Hi there,
I just wanted to share my experience as a first-time visitor to Japan, in case it might be useful to anyone.
I travelled with my girlfriend — it was my first time, but she had already spent a month in Tokyo for work.
Our itinerary was 11 days split between Tokyo and Kyoto, with quick one-day trips to Mt. Fuji (Kawaguchiko) and Osaka. We’re both pretty easygoing, more interested in lifestyle, local vibes, and everyday experiences than ticking off a list of tourist spots. That said, we still visited several temples and shrines — especially in Kyoto — but preferred to keep things balanced rather than rushing from one site to another.
My main suggestion: do your own research and don’t overload your daily schedule. Pick one or two areas with a few points of interest and just go with the flow. You’ll love getting lost while wandering around. Even though we kept our plan light, there were still a few things we couldn’t fit in.
Restaurants: if you don’t want to queue or stress about reservations at those “must-try” places everyone talks about, just rely on Tabelog or Google reviews and book something that looks good. You don’t need a Michelin-starred restaurant to eat well in Japan!
I’m happy to share the restaurants we tried, and I’d love to hear your thoughts if you’ve been to any of these:
Tokyo –
• Sushi Ginza Onodera (Sushi / Omotesando)
• Cossot’ SP (Teppanyaki / Roppongi)
• Magurobito (Sushi / Asakusa)
• Narafuku (Traditional omakase / Ebisu)
• Sushi Zanmai (Ueno / Sushi)
• Gonpachi Nishi-Azabu (Izakaya)
• Robatasho (Shinjuku)
Most sushi spots have several branches. We didn’t make any reservations. Ginza Onodera was by far the best. The only disappointment was Gonpachi — very touristy and the food was below expectations. You can go for the Kill Bill vibes, but not for the food.
Robatasho had great food and atmosphere, and Cossot’ SP was one of the best meals I’ve ever had.
Kyoto –
• Pontocho Fujiwara (Sushi omakase)
• Kushikatsu Casual Izakaya Fukukitaru (Izakaya)
• Nishiki Market
• Wagyu Yakiniku Kyoto Gyuen Sanjokawaramachi
I highly recommend Fujiwara if you’re looking for a great, affordable omakase. The Izakaya is also worth a visit for the vibes. Nikishi market even if touristic has great options and quality.
Lastly, I’d like to say a few words about the delicate topic of tourism and its clash with Japanese culture — something I saw mentioned a lot before my trip.
We’re used to traveling and always try to respect local customs. Of course, we noticed some people who didn’t: being loud, showing bad manners, or ignoring basic rules. Coming from Rome, I can say this happens in every major city with a high number of tourists. I didn’t witness anything extremely disrespectful in Japan — people are simply overwhelmed by the crowds at times. Maybe I was lucky, but I think that since many of us deeply love Japan and want to preserve its beauty, we sometimes end up developing a bit of xenophobia toward other tourists.
Overall, Japan met all my expectations. I can’t wait to come back.
by Zestyclose-Newt8956