This blog post is the Too Long Didn’t Read summarized version of my long-winded Japan trip breakdown blog post you can read HERE…

Our Japan Adventure: A Detailed Journey of Food, Culture, and Discovery

Our recent trip to Japan was a vibrant tapestry of culinary delights, unique cultural experiences, and a few unexpected travel hurdles that taught us plenty along the way. From the bustling streets of Osaka to the serene temples at 7AM, and the thrilling rides at Fuji Q Highland, here’s a summarized look at the highlights, lessons, and must-try experiences from our journey.

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Food Adventures

• Gyoichi Kaihinmakuhari Izakaya: Reserved in advance to avoid the Star Wars crowd. Classic smoky, lively izakaya atmosphere with strict 2-hour time limits on all-you-can-drink experience. Good experience but not a top recommendation.
• Aeon Mall Makuhari Food Court: Mixed impressions, some stalls closed early but fun to sample various casual dishes.
• Ippudo Ramen in Ikspiari: Highly recommended for quick, delicious ramen and gyoza after a 30-minute wait.
• Asakusa Unana: Famous eel rice balls, pricey but fresh and flavorful—arrive early to avoid sell-outs.
• Senso-ji Temple Visit: Cultural highlight with the fun tradition of drawing Omikuji fortune slips.
• Ujishia Gion Tsujiri in Skytree Town: Best matcha of the trip, with rich, creamy matcha sweets and parfaits.
• Yokozuna Tonkatsu Sumo Experience: Unique lunch with sumo demonstration by wrestlers, great cultural insight despite no official tournament during visit.
• Gansozushi: Small sushi spot offering fresh, flavorful quick bites in Asakusa.
• Nakamise-dori Street: Strawberry-themed street treats and a creative sweet potato soft serve from Imo Pippi.
• Warner Bros Studio Tour Eats: Fun themed food like Butterbeer and Niffler buns, good for the experience over food quality.
• Azabudai Hills Market: Upscale food hall with eel but disappointing seating and flavor for the price.
• Kura Sushi Conveyor Belt: Automated, efficient sushi experience with better quality than US branches.
• Senri-ken at Toyosu Market: Early morning coffee and egg sandwich in a cozy, authentic setting.
• Sushi Dai at Toyosu Market: Iconic sushi breakfast requiring early arrival; incredible freshness and value. An absolute must.
• Lost Bar in Shibuya: Creative, secretive bar popular among foreigners with unique cocktails that’s owned by a popular YouTuber
• Sukiyabashi Jiro: The ultimate sushi splurge—20-course omakase with impeccable quality and strict etiquette.
• Pikachu Sweets Café & Pokémon Café: Adorable themed treats and immersive atmosphere, especially for Pokémon fans.
• Mos Burger: Japanese-style fast food with modestly sized burgers.
• Gyoza Hohei Shinjuku & Masuya: Affordable soba and tasty gyoza, though the latter was oily.
• Royal Host: Slow service but delicious American diner-style food and all-you-can-drink soda bar.
• Harajuku Sweets Tour: A curated, 4-hour food and culture tour with YouTuber Shizuka featuring sweets, savory bites, and fun stops.
• Starbucks Ginza: Visited Japan’s first Starbucks and sampled unique regional menu items.
• Nishiki Market (Kyoto): Tried Wagyu skewer with uni for ¥6,500 (~$45). Good but pricey.
• McDonald’s (Japan): Quick, clean, quiet. Tried Teriyaki McBurger and Chicken Tatsuta. Meal for two is affordable.
• Torafugujo: Pufferfish course with set price. Unique but not for repeat.
• Mouriya Gion (Kobe Beef): Best steak, very expensive. Book months ahead.
• Dotonbori (Osaka): Tried spicy Takoyaki and street food. Noted Turkish ice cream trick.
• Coco Ichibanya (Namba): Cozy curry spot with limited seating.
• Rikuro’s (Namba): Jiggly egg cheesecake. Arrive early to avoid lines.
• Tenmasa (Dotonbori): Fast udon, two bowls for ¥640 is a steal (~$4.41). Cash only.
• Konamon Bar Rikyu: Okonomiyaki and ice cream near Osaka Castle.
• Osaka Chikuyotei: Eel dish was delicious.
• Ichiran Ramen: 40-min wait, quality ramen.

 

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Experiences

• Tokyo Disneyland: Evening tickets ~$99 for 2, priority passes used, enjoyed key rides and parade with organized seating, perfect 4-hour visit.
• Tokyo DisneySea: Full day tickets + skip-line passes ~$255 total, early arrival, focused on Fantasy Springs rides with DPA passes, packed day but very rewarding.
• Senso-ji Temple: Visited mid-morning, tried traditional Omikuji fortunes, great cultural contrast to modern Tokyo.
• Tokyo Skytree: Pre-booked tickets ~$29, moderate crowd, no Mt. Fuji view due to clouds, fun glass floor and café, chaotic exit.
• Yokozuna Tonkatsu Sumo Experience: Interactive sumo demo + meal by wrestlers for ~$149, cozy seating, unique cultural insight.
• Warner Bros. Studio Tour Tokyo: Harry Potter: Museum-style immersive tour with interactive exhibits, early timed tickets ~$134, lengthy visit, extensive gift shop.
• TeamLab Borderless: Digital art museum with shifting installations, booked tickets + tea house ~$75, crowded art room but worthwhile tea experience.
• Toyosu Fish Market: Visited post-auction with little action visible, better to arrive early for auction.
• Tokyo Toyosu Manyo Club Onsen: Peaceful baths with rooftop footbath, lost ~$140 (likely personal error), recommended early/late visits and towel tips.
• Pokémon Centers (Osaka, Kyoto, Tokyo): Visited 3 centers, found rare items and fun souvenirs, great for fans and collectors.
• Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building Observatory: Free panoramic city views from two towers, possible Mt. Fuji sighting on clear days.
• Akihabara Retro Gaming & Electronics: Explored small shops hunting vintage games mostly in Japanese, rewarding for collectors.
• Harajuku Sweets Tour: 4-hour guided food tour (~$215/person) with sweets, savory bites, and cultural stops led by a popular YouTuber.
• Toho Cinemas Movie Experience: Late-night blockbuster screening in respectful, quiet audience with unique snack options, followed by lively Shinjuku walk.
• Visited Fushimi Inari Taisha early to explore torii gates before crowds arrived.
• Loved Kinkaku-Ji Temple (Golden Pavilion) — breathtaking gold reflection and serene setting; entry ¥500.
• Found Nijo Castle underwhelming compared to other landmarks; entry ¥1300 felt not worth it for us.
• Tried Kyoto Samurai Ninja Museum combo — fun ninja star throwing and sword kata lesson, but pricey (~¥30,492 for two).
• Enjoyed tea ceremony with kimono rental — stunning outfits, professional dressing, and hands-on matcha making; very memorable despite some discomfort.

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Kanazawa Highlights

Myouryuji (Ninja) Temple
Initially not on our itinerary, the Ninja Temple was recommended by our taxi driver. With reservations required, the tour was in Japanese, but we had an English guidebook. The temple’s secret doors, traps, and historical intrigue made this ¥1200 (~$8.40) entry a fascinating visit.

Kanazawa Food & Treats

• Gold Leaf Ice Cream: At Hakuichi Higashiyama Store, we tried the visually stunning ice cream topped with gold leaf (two cones for ¥1960/~$13). The gold leaf had no taste, but the creamy vanilla was excellent.
• Omicho Market: Our favorite market for fresh seafood and especially the Wagyu on a stick (¥3600/~$24 per skewer). The Wagyu here beats other markets on price and quality.
• Kanazawa Sabo Soshin Sweets: We enjoyed matcha cheesecake and lattes in a beautiful upstairs seating area for ¥1920 (~$13). Presentation was perfect.
• Onyado Nono: The hotel’s late-night ramen and breakfast buffet were surprisingly good, offering both Japanese and Western options.
• Yusura: On a whim, we tried Hanton rice and katsu curry, which were unexpectedly delicious. Matcha cheesecake here wasn’t as good as Sabo Soshin’s. Total spent ¥4100 (~$28).
• Kirari Conveyor Belt Sushi: A fun sushi experience where orders arrive via miniature Shinkansen trains. We indulged in sushi with gold accents and plenty of variety.

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Fuji Q Highland: The Stressful Thrill

Our last full day was a nail-biter. We’d hoped to visit Fuji Q Highland earlier but were forced to go on a Saturday due to reservations and sold-out direct buses. The trip took over 4 hours on public transit, but seeing Mt. Fuji made it worthwhile. The day was exhausting and stressful, so I wouldn’t recommend this for a final day unless you thrive on adrenaline and uncertainty.

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Trip Tips & Packing Lessons

What to Bring

• Bring at least two light sweaters—they’re invaluable in changing temps.
• A comfortable day bag is crucial for all-day exploring.
• Headphones with audio sharing help if you want to watch movies together on the 10+ airplane ride.
• Small, personal gifts from home (like something Austin-specific) are great for meeting locals or hosts.

What You Can Skip

• Laundry bags and travel soap sheets — local convenience stores or hotels often have what you need.
• Sunscreen and tissues—you can buy them easily in Japan, or use an umbrella for sun protection.
• Compression socks—I preferred to move around rather than wear these but to each their own.

Useful Items

• Power adapters, charging cables, external batteries, and tech gear for smooth days.
• Travel credit cards and AirTags for security and ease.
• Packing cubes for organization.
• Travel umbrellas for sun and rain protection.
• Face lotion and favorite personal care items, as some Japanese products might not suit everyone’s skin.

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Pre-Trip Entertainment

To get into the spirit, I read a mix of fiction and nonfiction, including Culture Hacks by Richard Conrad and Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi, plus YA novels and anthologies centered on Japan. We also watched Godzilla movies, Jiro Dreams of Sushi, and other Japanese-set films and series to deepen our connection with the culture.

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Final Thoughts

This trip blended bucket-list culinary experiences, historic sites, and vibrant street food scenes with the challenges of transit and planning. Whether savoring Kobe beef, navigating ninja temples, or braving amusement park crowds, Japan offered something new at every turn. With careful planning, flexible attitudes, and a willingness to try everything (even pufferfish), Japan is a destination that rewards curiosity and adventurous spirits.

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If you’re planning your own trip, remember: book popular restaurants early, pack smart (extra layers and tech gear), and savor every bite and moment. Japan’s magic is in its details, and this trip was a joyful deep dive into those details.

And finally… A sampling of pictures worth thousands more words: