Japan has been refining the art of hospitality for centuries – there’s a reason the concept of omotenashi, the selfless anticipation of a guest’s needs, originated here. Tokyo is the entry point for most travelers: a city of 14 million that somehow feels orderly, precise, and endlessly surprising all at once.
An hour south by bullet train, Kyoto slows everything down. I walked ancient temples, fell in love with the geisha district and found a profound love of the Japanese culture and cuisine.
Osaka, just 15 minutes further, is the loud, delicious counterpoint. With street food stalls, izakayas that stay open until dawn, and a vibrant night life – it was New York on steroids.
This guide covers where to eat, where to stay, and the experiences that make Japan’s golden triangle the trip of a lifetime.
Stay
Ace Hotel Kyoto Ace Hotel Kyoto in Kyoto, Japan was the perfect location, design and vibe of a hotel for a short stay in Kyoto. ...
Conrad Tokyo Conrad Tokyo in Tokyo, Japan is the best, highest level of service oriented Conrad that I have had the pleasure of staying at. ...
voco Osaka Central The voco Osaka Central hotel in Osaka, Japan was a vibrant and perfectly located point for everything I wanted to see in Osaka ...Experiences
All Aboard the Japan Rail Shinkansen (Bullet Train) The JR Shinkansen is an testimony to functional infrastructure - connecting distant cities with ease and comfort ...
Evening Guided Walking Tour of the Gion District in Kyoto, Japan This evening walking tour of the Gion District in Kyoto, Japan was definitely a unique experience in managing tour expectations ...
From Tokyo: Guided Day Trip to Hakone, Owakudani & Mt. Fuji Booking my day tour of Hakone, Owakudani & Mt. Fuji was a wonderful introduction and immersion to the landscape, culture and regional food of Japan ...
Fushimi Inari Taisha The vermillion shine gateways of Fushimi Inari Taisha are visually iconic symbols of Kyoto and all of Japan. ...
Infinite Love at the Ace Hotel Kyoto The "Infinite Love" art exhibit showcased results of an artistic inspiration contest between the Ace Hotel in Kyoto and The Louvre in Paris ...
mipig + café Kyoto: Micro Pig House The Mipig + Cafe: Micro Pig House in Kyoto, Japan was my first time experiencing a pig cafe - and it was wild ...
Owl Café Oz Owl Café Oz in the Taito City area of Tokyo in Japan is a lovely little animal cafe specializing in - wait for it - owls! ...
Sora no Yu Onsen Spa Resort Spending time at Sora no Yu Onsen Spa Resort, near Narita Airport in Japan, was a wonderful place of peace in a natural hot springs area ...
teamLab Planets TOKYO Walking, crawling, sitting and experiencing teamLab Planets TOKYO in Tokyo, Japan was a fun journey in an immersive art experience ...
Viewing the Dotonbori Glico Sign and Exploring the Dotonbori District Seeing the famous Dotonbori Glico Sign and walking around the Dotonbori District was like Time Square in New York City - times three ...Eat
Breakfast at Cerise, Conrad Tokyo Morning breakfast at Cerise, at Conrad Tokyo in Japan, offered a comprehensive selection of Western and Eastern style morning delights ...
Breakfast at Mr. Maurice’s at the Ace Hotel Kyoto Breakfast at Mr Maurice's Restaurant at the Ace Hotel Kyoto offered a culturally rich, deliciously prepared start to the day ...
Echigo Hizomen Mujinzo Kyoto Hachijoya Ramen at Echigo Hizomen Mujinzo Kyoto Hachijoya at the Aeon Mall Kyoto offered a to the point, delicious bowl of ramen for two tired and hungry travelers to enjoy ...
Ichiran Shimbashi The Shimbashi location of Iciran was the absolute best late night tonkotsu ramen experience I could have dreamed of in Tokyo ...
Issen Yoshoku Issen Yoshoku in Kyoto, Tokyo serves one dish and one dish extremely well: a variation of the traditional okonomiyaki ...
Kazahana Teppanyaki dinner at the Conrad Tokyo in Tokyo, Japan was a refined delicious introduction to Japanese wagyu beef, cooked before your eyes ...
La Paix Having my birthday dinner at La Paix, a Michelin starred restaurant in Tokyo, Japan, was a bespoke experience in French and Japanese cuisine ...
Lokal House Lokal House, the restaurant + bar at the voco Osaka Central hotel in Osaka, Japan was a great spot to grab a bite + a drink and relax ...Owl Café Oz Owl Café Oz in the Taito City area of Tokyo in Japan is a lovely little animal cafe specializing in - wait for it - owls! ...
Sushi Shigetomi Sitting at the sushi bar at Sushi Shigetomi in Kyoto, Japan was an experience in authentic, outstanding, fresh sushi in a relaxed environment ...
Sushiro Don't expect the highest quality food from Sushiro's conveyor belt sushi. However, the concept is super fun. ...
Tonkatsu Sakura-Tei Tonkatsu Sakura-Tei offered deliciously crispy pork katsu - at a comfortable price - at the Osaka Metro mall ...
Twenty Eight Bar & Lounge Light bites and a cocktail at Twenty Eight Bar & Lounge at Conrad Tokyo was the perfect hour long pause in a busy day ...Related Reviews
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