Things To Do
Shibuya City
The heart of Tokyo. Fashion, food, drinks and entertainment, Shibuya has it all including the iconic scramble crossing.
Harajuku
The nerve center of Japanese youth fashion.
Asakusa
Home of Tokyo's most popular temple, Sosenji.
Imperial Palace
Current home of the Japanese emperor, featuring large gardens and greenery right in the center of Tokyo.
Tokyo Dome
The most famous of Japan's professional baseball teams, the Yomiuri Giants play at Tokyo Dome in the center of Tokyo. Nippon Professional Baseball will be in-season in May.
Tokyo Yakult Swallows
Eddie's favorite team is the Tokyo Yakult Swallows, who play in Japan's second oldest baseball stadium (built in 1926) - 'Jingu Baseball Stadium' very close to Shinjuku and Shibuya. Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig and other former MLB stars have played here on barnstorming tours of Japan. The stadium is set to be torn down and replaced in the coming years, so visiting this stadium would be a bucket list item for any baseball fan.
Tokyo Disney Resort
For those with kids, the Tokyo Disney Resort is about an hour train ride from downtown Tokyo and is not too far from Narita Airport.
Yokohama
A short 45 minute train ride from Tokyo, thi sold port city is well known for its shoreline views, Chinese cuisine and other child-friendly attractions
Kamakura
Another short, 1-hour train ride from Tokyo, this is the former political center of medieval Japan and is home to many important shrines and temples and a very nice beach (Enoshima).
Hakone
Famous hot-spring resort town in the mountains not too far from Tokyo. A great place to relax in Japan's famed 'onsen' (hot springs). We recommend spending at least one night here for the full experience.
Ghibli Park
Newly opened Ghibli Park in Aichi Prefecture (near Nagoya), which is an amusement park set in the Ghibli world (i.e., that of animator Hayao Miyazaki, legendary director of anime such as Spirited Away and Totoro).
Kyoto
For first timers to Japan, no trip is complete without a pilgrimage to Kyoto, Japan's cultural and historical capital. Many of the shrines and temples here have been designated World Heritage Sites by UNESCO and are not to miss. Highlights include: - Fushimi-Inari Taisha (famous Shinto shrine with iconic bright red 'torii' gates) - Kinkakuji (a Zen Buddhist temple home to the iconic gold-leafed pavilion) - Kiyomizu-dera (Buddhist temple overlooking Kyoto on a bluff) - Kyoto Imperial Palace (former home of Japan's emperors prior to the Meiji Restoration in 1868) - Sanjyusangendo (Buddhist temple featuring 1001 standing statutes of Kannon) - Ryoan-ji (Zen Buddhist rock garden) - Arashiyama (bamboo forest on the river)
Nara
If visiting Kyoto, consider a day trip to nearby Nara, another important historical site featuring more famous temples and shrines, including a 15m high bronze Buddha) and which is home to a very large and friendly population of deer. Featured sights: - Todai-ji (iconic temple with a giant Buddha statue) - Nara Park (feed Nara's famous deer) - Kofuji-ji (Buddhist temple with large pagoda)
Universal Studios Japan
Large amusement park just outside of Osaka, which features the newly opened Super Nintendo World
Hokkaido
Japan's north is extremely beautiful and is our absolute favorite place to visit. Hokkaido's lush greenery and wide-open spaces are a breath of fresh air from the concrete confines of Tokyo, and there is so much exciting nature and culture to explore. Traveling to Hokkaido does take more time than trips to other places like Kyoto and would involve a domestic flight (about 1.5 hours from Haneda to Sapporo). Highlights: - Sapporo: lots to see and do in Hokkaido's largest city, including fresh seafood and many parks. - Niseko: this is Japan's premiere ski resort, which also offers plenty to do in the summer months: hiking, onsen and golf. - Upopoy National Ainu Museum and Park: located about an hour south of Sapporo's airport, this brand new facility is the first national museum promoting understanding and awareness of Ainu history and culture. - Lake Toya: a hot spring resort town on the shores of a volcano crater lake. - Hakodate: Hokkaido's old port town and colonial outpost.
Okinawa
Okinawa is Japan's southernmost tropical island chain that is a large tourist destination for most Japanese (similar to Hawaii but much closer and cheaper). There are direct flights from both Tokyo airports to several of the Okinawan islands, which take approximately 2.5 hours. The main island - Okinawa Honto - has the largest population and is the most developed with a significant US military presence. There are some great beaches and resorts there, but (in our opinion) the most beautiful beaches and resorts can be found on Ishigaki island further south. Resorts on Okinawa Honto: - Halekulani Okinawa: newly opened branch of the iconic Hawaiian hotel. - Ritz Carlton Okinawa: luxury in paradise; situated on a golf course. Resorts on Ishigaki Island: - Intercontinental Ishigaki: convenient location near the main port - Hoshinoya Resort Taketomi: beautiful villa resort on Taketomi Island just next to Ishigaki island