I lived there with my husband for 18 months! Here is an additional list including places in Osaka and Kyoto.
Shrines you need to see: Kyoto and Osaka
- (Kyoto) Kiyomizu-dera (go and walk up through all the shops but get to the shrine before 6 when it closes worth being there at sunset)
- (Kyoto) Fushimi Inari Taisha (go in the morning, it will be less crowded and it is open 24 hrs I think so if jet lag is bad) this goes all the way up a mountain, you all will love it!
- (Kyoto) Kinkaku-ji (gold temple, it is so stunning!)
- (Kyoto) Philosophers path
- (Osaka) Osaka castle
Food: Kyoto and Osaka
- (Kyoto) Kobe Beef Steak Mouriya Gion (make a reservation, get the Kobe beef, one of my favorite meals in Japan it is so worth it and so amazing) https://www.mouriya.co.jp/gion
- (Kyoto) Nishiki Market (great for lunch and trying lots of different foods)
I lived there with my husband for 18 months! Here is an additional list including places in Osaka and Kyoto.
Shrines you need to see: Kyoto and Osaka
- (Kyoto) Kiyomizu-dera (go and walk up through all the shops but get to the shrine before 6 when it closes worth being there at sunset)
- (Kyoto) Fushimi Inari Taisha (go in the morning, it will be less crowded and it is open 24 hrs I think so if jet lag is bad) this goes all the way up a mountain, you all will love it!
- (Kyoto) Kinkaku-ji (gold temple, it is so stunning!)
- (Kyoto) Philosophers path
- (Osaka) Osaka castle
Food: Kyoto and Osaka
- (Kyoto) Kobe Beef Steak Mouriya Gion (make a reservation, get the Kobe beef, one of my favorite meals in Japan it is so worth it and so amazing) https://www.mouriya.co.jp/gion
- (Kyoto) Nishiki Market (great for lunch and trying lots of different foods)
- (Kyoto) Japanese Tea Ceremony
- (Osaka) Dontonbari street (for street foods)
- (Osaka) Dark Lab brewing https://maps.app.goo.gl/pMqVGxLHg8jQ68Xz8?g_st=com.google.maps.preview.copy
- (Osaka) Umineko brewery https://maps.app.goo.gl/T5wRytYpeR6RuLwY8?g_st=com.google.maps.preview.copy
- While in Osaka, eat Okonomiyaki and Takoyaki (they are their regional specialties)
Tokyo:
- Golden Gai https://maps.app.goo.gl/7HGswCG5G1ff15nUA?g_st=com.google.maps.preview.copy
- OPEN BOOK https://maps.app.goo.gl/PNBEb7cays9xjvfB9?g_st=com.google.maps.preview.copy
- Ramen Tatsunoya Shinjuku https://maps.app.goo.gl/FiWmWRYsDRcz1dRD7?g_st=com.google.maps.preview.copy
- Omekase sushi dinner at Sushi Punchi if you can get reservations https://maps.app.goo.gl/6s3qQ6sAFvJq94cX7?g_st=com.google.maps.preview.copy
- Paste this into Google maps to find a high rated conveyor belt sushi: 回転寿司
- Kapabashi neighborhood for kitchen knives and other souvenirs
- Imperial Palace
- Shinjuku Gardens
- Tokyo Sky Tree
- Mori Art Museum
- Yayoi Kusama’s Art Museum