Going to meet my wife's parents in Kobe (near Osaka).
I plan on visiting Tokyo and Kyoto. Can anyone share a "can't miss" experience or tourist spot to visit?
I'm 40+, typical Italian-American from NJ. If that helps at all. I love history, so seeing Fuedal era stuff may be a lot of fun, but I'm open to anything except maybe a full-body Yakuza tattoo.
thanks!
Tokyo
- If you like sushi, see if your wife or her family can get you a reservation at one of the Michelin star rated joints. It's expensive but it's a once in a lifetime treat.
- If that fails, see if you can get into Kyubey. You don't need the crazy lead time to get a reservation there, but its still considered top notch. Many of the Michelin star chefs trained under him and the sushi is sublime. Multiple locations, but the main guy is in Ginza.
- Tsukiji Sushiko is sushi chain that is more casual but still excellent.
- World's Second Best Freshly Baked Melon-pan Ice cream is great for a walk up dessert joint. It's ice cream sandwiched between two pieces of hot Melon bread. So good.
- Piss Alley (Shinjuku Omoide Yokocho). It's in Shinjuku, and it got its name from the old days when bar goers would relieve themselves in the alleyways. Today it's an awesome place to get snacks (think grilled skewers and beer) in a throwback locale in the middle of the city.
Kyoto
- You can't go wrong with any of the top historical sites. There are so many. Kinkaku-ji, Kiyomizu-dera, Fushimi Inari Taisha, Sanjusangendo...Google ahead and make a list. Walk around all day and enjoy the food. Just a magical place, especially the river during cherry blossom season.
I would also consider Osaka and Nara since you're so close in Kobe.
- Osaka is famous for its street food. Foods to get there (or anywhere really): Takoyaki (grilled balls of batter and octopus), Okonomiyaki (kind of like a pancake with bits of seafood and veggies), Yakitori (grilled skewers).
- Nara has an awesome park leading up to Todai-ji temple. There are hundreds of deer that will walk up to you and eat food from your hand. The deer food is sold on the street and it's a fun experience.
Eat all the sushi u can. do some karioki, I thought I never would do it. I got a standing ovation, the people are wonderful. Fly business class it's a long flight
Sensō-ji shrine (crowded and touristy but you have to)
If you're done with sushi have the burger and whiskey at the Imperial Hotel Bar (Designed by Frank Lloyd Wright and where McArthur called home post occupation)
Tokyo
- If you like sushi, see if your wife or her family can get you a reservation at one of the Michelin star rated joints. It's expensive but it's a once in a lifetime treat.
- If that fails, see if you can get into Kyubey. You don't need the crazy lead time to get a reservation there, but its still considered top notch. Many of the Michelin star chefs trained under him and the sushi is sublime. Multiple locations, but the main guy is in Ginza.
- Tsukiji Sushiko is sushi chain that is more casual but still excellent.
- World's Second Best Freshly Baked Melon-pan Ice cream is great for a walk up dessert joint. It's ice cream sandwiched between two pieces of hot Melon bread. So good.
- Piss Alley (Shinjuku Omoide Yokocho). It's in Shinjuku, and it got its name from the old days when bar goers would relieve themselves in the alleyways. Today it's an awesome place to get snacks (think grilled skewers and beer) in a throwback locale in the middle of the city.
Kyoto
- You can't go wrong with any of the top historical sites. There are so many. Kinkaku-ji, Kiyomizu-dera, Fushimi Inari Taisha, Sanjusangendo...Google ahead and make a list. Walk around all day and enjoy the food. Just a magical place, especially the river during cherry blossom season.
I would also consider Osaka and Nara since you're so close in Kobe.
- Osaka is famous for its street food. Foods to get there (or anywhere really): Takoyaki (grilled balls of batter and octopus), Okonomiyaki (kind of like a pancake with bits of seafood and veggies), Yakitori (grilled skewers).
- Nara has an awesome park leading up to Todai-ji temple. There are hundreds of deer that will walk up to you and eat food from your hand. The deer food is sold on the street and it's a fun experience.
This post is one of the reasons to contribute to BBI
Butagumi: The. Best. Pork. Except for maybe top level bbq in US. They have 40 different heritage breeds of local kurobuto pigs. They will have daily specials and you can usually just stick with those to simplify. This is tonkatsu, just to clarify. I go to one in Roppongi. No wait when I've been at off-peak times.
Parks: I could refer you to specific ones but honestly just go to what's close at any given point in time and explore. Parks are so wonderful in Tokyo.
High level sushi: If you're willing to drop over $300 a head on sushi go to Sushi Masuda. He was #2 or 3 at Jiro before he opened his own and it is just on a different level than what you can get in US. You need hotel concierge to make your reservation and you need to pay in advance. 2 Michelin stars.
Low level sushi: 7-Eleven! Try all the onigiri. Pair it with the Milk Tea in the hot section for bottles (you heard that right by the way, hot bottle section). They brew the tea directly in milk, and it's delicious.
Shibuya crossing: just cool for all ages.
Shinjuku: go at night for best experience.
Outer market at Tsujiki: a lot of fish mongering has moved to new Toyosu but the older outer market is awesome. Disclaimer: I haven't been to new one yet. Maybe you should go there too and find out!
Wondering (as in aimlessly walking): Tokyo is great for this as everywhere is ridiculously safe.
Toilet: you will have a new thing to buy when you come home.
Tempura: I wish I had a top level one to send you to but instead I can advise you instead to not go to what many consider one of the top ones, Mikawa Zezankyo.
Desserts: go to a Joel Robuchon bakery for some deliciousness, and then go to a Japanese bakery for more deliciousness. They do bread and desserts so good.
I'll have to google and youtube up this information to make an itinerary.
Yes, I'm a very lucky and blessed man. Mrs ATL_Giants is wonderful. Hard-working, efficient and organized a real tribute to her culture.
Surprisingly good Indian food too.