– In case we're at a loss for a place to eat... - Probably the best choices: Shibuya Nonbei Yokocho - Local Bars and Eats - Official Site with recommendations Also: Taijuen Shibuya - Facebook Page 5 Great Value Steakhouses in Tokyo https://www.pub-hub.com/index.php/en What We Did - Tokyo Day 1 Stop 1 Shibuya Station (aka Shubuya Scramble Square) - home to the famous intersection of people scrambling in every direction. Stop 2 Daikanyama- Daikanyama: A Guide To Tokyo’s Little Brooklyn Lunch - Maison ICHI Daikanyama Kyu Asakura House Stop 3 - Rest at hotel Stop 4 Dinner in Shibuya Nonbei Yokocho - Official Site Zaraku Shibuya Walked around Shibuya Nonbei Yokocho on our way back to the hotel Japan, 〒150-0002 Tokyo, Shibuya City, Shibuya, 1 Chome−25−6, Shibuya Parkside Kyodo Bldg., 3F – Where to activate JR Pass in Tokyo before taking Tokaido Shinkansen: OR ORDERED on 5/15/23 We'll each get a one-week JR Pass from Amnet. We can take most any train as often as we like, including the Shinkansen (Bullet Train). JR Pass Info: https://travelwithamnet.com/jr-pass Only for foreign tourists Must pick up at Amnet office with passport Activate in Japan before first use – Shinkansen Timetable: http://www.shinkansen.co.jp/jikoku_hyo/en/sanyou/sdh_tokyo.html Shinkansen Info: https://www.jrailpass.com/shinkansen-bullet-trains https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2018.html https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shinkansen Where to activate JR Pass in Tokyo before taking Tokaido Shinkansen: OR – Breakfast from Family Mart the night before. Shinkansen from Shibuya Station to Shin Osaka. Checked into AirBNB (Not ready when we arrived) Waited on the rain. Eventually left for Hirano Gion – Kumata Shrine, Hirano Ward, Osaka Click here for Hirano Gion Info Saw some of the float prcessions Ate grilled beef tongue, cold cucumbers and other festival food Never got to witness the ceremonies within the shrine, taiko drumming, the fortunes, etc. – – Ate amazing croissants in our room from Cafe&Croissant in Kuromon Market. Shopping in Tsūtenkaku/Shinsekai near Tsūtenkaku Tower. Ate kushage in Shinsekai at Yaekatsu (八重勝) 3 Chome-4-13 Ebisuhigashi, Naniwa Ward, Osaka, 556-0002. https://www.tsunagujapan.com/the-right-way-to-eat-the-famous-osaka-kushikatsu/ David, Patty, Kyoko and Ian explored Dontonbori at night. Saw a band of buskers play on the bridge. Stopped for drinks and snacks on the water at Motokara "Japanese style Smoked Dishses Restaurant" (燻製バル モトカラ 難波店｜女子会 道頓堀) 〒542-0084 Osaka, Chuo Ward, Souemoncho, 入り口は道頓堀川沿い 7-11 B1F In case we can't find a place to eat (which is nearly impossible in Osaka) https://www.tsunagujapan.com/30-cheap-and-delicious-restaurants-in-osaka/ https://www.tsunagujapan.com/20-recommended-places-to-eat-in-dotonbori-osaka/ Hokkyoku: Homemade Ice Candy (北極) - 3 Chome-8-22 Nanba Chuo-ku, Osaka - https://hokkyoku.jp/ Takoyaki - Everywhere, but these are well-known Acchichi Honpo (Fresh Catch) - 7-19, Souemon-cho, Chuo-ku (Open Late 2am) - http://www.acchichi.com/ Okonomiyaki Mizuno - 1-4-15, Dotonbori, Chuo-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka 大阪府大阪市中央区道頓堀1-4-15 - Ramen Kinryu Ramen - Dotonbori Branch - 1-7-26, Dotonbori, Chuo-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka 大阪府大阪市中央区道頓堀1-7-26 - https://tabelog.com/osaka/A2701/A270202/27001495/ Tempura Sakamachi no Ten-don LUNCH ONLY (until 2pm or runs out) - 1-8-16, Sennichimae, Chuo-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka Conveyor Belt Sushi Kaitenzushi Chojiro Hozenji - 廻転寿司CHOJIRO 法善寺店 Daiki-suisan kaitenzushi Namba-walk - 大起水産 回転寿司 なんばウォーク店 Daiki-suisan kaitenzushi Dotombori - 大起水産 回転寿司 道頓堀店 Tekomai: All-You-Can-Eat-Steak - 4-16 Doyamacho Kita-ku, Osaka - http://298group.com/accessNamba.html Train to Cable Car to Bus!! About 2-2.5 hours ride. – Bus to Cable Car to Train to Shinkansen!! A bit of an odyssey. Shinkansen Timetable: http://www.shinkansen.co.jp/jikoku_hyo/en/sanyou/sdh_tokyo.html Shinkansen Info: https://www.jrailpass.com/shinkansen-bullet-trains – In case we're at a loss for a place to eat... Ponto-cho Alley https://sharing-kyoto.com/Eat-Drink/Central_Kyoto_Area/Kaiseki-Kyo_Ryori?fulltext= – Nara Line (JR) from Kyoto Station - about 45 minutes – – Haruka Line from Kyoto Station - every 30 minutes Morinokenja Hitoshi (ひとし), a Japanese bistro serving sushi made with, fish, umi budo algae or Ishigaki tender beef, a very appreciated specialty for which it is necessary to book several days in advance - 197-1 Okawa, Ishigaki, Okinawa 907-0022, Japan - 〒907-0022 沖縄県石垣市大川197-1 – 石垣島のグリルレストラン Island Sky Restaurant - Rooftop Our friend, Rie (pronounced LEE-ay) is making reservations for us at least one night. We also will likely have dinner at the AirBNB at least one time. Morinokenja Hitoshi (ひとし), a Japanese bistro serving sushi made with, fish, umi budo algae or Ishigaki tender beef, a very appreciated specialty for which it is necessary to book several days in advance - 197-1 Okawa, Ishigaki, Okinawa 907-0022, Japan - 〒907-0022 沖縄県石垣市大川197-1 – Rie will borrow table grill. We will go to supermarket for food on the way back from the beach. Ferry from Ishigaki to Uehara (Port) Iriomote Island. There are two ferry companies. Which one we take depends on the schedule. (See below) Terminal Address: 1 Misakicho, Ishigaki, Okinawa 907-0012, Japan - 〒907-0012 沖縄県石垣市美崎町1 Ferry from Uehara Port (Densa Terminal - デンサターミナル) Iriomote Island to Ishigaki There are two ferry companies. Which one we take depends on the schedule. (See below) Terminal Address: 〒907-1541 Okinawa, Yaeyama District, 竹富町上原553-1 (〒907-1541 沖縄県八重山郡 竹富町上原553-1) Morinokenja Hitoshi (ひとし), a Japanese bistro serving sushi made with, fish, umi budo algae or Ishigaki tender beef, a very appreciated specialty for which it is necessary to book several days in advance - 197-1 Okawa, Ishigaki, Okinawa 907-0022, Japan - 〒907-0022 沖縄県石垣市大川197-1 Hitoshi (ひとし), a Japanese bistro serving sushi made with fish, umi budo algae or Ishigaki tender beef, a very appreciated specialty for which it is necessary to book several days in advance - 197-1 Okawa, Ishigaki, Okinawa 907-0022, Japan - 〒907-0022 沖縄県石垣市大川197-1 Located in Misakicho District downtown Rie made reservations Morinokenja Hitoshi (ひとし), a Japanese bistro serving sushi made with, fish, umi budo algae or Ishigaki tender beef, a very appreciated specialty for which it is necessary to book several days in advance - 197-1 Okawa, Ishigaki, Okinawa 907-0022, Japan - 〒907-0022 沖縄県石垣市大川197-1 July 26, 2023 Went sightseeing and shopping around Minato Mirai 21. Sarah and Ian got eyeglasses at Owndays optometrist at Mark IS mall https://www.owndays.com/jp/ja/shops/681. Tried to go to Megmi Suisan kaiten sushi on the 4th floor in Mark IS mall https://neo-emotion.jp/post_kaitensushi/mark-is/. Since the pandemic, kaiten sushi is a thing of the past, so there was no sushi on the conveyer belt. Ian thought the place smelled bad so we left. Went to Kamakura Pasta restaurant instead, also on the 4th floor. David took more bread than he was allowed from the bread bar and was reprimanded by the bread lady, who rang a bell every time she brought out fresh bread. https://www.saint-marc-hd.com/kamakura/menu/kamakura/ https://www.saint-marc-hd.com/kamakura/shop/370/ After lunch we went to the rooftop of Mark IS mall and saw the garden. Patty went to doctor that evening at My Medical Clinic - Minato Mirai https://mymc.jp/minatomirai/. David and Patty went for prescription at Yokohama Station alone. Went back the next day because they gave her one too few antibiotic pills. Ian, Kyoko and Sarah had dinner at Bonno Restaurant near Sakuragicho Station. http://www.bon-no.com/ Tenkubashi Station to Sakuragicho Station, Yokohama Keikyū Airport/Main Line - ¥440 - about every 30 minutes – – JR from Sakuragicho Station, Yokohama to Kamakura Station then Enoshima Electric Railway to Hase Station July 31, 2023 Brunch with Mihoko at Garden Cafe Dinner - Kyoko and Sarah had dinner with her mother and Mihoko in Totsuka. Ian, David and Patty tried to eat at Sushi Yamamoto (鮨山もと) in Hase. There was a family at the sushi bar. The father started telling how lucky we were to just walk in and eat since he had tried twice before and finally made a reservation. Just as we got settled, the chef, Yamamoto-san, holds up a tablet with the words, "I have a reservation coming soon. I only have enough rice for them." Surprised that a place with such a good reputation didn't have enough rice, we left. We found another restaurant, Kohana Sushi, 小花寿司, 1 Chome-11-13 Hase, Kamakura, Kanagawa 248-0016, Japan. Two older chefs behind the bar were very accommodating and we had an excellent meal starting with sushi platters, then we started picking individual items, and a couple of small bottles of sake. (Auto-translated) GARDEN HOUSE RESTAURANT is a pleasant restaurant consisting of a 60-year-old atelier and a garden terrace where you can fully enjoy the lush greenery of the garden. The concept is "Season-inspired" and "Fine-crafts". Seasonal and handmade are the themes. The cuisine is centered around dishes boldly using handmade loin ham, which can only be found here, in collaboration with "Kamakura Ham Tomioka Shokai," a local ham manufacturer with a 110-year history in Kamakura, as well as PIZZA, PANCAKE, GREEN, ICE CREAM, and other dishes using seasonal ingredients from Shonan. NORTHERN CALIFORNIA style. We also collaborated with "Kamakura Beer," a craft beer brewery also located in Kamakura. GARDEN HOUSE's original seasonal craft beer is kegged first thing in the morning and sent directly to you. You can enjoy freshly brewed craft beer that you can only drink here. –
Events in July–August 2023
Tokyo Food Suggestions*
July 11, 2023
WWD Tokyo Day 1**
July 12, 2023
メゾン・イチ 代官山
Five minutes on foot from Daikanyama station, this beautifully preserved private residence that has been turned into a museum provides a peek into a traditional Japanese home, constructed in 1919. The former residence of the Asakura Family was built by its patriarch, Torajiro Asakura, and is a fantastic relic of Taisho era Japan that lasted from 1912 to 1926. Its wooden architecture and meticulously manicured Japanese gardens make it a true hidden gem and important cultural site.
個室居酒屋 座楽 渋谷駅前店 Dinner @ Zaraku
July 12, 2023
Activate JR Pass*
July 13, 2023
Tokyo Station
JR EAST Travel Service Center (Marunouchi North Exit)
7:30-20:30
Tokyo Station
JR Tokai Ticket Office (Yaesu Central Exit)
7:30-20:30
Shinagawa Station
Information Center (Central Ticket Gate)
9:00-19:00
Shinagawa Station
JR Tokai Ticket Office
9:00-19:00
EARLY START!! Shinkansen to Osaka*
July 13, 2023
Tokyo Station
JR EAST Travel Service Center (Marunouchi North Exit)
7:30-20:30
Tokyo Station
JR Tokai Ticket Office (Yaesu Central Exit)
7:30-20:30
Shinagawa Station
Information Center (Central Ticket Gate)
9:00-19:00
Shinagawa Station
JR Tokai Ticket Office
9:00-19:00
WWD Osaka Day 1
July 13, 2023 Lunch - Shinsekai*
July 14, 2023 WWD Osaka Day 2
July 14, 2023 Osaka Food Suggestions*
July 14, 2023
Aizuya (Origin of Takoyaki) - B1F, Namba Chikatetsu Nannan Town, 5-4-1, Namba, Chuo-ku - https://www.aiduya.com/
Takoyaki Juhachiban - 1F, Nakaza Kuidaore Bldg., 1-7-21, Dotonbori, Chuo-ku - https://d-sons18.co.jp/
Kougaryu - https://kougaryu.jp/shop/
https://tabelog.com/osaka/A2701/A270202/27001278/
https://tabelog.com/osaka/A2701/A270202/27001246/ EARLY START!! - Train to Koyasan*
July 15, 2023 EARLY START!! Bus/Cable Car/Train/Shinkansen to Kyoto*
July 17, 2023 Kyoto Food Suggestions*
July 18, 2023
- Great Restaurants
- Traditional Tea Houses
- Restaurants on the east side have outdoor decks overlooking the Kamogawa River EARLY START! - Train to Nara*
July 19, 2023 Train Return to Kyoto*
July 19, 2023 Last day JR Pass
July 19, 2023 Train to Kansai International (Osaka) Airport (KIX)*
July 20, 2023 Lunch/Dinner Suggestions - Ishigaki*
July 20, 2023
Classy and Healthy Izakaya Pub in Ishigaki Dinner with Rie*
July 20, 2023 Lunch/Dinner Suggestions - Ishigaki*
July 21, 2023
Classy and Healthy Izakaya Pub in Ishigaki Feast at AirBNB w/ Rie!*
July 21, 2023 Ferry to Iriomote*
July 22, 2023
Ferry to Ishigaki*
July 24, 2023
Lunch/Dinner Suggestions - Ishigaki*
July 24, 2023
Classy and Healthy Izakaya Pub in Ishigaki Dinner with Rie at Hitoshi Ishiganto Restaurant - 8:15pm*
July 24, 2023 Lunch/Dinner Suggestions - Ishigaki*
July 25, 2023
Classy and Healthy Izakaya Pub in Ishigaki WWD Yokohama Day 1
Train to Yokohama*
July 26, 2023
Train to Hakone - EARLY START
July 27, 2023 Return Train to Yokohama
July 27, 2023 Train to Kamakura*
July 29, 2023 Incomplete
Brunch w/ Mihoko (Kyoko's Sister) at Garden House Kamakura - 11:30am*
July 31, 2023 Train to Tokyo
August 1, 2023 Narita Express to Airport
August 3, 2023
Tokyo Food Suggestions*
WWD Tokyo Day 1**
Tokyo
Dinner @ Zaraku
Activate JR Pass*
EARLY START!! Shinkansen to Osaka*
WWD Osaka Day 1
Kumata Shrine, Hirano Ward, Osaka
Lunch - Shinsekai*
Shinsekai
WWD Osaka Day 2
Shinsekai
Osaka Food Suggestions*
EARLY START!! - Train to Koyasan*
EARLY START!! Bus/Cable Car/Train/Shinkansen to Kyoto*
Kyoto Food Suggestions*
EARLY START! - Train to Nara*
Train Return to Kyoto*
Nara Station
Last day JR Pass
Train to Kansai International (Osaka) Airport (KIX)*
Kyoto Station
Lunch/Dinner Suggestions - Ishigaki*
Dinner with Rie*
Lunch/Dinner Suggestions - Ishigaki*
Feast at AirBNB w/ Rie!*
Ferry to Iriomote*
Ishigaki Ferry Terminal
Ferry to Ishigaki*
Uehara Ferry Terminal - Densa Terminal - デンサターミナル
Lunch/Dinner Suggestions - Ishigaki*
Dinner with Rie at Hitoshi Ishiganto Restaurant - 8:15pm*
Hitoshi Ishiganto
Lunch/Dinner Suggestions - Ishigaki*
WWD Yokohama Day 1
Train to Yokohama*
Train to Hakone - EARLY START
Return Train to Yokohama
Train to Kamakura*
Incomplete
Brunch w/ Mihoko (Kyoko's Sister) at Garden House Kamakura - 11:30am*
Train to Tokyo
Narita Express to Airport