Known for its unique fashion, street art, and diverse cultural attractions, 原宿 Harajuku is very much the go-to stop to check the pulse of Japan’s lively subcultures. Harajuku is one of Tokyo’s brightest areas, offering a mix of shopping, food, and aesthetics sure to excite any traveler. Harajuku is known for its colorful street fashion. Access Harajuku’s main attractions are…

Home to sophisticated shopping and dining options, 青山 Aoyama and 表参道 Omotesandō are definitely the places to go to get a feel for Tokyo’s more luxurious side. With high-end boutiques, impressive architecture, museums, and Michelin-starred restaurants, Aoyama and Omotesando offer a unique blend of fashion, design, art, and culture, making them popular destinations for visitors to Tokyo who are interested…

It’s just under an hour train ride from Tokyo, but a trip to the city of 川越 Kawagoe will have travelers feeling like they’ve traveled back in time to the days of early Tokyo. Kawagoe is celebrated for its well-preserved historic district, which has earned it the nickname “Little Edo” due to its resemblance to Tokyo during the Edo period…

Often hailed as one of the most desirable areas to live in Tokyo, the neighborhood of 吉祥寺 Kichijōji has become a must-visit for those looking for a unique mix of all the city has to enjoy. Kichijōji offers a laid-back atmosphere, trendy shopping streets, and beautiful parks. It remains conveniently located in Tokyo, but never gets lost in the hustle…

Whether you’re trying to get a glimpse of Japan’s famously high-spirited fish market auctions, or hungering for the taste of the freshest seafood in Tokyo, you’ll want to make sure to stop by both of the 築地 Tsukiji and 豊洲 Toyosu districts. While Tsukiji’s famous wholesale fish market relocated to Toyosu, the area’s longstanding shops and restaurants still remain, preserving…

Located just south of Tokyo in Kanagawa prefecture, 横浜 Yokohama is one of Japan’s major cities, and its distinct port town atmosphere and attractions make it one of the country’s most popular destinations. Boasting an impressive Chinatown, multiple ramen museums, and a charming collection of waterfront shops and restaurants, Yokohama is both a fun-filled day trip from Tokyo as well…

Tokyo’s 上野 Ueno neighborhood is one that is sure to keep travelers busy and entertained. Known for its rich cultural heritage and lively atmosphere, and filled with numerous museums, parks, and shopping destinations, Ueno provides a great time in Tokyo that is highlighted by one of the most well-known zoos in Japan, a vibrant shopping street, and plenty of gorgeous…

If you’ve ever traveled in Japan, you have likely been introduced to the convenient and delicious world of 弁当 bento. Whether prepared on your own or bought from a store, bento are a popular and really fun way to try various types of Japanese food, as many small sample-sized dishes are usually stuffed into each of the bento box’s compartments….

When it comes to popular Japanese dishes that’ve made a tasty impression all over the world, 天ぷら tempura is surely one of the heavy hitters. That may be because it has so many similarities to comfort foods around the world. While tempura packs some unique and delicious Japanese flavor, the dish largely consists of lightly battered, deep-fried seafood and vegetables,…

When it comes to food that puts Osaka on the map, it’s hard to argue against a stronger top two than お好み焼き okonomiyaki and たこ焼き takoyaki. One is a tangy pancake-like dish made on an open grill made to your liking, and the other are juicy dumplings that are packed with more flavor than their size suggests. Both have become…

すき焼き Sukiyaki and しゃぶしゃぶ shabu-shabu are two different dishes, but they both are a great way to experience the piping hot and delicious appeal of traditional Japanese hot pot cooking. What are sukiyaki and shabu-shabu? Sukiyaki and shabu-shabu are two types of Japanese hot pot cooking. Sukiyaki is a Japanese hot pot dish usually made with thinly sliced beef cooked…

Japanese curry (often written simply as カレー, or karē) is one of the country’s most popular foods. Whether it’s served with rice, noodles, or even in delicious fried buns, there’s a way for you to enjoy one of the Japanese foods that have exploded in popularity around the world. What is Japanese curry? Japan has a wide range of restaurants…

新宿 Shinjuku is one of Japan’s busiest and fastest-moving areas, but those who can keep up will find themselves rewarded with a buzzing playground that can satisfy nearly any reason to travel to Tokyo. Shinjuku is a Tokyo neighborhood with two sides. It boasts towering skyscrapers, luxury hotels, and shopping centers characteristic of a vital business district. It also provides…

Located on Tokyo Bay, お台場 Odaiba is often hailed as a man-made island of entertainment options. On top of having a boatload of entertainment attractions, delicious eats, and varied shopping districts, Odaiba has its own bay-area aura that makes it a popular destination for travelers looking for an amusement park-like atmosphere. Odaiba’s bay city atmosphere gives it a unique charm…