunch we took a wander into Gion. Gion is the Kyoto that people think of – traditional teahouses and geisha. It can be quite expensive to dine out in this area due to its popularity, so we were glad we had already filled up on sushi.

After soaking up the atmosphere in Gion we headed over to Yasaka Shrine and Maruyama Park. If you’re visiting in July then you may be lucky enough to catch the Gion Matsuri (a famous summer festival). However, if like us, you’re there in April, take the time to admire the cherry blossoms.

If you’re keen to see a geisha performance on a budget then I recommend Gion Corner. It is aimed at tourists but given how expensive and exclusive private teahouse performances are, this is ideal for first-timers. Gion Corner is an hour long cultural show where you can watch stage performances of traditional Japanese arts such as music, flower arranging and puppetry. Of course, the highlight of the show is the geiko/maiko performance.

Book tickets for Gion Corner here.

For dinner that night we were craving pizza (judge all you want but we had had plenty of Japanese food prior to this night). We enjoyed a meal at Salvatore Cuomo and Grill before calling it a night.

Tip:

If you prefer a slightly more relaxed day then skip Kinkaku-ji in the morning and explore the other temples nearby Nanzen-ji. Ginkaku-ji aka The Silver Pavilion is close by, although I should note that unlike its gold counterpart, this temple is not covered in silver.

Day 2

Day 2 of our 4 day Kyoto itinerary saw us taking a day trip to Arashiyama. Perhaps most famous for its bamboo grove, Arashiyama is a sightseeing district a train ride from central Kyoto.

It can be busy in this area, however it is worth it for the number of things to do. Aside from the eerie but magical bamboo grove, take a wander over Togetsu-Kyo bridge, shop for souvenirs in the local boutiques and if you’re not feeling to “templed out”, there are more temples here.

One of my favourite parts of Arashiyama was Iwatayama monkey park. Here you can see wild Japanese macaques and can even feed them! Feeding them is a unique experience as it is YOU who is in the cage, whilst the monkeys roam free.

After a days exploration, we had dinner back in central Kyoto. We tried the Japanese dish of okonomiyaki at Nishiki Warai restaurant near to Nishiki Market. Okonomiyaki is a savoury pancake that is cooked on a flat griddle. Some restaurants provide you with the ingredients to cook for yourself, but at Warai they cook it for you. Then you just warm it on the griddle at your table and garnish it yourself.

We ended our day with a stroll through Nishiki Market, although as it is a food market and we were full from dinner we didn’t buy anything.

Day 3

Our visit to Japan coincided with our first wedding anniversary, which is traditionally your ‘paper’ wedding anniversary. To celebrate this we took an Origami class! It was a private class of just us and our teacher, and a really enjoyable and unique way to spend an hour in the morning.

Book an origami class here

After a quick coffee, we caught the train to the nearby city of Nara. Again, here you can find temples with the most well-known being Todai-ji – home of the Great Buddha. This temple is home to Japan’s largest bronze Buddha statue. The statue itself is around 15 metres tall and dates all the way back to the year 752 – pretty impressive!

Nara is most famous for its wild sika deer who roam the park. You can actually buy biscuits from nearby vendors to feed the deer, but be warned – they aren’t shy and are known to butt and bite people. I myself got a bruise on my thigh from an unprovoked attack, so be sensible!

For our evening meal we headed back into Kyoto for katsu curry. We ate at the budget friendly CoCo Curry House, which we didn’t even realise was a chain. And they have one in London!

After dinner we took a walk down Pontocho – another famous geisha district. We did in fact spot a geisha briskly walking between teahouses.

Day 4

Another busy day in our 4 day Kyoto itinerary. We took the train to see the incredible Fushimi Inari Shrine. Now if you’re all shrined out I would say not to miss this one! Fushimi Inari is best known for its thousands of orangey-red torii gates which visitors can walk through. If you’ve seen the movie Memoirs of a Geisha then you will probably remember the scene where the main character runs through the torii gates here.

If you don’t like crowds, I would suggest to arrive early. And if you’re feeling fit you can attempt to hike right up to the summit, the further you go, the fewer the crowds. Although I don’t speak from experience as we didn’t hike the whole way up.

As day 4 in Kyoto was our last day, we booked a traditional ryokan for the night. As I mentioned above, we stayed at the Hiiragiya Bekkan. Here we spent the afternoon relaxing before trying an 8 course kaiseki meal that was served to us in our room.

You can read more about staying in a ryokan here: An Affordable Ryokan in Kyoto: My Authentic Japanese Experience and more about my Japanese foodie experiences here: 10 foods to try in Japan.

Top tip: Japan has a reliable luggage forwarding service. Because ryokans are limited on space, we just took an overnight bag with us. We then arranged for our hotel in Kyoto to forward our larger suitcases on to the airport hotel we stayed at on our final night in Japan.

Is 4 days in Kyoto enough?

4 days in Kyoto is an excellent amount of time to explore the city and its surrounds, especially if you’re short on time and travelling to other parts of Japan. If you’re a first time visitor then you might find the following blog posts helpful:

• 4 Days in Tokyo: An Itinerary for First Timers
• First Time In Japan? Here’s The Ultimate 25 Item Bucket List
• Surprising things about Japan that made my trip unforgettable
• Spring in Japan: Where to view Cherry Blossoms

The post A Perfect 4 Day Kyoto Itinerary for First Timers appeared first on Quirky Little Planet.

4 days in Tokyo: An Itinerary for First Timers

Of course it’s impossible to see and do everything in this incredible city in 4 days alone. So I will share with you my itinerary so you can see what is achievable. Although this 4 day itinerary is based on my second visit to Japan’s capital, I have used a little creative licensing and included a couple of must-dos from my first visit to Tokyo. This itinerary is written to complement my other Japan posts.

Getting around Tokyo

Hands down the best way to get around Tokyo is by train. The train system is efficient and can be quite perplexing to the first time visitor so I will start by saying that the JR Yamanote Line is your best friend. It is a circular line that stops at Tokyo’s most famous and central stations. If you’ve purchased a JR Pass (particularly if you’re planning on travelling out of the city via bullet train at some point) then travelling on the JR train lines doesn’t cost you any extra.

Where to stay in Tokyo

Where you choose to stay in the city will largely depend on your budget and what you are hoping to get out of your visit.

My personal recommendations are the Shiba Park Hotel which is a 15 minute walk from Tokyo Tower and therefore relatively central in Tokyo. It is approximately an 8 minute walk from Hamamatsucho Station which is on the JR Yamanote Line.

I would also recommend the Hotel Niwa Tokyo which is a 10 minute walk from Tokyo Dome entertainment complex. The closest train station here is Suidobashi which is on the Chuo-Sobu line. Tokyo Dome is an excellent place to go for a bite to eat if you don’t want to wander too far from the hotel after a long day sightseeing. We enjoyed a large bowl of ramen here on the day we arrived. And there was a robot going around the complex!

Related Post: 10 foods to try in Japan

How to spend 4 days in Tokyo

Day 1

Catch the train to Naka-Meguro, known for being one of Tokyo’s most laid back and artsy neighbourhoods. You can spend some time browsing the boutiques or chilling in a cafe. But my recommendation, particularly if you’re visiting during cherry blossom season, would be to take a stroll along the canal and admire the pretty pink trees.

After a brief wander (in the rain I might add!) around Naka-Meguro, we caught the train to Ikebukuro. Ikebukuro has a different pace to Naka-Meguro and much more by way of indoor entertainment such as Sunshine City entertainment complex. We spent some time getting cosy with cats at a cat cafe and enjoyed exploring the department stores. We visited the KitKat store within Seibu department store but it wasn’t really worth it. I would recommend stopping by Ikebukuro especially if the weather isn’t being too kind.

Shopping is a fun thing to do in Tokyo because there’s so much weird Japanese stuff to discover (and buy). Hands (formerly Tokyu Hands) is recommended. Although the store in Ikebukuro is no longer there, there are stores in Shinjuku, Shibuya and other districts of the city.

In the evening, experience one of Tokyo’s many themed restaurants. As we were visiting just after my birthday, I asked our hotel to make us reservations for one of the Alice in Wonderland themed restaurants. We dined at the Ginza restaurant, however there are others in the chain. If Alice in Wonderland isn’t your thing, then there are many other quirky restaurants to discover.

Day 2

Catch the train to Ueno. If it’s cherry blossom season, then you can experience cherry blossom viewing in Ueno Park. We also visited Ueno Zoo while we were in the area. However unless you are travelling with antsy children, I would skip the zoo and head straight to nearby Asakusa.

Asakusa is a taste of ‘old Tokyo’. If you’re short on time in the country then it is definitely worth a visit to experience a more traditional side of Japanese culture. Wander down Nakamise – a shopping street selling traditional souvenirs and snacks. Then admire the star attraction, the Sensoji Temple. The temple was opened in 645 AD and is the oldest temple in Tokyo.

In the evening, soak up the bright lights of Shinjuku. Have a pre-dinner drink and your own Lost in Translation experience at the New York Bar in the Park Hyatt Hotel.

Day 3

Get up early and head to Hamacho to watch the sumo wrestlers training. Even if you’re not interested in sumo wrestling itself, it is a huge part of Japanese culture and to watch a training session is free. Practice takes place between 7.30am and 10am, although check in advance that it is happening before travelling there. You can find a more detailed blog post of where to see sumo wrestling in Tokyo here.

If the weather is pleasant, catch the train to Kichijoji. From central Tokyo take the Keio-Inokashira Line (a 30 minute ride from Shibuya Station) to Kichijoji Station. Head to Inokashira Park and hire a boat or, season dependent, admire the beautiful blossoms. The Ghibli museum is also close by, so if you are a fan, then time your visit with this. I didn’t visit the Ghibli museum but I wish I had.

If you’re on a quest for Japanese KitKats then swing by Tokyo Station on your journey back from Kichijoji. I found a shop there selling a variety of flavours. We also picked up a bento box in the station to enjoy later on.

In the late afternoon or early evening, make your way to Akihabara aka Electric Town to experience ‘geek’ culture. This is where you will find the electronics stores and such like. Spend an hour at a Maid Cafe (or longer if you love it!). It is a truly bizarre experience but well worth it if you’re curious. Just consider it as a place to be entertained rather than somewhere to eat a decent meal.

Day 4

Head to Harajuku and take a walk down the main street, Takeshita Dori. This is where you will find all the quirky clothing, vintage and cosplay shops. This area of Tokyo is the birthplace of kawaii so expect lots of cute, pink and fluffy things (think Hello Kitty) and if you’re lucky you might see some of the famous Harajuku girls (although you are more likely to just see other tourists). Browsing the shops is fun and even if you’re travelling without kids in tow, stop by Kiddyland to look at all the random gifts and toys for sale – F Cup cookies, anyone?

Another thing Takeshita Dori is famous for is its crepe shops. Indulge in a Harajuku crepe – some of them are like a dessert within a dessert and even have slices of cheesecake inside! Once you are all pop cultured out, wander over to Meiji Jingu.

Meiji Jingu is a Shinto shrine in the middle of the busy districts of Shibuya and Shinjuku. The shrine itself is like an oasis of calm in the midst of an urban jungle. This was somewhere I visited on my first trip to Tokyo so I can’t remember too much about it but check out the rows of sake barrels at the entrance to the shrine!

Once you’re ready to head back into the chaos of city life, head for Shibuya where you will find the famous scramble crossing. Cross the road in the throngs of people and, although it is super touristy, stop in the Starbucks right by the crossing for a coffee and to get a birds eye view of the thousands of people crossing at one time.

While in Shibuya, browse the shops and find the Hachiko dog statue, the story behind it is a real tearjerker.

A great way to end 4 days in Tokyo would be to visit Tokyo Tower at night. While it’s perhaps not the most famous tower in the world, it is a Tokyo landmark. Plus it’s always fun to take in the view from up high when exploring a new city.

Is 4 days in Tokyo enough?

4 days in Tokyo is a great amount of time to get a good feel of the city, especially if you’re planning on exploring other parts of Japan. If you’re a first time visitor then you might find the following blog posts helpful:

• First Time In Japan? Here’s The Ultimate 25 Item Bucket List
• Surprising things about Japan that made my trip unforgettable
• Where to see Sumo Wrestling in Tokyo
• A Perfect 4 Day Kyoto Itinerary for First Timers

The post 4 Days in Tokyo: An Itinerary for First Timers appeared first on Quirky Little Planet.

The Ultimate Japan Bucket List for First Time Travellers

1. Admire the Cherry Blossoms

Spring is a fantastic time to visit Japan, particularly when the cherry blossoms (known as sakura) are in full bloom. The Japanese celebrate with hanami, which literally means ‘flower viewing’, whereby they gather together and picnic under the blossom trees. You can find many themed items in the shops and cafes during sakura season, such as cherry blossom inspired sweets and drinks.

The second time my husband and I went to Japan was at the very start of April so we were lucky enough to catch the blossoms in Tokyo and Kyoto. There is a Cherry Blossom Forecast which predicts when and where the flowers will be blooming.

Related post:

• Spring in Japan: Where to view Cherry Blossoms

2. Visit a themed cafe

Japan is known for its themed cafes, from ninjas and robots to rabbits and owls. Perhaps most well-known however, is the cat cafe. There are many cat cafes in Tokyo to choose from. I would also recommend going to one of the Alice in Wonderland themed restaurants for the pure whimsy of it all!

Related post:

• Cat Cafe in Tokyo: My Visit to the Cosiest Spot in the City

3. Geek out in Akihabara and experience the madness of a Maid Cafe

Akihabara is Tokyo’s ‘Electric Town’. This district is home to all kinds of ‘geek’ culture from manga and anime to electronics and video games. Even if you’re not really into Japanese pop culture, it’s worth a visit just for the vibes.

This is also where you will find the majority of maid cafes. If you’re unfamiliar, maid cafes are establishments where the waitresses are all dressed as maids. There’s singing and games, as well as cute looking food. Although to be honest, no one goes to a maid cafe for the food! We had absolutely no idea what was going on during our visit but it was fun all the same!

Related post:

• Visiting a Japanese Maid Cafe: What to expect

4. Have a drink at the Lost in Translation bar

If you’re a fan of the movie Lost in Translation then you will definitely want to sip an L.I.T cocktail at the bar where Bill Murray and Scarlett Johansson’s characters meet. The New York Bar at the Park Hyatt in Shinjuku is where you can go pay homage while soaking up the views of the city below.

Related post:

• Visiting the Lost in Translation Bar Tokyo

5. Experience the Shibuya Scramble Crossing

In no other city would crossing the road be worthy of a list of must-see sights, but Tokyo is not like any other city. The Shibuya Crossing is the world’s busiest pedestrian crossing, with as many as 2,500 people crossing at a time!

And if you want to people watch from above, then head to the Starbucks just by the crossing where you can grab a coffee with a view.

While you’re here: Go and find the Hachiko statue. It is a bronze statue of an Akita dog which can be found just outside Shibuya Station. It is a tribute to the real Hachiko who waited every day outside the station for his owner. After his owner sadly and unexpectedly died, Hachiko continued to wait for him in the same spot every day for almost a decade until his own death. It remains a symbol of faithfulness and loyalty and is a popular meeting point in the city.

6. Go shopping!

Shopping in Japan is fun! My personal favourite place to shop was (Tokyu) Hands, which is a department store. There are many dotted about Japan and several in Tokyo alone. I also really loved Kiddyland, which is a toy shop that can be found in the Harajuku district of Tokyo. Even if you don’t intend to purchase anything, you’ll appreciate looking at all the weird and wonderful items for sale.

And if you just want a small souvenir to take home that isn’t a fridge magnet, then consider a purchase from one of Japan’s 4 million vending machines or gachapon. Gachapon, FYI, are vending machines that dispense capsule toys and can be quite collectible.

Related post:

• Things to Buy in Japan: Weird Japanese Stuff I Found

7. Overload your senses in Harajuku

Harajuku is the birthplace of kawaii (cute) culture and the centre of Japanese street fashion. Take a wander down the pedestrianised Takeshita Street and admire all the crazy clothing and colourful snacks in the shops and boutiques that line this busy street.

If you’re lucky you may spot some locals dressed up in their own unique and offbeat style, although this isn’t as common as it once was. Nevertheless, get yourself a crepe from one of the many crepe stalls. There’s just about every flavour you can think of and some of the crepes even come with slices of cheesecake in them, like a dessert within a dessert!

Related post:

4 Days in Tokyo: An Itinerary for First Timers

8. Watch sumo wrestling

Sumo wrestling is Japan’s national sport and a big part of Japanese culture. If watching an official sumo match is high on your Japan Bucket List then you should aim to time your visit with a tournament. The three grand tournaments take place in Tokyo in January, May and September.

If you are unable to attend a match during your stay then the alternative option is to watch the sumo wrestlers training at a sumo stable, which is exactly what I did. And it’s free!

Related post:

• Where to see Sumo Wrestling in Tokyo

9. Take in the view from Tokyo Tower

When visiting a new city it’s always fun to head to an iconic landmark and take in the view from the top. Standing taller than its inspiration, the Eiffel Tower in Paris, Tokyo Tower is a working broadcasting tower as well as a tourist attraction.

We visited the tower at night for glittering views over the city after dark.

Related post:

• Tokyo Tower at Night: A Quick Guide to Tokyo’s Landmark

10. Immerse yourself in old Tokyo at Asakusa

Asakusa is a district of Tokyo with an atmosphere of the past. Step through the Thunder Gate (Kaminarimon) and meander down Nakamise – a shopping street selling traditional souvenirs and snacks.

Central to the area is the Sensoji Temple, which was opened in 645 AD, making it the oldest temple in Tokyo. It is a busy area but well worth a visit. If the crowds get too much, go find an ice cream shop and try some unique Japanese ice cream flavours such as purple sweet potato (much nicer than it sounds!).

11. Ride the bullet train

The world-famous Shinkansen (bullet train) is the fastest and safest way to travel around Japan, with top speeds of 199 mph. If you’re planning on using the trains a lot in Japan then it is worth purchasing a Japan Rail Pass, especially if you are intending on exploring beyond one city.

I had a pleasant experience riding the shinkansen from Odawara to Kyoto and then Kyoto back to Tokyo. It was clean, spacious and punctual.

12. Marvel at Mount Fuji

Would it even be a Japan bucket list without this guy?! Mount Fuji, aka Fuji-San, is an emblem of Japan. At 3,776 metres tall, it is the highest mountain in the country. It isn’t always visible due to clouds and fog, with visibility being the best during the winter months. We visited in April and were lucky to get a decent view of this icon.

We took a trip to see Fuji from Tokyo where we also saw the sulphur pools of Owakudani, rode the Mt. Komagatake Ropeway cable car and took a boat ride across Lake Ashi. No mountain climbing necessary!

13. Visit one of Japan’s magnificent castles

If it’s history and architecture that you’re looking for, then visiting one of Japan’s castles is a great change of pace to the bright lights of Tokyo. There are 12 castles in total that are considered as “original”. These original castles remain largely intact and untouched by natural disaster or war.

Although I didn’t visit any of the original 12, I did stop at Odawara Castle. This is a reconstructed castle less than 2 hours from Tokyo. Here was one of my favourite places to take pictures of the cherry blossoms, so well worth a visit if you come in spring.

14. Have lunch at a conveyor belt sushi restaurant

You can’t go to Japan and not eat some sushi!

We ate at two different branches of Musashi Sushi while we were in Kyoto. The food is freshly prepared in front of you and travels around on the conveyor belt where you can choose whichever dishes take your fancy. You pay per plate, and the condiments such as soy sauce are available on the table in front of you. If you’ve ever been to Yo Sushi in the UK then you’ll know what I’m talking about – except Musashi Sushi is much cheaper!

Related post:

• 10 foods to try in Japan

15. Soak in an onsen

An onsen is a hot spring that people bathe in and they usually have facilities attached to them such as a hotel. Bathing in an onsen is a popular past time in Japan but there are rules and onsen etiquette that must be followed. For a start, men and women bathe separately and being naked is a requirement.

We had an onsen experience during our stay at the Senkei Hotel in Hakone and were very fortunate to get the baths to ourselves. At this particular hotel, they had an indoor and an outdoor onsen which was then rotated as to whether it was men or women only. This meant that me and my husband got to experience both onsen (separately) and lucked out that we were the only guests bathing both times!

16. Stay in a ryokan and enjoy a kaiseki meal

A ryokan is a traditional style Japanese inn and is the ultimate Japan bucket list experience. Ryokans typically have tatami mats that you sit on, futons to sleep on and they generally offer yukata robes to lounge in. Some ryokans even have onsen.

We stayed at the Hiiragiya Bekkan in Kyoto where we enjoyed a traditional tea ceremony on arrival. Later this was followed by a kaiseki meal. Kaiseki is a traditional multi-course meal, usually made with seasonal ingredients and presented in an artful way.

We only stayed for one night as ryokans are expensive. But it was a great experience that I would repeat!

Related post:

• An Affordable Ryokan in Kyoto: My Authentic Japanese Experience

17. Wander through Gion and maybe spot a geisha

Gion is a district in Kyoto that is most famous for its geisha. This is the Kyoto that people think of – traditional with tea houses and temples (as opposed to the modern metropolis that is other areas of Kyoto).

Having read the book Geisha of Gion (which is said to have inspired Memoirs of a Geisha), a visit to Gion was high on my Japan bucket list. When we were wandering through one evening, we caught a glimpse of a geiko or maiko (apprentice geisha) hurrying somewhere. I took a quick photo, I blinked and she was gone.

Note: please do not harass the geisha. I’ve seen videos on social media of people being disrespectful and acting like paparazzi. Don’t do this.

18. Watch a cultural show at Gion Corner

If you’re looking for some culture, albeit in a touristy setting, then consider watching the cultural show at Gion Corner. During this hour you will see traditional Japanese arts being played out on stage. From flower arranging to music to puppetry.

The highlight of the show, of course, is the geisha performance. So if you don’t see any geisha out in the wild (and can’t afford a private performance at a tea house) then this is your best chance to experience some true Japanese culture.

Book your tickets for Gion Corner here.

19. Admire the Golden Pavilion

If there’s only one temple you visit while in Kyoto, then make it one covered in GOLD!

The Golden Pavilion (Kinkakuji) is covered in gold leaf and overlooks a beautiful pond. One thing to note is, visitors are not actually permitted to enter the temple, so you will just have to make do with admiring it from afar. But it is so photogenic that it would be wrong not to include it on a Japan bucket list.

Related post:

A Perfect 4 Day Kyoto Itinerary for First Timers

20. Feed the sacred deer at Nara

Nara is perhaps most famous for its deer. There are around 1400 wild Sika deer living in Nara Park and they are protected by the local people due to being closely connected with the gods. Although they don’t need extra food, you can purchase special deer biscuits (shika senbei) from vendors in the park that you can feed them with, if you so wish.

Be warned though, these deer are not meek! They will politely wait at the tables knowing the vendors won’t feed them but tourists, on the other hand, will get chased for shika senbei!

21. Try all the different flavours of Japanese Kit Kats

Ok so you won’t be able to try ALL the different flavours of Kit Kats in Japan – there are over 300 of them! But it is fun to try and find the more unusual flavours (wasabi Kit Kat anyone?).

I went a little Kit Kat Krazy and bought a load home as souvenirs. I managed to sample about 9 different flavours too. My husband had to stop me from buying every new flavour I saw!

Related post:

• Japanese Kit Kat Krazy

22. Take an origami class

Cute story: me and my husband travelled to Japan for our first wedding anniversary. Traditionally, your first wedding anniversary is your ‘paper anniversary’ so you buy each other paper gifts. As we were in Japan we thought we would do a private origami class for our paper gift to each other.

Our holiday to Japan remains our most memorable wedding anniversary.

23. Walk through the torii gates at the Fushimi Inari Shrine

The Fushimi Inari is a Shinto shrine in Kyoto. It is most famous for its thousands of orangey-red torii gates which visitors can walk through. There is a famous scene in the movie Memoirs of a Geisha where the main character runs through the torii gates here.

The shrines themself are worth a look, but most people visit to see the torii gates. There is a hike up to a view but many visitors (including myself) tend to turn around before this point.

24. Enjoy a meal at an okonomiyaki restaurant

Okonomiyaki is a savoury pancake that is cooked on a teppan (flat griddle). Common toppings and additions to this savoury pancake include cabbage, meat, bonito flakes, mayonnaise and pickled ginger.

Some restaurants provide you with the ingredients to cook for yourself, but we found an okonomiyaki restaurant where they cook it for you. Then you just warm it on the griddle at your table and garnish it. For first timers in Japan, I would recommend a visit to Nishiki Warai in Nishiki Market, Kyoto. That way you get a taste of okonomiyaki without ruining it by cooking it yourself haha!

Related post:

• 10 foods to try in Japan

25. Take a day trip to Arashiyama

Situated a relatively short train or bus journey from Central Kyoto is the district Arashiyama. It’s quite touristy but is a fantastic day trip from Kyoto. Here you will find temples, shops, parks, among other things including Arashiyama’s iconic Togetsukyo Bridge.

But what Arashiyama is most famous for is its bamboo grove that you’ve probably seen splashed all over instagram. It’s kind of eerie and magical to be standing amongst the bamboo as it sways in the breeze.

I would also recommend visiting Iwatayama Monkey Park. Here you can see wild Japanese Macaque monkeys and you can even feed them! The clever twist to this is that you go inside a cage, buy the food and then feed the monkeys through the bars. Win win – as there are no caged monkeys and you don’t put yourself at risk of being mobbed by them.

Final thoughts on my Japan Bucket List

That’s my tried and tested bucket list for first timers in Japan. If that has inspired you then check out my other Japan posts or read about some surprising things about Japan I found as a tourist.

The post First Time In Japan? Here’s The Ultimate 25 Item Bucket List appeared first on Quirky Little Planet.

As one of the world’s oldest sports, sumo isn’t just entertainment. There is much ritual and tradition involved. Matches are short but intense, often lasting only a few seconds or minutes. Plus every movement has symbolic meaning, from the salt purification thrown before a bout to the ceremonial stomping of feet to drive away evil spirits.

If you have a Japan Bucket List of any description, then watching sumo wrestling in Tokyo is almost certainly on there. It’s one of the most unique experiences you can have in Japan and it offers a fascinating window into the country’s traditions.

When is sumo wrestling season in Tokyo?

The best way to see sumo wrestling in Japan is by attending one of the official tournaments. These tournaments are held six times a year across the country, with three grand sumo tournaments taking place in Tokyo in January, May and September. If you’re keen to attend a tournament, then aligning your trip with one of these events is ideal.

But what if your visit doesn’t line up with tournament season?

My answer is to visit a sumo stable.

What is a sumo stable?

Sumo stables are essentially a combination of training facility and dormitory where wrestlers live, eat, sleep and train together under the supervision of a stablemaster. Visiting a stable gives you the opportunity to take an authentic glimpse into the demanding world of the sport. It’s not really touted as a tourist attraction as such but we went along to one and were able to watch the wrestlers through the window for their morning practice.

Unlike the spectacle of the stadium, this is sumo up close.

Where can I visit a sumo stable in Tokyo?

We went to the Arashio-beya which is around a minutes walk from the A2 exit of Hamacho Station on the Toei Subway Shinjuku Line. Practice takes place between 7.30am and 10am. Their website does have a Japanese script and a phone number to call so you can check in advance if the practice is on the next day, which I did. Unfortunately I couldn’t understand the response despite following the script! I can’t remember if we asked our hotel to call on our behalf or just showed up but it all worked out ok.

You’re unlikely to stay and watch the full length of training as it can feel a little crowded by the window standing among the wrestler’s bicycles and other gawping tourists, but it’s definitely worth stopping by for the experience.

Tips for visiting a sumo stable

• Arrive early – Training starts promptly and spots by the window can fill up.

• Be respectful – Keep noise down and don’t knock on the windows.

• Check schedules – Practices aren’t guaranteed every day, especially after tournaments.

• Stay briefly – You probably won’t watch the full session but even 15 minutes or so gives a worthwhile experience.

Being able to watch sumo wrestling in Tokyo is something truly memorable. Witnessing one of Japan’s oldest traditions is a worthwhile addition to any Tokyo itinerary.

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The post Where to see Sumo Wrestling in Tokyo appeared first on Quirky Little Planet.

What is a ryokan?

A ryokan is a traditional style Japanese inn. You may have seen them on tv or in books. They’re the ones with paper screens, low tables and futons instead of beds.

Rather than being just a place to sleep, they are much more of a cultural experience. Many offer multi-course meals and hot baths. Some have private dining and bathing facilities, whereas some are shared.

How do I choose which ryokan?

Ryokan aren’t cheap and the ones that are super cheap are most probably not that authentic. We looked on Tripadvisor at some of the best ryokan in Kyoto but found many were fully booked for the time of year we were looking at (April – Cherry Blossom season). One of the most famous and historic ryokans is the Hiiragiya which was slightly out of our budget. So in the end we opted for Hiiragiya Bekkan (annex) an authentic but more affordable ryokan in Kyoto.

Other things to note when choosing your ryokan, is whether it includes a private bathroom or any meals, as of course this will affect the price. Our room at the Hiiragiya Bekkan included a private toilet and sink but shared bathing facilities. It also included a kaiseki meal in the evening and breakfast the following day.

What is Kaiseki?

I mentioned before that our evening dinner was a Kaiseki meal. But what is Kaiseki?

Kaiseki is a traditional multi-course meal, usually made with seasonal ingredients and presented in a beautiful and artful way.

Arriving at the ryokan

When we arrived at Hiiragiya Bekkan we were greeted by friendly and enthusiastic staff and as is custom in Japan, we were asked to remove our shoes at the door and wear the slippers provided.

We were shown to our room which overlooked a pretty Japanese garden and then we had to remove our slippers. I can’t quite remember how many different pairs of slippers we had, but if you’ve been to Japan you’ll know how much they love their slippers!

We were shortly served three different types of tea – matcha, sakura and Japanese. The Japanese tea was nice but the matcha and sakura are a bit of an acquired taste.

After tea we changed into the yukata (cotton robes) provided and spent some time relaxing and soaking up our surroundings.

Upon arrival at the ryokan we chose a time we would like to have dinner and promptly at this time we received a knock on the door from our maid (for lack of a better word) bringing us the first course of our meal.

Some ryokan have communal dining areas, but the other thing that attracted us to this particular ryokan in Kyoto was being able to dine in the privacy of our own room.

Evening at the Hiiragiya

Dinner at the ryokan was a seasonal menu and brought to us course by course. I didn’t really know what much of it was so I took a photo of the menu. It started off ok and I enjoyed the first few courses but I’m so glad we had this meal as part of a ryokan experience rather than at a kaiseki restaurant as I really struggled with a few of the courses. Sadly the bamboo shoots and the deep-fried bean curd with sea urchin weren’t to my taste. I am very much a fan of miso soup though!

In Japan, bathtime is a bit of a ritual. After dinner we were ushered off to the communal bathrooms. Similarly to pre-booking a dinner time slot, we also had a bathroom time slot too. A friendly old man had prepared our steaming hot bath for us and then gave us our privacy and left us to it. Basically in Japan, bathing etiquette dictates that you perch on a little stool and then soap and rinse yourself with a handheld shower before getting into the tub. The tubs are then for soaking once you are squeaky clean. Our tub was wooden and square, which was different but we had already had previous experience with onsen (hot springs) bathing when we stayed in Hakone.

After our hot, relaxing baths we toddled off back to our room where our maid (who may or may not have been a ninja) had switched our room around from a dining room with low table to a bedroom with futons. The futons themselves were fairly comfortable, however the Japanese pillows, which I believe are filled with buckwheat, weren’t the most comfortable pillows I’ve ever slept on, but they certainly weren’t the worst!

Traditional Japanese Breakfasts

The morning routine was almost like a reverse of the night before. We awoke early and went for our shower/bath and while we were soaking ourselves, our room was being whipped up from a bedroom back into a dining room, ready for breakfast.

Breakfast included an assortment of Japanese nibbles, the fish was delicious, however I struggled to stomach the rest of it. As I’m not much of a breakfast person anyway (yeah yeah I know it’s the most important meal of the day!) and by this point in our trip I just fancied something quite boring like toast. I know. I am a terrible travel blogger for saying that.

We checked out fairly early as we were due to travel on the Shinkansen back to Tokyo and upon check out we were presented with a gift – a neat box with chopsticks inside! Very sweet and thoughtful!

Tips on staying at a ryokan

• Advance booking is recommended as the ryokans are quite small and have limited availability.
• In order to not have to worry about lugging our big suitcases with us for our one night stay in the ryokan we used a luggage forwarding service, quite a common thing to do in Japan and something that can be arranged at your hotel. We used this service a couple of times during our trip, so we had our luggage sent from our Kyoto hotel (where we stayed before our ryokan visit) to the hotel we would be staying at after departing the ryokan. Very efficient and helpful!
• Follow ryokan etiquette regarding the removal of shoes, showering before bathing etc. And be sure not to place anything in the sacred alcove (pictured below with the wall hanging and flower arrangement).

About Hiiragiya Bekkan

Hiiragiya is a ryokan that has been welcoming guests since 1818. There are two ryokans – Hiiragiya Ryokan and Hiiragiya Bekkan. Hiiragiya Bekkan is the annex to the Hiiragiya Ryokan. At the time of my visit, the Bekkan was the more affordable version, although I am not entirely sure why.

Our room had a private toilet and sink. The baths are described as ‘family baths’ which means you will be bathing with your family group and not complete strangers. Some ryokans offer shared dining facilities, however at the Hiiragiya you can enjoy a meal in the privacy of your own room.

Prices vary depending on season and room. For more information visit the official website or book your stay here.

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The post An Affordable Ryokan in Kyoto: My Authentic Japanese Experience appeared first on Quirky Little Planet.

So as this amazing country is unlike anywhere else I have travelled, I thought I would share some of the awesome and surprising things about Japan that I discovered from my first-hand experiences there.

Surprising things about Japan

Japanese restrooms aren’t as high-tech as you’d expect

One of the most surprising things about Japan involves toilets. So you know about the high-tech toilets right? The ones with seat warmers and sounds? Well I found that in most public restrooms they have these fancy toilets and yet there are no hand dryers and quite often not even any soap! I ended up having to dry my hands on my clothes and then use some hand sanitiser just so I felt clean.

Cuteness is everywhere

The Japanese love cute things. Known as ‘Kawaii’, it is not something just for school girls and small children. I actually saw grown business men, or salary men as the Japanese call them, with little Pikachu phone charms.

Japanese people are incredibly helpful

Although English is not as widely spoken there as it is in other parts of Asia, people will still go out of their way to help you.

On our first visit to Tokyo, we were stood in a train station, slightly baffled, trying to make our way to Harajuku. A random commuter approached us, not speaking a word of English (and us not speaking much more than a couple of words of Japanese). He then proceeds to point at our map and point at the map on the wall. After a lot of pointing from us and the man, we thanked him (arigato) and went on our way. We made it to Harajuku fine.

I also remember having lunch one day and flicking through my Lonely Planet guidebook, when out of nowhere a young woman came up to us at our table and asked if we needed help finding anything.

On our second visit to Tokyo, a kind old lady showed us the way to our hotel, again not speaking any English, but happy to help us without us even asking.

Japanese people are also polite and kind

Being a tourist in a foreign city it’s easy to be wary of any strangers who approach you because more often than not, they want something. And 99% of the time it’s money. To be fair, this happens at home too.

So anyway, when we were greeted by a man suddenly at Ueno Zoo who offered to take our photo and then asked us a lot of questions, my guard was up. He then gave me a little leather shoe phone charm and went on his way. He didn’t want money. It was a gift. He had made it himself. I was wrong to jump to a conclusion but can you blame me? I spent the rest of the trip gushing about how nice everyone in Japan is.

The television is as weird as you imagine

During a bit of hotel downtime, we saw a show where they got a bunch of people to make a human table and then a girl proceeded to dance on top of this human table. We also watched a programme of people being surprised with cute animals to play with.

They play cutesy jingles in train stations

Most, if not all, of the train stations we hopped on and off at played cheeping bird noises from a speaker. They also play cutesy jingles when the train is in and doors are closing. Not something I’ve ever experienced anywhere else but apparently it’s to help visually impaired people. It is also beneficial for those engrossed in their phones to know which station they have stopped at without looking up.

Themed restaurants are popular

Theme restaurants and cafes are all over Japan. We visited an Alice in Wonderland restaurant, a cat cafe, a rabbit cafe and a maid cafe. There are also many other places you can go and experience, from dining in a jail cell to having your food brought out to you by a ninja! Honestly, if I lived in Japan it would supply me with quirky content for years!

Bathroom slippers are a thing

One Japanese cultural fact that I fully support is – no outdoor shoes inside. When we stayed at a ryokan in Kyoto we were given slippers to wear whilst inside. What I found more surprising though was that there were a completely different pair of slippers to be worn whilst going to the toilet. I understand the reasons but I’ve never experienced this anywhere else in the world.

Vending machines are king

Yes they are everywhere. According to my research, there is around 1 vending machine per every 23 people and somewhere between 4 and 5 million scattered across the country. Most of them sell drinks but you can buy all sorts of other stuff from them. Gachapons are also quite common and mainly sell toys, although apparently there is one somewhere in Tokyo that sells wigs for dogs. Despite my best efforts and despite not even owning a dog, I disappointingly did not find this dog wig vending machine.

Tipping is unnecessary

Unlike many countries (cough cough USA I’m looking at you) tipping in Japan is not expected. At best, your server will be confused and at worst they will be offended. Although I don’t begrudge tipping for good service, I do hate how it is almost forced in some countries and industries.

Gerbils are zoo animals in Japan

I used to keep pet gerbils in the days before I had my cat. They’re not super common pets in the UK in the way that cats and dogs are, but they are still pretty popular. To me, one of the most surprising things about Japan was to find that gerbils were being kept at Ueno Zoo.

Although I personally would not recommend Ueno Zoo, I thought I would share this little surprise.

Robots are for real

Imagine my excitement on my first evening in Tokyo, I headed to the Tokyo Dome entertainment complex for a bite to eat to find this robot just wandering about. Yes I was jetlagged, so just let me be excited.

Since returning home, I learned that there are even a couple of robot hotels in Tokyo. I didn’t stay at them but it would be a quirky reason to return.

Have you been? What surprising things about Japan did you discover?

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The post Surprising things about Japan that made my trip unforgettable appeared first on Quirky Little Planet.

10 foods to try in Japan

1. Ramen

Ramen is a Japanese noodle soup dish and is cheap, tasty and filling. It consists of thick noodles swimming in broth and then garnished with an assortment of toppings such as vegetables and/or meat. We had ramen a couple of times during our stay – a perfect dish for any budget-conscious traveller.

2. Okonomiyaki

Okonomiyaki is a cross between a pancake and an omelette and consists of flour, eggs, cabbage and your choice of toppings, such as pork, shrimp, mayonnaise and fish flakes. The name ‘okonomiyaki’ pretty much means ‘grilled as you like’ so there are many variants to be tried and some okonomiyaki restaurants are even grill-it-yourself where you are given a bowl of raw ingredients to cook on a hotplate. We dined at an okonomiyaki restaurant in Kyoto called Nishiki Warai, where the tables have hot plates on them but the dishes are brought ready cooked to your table and are just placed on your hotplate for warming. Yum!

 Related post: A Perfect 4 Day Kyoto Itinerary for First Timers

3. Conveyor belt sushi

Of course, it’s not all sushi but you can’t have a list of foods to try in Japan without including sushi on there somewhere. We dined at two different branches of Musashi Sushi while we were in Kyoto and we were pleasantly surprised. If you’ve ever been to a branch of Yo Sushi in the UK then you will love Musashi Sushi – it’s much cheaper. Every dish is less than £1 GBP (around 130-140 yen) so you’re alot more inclined to be adventurous with your food choices. I tried unagi (eel) as well, just because of that Friends episode. It wasn’t too bad actually!

4. Bento

Sushi doesn’t just come on conveyor belts here! A popular Japanese lunch is a bento box – a box containing a selection of lunchtime goodies such as rice, pickled vegetables, fish or meat. These can be purchased as take-out boxes from convenience stores or train stations, served as a bento box tray in a restaurant, or even made at home. Some Japanese homemakers even go that extra mile by making Kyaraben (character bento) where the food is arranged to look like characters, animals, people etc. Very kawaii!

5. Katsu Curry

Chicken Katsu curry or Tonkatsu (pork) curry were my husband’s absolute favourite dishes during our trip to Japan, so of course my list had to have them. The curry consists of meat that is dipped into egg and then rolled in panko breadcrumbs before being fried. There are many varieties but pork is the most common. We ended up eating twice at the Curry House CoCo Ichibanya, once in Tokyo and then again in Kyoto because it was cheap and my hubby enjoyed it that much!

6. Kaiseki

Kaiseki is a traditional multi-course meal which is beautifully created and often very expensive. Now, I’m not normally one for fine dining but we got to experience a Kaiseki meal during our stay at a ryokan in Kyoto as it was included in the price of the room. Our dinner was served to us in our private room, course by course (of which there were about 8). It was fantastic to experience something so traditional and lavish but I will confess that I didn’t like everything I was given, so I was glad that I was trying Kaiseki as part of the whole ryokan experience as opposed to going specifically to a Kaiseki restaurant.

Related post: An Affordable Ryokan in Kyoto: My Authentic Japanese Experience

7. Ice Cream

So you can have ice cream anywhere, sure, but can you have Purple Sweet Potato ice cream anywhere? No! And you know what, it’s actually quite nice! We went into a little shop in Asakusa and ordered a couple of what we thought were berry ice creams. After we ordered as I was gazing around I noticed that everything else in the shop was potato-based. Oh dear. But fortunately I was pleasantly surprised by the taste – not too dissimilar to vanilla. We also tried sakura and green tea flavours too – delish!

8. Kit Kats, Pockys and Tokyo Banana

I mentioned all the crazy Japanese Kit Kat flavours before, but let’s not also forget the assortment of Pocky (biscuit sticks covered in flavoured coatings) you can buy. Rainbow Pocky has 7 different flavours including orange, strawberry and chocolate. I also saw some Tokyo Banana cakes at the airport and thought the packaging looked fun – hey who doesn’t love a giraffe print banana?!

 Related post: Things to Buy in Japan: Weird Japanese Stuff I Found

9. Harajuku crepes

If you’re in Harajuku then be sure to take a walk down Takeshita Dori and stop at one of the little crepe kiosks. There are loads of flavours to choose from – savoury as well as sweet. Both times I have eaten Harajuku crepes I’ve opted for sweet. The sweet crepes are filled with ice cream, fruits and lots of sugary yumminess – and some crepes even have whole slices of cheesecake inside!

 Related post: 4 Days in Tokyo: An Itinerary for First Timers

10. Novelty/themed food

The Japanese love anything novelty and anything themed, much like myself. Whether it’s one of Tokyo’s many themed restaurants, like the Alice in Wonderland restaurants or even some seasonal novelty fast food, you’re sure to find something random. Even at Ueno Zoo my lunch had a panda face in it, although in hindsight I probably chose the children’s menu. During our stay, McDonalds were selling burgers with pink buns (because it was cherry blossom season) which my husband tried and didn’t rate very much. Lotteria were offering fries with chocolate dip which I tried and I actually quite liked – fries? good! chocolate? good! And I think if we ever make it to Japan for a third time I’d like to try some more novelty nibbles.

Japanese Dining Etiquette

Japan is a country with many rules and regulations. If you’re planning on visiting, I would recommend reading up about etiquette beforehand so you don’t make any social faux-pas.

Here are a few tips on Japanese dining etiquette:

• Never leave your chopsticks standing upright in the bowl. Always place them flat next to your bowl or on a chopstick rest. Upright chopsticks are considered as part of a Buddhist funeral ritual and therefore offensive during mealtimes.
• Never use your chopsticks as a skewer. If you’re struggling to get the hang of them, simply ask for a fork or spoon.
• Passing food from chopsticks to chopsticks is also a big no-no.
• Slurping your noodles is considered a sign of appreciation and that you are enjoying your meal.
• It is generally frowned upon to walk around whilst eating. If you get a Harajuku crepe like I mentioned above, then you are welcome to stand around and eat it near where you purchased it. I did eat an ice cream or two whilst walking and no one scolded me. However there is mixed information out there as to whether this is acceptable or not.

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The post 10 foods to try in Japan appeared first on Quirky Little Planet.