Earlier than we take you thru our prime suggestions for every place, a number of issues to keep in mind: Google Translate is extremely useful in case you don’t converse Japanese. Whereas lots of the folks in tourism and hospitality industries converse a really spectacular quantity of English, and the rail stations all kindly have English bulletins too, it’s not unusual for eating places and cafes to solely be printed in Japanese which means the a translation app is a must-need.

Japan is internationally lauded for its railways with each the well-known bullet practice system and metro very straightforward to make use of and navigate. For the bullet practice (or the Shinkansen) to maneuver round – extremely simply – between the cities, we suggest buying a a JR go. You should buy this on-line upfront and get it delivered to your lodge or dwelling within the UK, you then have to activate it at a Shikansen station when within the nation. When getting across the metros within the huge cities we used a Welcome Suica card – much like an Oyster card – which you should purchase and prime up there. Driving the metro is less expensive than the tube within the UK, FYI.

TOKYO

Residence to virtually 14 million folks – probably the most populated metropolis on the planet – Tokyo is a melting pot of style, artwork, meals, enterprise and tradition. Not solely is all of it this, but it surely’s extremely clear, the persons are so well mannered and useful (eschewing international stereotypes of metropolis dwellers). There’s a way of calmness regardless of how many individuals are packed on the town’s metros and – talking of which – all the things works properly, particularly the transport system. Even in case you’re a local to London, or have been to New York a number of occasions, if it’s your first go to to the Japanese capital, the scale, quantity of individuals, brilliant lights and buzz of all of it remains to be one thing you gained’t have skilled till you go to.

The place we stayed in Tokyo

It’s a identified indisputable fact that reasonably priced lodging is hard to search out in Tokyo and you need to go in anticipating the room measurement to be smaller than in different elements of the world. We discovered an excellent base within the Moxy Tokyo Kinshicho, which is a fast stroll away from the metro station connecting you to the remainder of the Capital. Like the remainder of the Marriot group’s millennial-facing franchise, count on neon lights, easy however helpful décor making use of all house doable, espresso and snacks served within the downstairs reception space (and drinks with a every day glad hour) plus actually useful facilities within the room.

A second choice is the Pullman Tokyo Tamachi, discovered within the enterprise ward of Minato. The placement is great because it overlooks Tamachi station which serves two regularly used metro traces (JY and JK) so is tremendous handy to get throughout the town, plus is barely a 20 minute drive (not throughout rush hour!) from Tokyo’s Haneda airport.

The rooms are nice – we discovered them on the bigger facet in comparison with different Tokyo inns and has espresso machines, BOSE audio system and TVs you’ll be able to hyperlink to Netflix and Disney Plus. The breakfast is a standout too, with each an a la carte menu and impressively huge buffet. There’s Japanese restaurant Kasa, two bars and a fitness center on web site too.

What we did and what we ate in Tokyo

As Tokyo is so huge, we discovered one of the best ways to discover was to divide it into districts and goal every space, one after the other. Although you would want a very long time there to go to all must-visit elements of Tokyo, the areas we explored have been within the west of the town so Shibuya and Harajuku and within the south east Ginza.

In Shibuya, visiting (and strolling by means of when the lights flip inexperienced) the world-famous scramble crossing is a should. Should-visit outlets embody the multi-floor Loft retailer for homeware, magnificence and stationery. Stroll by means of the Yoyogi park, stopping by the Meiji Jingu shrine, to Harajuku, harking back to Camden and Shoreditch in London. There you’ll discover the Cosme flagship retailer that includes a plentiful quantity of Japanese and Korean skincare manufacturers earlier than strolling down Takeshita Road the place you’ll discover candy deal with bakeries galore, pet cafes and so many accent outlets with bows, ribbons and earrings to your hearts’ content material.

Ginza is dwelling to the luxurious procuring district (in addition to the massive flagship shops for international Japanese manufacturers Uniqlo and Muji) so is a great spot for window procuring in addition to precise procuring. We liked the Ginza Itoya stationery retailer and when a day’s procuring was over, we went for a rooftop drink at Roof Canines, which is discovered on prime of the Aloft Tokyo Ginza lodge, and serves scrumptious rosé and bar snacks.

Elsewhere, the immersive exhibition at Crew Labs is extremely advisable, as is a stroll round Ueno park and heading to Kappabashi kitchen avenue in case you’re into cute ceramics to take again dwelling. The highest of the Tokyo Metropolitan Authorities Constructing can also be nice for views.

We suggest a meals tour to get to know an space and pattern the most effective of Japanese meals. Arigato excursions provide them in each the Shibuya and Ginza areas. A wonderful perk we found throughout our journey was which you could eat out fairly low-cost at ramen and sushi locations in Tokyo and that, in fact, most locations are scrumptious. For limitless enjoyable – and deliciousness – head to Kura (there are a number of places) for a revolving sushi expertise. Maguro-to-Shari in Shibuya was a pleasant spot for lunch and Tokyo additionally does nice pizza – we liked Pizza Marumo. After both restaurant, head to Bar Trench to scrub it down with scrumptious cocktails. Should you fancy it, an Omakase is an unbelievable Japanese eating expertise. Normally sushi, the identify primarily interprets to the shopper leaving the choice as much as the chef so what’s served is totally on the head chef’s discretion. The chef presents the dishes to everybody within the restaurant on the similar time and explains what it’s. You’ll be able to count on as much as 20 completely different sushi programs right here.

KYOTO

For a extra conventional facet of Japan, head to Kyoto, the previous capital of the nation the place you’ll discover beautiful temples, stunning inexperienced areas and in case you occur to go across the finish of March and begin of April like we did, you’ll catch the beginning of the blooming of the cherry blossom bushes that basically do take your breath away. It is simply over two hours away from Tokyo, and you should definitely preserve your eyes peeled for Mount Fuji on the way in which.

The place we stayed in Kyoto

Should you’re trying to splurge and deal with your self to an evening or two throughout your journey, we suggest doing it in Kyoto at Hoshinoya Kyoto – discovered half an hour’s drive away (and an 18 minute practice) from Kyoto’s central station within the Arashishyama district (which in case you’re not staying in is totally price a go to for the attractive river, Togetsukyo bridge, Tenryu-ji temple and Sogenchi Teien gardens and Bamboo Forest).

The Japanese run Hoshinoya resorts takes inspiration from conventional ryokan’s so there are a number of intentional nods to Japanese tradition and historical past all through. The lodge offer you Japanese loungewear throughout your keep, to completely immerse your self each within the tradition and the enjoyable nature of the realm. At Hoshinoya, our room ignored the Katsura river, blooming cherry blossom branches and the Sagano scenic railway, which was so stunning it virtually didn’t look actual. Dinner at Hoshinoya was a standard kasekei multi-course menu of seasonal dishes like steamed tilefish, sea urchin and grilled eel. There’s additionally an choice to begin your morning there with a guided stretch session outdoors within the backyard, which energised us for a day of exploring. We’d additionally suggest signing up for a standard incense ceremony and Hisui boat trip down the river the place you can also make your personal matcha tea whereas gazing out on the blossom bushes climbing the mountains surrounding the river. It’s unforgettable.

What we did and what we ate in Kyoto

A should do is an tour to the Fushimi Inari path and shrine. Devoted to Inari, the god of fine harvest and success in enterprise, the route (there are numerous obtainable) is lined with hundreds of brilliant pink picket gates to stroll by means of and is really spectacular. As you ascend, there are a variety of viewpoints with picturesque views over Kyoto.

When wandering across the metropolis of Kyoto you should definitely try the Nishiki meals market to pattern tempura, sushi and karage (Japanese fried hen) and take a stroll in Gion, the Geisha district. Go to the Kyomizu-dera temple and stroll down the Sannenzaka path down earlier than strolling by means of the beautiful Mayuma park too.

OSAKA

I’d describe Osaka as Tokyo’s cooler youthful sister metropolis full with loads of spots to eat, drink and discover.

The place we stayed in Osaka

We stayed on the comparatively new OMO7 lodge, which opened in 2022. Our room was on the fourteenth ground and had unbelievable views throughout Osaka, straight reverse the Tsutenkaku tower. It’s price mentioning that the lodge’s proximity to Common Studios is obvious with households inspired, shuttle buses working from the bottom to the park and a light-weight present displayed on the facet of the lodge each night paying homage to Mario and his associates. The lodge has all the things you want together with a free facilities station do you have to want a hairbrush, toothpaste or loungewear and in addition generously supplies company with free craft beer and Takoyaki, a delicacy of octopus balls native to Osaka, each night time.

What we did and what we ate in Osaka

The neon lights and gaudy indicators on the Dotonburi bridge district are tremendous cool to go to, as is the Shinsekai market space which each have a ton of eating places close by. Talking of meals, Osaka is a proud foodie metropolis, and native dishes like okonomiyaki which is a scrumptious savoury pancake dressed with a particular sauce is scrumptious are to not be missed.

We additionally couldn’t resist visiting Japan’s Common Studios which in case you’re a Harry Potter fan is an especially essential go to (severely, the Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey trip gained the world’s primary trip 5 years in a row).

Olivia Blair is Leisure Editor (Luxurious) at Hearst UK, working throughout ELLE, Esquire and Harper’s Bazaar. Olivia covers all issues leisure and has interviewed the likes of Margot Robbie, Emma Stone, Michaela Coel and Ryan Gosling over time.