Every year (since 2013!) I’ve been writing Year in Review recaps that take a look at my life over the last 12 months. These are some of my favorite posts to write, as I really get to look back at the last year and relive some of my best memories. Check out my past year in reviews here if you’re interested! 

And this year was an extraordinary one for sure – it somehow ended up being my most traveled year yet! By July, I had already been to 5 continents (wild considering I have a full-time job), and the traveling didn’t stop there! I aimed to skip visiting Mexico for a full year with hopes it’d motivate me to see other spots, and I think that definitely helped (although I dearly love the country and already have a trip booked there in early 2025, haha).

In 2024 I went skiing for the first time (so fun!), crossed off a new wonder of the world (Machu Picchu!), marveled at the Sydney Opera House and teared up at koalas in the wild in AUSTRALIA (!!!), ate tons of hot honey hotteok, kimbap, and black sesame ice cream in Asia, and spent over a month in Europe. 

2024 was also the year I became the world’s newest Swiftie (and even tried to score a last minute ticket to her show in Dublin, but of course it was the hardest European destination to get because of the restrictive laws in Ireland!). 

There were also some wonderful moments closer to home too. And one of the best ones? My sister had a beautiful baby girl (meaning I’m an auntie again!) and I swear she’s the cutest little thing. I got to meet her in October and I’m in love!

I also went to my first-ever travel blogging conference and had my first-ever $20k+ month from my blog (a huge milestone for me!).

It was also a big year for astronomy, with a full solar eclipse, Comet A3, AND the northern lights shining bright on SO much of America (twice – which I missed both times, just my luck). 

A big realization I had this year is that I’m either away adventuring hard, or hanging at home doing a puzzle, reading, or scrapbooking – there’s no in between for me. I’m starting to enjoy being more of a homebody in California (and starting to find my community here), and that just tells me one thing – my body craves rest when I’m not traveling. Something I’m aiming to prioritize more in the new year (although I keep saying that and it never happens, haha).

2024 by the Numbers

• Countries Traveled To: 12 – Belgium, England (x2), USA, Australia, South Korea, Italy, San Marino, Ireland, Peru, Japan, France, Switzerland 
• States Traveled To: 5 – California, Wyoming, Utah, New York (x2), Hawaii (x2) 
• # of flights: 35
• Miles flown: 95k
• Books read: 72
• Candy Crush Level: 3954
• Duolingo Streak: 933
• Days traveling: 144 (39% of the year, which is pretty wild considering I work full time!)
• Solo travel days: 17 (in mostly Italy, San Marino, and Ireland)

Something I do wanna mention is that this post is coming out a few weeks later than my year-end recaps usually do. To be completely honest, blogging has sort of lost its excitement and sparkle. It just doesn’t feel as fun as it used to. Plus, I’m super overwhelmed with all the trips and destinations I have yet to write about. A good problem to have (I guess), but when the backlog is well over 50 posts long and 15 destinations deep, well, it feels like you’ll never catch up. We’ll see how much I write in 2025, but I’m not pressuring myself. 

Enough about that, let’s get to it! Here’s my 2024 year in review!

January

Bruges, Belgium

We started off the year exploring a new country together – Belgium! I have to admit I knew literally nothing about Bruges (or Belgium in general) before booking our train tickets, but boy am I glad we made the effort to get over here.

The main reason we went? To soak up all the Christmas spirit in Bruges (and lucky us, they continue celebrating well into the new year!). I swear, the literal moment we arrived, I fell in love with the city, yes, even despite the initial heavy rain!

We spent a few days indulging in *all* the chocolate, *all* the waffles, some extremely decadent hot chocolate (mine tasted exactly like speculoos and it was glorious), and of course ate way too many fries (when in Belgium, am I right?).

So much of our time in Bruges was spent just wandering the cute storybook town, strolling along the canals (kinda a mix of Amsterdam and Venice!), checking out the quirky frietmuseum (and learned even more about potatoes!), popping into chocolate shops every 2 minutes, taking photos in front of the old guild houses in Market Square, and taste testing everything at the market.

There’s just something so magical and charming about Bruges, especially during Christmas. It seemed like every single shop, pharmacy, and building put up decorations – everyone was super into the Christmas spirit, creating so much positive and happy energy. 

Despite our original flight to London getting canceled and sitting behind a lady who literally coughed the entire 10-hour flight home (and refused to wear a mask… cue the eye rolls), we had *such* a good trip. Europe in the winter is it – especially around the holidays. 

Jackson Hole, Wyoming

If you’ve been following me for a while now, you know I plan birthday trips for myself every year. It’s a goal I’ve been keeping up with for quite a few years (I’ve spent past birthdays in Mexico City, Todos Santos, San Luis Obispo, Oahu, etc). 

Since I’m currently on my way to visiting all 50 states, I decided a snowy long weekend in Jackson, Wyoming would be it for my 37th!

And what a great idea that was! The trip started off great with free mimosas at the airport and then six moose sightings within 5 minutes of leaving the airport! Despite the Tetons hiding for most of our trip, the landscapes were still incredible.

Over the long weekend we met the cutest misfit doggies while dog sledding, took the tram up 10k feet to get waffles and hot cocoa at Corbet’s Cabin, watched the skiers sitting by the fire with some hot apple cider, spent an epic morning snowmobiling to hot springs (by far one of the coolest things we’ve done!), tried so many great restaurants, and searched for wildlife in Grand Teton National Park (watched a bunch of moose graze in the snow, bighorn sheep on the mountain tops, the cutest fluffy red fox, mule deer, and more). 

We also explored the tiny town filled with an eclectic mix of cowboy shops and ski shops, and even got to see the very beginning of an actual dog sled race that only happens once a year! 

To say we loved our hotel is a massive understatement (it was definitely a splurge for my birthday)! Hot cocoa bar and cookies every afternoon, great service, and the perfect location right in the middle of town. 

I also got to see a childhood friend I hadn’t spent time with in forever which was extra special (hi Li!)! We loved reminiscing – hope we can plan another reunion soon!

And I finally got to fly over the Golden Gate Bridge (with no fog!) – weird that it took this long, haha. 

And when I wasn’t traveling? I was listening to audiobooks, doing 1,000 piece puzzles, relaxing on the couch with Kona, and planning lots of future travels. Honestly, it felt really good to kinda hibernate, especially with all the rain we had.

February

The beginning of the month was dedicated to rest, and boy it felt amazing to sleep in, stay in PJs all day, and just RELAX – I think I’m finally understanding all the hype about hygge, haha.

Australia

But I couldn’t sit still for too long, because in the middle of the month I was off to Australia for almost 2 weeks (an absolute dream of mine for far too long). I was originally gonna travel solo, but ended up having Kristen join me (same gal I went to Guatemala with last February!)

And about an hour before boarding, my sister told me she’s PREGNANT! Such a shock and happy surprise! I’m gonna be such a cool aunt!

I got so lucky with an empty seat next to me for the (very long) 15 hour flight, and slept for 11 hours – practically unheard of for me. And zero jet lag; what a dream! Was somehow so much easier than going to Europe.

Sydney

First stop of the trip – spectacular Sydney! We hit the ground running at 6am right after landing – super impressed we made it to 9pm! We spent a full day wandering around the CBD finding all the best views of the Sydney Opera House, walked across the Harbor Bridge, wandered Circular Quay, had cocktails at one of the top 50 bars in the world (Maybe Sammy – so fun!), watched fireworks at Darling Harbour, perused all the little stalls at the Rocks Market, hung around the Royal Botanic Gardens, sipped drinks at the iconic Opera Bar, and watched the most beautiful sunset at Ms Macquaries Chair.

And oh, all the rumors are true – Aussies are oh so friendly!

Taking a day trip to the Australian Reptile Park to feed kangaroos and cuddle some koalas was a major highlight – such a dream (where we met the cutest baby Koala named Pete). Plus a true Aussie BBQ (including shrimp on the barbie) and a (very unsuccessful) attempt at boomerang throwing. 

Another morning we ferried over to Manly for beach boutiques, more acai, street art, and lots of sandy beach time. Safe to say I fell hard for this little town!

And then we spent a few nights over by Bondi Beach (loved it is an understatement), admired the Bondi Icebergs about a dozen times (it was a 10 min walk from our hotel), spent so much time just laying on the beach watching the surfers, browsed all the cool surf boutiques, ate so many açaí bowls and avocado toasts (I swear they taste better in Australia), and watched an epic sunset chatting with some locals.

Of course we did the stunning (yet disgustingly sticky) Bondi to Coogee walk in about 90 degree weather, and now understand why ppl rave about Sydney’s beaches so much!

Unfortunately we had to cancel our day trip to the Blue Mountains because of a freak thunder and lightning storm – it was downpouring for hours, but I thankfully still made it on my tour of the Opera House! And then of course we feasted on dumplings and buns while watching love is blind in bed (which became our thing in Australia).

Melbourne

Next up was Melbourne, such an eclectic and colorful city, with such good food and even better coffee. And so much greenery!

I took way too many photos at the Brighton Beach bathing boxes, went searching for seashells, did a hot and sticky walk over to St. Kilda (but the views were OMG), and saw the iconic Luna Park entrance.

And of course thoroughly explored the CBD – we photographed a whole slew of Melbourne’s famous laneways (covered in funky street art), tried a bunch of gelato spots, wandered through some actually cool (and free!) modern museums, tried Melbourne’s famous croissant at Lune, admired the leafy gardens, walked along the Yarra River a bit, headed up the dome at The State Library of Victoria, and browsed the airy Queen Victoria Market. Spending an afternoon in Fitzroy popping into thrift stores, boutiques, and people watching was another highlight, too!

One of my favorites? Road tripping the Great Ocean Road, stopping at all the famous viewpoints (those 12 apostles reminded me so much of the Algarve in Portugal!), having some delicious fish n chips, and hiking down to a waterfall in the rainforest. Such a fun time with fun people – our guide was seriously the cutest and we saw kangaroos hanging out on a golf course (which is apparently so normal here!)

We spotted koalas in the wild (!!!) on a day trip to French Island, then spent the rest of the night watching the most adorable tiny penguins waddle their way out of the ocean on Phillip Island during the nightly Penguin Parade (plus saw dozens of wallabies – plus a baby wallaby in a pouch too!) So much wildlife I could not believe it.

Our day on the Mornington Peninsula was filled with epic views, colorful bathing boxes, and a relaxing boat ride around Sorrento. Think I’ll be back to Australia sooner than later, and still can’t believe I made it down under in 2024!

March

Another low-key start to the month. Guess you can say I’m really loving spending time at home with Kona, lol. I was in a slow season of life (hanging at home on the weekends in my PJs) and that’s ok!

The rain finally ended, and we got some lovely early spring weather – plus the cherry blossoms in our neighborhood started to bloom and we had tons of hummingbirds on our balcony (which I always love)!

I fell hard for Australia in February, and spent loads of time writing blog posts on Melbourne and Sydney, and finally started (and finished) a Bill Bryson novel I bought 10+ years ago!

Unfortunately my Facebook account got disabled, so I spent loads of time trying to sort that out. Eventually I just gave up and was sans Facebook for a long while. Still never recovered that account… and all those photos unfortunately. 

Busan, South Korea 

We ended the month with a spring break/cherry blossom trip to Korea! The first few days were spent in the seaside city of Busan. 

We had our first Korean street foods at BIFF square (where we discovered our love for kimbap and hotteok), rode the colorful IG famous sky capsules, watched a drone show at Gwangalli beach, checked out the colorful Gamcheon Village, wandered around Huinnyeoul Culture Village, had breakfast/snacks at cafes overlooking the sea, saw the skyline lit up at night, got some nature at Taejongdae Resort Park, wandered around the lively Haeundae Beach, and rode the cute locals tram up the mosaic steps. 

Other highlights were catching the most beautiful sunset with the most perfect view of the sky capsules, checking out Yonggungsa Temple, the beautiful temple by the sea (and the only one in all of Korea!), and our authentic seafood BBQ of clams and jumbo prawns. 

We also INCREDIBLY loved how everyone is obsessed with their dog – tons of cute outfits on each and every one (jackets and dresses and little shoes). All so, so cute!

Plus the Cherry Blossom Festival in Jinhae! It was busy, busy, busy (of course!), but well worth the struggle to get photos, haha. We totally lucked out with the most gorgeous sunny day and couldn’t believe how many cherry trees there were! And naturally, ate as many festive foods as we could – so many strawberry things, and my first (of many!) strawberry milks!

April

Seoul, South Korea

After a few days in Busan and Jinhae, we spent almost a week in Seoul, and wow, what a vibrant, busy city it is! Truly a city that never sleeps. Was definitely a nice change of pace from the slower life in Busan.

We really lucked out with both the weather and cherry blossoms! No rain at all and peak bloom our entire trip, which I’m SUPER grateful for after so many missed out on the late blossoms in Japan.

We explored different neighborhoods every day; there’s so much to see and do here it’s insane! Our days were spent exploring the traditional area of Ikseondong with tons of old school architecture, running up and down the escalators at the Coex Mall a few too many times (haha), dancing to Gangnam style in Gangnam, and making perfume and getting (our first-ever) facials in Hongdae.

And OF COURSE we ate all the street food in Myeongdong (egg bread! roasted marshmallows! tteokbokki), customized so much Nike clothing and sneakers!, perfected the Korean Photo Booth, ate at tons of popular cafes (Mil toast! Cheongsudong! Salt bread! Nudake!), got silly caricatures drawn up, sipped tea in a traditional tea house, sent letters to our future selves, had ramen and fried chicken by the Han River under the cherry blossoms, and ate our fair share of KBBQ. Plus midnight fried chicken (in bed!) two nights in a row – totally our style!

One of my favorite experiences?! Renting traditional hanbok for a day and feeling like a Korean princess! We admired the beautiful Gyeongbokgung Palace, watched the changing of the guards, and wandered Bukchon Hanok Village – so many photos!

One night we had fried chicken and cheered on the Twins at a baseball game (Koreans love the sport), and another we took a market food tour of Gwangjang Market – where we tried famous hand cut noodles and met the famous Netflix chef, plus learned a few Korean drinking games (and had our first sochecks)!

Plus, the best welcome home surprise! We walked off the plane and through customs, and our good friend Mel was waiting for us to say hi!!!

Utah for WITS! 

Oh WITS Utah, you were truly something special. I had been toying with the idea of attending WITS for a few years (and even bought tickets the year before but ended up selling them!), so finally attending was super memorable! 

The weekend was spent meeting the most inspiring, authentic, courageous, welcoming, and motivated women. And I’m grateful to call a bunch of them good friends already and even have inside jokes with a bunch (#bus4). It was so easy to create real connections – No competition, just uplifting encouragement and deep conversations. The whole weekend felt so wholesome and nourishing – something I’m looking for more of in 2025.

Some key messages I don’t wanna forget from the creator sessions:

• I am an expert, AND I don’t know a lot. 
• NOT an influencer, a BUSINESS OWNER
• My biggest competitor & hindrance to my success is Myself and my fear
• Think of yourself as an investor in the travel ecosystem 
• “Too many of us are not living our dreams because we are living our fears.”

And of course there was lots of fun, too! The tourism board treated us to a Welcome Party/night at the museum with dirty sodas, spinning photo booths, and dinosaur exhibits all to ourselves. We had a full day out in Park City – where I skied for my first time ever (and actually loved going down the bunny slopes, minus the gear and boot situation, haha), wandered around downtown Park City, and indulged in a Swiss-style dinner party with fondue and fireplaces by the snow. I’ll never forget the wildly unexpected night out line dancing with Marissa and Caroline! 

The perfect ending to the perfect weekend with so many new friends? Creating content at the stunning Bonneville Salt Flats at sunset!

It wasn’t the business sessions, the parties, the outdoor activities, the fireside dining, etc. The strong connections and late night laughs are what really made the weekend so ridiculously special. My heart left so, so full. A true highlight of the entire year (easily). Until WITS 2025 in NYC!

I also got my passport renewed in April and it somehow only took a few days to get (guess that’s why they call it expedited!).

May

May was a low-key month at home besides a few fun weekend trips. I also desperately went looking for the northern lights in my backyard during the crazy geomagnetic storm where the lights were visible in so much of the US! I think I saw the absolute faintest ones – just a pink and purple hue in the sky?! Still not checked off my bucket list though. I also had my first $20k+ month from my blog! So proud of myself!

Universal Studios! 

We spent SUCH a fun weekend in SoCal at Universal Studios Hollywood! It was our first time visiting, and actually our first major amusement park together (which is honestly kinda wild). 

Early access to Super Nintendo World was way worth it – we rode Mario Kart (easily the most sought after ride in the park) twice in less than a half hour! We of course went on every single ride in the park (including the Studio Tour), many multiple times! Our faves were The Mummy, Harry Potter, Jurassic World, Transformers, and the Minions. Thankfully we got so lucky with wait times and don’t think we spent more than 25 minutes waiting for a ride!

Having two days in the park meant we could eat all the treats as well (including multiple frozen butter beers, a giant pink donut from the Simpsons, minion banana pudding, ? Block tiramisu from Toadstool Cafe, and lots more).

The attention to detail in all the themed spaces were super impressive – including the replica dinosaurs (whoa that triceratops and the baby raptor, plus Blue!), all the moving video game components at Super Mario World, Harry Potter World, and Simpsons. WE LOVED IT ALL!

And of course we ended the trip with our favorite ice cream from Handels on the drive back home! All in all, SUCH a fun weekend and don’t think we’ll wait 20+ years until our next major amusement park together!

Santa Barbara 

Later in the month, we popped down to Santa Barbara for a quick weekend at the beach. Although Mother Nature had other plans and there was NO sun and way chillier than we anticipated, so we didn’t relax at the beach like we hoped (which was the complete opposite of our last time here when it was stiflingly hot and unbearably sticky). Definitely wasn’t the SB weekend we had in mind, but ya win some and ya lose some!

Instead we ate at our favorite restaurants (Secret Bao!) and tried some new ones (Bettina! La Super Rica Taquería!), and took long walks in downtown SB and some new-to-us parks overlooking the beach. But the best part was seeing some friends of ours we hadn’t seen since our last visit to SB (hey Lena and Bassam!) at the botanical gardens! Plus their two adorable little kiddos! 

Our few days there finally prompted me to write a weekend guide to Santa Barbara – a few years in the making (go peep the post – photos from past trips are gorgeous)! Too bad we had shitty weather this time!

June

New York

As soon as work finished up for the school year, I was off to New York to visit my sister! AND have her BABY SHOWER, which was absolutely perfect. Including tons of cute details like flavored champagne for giveaways, itty bitty baby clothes as decorations, and tons of fun baby games. It definitely was so wild seeing my sister pregnant!

The rest of the time was spent purely relaxing, hanging out with family (plus time in Port Jeff), lots of sister chats, and going through tons of baby stuff!

Puglia, Italy

A few days after getting home from NY (okay fine, only 2 days – told you summer is always jam packed!), I was off on a FANTASTIC 10 day Puglia road trip down in Southern Italy with Noah. 

We saw plenty (and plenty) of charming Italian towns, historic UNESCO World Heritage sites, and beautiful beaches along the stunning coastline. We gazed at endless olive groves (and of course tried so much olive oil!), wandered hilltop towns, ate gelato every single day, plus TONS of orecchiette pasta, fresh mozzarella cheeses, torrali, and focaccia (easily the best one in Polignano a Mare). 

Every day was spent exploring all the towns by the sea – Polignano a Mare, Otranto (our absolute favorite), Monopoli, and Gallipoli, plus the hilltop towns of Locorotondo, Cisternino, and Alberobello. Heck, we hardly woke up before 8am, and if it weren’t for all the crazy drivers, it would’ve felt like a real vacation, haha.

Some of my favorite experiences were sleeping in an authentic trulli, having a farm to table romantic dinner on a masseria, and the cheese tasting/demonstration on a local farm (where we not only feasted on way too much cheese, but learned and saw exactly how burrata is made).

Before leaving the area, we also spent a few nights in magical Matera – we slept in the most epic cave hotel (with an epic cave spa included), watched sunset over the sassi every night, pet so many cute kitties, and thoroughly explored the sassi (old town) and all the ancient rock churches. When we weren’t dripping with sweat and navigating the sassi maze, we were loving it, haha. 

There were far too many tourists for our liking (especially after coming from southern Puglia), but glad we got to experience the town before it gets even more popular! We also stopped at the famous bridge in the latest James Bond movie (in Gravina in Puglia), indulged in bread made in 750+ year old ovens (in Altamura), and watched the nonnas make the pasta in Bari! 

We were pleasantly surprised by the lack of crowds in early June – the complete opposite of other areas of Italy we’ve been to, like Venice, Cinque Terre, Rome, Florence, and of course the Amalfi Coast. The whole area seems kinda undiscovered, and we mostly encountered Italian tourists (with a handful of Americans thrown in). 

It was hard not to fall hard for Puglia, especially since we stuffed our faces with way too much pasta, had gelato every single day (whoops), took plenty of dips in the sparkling sea, saw half a dozen Italian towns, neither of us got drastically sunburned, and we only got one parking ticket! Come soon – I’d say most of our trip was 85% Italian tourists or so, BUT I see that changing sooner than later. Such a special place

Florence, Italy

Before booking my trip to Italy with Noah, I knew I wanted to stay a bit longer to explore more of the country. And I hadn’t even realized I’d been to Florence before (about 8 years ago for only a day on a group tour). Despite the 90F muggy days, I truly loved this city!

I saw so much impressive art, like Michaelangelos’ David at the Accademia Gallery and The Birth of Venus and Medusa at the Uffizi (I’m not normally an art person but I just had to see these oh-so-famous pieces in person). I climbed up not one, not two, but three towers – the cupola dome (by far the hardest), the clock tower, and Al Forno Tower for direct views of the duomo). And I watched a gorgeous sunset at Piazzale Michelangelo with thousands of my newest friends (the crowds were beyond insane). 

I also took a day trip to the Italian countryside, and loved the small towns in Tuscany (Siena, Colle di Val d’Elsa, and San Gimignano – where I of course had to try what was claimed to be the best gelato in the world). My pasta making and tiramisu cooking class in Florence was a highlight as well, where I finally learned how to make authentic ravioli and tiramisu custard! 

After spending almost a week here I really felt like I got to know the city pretty well!

San Marino

Of course when I learned I could add a new country to my list just a few hours away from Florence, you know I was there! And just like that, San Marino, the oldest surviving republic in the world, established in 301 AD, was my 48th country!

It’s also been a World Heritage Site since 2008, as well as the oldest Republic and fifth smallest country in the world. San Marino is a mountainous microstate completely surrounded by Italy. It’s intense, magical, unique, and authentic, and kinda feels like a way less crowded and way less colorful Sintra, Portugal. 

I spent a very long day trip from Florence to San Marino, taking 2 trains and a bus, which thankfully was way easier than I anticipated. And while there, I climbed up and hiked between the 3 towers, took in plenty and plenty of fantastic mountain views, and had a delicious pizza overlooking the city. So much historic architecture – I absolutely loved the tiny country, especially because it was hardly crowded!

Naples, Italy

After finally getting to Napoli Centrale (my original train from Florence was canceled and I had to stand for three hours on a different one), I got a whole margherita pizza (obvs), explored the city a bit (way more energetic, buzzy, and eclectic than I imagined!), and then went on a food tour in the city center (with more pizza, limoncello, and sfogliatella). What an unapologetically chaotic city!

The rest of my time in Italy was spent on day trips in the area!

On Procida, I had the best time discovering this little gem of an island; it hardly felt touristy at all, especially since I visited on a weekday. I loved the super colorful pastel ports, swimming in the sparkling sea for what felt like hours, indulging in spaghetti al limone (my new fave), and taking a boat around the entire island. Plus the locals were oh so sweet and I was even invited into a traditional fisherman’s home. Easily one of my best days in Italy!

On the other hand, Capri is way overrated in my opinion, and felt ridiculously touristy and crazy overpriced (girls I met paid €8 each for a regular hot tea!). It was also super shitty weather (pouring rain practically the entire day) and was probably the worst tour itinerary I’ve ever booked (took 4 hours to get there when it takes only 50 min via ferry from Naples… someone explain that to me…). I’d consider going back in the future but will definitely be making my own way there (instead of an absurdly overpriced tour).

And finally, the Amalfi Coast! I lucked out with a gorgeous, sunny day (after the horrific rainstorm the day before), visiting the towns of Sorrento, Positano, and Amalfi, plus seeing the coast from the water via boat. Of course I had lemon sorbet in a massive lemon. And yes it was busy (that’s to be expected), but I think I’d go back and spend a few nights!

I also hit a 2 year streak on Duolingo in June! Kinda crazy that I’ve kept up with it for so long!

July

Galway, Ireland

After a few (absolutely amazing) weeks in Italy, I was off to another new country (my 49th!) – Ireland!

But to be honest, I didn’t have the greatest first impression; it was beyond pouring when I arrived (typical Irish weather I guess…) and I didn’t like the area I was staying in (there’s honestly not much to do in Salthill). It was a shock to the system for sure after spending 3 weeks in Italy (with near-perfect weather). 

But fish n chips were had, I saw some of the stunning countryside (so, so lush and a thousand shades of green), and I listened (and sang and danced) to HOURS of live music in fun Irish pubs every night so all in all a pretty fantastic time during my first few nights in Ireland. I also saw the Cliffs of Moher from above (hiking) and below (on a cruise!), and the Aran island of Inishmore. 

Before visiting I didn’t know much about Ireland and Irish culture in general so I definitely learned a lot!

Dublin, Ireland

I don’t drink much, so I found Dublin to be kinda meh to be honest. I just didn’t vibe with it — at all. I spent most of my time wandering around the Temple Bar neighborhood and photographing all the decorated pubs, although not actually drinking anything, hahaha. Plus, I severely overpaid for my hotel which always kinda sucks (mostly because Taylor Swift was in town — and no, I couldn’t get a ticket unfortunately).

I also went on a day trip to the cute little town of Kilkenny (where I had delicious bangers and mash), went on a short hike in the Wicklow Mountains and saw sheep, watched Rob (the dog!) herd some other sheep, and even got to hold a 6 day old baby lamb! The sweetest little thing!

Ireland in general just wasn’t my thing. I learned I can’t love every single place I go, and that’s totally ok. I found the nature in Ireland to be pretty (and very green), but kinda underwhelming. I’m glad I came (to see what all the fuss is about) but won’t be running back. 

Peru!

Lima, Huacachina, Paracas, Arequipa,  Colca Canyon and Chivay, Lake Titicaca, Cusco, Sacred Valley, and Machu Picchu

Now Peru? That’s a whole different story – I fell completely head over heels in love with the entire country! I loved the culture, the colors, and the cuisine (minus the guinea pig).

You know me by now, and cannot sit still so I try to really take advantage of my summer off from work, so off I was again (less than 2 weeks later) to Peru, my 50th country!!! And what a trip it was! I spent a crazy busy and adventurous 3+ weeks in Peru, and so glad I picked the longer G tour (to help relieve my anxiety about the altitude, which I had no problems with thankfully).

It was my first time doing a tour in practically 10 years, and I got lucky with the best people and the best tour guide. They soon all felt like friends I’ve known for years, and eventually we felt like a little family. Such a heartwarming, fulfilling, and intimate experience. Tons of laughter, inside jokes, and just a general sense of belonging. I’ll cherish these memories with all mis nuevas amigas forever! Llama lovers (and Freddy!), if you’re reading this, just know you’re all the very, very best human beings and our few weeks in Peru together made my heart oh so happy.

I spent a bit of time in Lima, admiring tons of pottery at Museo Larco, wandering Miraflores and saying hola to all the kitties in the park, taking in the impressive architecture in the historic district, and strolling through artsy Barranco (with cute coffee shops and art galleries). 

My few weeks were spent viewing the famous Nazca lines from above in a tiny Cessna plane, sandboarding and riding on a crazy dune buggy in the Huacachina oasis, watching sunset in Paracas, admiring volcanoes in the cute town of Arequipa, hugging tons of llamas and alpacas in Chivay, and gawking at the huge condors at Colca Canyon. 

Spending a night with a local family on Lake Titicaca was by far one of the most memorable experiences in Peru overall. We met the sweetest little girl, Valentina, helped the family with their chores – like herding their sheep (!!!) and separating lima beans, ate home-cooked meals with the family (so many potatoes!), and saw the brightest Milky Way of my life. 

Of course Cusco was a major highlight as well, spending a few days exploring the city, finding the best sunset viewpoints, ATVing to Rainbow Mountain, doing tons of window shopping, and relaxing in the main square. Plus day trips to Sacred Valley (where we met some incredible women weavers) and Ollantaytambo (one of my favorite little Andean towns with spectacular views from the ruins). 

We learned so much about Inca history and tried tons of Peruvian dishes, like ceviche, Lomo Saltado, chicha morada, causa rellena, pisco sours, chaufa, picarones, inca kola, and aji de gallina (but no guinea pig, alpaca, or llama for me!),

And the major cross off my bucket list? Machu Picchu! I got lucky with near perfect weather and a great group to explore with (although that dip in the hot springs the night before was pretty questionable, haha). Machu Picchu was nothing short of magical — what a mesmerizing blend of nature’s raw beauty and ancient human civilization! Wow, just wow! A major highlight of 2024 for sure. 

August

Peruvian Amazon

My last few days in Peru were spent in the Amazon Rainforest, and what an adventure that was (despite being perpetually hot and sticky and humid for the entire 72 hours, with very minimal electricity, haha)!

We spent our days exploring the jungle, looking for monkeys, caimans, macaws, spiders, colorful birds, capybaras, butterflies, tarantulas, leaf-cutting ants, and more. I learned so much about the flora and fauna of the rainforest, and thankfully didn’t see anything too dangerous!

And we spent our nights taking cold showers, being wowed by the night sky (Milky Way and shooting stars!), and sleeping under mosquito nets in our thatched bungalows. Waking up to the sounds of the jungle, including howler monkeys and tons of birds, was definitely part of the experience.

All in all, I was super satisfied with my time in Peru and it’s given me the urge to explore more of South America. Hopefully next summer!

And then work started again… whomp whomp! I got a new car (since my 15 year old car needed a few thousand dollars of work done… so it was time, haha). 

AND my sister gave birth to the most beautiful baby girl, Ella Brooke on August 28! So thrilled for her and her new little family! She really is the cutest newborn!

September 

September marks 10 years living in the Bay Area and doing our cross country road trip from NY to CA. Pretty wild – it definitely feels like we’re locals now, and have visited so many spots in the state! We also found out Noah has to go into work 5 days a week starting Jan 2025. Amazon’s RTO is awful!

Oahu, Hawaii

This was the first trip in a while that wasn’t planned minute by minute (what I’m known for, haha) and it felt amazing to be spontaneous for a few days.

I lived my best life in Oahu for Labor Day weekend (still feel so fortunate we can take long weekend trips to Hawaii!). We both get instantly giddy as soon as we land – must be something about that island air… and this time was no different. 

I totally forgot how breathtaking Waikiki Beach truly is (tourists and all). We swam everyday for hours, watched the Friday night fireworks, gallivanted around Honolulu, and hiked up Diamond Head (also forgot how stunning the views are from up here). 

We spontaneously rented a car one morning, and spent a few hours wading in the softest white sand, ate our way around the north shore, then watched a gorgeous sunset with sweeping views of Waikiki from Tantalus lookout. 

And oh the food! We had tons of old favorites – Mai tais at the Royal Hawaiian, macnut coffee, hula pie, LEONARDS!, acai bowls, shave ice, garlic shrimp, coco puffs, macnut crusted mahi, fresh poke – ya know, all the staples of a great Hawaiian diet, haha. 

I swam SO much, and even went home with wet salty ocean hair (kinda disgusting but oh well, haha). We almost canceled the trip because of 3 impending hurricanes that were possibly on track to hit the islands – thankfully we went because we had practically perfect weather!

Kona, Hawaii

We spontaneously bought tickets to Kona after finding good airfare and missing the ocean too much. Yes, just a few weeks after visiting Oahu, haha. Feel oh so lucky to have Hawaii right there for quick weekend trips!

It was our first time to the Big Island, and I have no idea why it took us this long to visit! I also celebrated hitting my blog income goal for the year ($200k!!!) a few months early!

We watched the sunset every night, loved gazing out into the wild lava landscapes, swam with sea turtles at the beach, and of course played around in the turquoise waters as much as we humanly could! We also indulged in kalua pork nachos, tons of shave ice, and so much fresh poke. 

By far the most epic experience of our trip?! Snorkeling with giant manta rays out in the open ocean one night – we got extremely lucky and saw over 2 dozen (when the average is typically 2-3, or so they say!). And oh the show they put on for us underwater – captivating and mesmerizing and all kinds of wild. Such gorgeous creatures and I can’t believe just how close they got to us – brushed up against my body so many times! Kinda thrilling at first and a little nerve wracking! 

We only explored a small section of the island (we only had 3 days there…), but we’ll be back since Noah’s running the Kona marathon next June!

October 

The month started off with a massive heatwave (almost 100 degrees for a week straight!), and the Yankees making it into the World Series! They lost unfortunately – I forgot how exciting baseball can be!

Kona turned 5 (!!!) later this month, and he got so spoiled at our friends house with 4 daughters to play with, new toys, a huge cookie, and they even sung happy birthday to him 🥹. Such a cute memory I never wanna forget!

I also spent way too many hours watching scrapbooking videos (currently in my scrapbooking era!) and learning all the things (ephemera, rolling adhesive, story kits, die cuts, chipboard, etc). All that seemed incredibly foreign to me at the time!

New York

It was finally time to visit my sister and her beautiful baby girl Ella, the newest addition to the fam! We spent an extra special long weekend in New York visiting, and got to see so many friends and family. 

I had a delicious taco dinner with Tara and spent hours catching up, grabbed breakfast with Alli and Dave and their crazy little kiddos, visited Mary – she’s 102!, saw my cousin Andrea, had a family dinner party with my Aunt Sue, Uncle Fred, Louise, and Henry, and even FaceTimed my parents and Lizzy!

We took Ella to the farm for pumpkins, apple pie, and apple cider donuts, ate all the bagels and Italian food, and got to spend so much uninterrupted time with Ali and Ella which filled my cup so much. Always love hanging with my sister and her little mini me just adds to the fun!

November 

November ended up being a very, very busy month, with a few weekend trips and ending in Japan. Plus, lots of friend dates (some new, some old), including an election watch party and a mini Friendsgiving. Plus I went to Filoli for the holidays for the first time (with Kessler!) and it was just as spectacular as I’d imagined. It was a much more social month for me than normal, and I loved it!

AND Noah’s parents came for a visit so we got to spend some time with them pre- and post- Japan! A little hectic but always good to see family!

The Presidential election got the US into all kinds of frenzy (like always), and I honestly cannot believe how divided our country still is. Plus, I was deep into my scrapbooking era and loving learning all the things and my personal scrapbooking style! So nice to create something that’s purely just a hobby!

Glamping in Sonoma 

After a fun glamping trip in the redwoods last year in 2023, we decided to go for round two! This time? A weekend glamping along the river at Wildhaven Sonoma! We went all out – bringing along supplies for s’mores, a full-on cheese and charcuterie plate, and steak and potatoes for dinner! Plus homemade breakfast burritos for the next morning. And of course Kona came with us too!

I’m proud of how successful we were considering we’re the very opposite of campers, lol. Although I could not believe all the stuff we needed for one night glamping. Took us multiple trips to the car!

It was a super relaxing time; we played board games, listened to music, relaxed in our tent, took lots of walks, sat by the fire, and even photographed the Milky Way!

In the area, we also wandered around Healdsburg (and saw some pretty fall foliage) before checking in, then took a walk along the water in Tiburon and got buns in SF on our way home. 

Monterey for Noah’s half marathon

The next weekend we were off on another nearby weekend trip in California. This time, down to Monterey for Noah to run a half marathon – which was actually his first race since Maui in January 2023! He ran with a friend so definitely no PR here, but his friend was very appreciative, haha. Noah described it as “a light Sunday jog”, lol. 

I’m always amazed by his ability to run long distances, when I have zero interest in even running a 5k.

It was a quick and low-key weekend, but we went to a few of our favorite spots, including a long walk at Lovers Point Park and the Pacific Grove Coastal Walk, sunset at Asilomar State Marine Reserve, and Old Fisherman’s Wharf. I’ll never say no to a weekend down in Monterey!

Japan 

And then we were off to Japan! Ever since we traveled there years ago, we’ve been obsessed with the country. And lucky for us, this was our third trip there (and probably my favorite trip yet). We split our week in Japan between Tokyo and Kyoto (rode the shinkansen of course!), with little side trips to Mt. Fuji and Osaka thrown in.

We got extremely lucky with the fall colors since the peak was 2 weeks earlier than originally expected! And you know we indulged in all our faves – black sesame ice cream, red bean mochi, tonkotsu ramen, pork katsu, fatty tuna and tomago, gyoza, matcha-flavored everything, etc, etc, etc. We go to Japan to eat, and eat we did!

Kyoto

First up, Kyoto – where we hadn’t been since our first trip to Japan back in 2017. We stayed at two beautiful properties, one right in Higashiyama 2 minutes away from the iconic Yasaka Pagoda, and the other right along the lake in Arashiyama. 

We had the most delicious kaiseki dinners (although we figured out the hard way that we absolutely despise tofu skin, haha), went to a bunch of stunning temples (Nanzen-ji Temple, Eikando Zenrin-ji, etc) to see the fall colors, and wow did they deliver, and ate tons of market food at Nishiki Market. 

Other highlights included waking up early to see sunrise at Yasaka Pagoda, wandering along Ninenzaka (where we had Starbucks sitting on tatami mats!) and Sannenzaka streets, admiring the stunning fall views at Kiyomizu-dera Temple, taking a long stroll along the Hozugawa River and the Togetsu-kyo Bridge, climbing up to the Arashiyama Park Observation Deck, strolling along dense bamboo forests, taking a super long walk (stopping at temples and shrines) en route to Abashino Nenbutsuji, and seeing the fall foliage illuminated at night at Hogon-In.

I also made a ring at Glanta, we wore kimonos and participated in a traditional matcha tea ceremony, and shopped at Nike in Gion.

Before leaving Kyoto, we took a day trip to Osaka where we admired Osaka Castle, ate our way through Kuromon Market, took silly pics with the Namba Yasaka Shrine (the one that looks like a dragon), wandered around Denden Town and the eclectic Shinseki (New World), went wild at Don Quijote once it started pouring, and took in the bright lights in Dotonbori. I’d love to spend more time in Osaka on our next trip.

Tokyo

Tokyo was basically spent eating all the sushi and fatty tuna we could get our hands on (including a few conveyor belt sushi spots and a standing sushi bar too – our new fave). It’s hard to have a bad meal in Tokyo. Never enough time in this city – and I already wanna go back!

We spent one day in modern Tokyo – sipping 3d lattes (with Kona’s face on it!), stuffing our faces with gyoza, playing with the cutest shibas and wandering Takeshita Street in Harajuku, seeing the most stunning sunset at Shibuya Sky, and having inventive cocktails at the swanky SG Club. 

Another day we focused on traditional Tokyo – starting the morning with a sushi breakfast at Tsukiji Outer Market, then spending hours testing out pens and stationary in Itoya, having dessert at the LV Cafe, and then finally making our way over to Asakusa and Senso-ji Temple.

On our last morning I ventured over to Gotokuji – the cat temple, and then wandered around Shinjuku. Always so great to go back to some old favorites and of course find some new ones along the way!

Mt. Fuji

I took a solo day trip to Mt. Fuji, and got OH so lucky with the weather – had perfectly clear conditions the entire day, and the mountain was even kinda hard to photograph because of all the sun shining!

I ventured to all the hot spots – I climbed the almost 400 steps to the Chureito Pagoda at Arakurayama Sengen Park for that iconic postcard view, saw all the koi in the clearest blue waters at Oshino Hakkai, stopped by Lawson to take lots of pics, admired the views at Oishi Park along Lake Kawaguchi, and watched all the cars zipping by on the instagram-popular Honcho Street. 

Japan, thank you for being just as fantastic as we remember. 

December

We ended the year the same way it started – at the Christmas markets in Europe! Guess it’s kinda a thing for us now? After last year’s wildly successful winter trip to Europe, we found ourselves back here to explore different markets and even head over to snowy Switzerland for a few days (which we had to sadly cancel numerous times because of 2020 events). 

It was super bitter cold for most of our trip – I don’t remember Europe being this chilly last year! We definitely had to bundle up and brave the cold.

One thing I wanna note is that I deleted IG a few days before our trip, and it made a world of a difference. My husband and I had SUCH an amazing time together, mostly free from distractions and spent tons of actual quality time together. Think I’ll be deleting social media for future trips. 

London

We had originally planned to start the trip in Paris, but after loving London at Xmas last year (so much), we decided to head back!

We saw a bunch of our faves from last year (Leicester Market, Annabel’s, dinner at Dishoom, Cartier and Dior, Neil Strain, Covent Garden, KOYN, and the angels on Regent Street, of course!), and went to plenty more new-to-us London Xmas spots. Including breakfast in an igloo at Coppa Club, lunch at Daphnes, afternoon tea at The Dalloway, Big Ben, plenty of gorgeous hotel lobbies (all decked out for Xmas of course), and an overwhelmingly busy night out at winter wonderland in Hyde Park! 

Plus the most decadent chocolate cake at EL&N (Noah was obsessed!). London was such a great way to kick off our festive holiday trip, with so many sugar biscuits, baubles, and Christmas treats.

Paris

Up next – a quick hop over to Paris where we spent Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, before making our way to Strasbourg. We had a lovely lunch at Le Train Bleu, checked out all the decorations at the major shops (although they were mostly the same as the ones in London), saw the impressive avant-garde tree at Galleries de Lafayette, and admired all the Christmas windows. 

We also saw the newly-completed Notre Dame and checked out the mini Xmas market nearby, had our first Parisian croissants and pastries of the trip (mmm I love me some pain de suisse), and got so lucky with a spontaneous yet super delicious Christmas Eve dinner!

We actually came back to Paris after Switzerland (a few weeks later), so that’ll have to wait for my 2025 year in review!

Alsace: Strasbourg, Colmar, and Obernai

After Paris, we spent a few days in the Alsace region of France to celebrate all things Christmas! And whoa – they’re definitely a few of the most festive spots we’ve ever been! 

Think over the top lights on practically every single street, huge Christmas trees filled with giant baubles, and the instagram-famous teddy bear Christmas building in Strasbourg. Makes sense since Strasbourg is the Capital of Christmas “Capitale de Noel” after all! So, so, so insanely festive, both day and night. The energy was like nowhere else I’ve ever seen.

We ate so much local market food (a mix of French, German, and Alsatian foods) – cheesy bretzels, plenty of crepes, kugelhopf, spaetzle, boules mousse (my FAVORITE), potatoes and Muenster cheese, tarte flambees, gingerbread cookies, manele (brioche buns shaped into little men!), and chocolate covered raspberries (that took forever to find, haha). 

Our few days were spent wandering through all the markets (there’s over a dozen throughout Strasbourg and Colmar with literally hundreds of chalets!), admiring the beautifully decorated carousels, and drinking so much jus de pommes chaud (hot apple cider). And of course seeing the largest decorated Christmas tree in Europe, gawking at the stately Notre Dame De Strasbourg, and loving the colorful, half-timbered buildings in Colmar (said to be the inspiration for Beauty and the Beast)!

Switzerland

Winter in Switzerland was all that I envisioned it to be, and I still cannot believe just how lucky we got with the weather (it’s always a toss up in the mountains this time of year). 

Over the course of our 3 days in the mountains (which spilled over until New Year’s Day), we practically ventured everywhere on the map! Taking trains, cable cars, gondolas, and buses – impressive how it all just works so seamlessly (the Swiss have really got it all figured out!). The peaks were absolutely spectacular, and we got insanely lucky with 3 perfectly clear days. 

And whoa; the views were even more impressive than the wintery hike we did in Hallstatt last year (which was hard to beat). Including Jungfrau, Eiger, Munch, and a whole slew of other peaks I definitely don’t remember the name of, haha. 

We feasted on delicious mountain-side schnitzels, lots of Swiss chocolate, plenty of cheese fondues, and rostis (our new fave thing).

Day 1 was spent seeing our first mountain views at the cute little town of Wengen, traipsing through the snow during the Royal Walk at Mannlichen, and checking out the cute ski shops, gawking at the wooden chalets, and having hot cocoa with rum in Grindelwald!

On Day 2 we walked over the thrilling First Cliff Walk and saw breathtaking views of the north face of the Eiger at Grindelwald First, took the Eiger Express to get even higher (and had a great schnitzel up here!), and made a quick pit stop in Kleine Scheidegg to watch the sunset. 

Psst – we actually spent 4 days in Switzerland, but half was in 2025, so that’ll have to wait until my next year in review! Always so tricky when trips spill into the next year. 

Early to mid December this blog of mine officially got hit by a Google update, which saw my traffic (and therefore income) plummet. I had been already getting a bit bored of blogging (if I’m being completely honest), but it still sucks to get hit so hard! Traffic is slowly coming back and rankings are starting to recover, so we’ll see what 2025 brings in terms of this passion project of mine. 

If you made it this far, thank you!!! Let’s see what 2025 has in store for us all!

The post 2024 Year in Review: My Most Traveled Year Yet appeared first on A Passion and A Passport.

In an effort to entice you all to try the #TravelAtHome movement and help curb your never-ending wanderlust during this time of utmost uncertainty, I’ve compiled a whole long list of travel-related destination-specific activities for you all to enjoy.

We’ve all seen that wild photo of a couple in bathrobes lounging on lawn chairs in their living room drinking champagne with the waves of the sea plastered on their TV. And if you haven’t, well, you’re welcome. Why’d they do this? They had to unfortunately cancel their 53rd wedding anniversary cruise trip, and decided to make the most of it.

It got me thinking – they must be onto something. Why not recreate travel experiences at home? It’s sure as heck a lot cheaper, and there’s no need to spend hours agonizing over what to pack and standing on dreaded entry lines to attractions.

What are you to do when you can’t get travel off your mind, but going anywhere juuuust isn’t at all possible – well, besides your living room (and kitchen and bedroom and balcony) of course? Since we’re all pretty much stuck inside for the foreseeable future (or at the very least, the next few weeks/months), I thought it’d be fun to put together this guide of travel-themed staycation ideas!  

These staycation ideas are packed to the brim with virtual museum tours, traditional recipes, dance and calligraphy lessons, iconic movies and films to watch, and oh so much more. Look through the whole list for one-off travel-related inspirations, or pick a specific destination and choose a few to make a whole day out of it!

I’ll be adding more as the next few days go on, as I’ve already thought of more destination-specific staycation ideas with the help of my friend Caroline from Pictures & Words. No, we didn’t stay up until 1:30am on a random Tuesday night practicing social distancing through chat. :p

Disclaimer: Yes, I admit some of these ideas are kinda stereotypical and a bit ridiculous, but that just adds to the fun! The activities and ideas below are meant to be fun and lighthearted, and in no way am I attempting to ridicule or make fun of any cultures. Did I need to explain myself? Who knows these days – times are wild.

Tips for these travel-themed staycations:

• Plan a little in advance. I’m not telling you to go out and buy all the things, but if you intend on cooking/baking, you’ll probably want to make sure you have all the necessary ingredients.
• Get your whole family involved! A lot of these ideas can be custom tailored to those with small kids, and you can even do a lot of things virtually with your family from afar (facetime and zoom make great options).
• Make a plan and stick to it. You don’t need to have every second of your “travel day” planned out, but I guarantee you without some sort of schedule, you’ll go back into your old habit of heating up leftovers in the microwave and cleaning the bathroom. That certainly doesn’t spell ridiculously fun travel staycation to me.
• And on that note – Don’t think about work/daily chores. I know it’s oh so hard when you’re stuck in your house surrounded with all your to-do’s, but try your best! Who likes to answer emails and worry about the dishes/dirty clothes while on vacation, virtual or not. Trust me, they ain’t going nowhere. You can do them when you get “back” from your staycation. Better yet, if you know that’ll stress you out, do all the un-fun stuff before you “leave”.
• Get creative, and don’t feel silly! No one’s judging you! Heck, no one will even see or know you’re doing any of these activities (unless you plaster photos/videos on social media, which I highly recommend – be sure to tag me on IG @apassionandapassport and I’ll share my favorites – with your permission of course). I’d love to see how your #travelathome days are going!

pin these for later!

1. Parisian Dream

Paris is always a good idea, even when you can’t physically get there. Skip the long plane ride, and transport yourself to a French fantasy-land, complete with all the croissants and crepes and macarons you can eat, Eiffel Tower photoshoots, and even see some masterpieces by Michaelangelo at the Louvre (virtually of course).

Set the scene by pretending you’re a Parisian for the day! French women (and men!) tend to look effortlessly chic, so dress accordingly! Put on something simple yet semi-tailored, avoiding any neon colors or flashy attire. Minimal makeup goes a long way here as well. Just skip the cigarettes (it seems like the French have a slight love affair with lighting up)- smoking’s never cool no matter the country (IMO).

Psst: if you wanna feel more French than ever, check out my friend Lena’s post on French Lifestyle Tips – great for this travel staycation and/or in your general, everyday life!

How to Have the Perfect Parisian Staycation:

• Start with a typical French breakfast: A typical french breakfast is light, sweet, and fairly simple, and thankfully, easily replicable at home! Breakfast is actually the least important meal of the day over here in France, so no need to go all out (save that for later). Have a croissant (or other light pastry), a piece of fresh fruit, and a cup of coffee, and you can basically call yourself a Parisian. If you have a balcony or porch, set up outside and eat in the sun!

• Escape to the Louvre: Next up, “head on over” to the Louvre. And thankfully, since this is obviously a virtual tour of the super-popular art museum, no need to wait on ridiculously long lines or buy expensive tickets! Check out the Egyptian antiques, the stunning ceiling of the Apollo Gallery (it’s absolutely gorgeous!), and more in the virtual tour. Click here for a free virtual tour of the Louvre.

• Get your art on in Montmartre: Normally, in the real deal Paris you’d be watching painters, watercolorists, and portrait sketchers/characturits amaze the tourists wandering the Montmartre neighborhood. Well, since that’s not really possible during this Paris staycation, make some art yourself! Need some inspiration and/or guidance? Watch this “Winter in Paris” watercolor tutorial (quite advanced), learn how to sketch out the Eiffel Tower here (simple step-by-step directions even I can follow), and here’s a drawing activity for kids (which adults can follow as well).

• DIY Creperie for lunch: Ever wanted to learn how to make those super-thin and perfectly-moist pancakes, which seem to be a delectable staple in France? Now’s the time to practice your crepe making skills! And psst – it’s really not as hard as you think. Here’s a basic crepe recipe – I bet you already have all the ingredients at home (flour, eggs, milk, water, salt, and butter). Add some melted semi-sweet chocolate and strawberries on top for a sweet crepe (whipped cream optional), or cover the crepe in melted butter and sprinkled with granulated sugar for a popular crepe au sucre. Listen to some french cafe music to really set the scene (here’s a great spotify playlist).

• Take a “day trip” to Giverny: This wouldn’t be possible in a real-life scenario, but thankfully, since we’re confined to our own houses, a day trip over an hour away to the town of Giverny is definitely do-able! Have you heard of Monet’s Water Lilies – those famous oil paintings by french impressionist Claude Monet? Well, you’re in luck, because Giverny is where he lived and worked for decades! Tour Monet’s Garden here, and watch a guided tour of the gardens here.

• Learn about the history of the Eiffel Tower: Need to brush up on your Eiffel Tower facts? Did you know that the tower actually shrinks in cold weather, or that repainting the tower which happens every seven years takes 60 tons of paint?! Here are a ton of interesting facts, and here’s a great video for the kids (skip the intro by fast forwarding to 1min:30 seconds)!

• “Climb up” the Eiffel Tower: Yeah, this one’s a bit of a stretch considering there’s no possible way to teleport yourself over to Paris, BUT if you’re looking to get a bit of exercise today, find some stairs! Climb to the “first level” of the Eiffel Tower in 328 steps, and 674 steps to the “second level”. Sure, the views won’t be the same, but hey, gotta burn some calories if you wanna offset all the crepes and macarons. When you reach your desired level, reward yourself with this 360 degree view of Paris from the top deck of the tower. Be sure to swipe all around as the views change depending on which way you look! If you don’t have any stairs in your house/apartment building, consider climbing a few hills (if you live in SF for example) or do some leg lunges instead.

• Afternoon Parisian Picnic by the Eiffel Tower: This is my favorite staycation activity on this whole Paris-inspired day (besides making and eating the crepes of course). Now that you’ve learned all about the iconic tower and essentially climbed all the way up, it’s time to enjoy it by rewarding yourself with a parisian-inspired picnic! A few tips for setting the scene:
  • Be sure to buy/gather all your picnic provisions ahead of time! Buy some olives, dried fruits, nuts, biscuits, an assortment of french cheeses and charcuterie (mmm my favorite), baguettes, and of course champagne. There probably aren’t any French fromageries open around you, but you can most likely find a few cheeses in your local supermarket – look for brie, camembert, comte, and munster.
  • If you’re looking for something a bit more substantial to eat, consider making a few croque monsieur to “bring along”! It’s really quite simple and sounds a lot fancier than they really are – essentially, a croque monsieur is a hot sandwich of ham and cheese (typically Emmental or Gruyere, but use what you got). Wanna spice things up a bit? Make a croque madame by adding a fried egg on top. Croque Monsieur recipe here.
  • Throw up a photo or video of the Eiffel Tower on your TV or project it onto a light-colored wall. 
  • Lay out a cozy blanket to sit on for your picnic (sure, it won’t be the same as lounging on a manicured garden in Paris, but hey, we’re making the most of it).
  • Put on that beret you bought in 2006 (or some other chic hat if you have one)
  • When it’s all set up, stick your baguette in a cute tote and stroll on into the “living room” err the Champ de Mars (the huge grassy area around the Eiffel Tower) and enjoy!
  • And if you’re feeling absolutely ridiculous, have a virtual photo shoot in front of the TV Eiffel Tower. I mean, there are ALWAYS couples and families taking photos (I even did a solo photoshoot on my last visit). Don’t miss out – set up the tripod and just roll with it (and now you’ve got the entire scene to yourself).  

• Learn how to make macarons: Time for a midday snack break! Yup, there’s lots of eating during this Parisian staycation. This one’s for all the wanna-be bakers out there! You cannot “visit” France, and Paris in particular, without indulging in a few of these sweet meringue-based treats. Note that it’ll take a little while to make the macarons (around 2 hours), so plan out a decent portion of the day for this. I found a super simple recipe for us all, which I’m excited to try out in the next few days (be sure to tap out the bubbles!). If you’re feeling extra ambitious you can even make your own buttercream, although no judgment if you use store bought.

• Watch a virtual performance at the Moulin Rouge: End the day with a virtual performance at Paris’ most iconic theatre. Dress up in your finest attire, and project the clips below onto the tv. The Moulin Rouge is best known for its glamorous and festive show “Feerie”. If you just want a quick taste of the action, the Moulin Rouge website has a free 5-minute promotional video which showcases members of the troupes and their elaborate costumes. While you can’t watch the whole performance online, you can learn about the dancers (in this great video! – see what really goes on backstage and how they prepare for each performance, and this one too!), and watch select clips of the show here. Or just put on the movie “Moulin Rouge” if that’s more your style. No matter what you watch, enjoy with some fine French champagne.

2. Hawaiian-Inspired Tropical Staycation

Craving a tropical vacation or just want to escape to a warmer state of mind? No matter the weather outside your window, you can have an idyllic day of sipping fresh fruit smoothies, playing ukulele, and learning how to hula dance!

Throw on a floppy hat, some sunnies, and a colorful, flowy dress. And yup, being barefoot is all part of the scene, so you don’t even need shoes to complete your look. If you really wanna go all-out, crank up the heat (although I’d highly advise against this since it’ll likely shoot up your electric bill quite fast).

How to Have the Perfect Hawaiian Staycation:

• Make a colorful lei and/or tropical flower crown: To really get into the Hawaiian spirit, you’ve gotta dress the part – lei included! Now, I totally get if you don’t have fresh flowers hanging around (although you could probably find a cheap bouquet at your local supermarket), but there’s other ways to make these colorful garlands. Get creative and see what you have laying around the house- you can make them with plastic straws and construction paper, yarn, tissue paper, and even money (for that “authentic” leaf look). Listen to some calming Hawaiian music (great band/playlist on Spotify here) while you make your wearable craft!
  • Make a carnation lei here 
  • Make a fluffy yarn lei here
  • Make a rose money lei here
  • Make a paper flower lei here
  • Make a tropical flower crown here

• Take a helicopter ride above the Na Pali coast in Kauai: There’s nothing like seeing the islands of Hawaii from the sky; those dramatic peaks amongst that crystal-clear turquoise water is a true sight to be seen. We’ve been lucky enough to take a few heli rides on our recent trips to Hawaii (Maui heli photos here and Kauai heli photos here if you wanna take a peek), and can honestly say, they’ve been some of our favorite travel experiences to date! Since traveling to Hawaii’s not an option these days, why not take a virtual heli ride instead (perfect for those with a fear of heights!). A few virtual heli-tour options:
  • THIS video was taken from the helicopter window, so you can really feel like you’re in the actual seat.
  • The quality of this video is the best I’ve seen, but it’s over an hour long, so jump around a bit.
  • Here’s a doors off heli ride around beautiful Oahu (see Honolulu, Waikiki, the North Shore, and so much more)
  • Check out the lava in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park on the Big Island here!

• Learn how to hula dance: Hula is a Polynesian dance form accompanied by a song or chant, and you can easily learn how to do so yourself! Yes, it’s more than swaying your hips back and forth, haha. Check out these step-by-step hula lessons on this youtube channel (there are tons of songs to choose from and a bunch of hula basics). Learn more about Hula here. Psst: if you think you may need a little warming up, consider making yourself a tropical drink first ;). Mai Tai’s, Blue Hawaiian’s, and Pina Colada’s always welcome.

• Make (or order in) a poke bowl: We make our own poke bowls all the time, and they couldn’t be easier! Honestly, all you really need to do is throw a bunch of pre-made ingredients and veggies into a bowl. All you need is some fresh fish (we opt for the Hawaiian ahi tuna poke), a base layer of either rice and/or salad, and some toppings! We typically throw in some shaved carrots, shelled edamame, sliced cucumbers, and avocado chunks. Drizzle with some soy sauce and you’re good to go! Eat on a beach towel with views of the ocean (via the TV of course) and a slight breeze (via a floor fan on low speed) and you’ll feel like you’re really at the beach (well, kinda, haha).

• Indulge in some tropical fruits: Grab some tropical fruits from your local grocery store and make a simple fruit salad, tropical fruit smoothies, and/or an acai bowl (I’ve seen frozen packets of acai in my local chain store, at Trader Joes, and Whole Foods). Pick up a pineapple, a mango, some kiwi, pitaya/dragon fruit, passionfruit (my favorite!), lychee, and basically whatever you can find. You can even do a tropical fruit taste testing and see which ones your family likes best. Or feed them to your partner blindfolded and see if they can guess what they’re eating!

• Take a calming tour of the Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden: Although we can’t get to the botanical garden ourselves in person, this video will make you feel as if you’ve been transported to the Big Island in no time.

• Learn how to play Ukulele: Ok, so you probably don’t have a ukulele hanging around, but if you’re planning in advance, now’s the time to order one! They’re not at all expensive (around $30-$50 or so), and you can even find them in Walmart and on Amazon (this one even comes with a case). There are a bunch of great tutorials on Youtube, beginner basics here, and then a few quick song lessons here, here, and here. Start learning a few chords, then off to simple songs you go! And if you’ve ever played guitar before, you’ll pick up the uke in no time.

• DIY Tropical Flower Bath: End the day the most relaxing and soothing way I know how – with a sensationally-smelled flower bath. Obviously this will be a solo activity (or with a partner if your tubs big enough and you’re feeling a bit romantic), so save it for last once the kids/distractions are at bay. And how do you make this colorful bath come to life? By simply adding a whole lotta flower petals to the water. Wish I could do this every single day.

3. A Typical Tourist Day in NYC 

Ohhh, the city that never sleeps. But thankfully, you can choose when to end your day and go to bed whenever you damn well please since you’re traveling at home. Crowds? Congestion? Traffic? Those creepy characters in Times Square? You won’t have any of that here! A day in New York City, coming right up!

• Bagels and Lox for breakfast: Sure, nothing tastes as good as a NY bagel, but if you’re having a NYC-themed staycation outside of the state, get what you can! Be it take-out from a bagel shop, from a bakery, or from your local grocery store. Be sure to slather on the cream cheese and smoked salmon just as we New Yorkers do!

• Search for passengers/Find your ancestors at Ellis Island: Did you know there’s a database of 65 million passenger records online? Yeah, neither did I. Simply put in your last name (or a name you want to search), and see who pops up! Yes, you’ll need to create an account to get more info than just name, arrival year, last place of residence, and ship name, but hey, it’s free! I put in my last name and found over a dozen passengers, although I’m not sure if any are actually related to me! Search for passengers here.

• Head to an art museum: NYC is loaded and loaded with museums, filled to the brim with art pieces from Vincent Van Gogh, Gustav Klimt, and Sophie Taeuber-Arp. Save a few bucks (okay, more than a few), and take virtual tours instead. And if street art’s more your thing, there’s that too!
  • Virtual tour of the Met
  • Virtual tour of the Guggenheim
  • Virtual tour of the MoMA 
  • Virtual Street Art Tour

• Have a classic NYC feast for lunch: You’ve heard about the deliciousness that is NY pizza.  Although I bet anything you can get around your area won’t even come close (sorry, I’m biased and used to live in NYC), you should still opt for pizza on this NYC travel-themed staycation! Whatever you do, make sure it’s at least NY-style, meaning the slices are wide and thin enough to fold in half (just like how we NYers eat), and if the grease runs down, all the better and more authentic! If you can’t fathom impersonating the real deal pizza, make some hot dogs (complete with spicy mustard and sauerkraut like they serve in the food carts), NY style candied street nuts (mmm the best is Nuts 4 Nuts – copycat recipe here!), and handmade soft pretzels (frozen is fine, from your local pretzel shop is even better (if they’re open of course), or recipe here if you feel like doing a bit of baking and want fresh buttery ones!).

• “Window shop” on 5th Ave:  I couldn’t not include this as I thought it was too funny. 5th Ave is full of the world’s most expensive retail spaces, meaning I can hardly afford anything, but it’s fun to take a look anyways! Since we can’t go into the stores in person, check out what they have to offer online. “Pick out” a few things to treat yo’self with – either buy or just pretend, haha. You can even have a guessing game with your partner/roommate as to just how much things cost (I mean, how can a stapler cost $729?). Iconic 5th Ave stores include: Bergdorf Goodman, Cartier, Ferragamo, Gucci, and Saks Fifth Avenue.

• Pick out a book from the NY Public Library: Word has it that the NYPL is offering over 300,000 virtual books for free on their app, SimplyE (but I think it’s just for NY-ers?). Library card or not, there are still thousands of public domain classics available as soon as you download the app. Before picking out your book, take a 360 degree virtual tour of the iconic spot, full of marble and majestic public reading spaces, chandeliers and stunning pieces of art/murals. Make sure you really swipe all around, the ceilings are just as impressive as the rest of the place! Don’t miss The Main Reading Room, the murals in the McGraw Rotunda, and Astor Hall with it’s unique stone vault.

• Watch your favorite Broadway Show: Nothing screams NYC more than Broadway, so end your NYC staycation with one of your favorite shows. Nothing beats watching a live performance in an actual theater, but if that’s not possible, watching from your couch is the next best thing (when have you been able to put your feet up in the theatre anyways?!) Choose a show you’ve already seen 27 times or pick out a new one! My favorites include Rent, Hamilton, The Lion King, and Mama Mia. And be sure to listen to your favorite musical soundtracks beforehand to get yourself really in the mood to sing along (which you can now do so, since um, there’s no one in the “theatre” to disturb).
  • Psst: Not sure where to get these Broadway shows from? BroadwayHD offers a free 7-day trial with a comprehensive library of ~300 productions. You can stream as many shows, plays, and ballets as your little broadway heart desires.

4. Cherry Blossom Season in Japan

Japan is one of our all-time favorite countries, despite only visiting twice. We fell in love with just about everything the county has to offer (too much to list right now). And OH, the food! Everything is just so good (and yes, I mean everything). So skip the 13+ hour flight, and indulge yourself in everything Japan from the comfort of your own home.

Here’s how I’d plan my Japanese-inspired travel staycation:

• Participate in Radio Taiso: Every morning in Japan, the radio broadcasts an exercise routine, known as radio taiso (which translates to “radio exercise” in English). It’s an extremely popular form of exercise in Japan, and it’s estimated that ~10 MILLION people practice it regularly (just imagine an entire city-full of people in schools and workplaces doing the same exercises together).. Listen to the accompanying music, and stretch your joints through their full range of possible motion, just like the Japanese do. Listen, bend, and stretch with this video (although it’s not the greatest of qualities, it is in English thankfully). 

• Watch a real-taping of the cherry blossoms: Spring is a wonderful time of year to visit Japan, and thankfully, the blossoms still bloom even if no one’s visiting (sadly). The entire country is filled with tiny pink and white petals and just smells utterly amazing and sweet. Although you won’t be able to sniff the blossoms yourself, you can still check out how fascinating they are! I’ve compiled a few videos that really showcase these spectacular blooms and provide some info as well: watch HERE, HERE, and HERE.

• Make homemade sushi for lunch: It’s not as hard as it seems (you can even buy poke at your local supermarket to make it even simpler). And plus, now’s a great time to support your local asian markets (they need our business), or I bet the international aisle at your grocery store will have what you need. You’ll need the following: sushi rice, a bamboo mat, plastic wrap, nori (seaweed sheets), soy sauce (we always opt for low-sodium), toasted sesame seeds and/or chia seeds, sriracha chili sauce, veggies, protein (doesn’t have to be fis), and wasabi and pickled ginger. Here’s a great recipe that’s super easy to follow, along with some do’s and don’ts when making sushi at home. One important tip: eat your homemade sushi immediately, and do not leave it out for an extended period of time. A few ways to make your sushi experience even more fun:
  • It’s common to eat meals on the floor on a tatami (straw floor mat) in Japan. If you don’t have any lying around (I sure don’t), a cushioned mat (like those you might find on outdoor seating) or folded up towels will do! Remember, it’s all about the experience, not the perfection.
  • Eat around a low table, such as your coffee table, for a semi-culturally experience.
  • Get comfy – wear your finest robes and slippers
  • Throw up a view of Mt. Fuji on your tv!

• Learn how to fold origami: If you don’t have origami paper lying around, you can easily make some! Simply cut large squares out of any thin paper you do have! Check out this Beginners Guide to Origami, and learn all the basic folds and bases of origami (the diagrams are exceptionally clear). Once you’ve practiced some of the basic steps, get to some more advanced stuff! Ideas below (zoom in on the linked photos for clear diagrams).
  • Baby chick
  • Origami Fox
  • Little Boat
  • Origami Crane
  • Easy Butterfly (video)
  • Dinosaur (video)

• Get all wacky on Takeshita Dori Street: The Japanese neighborhood of Harajuku is where you’ll find a whole slew of wild stores and extra extra cafes. Since we can’t get there exactly today, why not recreate a few easy things? On our last visit, I was obsessed with this rainbow grilled cheese (just put some food coloring on the cheese…) and the fun ice cream characters (again, use ingredients you have to form a face!). So fun and oh so easy!

• Watch some anime: Anime and manga culture are HUGE in Japan. I’m sure you’ve heard of them before, but what are anime and manga exactly you ask? Anime is hand-drawn and video cartoon animation originating from or associated with Japan. Yes, anime is essentially Japanese cartoons, while manga are the comic books filled with these anime characters. Popular anime/manga include Darwin’s Game, The Rising of the Shield Hero (full episode!), Dr. Stone (dubbed in English), and Gurren Lagann. Be sure to read the explanations of the episodes below the videos! If these short clips really piqued your interest, you can get a free 14-day trial to CrunchyRoll, and watch all the anime your little cartoon heart desires. If you’re more into the hand-drawing aspect of anime, check out this gals YouTube channel. Looks pretty interesting. And if you’re reading this in the middle of the global pandemic, you may find this particular anime quite interesting. Hint hint – it has to do with the current state of the world.

• Practice Japanese Calligraphy: Calligraphy in the English language is quite beautiful, but I feel like Japanese calligraphy (also known as Shodo) takes the cake as one of the most beautiful artistic writing forms. In traditional Japan, learning shodo has traditionally been valued as a verryyy highly important skill to learn, especially for noblemen. It’s based on Chinese characters/symbols, known as kanji (the foundations of Japanese calligraphy actually originated in China, hence the similarities). Let’s try some today! Getting the strokes right does take some practice, but you’ll see – it’s a pretty calming activity and can be done in just a few minutes. All you really need is some paper and a thin paintbrush dipped in either ink or paint. Learn the 5 Basic Rules of Kanji first, then try it out yourself! Here are a bunch of simple kanji characters to try out. If you want to learn how to translate and then write your name in Kanji, give this a watch as well!

• Watch a sumo wrestling match: Did you know sumo is Japan’s national sport?! Can’t forget about watching a quick wrestling match during your Japanese staycation! Live Grand Sumo Tournaments are actually pretty hard to catch since they’re only held on specific months for 15 days each, buuuut since we’re doing this all virtual and all, you’ll get a front-row view no matter the date. Read “things you probably never knew about sumo wrestling” first, and then watch a match or two! It’s all in Japanese, but thankfully there are English subtitles.

• Sip tea at a DIY Japanese Traditional Tea Ceremony: Green tea (matcha) is all the rage in Japan (and pretty much elsewhere these days), and is what’s commonly served during Japanese tea ceremonies. The health benefits are outstanding (packed with antioxidants, boosts metabolism, detoxifies the body, calms the mind, rich in fiber, etc etc etc), but the ceremony is more than that – they represent harmony, respect, purity, and tranquility. The preparation and presentation of the matcha (powdered green tea) is what this ceremony is all about. Read about preparing your own tea ceremony here. While a full-length formal event lasts roughly 4 hours (!!!), you can make your DIY tea ceremony as long or short as you want. Traditional sweets are served during the tea ceremony as well to help balance the bitter taste of the tea. So go on – make a mean cup of matcha and try some japanese snacks. Favorites include mochi (easily found in various flavors at Trader Joes), pocky (you can even buy them at target!), and different flavored kit kats (you may find some varieties at home depending on the season).

• Slurp up ramen for dinner: Support your local ramen shop (you know they’re relying on take-out orders now) or make your own by getting high-quality noodles from your local Asian grocery store (they need your business now too). Ramen typically consists of noodles (the main ingredient of the dish), some sort of rich, flavorful broth (miso, tonkatsu, shoyu), tender meat (pork or chicken), garnishes, and soft boiled eggs. Here’s a quick and easy typical ramen recipe using store bought fresh yakisoba noodles (be sure to cook the noodles separately as you’ll read in the post). I did find a vegetarian option as well which looks pretty tasty. And of course no judgements if you use instant ramen, just know there’s tons of ways to elevate and upgrade the dish quite cheaply and easily!

Which of these travel-themed staycations will you be planning out in the next few weeks/months? Share your favorites below! Any other ideas?

The post Travel-Themed Staycation Ideas to Cure Your Wanderlust When You’re Stuck at Home appeared first on A Passion and A Passport.

It’s annual review time – my yearly post on what I got up to the entire previous year! I know you’ve been waiting for it!

Boy oh boy did this year just fly by. And yes, I tend to say that every year (haha). But not only is it the end of 2019, but the end of a decade (!!!). I read the other day that “if you were born in the 80s and raised in the 90s and make it to 2020… you have lived in 4 different decades, 2 different centuries, 2 different millennia’s and you’re not even 40 yet”. Kinda crazy if you ask me.

In the past decade I married my high school sweetheart (barf, I know), traveled to over 45 countries (and discovered my love for solo travel), graduated with my Masters Degree in speech language pathology and started my career in the field, moved to California after a whirlwind of a cross country road trip, bought our very first home, and most recently, adopted a puppy! It’s been a wild ride, and can’t wait to see what the next 10 years bring!

I could probably go on and on about the 2010s (let’s face it, I’m ridiculously wordy), so I’ll keep this year in review focused on 2019.

2019 in Numbers:

• Countries visited: 8 (Mexico, Panama, England, France, Indonesia, Canada, Japan, USA)
• States visited: 9 (California, Oregon, Nevada, New York, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Hawaii, Washington, Florida)
• Beds Slept in: 40 (yes, I counted!, and yes, I’m cookoo)
• Photos taken: thousands beyond thousands, aka too many to count
• Concerts: 4 (Lizzo/Halsey, USHER (!!!), Backstreet Boys, DMB)
• Broadway Shows: 6 (Hamilton, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Mama Mia, Lion King, Beautiful, Legally Blonde + Beach Blanket Babylon)
• 101 in 1001 goals completed: a whole bunch

After going through my year, I’m always amazed just how much I crammed in. I keep thinking the previous year would be my last super hectic, run-around-the-world non-stop year, but I prove myself wrong each and every time. Although I did have more laid-back, chill-on-the-couch weekends, which was kinda nice.

[ If you’re extra curious (or just feeling a bit nosy), feel free to read past round-ups here: 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, + 2018. Can’t believe this is my 7th year of recapping! ]

January

After ringing in the New Year in Mexico City with Noah (boy we ate a lot), I was already off on my first solo trip of the year. I was headed a few hours south to Oaxaca, dubbed the land of Mexican art + chocolate.

Despite only having a few days to explore, I really made the most of my time by feasting on tlayudas and tons of atole, memelas, and tejate on a chocolate and maiz tour, day tripping to the petrified waterfalls of Hierve al Agua and El Árbol del Tule (with some gals I had just met the previous day), marveling at all the cacti at the ethnobotanical gardens, and admiring all the local handicrafts at the local markets. 

One of the main highlights was a day spent out with En Via, an organization that empowers women by providing financial loans so they can open and continue their own businesses. I also made it to Teotitlan del Valle, a nearby village specializing in rug weaving, and San Marcos Tlapazola to watch the women make red pottery and giant tortillas. Oh, how I miss those squash blossom quesadillas and Oaxacan cheese.

Later on in the month, we were also lucky enough to meet up with our friends Lena and Bassam from Happily Ever Adventures for a fun weekend in San Luis Obispo.

We checked out cute brunch spots around town, blew bubbles at the gum wall, danced in the rain on Avila Beach, went dune bashing in Pismo Beach (PS – SO much fun on those crazy hills), and just spent lots of time loving on Buddy (their cute pup!). 

Of course we also managed an afternoon sipping wine and eating too much cheese off the fancy platter at DAO, with the rolling hills as our backdrop and Spanish architecture all around us. Our hotel, The Kinney, was the cutest and we played lots of late-night board games.

February 

Since living in San Francisco doesn’t really provide us with the joy of seasons, we like to “go to the snow” (a phrase I learned that Californians like to use) at least once a year. We chose the cute little(ish) mountain town of Bend, Oregon to get our snowy weekend fix for my birthday (Jan 31) with Visit Bend. 

Our time was spent snowshoeing through the wintery wilderness of the Oregon forests, learning all things photography at Smith Rock State Park (on a photo tour), and checking out Bend’s local craft beverage scene (we visited a cidery, a kombucha taproom – the first one around!, a micro craft brewery, and a whisky distillery).

And get this, we even had a full-on sauna in our hotel room. IN OUR ROOM. Wild!

We ended our quick winter getaway by playing in the snow with alpacas, which was a definite highlight of the trip (I mean, how could it not?). You heard me say alpacas, right?! Read more about our quick snowy weekend getaway to Bend here!

Since I just can’t seem to sit still, less than 2 weeks later I was off to another frigid destination – this time to Banff, Canada with Travel Alberta! I had visited the area in the past during it’s busy summer season, so I was eager to see the lakes in all their frozen glory.

And I must say – the pristine wilderness, snow-capped mountains, and frozen waterfalls really took my breath away (figuratively and literally – it was quite windy at times!).

We drove around in the snow (a somewhat terrifying experience for both of us Californians), partook in exhilarating dog sledding rides, spent too much time at cute local coffee shops, went hot tubbing in the snow (which we loved, despite our hair freezing up!), gawked at the snowy mountains on a scenic helicopter ride, hiked to frozen waterfalls at Johnston’s Canyon, and rode up a breathtaking gondola ride through the snowy trees.

We stuffed our faces with poutine, indulged in last-day beavertails in the nearby town of Canmore, splurged on a cheesy fondue dinner date (and yes, we opted for chocolate fondue as well), and drank fancy hot chocolates looking out at the frozen Lake Louise. It was absolutely glorious, despite freezing our butts off 98% of the time and holding on to our hot hands for dear life.

Banff transformed me into a winter person, and I’m itching to take my husband back and stay at the Fairmont Lake Louise (it’s absolutely gorgeous – trust me).

March

For Spring Break, we made our way down to Central America for a week of beachy jungle fun in Panama! Although it was a super fast-paced mad dash around the country (we split our time between Panama City, San Blas, Boquete, and Bocas del Toro in a mere 10 days), the trip was an absolute success.

We found the country to be full of stunning turquoise waters, white sandy beaches, lush rainforests, laid-back surf towns, misty mountains, and vibrant cafes. 

In Panama City, we cooled off with icy raspados on the Cinta Costera, explored/photographed the stunning colonial Casco Viejo, watched huge ships pass the Panama Canal, and threw back many sunset drinks and fresh ceviches. We left completely obsessed with the American Trade Hotel (promise me you’ll stay there if you ever find yourself in Panama City).

Our few days on the San Blas islands were the perfect mix of relaxation and exploration – but we were happy to head back to civilization after 3 days. It’s safe to say that all our tropical island dreams came true over there in San Blas, despite the limited electricity, bumpy and complicated ride over, and overall confusion. We ate fresh fish everyday (for breakfast, lunch, and dinner), strolled and snorkeled around the different islands, and just reveled in island life.

The little time we had in Boquete was spent learning everything there is to know about coffee farms, strolling through town sipping famous gesha coffee, and gawking at the jungle views. Kinda wish we had more time at our resort as we LOVED it (highly recommend The Haven Spa if you ever find yourself in Boquete)!

The rest of our time was spent in Bocas del Toro, where we splurged on a first-class upgraded room (which was lovely despite it’s where we think we got bed bugs) , wandered around town, spent a fun day in the Zapatilla islands (possibly even more gorgeous than San Blas), searched for sloths, went snorkeling and anfibia boarding, explored a chocolate farm on Bastimentos (with poisonous red frogs), and strolled through the sleepy town of Old Bank.

And sometime during that whirlwind of a trip I started making my 101 goals in 1001 days list! Lots to do still!

April

How, oh how, can my little sister be THIRTY? It still sounds absolutely ridiculously crazy to me. I had initially planned to surprise my sister in New York for her birthday, but somehow my mom ruined it (by accidentally texting her instead of me) – oh well! My parents threw her a great party, filled with lots of yummy Italian food (the best!), friends, family, and fun. 

We also made sure to plan a family day in the city, where we checked out the brand spankin-new Vessel sculpture at Hudson Yards, had Sunday brunch at Jack’s Wife Freda (highly recommended), wandered Chelsea Market (my favorite), and continued on our childhood tradition of Chinese food at Wo Hop in Chinatown (+ some black sesame ice cream from The Original Chinatown Ice Cream Factory, of course).

It was a super quick weekend, but one I wouldn’t have missed for the world.

We then flew to Las Vegas for a weekend of pool parties, yardstick margaritas, and indulgent brunches with our friends Alli and Dave.

But who are we kidding? The real reason we headed to Sin City – to see the Backstreet Boys, of course. I grew up listening to them, and once I heard they were doing a reunion concert as a residency tour at Planet Hollywood, I just knewwww I had to be there. They were by far the most expensive concert tickets I’ve ever purchased, but worth every penny.

I also got to see Hamilton the Musical with one of my good friends, Shirley, after buying tickets months before!

May: 

The month of May was relatively quiet travel-wise, but we did manage to make it down to Huntington Beach for the long Memorial Day weekend.  

We had chocolate covered frozen bananas on Balboa Island, did some beach and mansion hopping in Laguna (Crescent Bay Beach, I’m obsessed), watched donuts being made at Sidecar, and stopped on Melrose for a fun afternoon of brunch (complete with rainbow lattes) and mural hunting. Of course we made it our mission for some beach time, but the weather hardly cooperated! Love quick little getaways with my man!

June: 

As soon as the school year was over (and we celebrated our 7th year anniversary and took our nephew cherry picking – different occasion, obv), I was off to Europe – I can’t seem to get away from the place! I somehow end up there every single summer! And this time, for a quick solo jaunt to London and Paris. 

London was spent ducking in and out of rain, hopping from market to market and museum to museum. Favorites included Borough Market, the Leake Street Graffiti Tunnel, Tower Bridge (of course!), Notting Hill, Brick Lane, and the Columbia Road Flower Market.

I also managed to make it to two Broadway Shows in the West End – Lion King and Mama Mia, which were both absolutely spectacular! Despite the rainy weather (I mean, we are talking about London afterall), I managed to make the most of my few days and would now go back in a heartbeat. And yes, I’ll gladly go back for more salt beef bagels, Dishoom (my new found love), fish and chips at Poppies, and fancy eclairs.

In Paris, I learned how to make macarons in a local Parisian’s kitchen, listened to live music at the Trocadero for hours, found myself dancing with strangers at the annual Parisian White Party, watched the Eiffel sparkle, climbed the Arc de Triomphe for the most fantastic views, went window shopping on Champs-Elysees, tried too many cheese samples on Rue Cler, and ate my weight in crepes, croissants, macarons, and eclairs (whoops).

I toured the Louvre at night, watched painters in Montmartre, and admired as many cute cafes in St. Germain as I possibly could. I now finally understand the true magic of Paris, as I just didn’t get the city on my first visit (which was a whopping 10 years ago, whoaaaa!). 

After my solo European trip, I made my way back to the East Coast, where I spent a weekend in Philly with my immediate family (Magic Gardens, Dizengoff, and the Eastern State Penitentiary were my faves), had a sisters day in NYC, finally tried a rose latte (it was about time), admired the blooms at the NY Botanical Garden, got to tour my sister’s new-ish digs in Port Washington, hit up a Mets Game with my dad, and saw Beautiful, my 4th Broadway Show of the month.

I also reconnected with two old friends of mine (Amanda and Vicky, hi!), which was a definite highlight, to say the least.

In between my trips to NYC and Philly, I bussed over to Boston for a few nights for a friends wedding (Danny + Betsy, heyyyy). Besides the beautiful ceremony and party, I explored Acorn Street/Beacon Hill, had a few too many meals at Tatte Bakery – that ricotta jam toast was OMGGG, and spent a whole lotta time in Boston Common and the Public Garden.

I also took a food/history tour of the North End (stuffing my face with a cannoli larger than my head in the process), indulged in high tea at the Boston Public Library, wandered around Harvard, and window shopped on Newbury.

I somehow managed to make it to a Red Sox game at Fenway (super spontaneously) for $9 with some travel bloggers who were in town for a conference (and just so happened to be staying in my hostel).  

July: 

Ohhh Bali; I don’t even know where to begin as we fell in love with this magical island the second we landed. Our days were filled with infinity pool hopping, checking out the local cafe culture and trendy shops in Canggu, running away from monkeys, wandering the Campuhan Ridge Walk, shopping at the Ubud market, being mesmerized at the Kecak Fire Dance at Uluwatu Temple, waking up early for day trips to Lempuyang Temple and Tirta Gangga, getting stuck in that serious Bali traffic, waterfall trekking, and lots and lots of pool time (yes, even more).

We loved the Tegalalang rice terrace (of course I did the typical Bali swing), our private pool villa, my super-relaxing flower bath, and nightly Rock Bar sunsets.

We also spent some time on a liveaboard in Komodo National Park, sailing to scenic islands everyday, snorkeling among colorful fish and corals, watching millions of bats fly overhead on their nightly migration, sipping fresh juices every morning, and gawking at the stars in the dark sky.

I even jumped off the side of the boat (from 2 stories high) into the water – something that scared me to the core. The sunsets were unreal (the most fiery red I’ve ever witnessed), dragons more docile than I thought, and sand softer than imaginable.

We even wandered around a pink sand beach and hiked to the top of Padar Island for sunrise (difficult but so incredibly worth it once we reached the top). And of course we went trekking a bit on Rinca Island to see the Komodo dragons (the main reason why we came in the first place!). It was just the perfect few days and one we’ll keep talking about for years on end. 

Our time on Gili Air was quick, but boy did we LOVE our resort (The Pink Coco) and the entire island as a whole. We listened to live music on the beach every night, got $7 hour-long foot massages (pure bliss by the way) every single day, snorkeled above statues and with sea turtles, spent tons of time relaxing at our hotel pool, and watched the sunset every night.

Despite our bags getting lost for a scary 24 hours and the treacherous boat ride back to Bali, we’re aching to go back to Gili Air sooner than ever. 

And once we got back, Noah was in full training mode for his full marathon in late July! So inspired by his dedication!

August: 

I just don’t stop (or sleep, apparently) in the summer, because a few days after returning home from Indonesia, I was off again – this time on a road trip to Banff, up the Icefields Parkway, and into Jasper National Park with my friend Bella. I’m semi-obsessed with this area, and visit after visit, it never disappoints (I mean, I was just here in February)!

In Banff, we took the gondola up Sulphur Mountain (for the best views ever), spent an ample amount of time at Lake Louise just casually walking around the lake and eating our pb&j sandwiches, and taking ski lifts up to a viewpoint at Sunshine Village. We also managed to trek to the lower and upper falls of Johnston Canyon, indulged in some beavertails, and stuffed our faces with some local fondue.

We visited all the hot spots along the Icefields Parkway, including Bow Lake, Peyto Lake (that’s the one that looks like a wolf!), and Athabasca Glacier (in a special snow-vehicle with tires taller than me!).

Our time in Jasper was spent mostly on Maligne Lake in order to check out the super scenic Spirit Island, but we also managed to make it to Maligne Canyon and saw quite a few bears – grizzly and black! We saw glaciers on the Edith Cavell Trail, gushing waterfalls at Sunwapta Falls, and had the best poutine ever imaginable.

And then the inevitable happened – back to work it was! So long, sweet, sweet summer. Noah and I did manage a few day trips – once to Sausalito (my fave) and another to Half Moon Bay for some lobster rolls (my other fave).

My in-laws came for a visit and we celebrated my sweet niece turning 3!

September: 

To start off September, we were off to Kauai for Labor Day weekend. We had lots of fish tacos and shave ice, plenty of sunset cocktails, took an epic helicopter ride over the Na Pali coast, checked out some waterfalls, and explored Princeville and Poipu. 

But the main reason for heading to Hawaii – for Noah to run the Kauai marathon! And brutal it was – I could see it on his face the last few miles (I was ‘wife of the year’ and walked a few miles in the pouring rain to meet him around mile 24 to help [mentally] get him to the finish line). He successfully completed the race; 3/4 marathons in Hawaii complete! He’ll do the last one in Kona, probably in 2021!

Not all trips are happy ones, and we had to book last-minute tickets home to New York after my Grandpa suddenly passed away from congestive heart and kidney failure. His death shook me hard, and as difficult as it was, it was so comforting being surrounded by loved ones for the week. </3 I’ll miss ya, toots. Keep carving and playing the clarinet up there!

October: 

October was pretty mellow, which was quite nice after what felt like pretty much nonstop travel for the last few months. We took a few day trips around the Bay, including a beach day at Capitola (what a cute, colorful town) and another to Pacifica for more beachy views and some famous fish and chips by the sea.

We did take a quick weekend trip to Seattle to see some old college friends and their cute little babe (who we had never even met before), and basically spent the whole time stuffing our faces. We did manage to make it to Kerry Park for some fall foliage views, Pikes Place and the surroundings for some market finds, and to the Pop Culture Museum in between all our eating.

November

November was the month of visitors, first my parents came to visit, and then our friends Danny and Betsy came less than 2 days later! And then the in-laws later on!

With my parents, we spent a day in Half Moon Bay (wandering the local market, indulging in lobster rolls at Sams, taking lots of pictures of the moody coastline), a day exploring the city (with views from the top of Twin Peaks, wandering the Inner Sunset Flea market, taking fun photos at the Hidden Garden Steps, and exploring the funky Haight-Ashbury neighborhood).

We hit up the CA coast another day (stopping at Pigeon Point Lighthouse, Shark Fin Cove in Davenport, seeing the monarch butterflies on their annual migration, and walking the Santa Cruz Boardwalk and West Cliff Drive).

Our friends requested a morning at Muir Woods, which was absolutely perfect since we hadn’t been in YEARS, and I forgot how much I just love those redwoods. We also wandered around the Japanese Tea Gardens, had enormous burritos at El Farolito, checked out the street art on Clarion Alley, had some great mole at Nopalito, and walked the Lands End trail.

I finally snagged Noah and I tickets to Beach Blanket Babylon, which was just as hilarious as I’d expected.

And once our first two sets of visitors packed their bags – off to Tokyo it was (yes, we decided to blatantly skip out on Thanksgiving this year). After our trip to Japan a few April’s ago, we just couldn’t wait to get back there. And (kinda) funny story – our trip to Tokyo was kiiiinda a spontaneous accident.

We had bought our tickets 10 months ago on a complete whim, after I randomly found cheap flights while sitting in the car for 7 minutes waiting for an activity to begin while working with Visit Bend.

We snagged those babies right up with the understanding we’d think rationally about the impulsive ticket purchase later (since there’s a 24 hour cancellation policy of course)…. But… we completely forgot about them and therefore couldn’t cancel anymore! We’re not mad about it, but it was definitely a surprise when we remembered the next night – haha.

We spent our time eating rainbow grilled cheese/gyoza/cute animal ice cream/giant cotton candy in Harajuku, running through Torii Gates, photographing both Meji and Senso-ji Temples, eating absolutely EVERYTHING in sight (Noah has way more self-restraint than I do), checking out Teamlab Borderless (digital art museum), and playing loads of games at the arcades in Akihabara and Shinjuku.

Oh how I missed the vending machine coffees/teas, tonkatsu, bright city lights, claw machines, yakitori on Piss Alley, and sushi breakfasts. Okay, so the daifuku, tomago, wagyu beef, and ramen meals were a highlight as well. I also introduced Noah to purikura, and we had a bit too much fun taking silly Japanese selfies.

My initial reasoning for visiting Japan this time of year was for the stunning fall foliage, and that it was x1000. Since the seasons are kinda skimpy here in California, it’s always nice to get a bit of autumn color. We made our way down to the Fuji Five Lakes area, and stayed in a ryokan right on Lake Kawaguchi with the most delicious kaiseki dinners and comfy yukatas (once we learned how to put them on).

Although it was a tad rainy and Mt. Fuji was only visible one morning for a few hours, the fall colors more than made up for it (as did soaking in the private onsen and indulging in hotu noodles, the best!).

And once we got home from Japan, our law-ins came for a visit! Phew – busy, busy month!

December: 

The beginning of December was relatively quiet after all our visitors left, with the Lizzo/Halsey concert being a definite highlight. Ohhhh what a queen she is. The show was lit y’all (is lit still a thing?). *crosses fingers and hopes it is*

OH! And we semi-spontaneously adopted the cutest little puppy imaginable. I had met the pup on Monday (a teacher at my school brought in the litter she was currently fostering), we put in the adoption application Wednesday night, and took him home on Saturday. It was a whirlwind of a week, lemme tell ya. We had been toying with the idea of adding a furry friend to our fam for a while, and he just stole our hearts the minute we laid eyes on him.

And after just 3 days at home with our 8-week old, 3 pound little fluff ball (who we named Kona), we sadly left him with his foster mom to go off on our Christmas/NYE trip. It unfortunately wasn’t the greatest timing, but I couldn’t say no to his adorable tiny face.

We then flew across the country to Florida, spending time in both Miami and the St. Pete/Clearwater area (after changing our initial plans to go down to the Keys because crowds). Highlights of the trip included snorkeling with manatees (!!!) in Crystal River, grabbing brunch with friends (hey Matt and Ellen!) and meeting their new babe, looking for allll the shells on Sanibel Island, geeking out over allll the street art and colorful walls in both St. Pete and Miami, and indulging in Cuban Food (and multiple mojitos) in Little Havana.

We loved South Beach with its colorful lifeguard huts and pearly white sand, of course had Joe’s Stone Crab one night (Noah’s absolute favorite), and some delicious seafood at The Rusty Pelican on Key Biscayne for the best sunset and skyline views.

We finished off 2019 by spending New Years Eve at Bayfront Park in Miami, arepas in hand, patiently waiting for Pitbull who never arrived (although I think we were in the wrong area of the park…). We watched the most insane fireworks show though, and my entire body was pulsing from the crazy shots.

Whew, what a year it’s been! 

NOTABLE BLOGGING HIGHLIGHTS:

• Surpassed my 9-5 income: Whoaaaa stop the tracks. How on mother Earth ever did that happen? When I first started this thing, that was never my intention, but here we are and I ain’t complaining! 
• Redesign in the works: I’m in the middle of a complete redesign of my site, and it’s looking soooo good so far (aka I’m completely obsessed and can’t stop looking at the mockups). I can’t wait to share it with you guys in the next few months.
• All the emails/DMS/etc from readers: It makes my world when I receive sweet messages from you guys saying you’ve stayed at (and loved) places I recommended, or planned entire trips around my itineraries! Keep them coming, I appreciate each and every one!

So, what’s planned for 2020 you ask? I’ve already got a few trips in the works, including a snowy winter trip to NYC to see family, a birthday trip to Mexico in late January/early February, and my spring break trip to Jordan (can’t wait to get back to the Middle East!).

I think we’ll most likely do southern France/northern Italy road trip in the summer, visit my cousin in Arizona, and of course fit in a whole buncha weekend trips in California like always (I’m itching to finally get down to Disneyland and head back to Tahoe). We’re also planning on taking little Kona on as many weekend trips around California once he gets all his shots!

Happy New Years, friends! Here’s to the next decade!

The post 2019 Year in Review: Life and Travels and Everything in Between appeared first on A Passion and A Passport.

Tokyo is a sprawling city that connects modernity with deep Japanese tradition, which shines through in its rich history, fascinating attractions, and cosmopolitan neighborhoods. From its mouth-watering food to its beautiful architecture and parks, the Japanese capital city truly has something for any kind of traveler.

I spent a perfect 10 days in Japan last cherry blossom season (full itinerary here), and we’re hoping to head back to Tokyo for an extended long weekend this year! Basically to eat everything and then some, but we don’t need to talk about my indulgent, over-the-top food habits (like traveling 15 hours via air for some vending machine ramen).

As an international flight hub for several airlines, Tokyo is the perfect place to visit en route to another destination, or simply on its own! If you’ve got 3 days in Tokyo to explore, you can see most of the city’s highlights. Buckle up for this detailed itinerary which will explain what to do in Tokyo in 3 days, with all the details you need to know to plan your trip there.

Note: This Tokyo itinerary is jam-packed with activities for the ultra-adventurous traveler. However, if you’re looking for a more laid-back schedule (no judgment here!), don’t feel like you need to do everything I’ve listed. Use this detailed Tokyo travel blog as a foundation, then prioritize the activities that sound most interesting to you!

Read Next: COMPLETE 10 Day Japan Itinerary (Perfect for first-timers to the country)

Pre-Travel Guide to Tokyo

When to Visit Tokyo

Tokyo is truly a year-round destination – each season boasts something different and exciting for visitors to the city. However, not all seasons are created equal. Winters in Tokyo can be dark and cold, while summers are sweltering hot and humid. Spring and autumn are often very mild and temperate, with the best weather occurring between March and May, and then again from October to December.

Personally, I’d recommend traveling to Tokyo during these months for the mild weather, perfect for wandering around on foot and experiencing the city’s open-air attractions.

If you’re flexible on dates, one of the most beautiful times of year to visit Tokyo is during the annual blooming of the cherry blossoms. During the early spring, the cherry trees light up many areas of the city in white and pink blooms, and it’s truly a spectacle! While the city is often more crowded with tourists during this time of year, the cherry blossoms are certainly a once-in-a-lifetime thing to see. You can check predictions for the peak cherry blossom seasons this year here.

If you’d prefer to visit in the end of the year, you can opt to time your visit with the fall foliage, during which the city’s trees turn bright red, orange, and yellow.

Read Next: When to Visit Japan (Month by Month)

How to Get Around Tokyo

One thing to know about traveling in Tokyo is that taxis can be extremely expensive. We’re talking about potentially hundreds of dollars to get across the city. Uber operates in Tokyo as well, but it’s often just as expensive (if not more) as the taxis. Taxis are typically a safe transportation option for tourists, but the costs can add up super quickly and you usually need to pay in cash.

Luckily for budget travelers, Tokyo has a world-renowned public transportation system that’s easy to use even as a tourist. On the metro, you can pay by the ride (typically 170 to 310 JPY each way) or buy an unlimited multi-day pass (600 yen per day – recommended if you’ll be using the metro to get around).

In general, the metro maps have English translations and each stop is announced on the metro’s speakers in both Japanese and English. From both Narita (NRT) and Haneda (HND) airports, you can take a direct airport train into the city center for a much more reasonable price than the taxis.

Where to Stay in Tokyo

Finding accommodation in Tokyo can be a little challenging. The good news? Accommodation is easy to find, as there are tons of choices. The bad news? Hotels are typically small, sometimes cramped, and relatively expensive, especially if you wait until the last minute to book.

Tokyo is a massive city, so it’s important to choose your location carefully. No matter where you choose to stay, be sure to book a place that’s within walking distance to a central train station so you can easily and affordably get around from place to place.

There are three centrally-located neighborhoods I’d recommend staying in: Shibuya, Shinjuku, and Ginza.

Where to Stay in Shibuya:

Shibuya is a metropolitan area home to the always-crowded “Times Square” of Tokyo, Shibuya Crossing (more on this later). Here, you’ll find suit-clad businesspeople, selfie-taking tourists, and hurried locals in a hodgepodge of energy, lights, and modern buildings.

• Splurge: Shibuya Stream Excel Hotel Tokyu
• Budget: Mustard Hotel Shibuya
• Hostel: Turn Table Hostel

Where to Stay in Shinjuku:

Shinjuku is another lively neighborhood, home to incredible green spaces and hole-in-the-wall eats and nightlife. You can find alleys full of lanterns and tiny bars, or wander through the giant Gyoen Garden.

• Splurge: Keio Plaza Hotel Premier Grand
• Budget: The Knot Tokyo Shinjuku
• Hostel: Nine Hours Shinjuku – North

Where to Stay in Ginza:

And, for the shoppers out there, Ginza boasts some of the city’s best boutiques and shopping malls. On weekends, Ginza’s streets are closed to cars for the perfect walking wonderland.

• Splurge: Millennium Mitsui Garden Hotel Ginza
• Budget: The Square Hotel Ginza
• Hostel: Bed & Breakfast Renga

Language and Currency in Tokyo

While Japanese people are generally very polite and helpful, few people speak English fluently. It’s much easier to find assistance via English speakers in more frequently touristed areas or in your hotel. However, as with any foreign country, I recommend learning a few words in Japanese before you arrive.

USEFUL JAPANESE PHRASES:

• Hello/Good Afternoon: konnichiwa
• Good bye: sayonara
• Delicious: oishi
• Thank you: arigatō
• Please: kudasai
• Where’s the toilet: benjo wa doko desu ka?
• Does anyone speak English? Eigo no hanaseru hito wa imasen ka

The currency in Tokyo is the Japanese Yen (JPY). You can either exchange money at designated exchange kiosks around the city, or take money directly from a bank ATM (there are several scattered around most Tokyo neighborhoods). I prefer to use an ATM whenever possible as they typically provide better exchange rates.

I was super surprised, but I found Japan to be mostly a cash society, so expect your credit card to get rejected at some places and be sure to carry enough Yen with you. If you’re coming from the US, an easy way to figure out USD to JPY is to move the decimal point two spots to the right >> 100Y = approximately $1USD. Just for quick reference, 10,000Y = approx 100USD.

And finally, what you originally came here for, a super detailed 3 day Japan itinerary! Get planning, my friends!

3 Days in Tokyo Itinerary

Day 1: West Side (Modern Tokyo)

Between shiny buildings and busy streets, the first day of your Tokyo itinerary will take you to some of the more modern, cosmopolitan areas of the city: Shibuya, Harajuku, and Shinjuku. If you’re planning on spending more than 3 days in Tokyo, you can split this up into a couple of days for a more relaxed schedule!

Morning: Shibuya

Start the morning off in Shibuya, which you can easily access by metro. With its tall, shiny buildings, Shibuya is a major business hub in Tokyo, home to some of the city’s major corporations. It’s also a fantastic place to get a feel for the modern, rapidly expanding cosmopolitan side of the city, whether at the bustling Shibuya Station or overlooking the crowds in Shibuya Crossing.

• Shibuya Crossing: Head to Shibuya Crossing (especially during rush hour), which is known as the “Times Square” of Tokyo, to watch the city’s busiest intersection come to life. Amidst flashing LED signs and huge billboard ads, you can see several pedestrian lanes of people crossing at the exact same time. Join in on the fun on the streets, or head to Starbucks for your morning cup of joe and a bird’s eye view of the chaotic pedestrian crossing.

• Hachiko Statue: Shibuya’s Hachiko Statue might melt your heart, especially if you’re an animal lover. This statue was built to remember the incredibly faithful Akita dog who waited every day at the Shibuya train station for his owner. Even after the owner’s death, Hachiko continued to show up every day for years without fail at the station! Now, at the Shibuya Station, you can see a statue of Hachiko that was built as a tribute to his unconditional loyalty.

• Tokyu Hands: If you’re looking for a place to stop and shop for some souvenirs, Tokyu Hands is a giant department store in Shibuya where you can find some of Japan’s best and most unique items. They focus on handmade items and crafts, and you can find a lot of things here in that same creative vein.

Afternoon: Harajuku

When I think of Harajuku, there’s really only one word that comes to mind: stylish. Here, you can spot some of the city’s most unique and colorful fashions, amidst a sea of boutique shops and cute cafes. Harajuku is also located right next to the Meiji Shrine and surrounding park, which is a beautiful area to disconnect from the noise and haste of the city (you’ll need it after spending the morning in Shibuya!).

• Meiji Shrine: Located next to Harajuku’s metro station, the Meiji Shrine and surrounding Yoyogi Park are a peaceful respite from the otherwise lively areas of Tokyo you’ll visit today. The shrine was dedicated to Emperor Meiji in 1920, and was rebuilt after being destroyed during WWII. Today, visitors can enter the shrine area and learn about its traditions and history, including the hand washing station and the wishing tablets, also known as ema.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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• Omotesando and Takeshita Dori shopping streets: Harajuku’s fashions and designs aren’t exclusively for locals; you can actually buy a lot of these colorful, crazy items you see in this neighborhood to take home with you. Head to Omotesando and Takeshita Dori shopping streets to window-shop and browse some of the local boutiques…or simply people-watch the ultra-chic, colorfully-dressed locals that seem to frequent the area.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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• Try some street food: Despite being home to some beautiful (and expensive) boutiques, there’s actually plenty of great street food in the Harajuku area to try. One of my favorites was the crepes, which you can find in street kiosks lining the main walking street. However, if you’d fancy something else, there are several other kiosks selling both savory and sweet treats.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Charlotte Foodies ? (@foodie_muse) on Jun 3, 2017 at 3:18pm PDT

• Harry’s Hedgehog Café: Yes, you read that right: this is a real cafe where you can actually play with tiny hedgehogs. The cute animal lover in me is grinning just writing this (*cue squeal*). For a small fee, you can put on a pair of thick gloves and hold/play with these miniature hedgehogs. The cafe staff stands by at each table to ensure the well-being and safety of the hedgehogs during your visit.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by ?Shelly Jimenez (@shellyjimenez) on Nov 28, 2018 at 12:58am PST

• Kawaii Monster Cafe: In Japanese, the word kawaii means “cute” or “adorable” and that’s definitely the gist of this trippy, colorful Harajuku-based cafe. Filled with psychedelic decorations and some out-of-this world color schemes, the Kawaii Monster Cafe is a super Instagrammable place that’s full of visual stimulation. There’s definitely no shortage of wackiness (or strangeness) here! To enter, there’s a 500 JPY entrance fee and each person is required to order at least one entree and a drink, but it’s generally reasonably priced.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by KAWAII MONSTER CAFE (@kawaiimonstercafe) on Jan 22, 2019 at 11:07pm PST

• Observe the costumes: While wandering around Harajuku, keep an eye out for traditional Harajuku Girls dressed in their elaborate costumes and anime, especially if one of your 3 days in Tokyo happens to be a Sunday.

Evening: Shinjuku

After leaving colorful Harajuku, you might find Shinjuku to be a welcome change to your Tokyo itinerary for the evening. This nearby neighborhood is equally modern and traditional. One minute, you’re surrounded by tall buildings and the next, you’re ducking through tiny food stalls in a narrow, lantern-laden alleyway or breathing in fresh air at a traditional Japanese garden.

• Shinjuku Gyoen Garden: As one of the largest green spaces in the city of Tokyo, you can’t miss Gyoen Garden, especially if you love the outdoors. This massive park is home to several different kinds of Japanese gardens, with trails that connect different areas of the park. Additionally, it’s a gorgeous place to see Tokyo’s cherry blossoms in the springtime, or fall foliage towards the end of the year.

• Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building: Around sunset or at night, you can head to the observation deck of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building to see some of the most spectacular panoramic views of Tokyo. I loved going when the sun went down to see the sparkling city lights below. The best part is it’s totally free to go up there!

• Robot Restaurant: One of the most popular Shinjuku hotspots is the Robot Restaurant. Although it’s a wildly popular hyper-tacky tourist attraction, we chose not to go after reading tons of mixed reviews, but it’s up to you! Note that the food is something left to be desired, so you’ll wanna plan to eat before or after (and Piss Alley is a great choice).

 

 

 

 

 

 

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• Piss Alley (Omoide Yokocho): Despite its off-putting name, Piss Alley is one of the coolest places to visit in Shinjuku. A tiny, narrow alley lined with lanterns and full of people, Piss Alley is home to tiny bars, food stalls, and restaurants that serve up some of the best food in the area. Historically, it was a hidden street for drinking and other illicit activities, and is still a symbol of some of the older traditions of the city.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Joyce ? Vancouver (@juicybb) on Jan 21, 2019 at 7:32pm PST

Day 2: East Side (Traditional Tokyo)

On the second day of your 3 days in Tokyo, you’ll head to some of the city’s historic areas, exploring traditional shrines and temples, wandering through some of the city’s older neighborhoods, and ending the day in one of the strangest and coolest parts of town.

Morning: Asakusa

As one of Tokyo’s most well-preserved old neighborhoods, Asakusa is a place to see the charms of “old Tokyo” and experience a very different vibe than the urban shuffle in Shibuya and Shinjuku. There are several old temples and streets with market stalls in the Asakusa area, waiting to be explored by the adventurous tourist.

• Sensoji Temple: The Sensoji Temple is Tokyo’s oldest temple and one of the most iconic. Its entryway is marked by a signature large red lantern. With its beautiful red frame and green rooftops, it’s worth taking some time in the morning to explore the grounds and the temple itself. Get up early and head to Asakusa to avoid the large crowds that gather here during the day.

• Nakamise Dori Street: Just outside of the Sensoji Temple lies one of Tokyo’s most historically significant shopping streets. Here, you can find all kinds of Japanese goods and homewares, as well as many souvenir shops. Take some time to walk through this street during your visit to Asakusa to people-watch and see some of the beautiful handicrafts from Tokyo locals.

During Cherry Blossom Season: Sumida Park

Like I’ve mentioned earlier in this Tokyo travel blog post, spring is the most amazing time to come to Tokyo. Located near the Asakusa train station is Sumida Park, one of the best and most beautiful parks in Tokyo to see the cherry blossoms in the springtime. There are over 700 cherry trees in this riverside park! If you’re lucky enough to be in Tokyo during the full bloom, head to Sumida Park while you’re in the Asakusa area.

Afternoon: Ueno

Another traditional Tokyo neighborhood, Ueno is most well-known for its shrines, gardens, and museums. You can spend the afternoon in this part of the city, strolling through the streets or trails and learning more about Tokyo’s fascinating history.

• Ueno Park/Gardens: Ueno Park is a large metropolitan park in the Ueno area, which is home to lovely walking trails and over 1,000 cherry blossom trees that bloom in the springtime. It’s also a popular place for locals to hang out. There are also a handful of shrines and temples in the park that you can check out while you’re there.

• Tokyo National Museum: Within Ueno Park, there are several museums and a zoo. You could spend an entire day exploring them all, but if I had to pick just one, I’d recommend going to the Tokyo National Museum. Packed full of interesting information, the Tokyo National Museum is a collection of important historical and traditional Japanese items that span the country’s history. Entrance is 620 JPY.

Evening: Akihabara District

In the late afternoon, head to the Akihabara District, which became famous in Tokyo for its focus on anime and manga culture and its several electronics/gaming shops. There are literally streets and streets of electronics shops in this part of town, which provides a fascinating backdrop for this very unique corner of Tokyo.

• Electric Town: Like I mentioned earlier, Akihabara District started off as a center for electronics sales. Dozens and dozens of tiny electronics shops sprang up in groups, many of which are still in business today. In addition to the tiny electronics stores, you can also visit Yodobashi Akiba, a gigantic electronics department store in the neighborhood that sells everything from cameras to computers to sound equipment and more.

• Game Centers: There’s literally an entire pocket of the Akihabara District that’s completely dedicated to game centers, or arcades. There are dozens you can visit and play games in, but my favorite is Super Potato Retro Shop, which has a bunch of throwback retro games you can play in a cozy environment on the 5th floor.

• Maid and Gundam Cafes: One of the strangest things you can experience in Akihabara is the Maid and/or Gundam Cafes. Exactly as they sound, these are small restaurants where the waiters/waitresses dress up as maids and butlers and cater to your every wish, including but not limited to playing games, taking Instagram selfies, and serving too-cute drinks and desserts.

Day 3: Sushi Breakfast and Shopping

You really can’t have a 3 day Tokyo itinerary without a day of food and shopping, right?! Well, this is that day. I’ve included a bunch of different options for you on this third day of your Tokyo itinerary, so you can choose what you want to do based on what you want to buy, eat, or see!

Early Morning: Toyosu Fish Market

I’m sure you’ve heard about the ever-so-popular and quite famous Tsukiji Market. However, in late 2018, the famous Tokyo establishment, the Tsukiji Fish Market, shut its doors for the last and final time. The market itself moved to a different location, now titled the Toyosu Fish Market, but don’t you worry – it’s open for visitors!

 

 

 

 

 

 

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At this new location, you can still find some of the freshest sushi around, and a daily 4:30 AM tuna auction (if you’re willing to get up that early). I recommend heading over in the early morning (around 4 for the tuna auction, or later if you just want to walk around and explore/eat). Grab some sushi at the Toyosu Fish Market for breakfast, as that’s the time of day when it’s the freshest.

Morning: teamLab Borderless Art Museum and Ginza

• teamLab Borderless Art Museum: Of all the places on this Tokyo itinerary, I think this art museum might be one of the most fascinating. A digital art museum, the teamLab Borderless Art Museum is an interactive and immersive art experience that has the visitor moving through different rooms of color, light, psychedelic patterns, and moving projected images. It’s a really unique art experience, and I’d recommend it even if you’re the type of person who won’t go near an art museum.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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• Shopping in Ginza: After the teamLab experience, head to Ginza for some shopping (or window-shopping, if you’re on a budget). Two of the must-see shopping streets in the Ginza area include Chuo-dori Street and Harumi-Dori. If you’re in Ginza, you can’t miss these streets; they are lined with shops and cafes and eventually intersect. While in Ginza, don’t forget to check out the Kabukiza Theatre, which has regular Japanese fine arts performances and is just a really beautiful building in general.

Afternoon: Imperial Palace and East Garden

The Imperial Palace and its surrounding greenery are an important part of Tokyo’s history and culture, and are definitely worth a visit during your 3 days in Tokyo. The castle on the grounds was originally the Edo Castle, but after changing hands many times, was ultimately destroyed. In its place lies part of the original foundation in the East Garden.

Late Afternoon/Evening: Roppongi

An ultra-modern area for shopping nightlife, the upscale neighborhood of Roppongi is home to several buildings and attractions that are best visited in the late afternoon or evening, so you can appreciate the modern, well-lit complexes and designs of this dazzling place.

• Roppongi Hills: This is a sizeable and famous high rise development complex situated in the middle of the neighborhood. It’s like a miniature city within a city, with its own skyline, eating areas, and more.

• Mori Art Museum: Housed in a modern glass building, the Mori Art Museum is home to lots of contemporary art in a variety of genres and mediums. In my opinion, it’s worth it to visit the museum for the building alone!

• Tokyo Midtown Complex: The Tokyo Midtown Complex is a huge, high-end shopping and dining complex with tons of areas to walk around, shop, and grab dinner.

• Mori Tower: If you didn’t get a chance to go to the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building on day 1 (or you just love city views!), you can see another fabulous bird’s eye view of Tokyo from the 52nd floor or the rooftop Sky Deck of the Mori Tower. The views from up here are best at night, when the city begins to light up.

EXTRA! Day 4: Take a Day Trip

Okay, okay, I know this was supposed to be a 3 day Tokyo itinerary, but the reality is that it would be a total shame if you didn’t take the time to explore the surrounding areas of Tokyo if you have a bit more time in the city.

While this guide tells you what to do in Tokyo in 3 days, I felt that it was important to add an option for those of you wanting to see a little bit more of Japan during your time here. So, if you do find yourself with 4 days in Tokyo (or a little bit of extra time in your schedule) you can take one (or more!) of these nearby day trips.

Read Next: Top Day Trips from Tokyo

Kamakura

• Distance from Tokyo: 42.6 miles/68.5 km
• Main things to do: Temples (Hokokuji, Hasedera, others), Great Buddha, Hachimangu Shrine, hiking

Kamakura is a Japanese town that boasts stunning examples of traditional architecture in its religious sites, including several temples and shrines. Historically, it was the origin of Japan’s samurai government and an important cultural hub for the country’s development.

In addition to well-maintained historic sites, it’s also home to stunning nature areas that you can visit and enjoy, even if you’re only visiting Kamakura for the day.

By far, the most hassle-free way to take a day trip to Kamakura is by organized tour, especially if you only have 4 days in Tokyo and don’t want to be stuck in your hotel trip planning. You can book a day-long trip to Kamakura like this one that includes transportation and a local guide (which is awesome given the town’s incredible historical sites).

However, if you want to DIY your day trip, the easiest way to get to Kamakura from Tokyo is by train. The easy-to-use JR trains connect both the Tokyo Station and the Shinjuku Station to Kamakura directly. If you’re going by train, the trip takes about 1.5-2 hours one way and costs 920 JPY.

Once in town, head to the Giant Buddha (or Kamakura Daibutsu (Kōtoku-in)), one of Kamakura’s most famous landmarks. Then, explore a few of the city’s temples, like the Hokokuji or Hasedera temples, which are beautiful examples of traditional Japanese temples. You can also visit the Hachimangu Shrine, which is the most culturally and historically important Shinto shrine in all of Kamakura. If you’re interested in getting some fresh air, hit some of the nearby hiking/walking trails into the outskirts of the town.

It’s best to visit Kamakura during the spring and fall, as the weather will be mildest during these months and you’ll be spending a lot of time outside.

Nikko

• Distance from Tokyo: 92.5 miles/148.9 km
• Main things to do: Shinkyo Bridge, Three Buddha Hall, Five-Story Pagoda, shrines, landscapes & scenery

Located in the mountains about 2.5 hours from Tokyo by train, Nikko is an 8th century Japanese town with several picturesque, forested shrines and temples. With its perfect location right near Lake Chuzenji, you can get a taste of history and culture as well as beautiful landscapes and outdoor exposure.

Again, as Nikko is a decent distance (almost 100 miles) from Tokyo, it’s easiest to book a guided day tour to minimize the hassle of figuring out the transportation and activities for the day. Day tours like this one offer a really great value, and they organize everything for you. However, if you’d rather plan your own independent day trip, you can get to Nikko by train from Tokyo.

While in Nikko, you have to visit some of the many shrines and temples in the area. Three Buddha Hall and the Five-Story Pagoda are two especially photogenic ones, but there are several shrines dotted throughout the city – many of which are surrounded by wooded areas – that you can visit. Additionally, don’t miss the incredibly beautiful Shinkyo Bridge.

When you finally feel like you’ve seen enough of the local shrines and temples, you can also explore the nearby Lake Chuzenji or Kanmangafuchi, where the 70 mysterious Jizo statues are located. There’s a legend that the number of statues changes every time you count them…but you’ll just have to visit for yourself to find out if it’s true.

It’s best to visit Nikko during the fall, where the foliage colors consume the greenery of the forest and turn the entire town and surrounding area bring yellow, orange, and red.

Hakone

• Distance from Tokyo: 57.2 miles/92.1 km
• Main things to do: Views of Mount Fuji over Lake Ashinoko, Hakone Onsen, Hakone Shrine, Owakudani Crater

Located just over an hour from Tokyo, Hakone is one of the most visually beautiful day trips from Tokyo, boasting stunning views of Mount Fuji amidst forested shrines and landmarks. A short train ride from Tokyo’s city center, Hakone is a perfect day trip you can go on to get a bit more peace and quiet; I’d recommend this one if you love the outdoors and you only have 4 days in Tokyo.

There are several day tours from Tokyo that you can book (like this one or this one) which will organize your transportation and logistics for a day trip to Hakone. With limited time in Tokyo, it’s easiest just to book a tour. However, you can also hop on a train from Tokyo and explore Hakone on your own (but since I found the trains to be somewhat confusing with local and direct trains and had difficulty figuring out which was which, I’d just take a tour if I were you.)

In Hakone, you’ll have the chance to visit a lot of quiet, secluded shrines and even a relaxing traditional Japanese bath! First, on clear days, you can head to Lake Ashinoko to see amazing views of the conical Mount Fuji, which in the colder months is capped with snow. You can take a boat ride around the lake or just take in the sights from the shore.

After that, visit the Hakone Shrine, a forested shrine with bold red structures. Afterward, you can take a cable car over Owakudani Crater, a crater formed by the last volcanic eruption in the area where they make miracle eggs that are said to add 7 years to your life! You can end your day at the Hakone Onsen, a traditional Japanese bath house with warm water to relax your body and round out your trip with a uniquely Japanese onsen experience.

So there you have it, a complete and packed 3 day Tokyo itinerary! As I mentioned earlier, if you want a more relaxing experience, pick and choose a few activities for each day instead of cramming it all in and rushing from place to place (like me).

Other Japan articles you may like:

Best Time to Visit Japan

Japan Bucket List: Where to Visit

Complete 10 Day Japan Itinerary

Tokyo Bucket List and Itinerary Inspiration

Day Trips from Tokyo

25+ Things to do in Kyoto

Day Trips from Kyoto

Things to do in Harajuku

When are you planning to visit Japan and how will you be spending your 3 days in Tokyo?!

Images via Nikko 1 / 2

The post 3 Days in Tokyo: The Perfect Tokyo Itinerary appeared first on A Passion and A Passport.

Kyoto is a buzzing metropolis with a ton of great things to do and plenty of worthwhile experiences nearby (tons of day trips from Kyoto as you’ll learn more about in this post, of course).

Known as the historical heart of Japan and teeming with shrines, temples, and ancient buildings, it’s one of the best places to gain an insight into the country’s rich cultural background. At the same time, it’s considered a very modern city, seamlessly blending the old with the new.

The best times of year to visit are spring and fall, but Kyoto enjoys year-round temperate weather, so there’s really no bad time to go.

And that’s not the only reason Kyoto is a great place to stay – it also serves as a fantastic base for exploring neighboring towns and cities. Staying in Kyoto and taking day trips to nearby locations is a great way to make the most of your time in Japan. From small historical towns to tea fields or thriving metropolises, there are so many fun day trips from Kyoto to enjoy. So, without further ado, here’s a handpicked list of the best Kyoto day trips – happy exploring!

Read Next: 25+ Things to do in Kyoto

Best Day Trips from Kyoto

Nara

How to get there: Nara is one of the closest day trips from Kyoto since it lies just 35km south of the city. There are plenty of organized tours that will pick you up and drop you off outside your hotel, so getting there really couldn’t be easier!

If you’d rather make your own way, the best way to travel to Nara is by train. You can opt for the standard JR line or the fancier, high-speed Kintetsu train – both will have you there in under 45 minutes.

What to do: There are so many things to enjoy in Japan’s ancient capital. Buddhism was established as Japan’s state religion while Nara was its capital city, so it’s home to a plethora of wonderful temples.

The Todai-ji Temple, which houses a 15m tall bronze buddha statue, is an absolute must. The Isui-en Garden makes for a picturesque stroll at all times of year, but especially during April and October when it’s flushed cherry blossom pink or deep autumnal red.

Both of these attractions are located inside Nara-koen park, where you can see live, semi-wild deer roaming around. You can even buy a packet of shika sembei (deer crackers) to feed to them – although be careful, they can get a little boisterous in their pursuit of snacks!

A visit to the Nara National Museum is a great opportunity to find out even more about Buddhism, since it has an entire wing dedicated to Buddhist art and imagery. One of the many organized tours on offer will show you all this – and more – in the space of a single day, and save the hassle of planning and navigation.

Osaka

How to get there: Kyoto and Osaka are just 45km apart, and the shinkansen bullet train can get you from one to the other in just 15 minutes. If you’d prefer to take things at a slightly slower (and cheaper) pace, the Japan Rail pass covers the Special Rapid Service on the JR Kyoto line, which will get you from one city to the other in 29 minutes.

For the ultimate convenience, book onto an organised tour and relax on a plush bus whilst all the details are handled for you!

What to do: Osaka is the third-largest city in Japan, so this Kyoto day trip is an absolute must. Like most places in Japan, the best times to visit are spring and fall, but Osaka enjoys year-round clement weather so don’t stress too much about timing.

It’s super easy to get around this city thanks to its excellent train and subway network, but here’s a top tip to make things even more convenient: get yourself a prepaid travel card. Icoca, Suica and Pasmo are all great choices and will save you both time and money – yay!

Osaka Castle is steeped in history and is a testament to traditional Japanese architecture, so it’s a great place to soak up the culture. Plus, it’s pretty – like, so pretty. Definitely head to the National Bankuru Theatre to see a traditional Japanese puppet show – it’s a truly spectacular cultural experience.

Finally, no trip to Osaka is complete without a visit to Dotonburi, the city’s buzzing entertainment district that puts NYC’s Times Square to shame. Its neon-lit signage is nothing short of awesome, and you simply must get a snap of the iconic Glico running man, who beams down from above the Ebisubashi bridge.

As well as overwhelmingly cool visuals, there’s a ton of awesome bars and restaurants in the area, so this is a great place to practice kuidaore (eating yourself into financial ruin). Joking – but not really.

Hiroshima

How to get there: Hiroshima is a whopping 360km from Kyoto – but fear not, this Kyoto day trip is still do-able! Thanks to the Tokaido and Sanyoshinkansen train lines, you can get there in an hour and forty minutes – hurrah for Japan’s superior train technology!

If you book onto a tour you’ll be escorted smoothly along the journey and all reservations will be handled for you.

What to do: Since Hiroshima is famed for its tragic history, it comes as no surprise that the city is home to a number of memorial sites. Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park contains preserved remains of the 1945 atomic blast, including the haunting A-bomb dome.

There’s also a museum on site where visitors can learn more about the bombing. These sites are sobering reminders of war, but it’s not all doom and gloom in Hiroshima.

The city is known locally as ‘Sake Town’ and produces some of the best rice wine in Japan, so it would be rude not to head on down to a brewery, wouldn’t it? The downtown Koishi Sakebar is a great place for everyone from first-timers to seasoned connoisseurs to sample some fresh flavors- champagne sake, anyone?

If you’re lucky enough to be in Hiroshima in the spring, make sure to pay a visit to Kamu no Sato Flower Village, a 50,000 square metre hill covered in over 800,000 pink, white and purple flowers arranged into stunning designs.

Finish your day with a trip to the observation deck atop the Hiroshima Orizuru tower and enjoy stunning sunset views of the city before you head back to Kyoto.

Miyajima Island

How to get there: Miyajima Island is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful day trips from Kyoto. It’s 390km away from the city, but you can get there in under two hours by bullet train and ferry.

The island is just 27km away from Hiroshima, so tours often combine trips – there’s no point continually going back and forth, right? A tour is definitely a good option if you’d like to get both done in a day, as all trains, buses and ferries will be handled, which definitely takes some stress out of the equation.

What to do: A couple of hours on Miyajima Island will probably suffice, but this super-scenic spot is definitely worth visiting.

This ‘island of the gods’ is home to the Iksukushima Shrine, which is famous for its freestanding Torii gate. At high tide, the gate appears to be floating in the middle of the sea – eerie, but pretty cool. Miyajima’s bright red, five-story pagoda is another eye-catching site of worship, particularly when it’s surrounding by cherry blossom during the spring.

Head to Miyajima’s history museum to learn more about the island’s past; many photos, poems and traditional artifacts are preserved there.

If you’re feeling energetic, you can undertake the two-hour hike to the top of Mount Misen, the island’s tallest mountain and enjoy stunning views from the top.

If you’re pressed for time (or just not up for that much exercise) you can always take the 20-minute ropeway ride instead. And definitely don’t forget to eat some Momiji Manjyu while you’re on the island. This sweet bean paste candy is a local specialty that’s  is made fresh every day across Miyajima, and it’s seriously yummy.

Read Next: The Ultimate Japan Bucket List: Top Places to Visit in Japan

Himeji Castle

How to get there: This stunning medieval castle is one of the most gorgeous Kyoto day trips on offer. It’s situated 124km from Kyoto and one of the easiest ways to get there is – you guessed it – by train.

The shinkansen bullet train takes between 45-60 minutes and is covered by the JR Rail pass – yay! If you’d prefer to travel by car, you can book a tour and get picked up right outside your accommodation for ultimate ease and comfort.

What to do: Also known as the White Heron Castle, Himeji Castle is considered to be one of Japan’s finest architectural wonders. You enter the castle through the Otemon Gate to see a cherry-tree lined lawn, which is especially marvelous during blossom season.

As you explore, you’ll go through a complex system of gates and baileys which were designed to slow down any potential attackers – a design that’s clearly worked, since the castle is one of Japan’s twelve original castles that have never been destroyed. It can be hot work getting to the top floor but it’s worth it for the incredible aerial views of the grounds.

After you leave the castle keep, there’s the option to explore the west bailey, which once housed a princess. The best time to visit the castle is during April when the cherry blossom trees will be in full bloom and the grounds turn into a flowery pink wonderland. During the first week of April, hanami (cherry blossom viewing) parties are held and entry is free from 6-9pm.

Uji and Fushimi

How to get there: Uji and Fushimi are both located in the Kyoto prefecture, so they’re super convenient Kyoto day trips! You can, of course, take the JR train – it takes around five minutes to get from Kyoto Station to Fushimi, and then another twenty minutes onto Uji.

Things are even faster if you’re in a car, plus you don’t have to put up with overcrowded trains – another win for those private tours!

What to do: There’s plenty to do in Uji and Fushima but they both make for pretty relaxed day trips from Kyoto. The former is a picturesque district famed for its sake breweries, so it’d be rude not to check them out, wouldn’t it?

One of the best spots to learn about – and of course, taste – sake is the Gekkeikan Okura Kinenkan, a brewery-turned-museum. It’s a beautiful museum and a point of historical interest – one of the world’s oldest companies, Gekkeikan, was founded here in 1637.

Once you’re all sake-d out, it’s time to move onto Uji. This small city is a well-known centre for green tea production, so it’s the perfect antidote to all that rice wine. The best time to visit is during May, since it’s picking season.

During this time, you can take field and factory tours to learn more about how this Japanese staple gets from ground to cup. The fields are absolutely gorgeous, with miles of greenery stretching as far as the eye can see.

You know that building on the back of the 10-yen coin? Well, that’s right here in Uji. It’s Byodo-in Temple, one of Uji’s two World Heritage sites and a fine example of late-Heian architecture. Its Phoenix Hall has been described as ‘Buddhist heaven’ and features stunning artwork and statues.

Kobe

How to get there: Kobe is 74km from Kyoto and the high-speed shinkansen can get you there in a mere 32 minutes.

If you’re more about saving money than time, taking the private Hankyu Kyoto line to Sannomiya Station is roughly half the price at 620 yen and takes around 70 minutes, but bear in mind it’s not covered by the JR pass.

What to do: Unless you’re veggie, you simply can’t go to Kobe without trying the world-famous Kobe beef. Head to one of the city’s many teppanyaki restaurants to try this tender, marbled meat – Tor Road Steak Ayoama and Wakkoqu are two of the best known spots to chow down.

All that food will line your stomach for a visit to the many breweries of the Nada district, which is Japan’s primary sake production centre. The architecture is a charming blend of antiquity and modernity, allowing you to glimpse both the past and present of sake production.

For amazing panoramic views of both Kobe and the neighboring city of Osaka, take the bus and cable car to the top of Mount Rokko.

Read Next: The Best Month to Visit Japan

The best time to visit Kobe is during October when the fall foliage turns the city gorgeous shades of burnt orange and deep red. If you need a little RnR after all of these day trips, pay a relaxing visit to Arima Onsen, Japan’s most famous hot spring town.

It’s tucked away in the side of Mount Rokko and is a web of narrow alleyways and quaint wooden buildings. There are many ryokans (Japanese-style inns) and two public bath houses to choose from. Sit back, relax and feel the toxins leaving your body.

Nagoya

How to get there: Nagoya is located 135km from Kyoto, but both cities are stops on the shinkansen line, which means you can get from one to the other in as little as 35 minutes.

Tour packages often include bullet train tickets, as well as bus tours around the city with an English-speaking guide. This is definitely a great way to save some time and get the most out of your day in this super cool city.

What to do: Nagoya is an industrial hub, so if you’re a bit of a motorhead, this is definitely the place for you. It’s the capital of the Aichi prefecture where Toyota HQ is located.

You can learn everything there is to know about this car giant at the Toyota Techno museum in central Nagoya or take a tour of the Toyota Automobile Museum to see hundreds of cars dating back to the late 1800s.

If traveling all over Japan by train has sparked your curiosity, head to the SCMAGLEV and Railway Park. This is a railway museum dedicated to the history of Japan Rail and it’s pretty interesting stuff. You can even ride a train simulator if you really can’t get enough of your time on the tracks.

If you’re more into shopping than engineering, head downtown to the Sakae district where trendy department stores and restaurants abound. Go to Oasis 21 mall for a spaceship-inspired shopping experience or ride the ferris wheel attached to the side of the Sunshine Sakae complex. The best time to visit Nagoya is spring or fall when the weather is mild and rainfall levels are low.

Nagahama

How to get there: Nagahama lies 93km from Kyoto, which takes between 40-60 minutes on the Japan Rail train service. Take the Biwako line from Kyoto to Maibara and then travel another nine minutes on to Nagahama.

This will cost between $11-16 each way depending on the time of day you choose to travel.

What to do: Small, nostalgic Nagahama will take you back in time with its traditional buildings and ancient merchant houses. It’s a beautiful old town with a friendly vibe that instantly makes you feel welcome.

Enjoy wandering round the many glass art galleries and souvenir shops of Kurokabe Square, or chow down on sōmen and mackerel, a local specialty. Nagahama Castle is located close to the train station and exhibits samurai swords, armor and firearms, which is fitting since it was built on the orders of a warlord.

There’s also an observation deck where you can gaze down at lovely Lake Biwa.

If the weather’s good and you’ve got time, take a boat out to Chikubushima, an island floating in the middle of said lake. It’s a lush, green oasis with historical landmarks, such as Hogonji Temple and Tsukubususuma Jinja Shrine, dotted about.

The best time to do this is during summer when boats from Nagahama Port leave fives times per day. The service also runs during winter but you’ve only got two chances to get to the island, and it might get a little chilly!

Okayama

How to get there: Kyoto and Okayama are 213km apart. The Nozomi shinkansen is the most convenient way to get to Okayama – there are multiple trains every hour from Kyoto station and the journey takes just 60 minutes.

There’s also the Hikari train, which will have you there in an hour and a half, and one train leaves per hour. Both of these options are direct journeys, so getting to Okamaya should be nice and easy.

What to do: You should definitely go for a wander through the picturesque Koraku-en, a stunning Edo period landscape garden situated next to Okayama Castle.

As well as the ponds, walking paths and streams that are typical of a Japanese landscape garden, Koraku-en also features vast fruit tree groves, an archery range and rice fields – it’s pretty cool!

The next door castle, known as ‘Crow Castle’ due to its black exterior, is also worthy of a visit. It looks like a gothic fairytale dream!

On a sunny day, you should definitely cycle across the Kibi Plain, a bucolic flatland with a great cycling trail. It’s best to do this during the balmy spring and fall seasons so you don’t overheat – or freeze!

The trail is around 15km long but if your legs are seizing up at the very thought, relax – the path is almost entirely flat, so it should be a very easy journey. The easiest thing to do is start off at Bizen-Ichinomiya Station and rent your bike from there, then drop it off at the other end near the Bitchu-Kokubunji Temple.

Are you headed to the region soon?! What Kyoto day trips are you adding to your itinerary?!

The post Best Day Trips from Kyoto, Japan (Including Distances and Travel Tips) appeared first on A Passion and A Passport.

Wondering what to do in Kyoto? Oh, there’s so much! With it’s classical Buddhist temples, lush gardens, and imperial palaces, Kyoto is not to be missed on any trip to Japan.

It’s also wildly famous for geisha entertainers, kaiseki dining, and traditional wooden houses. Continue reading for some of the most popular things to do in Kyoto, Japan. Kyoto is the capital city of Kyoto Prefecture, which is located in the Kansai region of Japan, and is roughly 3 hours away from bustling Tokyo via high-speed bullet train.

Promise me that you’ll make the trip to Kyoto at least once in your life – yes, it’s just that spectacular (aka I’m currently scheming another trip there asap).

And pssst – if you’re planning a trip to Japan, be sure to check out my popular 10-day Japan itinerary.

So without further ado, here are some of the most famous things to do in Kyoto, Japan.

Best Things to do in Kyoto

1. Nishiki Market

Nishiki Market is definitely a must visit in Kyoto, especially for lovers of Japanese food. The market is not super big, nothing to compare to Tokyo’s former fish market for instance, but the products on offer are definitely top quality – I am still dreaming of the delicious fruit that we saw and tasted.

We really recommend visiting with a guide, in order to understand what the various foods are – for example, I had no idea there were so many different kids of miso and pickled vegetables before visiting Nishiki!

The market is also a great place to taste different kinds of street food.

If you’ve been to Japan before you’ll know that people don’t usually ‘eat’ in the street as much as in other places in Asia, but in Nishiki there seemed to be street food on offer at each stall – from barbecued fish, giant oysters and tiny red octopus, to colorful mochi balls and matcha ice cream with a real gold leaf.

In Nishiki there’s also one of the best knife shops we’ve ever visited, with knives for all types of food, with also many options for left-handed people!

Margherita | The Crowded Planet

2. Fushimi Inari Shrine

One of the top tourist sites in Kyoto is the Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine Gate.  The shrine was built to commemorate Inari, the god of rice. The shrine has ancient origins and is said to date back to before the capitol’s move Kyoto in 794.

Anyone who goes to Kyoto knows of the Fushimi Gate and ten thousand vermillion gates but it is actually more like 30,000 gates.  These gates are actually called torii in Japanese and they are a reddish orange colour. These gates were all paid for and donated by national and local businesses, sometimes even individuals buy the gates.

You can walk through one gate to another to the main buildings and visit the Shinto shrine there.  The entrance fee is free and the best time to visit is first things in the morning otherwise you will be in a crowd of selfie sticks.  Technically the shrine is open from 9am to 5pm but you can visit anytime.

You can also hike to the summit of the mountain which takes about 2-3 hours there and back but you are able to turn back at any time. The shrine is about a 45 minute walk from Kyoto, a 10 minute taxi ride, or a 5 minute train ride but the train is not that frequent.

Nicole | TravelGal Nicole

3. Have a Meal at a Luxury Ryoken

Kaiseki is a traditional meal, where diners kneel on rice straw tatami mats and sample a series of small dishes made from seasonal ingredients, cooked in the most regional way possible in order to best bring about their flavors.  

This reverence for nature is closely linked to the changing of the seasons, which influence virtually every aspect of Japanese culture. The Kaiseki at Kanamean Nishitomiya are made with 3 ki – Kisetsu(season), Kikai(chance) and Ki(dishes). The menu changes every month and dishes are selected with a monthly theme like cherry blossoms in April, Gion festival in July, Moon watching in September, and Autumn festivals in October.  

We were visiting Japan in December and had a lovely Kaiseki Christmas meal at Kanamean Nishitomiya in Kyoto which is known as one of the best ryokan in Kyoto. there were appetizers of tempura vegetables, soup, steamed bamboo, fried rice, raw fish, chicken – all served in beautiful dishes – some were even delicate Hermès plates with pretty floral and butterflies.

The meal was expensive but worth every bit. We finished with a yuzu pudding served in lemon sized fruit that had distinctively Japanese fragrance crowned with a blushing strawberry.  From the ingredients to the crockery and plating to service – it was like witnessing an art form – a beautiful Japanese culinary art!

Priya | Outside Suburbia

4. Eat alllll the Ramen

One of my most memorable experiences, from my time spent in Kyoto, was tasting my very first Japanese Ramen. On my very first trip to Japan, my friends and I split our time between Osaka and Kyoto, in attempts to make the most of our autumn vacation from our homes in South Korea. I took the lead on mapping out which sites we would see, while my friend Nancy found us fabulous places to eat.

The first place we visited was Daikoku Ramen, a traditional ramen restaurant, that has a line out the door soon after opening. We chose to go first thing in the morning in hopes of avoiding some of the longest lines. and were in luck – our party only had to wait about 20min before we were seated.

Of course we ordered up some Ramen and gyoza and had our food in just a few minutes. The food was exquisite, with very deep, rich flavors, and the price was very reasonable considering the quality of the food. I highly recommend you visit one of these popular ramen houses while you are in Kyoto; you won’t regret it!

• Daikoku Ramen (246-1 Honmachi 13-chome, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture, Japan)
• Ayam-ya – Japan, 〒600-8238 Kyoto Prefecture, Kyoto, 下京区御方紺屋町 2-1-11
• Ramen Factory Kyoto – 814-18 Honmachi 15-chome, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture 605-0981, Japan

Lindsay | The Neverending Wanderlust

5. Arashiyama Bamboo Forest

A stroll through the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest is a highlight of any trip to Kyoto. The hushed green forest is both peaceful and eerie. As the sun filters through the bamboo at different angles, gentle streams of light flicker across the forest. 

A single short path weaves from the town through the forest to the base of the hills.  We suggest taking your time meandering through the forest before exploring some of the other highlights in the area. At the base of the grove is Tenryu-ji Temple, with one of the best examples of Zen gardens in Kyoto.  It is lovely to stroll through the garden and admire the perfect symmetry of the design.

At the end of the grove turn left to walk through the nature park and down to the river where you can stroll along the riverbank back to town. Or turn right to walk further up the hill to oochi-Sanso Villa. With spectacular grounds, a tea house and one of the best examples of Japanese architecture it is worth the entry fee.

It is a short free walk through the forest and is hugely popular.  You will need to go very early to avoid the crowds. It is an easy 30 minutes train ride from Kyoto. Be prepared to brace yourself for a distracting walk from the station where souvenir shops line the streets for hundreds of metres!

Rachel | Adventure and Sunshine

6. Take a Ninja Class

My kids were desperate to take a ninja class in a Kyoto dojo. Having traipsed around temples and other sightseeing places with us, we felt they deserved this opportunity even though we were somewhat unenthusiastic. It turned out to be one of the best things we did!

We took our 2 hour class at the Ninja Dojo and Store in the central Kyoto Shijo area. Along with an American family of four and two instructors, we learned all about the training and purpose of ninjas during feudal Japan. Each instructor took one family to one of the two studios so that we had plenty of space to practice what we learned.

A class involves getting dressed in a ninja outfit as well. The instructor expertly clothed us all up in no time at all. We looked the part which helped us get into character. It was so much fun because the instructors were enthusiastic and knowledge.

We learned a lot about feudal Japanese times such as the difference between a samurai sword and a ninja sword. And, I discovered my daughter is extremely talented at blowing a poison dart gun.

You need to make reservations because the ninja class is popular. If you have a child attending the class, then there will need to be one adult present.  The classes though are not childish or geared towards children.

Although our time slot was taken by two families, the class before us was all adults who looked like they were having a blast. There is also super cool store on-site with antique ninja weapons. Our kids were pleased with their fridge magnet Shurkien (Ninja star) souvenir which was way less expensive (and dangerous) than the antique items!

Shobha | Just Go Places

7. Ride the Randen Line Train

Kyoto, the spiritual capital of Japan, has a staggering 1200 year history and a never-ending stream of visitors who flock to sample some of the 1600 traditional temples. It is a bustling city with a modern bus system and efficient underground railway, but Kyoto was once criss-crossed by a network of tramlines.

Of this network only the Randen Tram Line remains and it holds a nostalgic place in the heart of many locals. The cute purple trams with their box-like shape, complete with conductors wearing peaked caps and white gloves, are a charming sight.

Owned by the private Keifuku Railroad Company, it is in reality two lines. The Arashiyama, running west from Shijo-Omiya Station to Arashiyama (of bamboo forest and Tenryuji temple fame) and The Kitano Line. 

Our Japanese friend was delighted to take us on the Kitano Line and show us three of her favourite Kyoto temples – all of which are Unesco World Heritage listed. During cherry blossom season the tram slows between Narutaki and Utano Stations to admire the track-side cherry trees.  

We left the tram at Ninnaji Station (B5) to visit a temple of the same name. Ninnaji is one of the most peaceful temples in all of Kyoto and is famous for a special brand of late flowering cherry tree.

From there it is an easy walk to the famous Ryoanji Zen Garden, where 15 rocks sit with silent purpose in a sea of raked sand. A further walk leads to the interesting complex of Kinkakuji, the golden temple who shines regally from it’s own pond.  Exploring three very different temples via the historical Randen Tram Line is an excellent way to spend a day in Kyoto.

Jan | Budget Travel Talk

8. Moss Garden Temple

Visiting Saiho-ji Temple (also called Koke-dera/ Moss Temple) is an opportunity to experience Japan in a way that few tourists do.  The temple visit starts with an activity such as copying the ‘heart sutra’ or chanting.

Sitting down on a tatami (straw mat) floor and practicing traditional Japanese calligraphy is a great way to slow down and start to appreciate traditional Japanese life.  

Then you have time to wander the gardens. There is a traditional dry garden with rocks and raked sand, but the highlight is the moss garden, with over 200 varieties of moss around a heart-shaped pond. The ‘heart’ is the Japanese character for ‘heart’, not the western concept of Valentine’s Day heart.  

There are three tea pavilions scattered around the garden amongst the trees and bamboo and moss. Wander slowly along the paths that meander through the garden and take in the quiet beauty of this magical place.

The garden is best in spring, when it is wettest, but can be visited year-round.  Gaining entrance is a little complicated. If you live in Japan, you need to send a special kind of postcard that has a self-addressed return side to reserve your visit several weeks in advance.  

If you don’t live in Japan, the easiest thing is to ask your hotel to do this for you. When you receive the confirmation postcard, you will be told the exact time of your visit, and you must bring the postcard confirmation and pay 3,000 yen on the day of your visit.

James | Travel Collecting

9. Geisha Spotting in Gion

Kyoto is considered the birthplace of geisha culture. Although you can find the beautiful and talented performers throughout Japan, the best place to see an actual geisha is in the district of Gion in Kyoto.

Known for their white makeup, elegant kimonos, and perfectly kept updo hairstyles, geishas are young women who have train for years in in the traditional Japanese arts. They typically perform at high-end dinners, special events, and private tea houses.

Getting an invitation to a geisha performance isn’t easy nor cheap. You also won’t find these poised performers walking the streets, willingly posing for selfies with tourists.

So, many people resort to paparazzi tactics to catch a glimpse of a geisha. Spotting a geisha is somewhat like spotting a falling star. It’s often hard to do, and you’ll only catch a fleeting glimpse. But if you are lucky enough to spot one, it’s incredibly memorable.  

The best way to catch a glimpse of a geisha is to head to Gion around dusk. This is typically around the time the geishas are heading to a performance. Look for the crowds and for taxis or hired drivers parked directly in front of the door to a building.

Then you wait, with your camera ready, for the geisha to emerge. She will quickly be escorted from the door to the car and whisked away to her performance. Geishas are often accompanied by a younger apprentice, called a maiko.

Dressed similar to a geisha but wearing a more muted kimono, she will likely follow the geisha in a second taxi. This will give you a more chance to see one of these traditional Japanese entertainers, even if only for a brief moment.

Melissa | Parenthood and Passports

10. Kiyomizu-dera Temple

The Kiyomizu-dera Temple is one of the most popular temples in all of Japan, let alone Kyoto.  It is a UNESCO World Heritage site and a must-see on your visit.

There are several parts and pieces including a gorgeous main hall with a beautiful veranda, the Otowa waterfall where you can have your wishes granted by drinking the water, and the Jishu Shrine, dedicated to the god of love and “good matches,” Ōkuninushi.

There are 2 popular times to go: during the cherry blossom season in the spring and the leaf changing in the fall.  In addition, there are evening festivities at both times, and let me tell you, it gets extremely crowded!

If you don’t want to be jostled along by a crowd and have the possibility of actually seeing the temple and shrines, I recommend visiting in the early morning.

It is quite beautiful and pretty calm! Because of the wishes at the Otowa fall and the shrine of love, there are lots of people, students, and young couples, many in kimonos, visiting the temple.

After your visit, there are 2 fun things to do in the area: have a coffee at Inoda Coffee shop which has been in Kyoto since 1940 and has delicious coffee, and then do some shopping along Masuyacho, in particular, check the adorable boutique called Dot Dot, which has beautiful handmade products in you guessed it, polka dots!

It’s the perfect way to move from 1633 to 1940 to the present all in a few blocks!

Andi | Misadventures with Andi

11. Nijo Castle

Not often found in the guidebook top ten lists but one of our favourite things to do in Kyoto was visit the beautiful Nijo Castle! The castle was built  in 1603 by the first shogun of the Edo-era. It’s a vast complex built up of spectacular grounds and several open to the public buildings!

Our favourite part of the day was taking off our shoes to explore the main castle building in particular we loved listening to the nightingale floors as we stepped on them – apparently an early security measure!

The audio guide is worth getting to cover more of the castle histories! Not to be missed at the castle is the grounds however as the gardens in the complex were my favourite that I visited in all of Japan.

Leona | Wandermust Family

12. Philosopher’s Path

One of the best things to do in Kyoto is to walk the along the Philosopher’s Path.

The Philosopher’s Walk is a pedestrian mile long stone path that follows a cherry-tree lined canal in East Kyoto in the Higashiyama district between Ginkaku-ji and Nanzen-ji. It is named after the famous Japanese philosopher: “Nishida Kitaro” who practiced meditation while walking this route on his daily commute to Kyoto University.

This is the place to come in Kyoto to marvel at the famous “hanami” (cherry blossom) in the Spring – particularly in April. Here the trees just explode with color, which makes it one of the best places in Japan in our opinion to watch the hanami. The Fall months are also a good time to visit to see beautiful colors.

Read Next: When to Visit Japan (Seasons, Weather, and Festivals)

The Philosopher’s Walk is also the perfect way to see more of the many temples alongside it. Each temple is surrounded by a Japanese Garden – themselves something to marvel because of the immaculate attention to detail.

The most famous stopover along the Philosopher’s Walk is the Ginkaku-Ji Silver Temple, which has one of the most impressive gardens around it. Everything is so precise, extremely well maintained and so very Instagrammable!

There are many restaurants, cafes and boutique shops along the path to stop over during your walk.

Stefan and Sebastien | Nomadic Boys

13. Kinkaju-ji (Golden Temple)

Kinkaku-ji or the Golden Temple in Kyoto has an interesting history behind it – it’s a private estate which belonged to the military warlord, Yoshimitsu, who ruled Japan in the Emperor’s name in the 1300’s. Now it’s a Buddhist temple and tourist hub, where people flock around the wooden gate, to snap photos of the golden walls and surrounding pond.

To get to the Golden Temple, is an easy 30 minute ride from Kyoto Station, using the Shinkansen and then a bus. From the bus stop, it’s a two minute walk. The gold glistening temple can be easily spotted once past the entrance.

There’s an entrance fee and people directing the crowd one way around the temple. I went during early May and saying that it was crowded is an understatement. Tourists, cameras and selfie sticks in hand, paused along the pathway to snap photos and pose for selfies.

The day was hot – if I do recommend a time to go, it would be more towards the cooler months for the weather and to avoid the tourist crowds. At the end of the short hike around the temple are vendors selling food and souvenirs that you can buy to keep as a memory for you’re time at the Golden Temple.

Samah | God and Wanderlust

14. Otagi Nenbutsu Temple

Kyoto has always been a top destination in Japan with its spectacular temples and shrines. However, once you’ve visited the main sights and still find yourself yearning for more, there’s one final temple that many people miss.

If you’re looking to get off the beaten path and willing to strike out on public transportation or a short drive for those with rental cars (very brave, but also very rewarding), then you really must find your way to the small, quirky and unique Otagi Nenbutsu temple. This smaller, serene temple sits on the outskirts of Kyoto at the base of Mount Atago.

The temple grounds are peaceful and quiet with none of the tourist coach crowds all jostling for position to get that iconic shot of the Golden Temple. What makes Otagi Nenbutsu different are the hundreds of small hand carved statues standing in ranks outside the temple. These are all donated by local worshippers and all are carved with a different face and look.

Visitors search through the small statues in the hopes of finding one that bears their resemblance! If they look hard enough, nearly everyone will find a version of their own countenance staring back at them.

Corinne | Reflections En Route

15. Show at Gion Theatre

Gion is one of the oldest areas in Kyoto where many people visit in hopes of seeing a Maiko or a Geisha. However, not everyone is lucky to spot a Geisha on the streets of Gion. Instead, we highly recommend buying tickets to a show at Gion Corner. You will not only get to see a Maiko in person but also get to watch her perform one the many dances which can cost you a fortune in the tea houses.

What’s more, before the Maiko dance performance there are several other traditional Japanese performing art shows in the theater. These art forms include tea making ceremony, flower arrangement, puppet show, comedy play, and many more. There is an English explanation announced for each for these art shows. All of this for a ticket costing about USD $28 is not bad in our opinion.

Since all of the different art form demonstrations is packed in just 1 hour it might seem rushed to some people but think of it as a trailer of Japanese culture and traditions. The show at Gion Corner is especially something to watch if you are visiting Kyoto for a short duration. Being an indoor event, it’s great all year long attraction in Kyoto.

Richa | My Tickle Feet

16. Hiking Kurama to Kibune

Looking to escape the crowds in Kyoto? Head north to the town of Kurama. From Kurama, you can hike over to Kibune. The train ride itself is worth the trip as it enters a stunning well treed mountain valley.

This is a perfect outing on a hot sunny day, as you’ll be rewarded with cool shade in the dense, old growth forest. The first part of the hike is steep with plenty of stairs, but worth it for the incredible views especially if you are lucky enough to visit in the fall when the maple trees are glowing red in the sunlight.

Once you reach the Kurama-dera temple, take a moment to explore the temple and get reenergized before continuing on to Kibune. We recommend taking a picture of the Kibune sign as the signs past this point are only in Japanese.

From the Kurama-dera temple, you’ll continue climbing up to the top of the ridge. From there you can decide to head back to the Kurama station or continue on to Kibune. The trail down to Kibune is much more of a natural hiking trail and is steep downwards.

After lunch in Kibune, you can hike back over to Kurama the same way you came or take a short bus ride to Kibuneguchi Station (don’t forget change for the bus). The hike from Kurama to Kibune is approximately 2miles/3.3km with a total elevation gain of 954ft/291m.

Celine | Family Can Travel

17). Ginkaku-ji (Silver temple)

Known as the little brother of its more famous sibling Kinkaku-ji or “Golden Pavilion”, Ginkaku-ji is one of the most memorable things to do in Kyoto. Having visited both, I was quite surprised to find that Ginkaku-ji was undoubtedly the shogun villa that took my breath away!

Welcomed by an immaculate gravel zen garden on entering the grounds of Ginkaku-ji, I was delighted by the feeling of calm in this peaceful setting. Hugged by a winding stone pathway, a sparkling pond lay in the shade beneath a number of Japanese maple trees and other native plants.

The best part of the gardens was the stunning elevated view over the grounds and Kyoto city from the mossy hillside above, with the sounds of miniature waterfalls and rivers flowing nearby.

A relaxing way to reach Ginkaku-ji is by strolling Kyoto’s beautiful Path of Philosophy. Lined with cherry trees, this two-kilometre pathway runs adjacent to a Meiji-era canal where koi fish are easily spotted along the way.

Ginkaku-ji or the “Silver Pavilion” is best visited in the late afternoon, as most day trippers to Kyoto start to head back to their accommodation elsewhere. It’s lovely to enjoy the tranquillity these gardens were designed for without the crowds. If you’re visiting Kyoto, be sure to find out the dos and don’ts in Japan to help you make the most of your visit!

Alyse | The Invisible Tourist

18. Okochi Sanso Garden

When you are visiting Arashiyama in Kyoto, Okochi Sanso Garden is a stunning attraction that is set in the picturesque outdoors and situated at the rear of the ever-popular Bamboo Grove Walk. The gardens are a hit for all tourist who venture into Arashiyama, which is ideal for anytime of the year, especially during the cherry-blossom season in the months of march and April.

The superb garden setup was originally designed by a Japanese actor in the name of Okochi Denjiro. Okochi created the gardens on his own estate over a 30-year period which included the traditional Japanese houses that is seen throughout two-hectare space of land. The gardens opened to the public in the 1960’s after the Okochi had passed away.

Tourist will love visiting the Okochi Sanso Garden for an approximately an hour of two of their time, it’s a peaceful walk in nature through well landscaped gardens and various bushlands. You can view the boutique art gallery of various themed arts and gaze over Kyoto City from numerous vantage points.

Perhaps the best bit will come at the end of your walk when you sit down in a traditional Japanese tea house for a delicious green-tea and miniature cake, it’s all a treat that will make the 1000-yen entrance fee all the worthwhile.

Anthony | Fair Dinkum Traveller

19. Collect Goshuin/Calligraphy from temples

Japan is an overload of tradition and culture and there are an endless amount of experiences for tourists to enjoy. One the most-unknown yet must-have experiences is collecting shuin (calligraphy) from various temples and shrines; and Kyoto is the perfect place to collect a one-of-a-kind design. A goshuin also makes for the coolest Japanese souvenir, as it is a unique journal chronicling your visit.

To collect the calligraphy first one needs a Goshuin-cho, more commonly shortened to Goshuin, which is the book the calligraphy is drawn into. These books are made of traditional Japanese washi paper and open and close accordion style.

You can purchase a goshuin at nearly every temple and shrine in Japan, each temple usually having a unique design, or for a more traditional experience you can visit a Washi paper workshop (such as Kamitowa in Osaka) where you can make your own hand-made Goshuin book.

With your book in hand you can venture to any temple or shrine, and in one of the little windows of the temple you will see a sign with the Japanese characters ‘朱印所’ – this is where you go to collect your calligraphy.

Each shuin, or calligraphy of the temple/shrine will have the name of the temple/shrine, as well as the date of your visit and sometimes a mantra from Buddha all in Japanese kanji. Collecting the calligraphy from the temple and shrine will usually cost ¥300 and for temples that offer one-of-a-kind designs, they can cost up to ¥1000.

The best way to find limited edition stamps and calligraphy is to look up Japanese Goshuin sites (if you don’t read Japanese, Google Translate can help somewhat) otherwise an insider tip is by looking up #Goshuin on Instagram, and looking at the tagged location of pics.

There are many different shrines and temples in Kyoto, and Fushimi Inara, famous for it’s red torii gates has a famous goshuin that is said to bring good fortune and luck in business.

Marc | The One Hit Wander

20. Visit some Historic Sites (Tofuku-ji Temple, Genkoan, and Hosenin)

Temples like Genko-an, Hosenin and Tofuku-ji Temple come to mind when we think of Kyoto. These spots are very popular and are scattered around the city and guarantee an experience of historic moments and famous townscapes.

Hosenin

Hosenin, although small, is said to be a sub-temple of Shoren-in found in Ohara. Ohara is a small town that can be accessed within 42 minutes or less by bus. However, it is essential to take a jumper or light jacket along as temperature change varies.

Entrance fee to Hosenin are a tea cake (mocha) and match (tea). After this, you are then led into the house where you can easily discover the running water along the temple (this space feels more like a house) before seating.

If you love and appreciate beauty, quiet places, you will most likely want to visit Hosen in again. The experience and view is just OUT OF THIS WORLD, home to a 700-year-old pine tree, this tree is no doubt magnificent, and you can tell it has been showered with time, affection, love and care from a bonsai master.

There are different eye-pleasing gardens to look at. The path in the garden is wonderful too. It’s a short stroll, but intensely healing. You will discover a pond garden that can be viewed from different angles. Once you get to the temple tatami room, you should enjoy your tea, the healing garden views, a Buddhist artwork and altar. The view through the garden to surrounding mountains is fine too. Last,

remember to listen and connect your mind to the soothing sounds of tsuikinkutsu; a traditional musical device. Avoid rushing/skipping any experience. Enjoy each moment and beauty.

Genko-an

Start off by paying your respects to Sakyamuni; a Buddha statue found inside the main building. Head over to the “Window of Confusion” and “Window of Enlightenment”. The meanings of these two windows include “Zen state of mind and principles of Buddhism”. Stand facing the windows, the square window on the right is named the “Window of Confusion”.

This is because the word “Confusion” translates to four kinds of suffering in Buddha’s religion: birth, old age, disease, and death. This window will help you realize that there are so many events in one’s life that has happened and will happen. These events help shape one’s life. The round window on the right is named “the Window of Enlightenment”.

This window is said to express the Zen mindset. It proclaims the untainted form of nature, a white, innocent, form…which means to cause enlightenment. It is believed that the circle shaped window represents the universe (round). I believe it is better to first look at the “Window of Confusion”, then to look at the “Window of Enlightenment”- it gives you a bigger picture.

On the other side of the windows, there is a Japanese garden, and the beautiful view of fall colors you see through the windows are quite popular. This has made a lot of tourists travel to see these fall colours in autumn.

This might not be the best time for you to travel if you enjoy silence a lot. You can travel in season outside of all. Snowy landscapes and lush greenery are also attractive, so I think you should come in the raining season.

Tofuku-ji

The Tofuku-ji Temple is one of the most visited temples in the city. Perhaps, what made it so is the gorgeous view of autumn leaves during autumn season. The huge temple boasts of over 2,000 m2 vast Japanese garden, where lots of maple trees flourish and deliver radiance with warm colours. The most popular view is from/of the Tsutenkyo Bridge (通天橋), the 100 m bridge which connects Kaisando Hall and Hondo Hall.

The apex season of autumn leaves take place from mid to late November, and the beautiful bridge is usually highly crowded during this period, so it’s highly advised to visit in the morning. A famous Zen garden called Honbo Garden (本坊庭園) which has amazing rock gardens is found here. The Hojo is one of the main buildings in the temple.

Balogun | Hol Beach Today

21. Stay in a Ryokan

Kyoto is known for tradition and there is no better tradition in Kyoto to experience than to stay in a traditional Japanese Inn.  Ryokans are found throughout the country, but some of the best are found in and near Kyoto. Staying in a ryokan is a completely different experience from staying in a hotel.  It’s a complete cultural immersion.

Take your meals in your room and experience Kaiseki Ryori (Japanese Haute Cuisine) while wearing a traditional yukata.  It’s an experience like no other! There are other considerations – you’ll sleep on a futon on the floor, which in my experience is immensely comfortable, although I did opt for the western style pillow!   

Traditional ryokans also have communal bathing facilities, which follow strict cultural rules and customs. They’re great fun, even for an introverted English woman!

3 of the best ryokans to explore in Kyoto are:
• Gion Komatsu – with private bathrooms
• Ryokan Izuyasu – built in 1839
• Luck You Kyoto Bukkoji-Higashimachi

The names may have been westernized, but the experience is truly Japanese.

Sarah | A Social Nomad

22. Participate in or Watch a Tea ceremony

Participating in an authentic Tea Ceremony was one of the highlights of my 5-day Kyoto trip in Japan. I chose not to do it in a teahouse, but in an authentic Japanese home with quite a limited group of participants.

During the tea ceremony we got to stay on the tatami (traditional Japanese straw mat) and enjoy the required steps of a tea ceremony. We found out many things about the existing types of green tea in Japan (matcha), how it should be properly prepared, why is the tatami designed that way and what are the things you need to say before and after you sip your hot tea.

During my tea ceremony I was with only 2 other travelers, so the atmosphere was very intimate and nice. We got to taste homemade Japanese tea sweets and we could ask as many questions as we could.

The tea place where I went is located right across the street from Kinkaku-ji (the Golden Temple in Kyoto) and it is called Tea Ceremony Kyoto. I chose to do this activity late in the afternoon, when the sun was setting beautifully over that nice Japanese home, but you can do it at any time of the day.

Doing it in the morning would be a great idea, as the matcha tea will give you an energy boost for your next activity!

Our host was a certified tea ceremony master which studied for this at Urasenke, the biggest school of tea ceremony in Japan, so we also got to find out many insights about this practice and why is green tea so important in this country.

I won’t say more about this activity because I don’t want to spoil the other interesting details that you will find out there, but if you have 45 spare minutes to learn more about the Japanese culture, participating in an authentic tea ceremony is definitely worth your time!

Yulia | Miss Tourist

23. To-Ji temple

Tō-ji Temple (translated as “East Temple”) is one of the many UNESCO World Heritage Sites worth exploring in Kyoto. Its most famous structure is the 5 story wooden pagoda towering above the temple grounds.

Built in the year 828, this gojū no tō stands at 54.8 meters and has the distinction of being the tallest wooden tower in Japan. It is located in the southeast corner of the Tō-ji Temple grounds but it’s height makes it difficult to photograph in its entirety. It is normally closed off to the public but on special occasions the ground floor is open for viewing.

As you walk around the serene gardens and turtle filled pond, make sure to visit the other two large wooden buildings on the temple grounds: Kondo Hall and Kodo Hall. These massive structures were originally built in the year 825.

Both were badly damaged by fire and rebuilt in 1486 in the contemporary architectural style  from the Edo Period. The Kondo Hall houses a large statue of Yakushi Buddha, and his two attendants, the Nikko and Gakko Bodhisattvas.

The Kodo Hall has curated a collection of 19 large statues that are arranged accordingly to a mandala. It is an impressive display of historical religious relics to behold but not photograph (photography is prohibited in both buildings).

The Tō-ji Temple grounds are open everyday from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm (entry until 4:30 pm) and the admission price is 500 yen (which is increased to 800 yen for irregular special openings of the pagoda).

For shopping enthusiasts, on the 21st of each month there is a special flea market held in the park area surrounding the temple. It’s an excellent place to find bargains on second hand Japanese goods (pottery, kimonos, antiques, etc.)!

Paul | Chow Traveller

24. Eat all the Street Food

The Japanese have elevated simple street food to an art. You find gatherings of food stalls around temples, in markets, at street festivals, lining roads leading to tourist attractions and in the middle of busy cities.

The prize for freshest best tasting street food in the most interesting location goes to delightful tidbits found at the Nishiki market. Both sides of this long street are packed with street vendors. Some notable stands include Uoriki, a fish shop that has been around since 1919 and stores selling Dashimaki Tamago a Kyoto specialty of flavored eggs folded into many layers.   

Other locations where street food abounds are the areas around temples. The perfect example is the area around the Fushimi Inari shrine where multiple stalls line the long avenue leading up to the famous gates.  

The stalls tend to be neat and organize and the food meticulously prepared and presented. When people say Japanese food presentation is as important as the taste itself, they are not kidding. It is a pleasure to merely look at the food.

Of course, the ultimate tests of Japanese street food are the flavors, and they don’t disappoint. Some of the most popular include chilled salted cucumber on a stick; takoyaki which are little bits of octopus deep fried in batter; pork dumplings or nikuman, and the all-time favorite, Ikayaki, delicious fried squid.

An ideal evening out in any Japanese city includes vendor hopping along a string of Japanese street food stands.

Talek | Travels with Talek

25. Teramachi Shopping Arcade

After visiting the picturesque culinary displays at Nishiki Market, it only makes sense to continue on to two connecting shopping arcades: Teramachi and Shinkyogoku. The two shopping streets run parallel from Shijo Dori at the southern end to Sanjo Dori at the northern end, with Nishiki Market extending west from Teramachi.

What makes these markets great for visiting? For starters, they are totally covered, so they make a great escape for a rainy day or if you’re all templed out and need something different to do in Kyoto. Teramachi features an interesting mix of antique shops, second-hand clothing stores, bookshops, and art galleries.

On the other hand, Shinkyogoku is where you can load of on tacky Japan souvenirs for your friends and family back home. Consumerism aside, there is some cool history behind the shopping arcades. Teramachi literally means “temple town,” as a Japanese warlord in the 16th century moved many temples here in an attempt to control the clergy.

As out of place as it may seem, we loved Nishiki Tenmangu Shrine, a quaint spiritual oasis in the middle of the sea of souvenir shops in Shinkyogoku market. This peaceful little shrine has a history that goes back 1000 years. Only in Kyoto!

Nick | Spiritual Travels

26. Kennin-ji Temple

In a city renowned for beautiful temples and shrines, Kennin-ji was one of our favorites. Kennin-ji is the oldest Zen Buddhist temple in Kyoto and dates back to the 13th century. The temple was founded by Eisai, a Buddhist monk who introduced both Zen Buddhism and tea cultivation to Japan having learnt about them while studying in China.

Kennin-ji is a working temple, where monks in training wander the grounds in quiet contemplation. You can freely visit most of the temple buildings and grounds and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere.

But you should definitely pay the small fee to enter the is the main halls. You can then explore the temple’s highlights including the stunning “Twin Dragons” mural in the Dharma Hall that was commissioned in 2002 to commemorate the temple’s 800th anniversary.

There are several other important artworks on display from the Edo period, including a replica of Tawaraya Sōtatsu’s gold screen painting Wind and Thunder Gods that has been proclaimed a national treasure.

We loved the zen gardens throughout the temple complex. Featuring maple, moss and gravel elements, they are perfectly serene. One of these, the Chō’ontei Garden (Garden of the Sound of the Tide) is a  simple and elegant space.

It was created using three stones that represent Buddha and a servant Boddhisatva on each side. There is also a zazenseki, a stone for seated meditation.

Kennin-ji is a quiet haven in the Higayashi district, close to Gion.

Katy | Untold Morsels

27. Iwatayama Monkey Park

A great place for nature and animal lovers to visit in Kyoto is the Iwatayama Monkey Park. High on a hill in the Arashiyama district, wild Japanese macaques roam freely, their playful personalities delighting visitors of all ages.

It’s a steep hike to the open area at the top where the monkeys hang out, but the effort is worth it to see these cuties frolic around. For an up-close experience with the monkeys, you can buy some small bags of fruit and feed them from inside a fenced hut. It’s entertaining to see how excited the monkeys get, some even trying to reach through the holes in the fence to grab the snacks!

The monkey park is open year round, but a great time to visit is during the birth season, which occurs between March and September. This is your best chance to see baby monkeys. Another nice time to visit is in autumn when the maple trees along the trail are changing colour.

To have a safe and enjoyable visit to the monkey park, make sure you don’t bring in any food and don’t stare, chase, or touch the monkeys. You will also need suitable hiking shoes for the walk to the top.

Rhonda | Travel? Yes Please!

Hopefully you’ve found at least a few interesting things to do in Kyoto after reading through this lengthy list! What are you most excited about on your trip to Kyoto?! 

The post Top Things To Do In Kyoto: Kyoto Sightseeing and Tourist Spots appeared first on A Passion and A Passport.

On my whirlwind of a trip to Japan last year, one of the places I was most excited to visit in Tokyo was the quirky little area of Harajuku. I had heard a bit about it, but visiting was a whole other story. And I honestly didn’t realize how much time to account for the neighborhood since I under estimated just how many over-the-top and intriguing things to do in Harajuku awaited me!

Harajuku is known internationally as one of the most fashion-forward places in Japan – and, perhaps, the world (and there’s tons of things to do in Harajuku). It’s the home of kawaii, or Japanese “cuteness” culture.

This bustling neighborhood has birthed many of the country’s most eccentric trends and is always filled with style-obsessed teenagers sporting the latest cutting-edge designs.

It’s a fascinating fashion whirlwind, and the place to see and be seen while you’re in Tokyo. Yet there are even more things to do in Harajuku than shopping and ogling the outlandish fashions, believe it or not. From shrines to karaoke, there’s a lot to experience in this thriving cultural hub.

Read Next: Top 35+ Things to do in Tokyo (Bucket List + Itinerary Inspiration)

Harajuku Street Guide and Attractions (Best Things to do in Harajuku)

Meiji Shrine & Inner Garden

No Harajuku guide is complete without a mention of the famous Meiji Shrine. Dedicated to the late great Emperor Meiji, the iconic shrine is surrounded by a dense forest which is particularly beautiful during the sakura and koyo seasons.

Read Next: When To Visit Japan (Seasons, Festivals, and Crowds)

Yoyogi Park

Located opposite Harajuku station, Yoyogi Park is one of the most scenic spots Tokyo has to offer. You can enjoy a picnic or rent a bike and cycle through the park. It’s also a very popular blossom-watching spot during the spring.

On Sundays, hundreds of artists and hobby groups gather in the park to perform, practice and socialise, which makes for very entertaining people watching.

Takeshita Street

Takeshita street epitomises Japanese pop culture so if you’re interested in kawaii fashion it should top your list of Harajuku attractions. Many of the country’s kookiest trends are born here and it’s a prime spot for observing Japan’s trendy teen culture.

Tokyu Plaza

This mall puts the ‘extra’ in ‘extravagant’. Its eye-catching exterior appears to be made of Kiriko cut glass and the mirror emblazoned entrance is a great spot for a mind-boggling selfie. Head to the 14th floor observation deck for sweet city views or lounge at the luxe roof terrace on the 6th floor.

Moshi Moshi Box Harajuku Information Center

 

 

 

 

 

 

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If you don’t feel like lugging your bags around all day, storage at the Moshi Moshi Box will only set you back $4.50 per item. They also offer maps and tons of other helpful info. Best of all, it features a giant candy-coated world clock – a veritable kawaii landmark.

Hedgehog Café Harry Harajuku

 

 

 

 

 

 

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This cafe takes cute to a whole new level. For $15 you can spend a blissful half hour petting, feeding and of course cuddling adorable baby hedgehogs. Rest assured, the hedgehogs here are well cared for and regularly rotated to ensure they aren’t overexposed to guests.

Shop NOA

 

 

 

 

 

 

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If you’re into taking fun photos with your friends – and let’s be honest, who isn’t? – then Shop Noa is one of the best things to do in Harajuku. It was Japan’s first shop dedicated entirely to purikura (cutesy photobooths with lots of filters and stickers). There are hours of fun to be had inside these machines and you can even rent costumes for added excitement.

Karaoke Kan

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Karaoke Kan is one of Japan’s most iconic karaoke chains. It’s a light-hearted, reasonably priced venue with some decidedly dangerous all-you-can-drink deals. There are three branches along Harajuku’s Meiji-dori street and they’re all open until 5am – have fun!

Togo Shrine

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Harajuku attractions aren’t all kitsch and kawaii. When you’re all shopped-out (yes, it can happen), head to the Togo Shrine for a spot of peace and quiet. It’s hidden just behind Takeshita street but it feels like a different world entirely.

Take a few breaths and learn about one of Japan’s greatest naval heroes, or enjoy a walk around the little garden and pond area.

Harajuku Shopping

Ask anyone for advice on what to do in Harajuku and they’ll likely tell you to shop ‘til you drop. The area is famous for its shopping, so it would be rude not to indulge, right?

You’ll see a couple of your typical chain brands here but the real draw of the area is that it’s a mecca for kawaii fashion.

There’s a reason Gwen Stefani sung “You Harajuku girls … you’ve got some wicked style.” From vintage shops to far-out fashion havens, the busy Harajuku streets are filled with the craziest, most creative selection of stores you’ve ever seen.

A visit to the following list of stores is equal parts shopping and sightseeing; it’s guaranteed that you’ll come away having learned something new about kawaii culture by the end of the day.

Largest Daiso in Tokyo

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Daiso is a Japanese 100 yen store chain that sells everything you could ever want – and more. Tokyo’s largest branch can be found in Harajuku is a bargain-lover’s nirvana.

WEGO

 

 

 

 

 

 

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WEGO sells super cool, budget-friendly streetwear. It’s vintage-inspired but all of the clothes are actually brand new so you should be able to find everything in your size – bonus!

Kiddy Land

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Kiddy Land is toy heaven. It’s a five-floor department store divided into themed rooms based around different cartoon characters. Who hasn’t always wanted to visit Snoopy Town or Hello Kitty Land?

GR8

 

 

 

 

 

 

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From the outside, GR8 resembles a traditional Japanese garden but once inside it’s a neon-lit showcase of the hottest urban fashions. They even carry Kanye’s notoriously hard-to-come-by Yeezy line. Hope you brought your wallet!

Dog

Any Harajuku guide worth its salt will tell you to head to Dog. It’s an underground Aladdin’s cave of fashion that’s seemingly dictated by the motto “too much is never enough.” The store is so influential in the world of Japanese fashion that the shop floor employees regularly earn themselves magazine spreads and TV cameos.

Panama Boy

This boho-hipster secondhand store is a great spot to bag some bargains. Its stock tends to be less outlandish than your typical Harajuku boutique. Head here to score levi cutoffs, flowy dresses and vintage designer handbags.

Oedo Kazuko

Tucked away inside a basement, this hidden gem is the place to buy kimonos in Harajuku. As well as their colorful garments they sell beautiful accessories including hairpins and beaded bags.

Unfollow

This hipster hotspot sells a mixture of vintage items and edgy streetwear. Its carefully curated selection of garish shirts makes for a fun try-on session and their reconstructed vintage jewelry will definitely catch your eye.

Pass the Baton

 

 

 

 

 

 

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This concept thrift store aims to link two lives together through the passing on of clothes, furniture and antiques. Each item comes with a photo of the previous owner and a short note explaining its meaning to them.

Where to Eat in Harajuku

Wondering what to do in Harajuku after shopping? Stuff your face, of course. One of the best things to do in Harajuku is eat –  the food is out-of-this-world delicious! You wouldn’t expect boring fare in Japan’s quirkiest, most creative neighborhood, would you?

There are a ton of kawaii treats on offer here that often look even sweeter than they taste! Harajuku is a sugar-addict’s heaven; crepes, ice cream and crunchy pastries are a major component of Harajuku street food.

Rest assured, you can also enjoy more traditional savoury dishes such as soba and gyoza. Hope you’re hungry!

Totti Candy Factory

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Freshly spun, brightly colored and bigger than your head, Totti’s rainbow cotton candy makes for a truly awesome sweet treat. They also sell kawaii candy and cake pops. Careful you don’t get a toothache!

Zaku Zaku

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Zaku Zaku is famous for its croquant chou, which is a crispy, nut-coated pastry filled with custard cream. You can also order it in cone form and enjoy a dollop of creamy, soft-serve ice cream on top. Yum yum!

Rainbow Pancake

 

 

 

 

 

 

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From caramelised apple to sweet potato, the sky’s the limit when it comes to toppings at this sweet little restaurant. The pancakes are fluffy and portions are generous, so come hungry!

Kawaii Monster Cafe

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Eating at this quirky cafe is one of the most memorable things to do in Harajuku. You enter through the mouth of a giant monster and things only get crazier once you’re through to the other side.

With distortion mirrors, garish colours, giant bunnies and a cake-shaped carousel, it’s sort of like an even wackier, kawaii version of Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory.

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This ultra-cool cafe is the home of kawaii coffee art. Show one of the latte artists a photo of your pet, spouse or favourite cartoon character (the sky’s the limit here, really) and they’ll recreate them in foam.

Marion Crêpes

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Crepe stands are a big part of Harajuku street food culture and Marion claims to be the oldest stand in Japan. Filled to the brim with sugary goodness, their fresh, buttery crepes are the perfect mid-shopping snack. Order the Mega Marion for an ice cream, cheesecake and chocolate sauce extravaganza.

Calbee Plus

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Chocolate covered potato chips are a popular snack in Japan. Calbee Plus serves them freshly fried with sauce and soft serve ice cream. Ditch the diet and get yourself a tub of this calorific goodness!

Harajuku Gyozaro

 

 

 

 

 

 

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This small restaurant is no-frills food at its absolute best. Choose fried or steamed dumplings and enjoy them from a countertop stool. There’s an ever-present queue outside but it’s definitely worth the wait.

Dobutsuen The Zoo Ice Cream Shop

Affectionately known as ‘the smallest zoo in the world’, this ice cream joint serves up adorable animal-shaped scoops. The shop looks like a vending machine but the cones are actually served by staff hiding inside.

A trip here is definitely one of the cutest things to do in Harajuku – and that’s saying something.

Anywhere Door

This dessert cafe is famous for its Insta-worthy Harajuku apples. Chunks of Japanese Jonathan apple are wrapped in creamy mousse, sprinkled with white chocolate and then sprayed with red or green edible dye to create this uber-realistic treat – and it tastes even better than it looks.

Bar Bonobo

This intimate venue feels like someone tried to compress Harajuku’s nightlife into a two-storey house. Bar Bonobo comprises a cocktail bar, a nightclub and a music library. It’s a chilled, cosy spot that’s perfect for kicking off your Harajuku night out.

Baird Beer Taproom Harajuku

This place is a quintessential izakaya – the Japanese equivalent to a pub or tavern – which means it’s an ideal spot to see how the locals get down. The staff are welcoming and the craft beers are delicious, so there’s no real excuse not to stop here after a hard day’s shopping and sightseeing.

Kamakura Matsubara-an Keyaki

Did someone say ‘handcrafted soba’? Enjoy noodles every which way at this secluded Harajuku restaurant, whether you like ‘em cold, covered with daikon or on the side of chargrilled chicken.

Gion Tokuya

This dessert shop blends trendy and traditional in the best way possible. Located in United Arrows HQ, Gion Tokuya serves up a variety of classic treats such as wasanbon (fined grained sugar), mochiyaki shiruko (sweet bean soup) and kakigori (shaved ice desserts). It’s a delicious way to learn about Japanese food culture and if you miss it, you’re missing out.

Hopefully this guide of things to do in Harajuku, Japan has helped you figured out what to do while you’re strolling down Takeshita and Harajuku Street! What are you looking forward to in Harajuku?!

Photos via Panama Boy | Takeshita Street | Tokyu Plaza |

The post Things to do in Harajuku, Japan: Harajuku Attractions and Guide appeared first on A Passion and A Passport.

Is there a bad time to visit Japan? Probably not, but choosing the right month for you can really make the most of your visit to the Land of the Rising Sun. While you’re deciding the best month to visit Japan, remember that the country has four very distinct seasons, so the timing of your visit does in fact matter, more so than it would in say, Thailand or Vietnam.

Going during the winter is great for skiers and budget travelers, but not so much for sun-worshippers. Spring and fall are stunning times to visit thanks to the blossom and fall foliage, but they can be expensive and crowded.

When planning your visit, you should think about what’s most important to you, be it avoiding crowds, climbing Mount Fuji, seeing the sakura or holding onto your hard-earned cash.

Read on to discover when to visit Japan and when to stay away if you’re not a fan of heat and hiked prices.

Japan Weather and Travel Seasons

Spring in Japan: March – May

Spring is widely regarded as the best time to travel to Japan due to its temperate weather and famous cherry blossom season, when the entire country turns a stunning shade of pink.

If hanami (flower viewing) is on your Japan bucket list (and it should be), be aware that the blossom only lasts for a week or so and blooming dates vary, beginning in the south in late March and moving up the country until early May.

For a perfect blossom-watching spot, and some amazing pics for the gram, head to Shinjuku Goyen Park in Tokyo.

It’s home to over a thousand cherry trees and many spacious stretches of grass where you can sit and watch the flowers drift to the ground. Dreamy, right?

Mount Yoshinoyama in the Nara prefecture is perhaps Japan’s most famous hanami spot – and with good reason. The mountain is covered with around 30,000 cherry trees and is so beautiful that it’s actually listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Himeji Castle is another outstanding place to visit during sakura season – the sight of the grounds covered in lovely pink blossom is straight out of a fairytale.

Although spring is often cited as the best time to travel to Japan (it’s when I chose to spend my 10 days in Japan), it’s also one of the busiest and most expensive. If possible, try to avoid Golden Week, a succession of national holidays stretching from 29 April to 6 May.

Since most Japanese people are off of work at this time, prices are higher, streets are busier and accommodation is more likely to be booked up.

Read Next: 10 Days in Japan (The Itinerary Dozens Have Already Copied)

Summer in Japan: June – August

Japan’s summers are a hot, humid affair with high levels of rainfall. It’s also the busiest time of the year in terms of local tourism, so expect hordes of people and high prices. There are definitely some advantages to a summer visit, though.

For one thing, it’s the official season for climbing Mount Fuji. The Yoshida Trail is open from July 1st to September 10th, whilst the Subashiri, Gotemba and Fujinomiya trails open a little later on 10 July. Things get super busy during Obon Week, which usually occurs during mid-August, but there’s an incredible atmosphere of conviviality during this time if you don’t mind the crowds.

If you’d like a quieter trek, July is the best month to visit Japan, particularly the first half before schools end for summer vacation.

Festivals occur all year round in Japan but summer is the most celebratory season, which can make it a really fun time to visit if you don’t mind crowds.

More to come on festivals later, but some highlights include Asakusa Samba Carnival in Tokyo and the Gion Matsuri festival in the Kyoto. The latter is one of Japan’s liveliest and most culturally significant festivals, so if you’re looking to party, this might be the perfect time to visit.

Remember that prices will be higher, and accommodation harder to come by.

Fall in Japan: September – November

If you look forward to watching the leaves change every year (and who doesn’t?), head to Japan in the fall when the maple leaves transition into gorgeous shades of deep red. The country’s famed fall foliage – or koyo – makes the autumn every bit as stunning as the spring.

I mean, just look at these photos. October and November are probably the best months to visit Japan if you want to see this amazing natural phenomenon. The leaves begin to change between late September to early October in northern Japan and in late November to early December in the southern parts.

Luckily, the leaves stick around for a little longer than the cherry blossom and last for a couple of weeks.

Hiking is one of the best ways to enjoy the fall foliage and the mild temperatures make it the perfect time to strap up your boots.

At its finest during mid-to-late October, Oiraise Stream in Towada-Hachimantai National Park is one of Japan’s most picturesque trails. If you’re more of a city-goer, Kyoto is generally regarded as the best place to lap up the leaves.

A ride on the Sagano Scenic Railway offers beautiful views of the koyo and is a very romantic experience for coupled-up travelers. Kyoto’s Tofujiki Temple is another viewing hotspot: standing on the Tsutenkyo Bridge and gazing at the 20,000m² garden as it burns red is an awesome experience.

Visiting the Alpine Route between late September and early November is a great way to ensure you see some color because the foliage lasts longest there thanks to the area’s range of altitudes.

Winter: December – February

If you’re not afraid of a little frost, winter could be the perfect time to visit Japan. Temperatures are chilly but well above freezing in the southern cities of Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto, with afternoon temperatures averaging around 50-53°f (10-12°c) during the coldest months.

Hey, it’s an excuse to invest in some super cute Japanese winter fashions! Winter is also the driest time of year which means you’re unlikely to get caught in a typhoon – always a bonus.

It’s also the least touristy season, meaning lower prices and emptier streets.

Several of Japan’s highest and northernmost prefectures see snowfall during the colder months.

One big upside to this is skiing, and Japan’s beautiful mountain ranges and perfect powder have birthed some truly incredible resorts. There are plenty to be enjoyed around Sapporo, including the famed Niseko. This place caters to all levels and abilities, as well as boasting a pretty great après-ski scene (which is what you’re really going for, right?).

Aside from carving tracks, exploring scenic, snow-covered Japanese villages is a magical experience. For scenes that would put a postcard to shame, head to Ginzan Onsen in Yamagata. With its Victorian-style gas lamps and wooden buildings, this place is sure to steal your heart.

One of Japan’s biggest winter events is the Sapporo Snow Festival that takes place in February. Resorts will be teeming and prices will be hiked up during this time. If possible, try to avoid the first week of January, since many businesses and attractions close in observance of the New Year.

The Best Time to Visit Japan for Cherry Blossoms  

The iconic sakura is strictly a springtime affair, so between March and May is your window to catch Japan flushing pink.

Blooming dates vary from year to year according to temperatures and the flowers only last around a week or so, so if you’re desperate to catch them make sure there’s room to be flexible in your itinerary.

Generally speaking, Sakura starts to appear during late March in southern areas, like Tokyo and Kyoto and moves further north, arriving in Hokkaido in early May.

Therefore, April is the best month to visit Japan if you want to chase the blossom front. The aforementioned Mount Yoshinoyama tends to peak during April, as does Himeji. Mount Fuji also tends to be in full bloom during the latter half of the month, so this is a great time to ensure a truly spectacular visit to the Five Lakes.

If April proves impossible, head to the south in late March or glimpse the last of the sakura up north in early May.

Festivals and Other Busy Times in Japan

Festivals, or matsuri, occur year-round in Japan and are an important part of the country’s cultural heritage.  Visitors from all over the world flock to Japan to participate, which means the most famous festivals get very busy. This is definitely something to think about as you decide when to visit Japan.

The most famous Japanese festival is Gion Matsuri, which takes place in Kyoto throughout July and is almost 1,200 years old. The festival began as a purification ritual to appease the gods during natural disasters and today is a highlight in the cultural calendar that attracts millions of visitors each year.

It’s a good idea to avoid Golden Week, which can last from 29 April to 6 May (although precise dates vary annually). Several national holidays, including the late Emperor Showa’s birthday, Constitution Memorial Day and Children’s day, are grouped together so that Japanese workers get a week off of work.

It’s great for them, but it does mean that many businesses are closed, transport and accommodation prices will soar and the streets will be much busier.

The iconic sakura season is also a very busy time to visit. People from all over the world journey to Japan to behold the cherry blossoms which means attractions are crowded and prices rise. Unfortunately, the hordes are the price you’ve gotta pay to see that beautiful blossom.

The Cheapest Times to Visit Japan

If budget is an important consideration in deciding when to visit Japan, going during the winter will definitely save you some yen.

Flight and hotel prices begin to fall around the end of November and don’t rise again until mid March, with the exception of the New Year celebrations.  A late November visit, particularly to the south, is a good way to catch the tail end of the clement fall weather whilst saving a little money, or going during the first weeks of March might allow you to glimpse the earliest signs of the sakura.

Visiting during December could be a cost-effective way to enjoy a white Christmas but try to avoid the New Year celebrations during the first week of January, as prices peak and the country pretty much comes to a standstill.

Visiting in early September is also a fairly cheap time to go to Japan and capitalise on the brief lull between the summer season and the fall foliage.

Unfortunately, the brilliant colors of spring and fall are going to cost you, but the latter season is the cheaper of the two. Whilst Japan’s fall foliage is very well known, it’s not quite as prominent as sakura season.

Visiting northern Japan in late September is a good way to cut costs while still being in with a chance of seeing the leaves start to turn.

Read More About Japan:

• 10 Days in Japan: The Perfect First-Timer’s Itinerary
• Japan Bucket List: The Most Beautiful Spots In the Country
• Things to do in Tokyo: 35+ Ideas and Experiences 
• Day Trips from Tokyo: Get Outta the City

So… When will you be visiting Japan? What are you most excited to see – and why?

The post Best Month to Visit Japan: Weather, Seasons, and Festivals appeared first on A Passion and A Passport.

It can be difficult to escape the gravity of massive Tokyo when you come to Japan, especially if it’s your first trip. Unless you limit yourself to seeing Tokyo in three days or so, you risk becoming so absorbed in the world’s largest city that you’ll spend the entirety of your Japan itinerary there. That’s why it’s best to get outta the city (at least for a little while) and head off on a few day trips from Tokyo!

Apart from limiting your time in Tokyo-proper, another great way to move your Japan trip along is to plan a couple of day trips from Tokyo. Below, you’ll find some of my favorite day excursions from Japan‘s capital, some of which you can easily expand to overnight or weekend trips.

Tokyo Day Trips

Ashikaga Flower Park

If you’ve ever seen the Japanese “Wisteria tunnel” that tends to go viral on the internet every year, your research has probably led you to an unfortunate conclusion: This tunnel is located on Kyushu, Japan‘s southernmost island, which all but the most curious Japan travelers tend to skip on their trips.

Thankfully, you can find rather impressive wisteria near Tokyo, at Ashikaga Flower Park in Tochigi prefecture. (TIP: Wisteria season is rather short, usually occurring completely within the month of May, so keep this in mind when planning your trip!)

HOW TO GET THERE: Ride the Shinkansen Nasuno to Oyama (about 45 minutes), then transfer to the Takasaki-bound JR Ryomo Line for about 40 minutes until you reach Ashikaga Flower Park station.

Atami

Atami is the most notable city in Japan‘s underrated Shizuoka prefecture, itself a wonderland of travel and discovery (and hot springs, and SCUBA diving) so close to Tokyo it’s a shock more people don’t seem to know about it.

My personal favorite place in Atami is Kinomiya Shrine, which is home to a massive tree that’s believed to be more than 2,000 years old. Atami is also home to a gorgeous though often overlooked castle.

HOW TO GET THERE: Ride the Shinkansen Kodama westward from Tokyo for 47 minutes.

Hakone

Speaking of hot springs, that’s why most people come to the town of Hakone, though I would argue they’re but one of many worthwhile attractions you’ll find here. (In fact, I don’t even think Hakone is home to best onsen near Tokyo, but that’s a topic for another post.)

I especially love visiting Narukawa Art Museum, where you can take in a view of Hakone’s waterfront torii shrine (and, on a very clear day, Mt. Fuji) at Lake Ashinoko. The window and walls of the museum frame the scene in a way that makes Hakone itself seem like a work of art!

HOW TO GET THERE: Ride any Shinkansen Kodama to Odawara, then transfer to the Hakone Tozan Railway and ride it to Hakone-Yumoto. From here, a variety of buses can take you wherever in Hakone you want to go.

Hitachi Seaside Park

The Japanese love flowers, in and out of sakura season. Another example of this, the aforementioned Tokyo wisteria notwithstanding, is Hitachi Seaside Park in Ibaraki prefecture.

Late every April (usually just a couple of weeks after the cherry blossoms have peaked), this coastal paradise becomes a sea of bluish-purple Nemophilia flowers. The park is pleasant outside of this period, too, but if getting the proverbial money shot is your priority, time your visit as precisely as possible.

HOW TO GET THERE: The Limited Express Tokiwa train takes you directly from Tokyo to Katsuta, where you can ride a bus or hail a cab to Hitachi Seaside Park.

Hitsujiyama Park

Can you handle even more flowers? I hope so, because they’re coming at you. As is the case with wisteria and Kyushu, the shibazakura phlox you find at Saitama prefecture’s Hitsujiyama Park are most famous for the way they carpet the foothills of Mt. Fuji in Yamanashi.

As is the case with the other flowers on this list, you’ll want to monitor weather conditions leading up to the bloom of the flowers (shibazakura usually bloom in early-to-mid May) to make sure you don’t come too early or late.

HOW TO GET THERE: Take a Seibu Limited Express Chichibu train from Tokyo’s Ikebukuro station to Seibu-Chichibu station, a 90-minute journey.

Kamakura

The city of Kamakura in Kanagawa prefecture is most famous as the home of Japan‘s Big Buddha statue, but Kotoku-in is only the beginning of all there is to enjoy here.

From Buddhist temples that span history (Hase-dera dates back to the 8th century, while Tsurugaoka Hachimangu in the city center is only 200 years old) to a bamboo forest (Hokoku-ji) that rivals Arashiyama in Kyoto, Kamakura is one of the best Tokyo day trips you can take.

HOW TO GET THERE: Ride the Zushi-bound Yokosuka line from Tokyo station for approximately one hour.

Kawagoe

In ancient times, Tokyo was known as “Edo,” and was a primarily wooden city that bears little resemblance to the forest of glass that exists here today.

To be sure, an excursion to the castle town of Kawagoe, which is known to this day as “Little Edo,” is sort of like taking a trip back in time. While architecture such as the Toki no Kane clock tower is the highlight of a trip to Kawagoe, make sure to take a stroll down Kashiya Yokocho, where you can taste a variety of local candies flavored using Kawagoe’s famous sweet potatoes.

Do all this and more on a walking tour of Kawagoe here.

HOW TO GET THERE: The Express Tobu Toju Line runs directly from Ikebukuro to Kawagoe in just 31 minutes.

Mount Fuji

Saying you want to take a day trip to Mt. Fuji from Tokyo is a somewhat nebulous statement, since the Fuji Five Lakes region that sits beneath Japan‘s most famous mountain is so huge.

Do you want to head to Kawaguchiko, whose lake provides the clearest reflection of Mt. Fuji, or head to Fujiyoshida to actually climb the thing?

Another iconic spot you can find in the Fuji Five Lakes region is Chureito Pagoda, which during cherry blossom season provides one of the best hanami views in the entire country. In my opinion, while you can theoretically take a Tokyo day trip to Mt. Fuji, there’s so much in this region that you’d best stay at least one night.

Or just make it easy and take a tour, like these below:

HOW TO GET THERE: The best way to reach Mt. Fuji from Tokyo depends on where you want to go. Direct buses run from Shibuya to Fuji-Q Highlands theme park and Kawaguchi-ko, and this is the fastest way for most travelers to reach the Fuji Five Lakes region.

Nikko

Likewise, while Nikko has gained notoriety as one of the most popular day trips from Tokyo, it’s so full of rich history that spending a night here might be worth it, if you have time.

If you don’t, make a beeline for the hillside Tosho-gu Shrine, which dates back to the 16th century when the Tokugawa Shogunate exerted great control over Japan.

This shrine alone can occupy several hours of your time, so if you do plan to see Nikko on a day trip from Tokyo, leave the city as early as you possibly can.

HOW TO GET THERE: The Tobu Nikko line operates a direct service to Nikko from Tokyo’s Asakusa station. Alternatively, ride the Yamabiko Shinkansen from Tokyo to Utsunomiya, then transfer to the JR Nikko line for a total journey time of just under two hours.

Yokohama

Looking at a map of the Tokyo area with an un-critical eye, you might mistake Yokohama as simply being a suburb of Tokyo. Yokohama, however, is not only the second-largest city in Japan, but a destination in its own right.

If you visit Yokohama on a day trip from Tokyo, three locations in the city should be your priority. Take a morning stroll through lush Sankei-en Garden, which is particularly beautiful during cherry blossom season.

In the afternoon, head to the Cup Noodles Museum, where you can create your own flavor of the food college students erroneously refer to as “ramen.” As night falls, make your way to Yokohama’s Chinatown, which is Japan‘s largest and older, and the best place in the country to enjoy dim sum, and one of the best day trips from Tokyo for that reason alone!

HOW TO GET THERE: Ride any westbound Shinkansen from Tokyo to Shin-Yokohama station in just 15 minutes.

The Bottom Line

The vast array of day trips from Tokyo are every bit as fascinating as what you find within the city limits.

From quirky modern museums in Yokohama, to magnificent flower displays in Ashikaga, to all the activities you can enjoy in the Fuji Five Lakes region, you can experience much of the best of Japan within a day’s journey of Tokyo. 

Robert Schrader is a writer, photographer and card-carrying Japan fanatic. He created Japan Starts Here as a hub of information and inspiration for all your trips to Japan. His most recent trip to Japan took him to Hokkaido island during the peak of lavender season, while he’ll head to the Kansai region (which includes Kyoto, Nara and Osaka) in late November to enjoy fall colors. Follow his frequent Japan trips on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

The post Day Trips from Tokyo: Top Spots Not to Miss appeared first on A Passion and A Passport.

Start reading, save this post for safe keeping, and decide which places to visit in Tokyo you’ll be checking off your Tokyo bucket list!

Ever since I returned home from Japan last year, I cannot get the country outta my head. I don’t know if it was all the shiny bright lights, the sweet-natured and extremely helpful locals, or the food (yes, it’s probably the food), but I’ve been longing to head back ever since.

I’ve even imagined happily living in Japan for a few months and hence, crossing off the all the things on my Japan bucket list.

Since I only visited the city for a handful of days (I know, I know, I need to go back), I’ve enlisted other Japan obsessors (like me) to share their favorite places to visit in Tokyo! Enjoy this long, long list of the best places to go in Tokyo, and let me know in the comments below if you have any additional places in Tokyo worthy of this list! Enjoy!   

If you’re currently planning a trip to Japan, be sure to check out this popular post: 10 Days in Japan >> A First-Timer’s Complete Itinerary 

Top Places to Visit in Tokyo (My Ultimate Tokyo Bucket List!)

1. Kawaii Monster Cafe

 

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In the fashionable and popular district of Harajuku, you will find one of the coolest and unique cafes in the world, and definitely worthy of a spot on any Tokyo bucket list. Going to the Kawaii Monster Cafe is definitely one of the more memorable things to do in Tokyo. It’s hard to explain the experience in words, as it’s simply something that you have to see for yourself!

But, to give you a small taste of what awaits you, I can mention rainbow spaghetti, cat food for humans, neon lights, unicorns, dressed up kawaii monster girls, mirrors, giant mushrooms in every color you can imagine, spinning wheels, music and dancing shows. Um, what?! Yup!

Think of Alice in Wonderland and multiply by 10 – so wacky! There are various room and booths where you can sit and enjoy a meal, for example the Mushroom Disco Room, Milk Stand, Bar Experiment and the Mel-Tea Room.

And it’s not only a fascinating experience, but the food is actually really good too, even though it’s a bit pricier than a regular restaurant. One of the most quirky places to visit in Tokyo? You betcha! // Alexander Waltner | Swedish Nomad

2. Sensoji Temple and Asakusa Neighborhood

Built in year 645, the Sensoji temple is one of the oldest and most iconic Buddhist temples in Tokyo, and absolutely unmissable on any trip to Tokyo. The Asakusa neighborhood, where the temple is located, is full of amazing shops, restaurants, street food, and always seems to have a feeling of festival in the air. As you walk up the stairs to the temple, you will notice the huge red lanterns adorned with messages to the Goddess Kannon.

Once through the gate, you’ll see the people cleansing themselves at the well. According to tradition, everyone should do this upon entering, so don’t be afraid to get your culture on! After visiting the temple, the best part is trying out some of the best local foods like yakisoba, candied bananas, and of course those delectable octopus balls called takoyaki. Yum! // Corinne Vail | Reflections Enroute

3. Ueno Park

 

A post shared by Saroya ???????? (@retromodernsplendor) on Jun 13, 2018 at 6:33am PDT

Ueno Park is a large public park located in central Tokyo. The grounds were originally part of the Kaneiji Temple, which was, however, destroyed in the late 1800s. Luckily, the temple grounds were turned into a public park, which is now home to one of Tokyo’s most popular cherry blossom viewing spot! 

More than 1,000 cherry trees line the central pathways of the park, making it one of the most popular places to visit in Tokyo in cherry blossom season.  This is an ideal spot to visit for people watching, as it is typically filled with locals just out enjoying the beautiful weather and scenery.

During prime cherry blossom season, crowds can get heavy, so arrive early and throw down a blanket to save your spot. If time permits, be sure to walk across the bridge to the Shinobazu Pond, where there is usually some kind of traditional street food festival going on, especially in good weather and during festival season. // Nancy Kwang Canter | We Go With Kids

4. Harry! Hedgehog Cafe

When it comes to odd experiences, the Japanese are hard to match. If you want to add something quite different to your Tokyo bucket list, I recommend visiting HARRY! Hedgehog Cafe. Yes, it’s a tourist trap and your coffee won’t be great – it’s instant. But, you WILL be sipping your Nescafe with a hedgehog (or lizard, or rabbit) of your choice! 

Even though you can, we never encourage buying pets at places like this. Besides, hedgehogs require specific care that most people are not prepared to provide. But the idea of sitting in a space with a beautiful little animal like this was too good to pass up.

The café has many rules to protect the animals, and you may only hold them briefly for a photo. My hedgehog, who I named “Pokey,” didn’t seem to mind being picked up. Was it worth it? Sure! It was both different and a lot of fun. // Ha Lef | The RTW Guys

5. Kawasaki Warehouse

Even though the Kawasaki Warehouse Arcade is not the most popular tourist attraction in the city, it should definitely be on your list of places to visit in Tokyo!

The minute you set foot in this video game arcade, it feels as if you have just entered a movie scene. Kawasaki Warehouse is a recreation of the famous Kowloon Walled City and has the same dark and grim atmosphere…

But that doesn’t take any fun away from a visit, but rather adds to the whole experience. When you walk around the arcade, you’ll mostly see local Japanese grown-ups playing the games. There are four floors to explore and the activities range from modern video games to simple claw machines, dart boards, and billiard tables.

The entrance to Kawasaki Warehouse is completely free, but you do pay for the games. Watch out that you don’t spend all your money on the claw machines, it can be quite addictive to try to win a fluffy Pikachu! // Lisanne van Beurden | Chapter Travel

6. Gyuukatsu

 

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Aside from sushi and sashimi, there is one thing that you must try in Japan: Gyuukatsu. If the word seem vaguely familiar, it’s because katsu means cutlet in Japanese. Gyuukatsu is a fried beef steak with a fried crusty outside, and it’s rare.

You get to cook it on your own personal tiny hot plate to your liking and eat it with rice. There are also three dips and sauces: rock salt, soy sauce, and a mustard sauce. All three are delicious and go well with the beef. You can also add Yam paste to your rice, though the slimy texture is not for everyone!

You can find Gyuukatsu in a chain restaurant of the same name throughout Tokyo! Be sure to go early as it can get very busy during dinner and most shops aren’t big. You order it in a set, but there’s also the option to get extras. // Nam Cheah | Laugh Travel Eat

7. Tokyo DisneySea

 

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One of the best things to do in Tokyo, and one for your Tokyo bucket list for sure, is to take advantage of of being near one of the coolest Disney Resorts in the World!

Tokyo DisneySea is our favorite park we have ever been to! Entire areas of the park are dedicated to two of my favorite childhood Disney classics: The Little Mermaid and Aladdin. Walking through Agrabah gives you all the feels as does going under the sea with Ariel and her friends.

Another awesome feature to Tokyo DisneySea would be the exotic popcorn flavors found around the park. If you’re lucky you’ll even be able to see Mt. Fuji off in the distance as well, we were able to see it in the sky during sunset which made an already magical day even more so.

If you only have time for one day at Disney in Tokyo, skip the Magic Kingdom as it’s not as unique as Tokyo DisneySea. // Megan Indoe | Bobo and Chichi

8. Meji Shrine

Tokyo is a city famous for its crowded streets and frenetic energy, but there are pockets of Zen to be found in the large metropolis. Across from one of the busiest and wildest parts of town, Harajuku, is the Meiji Shrine and Gardens.

This massive urban garden rivals New York’s Central Park both in its size and beauty. While the city buzzes madly outside the gate, travellers can easily find peace and quiet by walking along one of the trails. In addition to hosting a variety of flowers and trees, there are even birds that will perch on your hand if you sit quietly.

It is so serene in the gardens, that it is hard to believe that Tokyo’s pulsating rhythm beats so closely nearby. If you’re looking for a place to experience calmness that rivals leaving the city and taking a nature walk, then head to the Meiji Shrine and Gardens to recharge. // Thea Jane | Zen Travellers

9. Shinjuku Gyoen Park

 

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Shinjuku Gyoen Park is the largest park in Tokyo and it’s stunning. If you want a quiet place in the middle of Tokyo, this is it. Once you step into the park, you’re immersed in nature, in stunning Japanese gardens, lakes filled with Japanese carps, birds flying and nesting around, and the loveliest trees and orchards.

If you want to, you can try a Japanese tea with a traditional sweet in one of the tea houses too – for around $5!

Entry to the park is paid (around $2 per person), but it’s well worth the price and you can easily spend the whole day there. Bring a picnic and enjoy a sunny day. It’s very close to Shinjuku Gyoen Mae station, as the name suggests, and it’s sure to please everyone. // Thais Saito | World Trip Diaries 

10. Takeshita-dori St (Harajuku)

 

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Kawaii, or “cuteness” is one of the more familiar Tokyo subcultures.  The best place to experience kawaii culture is Harajuku district in Tokyo, and Takeshita dori is the epicentre.

Takeshita dori is a narrow, pedestrianised street full of shops, snack bars and restaurants.  You can get all sorts of cute clothing here; if you’re stuck for inspiration then just take a look at the gangs of local teens who gather on the street, decked out in their finest.  

You can often see people dressed in amazing cosplay outfits too. Grab your souvenirs from the 100 Yen shop, or explore nearby Kiddy Land toy shop for more cute offerings.

Takeshita dori is also a great place to get snacks; try the creme brûlée crepes or enormous servings of pastel rainbow candy floss (cotton candy), bigger than your head.  For an all out crazy food experience, you’ll want to try the Harajuku Monster Cafe which serves neon rainbow food in even brighter surroundings. Unmissable! // Emily Cole | Kids and Compass

11. Tsukiji Tuna Auction

One of the unique things to do in Tokyo involves fish, the middle of the night and it’s free.  It’s also potentially time-limited, so you’ll need to get your act in gear to get there. The Tsukiji Tuna Auction is world class theatre for free before dawn at the Tsukiji Fish Market.  

The market is due to move in October 2018 and while the tuna auction will continue, after this date, we think the best idea is to go sooner rather than later. And then, of course, go again when the market opens at its new location.

Watching the auction is free.  But only to the first 120 folks who get there and line up.  At 3:30am. It’s first come first served. You’re coming here to see the world-famous giant tuna auctions.  These fish have been caught way out in the Pacific Ocean, they’re frozen as soon as they’re caught and they’re being sold, by auction.

To give you an idea, the most expensive tuna sold here was in 2013 for US$1.8 million. (yes you read that right. One point eight million US dollars for a fish.

Each auction lasts just over a minute.  It’s fast-moving, brilliant theatre. And of course, when its over and you’re led out of the area, there’s nothing better to do at 0530, than head to one of the famous sushi bars here at the market and throw down your own US$40 for a sushi breakfast.  Hey, you only live one and this is Tokyo! // Sarah Carter | ASocialNomad

12. Shibuya Crossing

While the colourful and busy district of Shibuya itself is worth a visit, the most famous part of the area is the famous Shibuya crossing – the busiest intersection of the world! Shibuya is great for people watching and experiencing the typical atmosphere of the city and for me, this crossing just symbolizes Tokyo like no other place in the city.

The intersection was already part of several movies (such as Lost in Translation), and as soon as the traffic stops the view of the thousands of people crossing the street is incredible.

For the best viewpoint of the crossing, go to the big Starbucks café right in front of the crossing. Get a table at the glass window, and you’ll have a great picture spot and view of the intersection. I loved sitting there, enjoying my café while just watching the busy streets of Shibuya! // Patrick Muntzinger | German Backpacker 

13. Tsukemen at Fuunji

When trying to decide where to eat in Tokyo, you must stop by Fuunji in Shibuya for a bowl of tsukemen or dipping noodles. Aim to get there as soon as the restaurant opens or in between meal times as there are only a handful of bar seats.

With the restaurants growing popularity, it’s likely that you’ll find a line out the door. The wait isn’t long as people quickly slurp their noodles and move on. There is a vending machine to take your order as you enter the restaurant and as you near the front of the line, you hand your ticket over.

As the name of the dish suggests, you dip your noodles into the broth before you slurp. The rich savory broth clings to the noodles in the most delicious way possible. There are no words to describe the tastiness and deliciousness of this bowl of noodles. It has to be experienced first hand. // Adelina Wong | Pack Me To

14. Mario Karting around Tokyo

If riding around Tokyo dressed as Mario on a go-kart is not a bucket list item than I don’t know what is! It’s entirely legal and surprisingly easy to go.

All you need is a valid international drivers license and a sense of adventure to join a go-karting tour in Tokyo where you can see all of the most famous sites for a new vantage point.

Rainbow bridge? Tokyo Tower? Shibuya Crossing? Trust me when I tell you they look so much more refreshing low to the ground and zooming past at 90 kilometers per hour. Even if you’re not a Mario fan, why not try Pikachu? Or Elsa? Or any number of characters.

The Mario Karts tours have so many options its insane. The best part of it all has to be the reactions of your average Japanese person on the street; you’ll become an instant celebrity and are sure to have thousands of photos posted of you online before this bucket list item is complete! // Jordan Adkins | Inspired by Maps

15. Maid Cafe in Akihabara

 

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“Welcome home, master!’ is the greeting of a young Japanese girl with two ponytails and a cute old fashioned waitress costume at the entrance of one the Maid Cafe’s in Akihabara, Tokyo.

Maid Cafe’s are meant for die-hard manga and cos play fans. It’s absolute an overload of cuteness. In the Maid Cafe’s you can order cute cakes (with hearts or smiling faces), play games with one of the maids or just have an innocent conversation.

No sexual services are offered, it’s all innocent entertainment. Please read the rules of the Maid Cafe carefully before entering and remember that services can be quite expensive. Visiting a maid cafe in Tokyo is fun and a one-of-a-kind experience, don’t miss it during your stay! // Manouk Bob | Bunch of Backpackers 

16. Memory Lane Shinjuku (Piss Alley)

 

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A tiny alley packed with over 60 bars and restaurants is tucked away among the crowded streets and neon lights of Shinjuku. Memory Lane, or Piss Alley as it was known in its heyday, is a hub of tiny yakitori bars reminiscent of a Japan from days gone by.

Piss Alley dates back to the 1940s when, in a post war Tokyo, black market traders helped restock the city alongside street traders selling local delicacies from their food carts.

Memory Lane is dark and moody and is now the hangout of Japanese salarymen who pull up a stool and indulge in sake, beer and freshly cooked yakitori before catching the last train home. We squeezed in and did exactly as the locals do, laughing at attempts to hold broken conversations with the salarymen and clinking sake glasses amongst a rowdy chorus of cheers, orkanpai as the locals declared in Japanese.

It’s a surreal experience and an incredible glimpse at both local life and a Japan from the past. // Elaine & David | Show Them The Globe 

17. Sumo Wrestling

Watching sumo wrestling in Japan should definitely be high on any Tokyo bucket list. Sumo is Japan’s national sport and has a long history dating to ancient times.  Watching sumo is a cultural experience as the sport includes many rituals and traditions.

There are ring entering ceremonies when the wrestlers come in and each match is preceded by an elaborate ceremonial ritual involving salt-tossing, singing and foot stomping – in fact the actual wrestling part of a match is very short.  

If the timing works out, I recommend attending a sumo wrestling tournament at Ryogoku Kokugikan where three professional sumo tournaments lasting 15 days each are held each year in January, May and September. If you travel to Tokyo outside of the tournament dates, you can visit a sumo stable (where the wrestlers live and train) to watch a morning practice session. // Matilda Ge | The Travel Sisters

18. Sukiyabashi Jiro

 

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I flew around the world for one meal at Sukiyabashi Jiro and I would do it again in a heartbeat. That’s right – I flew over 5,000 miles for a 25-minute dining experience at the world’s first three-Michelin star sushi restaurant.

At 92 years young, Jiro Ono, the head chef of Jiro Dreams of Sushi fame, has been making sushi for over seventy years. His passion and love for his craft is evident in the mouthwatering morsels of sushi that he hand delivers to restaurant goers at his 9-seat sushi restaurant in Ginza station, Tokyo.

Sukiyabashi Jiro is the ultimate bucket list-dining destination in Tokyo, Japan. The twenty-course omakase menu serves the finest cuts of squid, tuna, jack mackerel, sea urchin, and other local fish that Jiro and his son Yoshi handpick from the fish market.

In order to get a coveted reservation at this restaurant, you must have a native Japanese speaker call the restaurant on the first day of the month to reserve next month’s seating. I would highly recommend booking a hotel room at a five-star restaurant and have the concierge call for you.

At $300/person or 30,000 Japanese Yen, this is one of the most expensive sushi restaurants, but it is also the best sushi you will ever eat in your life. // Collette Stohler | Roamaroo

19. Yanaka Ginza

Yanaka Ginza might not be the most famous neighborhood in Tokyo, but it’s a must-see one. If you get tired of the busy streets and modern surroundings of the city, escaping to a less touristy place is always a good idea.

When stepping into Yanaka Ginza, you feel as if you’re in the past, in a somewhat more authentic place on your trip to Tokyo, where the locals go on with their daily lives.  Small shops, little stalls where you can buy bento boxes and fresh fruits, little cafés hidden from the crowds…. on top of being absolutely enchanting, the prices tend to be lower than they are in the busy center of the city.

I’ve been to Yanaka Ginza every time I’ve been to Tokyo. This place always calms me down and makes me feel immersed in the Japanese way of life. I love to be surrounded by locals and Yanaka Ginza gives you that. // Alice Cardillo | Take Your Bag

20. Mount Takao

Tokyo is an incredible city to spend time in but if you’re after a break from the crowds without leaving the city then a day at Mount Takao is a great option. It’s only an hour by train from Shinjuku and there’s something there to suit everyone.  Mt Takao is especially popular during autumn for its coloured leaves but it’s a fun spot to visit throughout the year and in the heat of summer the mountain air can be a few degrees cooler than the city.

If you’re feeling active you can hike up from the base surrounded by nature, explore the historic temple and continue on up to the peak.  A more relaxed option is to take the cable-car or rope-way to the half way point and enjoy lunch with some incredible views back out to the city and Yokohama.

For a traditional experience to end the day visit the onsen at the base, bathing in the therapeutic hot spring waters is good for relaxing the body and mind. // Toni Broome | 2 Aussie Travellers

21. Nakiryu

 

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In a city known for its incredible food scene, one place stands out to me: Nakiryu Ramen. It has a Michelin star, and lunch will run you about $15. That is hard to beat. It opens at 11:30. Get in line before 11, as the place only seats 12 at a time.

Place your order in the machine (cash only): tantanmen ramen with extra noodles. You’ll be rewarded with a bowl of mana from heaven, a spicy, salty, noodle-y, goodness that will forever change the understanding man has with a bowl of soup.

The extra noodles come when you’ve finished your first set, to be dumped in and slurped up with the rest of the soup. I am not overselling this. Just trust me. // Jonathan Berg | The Royal Tour

22. Tokyo Dome for Baseball

There are so many ways to explore Japanese culture in Tokyo, but my favorite was always through some baseball. People love the sport in Japan and you’ll find one of the world’s most serious fan cultures at the Tokyo Dome when the Yomiuri Giants duke it out against their rivals in Nippon Professional Baseball’s Central League.

Imagine the New York Yankees but Japanese style. If you’re lucky enough to get a seat when the Giants play their bitter rivals, the Hanshin Tigers from Osaka, then you’ll have a chance to see one of the world’s most intense contests.

Fans will sing organized songs when Giants batters come to the plate and you’ll hear opposing fans sing when their team is up. Baseball in Japan (and most of Asia) is more like a soccer atmosphere with all the singing and noise throughout.

It’s really a great thing to experience if you get the chance. Also, with all the players leaving for the Major Leagues, you’ll probably get a sneak pack at someone who’ll be suiting up in the United States really soon. // Carl Hedinger | Travel Through Life

23. Ueno Public Market

 

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Ueno public market also called Ameyoko in Tokyo is were the locals go shopping for their weekly shopping maybe grabbing a bite to eat in one of the many small street food vendors in this busy outdoor market. The area is definitely the discount street of Tokyo and everyone goes shopping here.

You’ll find fresh seafood, perishable goods, sundry items, cheap Chinese made goods and the occasional tourist souvenir stand.

Located just outside and across the street from Ueno station, the market started originally as a black market for cheap goods after World War 2 and it hasn’t changed location much except for all the food stands and do try the seafood there, it’s cheap and fresh as you can get for Tokyo. // Noel Morata | Travel Photo Discovery

24. Miraikan

 

A post shared by Merzyta Septiyani (@merzyta) on Jun 10, 2018 at 10:51pm PDT

The incredible Miraikan is Japan’s major science centre, and a brilliant place to visit to get a glimpse into what our future lives could look like. This hands-on museum has wonderful exhibitions about life on earth, space, the human body, medical advances, and poses important questions on the future of our planet and the effects of climate change.

But the highlight has to be the robot section – from small prototypes up to fully functioning droid-like humans that make you do a double take they are so life-like! There’s fabulous explanations of the role of robots in society and lots of ethical questions about what makes us humans that make great discussion points.

Another fabulous exhibition is a replica of the International Space Station, which gives a great insight into what life is like for the astronauts living onboard the space station. // Kylie Gibbon | Our Overseas Adventures

25. Totoro Cafe (Setagaya)

The Totoro Café, known locally as Shiro-Hige’s Cream Puff Factory, was somewhat of a consolation prize on our visit, having missed out on Tokyo’s Ghibli Museum. But I feel we got the better deal in the end.

As the Totoro Café is the first cafe in Tokyo to have an official license from Studio Ghibli, where it is rumoured to be owned by a man called Miyazaki (as in Hayao Miyazaki, the man behind Studio Ghibli).

And as expected the café is adorably cute, with all sorts of memorabilia from Totoro and the other various Ghibli franchises. However the main attraction is undoubtedly Shirohige’s Totoro Cream Puffs, shaped as the adorable Totoro himself, which come in four different flavours (strawberry, custard, chocolate, and caramel banana).

Although, a highlight in itself was the charming suburban backstreets of Tokyo’s Setagaya neighbourhood where the café is found near the local JR lines.  // Allan Wilson | Live Less Ordinary

26. Golden Gai Bar Crawl

 

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Hidden away just around the corner from the hustle and bustle of Shinjuku is my personal Tokyo favourite – Golden Gai. A small network of criss-crossing alleyways connects over 200 tiny bars, pubs and eateries close to the red light district. Far from being its seedy extension though, Golden Gai is a fascinating glimpse into authentic Tokyo life.

Wander the narrow alleys, complete with overhanging cables, old post boxes and street art before checking out the bars. These small establishments – some seating as few as four people – are popular with local regulars enjoying a drink and conversation. Some are even exclusively for locals but more and more are beginning to welcome tourists.

Look out for English signs and welcoming smiles of the staff.
Top tip: Head to Nagi for some of the best ramen in Tokyo. Hockey legend Wayne Gretzki loved it so much, he left an endorsement on the wall! // Alexei Gayanov | Travel Lexx

27. Edo-Tokyo Museum

If you are interested in Japanese culture, cuisine, or history make a plan to visit the Edo-Tokyo Museum for a few hours. The Edo-Tokyo Museum may not be the Smithsonian but it is the perfect place to examine many unique cultural experiences that grasp what life was like in Tokyo over many centuries.

The exhibits at this museum will take you on a journey that starts in the Edo period and will lead you up until the current time. Each display is incredibly intricate and some are even hands on! See if you would be able to compete in Edo period sports, invite yourself into a detailed model of a samurai’s house, and examine the finery of Japanese pottery, art, and clothing.

It is fascinating to see how much has changed in Tokyo but also how many traditions have still been kept. // Kallsy Page | Pages of Travel

28. Mori Art Museum

 

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Interested in contemporary art? Then, don’t miss out on Mori Art Museum in Tokyo! Atop Roppongi Hills Mori Tower, this modern gallery houses the latest contemporary art of some of the world’s most internationally acclaimed artists.

The ever-rotating exhibitions feature artwork and installations in a variety of genres, from captivating Japanese architecture to manga – with the aim to inspire us to reinterpret our surroundings in the daily life. Even if you’re not an avid art enthusiast, you’ll find it engaging!

The best part of visiting Mori Art Museum is the ticket gives you access to Tokyo City View! From the 52nd floor of the tower, you can get a sweeping 360-degree panoramic view of Tokyo city.

With an additional 500 yen, you can go all the way to the open-air rooftop Sky Deck. It will give you an impressive outdoor view – strongly recommended during the sunset time! // Cat | For Two, Please

29. Karaoke rooms

Japan is mad about karaoke and the karaoke bars throughout Tokyo are a must-cultural experience.  Grab some friends and rent a room for an hour where you can belt out your favourite hits. Food and drinks can be delivered right to your room, so you can make a whole night of it.  The karaoke bars in Tokyo have all the latest songs with fairly easy-to-use systems with an English option.

Found throughout Tokyo, a convenient place to find karaoke bars is on Center-Gai in Shibuyu where for 300 Y/person/hour, you have yourself some great entertainment.  

Another place you will find lots of karaoke bars is in Shinjuku. If you are like us, you will quickly find out that one hour is simply not enough time to get through all your favs.  The karaoke bars are a great rainy day activity and fabulous fun if you are traveling with kids. // Dawn Nicholson | 5 Lost Together

30. Hie Jinja (vermillion gates)

 

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Hie Jinja may seem like a small shrine but its annual Sanno Matsuri (around 15 June) is one of ancient Edo’s three great festivals. A grand Shinkosai procession also takes place every even-numbered year.

If battling the crowds at Kyoto’s Fushimi Inari doesn’t appeal to you, fret not. You can also find vermillion torii (bird gates) here in the heart of Tokyo. The nearest metro stations are Akasaka Mitsuke, Taimeke-Sanno and Kokkaigijidomae.

From the entrance opposite the Bank of China, it’s a short climb to reach the torii-lined passage. Regular folk use this narrow passage to get to the shrine (it’s a working place of worship, after all) but it’s still peaceful even at midday.

I even found it relaxing to watch people ascend and descend the stairs, the tinted sunbeams and shadows patterning their faces as they pass through the gates. // Nicholas Lim | Rambling Feet

31. Bar Ben Fiddich

 

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If we could only have one more cocktail for the rest of our lives, it would undoubtedly be at Bar Ben Fiddich in Tokyo. Though the tiny bar may be tough to find – it’s located on the ninth floor of a high-rise in West Shinjuku – what awaits you inside is pure liquid magic.

Cocktail master Hiroyasu Kayama uses a vast selection of herbs, spices, and plants to create cocktails in unexpected yet captivating ways. There’s no menu here, but it doesn’t matter; Kayama-san is uncannily talented at reading your verbal and non-verbal cues to craft a cocktail that fits your tastes. If you like whisky, gin, absinthe, or amaro, you’ll be in heaven here.

Pro tip: if you treat the cocktails and bar with the genuine reverence they deserve, you just might be invited up to a coveted seat at the bar directly in front of where Kayama-san works. // Julianne Marie | It’s Five O’Clock Here

32. Tokyo Skytree

This 634 metres high broadcasting, restaurant and, indeed, observation tower is located in the Sumida district of Tokyo. Today, it has 32 floors above ground and an observation desk that is located in a height of 451.2 metres.

Once in Tokyo, you should not miss heading to Sumida and checking out the view from the Skytree. It offers endless panoramic scenes from all different angles and is truly amazing with its futuristic interior and exterior.

Also, it is located right at a mall, which has an amazing food court and offers the right snack after checking out the megacity Tokyo from up above.

Fun fact: the tower is earthquake resistant and has a special treat for anyone who is coming here on his or her birthday. Beware to be dressed in a cute crown and enjoy having your photo taken in a truly Japanese way.

Other than that: this tower is just magical and also offers great views of the other large towers that are located in Tokyo. // Clemens Sehi | Travellers Archive

Are you visiting Japan soon? Which of these places to visit in Tokyo are on your Tokyo bucket list?!

photo sources: 4 | 11 | 14| 17 | 20 | 22  | 27

The post 35+ Places to Visit in Tokyo // Tokyo Bucket List Inspiration appeared first on A Passion and A Passport.