Cherry Blossom Season in Japan

Tokyo (5 days)

The start of our journey kicked off with a flight from Melbourne to Tokyo aboard Philippine Airlines, the flight itself is about 12 hours long, but including the 8 hour layover in Manila we spent closer to 20 hours neither in Melbourne or Tokyo, hooray for the airport lounge we managed to book! 🫠 I don't think I would have survived without the buffet and a comfortable chair to have a snooze in. 😴

After the very long layover and "short" 4-hour flight, we finally arrived at Haneda Airport and took a taxi to a hotel which we could recharge at, about 10 minutes away. Although let me tell you, it took us a good 20 minutes to figure out which one of the many levels of the airport we actually needed to be at so we could get a taxi (without being ripped off). 😅

Once we arrived at our overnight hotel, we checked in and caught up on some much-needed sleep — light outs!

The next day, we woke up early to catch a shuttle bus back to Haneda Airport and hop on a train — despite expecting warm Spring weather, we were instead greeted with a brief snowy morning and grey skies all around. 🌨️

Akihabara

After being dropped off at Haneda Airport, we took some time to get our Suica cards (a prepaid card for public transport) and then hopped on the train to Akihabara, the famous district known for its electronics shops, anime, manga culture, and maid cafes (this particular one was actually a male maid cafe)... 😳🚆

Akihabara Male Maid Cafe

Getting to Akihabara was a breeze, the train system in Tokyo is very efficient and easy to navigate (with a bit of a helping hand from Google Maps). We arrived at Akihabara station, and with our luggage in hand, we set off to venture around and find a storage shop to drop off our bags.

Akihabara Station

We search for a good 30 minutes, walking around circles with our heads buried into Google maps before finally spotting a tiny opening in a shopping strip just across from the local starbucks, it was random tech repair shops and other weird gizmos... But there it was, a storage shop! We hand over our bags to the old Japanese man and hope they're still there when we get back... Arigato gozaimasu! 🙏😅

Of course, now being nearly 1:30PM, we had to cross the street and check into Starbucks after only living off airplane coffee and airplane food for the 24 hours — WE NEEDED COFFEE! 🤯☕️

Akihabara Station Starbucks

Now refuled and our veins pumped with caffeine, we head off into search of a place to eat lunch. After a bit of searching on Google Maps, and walking around, we find a small Gyukatsu restaraunt located down some stairs which lead us into the basement level of a building, it was called Gyukatsu Motomura (牛カツ もと村).

Gyukatsu Motomura

We order a Gyukatsu set, which is a breaded and deep-fried beef cutlet served with:

• A side of rice
• Red miso soup (slightly stronger than your typical miso soup)
• Shredded cabbage
• Grated yam (Tororo)
• Warabimochi (sweet Mochi like dessert from the Kansai region)
• Various sauces and condiments

One of the best things about Japan is that you get wasabi with (almost) everything, given I'm always getting like 3 extra packets of wasabi whenever ordering sushing In Australia, I was a happy boy. 😍

The gyukatsu we had provided prepared raw, so you could cook it the way god intended (medium-rare) on a hot stone until mouth wateringly juicy — what a great way to start our trip! 😏

After our lunch we set out to adventure around Akihabara electric town, where we admired the unique architecture, bright fluroescent colours and bustling atmopshere — this is the central hub for anime, manga and gaming culture in Japan, we made sure to make the most of it and stop along the endless rows of manga, retro gaming & anime shops along the way.

The weather was finally starting to clear up, and even the sun was coming out to say hello, so I did what any good tourist would do and I took some photos of unique streets and buildings around me — I even managed to snap a photo of some little tiny Uber cars driving around.

I didn't know it at the time, but these little cars are actually fully licensed taxis in Japan. They are called "JPN Taxi" and are designed to be compact, accessible (for its aging population) as-well as efficient for navigating the narrow streets of Japan — fun fact, they were also designed after London's black cabs. 🚕🇬🇧

While making our way towards Don Quiijote, we stumbled spot one of the many GiGO around Akihabara, this one was GiGO Akihabara no. 4. It's a known popular arcade chain in Japan filled with arcade games and claw machines — claw machines being the main speciality of this particular store, ever since it was sold off by SEGA in 2020.

Don Quijote Akihabara

Finally we arrive at the main destination for the day, the famous Don Quijote store in Akihabara. We're greeted by the iconic yellow and red sign, and the store's mascots, a penguin named "Donpen" (ドンペン) with his pink companion "Donko" (ドンキョン) 🐧 — they're both symbols of the store's quirky and playful atmosphere.

We have a bit of a browse around the store, and I manage to find a few things that look pretty interesting, HEAPS, of anime anod manga merchandise across the eight total floors in the store. Ultimately though, we leave empty handed as we didn't want to get too crazy on the first day of our trip, and we still had so much more to see! (Spoiler alert — we load up on goodies in Osaka anyway 🛍️😂)...

With that out of our system, we head on back to pick up our luggage from the storage shop, and make our way back towards Akihabara station to get one last coffee fix, and a quick snack before heading to our hotel in Asakusa.

Our coffee shop of choice this time was Sarutahiko Coffee, a popular coffee shop in Akihabara right beside Akihabara station.

The final stop! We couldn't resist grabbing one of Cow Cow Kitchen's famous “Milk Pies” — a creamy Hokkaido milk-filled pastry wrapped in golden, flaky crust. 😏 While it's a bit of a cult favorite in Japan (especially among dessert lovers and tourists), it's still a hidden gem outside the country.

Safe to say... worth... every... bite. 🐮

Asakusa

We finally hop onto the train and make our way to Asakusa after a long day, on the way we see the Tokyo Skytree in the distance — we never do make it there, but it's still a landmark to admire and take in, plus I've got proof I was (nearly) there! 😅

We make our way towards our hotel in Asakusa, a quaint little place called T-Hotel tucked away in a quiet seemingly residential area with plenty of non-descript little traditional Japanese restaraunts hidden away. Many of these restaraunts often do not take reversations or accept foreigners, as we were soon to find out! But more on that later... 😉

Asakusa Backstreets

Coming face-to-face with our hotel, we see just how small things can really get in Tokyo. Even though it's 6 stories tall, the building looks like it's only about 5 meters wide.

The entire room was extremely narrow, with 2 rooms on each of the 6 floors, it was giving me the same vibes we had in Hong Kong with how compact everything was, albeit slightly more spacious when taking into account the bathroom... 😅

Senso-ji

Once we finish checking into our hotel, and taking a moment to rest our little feet, we throw our luggage into the corner and head out to Senso-ji Temple to have a look around the markets, and take some pictures before nightfall settles in.

Our hotel was conveniently about a 10 minute walk from the temple, making our first destination of the trip super easy to get to.

Crossing the road, we get our first glimpse of the main temple, it's referred to as Kannon-dō (観音堂) or Hondō (本堂) and it is the main hall of Senso-ji Temple, which is dedicated to the bodhisattva Kannon (観音), the goddess of mercy and compassion.

Hondō (本堂)

Often in travel videos and photos you just see the main shopping street with the gate pictured in the background, but what don't see it just how large the entire temple complex really is, with the main hall being surrounded by a large courtyard and many other smaller shrines and buildings scattered around the area.

A short walk from the main hall, we also stumble to a very small shrine called Asakusa Shrine (浅草神社), which is a Shinto shrine located within the Senso-ji Temple complex.

Heading on over towards the inner temple grounds facing the main hall, you can see the giant washi paper lantern hanging from the roof which sits directly infront of the offering boxes, where you can throw in a coin(s) and make a wish. Generally you would also bow and clap your hands twice, and finally bow once more to show respect to the gods.

Hōzōmon Gate (宝蔵門), meaning "Treasure House Gate," serves as the imposing inner gate of Sensō-ji Temple, positioned between Nakamise-dōri and the main hall. Originally built in the 10th century and reconstructed multiple times, the current reinforced concrete structure dates to 1964 after being destroyed in World War II. The gate is architecturally more imposing than Kaminarimon, featuring thicker pillars and housing the temple's sacred texts and treasures on its second, which is how it earned its name "Treasure House Gate".

The gate is accompanied by two massive Niō guardian statues (Kongōrikishi) symbolizing protection against evil, while a large red chōchin lantern bearing "Kobunachō" (小舟町) hangs above the central passage, donated by the town of the same name. Two bronze lanterns sit on either side, and behind the gate hangs a large waraji (straw sandal), traditionally believed to ward off evil spirits. This fortified entrance serves as the symbolic threshold between the commercial bustle of Nakamise street and the sacred temple grounds.

Nakamise (仲見世通り) Shopping Street

As we stroll through the iconic Hōzōmon Gate, we cross into the famous Nakamise Shopping Street (仲見世通り), a vibrant and bustling street lines with shops selling traditional snacks, souvenirs and crafts.

With the sun setting and stores closing soon, we decided to soak in the atmosphere of one of Japan's oldest shopping streets, saving the shopping for later. Dating back to the 12th century, this 250-meter path leading to Sensō-ji Temple was bustling with crowds — a classic part of the cherry blossom season experience in Japan. 😅

The street blends tradition and modernity, with Edo-style wooden shopfronts mixed alongside bright neon signs, making you feel like you've stepped back in time. While it felt a bit touristy, we enjoyed the unique vibe. A few shops were crafting traditional Geta (下駄) sandals and selling Yukata (浴衣), but most were geared towards snacks and souvenirs—it's a bit of a known tourist trap, but it was still cool to walk through it from start to finish.

Making our way through to the end of Nakamise Street, we finally arrived at the iconic Kaminarimon Gate

Kaminarimon Gate (雷門)

Kaminarimon Gate, or "Thunder Gate", stands as the iconic outer entrance to Sensō-ji Temple and ranks among Tokyo's most photographed landmarks. Originally built in 941 AD and relocated to its current Asakusa location in the early 17th century, the gate features a massive 3.9-meter tall red lantern weighing around 700kg, displaying the characters "雷門" (Thunder Gate). Standing inside the gate are statues of Fūjin (god of wind) and Raijin (god of thunder), symbolizing protection and good fortune.

The famous washi paper lantern, stretched over a bamboo frame, gets replaced approximately every ten years due to weathering and is temporarily lifted during festivals to allow tall floats to pass underneath. Kaminarimon stays busy throughout the day as a common meeting point for tours, and continues to stay busy late into the evening as Nakamise street comes alive, serving as a beautiful backdrop for photos when illuminated against the night sky. The gate serves as a gateway into the bustling heart of Asakusa with many shops and stalls nearby, and providing access to other strees and laneways.

Doing a quick 180° turn, we find ourselves on Kaminarimon-dori Street (雷門通り), the main street leading from Kaminarimon Gate to Sensō-ji Temple. As you walk down this street, you'll spot the iconic Asahi Breweries headquarters building with its famous "Golden Flame" sculpture on its roof, often humorously referred to as the "Golden Poo" (金色のうんこ) by locals. 💩

Kaminarimon-dori Street (雷門通り)

The street is lined with various shops, restaurants, and stalls, making it a great place to explore if you're hunting for souvenirs, local snacks, or a place to grab a bite to eat.

Much of the architecture along the street is tradtiional, with wooden shopfronts, lanterns and the occasional rickshaw with passengers being pulled along the street by a local guide — it's a great little place to explore at night, with the mix of both traditional and modern architecture really capturing the sprit of Asakusa.

As we walk through Nakamise Street, we notice that there's actually a few shopping streets that connected to it, one of which is the (very long) Shin-Nakamise Shopping Street (新仲見世通り), which we didn't know at the time, but would be coming back through here the next day to grab some breakfast and taiyaki! 🐟

We take the chance to get some night-time photos of the main hall and Hōzōmon Gate, which light up beautifully at night against the surrounding buildings caught in the shadows of the night sky.

We were originally thinking of having dinner at one of the traditional Japanese izakaya's nearby, our first night of looking for a restaraunt in Asakusa was a bit of a challenge though, we got the "Gaijin" (foreigner) treatment at a few places, where they either didn't want to serve us or were "fully booked" out. So we fallback to Plan B as the sun had well and truly headed to sleep by this point... 👇

The late-night Lawson's haul!

Ya'll already know I'm about that konbini life! In the end, we made a beeline for the nearest Lawson and loaded up on the essentials... Fried chicken, onigiri (rice balls), and a dangerously creamy pudding for dessert. Honestly, nothing hits the spot after a long day of exploring like a late-night konbini haul. With a full stomach and zero regrets, I was out like a light before I could even finish any more pudding... 😴

Team Lab Borderless

Day 2

• Orange Street snack & brunch

• Orange Street (オレンジ通り) — a hidden gem in Asakusa, Tokyo, known for its retro Showa-era charm and local atmosphere.

• Local Charm, Just Off the Main Path — Orange Street runs parallel to Nakamise-dori but feels like a secret—quieter, less tourist-heavy, and favored by locals.

• Name Origins — The "Orange" in the name doesn’t refer to fruit—it was likely chosen in the post-war Showa era to give the street a stylish, westernized appeal.

• Classic Tokyo Atmosphere — Expect retro signage, narrow shopfronts, and Showa-era buildings. It’s one of the last places in Tokyo where you can really feel the city’s past intact.

• A Hidden Foodie Strip — Home to understated culinary gems like kissaten (retro cafés), taiyaki stalls, bakeries, and traditional eateries frequented by locals.

• Cultural Contrast — Just steps from the busy Senso-ji temple crowds, yet feels worlds apart—perfect for slowing down, people-watching, and soaking in authentic Tokyo.

• Vintage + Functional Retail — You’ll find everything from barber shops and hardware stores to capsule toy machines and traditional crafts—still serving daily needs, not just tourists.

• Photogenic but Subtle — While not flashy, it’s full of texture: faded wood signs, overhead wires, handwritten menus, and locals going about their routines.

• Naruto Taiyaki (鳴門鯛焼本舗) — a fish-shaped cake filled with red bean paste, a popular snack in Japan.

  • Taiyaki (たい焼き) is a fish-shaped cake that is typically filled with sweet red bean paste, custard, chocolate, or other fillings.
  • The name "taiyaki" literally means "baked sea bream" in Japanese, as the shape of the cake resembles a sea bream fish.
  • Taiyaki is often enjoyed as a street food snack and can be found at various food stalls and shops throughout Japan.

Naruto Taiyaki

The final result, a delicious fish-shaped cake filled with sweet red bean paste, with the carbs and sugar flowing through my veins, I was ready to take wait in line for my next meal of the day... 😼

Red Bean Taiyaki

• Cafe Tomorrow Asakusa

• Classic kissaten (喫茶店) with Showa-era vibes

  • A kissaten is a traditional Japanese coffee shop or café that originated in the Meiji era and became popular during the Showa era.
  • These cafés often feature retro decor, wooden furniture, and a nostalgic atmosphere reminiscent of the past.
  • Kissaten typically serve coffee, tea, light meals, and desserts, and are known for their relaxed ambiance where customers can enjoy a leisurely break.

• Time capsule back into the 80's, when the cafe originally opened

• We enjoyed their cafe latte, with their famous Corn Mayo Toast which had a generous spread of sweet corn kernels mixed in with a generous swirl of mayonnaise on top of a thick slice of toasted bread, served with a side of soft scrambled egg, miso soup and a small shredded cabbage salad.

• Took train to Shibuya on the Ginza line

• Met our friends at Shibuya station

• Went to Negishi (ねぎし) for lunch

• Negishi Shibuya 3-Chome
• Gyūtan set meal
  • Beef tongue slices
  • Barley rice
  • Curry side dish
• Headed back to Shibuya station
• Took the Ginza line again, this time to Tameike-Sanno station with a short walk to Azubadai Hills
• Team lab borderless exhibition
  • A digital art museum that features immersive and interactive art installations created by the teamLab collective.
  • The exhibition is known for its stunning visuals, blending technology and art to create a unique experience.
  • Visitors can walk through various themed rooms, each showcasing different digital art pieces that respond to movement and touch.
  • The museum encourages exploration and interaction, allowing guests to become part of the artwork.
  • It's a popular destination for both locals and tourists, offering a glimpse into the future of art and technology.
• Had a look around the shops inside the center, and got a warm freshly made choc-chip cookie from a little shop inside the complex 🍪
• Yakitori Torikizoku Hatchobori (Dinner)
  • Yakitori
  • Mochi ice-cream (mine: Soy)
  • Mochi ice-cream (Yuki: Strawberry)
• Back to Azubadai Hills for a quick coffee top-up
• Walked over to Tokyo Tower

Tokyo Tower

• Journey to Tokyo Tower
• Top Deck tour
• 360° views of Tokyo
• Back to Asakusa

Day 3

Shinjuku

• Heading to Shinjuku
• Lumine Est shopping mall
  • We dropped in at KOMERAKU — "A Luxurious Day for Ochazuke" (こめらく 贅沢な、お茶漬け日和。), a cozy ochazuke spot in Shinjuku that lets you start with a seafood rice bowl and then pour steaming dashi over it mid-meal for a second experience.
• Hopped on the Yamanote line to Shibuya

Shibuya

• Got off the train to arrive at Shibuya station

  • Very crowded and busy, but we managed to find out way out
  • We were immediately greeted by the famous Shibuya Scramble Crossing, absolutely packed with all sorts of people in every direction
  • It was like being thrown into a sea of people after exiting the confined space isnide the train station

• Meiji Jingu

  • As we arrived we were greeted by the large wooden Torii gates at the entrance
  • A peaceful escape from the bustling city, surrounded by a serene forested area
  • Shinto shrine dedicated to Emperor Meiji and Empress Shōken
  • Traditional Shinyo wedding ceremony
  • Walked through the beautiful forested area leading to the shrine

• Shibuya Scramble Square

• Hachikō statue

• Searching for extremely elusive manga volume for my brother, visited a few stores

  • Mandarake (まんだらけ) — a famous chain of stores in Japan that specializes in second-hand manga, anime, and video games.
  • Animate (アニメイト) — a popular retail chain in Japan that specializes in anime, manga, and related merchandise.

• But didn't find the specific manga he was looking for: ("The Climber")

• Instead we settled for some crepes from a nearby shop instead called "Dipper Dan"

  • I got a banana crepe, while Yuki got a matcha one with some tiny little brownie pieces on top

• It was at this point the sun was starting to set, so we decided to look for a place for dinner. We settled on a small ramen shop called Kamakura ramen, which was tucked away in one of the little alleyways in Shibuya.

• We then headed back to Shibuya station to catch the train back to Asakusa, and catch up on some rest!

Kamakura

Day 4

• Great Buddha of Kamakura

• Train ride to Kamakura station

• Heading to Enoshima Island

  • Enoshima Shrine
  • Crispy octopus cracker
  • Hokkaido milk & soda ice-cream
  • Local squirrel resident

• Tsurugaoka Hachimangu (Shinto Shrine)

• Quick walk into Komachi-dori street

  • Got some matcha ice-cream
  • Walked back to the bus

• Late night bus ride back to Shinjuku (3 hours aprox.)

• We arrved back in Shinjuku in the evening, with the bus rid giving us plenty of time to rest our feet (and stomachs) before getting dinner!

• With a quick Google search, and tempura on our minds, we scrambled to find a place to eat.

• After about a 15 minute walk, we dipped and climbed our way down some stairs into the basement of the Shinjuku Nomura building, where we ducked into the warmly lit corner marked by white noren curtains and the scent of deep-fried perfection: Tenkichiya.

  • Tenkichiya (天吉屋) is a small, cozy tempura restaurant located in the basement of the Shinjuku Nomura Building.
  • The atmopshere was very cosy, with a warm and inviting ambiance
  • I treated myself to a over-sized beer (compared to what I'm used to 😂) to wash down the delicious tempura
  • It was slightly nutty, crispy and light, with a perfect balance of flavors—not greasy at all! Easily oen of the best tempura I've ever had (so far)... 😏

• Now refueled, and stomachs full, we headed back to Shinjuku station to catch the Toei subway back to Asakusa.

Kyoto (3 days)

• The next morning we checked out and were off to Kyoto by Shinkansen from Tokyo station
• Fortunately for me, we managed to book ahead and bag the Mt. Fuji seats on the Shinkansen, which meant we had a great view of the mountain as we passed by it on our way to Kyoto! 🗻
• We quickly grabbed some food for the train ride over, just some simple chicken sando's and coffee from one of the little konbini's in the station — at this point I really wish we had these sandwiches back home in Australia. 😭
• Once the train departed, we settled in for the ride, and opened up our packed lunches as we were going to be pretty strapped from time once we arrived in Kyoto.
• About a 2 hour ride later onboard the Nozomi Shinkansen, we finally arrived at Kyoto station
• We hopped off the train and made our way to the Kyoto City Bus terminal, which was conveniently located right next to the station.

Kiyomizu-dera

• We were off towards the famous Kiyomizu-dera (清水寺) temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most celebrated temples in Japan.

  • We took the Kyoto City Bus from Kyoto Station to Kiyomuzu-dera directly, which was about a 15 minute ride.
  • Getting off at Gojozaka bus stop, with luggage in hand, we made our way towards the Kimono rental shop to pick up our outfits for the day.

• Kimono rental

  • The local kimono rental shop was called MOCOMOCO, which is about a 10 minute walk from Kiyomizu-dera, and 2 minutes from Gojo-dori street which is filled with snack shops and little cafes.
  • On the way we grab some ice-cream soda and mochi, I was having dangerous amounts of sugar, but when in Japan... 😅

• Kiyomizu-dera Temple

• The name "Kiyomizu" means "clear water" in Japanese, and the temple is named after the Otowa Waterfall, which runs beneath the main hall.

• The temple is famous for its wooden stage that juts out over the hillside, offering stunning views of the cherry blossoms in spring and the vibrant foliage in autumn.

• The main hall (Hondō) is built without the use of nails, showcasing traditional Japanese wooden architecture.

• Kiyomizu-dera is also known for its "Kannon" deity, the goddess of mercy, and many visitors come to pray for good fortune and health.

• The temple complex includes several other shrines, pagodas, and gardens, making it a popular destination for both tourists and locals.

• The approach to the temple is lined with charming streets filled with traditional shops, tea houses, and stalls selling local crafts and snacks.

• Kiyomizu-dera is one of the most photographed landmarks in Kyoto, especially during the cherry blossom season when the temple is surrounded by blooming sakura trees

  • Which just so happens to be the time we were visiting! 🌸

• Sanju-no-to (Three-story pagoda)

• After spending the day exploring the temple, shops and getting a few snacks, we finally made our way back to the bus stop at Gojozaka, to catch a different bus that would take us to Shijo Kawaramachi right on Kawaramachi Street which was about a 5 minute walk to our hotel, Kabin Kyoto.

• By the time we arrived at Shijo Kawaramachi, the sun was already starting to set, and the streets were starting to fill with people heading our for dinner and do some last minute shopping.

• The sunset was stunning, with the sky paints in hues of orange and pink, reflecting off the buildings and creating a day to remember for our first day in Kyoto.

• Once we arrived at our hotel, we were greeted by the friendly staff who helped us check in, they were very friendly and must have been expats from other countries, as they seemed very familiar with the area, spoke perfect English and were very helpful in giving us recommendations for places to see and eat at during our few days in Kyoto.
• Our hotel room was MUCH bigger than our previous one in Asakusa, it felt like a palace in comparison! 🤴
• With our luggage droppedd off, we freshed up and headed out to find some dinner, I had a bit of a craving for some Japanese sashimi & nagiri, so we set out to Sushiro (スシロー) — a popular conveyor belt sushi restaurant chain in Japan
  • The one we visited was about a 5 minute walk from our hotel, down some stairs in the basement level. We just had to take a ticket, find a seat and wait for our number to be called.
  • It was fairly busy, which was a good sign, but people were moving through the line quite quickly, so my grumbling stomach didn't have to wait too long! 😅
  • We were seated down at a bench right beside the conveyor belt, and enjoyed the variety of sushi and sashimi, it was the freshest we had while in Japan, and easily the best value for money! 🍣
  • I yoinked myself an alcoholic grape soda to wash it all down 🍇 I was so sad that I never got a chance to have this again, we couldn't find it anywhere!
  • It was basically a strong zero, but with grape syrup instead of lemon, and it was so good! 😭
  • Coffee + crepes for desert
  • Highly, highly, highly recommend Sushiro if you're in town for some sushi, it was a really good balance of quality and price, and they often run seasonal specials & partnerships With well known anime and games, which is cool if you're into that culture! 😼
• ... ??
• Back to the hotel!

Heian-Jingu Shrine & Garden

• We decided today is the day for Japanese Maccas, so we headed over to the nearest one in Kyoto, which was about a 10 minute walk from our hotel
• I grab myself the legendary Teriyaki Chicken burger, and I couldn't turn down the seasonal cherry blossom pie to pair with my coffee either! 🌸

• For our next stop over to Heian-Jingu Shrine (平安神宮) we quickly pick up some onigiri (rice balls) for lunch from one of the extremely popular little food stalls on Kawaramachi Street, of course we went for the top 5 most popular flavours, which seems to be a very common thing to do in Japan when it comes to food 😂 Can't complain, it removes the need to use my noggin'—trust the locals! Or tourists?... 🤔
• From Kawaramachi Steet, we hopped on the Kyoto City Bus to Heian-Jingu Shrine, getting off at the stop just outside ROHM Theatre Kyoto.
• Today just so happened that the day we visited there was seemingly a lot of students graduating from their classes. This area was a bit of a hotspot for students as it was nearby a few different academic institutions, including Kyoto University — the theatre often being used for graduation ceremonies, with heaps of different areas for students to take photos in their graduation gowns.
• This seemed to align with Kyoto University's graduation ceremony day, which happens to be between April & March each year, right in the midst of cherry blossom season! 🌸
• We walked through the main entrance gate into the courtyard, which was opened up to the public
• We took this time to find a place to sit and enjoy our onigiri, only realising you're not actualyl meant to eat in the shrine grounds 🤫 It's quite difficult to find a place to BYO lunch and eat.
• After finishing our lunch, we head towards the booth in the courtyard to buy our tickets to enter the shrine and gardens
• The entrance fee was 600 yen per person, which included access to the gardens and the main shrine hall, however the shrine was under renovations, so you couldn't fully appreciate it, as there was tarps covering the outside of the building, and much of the interior.
• ⚠️ Gardens area, large pond, walkway to second pond and stepping stones
• ⚠️ Main iconic pond area, with the iconic wooden bridge which was used as a set piece in the famous movie "Memoirs of a Geisha"
• At various parts of the garden, you can find small transitory sections which reflect the concept of "Ma" (間) — the Japanese aesthetic of negative space, which is often used in traditional Japanese gardens to create a sense of tranquility and harmony.
• This emphasizes the importance of balance and simplicity in Japanese design, allowing the natural beauty of the surroundings to shine through, allowing time to slow down and appreciate the moment and surrodunings.
• ⚠️ Some cherry blossoms were on display, but mostly were still buds, not fully bloomed yet — the weather was still a bit chilly at this point in our trip, causing them to be a bit late this year.
• After finishing up our
• ...
• Dinner at Saryo Tesshin which was serving buckwheat soba noodles
  • I had soba which came with some very tender duck breast, accompanied by some freshly grated wasabi and a glass of beer on the side. 😏
• Heading back to the hotel, we stop at Nishiki Market (錦市場) to pick up a few more bites as Yuki was still a bit hungry (and she let me know it too! 🏃‍➡️)
  • Nishiki Market is a bustling food market in Kyoto, known for its wide variety of traditional Japanese foods and snacks.
  • We strolled through the narrow alleyways and caught a glimpse of some melon pan out of the corner of our eyes, matcha no less!
  • We couldn't resist, so we grabbed one to share and headed back to the hotel to rest our tired feet after a long day of exploring. 💤
• ...

Fushimi Inari Taisha

Arashiyama

• Togetsu Bridge
• Bamboo Forest
• Lunch at Granny's curry cafe
• Dinner at Sukiyaki restaurant
• Cakes from the trip home

Osaka (3 days)

• Checkout from our hotel
• Breakfast at granny's cafe
• Carried our luggage and headed to Gion-shijo station
• Took the train towards Kyobashi
• Switched to the Osaka Metro Tanimachi subway, getting off at Higashi-Umeda
• Walked from Higashi-Umeda to Umeda station, taking the Midsouji Line to Nippombashi station
• Finally, after lots of switching, we arrived at our stop.
• We walked to our hotel which was about a 10 minute walk from the station
• Stored our luggage at the hotel before check-in
• Went for lunch at a nearby Soba restaurant
  • Teuchisoba Shuhari
  • They specialise in buckwheat soba noodles served either hot or cold
  • We ordered some for ourselves, and as we couldn't get enough of it, a side of tempura to go with it!
• Afterwards we went across the street to have a look at the nearby Kuromon Ichiba Market which is well known as one of the most famous food markets in Osaka, where can find almost any type of food you can think of, from fresh seafood to grilled meats and local fruits.
• While walking through, we find some interesting looking white strawberries, which were quite expensive, so we paid our tourist tax and bought a skewer to try them out.
  • To be honest, they were a bit underwhelming after hearing about how good Japan's fruits are, they sort of just tasted liek normal strawberries, but just had a very different appearance. 🤷‍♂️
  • They might not have been in season yet, as it was still early in the year, so we might have to try them again next time we visit Japan! 🍓
• After having a short walk around the market, we head back to the hotel to check in and take the luggage upstairs into our room.
• Our room was on one of the higher floors, overlooking one of the busy streets in Osaka, it reminded me a bit of the streets of Tokyo, being raised above the ground and winding between buildings.

"New World" District

• Having settled in, we make our way towards Shinsekai "New World" District,literally meaning "New World" in Japanese, is a vibrant and nostalgic district in Osaka, known for its retro atmosphere, giant 3D signboards and unique blend of old and new.
• The district's sotuhern area was modelled after New York, specifically Coney Island, with mixtures of Western and Japanese culture.
• The northern part of the district being modelled after Paris, with the iconic Tsutenkaku Tower (通天閣) being the main attraction of the area, partially inspired by the Eiffel Tower in Paris.
  • The tower itself was originally built in 1912, but was severely damaged by a fire in 1943, being disassembled and used for steel during the war effort, later being rebuilt in 1956, becoming a symbol of Osaka's post-war recovery and growth.
• We took time to walk through the streets of Shinsekai, checking out the various shops, stalls and restaraunts in the southern end of the district, before making our way towards the Tsutenkaku Tower.
• The Tsutenkaku Tower is a symbol of Osaka, standing at 103 meters tall, and offers panoramic views of the city from its observation deck.
• We didn't go up to the observation deck this time, but instead opted to jump on the tsutenkaku tower slide
• You could instead do a "dive and walk" experience, when you walk up to the top of the tower, and then jump off one of the higher parts of the tower—we could only choose one, so we went for the slide instead!
• The slide was a fun experience, the weight took at-least 45 minutes to get through, but the short little ride down was still a lot of fun, it makes you feel like a kid again! 🛝
• After the slide, we headed back down into the streets of Shinsekai and started to think about what we wanted to gobble up for dinner!
• We ended up looking around for a place to eat, walking towards Dotonbori, ending up stumbling into a little gem of a restaraunt called Fukutaro which is famous for its okonomiyaki and negiyaki
  • Located just opposite Kuromon Market, this place absolutely needs to be on your list if you're in Osaka! They have a few locations, but this is the main store.
  • Famous for Negiyaki — a thinner, lighter, savory pancake with lots of Japanese green leeks, soy sauce-based flavoring, and either beef, pork or seafood. (I got the beef one, it was TOO good!)
  • Cooking style: Griddles are in full view — customers can watch chefs skillfully pour, flip, and plate the dishes right at the counter.
  • Atmosphere: Lively and intimate; seating is limited so expect queues during peak hours.
  • Popularity: Well-known among both locals and tourists, often ranked among the top okonomiyaki/negiyaki spots in Osaka.

Dotonbori

• After wrapping up with dinner, we walked from Shinsekai to the famous Dotonbori district, which took about 15 minutes on foot, leading us to our next stop — desert!
• Walking through the neon-lit streets of Dotonbori, and some similar signs to those in Shinsekai, we found a cute little melonpan shop, which is a popular Japanese sweet bread with a crunchy cookie crust on top, often filled with ice-cream of various flavours
  • We got ourselves one to share, going for the limited editon sakura (cherry blossom) flavour, which was a soft pink colour and had a subtle floral taste to it, it kind of just tasted like a slightly floral strawberry, it was really good! 🌸
• Osaka Wonder Loop cruise
  • We hopped on the Osaka Wonder Loop cruise, which is a boat tour that takes you along the Dotonbori canal, giving you a unique perspective of the district from the water.
  • The cruise lasts about 20 minutes and takes you under the famous Dotonbori Dotonbori Ebisu Bridge and past the iconic Glico sign, which is a famous landmark in Osaka.
  • The boat takes you right under the bridge, close enough that you could reach out and touch the bridge, if you staff hadn't warned us not to in advance... 👀
  • You'll also see a few other famous landmarks, such as the Don Quijote Ferris wheel and
  • The whole strip of Dotonbori comes alive at night with neon lights, reflecting off the water and creating a blanerunner-esque atmosphere — it's something you'll find difficult to find anywhere else in the world!
• Quick stop at the nearby giant Don Quijote store to grab some snacks and souvenirs for our flight home
• Carrying our snack haul, we headed back to the hotel to prepare for tomorrows trip to Nara

Nara

• Did the usual iced coffee run to a nearby 7/11
• Boarded the special Narashika-themed Kintetsu Line train from Kintetsu-Nippombashi Station to Kintesu-Nara Station
• Walked from Kintetsu-Nara Station to Higashimuki Shopping Street
• Stopped by a cosy little izakaya style restaraunt called Kamaiki for lunch which is quite well known for their homemade noodles which are freshly cut and boiled every morning, typically served with a side of tempura
  • I went for the udon and side of shrimp tempura, whiel Yuki went for the chicken karaage, udon and crab tempura
• We then grabbed some special Nara soy doughnuts from Floresta Narahonten and sat down to enjoy them with a hot coffee — they were so good, we ended up getting seconds! 🍩
• Headed over to the Nara Deer Park
• Bought some deer crackers (got harassed)
• Made our way along the walking path to Kasuga Taisha latern path
  • Along the way we saw many deer lurking around the lanterns, watching us as we continued walking—you could feel their eyes on you, it was obvious they were hoping for some food from us, as we weren't locals in their terriority!
  • Kasuga Taisha (春日大社) is a Shinto shrine in Nara, Japan, famous for its many bronze lanterns that line the paths leading to the shrine.
• Checked out the Todai-ji Daibutsuden (Great Buddha Hall)
• Came back to say goodbye to the deers and head back to Osaka
• Dinner at Kura Sushi (回転寿司) — a popular conveyor belt sushi restaurant chain in Japan
  • We enjoyed playing the little game on our table where you can win a prize if you collect enough plates, but we got absolutely scammed! 😂
  • We ate a total of 15 plates, with 3 attempts and nothing in return, I being stubborn and trying to win something pushed us up to 20 plates for one last attempt
  • But even that wasn't enough, so we left empty handed, our consolation prize was leaving with full stomachs! 🫃

Universal Studios Japan

• Arrived early (8AM) to beat the crowds
• Harry Potter
• Jurassic Park
  • Lunch at Jurassic Park restaurant
• Nintendo World
  • Picked up our Super Nintendo World wristbands
  • Afternoon tea at Kinopio's (Toad's) Café
  • Donkey Kong Country (2 hr wait for the "Mine-Cart Madness" ride)
• Hollywood
• Jaws (Amity Island)
  • Pizza and some warm coffee for a quick dinner, as it was getting a bit chilly around this point. 🥶
• Minions & New York area

Kawaguchiko (2 days)

• Kawaguchiko Station
• Lake Kawaguchi
• Arrived at Ryokan (Hotel Asafuji)
• Weather was a bit overcast and cold, so we went for a walk into the town to have a look around
• We ended up stopping at Lawson's to grab some snacks before getting ready for dinner
• Enjoyed a traditional omakase dinner
• Onsen (hot spring) experience
• Slept on traditional tatami flooring, with futons which had been prepared for us by the staff while we were at dinner

• Woke up early to catch a glimpse of Mount Fuji
• Another omakase, this time for breakfast
• Checkout and shuttle-bus drop off at Kawaguchiko Station
  • We were given 2 small bags of Japanese sweets as a parting gift, which was equally as sweet of the staff! 🍬
• Trip to Chureito Pagoda onboard the Fujisan Express
  • Arrived at Shimoyoshida station
  • Walked to Chureito Pagoda
  • Climbed up the 400+ steps to the top with the view of the Pagoda
  • Overcast and cloudy, coudn't see Mount Fuji
  • Took some photos and headed back down
• Arrived back at Kawaguchiko Station
• Got Fujisan Pudding
• On the way back to the station we grabbed some lunch by the local 7/11
  • Enjoyed some different sandwiches, including the famous egg sandwich, acocmpanied by a chicken katsu sandwhich and an iced coffee to keep me going!
• Lawson Konbini Photo Spot
• Back on the Fujikyu bus back to Shinjuku, with a connecting train back to Asakusa???

Tokyo — Heading Home!

• Stayed at a hotel near Haneda Airport
• Flight home with Philippine Airlines
• Another layover in Manila, this time only with a 3 hour wait before our flight back to Melbourne 😅
• Stayed at the airport lounge again to pass the time, doing a bit of coding and reading before jumping on the flight home
• Arrived back in Melbourne, Australia
• Laying out the snacks we brought back from Japan for everyone to try!