Japan Travel Recs

30 Mar, 2025

Been to Japan ~10 times and went to most top places at least once (Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, Hokkaido, Nikko, Hakone, Nara, Kobe). Here's my holy grail food list:

Tokyo:

• Gyukatsu Motomura Ueno
• Tonkatsu Maisen Aoyama
• Ichiran Ramen
• Kyūbey - You'll need a reservation

Osaka:

• Zauo Fishing Restaurant - Catch live fish for dinner
• Uoichi Shokudo - Best donburi of my life
• Okonomiyaki Chitose

Kyoto:

• Katsukura Tonkatsu Sanjo Main Store Other:
• Kobe Beef Steak Restaurant Royal Mouriya - Best steak of my life

Also went to many onsens over the years. Here are my top two:

• Gora Hanaougi - Everything was so high quality here. My favorite stay
• Hakone Onsen Yuyado Yamanoshou - Small, and private. Much better than the larger onsens

There are a ton of cool experiences in Japan, but the one that stands out the most to me is teamLab Borderless. Immersive digital art on an insane scale.