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Japan Must Dos

Our must do items (mostly eating) and curated list of Japan recommendations.

47 entries

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a hand-picked few view all japan

Check-out our curated list of must dos and more importantly must eats while in Japan.

type

Things to Eat (and do) in Japan aka eating with rwu.

a curated guide to affordable, locally-loved spots in japan. mobile-friendly, filterable, free (no paywall, no gatekeeping).

post aug 9

japan

Our Trip to Japan

two weeks across tokyo, kyoto, osaka, hakone. theme parks, animal cafes, every meal pre-planned. food guide coming.

resource jun 12

recommends

Tokyo: Tsukiji Fish Market

go EARLY. it gets wild later. food stalls and street snacks pack in fast.

resource jun 12

recommends

Osaka: Universal Studios Japan

amazeballs. nintendo world is the standout, prioritize it.

resource jun 12

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Tokyo: DisneySea

the best disney park in the world. unique theming, incredible design, and the food is actually good.

resource jun 12

recommends

Kyoto: Fushimi Inari Shrine

the iconic torii gate hike. there before 9am or you're queueing. bring bug spray.

resource jun 12

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Tokyo: CAPPINESS Capybara Cafe

three capybaras, calm vibes, reservation required. shinjuku side, near takadanobaba.

resource jun 12

recommends

Japan: Mocha Cat Cafe

cat cafe chain that's actually clean and well-run. multiple locations, easy stop with kids or jet-lagged guests.

resource jun 12

recommends

Osaka: Dotonbori

osaka's neon-soaked food and nightlife district. best at night. street food, lights, energy.

resource jun 12

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Tokyo: Disneyland

second-best disney park overall. polished classic, but DisneySea wins.

resource jun 12

recommends

Japan: mipig cafe

micro pig cafe. cute, tourist-friendly, multiple locations across kyoto, tokyo, and osaka.

resource jun 12

recommends

Kyoto: Pontocho

narrow riverside alley with restaurants and nightlife. best after dark.

resource jun 12

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Kyoto: Nishiki Market

kyoto's central food market street. best around late morning before peak crowds.

resource jun 12

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Nara: Nara Park

11/10. 30 minutes from osaka, 45 from kyoto. bowing deer, mochi pounding, watch out for the aggressive ones.

resource jun 12

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Tokyo: Kappabashi Street

tokyo's kitchen town. kitchenware, restaurant supply, knives. fun even if you're not buying.

resource jun 12

recommends

Tokyo: Akihabara

tokyo's electronics and otaku district. dropped rwu at mocha cat while we hit the shops.

resource jun 12

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Kyoto: Arashiyama Bamboo Grove

the iconic bamboo path. about a 45-minute walk. arrive VERY early or fight crowds the whole way.

resource jun 12

recommends

Osaka: Harry Wood Namba (hedgehog cafe)

hedgehog cafe in namba. very spiky. interesting but brief. keep it under an hour.

eats jun 12

rwueats

Tokyo: Godaime Hanayama Udon

$$$$$ ★★★★★

award-winning flat udon. lines form early, noodles can sell out, get a number first thing in the day.

eats jun 12

rwueats

Osaka: Patisserie Grenier

$$$$$ ★★★★★

puff pastry and french-style baked goods. solid dessert stop, two osaka locations.

eats jun 12

rwueats

Kyoto: Hikiniku to Come

$$$$$ ★★★★★

best meal of the trip. charcoal-grilled hamburger steaks cooked in stages. reservations open 7 days ahead at 9am, book or expect a long line.

eats jun 12

rwueats

Osaka: Unagi Kushiyaki Izumo

$$$$$ ★★★★★

unagi and egg bowl in umeda. portions are big, order half rice.

eats jun 12

rwueats

Osaka: Odoridako Dotonbori

$$$$$ ★★★★★

takoyaki with a whole octopus inside. tasty but plenty of other stalls nearby worth trying too.

eats jun 12

rwueats

Tokyo: Age 3 Ginza

$$$$$ ★★★★★

deep-fried stuffed sandwiches. the creme brulée filling is the standout. expect a line.

eats jun 12

rwueats

Tokyo: HATCOFFEE

$$$$$ ★★★★★

custom 3D latte art. they made pong come to life in foam. fun novelty stop.

eats jun 12

rwueats

Tokyo: Pizza Marumo

$$$$$ ★★★★★

japanese-inspired pizza with fermented dough. the umami one tasted distinctly 'japan'. reservations open way in advance.

eats jun 12

rwueats

Tokyo: Roast Beef Ohno

$$$$$ ★★★★★

wagyu roast beef volcano bowl. went back just for the broth.

eats jun 12

rwueats

Tokyo: I'm Donut

$$$$$ ★★★★★

11/10. long lines but absolutely worth the hype. multiple locations, sells out early.

eats jun 12

rwueats

Kyoto: Tendon Makino

$$$$$ ★★★★★

tempura rice bowls. long lines, only the hostess speaks english, but the food's good.

eats jun 12

rwueats

Tokyo: AMAM DACOTAN

$$$$$ ★★★★★

popular bakery in kita-aoyama. long line, visually striking breads and pastries.

eats jun 12

rwueats

Tokyo: Tsukiji Yamacho

$$$$$ ★★★★★

tamagoyaki on a stick at tsukiji. popular morning stop, expect a line. simple and satisfying.

eats jun 12

rwueats

Kyoto: Nakatonidou

$$$$$ ★★★★★

famous mochi shop in nara (day trip from kyoto). live mochi pounding is the show, time it right.

eats jun 12

rwueats

Osaka: Daiki-suisan Kaitenzushi Dotonbori

$$$$$ ★★★★★

conveyor belt sushi in dotonbori. casual, reliable, good value. easy walk-in while exploring.

eats jun 12

rwueats

Kyoto: Gion Komori

$$$$$ ★★★★★

traditional sweets shop, famous for warabi mochi. big midday lines, quieter near closing.

eats jun 12

rwueats

Kyoto: MOTOI Gyoza

$$$$$ ★★★★★

gyoza by a michelin-starred french chef. papa gyoza and celery gyoza were the highlights.

eats jun 12

rwueats

Tokyo: Mukai

$$$$$ ★★★★★

best sashimi of the trip. cash only. arrive before opening or just after lunch rush.

eats jun 12

rwueats

Tokyo: Cois Espresso Club

$$$$$ ★★★★★

creme brulée cheesecake and creme brulée espresso. VERY sweet, expect a line.

eats jun 12

rwueats

Tokyo: Kitsuneya

$$$$$ ★★★★★

very popular beef rice bowl stand at tsukiji market. arrive early.

eats jun 12

rwueats

Kyoto: Gion Duck Noodles

$$$$$ ★★★★★

duck ramen specialty shop with an emoji-only menu. line is real, worth it.

eats jun 12

rwueats

Kyoto: Hoho Hojicha Uji Main Store

$$$$$ ★★★★★

hojicha-focused brand in uji. distinct roasted tea flavor, different from all the matcha-heavy spots nearby.

eats jun 12

rwueats

Tokyo: Menya Sho Honten

$$$$$ ★★★★★

local-approved ramen near our shinjuku stay. solid non-touristy choice.

eats jun 12

rwueats

Kyoto: Masuda Chaho

$$$$$ ★★★★★

specialty tea shop in uji. the uji matcha soft serve is the move. pairs well with other uji tea stops.

eats jun 12

rwueats

Tokyo: Azuki to Kouri

$$$$$ ★★★★★

shaved ice specialty shop in yoyogi. reservations open 7 days ahead at 9pm JST. order three portions, not two.

eats jun 12

rwueats

Osaka: Rikuro’s

$$$$$ ★★★★★

the famous fluffy cheesecake. not very sweet, popular souvenir-style dessert.

eats jun 12

rwueats

Kyoto: Tsuen Main Branch

$$$$$ ★★★★★

oldest teahouse in japan. matcha latte is the call. restaurant side may be closed.

eats jun 12

rwueats

Japan: Gyukatsu Motomura

$$$$$ ★★★★★

deep-fried beef cutlet you grill yourself on a hot stone. melts in your mouth without being heavy. multiple locations.

eats jun 1

rwueats

Kyoto: Maccha House

$$$$$ ★★★★★

famous for matcha tiramisu. reliable, high-quality matcha sweets across multiple cities.