Though they are long gone, the lore of the samurai, legendary feudal-era Japanese warriors, lives on, and we can't wait to immerse ourselves in this thrilling legacy with a lesson about samurai history, featuring live demonstrations, a sword handling lesson, and a bamboo cutting experience!

We're thrilled to explore some cultural experiences that we can't find back home in America--and a great example would be watching a sumo match, the iconic Japanese style of wrestling. We'll be cheering as competitors try to force each other out of the ring or onto the ground!

The Osaka Aquarium is one of the largest aquariums in the world, filled with exhibits based off of diverse habitats. We're animal lovers and especially can't wait to see some seals, otters, and capybaras (which are apparently pretty trendy at the moment).

Avery is a devoted film buff, so he's particularly eager to learn about Kyoto's history as a center of Japanese cinema since the silent film era. The TOEI Kyoto Studio Park is a set modeled after a town from the Edo Period that is used for filming historical dramas to this day--plus it includes its own theme park! You can even rent period-appropriate costumes to wear for iconic photo ops (and we sure will).

Avery is a big fan of manga, a Japanese style of comic books/graphic novels, and there's no greater destination for manga buffs than the Kyoto Manga Museum, where we might spend hours perusing the thousands of volumes they have on display (... and maybe visiting the gift shop, too).

Hakone is a spa town that has become a popular tourist destination for its hot springs and view of Mount Fuji. During our stay, we're looking forward to enjoying the Open-Air Museum, which combines beautiful artistic works like paintings and sculptures with stunning natural views.

Nara Park is filled with beautiful gardens and temples, but it's most famous for its freely-roaming deer--who are so accustomed to human visitors that they've learned to bow in exchange for shika senbei, the "deer crackers" available for visitors to purchase and feed them with!

While we're proud of New York's Empire State Building, it is dwarfed by the Tokyo Skytree, an enormous tower with beautiful views to enjoy. Good thing we're not afraid of heights!

Living in Brooklyn, we'd like to think we know a thing or two about trains--but we hear that Japan's public transportation system trumps even New York's! We're especially excited to check out the shinkansen (bullet train), a high-speed railway that will get us wherever we need to go quickly, comfortably, and elegantly.

Japan is filled with shrines and temples which are not just beautiful sites to visit but are meaningful places for practitioners of religions like Shinto and Buddhism to worship. Visitors are welcome to pray and make monetary offerings, so we'll be sure to carry some extra currency so we can pay our respects.

A ryokan is a type of traditional Japanese inn that typically features old-fashioned sliding doors, tatami mats for sleeping, and onsen (hot springs) for bathing. We can't wait for an overnight stay that will be as culturally informative as it is luxurious!

One of our favorite recent hobbies is watching immersive theatre, an expansive genre where audiences are part of the action (the most famous example is the play Sleep No More, where audiences freely chased the actors of their choice across a six-story set to piece together the overarching story). Now that Tokyo has its own new immersive outpost, we have to check it out--especially since many performances are movement-based, meaning you don't miss out by not speaking the language!

We love any experience that lets us wander throughout an all-encompassing world, and that's exactly what is promised by teamLab Borderless, a digital museum with wide-ranging exhibits that transcend the boundaries of traditional art.

Red Tower is an entertainment complex offering cutting-edge technological experiences including VR games and e-sports, and we can't wait to test our skills!

We are obsessed with claw machines, which are a highlight of the arcades scattered throughout Tokyo! From rare and high-quality prizes based on our favorite characters to many different types of claws to master (if you're just imagining the cheap, slightly rigged American version, think again), you could spend hours--and countless yen--in these arcades... and we plan to! Help us beat the learning curve... we're gonna need a few tries. ;)

We love collectibles! Whether it's figurines, books, or video games, we're always proud to pick up trinkets that represent our interests and make us smile when we glimpse them sitting on our shelves. Japan has many stores famous for peddling these kinds of wares, like the massive Mandarake and Surugu-Ya shops, and look forward to exploring them all. We might already be preparing second suitcases to bring home new treasures!

We're big fans of Pokemon, and can't wait to visit the country where it all started! Several "Pokemon Center" store are spread across Japan, selling any kind of Pokemon merchandise you could imagine. Different neighborhoods even feature different characters, so we'll need to check out as many as we can to find our favorites!

Remember those capsule machines at the mall that you used to play with as a kid where you'd put in a quarter to get a little toy or gumball? A gachapon (often shortened to "gacha") is like the Japanese version of that--except instead of a little toy or gumball, they're filled with well-made collector's items! Gachas typically include lines of figurines made up of different characters or designs, so it can take a few tries (or spins, as experienced players call it) to "catch 'em all"...

Don Quijote (or "Donki", if you're in the know) is a popular chain whose big storefronts are only rivaled by its big discounts. If there's anything we need on the go--from a quick snack to cosmetics to homeware to send back in our checked bags--we'll surely pay this beloved store (and its adorable penguin mascots) a visit.

One of Japan's most whimsical breakfast offerings is the souffle pancake--instead of the flat, dense American version, these are fluffy and airy, standing tall. While we love the version served at Rule of Thirds, one of our favorite Brooklyn brunch spots, we can't wait to sample the real deal in Japan!

A maid cafe is a type of theme cafe popular in Japan where the waitstaff dress in elaborate maid outfits, providing extravagant customer service and adorably-presented meals. We're excited to enjoy some playful and delicious food at this unique cultural hot spot!

Japanese curry, particularly the chicken katsu (chicken cutlet), is one of Jenna's favorite foods, and we can't wait to try it in the country where it came from! We're especially excited to make a pilgrimage to Go Go Curry, whose American outposts we adore, but there's nothing like the original!

You might have heard about Jenna's side hustle reviewing junk food for a blog called The Impulsive Buy. One of the blog's specialties is fast food and as a result, Jenna loves to sneak opportunities to check out international versions of U.S. favorites whenever she travels (and Avery certainly doesn't complain!). One example we're especially excited to check out is a Japanese McDonald's, which we hear features delicacies like a matcha frappe... strictly for research purposes, of course. ;)

Japan is famous for its vending machines, which offer cheap and convenient wares ranging from hot coffee to fresh meals to even toiletries. During our long action-packed days of exploring, we're sure to want to check some vending machines out!

Kit Kats are a sweet treat for us Americans, but in Japan they have even more of a meaning behind them: a tradition called omiyage encourages bringing back small gifts when you travel, which has led different regions to develop their own exclusive flavors to appeal to visitors. They can be purchased at conbini (convenience stores) like 7-Eleven (apparently the Japanese versions are much nicer than the U.S. ones). We can't wait to try them--and bring some back for our loved ones, of course!

While we're excited to experience the fine culinary delights Japan has to offer, we're also looking forward to some more casual fare--and the famiresu ("family restaurant"), a type of laidback chain featuring both traditional Japanese and Western-inspired meals, fits the bill perfectly. Have you heard of fusion favorites like "omurice" ("omelette rice") and "hambagu" (a hamburger patty without the bun)? We'll report back!

Fun fact: while it is known today as an iconic Japanese dish, ramen actually originates from China! Still, we can't wait to try out what Japan has to offer. With different varieties of noodles, proteins, and toppings and a range of ways to be eaten (for example, hot vs. cold and slurped vs. dipped), we know we won't get bored!

Japanese street food has a little bit of everything: from takoyaki (fried octopus balls) to okonomiyaki (toppings-laden egg pancakes) to dango (sticky rice dumplings), you can find a quick, cheap, and easy-to-eat-on-the-go snack for any craving, so we are excited to snack on all we can get our hands on.

An izakaya is a beloved type of Japanese pub that serves affordable bites to accompany their alcoholic drinks. It's common for diners to order a succession of small shared plates--a fun symbol for the life we are so excited to be sharing together!

No trip to Japan would be complete without sushi--even Jenna, who doesn't usually eat seafood, knows that! But Avery is an adventurous eater... so Jenna might just have to expand her palate, too!

One of Japan's most iconic beverages is sake, a wine made by fermenting rice. Kyoto is one of the largest producers of sake, and we're excited to indulge during our time there, planning to experience some tastings at Kizakura Sake and Beer Brewery (and/or a few glasses at a few dinners...).

Maybe the only thing cuter than the merchandise Japan is known for is its desserts--and we definitely plan to take advantage of that! From character-themed cakes to colorful cookies to convenience store walls lined with candy flavors we could never get back home, we are ready to indulge our sweet tooths!

In Japanese culture, it's popular to work hard and play hard--after a long day at the office, businessmen like to beeline to local bars, which has led to a vibrant nightlife scene. We can't wait to check out popular spots for a big night out like Pontocho, an alley in Kyoto packed with bars and restaurants, and Golden Gai, a district in Shinjuku filled with small themed establishments.

Jenna is a big karaoke fan, and while Avery is traditionally not much of a singer, Jenna is plotting to change that! Japanese-style karaoke involves private rooms, so we'll be able to belt out whatever our hearts desire without fear!

Despite our wedding venue being so close to Atlantic City, we don't typically spend much time gambling--but when in Japan, you have to play a little pachinko, a randomized pinball-esque machine where you win points that can be cashed out to exchange for prizes. We're feeling lucky!

Short for "print club", purikura is a type of Japanese photo booth that not only lets you take and print cute pictures, but even gives the option to customize them with various effects and stickers. We can't wait to take a few to commemorate our once-in-a-lifetime trip!

Shibuya's most iconic landmark is the Shibuya Scramble Crossing, known as "the busiest pedestrian intersection in the world" and featured in media ranging from Lost In Translation to Sonic the Hedgehog 3. But there's plenty else to see here too, like the Hachiko Statue (which commemorates a dog so loyal he waited for his owner at the train station every day even for years after the owner's death) and the Parco mall, a hub of fashion and youth culture.

Gion is a district in Kyoto famous for its geisha, who entertain guests over meals by engaging them in conversation and putting on performances. Other highlights of the area include tea ceremonies, traditional architecture, and multi-course kaiseki meals.

Harajuku is a hotspot for trendy teenagers, the place to see and be seen in fascinating fashions like gyaru (characterized by heavy makeup, outlandish outfits, and dyed hair), fairy kei (consisting of pastel colors, cute accessories, and 80s themes), and lolita (associated with voluminous and old-fashioned pieces, like petticoats and bonnets).

Akhihabara is known as the mecca of otaku culture--which can loosely be described as an intense interest in nerdy elements of pop culture such as anime, video games, or just about any other things Avery and Jenna like! "Akiba", as it's affectionately known, is filled with cosplayers dressed in elaborate outfits based on their favorite characters, geeky merchandise, and shops where you can find even the most obscure electronics.