History

Onigiri has an ancient history in Japan. They were invented during the Heinan period (794-1185) and initially called “tonjiki” which means “food served at a noble’s banquet.” These savoury treats were designed to go along with the royal family as they enjoyed picnics outdoors. The food was a perfect compact meal that would travel easily without getting ruined. The rice balls were formed into a triangular or cylindrical shape and sometimes stuffed with different fillings – just like today. But when they first were invented they had no outer wrappings. The rice itself is lightly salted and mixed with vinegar, sugar and salt to give it a delicious flavour. But the additives also helped keep the fish inside preserved so it could be eaten at a later date.

One of the oldest recorded filling used in onigiri is ume. Ume or umeboshi is pickled plum. It can be a little sour, but the rice’s sweet, salty flavour helps balance that out. In the 16th century, onigiri was used as troop provisions but they found that running around in the field meant the rice often got dirty. So during the 17th century, samurai used dried bamboo to keep their onigiri fresh while on the move. It wasn’t until the 1800s that using dried nori to wrap the rice was popularized.

Where to Find Onigiri

Whether you’re in the city or in the middle of the country, a fresh onigiri on a bench is one of my favourite ways to picnic in Japan and take in the gorgeous landscape. While you might not have the opportunity to try a homemade version made by mom, you can find fresh onigiri all over Japan. It can be found in specialty shops, train stations and department stores, and even restaurants dedicated to serving only this wonderful triangular delicacy.

But the easiest place to find a huge selection of onigiri is at one of my favourite foodie stop in Japan; convenience stores (aka konbinis)! Yes, you heard that right. Unlike convenience stores in North America, Japanese konbinis are full of some of the most delicious and fresh food that you absolutely MUST give a try. The only similarity with the convenience stores we have back home is the price. A scrumptious ball of onigiri here can cost as little as 105 yen ($1) and even the premium versions only go as high as 300 yen ($3 US). You’ll be amazed at how filling they can be, and therefore how inexpensive a delicious lunch can cost you at your local konbini. These are found in the city, just as often as you can find them out in the country, so you’re never far from a ball of onigiri.

Great for Different Diets

Onigiri is such an excellent choice for people since it suits so many different diets. If you’re vegan, you can opt for the ume or the simple vinegar and rice version. Most Lawsons stores offer these without any dashi inside (fish stock). Since any onigiri made without soya sauce is free of wheat it is also a great option for people with celiac or those who need to avoid gluten. If you can eat fish, but not meat, then you’ll be in onigiri heaven as they are dozens of different fish fillings. If on the other hand, fish isn’t your thing and you’ve found yourself in a country that adores fish, you’ll be pleased to know there are also so many versions of onigiri that are made with meat as their primary filling. There really is something for every palette.

Which Konbini to Try?

While you can generally find the same few iconic fillings in all konbinis, each of Japan’s largest chains also has its own spin on the traditional food. Depending on what prefecture you’re in, you’ll also find unique regional ingredients to try! While there are way too many flavours to list them all, I want to point out my favourite ones at each store. The large konbini chains are 7-Eleven, Lawsons and Family Mart and it’s worth trying some from each to find your favourite!

7-Eleven

Salmon

The classic onigiri, the best one for newbies to try, is without a doubt the salmon onigiri from 7-Eleven. The cooked salmon is embedded inside the soft rice and covered in that roasted seaweed. These onigiris are packaged to ensure the seaweed doesn’t actually touch the rice until it is opened. This ensures that the seaweed is nice and crispy even hours after it is packaged. To open an onigiri you follow the numbers and steps identified on the package. This slowly takes the plastic away and places the seaweed perfectly back onto the rice, like magic!

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Shrimp & Mayonnaise

Shrimp & Mayonnaise, also called Ebi Mayo, is probably my favourite onigiri from 7-Eleven. Japanese kewpie mayo, is the most delicious mayo you have ever eaten. I don’t know their secret, but whatever it is, it’s amazing! Combined with the sweet minature shrimp, it creates the most delightful combination with salty-sour rice and crispy nori.

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Tuna and Mayo

If shrimp isn’t your thing, the tuna and mayo onigiri is another excellent option. This is pretty similar to the idea of a tuna and mayo sandwich but sub the bread for the rice. What makes this onigiri exceptional tasting is the dashi and soya sauce added to the filling! This gives it that iconic Japanese umami flavour.

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Yaki Shoyu

A vegan option that you’ll find to be super delicious is the grilled shoyu variety. Grilled or “yaki” onigiri are very popular to refresh stale rice when made at home. These are best served warmed up. You can either ask for it to be warmed at the store or warm it up yourself at home in the microwave if you’re hotel has one. This version is simply made of rice which has been marinated in “shoyu” or soya sauce. It sounds straightforward, but grilling the rice brings complexity and a delicious roasted taste to the onigiri. Grab a side of pickled ginger to eat with it and you’ll be in heaven!

Family Mart

Ume

The most traditional onigiri is ume or umeboshi. Ume is pickled plum, and while you might expect fruit to be sweet, the pickling process makes the plum very sour and salty. This flavour is a very contentious one for foreigners as the taste can put them off. But I would recommend giving it a try. Set your expectations, and you might be surprised that you really like it. The nori used at Family Mart is genuinely the most delicious and compliments the sour flavour really well. Plus, this is vegan, so an excellent option for those diets. The ume at other stores contains dashi, but at Family Mart, it is safe from animal products.

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Konbu

“Konbu” means “kelp” and is another traditional ingredient used in historic versions of onigiri. At Family Mart, their Konbu onigiri is made from special kelp harvested in Hokkaido. The kelp is mixed with a rich soy sauce and dried bonito flakes giving it a deep, umami flavour. Since there are bonito flakes included, this is a no-go for vegans and vegetarians, but if you’re a pescatarian, this is an excellent option for you.

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Mentaiko Mayo

Mentaiko is Japanese for “spicy cod roe paste”. Roe, for those who might not be aware, are fish eggs, just like are used in caviar. The cod roe tastes of the ocean but in a way that is not overly fishy, and much more subtle in its salty flavour. The spiciness is perfectly balanced and the mayo helps create a creamy texture to balance out the fish and spices.

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Negitoro

“Negi” in Japanese means “green onion” and “toro” is the fatty part of the tuna (in many people’s opinions the most delicious part). So the negitoro onigiri is simply raw tuna and green onion. The balance of the crunchy green onions with the soft raw tuna is the perfect juxtaposition. But what makes this onigiri even more special is the wasabi shoyu, which has been added to the filling. The spicy wasabi gives it that special kick that makes this onigiri addictive!

Shoyu Tamago

The Shoyu Tamago onigiri from Family Mart is made a little differently from the rest, as it considered one of their premium onigiri. These premium onigiri have the nori wrapped around the rice without the plastic in-between. This makes the nori slightly softer, and not as crispy. The soft nori better compliment these flavours and seems to infuse with the rice a little more as well. The Shoyo Tamago is made up of rice marinated in chicken broth with the piece-de-resistance, a whole soft boiled egg, placed right in the center. These shoyu eggs, or ramen eggs are marinated in soya sauce. They are perfectly cooked, so the yolk in the center is still soft and super creamy!

Lawsons

Wakame Gohan

Wakame rice is a fixture in Japanese cuisine. It is rice mixed with chewy seaweed. It has the flavour of the ocean without being made of fish. And the entire piece is covered in savoury white sesame seeds. The seeds really give the onigiri a wonderful flavour, and the rice is perfectly salted. Lawsons is known for being one of the healthier options for konbinis. Their stores are famous for their vegan and vegetarian options and this is one of the best.

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Azuki Okowa

Another healthy vegan option is the Okowa onigiri. This onigiri is served without nori but contains a mixture of red azuki beans, black sesame seeds and perfectly cooked sticky rice! While simple the bean are very filling and it makes for a great snack.

Chicken Fried Rice

This onigiri is another version where the nori is already attached. Some people even prefer these versions as the nori’s taste is slightly subdued, so the rest of the flavours inside are more prominent. The Chicken onigiri is filled with rice fried combined with chicken burdock, bamboo shoots, carrots and shiitake mushrooms. The burdock taste is robust and gives it the most earthy and delicious taste. This one feels like a meal all to itself.

Ginger Scallop

This one is my favourites, and I think it best warmed up! The onigiri contains freshly shredded scallops with ginger and mushrooms! The ginger in this onigiri is powerful and combined with the buttery sweet scallops and enoki mushrooms you are left with this insanely rich and delicious treat!

I hope you loved this walk through my favourite types of Onigiri you can get in Konbinis all over Japan! Let me know in the comment which one looks the best to you or what you enjoyed trying the last time you were in Japan!

Happy Travels, Adventurers!

The post Your Ultimate Guide to Onigiri in Japan first appeared on The Creative Adventurer.

There are so many amazing things to eat and drink in Kamamkura so I would recommend reading through this guide and making a list of your top favourites. It’s almost impossible to try it all without getting way too full! But many of these items are also easily saved for later and can even be brought home with your as souvenirs for friends and family, or just for yourself.

How to Get to Kamakura

Kamakura is a comfortable hour-long train ride from Tokyo, making it one of the easiest day-trip. If you leave from the central hub of Tokyo Station you can get directly on the Yokosuka Line. This line arrives directly at Kamakura Station. No need to change any lines. From anywhere else in Tokyo you can still arrive quickly in Kamakura with generally just one change of trains. Outside Kamakura station, head out the WEST exit and make your way to the great big red torii gates that mark the entrance to Komachi Street, famed for all its incredible street food.

Komachi Street

Komachi Street or Komachi-dori is one of the six historic main roads that formed the initial layout of the city of Kamakura. Today, the street is the most popular shopping area for residents and tourists alike. You can find everything from souvenirs to local treats and lovely restaurants. While the street is pretty busy, don’t let that put you off, as everyone is here to enjoy all the amazing things to eat and drink in Kamakura! Because the road is so popular, it is designated as a pedestrian-only zone. Komachi Street is a great place to wander along and try out different local street foods.

Komachi Chaya

Hydrangeas are Kamakura’s iconic flower. They can be found in gardens and flower beds everywhere you look in the Spring. They are a local obsession. Just as Sakura’s seem to be a Japanese obsession, Kamakura residents love their hydrangeas. At Komachi Chaya, you can get not only a hydrangea black tea but also a beautiful kakigori inspired by the colours of the hydrangea. Traditionally a kakigori is either plain or covered in toppings. But this one is served with a tray of various fruit compotes on the side to pour on top to your personal preference! Such a unique way to serve kakigori, so the fruit doesn’t immediately melt the ice.

Price: Kakigori 1,420 yen | Tea Set 680 yen

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Asahina

Asahina is a tiny shop that sells freshly made fish cakes, or “Kamaboko,” from various fish and seafood found on the coast of Kamakura. They serve both steamed and fried versions of the fish cakes made in a variety of flavours. One of the most popular is the octopus (tako) filled with cabbage, onions and pickled ginger. This is almost like a flat version of takoyaki, but honestly, I liked it even better! They also serve shirasu (whitebait) fritters here. Shirasu is the specialty fish of Kamakura, and eating it inside a fritter is a great way if you’re worried you might not like the taste as the fried batter compliments the salty fish perfctly.

Price: 190 – 220 yen per piece

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KYO Kamakura

Daifuku is one of Japan’s most popular desserts, made from mochi with a sweet red bean filling. Here in Kamakura, they have a very unique take on the sweet; the Zunda Daifuku. Zunda is soybeans, also known as edamame. These savoury beans are ground up into a paste and placed inside the mochi. This gives it a much less sweet flavour than the traditional red bean variety. No for everyone, but worth giving a try! You can find the Zunda Daifuku at KYO Kamakura.

Price: 160 yen per mochi ball

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Kintsuba

One of the most popular souvenirs to bring home from Kamakura are these traditional Japanese sweets called Kintsuba. These treats contain a sweet paste, that is moulded into a square cube, then covered in a thin batter and fried. The little cubes of goodness look like tiny presents! Kintsuba comes in flavours like matcha, sakura, lemon, soybean, sweet potato, black sesame and chocolate. They are very crumbly, and a bit dry so best enjoyed alongside a cup of warm matcha. The bean paste simply dissolves in your when eaten this way and is the perfect complement to a serving of afternoon tea. Since these come in pre-packaged boxes, they are a great souvenir or treat to take back to the hotel.

Price: 1,230 yen (6pc)/2,030 yen (10 pc)

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Hannari Inari

Hannari Inari has an excellent option if you’re interested in trying Shirasu but don’t want to eat them plain. They have recently come up with the ‘Shirasuka.’ The Shirasuka is a Japanese omelette filled with Shirasu. These are served on a stick to be easily eaten on the go. The fish adds an umami flavour to the egg and balances out its sweetness.

Shirasu & Tamago: 270 yen

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Kamakurayama Rusk

A “rusk” was something I had never heard of before coming to Kamakura. A Rusk or “rasuku” is a slice of bread that has been covered in butter and sugar and then toasted until it is crisp like a crouton. The sugar caramelizes while cooking adding to the rich flavour. Kamakurayama Rusk has taken the treats to another level. Their rusks come in these vortex designs with swirling colours that are mesmerizing. They even come in different shapes as well. But what really makes them unique are the flavours. You can find macha, burdock, fruit sala, berry shortcake, earl grey, caramel, and more!

Price: 480 yen for Five Rusks

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Kamakura Ichibanya

Kamakura Ichibanya is a shop that makes fresh senbei right there on the street. The smell wafts down the road, guiding you over like in a trance. Senbei are Japanese rice crackera. The ones sold here come in many different flavours, including the most popular; nori wrapped topped in a sweet soy sauce.

Price: 50 yen a piece

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Also hidden away in this shop’s window are fresh Taiyaki. Taiyaki is a Japanese fish-shaped cake, most commonly made from a pancake-like batter and filled with red bean paste. The taiyaki served here is made from a dough that is more like a croissant. It is so buttery and flakey! One of the most local flavours you can get inside your taiyaki is the shirasu, or whitebait, fish-filled version. This isn’t for everyone, but the salty fish inside the flakey pastry is very similar to fish and chips. But they also have sweet flavours like custard, red bean and apple if you’d prefer to avoid the fish.

Price: Taiyaki 350 – 400 yen (varies per flavour)

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Sakura no Yumemiya

My favourite stop on the food tour is Sakura no Yumemiya. This shop sells a variety of fantastic dango. Dango are Japanese dumplings made from rice flour. They are very similar to mochi, but the balls of rice flour are smaller, the size of a marble, and steamed to make them super bouncy instead of chewy. While dango usually comes in just one of two flavours, this shop has dozens and dozens of toppings that jazz it up.

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You can get Sakura, chestnut, roasted soybean, taro, honey lemon, strawberry, edamame, and even nori wrapped! You can also even get one stick of dango covered in a mixture of different toppings! The best way to try all their other flavours without getting too full!

Price Between 170 and 240 yen (varies per flavour)

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Sugi Honey Shop

Sugi Honey Shop almost always has a line out the door, and there is a good reason for that! The shop specializes in honey made on Kyushu Island. Their yuzu lemon honey is one of the most popular and insanely delicious in tea or spread over a scone with cream. If you don’t have the room in your luggage for a whole bottle of honey, then you can try their famous honeycomb ice cream. The soft serve ice cream is served with a drizzle of their renowned honey as well as a slice of natural honeycomb on the side!

Price: Honeycomb Soft serve 320 yen

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Kamakura Mameya

Kamakura Mameya is best known for the candy-coloured dried nuts and legumes. This place is so popular among the locals so prepare to wait. Inside you’ll find peanuts, Komachi beans, soybeans, Koiso pea, broad beans, as well as dried seasonal produce like grapes, tangerines and Sakura. Each one of these treats is covered in brightly coloured toppings making everything look like a piece of candy even when it is actually pretty healthy!

Price: The bags vary in price depending on the item you pick but each one is around 200-500 yen

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HACHI Kamakura

Hachi Kamakura specialized in a newly created dessert that has taken Japan by storm. These are “Cheese in the Baum.” Strange name, I know. The dessert is a take on the “Baumkuchen”, a spit cake. The cake is baked in a similar fashion to cooking meat on a spit, where the dough is slowly wrapped around the spit, so it cooks in layers. When you cut into the cake, the layers resemble the rings of a tree. The word Baumkuchen literally translates to “tree cake” or “log cake”. But this version adds another dimension with a dollop of baked cheesecake added to the hollow center.

Price: Matcha Cheese in the Baum 320 yen

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Kamakura Chacha

If you’re still on the hunt for more matcha, then you must check out Kamakura Chacha. This shop specializes in matcha ice cream but what makes it unique is that you can choose between 5 different levels of matcha strength. The stronger the matcha, the darker green the ice cream is! If you like the flavour but don’t like it too strong, level 1 is a great option. But for those who LOVE matcha’s taste, the level 5 is strong but so well balanced with the sweetness of the ice cream!

Price: Level 1 = 400 yen, Level 2 = 450 yen, Level 3 = 500 yen, Level 4 = 550 yen, Level 5 = 600 yen

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Momiji Chaya

The lines can be pretty long at this shop, but it’s well worth it! Momiji Chaya are famous for their matcha tiramisu! The entire dessert is served within the most aesthetic bamboo box and perfectly levelled out to make it look like it is merely a dessert cube. The whole thing is covered in a dusting of fresh macha to add a bit of bitterness to balance the tiramisu’s sweetness.

Tiramisu: 600 yen or 900 yen for the drink set

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Imbiss

If you come to Japan, the last thing you might think of eating is German food, but one of the most popular spots in Kamakura is this german sausage spot called Imbiss! What I love about these sausages is that instead of a typical stale bun, they are served either without a bun at all or the soft white bread bun, like eating a cloud! You can get them filled with cheese, herbs, spices and even german smoked. They also come with all sorts of toppings to your preference. To go with your sausage, you can also try a pint of local Kamakura beer! The perfect pairing.

Price: Sausages = 390 yen each, Kamakura Beer= 750 yen

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Kamakura Karari

If you enjoyed the Shirasu omelette earlier, I would implore you to try out a Shirasu-don. This is a whitebait rice bowl. The Shirasu served like this really brings out the fish’s flavour and is one of the most traditional ways to enjoy the local catch of the day. While other shops usually serve the Shirasu raw, Kamakura Karari also offers it broiled or cooked in a tempura fritter! I opted for the fritter, and it was amazing!

Price: Shirasu-don Rice Bowl 1,580 yen

Abre Noir

“Omiyage” is a gift or souvenir that you bring back from vacation to give to friends, coworkers, or family. Because these are meant to be shared with many people, boxes of omiyage contain individually wrapped treats. Different prefectures are well known for their famous regional omiyage. At Abre Noir, you can get “Kamakura-ware“. It is a sweet matcha dough filled with black sesame paste! I love sesame paste, and to me, it is more delicious than anko (red bean paste) as it feels a little smoother. Each one of these miniatures desserts is sealed for individual consumption.

Price: 10 cakes for 640 yen

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Imoyoshi Yakata

A new Instagram-famous treat in Kamakura is this ramune-strawberry twist ice cream cone topped with little heart-shaped marshmallows from Imoyoshi Yakata. While it certainly is one of the most kawaii (cute) looking desserts, it’s not just all for the gram. I LOVE ramune ice cream! Ramune is a Japanese soft drink with a clean and crispt flavour. Along with the creamy strawberry-milk ice cream, it makes such a good combo!

Price: 400 yen for the twist, 450 yen for twist with marshmallows

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Toshimaya Honten

The last thing to pick up before you leave is a pack of “Hato Sabure.” Hato Sabure was invented during the Meiji era in Kamakura. “Hato” means “dove” in Japanese and “sabure” means “shortbread’. So together they make dove-shaped shortbread. But don’t worry, it’s only named that for the shape, no doves were harmed in the making of this treat. The nearby Tsurugaoka Hachiman-gū shrine is dedicated to the god Hachiman whose name also contains the character for the dove inspiring the cookie’s creation.

Price: 7 Cookies – 864 yen

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Hopefully, you found some amazing things to eat and drink while here in Kamakura. If you are interested in making a full day out of your visit here you can head over and read my blog post guide to Kamakura. Let me know in the comment which item you’re most excited to try out!

Happy Travels, Adventurers!

The post The Ultimate Kamakura Foodie Tour, All the Best Sweet and Treats to Taste first appeared on The Creative Adventurer.

Vending machines make up a considerable section of the fabric of the country whether you are in a big city or out in the countryside. There are 5 million vending machines to be found across the country. That’s one vending machine for every 23 people, and these babies rack in more than $60 billion annually! So next time you’re visiting Japan, you need to check them out! 

To learn more about Vending Machines’ history in Japan, head over to my blog post! While there are all kinds of different vending machine categories around the country, the most prevalent are the drinks machines. If you’re a vending machine hunter like me, you’ll want to look closely inside each one you pass just to check out any new flavours or items you might not have seen before.

Checklist

Check out Vendo Drink Checklist if you want use this as a guide to find all the best things to drink out of vending machines in Japan!

How to Pay

Japan is a majorly cash-based society. A surprising thing considering how we sometimes view Japan as this metropolis of modernity. Most vending machines require coins to dispense any item inside. In the past few years, we have seen more and more modern machines, some of which have entirely LED displays. These newer machines can accept cards but often then only work with local credit cards.

Over the years, more machines have been retrofitted for tap payments. This works with your Suica and Pasmo metro cards. These cards are meant to be used to pay for your trips on the metro but can be preloaded with funds and used at vending machines and even some convenience stores. Suppose you are travelling on the public rail system. In that case, you’ll need one of these cards, so I would always advise you to load it up with more money than you think as you’ll find so many different ways to use your cards.

Hot vs. Cold

Modern vending machines in Japan can keep their drink hot or cold, often in the same machine. Cold beverages generally have a blue LED light with the characters “つめた～い” written on the bottom. On the other hand, the hot drinks have a red light and say “あったか～い.”

Coffee Vending Machine

One type of machine which you’ll only find in Japan is the canned coffee vending machine. These were invented in 1970 before the prevalence of coffee shops had hit the street. Back then, people mainly drank coffee at home and those who didn’t have time to brew it themselves were excited to find they could get coffee pre-made right on the street from a vending machine.

These early machines were separated into hot and cold machines so people could have their brew whichever way they preferred. Later more modernized versions of coffee vending machines allow you to get both hot and cold coffees in the same machine. These can be found pretty much everywhere you go.

If you are interested in finding out which one of the dozens and dozens of coffee brands and flavours to buy, it’s really a personal preference. The most commonly found brands are Boss, Wonda, Pokka, Kirin, and Georgia. For the most part, any coffee listed as a “milk” or “latte” drink will be very, very sweet. BOSS Black is an excellent option for those who take their coffee plain. This is very comparable to an American drip coffee. Kirin FIRE is my favourite blend, and if you do like a sweet but not too sweet milk coffee, try BOSS Rainbow blend that is like a latte in a can.

Tea

Tea seems to be synonymous with the cultural fabric of Japan. The tea ceremony, known as chanoyu, or sado, is all about honouring tea. So much care is taken in preparing and presenting the precious ambrosia. It is one of the most honoured traditions in the country. But you don’t need a fancy ceremony to enjoy a cup (or, in this case, a bottle) of tea. Tea is second only to coffee in terms of its presence in vending machines. You can sample many different varieties. I find the teas to be packaged in even more beautiful bottles than the coffee and you’ll often find seasonal designs that give some variety to the packaging.

Green Tea

Without a doubt, the most popular tea in Japan is green tea. This tea blend is said to improve health, increase brain function, reduce heart disease, lower the risk of diabetes and even lower your cancer risk. Green tea often comes in clear bottles, so you can distinguish from the tea’s colour how strong it is. Green tea is served both hot and cold, so you can be refreshed no matter what time of year it is!

Jasmine Tea

Jasmine Tea is my absolute favourite blend of tea. Green tea can sometimes be a little bitter for some, whereas jasmine tea is so delicate. Even without any sweetener, it is perfect and keeps you really warm on those cold days!

English Tea

If you like black tea, then look out for anything labelled “English Tea“. You can get a variety of English-style tea in vending machines all around Japan. These are almost always accompanied by milk and sugar. Sometimes they are called “royal” milk tea, after the Queen of England!

Hot Lemon

Another popular option for tea is Hot Lemon. Hot Lemon tea is sweet and sour and full of vitamin C. It’s like drinking hot lemonade. This is great if you got off the plane with a little cold and need a quick fix!

Mugi-cha

One of the most unique tea flavours found in Japan is Mugi-cha. This tea is made from barley and is traditionally drunk in the summer over ice. The tea has a roasted barley flavour and slight bitter after taste, which slightly resembles coffee. While its certainly unique, I think you need to give it a try since some people ADORE it!

Fruit Flavoured Tea

Fruit flavoured teas are generally served cold and are great for hot days. They come in unique flavours like lychee, peach, melon and even the iconic sakura during the springtime. Since the flavours tend to be seasonal, there is always something unique on offer when you come to visit, so keep your eyes open for something brand new and different!

Coca-cola

Japan is home to perhaps the most extensive variety of soda flavours I’ve ever seen. While Coke, Pepsi and their other American soda brands are just as ubiquitous here as at home, you will find that there are significantly different flavours added into your favourite sodas. One of my favourites has got to be Coca-cola Peach. Made with the flavours of Georgia peaches, the fruit really amps up the taste of Coca-cola. Aomori is famous for its apples and has the highest apple production in Japan. In honour of these delicious apples, Japan came out with Coca-cola apple! Give it a try if you see it.

Fanta

Although Fanta is available worldwide in Japan, the flavours in Japan are out of control! You can find flavours like; Apple, Black Cherry, Peach, Lemon, Snow Squash, White Banana, Strawberry Cream, plum and melon. Surprisingly, Fanta melon is one of the most popular flavours. If you go into a McDonald’s, Fanta Melon is one of the only Fanta flavours on offer. It is often served with a scoop of ice cream as a melon float and truly I cant count the number of melon floats I had while travelling around Japan – they are that delicious!

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Salted Lychee 

A strange combination which you might not expect to find in a vending machine is Salted Lychee. Okinawa, a prefecture in Japan is known for the chef-quality salt. Kirin came out with a Salted Lychee drink that swept the nation! The salt is said to give this drink a pop of freshness and breaks up the sweetness of the lychee. It sounds strange but I really loved it and think you need to give it a try. 

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Bikkle

Many Asian cultures have a tradition of drinking yogurt-based drinks. Yogurt is excellent for your gut, and these drinks help with digestion. In Japan, the most popular brand is Bikkle, produced by the Suntory group. Its not too thick and if you like that zing which fermented foods give you, then this is for you!

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Aloe Juice

Aloe Vera gel is said to provide a sense of wellness and energy. The gel is made of bits of the plant’s membrane that are extracted into these drinks. The aloe membrane is also said to be good for your skin, so these Aloe Juice drinks are popular with young women. The texture is definitely not for everyone, but since most of the bottles are filled with other fruit juice, the taste is pretty pleasant.

Flavoured Water

Since Japan seems to have an aversion to plain water, and since I do too, I really appreciated all the different varieties of flavoured water vending machines have on offer. Suntory is the leader in this strange world of flavoured waters with options like yogurt, tea, honey lemon, white peach (my fave) and Pear. 

I Lohas is another famous brand, from Coca-Cola Japan, with flavours like white grape, orange, peach and lemon. But one unique thing about I Lohas is that they have regional flavours, which you can only find in some prefectures of Japan. In Hokkaido, you can drink blue honeysuckle. In Nagano, you can find apple, and in Tohoku, you can even drink blueberry!

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Pocari Sweat

Pocari Sweat is probably one of the worst English translations you could get for something you are expected to drink. And even more shocking is the actual taste of the drink, which is surprisingly salty! Pocari Sweat is one of the most popular energy drinks sold in Japan. It is a flavoured drink containing electrolytes, but that tastes like thick sweat. But I will say, on a hot day when I was feeling dehydrated, it really worked to put me back together!

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Calpis Water

Calpis Water is another one of those yogurt-flavoured drinks, but this one is much more diluted than Bikkle. It is like a bottle of watered-down milk, with that sweet-sour taste. Sounds unappetizing, but this is actually one of the country’s best sellers. Sometimes you’ll find a variety of flavours from peach, grape and mango.

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Rare Milk 

I’m a massive fan of a glass of milk, so I loved seeing cold cartons of milk sold in these vending machines. In fact, on Platform 5 at JR Akihabara Station, you can find a particular vending machine that sells specialty milk from regions all over Japan. There is vanilla-flavoured milk from Kumamoto. You can also get special milk usually only sold in Fukushima, inside this machine!

Ichigo Milk or Strawberry milk is one of the most popular flavours outside of regular plain milk. It’s not as sweet as North American strawberry-flavoured milk, and I think it’s wonderfully refreshing!

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Pancake Milkshake

Ever wonder what it might be like to drink a pancake? Well, wonder no more! In Japan, you can find Morinaga Pancake milkshake in a can! Morinaga is a famous powdered pancake mix brand you usually find in the grocery store, but they wanted to find a way to bring this breakfast treat into the vending machines. Why? I don’t know. The taste resembles one of those meal replacement drinks. It is slightly gritty in texture but does indeed taste like a canned pancake milkshake!

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Dekavita C

Unlike many other countries, Japan doesn’t seem to rely as strongly on “Red Bull.” Instead, they favour Dekavita C. Dekavita C is Japan’s long-selling energy drink. “Deka” means “big” in Japanese, and “vita” stands for “vitamins,” and “C” stands for vitamin C. This beverage contains 8 different kinds of vitamins and even the all-important royal jelly extract.

Royal jelly is a gelatinous substance produced by honey bees. Studies have suggested that royal jelly is likely to enhance collagen production and even i said to reduces PMS and menopause symptoms!

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Ribbon Futte Futte Jelape

If Royal Jelly is something you love, you need to find yourself some Ribbon Futte Futte Jelly Grape. The drink has a layer of grape royal jelly on the bottom of the bottle. Before drinking it, you must vigorously shake it up to break up the jelly into a drinkable form. Again, not for anyone with an aversion to textural drinks, but it’s super tasty!

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Marusan Soy Milk Drink

If you don’t drink milk, whether it’s because of your allergies or dietary restrictions, you should seek out Marusan Soy Milk Drinks. These come in all sorts of flavours from peach, mango, cherry, apple pie, chestnut, red bean, roasted sweet potato, mixed fruits, banana, matcha, almond, coffee, tea and chocolate. While these are rarer to find, they are a must-try if you come across them in a vending machine! If you cant find them in a vendo, head over to the konbini!

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After reading this hopefully you find that you’re thirsty to get outside and explore Japan’s Vending Machines! If you are planning a trip, be sure to fit in some exploring time to find all these treasures. Let me know in the comments if I missed any of your favourites!

Happy Travels, Adventurers!

The post Wonderful Vending Machine Drinks to Try on Your Next Trip to Japan first appeared on The Creative Adventurer.

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What are Bento Boxes or Ekiben?

“Bento” translates into the English word for “boxed-lunch.” These meals were designed to be eaten on the go. The invention of the bento box dates back to the Kamakura period (1185 to 1333). Back then, they were pretty simple and made mostly to carry rice.

It wasn’t until the late 16th century that the boxes evolved into a more luxurious design during the Edo period. Beautiful lacquered wooden boxes were made to display bite-sized food within. These fancy bento boxes were called the ‘Makunouchi.’ This translates into “between acts” as the lacquered boxes were designed to be sold inside Kabuki theatres and eaten during the intermission.

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Different boxed meals were designed to appeal to various social classes. The ones with more expensive, specialty ingredients were sold to the upper classes, where the lower classes ate bentos with simpler ingredients. There were even specialty boxes designed to highlight seasonal fruits and vegetables during different times of the year.

Ekiben comes from the words “eki,” which means railway station. These bento boxes were designed exclusively for travellers on the railway. Sometimes people needed to travel long distances into big cities for work, so this was an excellent solution for people who needed to eat their dinner on the train. But who didn’t have time to prepare a healthy meal themselves.

Today there are rarely “dining cars” on Japanese trains as people will more often than not opt to bring these boxed meals onto the train instead. If you missed out on buying one in the station by chance, they are usually for sale inside the train as well.

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Elements of an Ekiben

There are hundreds of different varieties of ekibens. But in general, the make-up of an ekiben should include a carb, a protein, a veggie and a fruit or dessert. Each one of these elements is separated into a different part of the container. 

Another advantage to the Ekiben is that they sometimes feature ingredients from local prefectures. Even if you’re just stopping off at a station and then continuing on to a different final destination, you can hop off the train and grab an ekiben featuring a local delicacy.

While many simpler versions of the ekiben costs around $10, various gourmet boxes can cost almost $30! That might seem like a lot considering the kind of meal you can buy in Japan for $30, but I think the novelty of them is so special and worth the money. Ekiben’s are a quintessentially Japanese experience that you MUST have on your next Shinkansen journey.

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Where to Buy Ekiben’s?

Japanese Convenience Store

One of the easiest and cheapest places to buy an Ekiben or bento box is at a Japanese convenience store. If you’ve read my post all about Japanese convenience stores, you’ll know they are one of the best places to eat in Japan (sounds weird, but it’s really true). The bento boxes available in the stores change throughout the day, some are more geared towards breakfast others more filling for dinner. My favourite Japanese convenience stores to look out for are 7-Eleven, Lawson and Family Mart. If you happen to be shopping inside a large supermarket, you’ll also be able to find these ekiben’s there.

Train Stations

But the best place to buy traditional Ekiben’s is inside the train station. Any station with long-distance trains is going to sell a myriad of different ekibens. Stations like Tokyo Station are so large that you’ll find dozens and dozens of shops selling nothing but ekibens. I remember my first time in Tokyo station, I was overwhelmed with all the different options in front of me. To help others in my situation, I went ahead and made a list of the best Ekiben’s you can buy inside Tokyo Station! And to make it even more straightforward, there really is one place to find it all! And that’s Ekibenya Matsuri.

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Ekibenya Matsuri

Without a doubt, the most popular place to pick up your ekiben is Ekiben Matsuri. It’s located inside the station, past the ticketing gates, so you will need a ticket or entry card to get access to the shop. There are over 200 different ekiben sold at Ekibenya Matsuri! One of the best things about this shop is that the ekiben sold here are not just from Tokyo, but from all over Japan! Some exclusive ekiben you usually could only find in smaller cities across the country are shipped in here daily, so you can literally have a taste of the entire country in one spot.

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Below are my favourite 11 ekibens you can find at Tokyo Ekiben Matsuri!

Tokyo Bento

The Tokyo Bento from Ekibenya Matsuri is a platter of the best of the best ingredients from Tokoyo. The main features are the tamagoyaki (rolled omelette) and a beautiful slice of salmon with a tiny soy sauce bottle to squeeze on top. There is a side of rice with pickled plums and a pile of fresh steamed vegetables. And for dessert you get a freshly made macha mochi!

Cost: 1,650 yen

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Gyuniku Domannaka 

While a pre-cook and cold box of beef might be unpalatable to some, this is honestly of the best packages. We got one to try, and though we were apprehensive at first, once we tasted it, we were amazed at how delicious and moist the meat was. The Gyuniku Domannaka is from Yonezawa and is made with a secret marinated sauce, making it taste just impeccable!

Cost: 1,250 yen

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Daruma Bento

The Daruma Ekiben from Gunma Prefecture is another one of those gimmicky boxes which are impossible to pass up. The bright red container is shaped into the form of a Daruma Doll. Darumas are good luck dolls in Japan, and the slit in the mouth of the box can be used after the meal is done to help store your coins. The food inside the package is pretty healthy. As Gunma prefecture is located up in the mountains this meal has no fish and highlights the rich food found at altitude. The bento features shiitake mushrooms, burdock root, bamboo shoots, and root vegetables.

Cost: 1,080 yen

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Hipparidako Meshi

This Ekiben’s name translates to “octopus in high demand,” and that is pretty much what you’ll find inside. From Hyogo Prefecture near the Kobe Harborland and waterfront, this beautifully crafted clay pot features a myriad of fresh seafood. Inside you’ll find braised octopus, along with shiitake mushroom, bamboo, conger eel, shredded egg, vegetable and vinegar rice. It’s almost as if someone was fishing off the mainland and this is a selection of the catch of the day!

Cost: 1,080 yen

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Oshizushi

One of the oldest bento recipes you can find here is from 1913! It is a very simple box featuring thinly sliced horse mackerel atop pressed sushi rice covered in vinegar sauce. This is called “oshizushi” style and is one of the oldest styles of sushi making. The dish comes from Ofuna Station near Kamakura.

Cost: 1,280 yen

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Shinkansen Bento

If you’re travelling with children or are a child at heart, then you really MUST buy the Shinkansen Bento. The bullet train-shaped container is something you can keep as a souvenir or even use for future homemade bentos. Inside you’ll find food best suited for a simple palette (aka for the kids). You’ll find fried chicken, shrimp, pork sausages, meat dumplings, potatoes and, of course, rice!

Cost: 1,300 yen

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Three Flavour Beef Bento

If you love beef, then you must try the Three Flavour Beef Bento. Inside this box are three types of flavours: “Beef Soboro Sansho Flavor”, “Spicy Beef”, and “Beef Miso Pickled Grill”. Plus, you get a soft boiled egg on the side along with some delicious rice.  The beef comes from Nipponbashi, near Osaka. Some of this meat is flavoured with Sansho which is a specialty of this region. Sansho berries have a strong, peppery, citrus flavour that has been compared to lemon, yuzu and grapefruit!

Cost: 1,200 yen

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Seasonal Box

If you ever see a seasonal box, I would implore you to give it a try! It’s such a unique way to taste the literal flavours of the season in Japan. We visited during the Fall so our tasting box included Autumnal flavours such as chestnuts, shiitake mushrooms, mackerel, trout, smoked duck, and sweet potatoes. It was absolutely delicious and looked like a miniature painting!

Cost: varies by the seasonal items

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Tuna & Salmon Roe

If you want a taste of the sea, you need to try the tuna and salmon roe bento. This is one of the brightest meals on offer with that hot pink of the tuna and flaming orange of the salmon roe. The entire meal is placed atop shredded omelet and vinegared rice. You also get some pickled ginger and wasabi on the side to cut the fat of the tuna. Everyone is always so surprised at how fresh and tasty this fish is considering its from a box!

Cost: 1,300 yen

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Vegetable Bento

I really wanted to add a Vegan/Vegetarian item on here to make sure that all those travellers know that there is indeed something for you too! The Vegetable Bento is a colourful mixture of steamed and pickled vegetables paired with two rice types and even a vegan omelette!

Cost: 900 yen

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Pork Cutlet Bento

An item that is often overlooked is the Pork Cutlet Bento. Pork cutlets are one of the things that Japan just does right. Somehow they always manage to capture the juiciness of the pork while the outside is crisped to perfection! The cutlet is served alongside white rice with potato salad and some pickled radishes.

Cost: 1,080 yen

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I hope this list helps narrow down your choices when you get to the train station. But if you have the time, go inside and see for yourself all the hundreds of different curated boxes they have inside. There is always something new and exciting to try! Let me know in the comments if you have ever tried an Ekiben before or what your favourite box from this list is!

Happy Travels, Adventurers!

The post The Ultimate Guide to Japanese Bento Boxes and Ekiben first appeared on The Creative Adventurer.

Otaku Akihabara

Akihabara is often referred to as being the ‘Otaku‘ centre of Tokyo. Otaku refers to a young person who is obsessed with computers or particular aspects of pop culture to the detriment of their social skills. Its kinda like our word “geek” or “nerd.” But just as in our North American vocabulary, these terms are no longer as harmful as they once were. Nerds now run the world! Fantasy comics and movies are now not just for nerds but Hollywood Blockbusters! Initially, Akihabara was known for being a technology hub, it was called electric town. It got this name in WWII when this area was the place where people could find old radio and electronic parts sold illegally under the train lines. It was the only way people could get them since almost everything was given over to the war effort.

Today, you can still find these shops, although they no longer need to hide underground. From old wires to new robotics Akihabara grew into a centre where the geeks of the city would congregate. And today it is this new centre of pop culture. All of these aspects of the neighbourhood make it one of the liveliest areas in Tokyo. If you’ve never been here before hopefully, this guide allows you to explore everything Akihabara has to offer!

Table Of Contents

1. Where to Stay?
2. Where to Eat?
3. What to do?
4. Interesting Vending Machines

Where to Stay?

Glansit Akihabara Capsule Hotel

Capsule Hotels are one of the most unique forms of accommodation in Japan. Capsule hotels are not just a super cool thing to experience; they are also a great way to save some money! Perfect for solo travellers. The Capsules are divided into male and female floors, where you’ll get a single capsule all to yourself to sleep inside. The Glansit Capsules in Akihabara are incredibly modern, clean and even have an onsen attached to the shower area, the perfect way to unwind after a long flight or long day walking around the city.

The capsule here are made of a large, rectangular cube, which is more spacious than you’d imagine. Each capsule comes with its own personal light, tv, bedding, place to plug in all your devices and even air conditioning and a fan. It feels like sleeping in a spaceship. Outside your capsule, you can use all the amenities of a hotel.

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Washington Hotel

If you’re looking for a great hotel, just steps away from all the action than the Washington Hotel is the place for you. This hotel is still within most travellers’ budgets but provides everything you need in the perfect location. The hotel is right across the street from the train station, which makes it super easy to get anywhere in the city in minutes. The rooms are spacious in terms of Japanese standards, but be sure not to book the “economy double bed” if you’re a couple since the bed is little more than a large single and you might be a little squished.

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Hotel Mystays Ochanomizu

Hotel Mystays Ochanomizu is located just a few minutes away from the central JR rail station, on the opposite side of the rivers from Akihabara. While this means you’re not RIGHT in the centre of the action, this actually might be a plus for some travellers. Being across the river means this hotel feels like it is more a part of the less touristy, neighbourhood part of Akihabara.

The streets are quiet, but only a five minutes walk down the road you’re in the centre of the bustling neon skyscrapers which are iconically Akihabara. While the hotel bills itself as a conference centre/business hotel, I still found it to be perfect for tourists. The price was great, the amenities were excellent, and since a lot of the people staying there were businessmen, it was a super quiet hotel. Ideal for relaxing at the end of a long night. Book a twin room for two people, its the same price as the standard but gives you two beds and more space inside the room.

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Where to Eat?

Kikanbo

Kikanbo is my ABSOLUTE favourite restaurant in the entire city. I know this seems odd, and arguably it holds a sentimental part in my heart. Still, even without that, this ramen restaurant is fantastic! Kikanbo is known for its red pepper spicy ramen. When you walk up to the restaurant, you’re greeted with several demon spiked masks on the outside of the building, but don’t let that scare you off. You have complete control over the spice level, so even if you don’t like hot food, the rich miso broth and gorgeous toppings are enough to make for a spectacular meal.

Kikanbo also uses three different noodles in their ramen to give you a variety of textures as you eat, which makes it super unique compared to other ramen restaurants. There is always a line out the door, but it moves quickly. The staff are so friendly and if you don’t know how to order, they’re always more than happy to help you out, even without being able to share a common language!

Toraji

Toraji is a “yakiniku” style restaurant located at the top of the Remm tower in Akihabara. Yakiniku translates into “grilled meat,” as the cooking of the meal is given over to the customer! It’s a tradition that started in Korea and was adopted by the Japanese as well. There is something so enjoyable about being able to cook food at your table, to your tastes, without having to shop for any ingredients and know that everything is still prepared for you.

This restaurant still preserves some of the Korean aspects of the meal, as it serves kimchi and cold noodles along with the various meats and steamed vegetables. Now I know what you might be thinking, “Korean food? In Tokyo?” and yes, this might sound odd. But Korean food is super popular in Tokyo for a reason. You choose a particular set menu, and then the meat and veggies are all brought out to you, as an all-you-can-eat service. Whenever a dish is finished, just ask for another, and it will be brought you fresh from the kitchen. Perfect for hungry eaters.

Gansozushi

While conveyor belt sushi restaurants have started popping up in other locations around the world, they got their start here in Japan. If you’ve never visited one before, then Gansozushi is the best place to start! Conveyor belt sushi restaurants are all over Tokyo, and you really can’t go wrong with any of them. While the fish might not be as high quality as in some upscale restaurants, it’s still far and away better than anything we get in North America. Once you get inside, you’ll be seated around an actual moving conveyor belt with dishes containing various types of sushi.

This restaurant is especially great since it’s so small, the chef is right behind the counter. And you can watch him making the sushi throughout the meal. Each of the plates on which the sushi is placed is a different colour and/or pattern. The plates denote the cost of the sushi, often displayed on small signage inside the restaurant. Just grab what you want and keep the empty plates at your table. These plates are used to calculate your bill at the end of the meal. The sushi is cheap and delicious, and often you’ll be more enticed into trying something new once you see it right there in front of you.

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Kanda Yabusoba

Across the river is one of my favourite restaurants, Kanda Yabusoba. This place serves up Soba noodles in a variety of different fashions. I LOVE cold soba noodles, and this restaurant has been making them since 1880! “Soba,” or buckwheat noodles, is a traditional Japanese food dating back to the Edo period. These noodles were a favourite dish of the then Emperor of Japan. Soba noodles are eaten dipped in a tasty broth and enjoyed alongside crispy deep-fried shrimp and vegetable tempura. The other reason I love this place is for the decor. It feels like a traditional tea house, with all wood panels and a peaceful zen garden welcoming you as you come in the front doors.

Blue Bottle Coffee Kanda Cafe

Another popular spot on the riverside is Blue Bottle Coffee. The Japanese have gotten obsessed with coffee, but more than that, they have an obsession with ensuring it is brewed to perfection. This place offers pour-over coffees, which are superb! The beans are roasted to varying degrees based on their unique profile. This cool little cafe offers seats along the riverside, which is a peaceful place to relax and enjoy a morning brew before heading into the clamour of downtown Akihabara.

Mister Donut Akihabara

I realize recommending Mister Donut is like recommending Dunkin’ Donuts to people visiting America or Tim Hortons to those in Canada. But you know what? I think I would do that too. They’re a simple, classic for a reason. Mister Donut is a chain cafe which sells, just that, donuts. But Japanese donuts are unlike the textures and flavour of those in North American, and you need to give them a try! They always have seasonal flavours or different designs to celebrate various events happening in Japan. So there always something new to try every time you visit!

Honey Toast Cafe Akihabara

If donuts aren’t for you, but you have a sweet tooth, then you just have to check out Honey toast Café! Honey toast starts with a thick piece of bread cut almost to the size of a brick! The bread is as fluffy as can be, similar to the texture of Wonder Bread we have in North America. The toast is then smothered in toppings like whipped cream, ice cream, honey and fresh fruits. It’s as decadent as it gets! The plastic models of these desserts sit in window displays outside inviting customers to come inside and let me tell you they’re pretty hard to resist.

Honey toast is often eaten by young teens on their first dates, and often, you’ll find groups of kids heading to Akihabara just to eat honey toast and blush in front of their crushes. Eating a slice of honey toast with your true love feels like you’re just two kids again.

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Gyukatsu Ichi Ni San

One of the absolute best places to eat in Akihabara is Gyukatsu Ichi Ni San. Prepare to wait in line or get there early to ensure you get a spot in this bite-sized restaurant. Gyukatsu is a Japanese meal that consists of breaded, deep-fried beef cutlets. At this restaurant, you are given slices of the meat, which has been deep-fried, but the interior is still raw. You are then sat in front of a tiny little pan where you can grill the meat to your desired level of cooking. Staff are super kind and ready to help you with the coking if you are new to the process. They have an English menu, so they are more than welcoming to tourists. Dishes come with a bowl of rice, soup, sauces, and a mountain of veggies!

Taiyaki

Taiyaki is a Japanese street food that is on almost every traveller’s list of things to eat in Japan. It’s a fish-shaped cake, which is filled with your choice of sweet centre before being cooked into the shape of a fish. Typical fillings include red bean paste, custard, chocolate, cheese, or sweet potato. Magikarp Taiyaki is similar to most other stands except for the fact they sell their Taiyaki in the shape of iconic Pokemon character ‘Magikarp.‘ Which I think fits being in Otaku Akihabara.

Fruits de Saison

For a sweet treat, head over to Fruits de Saison. This cafe specializes in fruit parfaits, which are iconic in Japan. Using only the best Japanese fruit of the season they create a sculptural looking dessert with mounds of sweet fruit. And their homemade whipped cream is the perfect topper. But the very best thing to try here is the fruit and cream croissants. Fruit cream sandwiches are a trendy convenience store food in Japan, but stuffed inside a fresh, buttery pastry just takes the dessert to another level!

What to do?

Walk along Chuo Dori

A walk down the main street Chuo Dori is one of the best ways to not only get your bearings upon landing in Japan but also a vibrant way to explore Akihabara. Everywhere you look, especially at night, you’ll find the most amazingly designed signage, neon lights, blaring music and excited people ready to hit the town. Chuo Dori is where you’ll be able to get some fantastic, iconic photographs of Tokyo so its a photographer’s dream.

Arcades

The Japanese pioneer video gaming and with Japan being the centre for its development came to the prevalence of arcades. Here kids and adults alike could play the newest coin-operated games like Street Fighter and Pacman. Today, the games you’ll find in the arcades are a little more sophisticated. And most of them can only be found in arcades as they are designed for that space, and not the home console system. These games are everything from racing games, dancing competitions to VR headsets, which jet you off into space!

But our favourite thing to play at the arcades were the crane games. Not the UFO catchers, those don’t involve any skill. But the arm crane games actually are winnable. The sheer drama of playing and/or watching others win is a suspenseful good time. And everyone loves to cheer for other players too as we’re all in this together. Plus, they always have such strange items to win, like a stuffed bear with a bloody arm or all kinds of scandalously clad anime figurines.

Taito and Sega Arcades

Every arcade brand is similar and yet totally different at the same time. They each have their own look and feel, which makes them stand apart, and you quickly will find which one is your favourite. We prefer the Taito arcades for their selection of cranes games prizes. Still, others love the SEGA arcade as they have a larger range of modern arcade games on the upper floors.

Purikura

In the basement of these arcades, you’ll find dozens of Purikura photo cubicles, each one from a different company offering a unique experience. Purikura machines are where you can get those classic Japanese printed photos where you can add text, stickers and give your face the “anime” treatment. The Purikura experience costs 500 yen ($5 US). Unlike photo booths you find in North America, where you step in and just take your picture, these use a green screen.

The camera moves around, so you get a bunch of different options from portrait mode to full body and even sometimes animated GIFs. Once you finish your photo shoot, you’ll be directed into another booth where you’ll get to decorate, alter, add filters and text to all the photos you took. Afterwards, your photos will be arranged into a collage (often picked by you) and printed out at the same station where you initially put your coins inside. It was great fun trying out different poses and spending as much time as we were allowed decorating the photos into something absolutely ridiculous.

Super Potato

If you’re interested in retro gaming, then a visit to Super Potato is in order. This little arcade, hidden upstairs inside a commercial tower on a side street of Akihabara, has some of the most nostalgic arcade games anywhere in the city. While SEGA and Taito might have all the newest in video game technology, Super Potato is still serving up pong, Super Mario and the original Street Fighter. The first floor of the store also has retro games for sale if you’re looking for something to complete your collection. But I prefer to head upstairs and play the day away on the gaming consoles, which didn’t require a Ph.D. to understand how to play.

Don Quijote

A fantastic late-night activity – for those of us not too interested in drinking the night away – is shopping at Don Quijote. The one in Akihabara is open 24 hours a day, and with over six floors of goods, there is always something new to discover. My favourite part of the store was the cosmetics section. Japanese and Korean cosmetics are some of the best in the world, and Don Quixote carries hundreds of products I’d never even seen before. I especially loved finding the anime character-themed cosmetics. They also had some featuring Sailor Moon, who was always my favourite cartoon character growing up. Don Quixote truly has something for everyone and even things no one would want but are hilarious to look at (e.g. animal-shaped male undergarments.) Honestly, even if you don’t buy anything here, you’ll have hours of fun just looking at all the oddities for sale.

Akihabara Gachapon Hall

Gachapon refers to the little vending machine which dispenses capsule toys. The word ‘Gachapon‘ is onomatopoeia for the sound the crank makes when you use the machine. These devices each contain different sets of toys, and you never know which item from the set you’re going to receive. It’s totally random. Most sets include some rare items which become sought-after collector treasures. The toys set change pretty often, so there’s always something new to buy. We found little plastic cats were sitting on rice cookers, tiny replicas of vintage buckets, Pokemon shaped cookies and lots of Japanese characters often themed the various holidays.

These make for small, cheap souvenirs to bring home for friends and family as they are wonderfully weird and always unexpected. The Akihabara Gachapon Hall is the place where you can find hundreds of these machines all in one place. Although spotting them all over the city is a fun little activity, if you’re looking for something in particular, then this is the place you should check out!

KaraokeKan

The best way to end a night out in Akihabara is to go to a karaoke room. You can come into a karaoke room at any time of the day with any size of the group (or even just solo)! Once inside, you select what kind of room you’d like, how long you want to sing for, and even what kind of karaoke system you wish to use. We had no idea what the difference was, but the staff is there day and night to help you out. And in Akihabara where there are lots of tourists, they know how to help you out even if they don’t speak very much English.

Karaoke Additions

Most karaoke places will require you to buy one beverage in addition to the price of the Karaoke. You can even buy an all-you-can drink option. If you’re going to be there a while, chose that option! In common areas, there are drink machines that serve coffee, soda, juice and sometimes even soft-serve ice cream! Once you have your assigned a room, head on over. Most rooms have coat hooks, phone chargers, mirrors, and some even have musical instruments like tambourines and cowbells!

I was pretty shy about singing at first, but my husband wasn’t shy at all and belted his favourite songs out. It got me in the mood for singing, and soon enough, we had ‘Phantom of the Opera’ and ‘New Order‘ blasting down the halls. Honestly, it was the best night out ever! KaraokeKan in Akihabara is an excellent option as it has a pretty wide variety of English songs. They even rent costumes to perform in for a very unique night out!

Akiba Cultures Zone

Akiba Cultures Zone is a one-stop-shop for anime and otaku goods. There are over seven different levels to this one super mall dedicated to Japan’s anime subculture. Spread out on each level are grouping of different themed stores that specialize in a particular thing from sweets, to figurines, cosplay costumes, wigs and accessories. There is even a theatre on the top floor with performances daily.

Mandarake

If you didn’t find what you were looking for at Akiba Cultures Zone, then head over to Mandarake. Mandarake also has a slightly different selection of goods with more items for collectors of trains, Godzilla, manga and Hello Kitty rather than just pure anime. Once more, this place is more than a store, its eight different floors of collectible merchandise feels like a museum! If you’re looking for something a little more accessible, I would come here over Akiba Cultures Zone, which can feel a bit too specialized. Here you’ll find things from popular culture as well as Japanese anime. But they both really inform travellers into what Otaku culture is all about.

Yodobashi Camera

If technology is your thing, then you have to make a trip over to Yodobashi Camera Akihabara. Exploring the ground level of Yodobashi is like a trip to CES (the Consumer Technology Association convention held every year in Las Vegas). You can see all the newest in gadgetry which Japan has to offer its consumers. You’ll find everything from cameras to robotic toilets and even weird things like specialized drawers for roasting fish. Under the almost blinding white lights inside the store, you’ll find the oddest things which makes for one of the most enjoyable experiences!

CHABARA

Chabara is a grocery store, but its also so much more than that. They sell a variety of artisanal & traditional Japanese foods both to bring home with you as a souvenir or to enjoy back at your hotel. If you’re looking to sample the best Japanse food or perhaps don’t really know what foods you need to try, then this is the place to come! They even have gourmet instant-ramen noodle section, which has been carefully curated to feature only the very best of instant at-home noodles. Their sake selection is also stellar as it features varieties from all over Japan. They also have several kinds which you can try in-store in case you’ve never experienced true Japanese sake. Sake is a great gift to take home, and they will carefully wrap it to ensure it makes it back safe and sound. Something beautiful to remember your trip by!

Akihabara Radio Center

If you’re an electronics tinkerer, then head to Akihabara Radio Center. Akihabara Radio Center still sells cheap electronics parts for absolutely everything. Need a weird battery for something you bought 35 years ago, chances are you’ll find it here. There are entire shops dedicated to screws or wire. Some places only sell types of metal. While these things might not be for everyone, it’s kinda cool to explore the weird hallways and see the kind of shops which put Akihabara on the map back in WWII.

Interesting Vending Machines

Vending machines are pretty much everywhere you look in Japan. They’re on every street corner, down every alley and on every floor anywhere you go. And while most vending machines sell simply food and drinks, some sell genuinely bizarre items. And there is no better place to explore the variety of vending machines than in Akihabara. The specific corner where you’ll find these machines is marked on the map. Here you’ll find a plethora of vending machines that only have unique items inside. No sodas to be found here. These range from dead rhinoceros beetles, scented candles, wind chimes and even mystery boxes with stories written on the outside. Don’t be fooled by these though, aside from the strange stories, the actual prizes inside the blank box aren’t worth the price you’ll pay. Still, getting a chance to pursue the selection is undoubtedly something you’ll only find in Akihabara.

For anyone visiting Tokyo for the first time, my suggestion is always to stay and see Akihabara first. It feels like the perfect introduction to the city as it has it all! Let me what your favourite neighbourhood in Tokyo is or what you love about Akihabara!

Happy Travels, Adventurers!

The post The Ultimate Guide to Exploring Akihabara Tokyo, What to Do and Eat first appeared on The Creative Adventurer.

Table Of Contents

1. What to Pack
   • A good Coin Purse
   • Slip-on Shoes
   • Covid Masks
   • Download Offline Maps
2. Preparing for your Flight
   • Packing Your Carry-On
   • Pick the Right Seat & Upgrade to Exit Row
   • Skip the Middle Seat
   • Ensuring a Good Night's Sleep
     • Lavender
     • Melatonin
3. Use the In-Flight Time Wisely
4. Arrival & Immigration
5. Using Data/Wifi in Japan
   • eSIM
   • Wifi-Hotspot
6. Get some Cash
7. Transportation from the Airport
   • Public Transportation
   • Airport Limousine Bus
8. Grab a Drink from a Japanese Vending Machine
   • Reading the Vending Machines
9. Checking into your Accommodation
   • Capsule Hotels / Hostel
   • Ryokans
   • Japanese Hotels
10. Go for a Walk
11. Get Something to Eat
    • Vending Machine-Operated Restaurants
12. Buy your Suica or Pasmo Card
13. Visit an Arcade
14. Purikura
15. Find some Gachapon
16. Grab Breakfast at the Conbini
17. Customs to Keep in Mind
    • Don’t Tip
    • Be ready to bow
    • Don't Forget to Bring a Plastic Bag
    • Learn to Line Up
    • Slurping is Key
    • Ladies only subway cars
    • Pay your bus fare when you get off
    • Don't be scared of the mouth masks
      • Happy Travels Adventurers

What to Pack

For the most part, travelling to Japan requires some same things you pack for any other trip. But there are a few items I wished I had had with me the first time I arrive. And was sure to pack these the next time I travelled to Japan. So I wanted to make sure to share a few of them!

A good Coin Purse

I’m not much of a purse person, to begin with. I travel everywhere with a backpack and wallet. But in Japan, you’ll need so many coins at all times! You’ll need coins for vending machines, some restaurants, temple donations, arcade games and more! Fumbling through your wallet or bag to find the exact change can be painful. With the addition of a small coin purse, I could easily find the right amount I needed at a moment’s notice.

Slip-on Shoes

Make sure you pack a good pair of slip-on walking shoes. Many restaurants and hotels require you to remove your shoes when you enter. Anything with complicated laces will slow this process and become quite irritating when you’re still tired from the long flight. And make sure these aren’t cheap shoes either. You will be walking a lot in Japan so you definitely should invest in a very comfortable pair.

Covid Masks

Although Japan has finally reopened its borders to international travellers, they still have stringent rules around wearing masks to prevent the spread of Covid-19. Masks are required indoors unless you are not talking and are more than two meters apart. When you are in restaurants, you are requested to wear your mask when you are not eating or drinking.

You do not need to wear a mask outdoors, but if you are in close contact with someone outside, it is recommended to wear a mask. You will still see lots of people wearing their masks outside. I would always lean on the side of being considerate and follow the locals to see what they are doing and do the same. While there are plenty of places to buy masks all over Japan you never want to be caught without one. So be sure to pack a few and carry them with you at all time.

Download Offline Maps

Downloading some offline maps will definitely help you with navigating your way around the notoriously complex street systems in Japan. Even if you have access to wifi/data on your trip, maps often load slowly. Plus they tend to use a lot of data. Downloading offline maps before you leave for the various cities you’re visiting will save you a ton of data and time. Also, be sure to download the Navitime app which will give you transit directions in English for any train and metro journeys you might take while in Japan.

Preparing for your Flight

Packing Your Carry-On

These days, checking your luggage has become a thing of the past. Not only is it almost always an extra few hundred dollars, but the amount of times flights have lost my luggage is climbing up into the double digits. This has resulted in packing a carry-on bag, more and more important, in ensuring everything you brought with you makes it to your destination. For tips on how to pack the perfect carry-on for a long-haul flight, read this post!

Pick the Right Seat & Upgrade to Exit Row

Depending on where you’re setting off from, you’re most likely looking at a 13-hour flight to Japan. If you don’t have the cash to splurge for first class (and let’s face it, whoever does,) see if you can upgrade your seats to the exit row. For my last flight, it was an extra $150 to book the exit row. And it was some of the best money I ever spent.

Exit row gives you ample legroom, lots of space to get up and stretch. Plus. there is no one in front of you to recline their seat down on top of your head. The exit rows tend to be a little colder, as your seated beside the door, so always pack a light scarf with you. And you can always use your coat as a blanket. Some airlines even provide blankets free of charge on long-haul flights, so never be shy to ask for an extra one if you need it. Be kind and make friends with the flight staff, and you’ll have all the more of an enjoyable flight.

Skip the Middle Seat

If you’re travelling with two people, another money savings hack that will work every so often is booking the window and the aisle seat. Instead of booking the middle seat and aisle/window. When other people are booking their seats, they will almost always skip choosing between two people. So if your flight isn’t 100% full often, you’ll find the seat will be free, and you’ll be able to spread out. And if someone does show up and you want to sit beside your flying partner, everyone will jump at the chance to switch from the middle to the aisle or the window. This won’t work every time, but trying is never harmful.

Ensuring a Good Night’s Sleep

If you’re planning on getting any sleep on the plane (which hopefully you are), there are a few essential items to bring. These will ensure you’re giving yourself the best chance of getting some shuteye. The flights usually are good about turning off the lights when it’s time to readjust your sleep schedule. But if the person next to you is reading and has the lights, it’s important to ensure you have a good eye mask. That way you can shut out the light and try to adjust to a new time-zone.

Lavender

Another thing I do to lull myself to sleep is to bring a travel-sized bottle of lavender spray. I just transferred this Lush Twilight spray to a tiny travel perfume spray atomizer. Before getting on the flight I spray a little on my neck pillow and scarf. This soothing scent helps calm me down during any turbulence and puts me to sleep once I’m nice and relaxed.

Melatonin

If you need an extra bit of help getting to sleep, you can take a small dose of melatonin. While I don’t recommend this for the long term, it is a great way to help readjust your sleep pattern temporarily.

Noise-cancelling earbuds or headphones are a great way to ensure any noise will be blocked out and you can simply sink into a good night’s sleep.

Use the In-Flight Time Wisely

When you aren’t sleeping, spend this time reviewing your Japanese phrase book. About a month before your trip I would recommend downloading apps like Duolingo, to help learn some key phrases. But during the long flights, it’s a great time to have a little crash course in the language.

Japanese is such a beautiful language; I only grazed on the surface. But it’s important to at least try to learn “please,” “thank you,” “hello” and “goodbye.” I was thrilled with how much I could retain and even how even speaking a few words would bring huge smiles to people’s faces. It was definitely worth the time I put into it.

Arrival & Immigration

Before you land, you’ll be given an incoming passenger card to complete and give to the immigration officer. It’s a simple card with how long you’ll be there and where you’ll stay. Make sure you have the addresses of your accommodations written down or screenshotted on your phone as you won’t have wifi in the air.

Once you land in Japan, you’ll most likely be a bit jet-lagged and tired despite your best efforts to get some sleep. But luckily for you, Japanese airports have some of the best signage in the world and making your way to immigration and baggage claim a seamless process. Signage from the plane to get to immigration is all in Japanese and English.

Once you arrive at the immigration desk, they’ll check your card (make sure you didn’t miss any information), take your picture, and index your fingerprints. Don’t worry; this happens with everyone; you’re not being singled out. And that’s all. You’re ready to head into the city!

Using Data/Wifi in Japan

Japan can be pretty daunting for new or first-time travellers. And having access to the internet for directions, translations, and more can be key for your comfort. But roaming with most phone plans is extremely expensive. Luckily, there are many other options to ensure you have the internet at your fingertips.

eSIM

My newest favourite option for international travel are eSIMs. Most new phones will have both a physical sim and what’s called an “eSIM.” Before eSIM, most people would buy a physical sim, but this was often time-consuming and much more difficult to set up.

An eSIM, or Embedded SIM, is a virtual SIM card stored on your device rather than in a physical card form. An eSIM allows you to activate and manage your mobile service directly on your device without needing a physical SIM card.

To set up an eSIM, you will also need an active mobile plan from a carrier that supports eSIM. I use Nomad as my provide. They make setup super easy, and their rates are excellent. 20 GB will cost only $34 USD, which is tons of data. Most likely, you won’t need that much. You can use my code: LAUR66NY, to get $3 off your next eSIM purchase. You will need to turn off your physical SIM and phone number associated when you activate your eSIM, so be sure you download an app like Whatsapp to keep in touch with your contacts. Since Whatsapp will still work with your new eSIM.

Wifi-Hotspot

Another option is to use what’s called “pocket wifi.” Pocket wifi devices are portable internet you can pick up or purchase in Japan. They are just like a mobile hotspot. Ninja Wifi was my favourite provider as their speed was excellent, and it costs about $30 US for five days. The more time you rent the device, the cheaper it gets daily. I would never travel to Japan without one of these since free wifi is really hard to come by in Japan. Definitely don’t rely on that as your main internet access method. When you’re done using it, they come with a pre-paid envelope to mail them back to the company. So just place it inside and find the nearest mailbox to throw it into.

Get some Cash

If you didn’t go to your bank before leaving to get some local currency, you’ll want to hit up the ATM in the airport. Despite Japan being considered a modern country, there are different ways in which it feels much more old-fashioned. One of these ways is that most places only accept cash. Credit cards are only generally accepted for large purchases.

All those little ramen shops you are dying to visit won’t know what to do with your credit card. Cash is king in Japan. And you always want to ensure you don’t run out! You don’t want to miss out on a unique street snack that’s only available seasonally at this one location, and you find yourself out of cash! If you’re worried about carrying around so much cash for fear of being robbed, don’t be. Japan is one of the safest countries in the world.

Transportation from the Airport

Public Transportation

Transportation to and from the airport in Japan is very convenient. Although your first thought might be to grab a taxi, these are generally the most expensive method of transportation. In big cities like Tokyo, and Osaka, you’ll be able to take the train directly from the airport and get to the city’s centre in no time.

Airport Limousine Bus

If you’re looking for a more direct route into the city my favourite method is taking the Airport Limousine Bus. The Airport Limousine Bus service takes passengers from the arrivals terminal to hundreds of drop-off locations around Tokyo. No matter where you’re staying, you’ll find a drop-off location minutes away. I like the bus service better than the trains from the airport because it’s a lot less stressful. The train system in Japan can be overwhelming at the best of times, and post-long-haul flight, the airport limousine bus is a breeze! You just go up to any of the orange kiosks in the arrivals terminal and select your destination. It’s good to research their site in advance since there are many options for destinations.

Tickets cost around ¥1000 ($10 US) and maybe a little more or less depending on the distance from the airport. The airport limousine buses have free wifi on board, and I loved getting a good first look at the city as we drove in. The underground trains don’t give you this amazing viewpoint as you enter the city.

Grab a Drink from a Japanese Vending Machine

While waiting for your bus or train to arrive at the airport, pass the time by exploring the Japanese vending machines! As soon as you step off the plane you’ll see them everywhere. It might seem silly, especially to Japanese people for whom these are ubiquitous, but I’m obsessed with these. Japan is the mecca of vending machines. I am fascinated with the way they work, the way they look, and especially the unique treats inside. Old, new, big and small and full of all sorts of goodies.

The vending machines we found at the airport were relatively standard compared to those in the city’s hub. However, seeing drinks I’d never even heard of was still exciting. Mostly, you can surmise what kind of drink it is from the images on the packaging. But you’d be amazed at how many different flavours and varieties there are!

Reading the Vending Machines

The colour of the buttons on the vending machine denotes whether the drink is hot or cold. Red for hot, blue for cold. That’s right, hot beverages like tea and coffee come right out of a vending machine! Grab yourself a warm can of coffee and give that a try for the first time. You’ll be pleasantly surprised at how delicious these are. Coffee is just the thing to keep you from crashing on your way to your hotel. And staying awake a little bit longer is key to preventing jet lag. The worst thing you can do is fall asleep as soon as you see that bed and find yourself wide away at 2 am.

Checking into your Accommodation

There are multiple options for accommodation in Japan. 

Capsule Hotels / Hostel

Capsule hotels are no doubt the most trendy option. These are very inexpensive and a one-of-a-kind experience. Capsule hotels are small, modular structures that contain individual capsules stacked one on top of another. Each capsule is a tiny room that provides just enough space for a person to sleep, typically with a bed, reading light, and power outlet. Some capsule hotels also have communal areas such as showers, toilets, and lounges. They are great for solo travellers or anyone wanting to save as much yen as possible.

Ryokans

Ryokans are traditional Japanese-style inns with rooms that offer guests tatami mats, futons for sleeping, and communal hot springs or onsens. They often have a minimalist design and are meant to provide guests with a serene and peaceful environment. Ryokans are known for their hospitality and attention to detail, with staff often going out of their way to make guests feel welcome and comfortable. These often come with luxurious dining experiences often served in your room. They are pretty pricey so maybe someplace you want to splurge on for a single night.

Japanese Hotels

My recommendation for first-timers is a hotel. While perhaps that might sound a little boring, hotels are often a great place to stay that’s both slightly familiar and a new experience. The staff in many of these hotels don’t speak much English. But are all incredibly helpful with the use of a little bit of non-verbal communication. 

Prepare yourself in advance for the size of a Japanese hotel room. The rumours are true, and most hotel rooms are shockingly tiny in big cities like Tokyo. There is often not even room for your luggage without it being in the middle of the room. Be sure when booking your hotel room you ask for a “western style bed” since traditional Japanese beds are hard as a rock. Also, if you book a room with a “double bed,” expect it to be tiny. All the bed sizing in Japan is smaller than in North America, so it’s always advisable to size up. The best option for the price is to book a room with two singles and push them together! This is actually what most Japanese travellers do.

Despite how comfy your room might look, drop your bags and head out the door right away, don’t give yourself a chance to get comfy and lulled into sleep.

Go for a Walk

One of the best things to wake you up and keep that jet lag at bay is a walk around the bright neon lights and visual sensations that is Japan. By this time of the day, most businesses will be closed. The sidewalks are clamouring with young teens playing arcade games, giggling nervously at the women dressed in maid costumes advertising their maid cafes. Dozens of Salarymen in white button-ups and black slacks are just getting their night started and gregariously piling themselves into bars, singing along loudly to whatever K-Pop is blaring on the radio inside.

There is nothing like your first time walking down the streets of Tokyo, especially in a busy neighbourhood. Soak it all in but don’t worry if you feel overwhelmed. That’s natural, particularly if this is your first time in a huge city. If you’re looking for a break from the crowd, duck down a small side street or alley. You’ll be immediately met with peace and quiet, as even the loudest Japanese partier is also always very respectful of their residential neighbours.

Get Something to Eat

You’ll undoubtedly be excited to dive into Japanese cuisine after a long day and nothing but airline food. My advice for the perfect first-time meal is a bowl of ramen. Ramen shops are all over the place, and there is no such thing as a bad bowl of ramen. So you don’t need to worry about researching where to do it; just find a shop that catches your eye and head inside.

Vending Machine-Operated Restaurants

Most small ramen shops operate with a vending machine kiosk. At the front of the restaurant, you’ll see a huge vending machine with different coloured buttons, each with pictures of ramen and perhaps a few side dishes. The buttons will also display the price of the meal. Put your money into the slot at the top and press the button of the meal item that catches your fancy. Out of a small slot at the base of the vending machine comes a little paper ticket with your order printed on it, in Japanese, of course, and any change from the bill you put it. If there is a line, get in the queue to wait your turn to be seated. If there’s no line, head right inside and take a seat.

Then all you need to do is give your ticket to the chef, who will prepare the meal as indicated. This might seem strange, but it’s an ingenious way to cut down on staff and allow the chefs, who also act as the waiter and server, to get your order without ever having to touch dirty money. One of the best parts of a ramen shop is sitting at the counter and watching the cooks at work. They effortlessly perform this dance, filling bowl after bowl with hot broth and whipping around the bar, grabbing stacks of toppings with deft movements to create your food fantasy!

Buy your Suica or Pasmo Card

After filling up some food, head to the closest train station to grab your Suica or Pasmo Card; a Suica or Pasmo card is a metro pass that you load up with the money to use on the train. You can simply swipe your card when entering and exiting any train station. Your fare will automatically be calculated and deducted from your card. This makes it so simple to travel on the metro since the Japanese subway system requires you to pay different fares for different distances.

If you don’t have a Suica or Pasmo card, you’ll have to figure out which fare you’ll need to pay for every trip you take based on the distance. Armed with these cards, you’ll be ready to hop on the metro the next day without fighting the morning crush of people. Just check the balance frequently to ensure you have enough money on the card. To purchase a new card, you just head to any machine in the station with the words “buy a new card” on it. The signage is in English and Japanese, and the machines themselves have English menus making it easy to buy or refill your card.

Visit an Arcade

After picking up your Suica cards, seek out an arcade! These behemoth arcade buildings are sometimes up to six floors of fun, each offering something different. Taito and Sega are reliably the best options for arcades. The first floor of most consists of UFO catcher machines, while the upper floors each have different sets of video games to play with friends or on your own. Some levels felt more like casinos, full of smokers playing digital slots or the Japanese gambling obsession Pachinko. The machines all cost a few hundred yen to play, and you can either pay with coins or tap your Suica card to have the money deducted from there!

Purikura

In the basement of these arcades, you’ll find dozens of these Purikura photo cubicles, each from a different company offering a unique experience. Purikura is where you can get those classic Japanese printed photos, add text and stickers, and give your face the “anime” treatment. The Purikura experience costs 500 yen ($5 US). Once you drop the coins inside the payment machine, the screen will direct you to your starting photo booth. Unlike photo booths in North America, where you step in and just take your picture, these use a green screen. The camera will direct you (almost always in English and Japanese) to pose and take pictures. The camera moves around, so you get different options from portrait mode to full body and sometimes animated GIFs.

Once you finish your photoshoot, you’ll be directed into another booth where you’ll get to decorate, alter, and add filters and text to all the photos you took. Often this process is timed, so keep an eye on the clock. Afterwards, your photos will be arranged into a collage (often picked by you) and printed out at the station where you initially put your coins. It was great fun trying out different poses and spending as much time as we were allowed decorating the photos into something absolutely ridiculous. Trust me, this will make for an incredible first Instagram of your trip!

Find some Gachapon

Gachapon refers to little vending machine capsule toys. The word ‘Gachapon’ is onomatopoeia for the sound the crank makes when you use the machine. These devices each contain different sets of toys, and you never know which item from the set you will receive. It’s totally random. Most sets include some rare items which become sought-after collector treasures. The toy sets change frequently, so there’s always something new to buy. My inner child (and let us face it, current adult) was immediately drawn to all the ‘Sailor Moon’ sets.

I decided to go for the most expensive machine, where you could get one of 5 different Sailor scout wands. I got Sailor Jupiter’s – my favourite Sailor Scout – and had a lot of fun back at the hotel putting the wand display together. There were toy sets of little cats sitting on rice cookers, tiny replicas of vintage buckets, Pokemon cookie toys and lots of Japanese characters often themed along with the next holiday. These make for small, cheap souvenirs to bring home for friends and family, as they are wonderfully weird and always unexpected.

Grab Breakfast at the Conbini

By this time of night, if you’ve managed to stay awake, it’s time to head back to the hotel. But before you do, stop into a ‘conbini’ (Japanese convenience store) to grab a few items for breakfast. 7-Eleven, Circle K, Lawsons and FamilyMart are the most common stores you’ll find on every corner in Japan. Breakfast in Japan is taken on the go, so you won’t find many restaurants open early in the morning. Picking up some items for a little in-hotel picnic is a great idea to help take it easy on your first morning.

My favourite treats to buy for the morning are an egg salad sandwich (honestly one of the best things you can eat in Japan, sounds weird, but TRUST ME), a baked sweet treat filled with matcha, a can of coffee or latte to crack open in the morning for instant caffeine, and a ball of onigiri. This array of treats is sure to give you a reason to get up in the morning, no matter how tired you feel.

And with that, your first day in Japan comes to a close. Hopefully, with all these tips, you’ll have an incredible first few hours that will result in minimal jet lag and leave you excited for the rest of your time in Japan! Below I’ve listed a few important customs to keep in mind which might surprise you as you experience Japan for the first time. Culture shock is part of travel, but don’t let it overtake you. Embrace it and even try to see if you can follow along with the culture and customs while visiting this incredible country!

Customs to Keep in Mind

Don’t Tip

Tipping isn’t something that is part of Japan’s consumer culture. They believe good service should be something you always should be provided and not something that is earned through money. If you leave money on the table, don’t be surprised if the waiter takes you down the street thinking you might have left it there accidentally. A great way to show your appreciation for excellent service is to learn a few Japanese phrases to tell your waiter, chef or receptionist how much you appreciate their service.

Be ready to bow

Bowing is a sign of respect in Japan, so don’t be surprised to have people bow to you at your hotel, coming onto the bus or even just on the street if you’ve had a particularly lovely interaction. Can foreigners bow, you ask? Most Japanese people don’t expect foreigners to bow, but I found them whenever I simply mimicked exactly what their bow was like; they seemed to respond very positively and loved I made an effort.

Don’t Forget to Bring a Plastic Bag

Garbage cans are one of the most challenging things to find in Japan. The only public place where you can reliably find these is outside of convenience stores. But don’t let that make you think they’ll be garbage all over the place. No, Japan is the cleanest country I’ve ever visited. Locals carry their trash with them until they can find a trash can or often until they get home so they can adequately sort it. Play with the locals and ensure you have a plastic bag to carry your garage and that you’re not ruining their clean streets.

Learn to Line Up

Lineups in Japan are a way the city manages its deluge of people. Everyone is very respectful of the line. There are never any budding or large random groups, everyone takes the idea of lining up seriously, and you should too. Large masses of people taking the subway daily are efficiently organized into two or three lines making even the busiest commute very coordinated. Keep your eye out for lines as they often signify something popular that you wanna jump into. Most often, it is related to food, and you’ll never be disappointed.

Slurping is Key

In North America, slurping might sound rude or low-class, but in Japan, it is a sign of your appreciation for the food. Slurp loud enough that the chef in the back can hear you are going at it!

Ladies only subway cars

During certain times of the day, there are designated carriages for women on the subway. This is to keep them safe in full vehicles. The signs identifying these cars are in pink paint on the floors of the metro, so keep your eye out if you’re a male traveller and don’t want to get on these by accident, an embarrassing affair which we might have experienced once or twice.

Pay your bus fare when you get off

Japan is one of the only places I’ve visited where you have to pay for your bus far when you get off, not when you get on. When you get on the bus, you’ll enter through the back doors, and when you get off, you’ll exit through the front, where you can either pay the ash fare or swipe your Suica or pasmo card.

Don’t be scared of the mouth masks

If you see people wearing mouth masks, don’t be scared. They’re not an Ebola patient or a hypochondriac. These masks are worn to prevent other people from getting sick if you’re coming down with a cold, flu, or even allergies. Even if you’re the slightest bit under the weather, the Japanese plop one of these masks on, more for your protection and out of respect for others. They sell these everywhere, so if you feel like you’re getting sick, you should also don one.

Have you travelled to Japan before? How did you manage your first few hours in the country? Did jet lag get the better of you? Leave your experiences in the comments, or let me know if you’re planning to visit Japan and what other tips and tricks you’d like to learn!

Happy Travels Adventurers

The post First Time Travelling to Japan? Here’s our Ultimate Guide for Your First Day in Japan first appeared on The Creative Adventurer.

There are plenty of food tours of this area, but it’s easy to do it yourself. While going with a guide is a great way to ask questions and learn more from a local’s perspective, doing it on your own means it’s up to you to find your way around and interact with the locals. A map of all the locations can be found at the bottom of this post, so it’s easy to get from place to place.

The Best Street Food in Asakusa

1. Access
2. History of Nakamise Street
3. #1. Kibi Dango
4. #2. Asakusa Kagetsudo
5. #3. Asakusa Kurikoan
6. #4. Sekine
7. #5. Iriyama Senbei
8. #6. Asakusa Menchi
9. #7. Toyofuku Curry Bread
10. #8. Umezono
11. #9. Kimura Ningyōyaki
12. #10. Age Manju

Access

To make your way to Nakamise street, just take the metro to Asakusa station by the Tokyo Metro Ginza Line or Toei Asakusa Line. Look for signs in English for “Nakamise Street,” and you’ll pop out right in front of the Karimon Gate, the entrance to Nakamise street.

History of Nakamise Street

Nakamise Street is over 100 years old and 250 meters long. The name means “inside street,” as the road is technically located within the temple grounds. These days the shops mainly sell different types of souvenirs. Although you might seem dubious about buying anything here since it looks like a tourist trap, the prices here were more than reasonable! These shops have offered traditional Japanese handicrafts for over a hundred years. So don’t be afraid to pick something up! I’m not saying you’ll get the best deal, but by no means are you paying top dollar. But what you’re really here for is the FOOD! And there is plenty of it.

#1. Kibi Dango

Start your street food adventure with Kibi Dango! This place serves up freshly made sweet and savoury Dango! Dango is a mini round mochi ball (made from pounded out rice) which is topped with various different toppings. The most popular and traditional are the powdered soybean ones, which are perfectly sweet without being overpowering. Grab a cup of green tea to go alongside for the perfect combo.
Price: A pack of 5 dango is ¥330 and the green tea will run you ¥100

#2. Asakusa Kagetsudo

Asakusa Kagetsudo is a to-go place for the infamous melon pan (melon bread). This store has been open since 1945 and is so popular that its house is “open till sold out.” And trust me, it happens quicker than you think. If you stop here mid-afternoon, you’ll be sorry to find that “closed” sign posted on their shudders. Melon-pan is a sweet bread that doesn’t have any melon in it but is named as such because its outer, later once baked, resembles the texture of a melon. The bread is delicious but even better when served with ice cream in the centre in the summertime.
Price: ¥200

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#3. Asakusa Kurikoan

Head to Asakusa Kurikoan for their soft and warm Taiyaki filled with premium matcha cream. Taiyaki is a popular Japanese treat made with a pancake-like batter poured into a mould in the shape of a cute fish. It’s then filled with a variety of fillings like chocolate, vanilla custard or the best of them all, matcha!Price: ¥176

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#4. Sekine

Head off from the main street towards Sekine for some hot and fresh dumplings! Sekine serves up Nikuman, soft buns filled with pork and vegetables. These are incredibly big and filling, so if you’re planning to hit up all the different places on this list, you can easily split one between two people if you’re not a huge eater.
Price: ¥260

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#5. Iriyama Senbei

Iriyama Senbei, located down the street from Sekine, is a nice and light contrast to the heavy, rich buns. This shop has been open for over 100 years, serving classic senbei rice crackers. Made from rice mixed with sugar and syrup, it is flattened into a dough-like texture and then cut into perfect circles. This shop ages the dough for three days in the sun before they’re broiled over top of some burning coals to cook, giving them a distinct roasted flavour.

What makes these so popular on this street is that legend has it that the senbei were invented in Asakusa and first sold right here under the Thunder Gate. There are dozens of flavours of crackers, from sweet, to savoury to super spicy. My favourite was the sweetened seaweed which had a lovely taste but a Price: beautiful colour from the crispy seaweed. These crackers are a little pricier than the other ones on the main street, but they are thick and much deeper in flavour than their skinnier cousins.
Price: ¥130 per cracker

#6. Asakusa Menchi

Up the street, along a quiet lane, you’ll find my two absolute favourite things to eat! The first is menchi-katsu, a fried meat croquette served up piping hot! This place gets quiet in the queue around lunchtime as the shop is no more than one meter wide, but the line moves quickly as they dole out the crispy treats.
Price: ¥200

#7. Toyofuku Curry Bread

Toyofuku Curry Bread serves up crispy on the outside, soft and chewy on the inside, curry pan. Curry pan can be found all over Japan and is fried bread filled with different flavours of curry. You can choose spicy or non-spicy, although my preference and recommendation would be the spicy version. The bread crisps up so nicely that these great puffs of fried dough dot the exterior of the treat. These are especially good if you’re visiting on a cold day!
Price: ¥290

#8. Umezono

One of the oldest shops on the street is Umezono, which has been open since 1854! They make traditional Japanese sweets, which can be viewed in a display case outside the shop. These plastic treats in the window are exquisitely painted and look almost more authentic than the real thing. The inside has a cafe where you can sit down to eat, but we’re here for street food, and their most popular offering is the dorayaki. 

Dorayaki is a soft pancake dessert made of two patties wrapped around a filling of sweet Azuki red bean paste. You can get these in convenience stores all over Japan, but the fresh and delicate textures in this shop differ from what you’ll find. They have a seasonal filling of mashed sweet potato and chestnut during the fall, which is UNBELIEVABLE!
Price: ¥218

#9. Kimura Ningyōyaki

Another take on the sweet batter filled with the red bean can be found at Kimura Ningyōyaki. This shop makes Ningyo Yaki, or “doll cake,” a sweet cake filled with sweet red beans. But this time, the batter is formed into the shape of a bird, a cat, an anime or cartoon character or even a geisha doll. This shop’s kitchen has a window on the street where you can watch the cooks make the pastries at world-record speeds!
Price: ¥500 for 7

#10. Age Manju

Our last stop on tour is at Age Manju. This shop has some of the most friendly old ladies working there I’ve ever met. We might not have been able to speak the same language, but they chatted with me for a while as I chowed down on a few different of their offerings. “Age” means deep-fried, and “Manju” is a Japanese snack, typically mochi stuffed with a particular filling. This shop has over a dozen different flavours, but my favourite HAS to be the Sakura. It is cherry blossom flavoured and even wrapped in a cherry blossom leaf for extra authenticity.
Price: ¥120-200

The post The Top 10 Most Delicious Street Foods you MUST EAT in Asakusa, Japan first appeared on The Creative Adventurer.

Access

The fastest way to access Arashiyama Village is by JR train from Kyoto station. That the JR Sagano Line to Saga-Arashiyama Station. The ride only takes 15 minues and costs 240 yen. If you don’t want to take the JR rail you can access Arashiyama by bus. Bus # 28 takes you directly from Kyoto station to the centre of Arashiyama. Although the ride can take anywhere between 30-60 mins I actually found the ride quite pleseant since you get to see a lot of the countryside and city as you travel from the centre of Kyoto to Arashiyama. This ride will only cost 230 yen.

The streets of Arashiyama are ablaze with old and new technologies. Cars and tourist buses zip about letting people on and off while rickshaws and horse-drawn carriages also plod along the road, a reflection of the modes of transportation seen here during the Edo period. Arashiyama’s iconic river and laid back attitude have drawn visitors here for hundreds of years, and despite a few mod-cons, this little village still feels like stepping back in time.

Togetsukyo Bridge

Togetsukyo Bridge is Arashiyama’s most popular landmark and one of the first things you see when you come into the city. Also known as the “Moon Crossing Bridge,” it was first built in the 10th century, but its current incarnation is a reconstruction from the 1930s. Cherry blossom trees run up and down the river’s edge, and during the spring time, the blooms draw thousands of people to this site. With the mountains in the background and the river running across, this spot is incredibly picturesque.

Hozu River Pleasure Boats

Beside the Hozu River, you can rent a “pleasure” boat. These boats will take you up and down, allowing you to see houses and landscapes only accessible from the water’s edge. The Hozu River is part of the Katsura River and begins in the mountains near Kameoka, a town north-west of Kyoto City. It snakes into the Arashiyama and surrounds the edges of the city. You’ll see, standing on the bridge, getting their photos taken, dozen of women dressed in stunning silk kimonos. Their hair and accessories match their outfit, and the dazzling embroidery on the kimonos sparkled in the sunlight. The boat trips usually last about two hours and can seat about 25 people. The boats depart on the hour from March 10 to November 30. The group boat costs 4,100 yen ($38 USD) for adults and 2,700 ($25 USD) yen for children.

Bicycle Rentals

One of the best ways to explore Arashiyama is on bike. It’s such a peaceful, breezy village and cruising around on a bike gets you around quickly but also allows you to hop on and off to stop into stores and restaurants along the way. On these bikes you can cycle through rural areas, past farming fields and thatched roof houses. A wonderful way to explore the countryside. The best place to find bicycle rentals is at Hankyu Arashiyama Station. Bicycle rental at this shop costs 900 yen per day. On weekdays, they offer special prices of 500 yen for two hours and 700 yen for four hours. Renting at the station is great since it’s most likely where you’ll arrive and depart, making it easy to drop off your bike once you’re ready to head home.

Kimono Rental

Kimonos are one of the most formal pieces of clothing many Japanese women own, and there are often not a lot of opportunities to wear them. But when travelling to these picturesque villages and historic towns, many women opts to wear their kimonos to both have a chance to dress in such an elegant fashion and feel a part of the historical look and feel of the city. The perfect place to rent a kimono if you’re looking to experience a bit of traditional Japanese culture is at Fuji Arashiyama. They might not be the cheapest, but the service and quality you’ll receive make it worth your while.

Renting a kimono is something which you want to get right. Doing it on the cheap just won’t create the same traditional experience you’re looking for. A one day rental for a 7 piece kimono set costs 3500 yen ($32 USD). You have total control of the colours and pattern of the kimono but the staff is great at helping coordinate your outfit and dress you up for a day out on the town.

Saga-Arashiyama

The primary place to do your shopping is on Saga-Arashiyama. This street in Arashiyama is constantly crowded with school children on break with their class, large tour groups and Westerners gawking at sweet shops creating art from spun sugar. Rickshaws run up and down the roads, getting honked at by locals trying to get back home in a hurry. The shops lining the street range from restaurants, cafes, sweet shops, ice cream vendors, kimonos designers and more.

Pick a Paper Fortune

Along one street we found colourful little-rolled fortunes sitting outside a beautifully decorated house. All you had to do was slip a coin into the container and take out a fortune. Fortunes on the go.

Sample Senbei

One of the more traditional snacks along the street are Senbei. Senbei are Japanese rice crackers which come in a variety of flavours. Senbei are usually eaten with green tea and sometimes offered as snack when visiting a guest house. We stopped to snack on a few different varieties. We sample both some sweet and savoury options. They were snappy and fresh, hot from the grill. The charcoal from the grill gave them a rich, smoky flavour turning a few simple ingredients into a complex dish. The most famous flavours are nori (seaweed), soy nut, soy sauce and red chilli.

Kotokikityaya

Stop off at Kotokikityaya right at the entrance to Saga-Arashiyama to taste their authentic cherry mochi. With a beautiful view of the river, in a traditional tea-house setting, there isn’t a more perfect way to start your morning or have an afternoon snack. Be sure to pair your cherry mochi with a powdered green tea to complete the meal.

Akahime Kimono Shop

What I was looking for while we were shopping was a vintage kimono. I had passed up on a few kimonos in Tokyo, but they all were too new and didn’t have the kind of character I was looking for. There were a range of clothing shops in Arashiyama for kimonos. Some were by exclusive designers, others were the ubiquitous silk version you see in every tourist shop. Akahime Kimono Shop is by far the best option if you’re looking for a tradition kimono at a great price!

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These kimonos were so well taken care of and felt brand new. Their designs ranged from traditional to more modern. You could find some handcrafted and one off designs here at competitive prices. The sweet woman who owned the shop helped me try on a few different options to find my perfect look and fit. I found a white and neon robe from the 1980’s that had some real unique designs that made it stand out from the other traditional ones. I loved it and got to pair it with a classic obi – all for just $25 USD.

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The Chiri-Men Craft Museum

This is my favourite handmade craft store in Arashiyama. Here you can find a myriad of different products all made from a weaving technique called Chirimen. The crafter used cloth or silk and “wrinkles” the fabrics into all different things like small toys, birds, dolls, purses and even these darling “hanging hina” dolls, where are good luck charms hung from the ceiling. The different items symbolized on the chain represent the kinds of things you are praying for, like health, children or wealth.

Sagano Romantic Train Station

Along these backstreets, you might come across one of the vintage train stations which service the Sagano Romantic Train route. The station’s columns are wrapped in bamboo shaped plexiglass, but the remainder of the outdoor structure is reminiscent of train stations from the 1920s.

Kimono forest

Behind the station, you can find the Kimono forest. The forest is made up of cylinder-shaped pillars which contained within them various textile used in the design of traditional Japanese Kimonos. There are about 600 different pillars with 32 different patterns inside. Walk around to see if you can spot them all! The best time of day to see this exhibit is at dusk since the columns all light up and form a glowing pathway.

Footbath of Arashiyama Onsen Station

As this is the mid point in your journey, it seems fitting that it’s time for a little rest. Take a break at the Footbath of Arashiyama Onsen Station where you can grab a ticket for 200 yeh to soak your tired feet in this natural hot spring. It’s a great way to rest and recharge to keep your enegery up for the rest of the day.

Unagi Hirokawa

If you’re looking for somewhere to eat lunch, there really is no better place than Unagi Hirokawa. This place gets busy so it’s best to arrive early or be willing to wait, and trust me, it’s worth the wait. On busy weekends, they often sell out of food before 1pm so don’t dilly dally! This place is most famous for their incredible unagi, or barbeque eel. It’s delicately charred on the grill and then slathered in a sweet and savoury sauce. This eel is fatty, tender and FRESH!

Saga-Toriimoto

Away from the main street, and down a narrow alleyway, you’ll find Saga-Toriimoto. The houses along this road all are in the style of the Meiji Period (1868-1912) and have been preserved by the city and the owners. It is a living museum of Japanese architecture. Some of the houses have been converted into restaurants and shops so be sure to poke your head inside to get a chance to see the interior of these hundred-year-old houses.

Walking through these tiny, side streets and peering into front yards and back porches were left like were on a Japanese secret garden tour of our own making.

Nisonin Temple

If you’re visiting during the summer or the fall, you’ll want to make a stop at Nisonin Temple. Nisonin Temple is a small hillside temple where you can be amazed at firey fall foliae or the stunning blooms of purple and blue hydrengas in the summer. Take a stroll in the temple’s cemetery, where you can find some of Japan’s emperors and nobles buried here.

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Rakushisha Residence

If you find yourself strolling along the backstreets of Arashiyama be sure to search out the Rakushisha Residence. This thatched roof hut once belonged to the 17th-century haiku poet Mukai Kyorai. He is one of Japan’s greatest poets, and the house is like a piece plucked out of time. You can imagine him inside there, writing out a poem on the cold, tatami floor.

Tenryu-ji Temple

Tenryu-ji Temple is probably the most visited temple in Arashiyama. The original temple was built in 1339 but due to fires and wars over the years the buildings standing here today are modern reconstructions from 1912. The gardens however, withstood the test of time and are the very same as they were when they were originally designed in 1339. It is perhaps for this reason that they are one of the Top 5 Zen temples in all of Kyoto! Admission is 500 yen (and extra 300 if you want to enter of the buildings, and if a great place to explore to study the incredible nature of Japanese Zen gardens.

Like so many travellers before us, we reminisced about the magical town we left behind as we walked back to our hotel. Although this is a great list to get you started, don’t try to rush around and just check off things on a list. Exploring, getting lost and stumbling upon hidden gems is the best part about travelling!

The post Your Ultimate Guide to Exploring the Village of Arashiyama, Kyoto first appeared on The Creative Adventurer.

1. Kawakamian, Omontesando | 15$

In the winter months, buckwheat seeds are freshly harvested, making the colder months one of the best times to enjoy freshly made soba noodles. Although they are still delicious throughout the year, the flour is often refrigerated and if you’ve never tried FRESH soba noodles this restaurant will change your life! Lunch sets range from ¥1,000 – ¥1,999 making it one of the cheapest yet most delicious meals you can have in Tokyo!

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2. Uoshin, Shibuya | 25$

This small izakaya uses only seasonal fish and vegetables. Because of the variety of fish they use, some of which are caught exclusively for their shop, this restaurant gets extremely busy during the dinner hours, so prepare for a wait – but don’t let that deter you. Their menu changes almost daily and as such it is handwritten every day depending on what fish were caught in the morning. If it’s on offer when you visit be sure to try the salt crusted crab – it’s to die for!

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3. Otakoh, Shinbashi | 25$

Oden is a type of Japanese stew made by simmering various ingredients together. It is the perfect antidote for a cold or if you can’t shake that chill from the winter’s air. Although you can get oden at convenience stores around Japan, this restaurant takes it to another level! The broth they serve is BLACK! It’s so dark because they use the same soup stock for such a long time and it accumulates that desirable umami flavour from all the ingredients dipped in and out over the months its cooked. This results in one of the most unique Oden dishes you’ll have anywhere in Japan.

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4. Genkai Shokudo, Shinjuku | 40$

Nabe is a variety of Japanese hot pot which is unique for the winter months. Genkai Shokudo makes their Nabe special using only chicken bone which give it an extremely rich flavour. The collagen inside of the bones is an outstanding source of nutrients and good for curing dry winter skin. Their restaurant has been open for 88 years and over this time they have perfected their recipe. Topped with a soft boiled egg, this soup will surprise and delight you!

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5. Nishiguchi Oyster Bar, Shinjuku | 40$

Autumn and winter are the seasons for oysters! There is plenty of factory farms which make them available all year round, but truly fresh oysters are best enjoyed in the later months of the year. This restaurant serves up locally sourced oysters in the most laid-back, calming environment. I love just listening to them snap open the oysters, like a kind of gentle metronome. They make for a delicious lunch or even an afternoon snack.

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6. Shangrila’s Sercret, Roppongi | 50$

Mushrooms are to winters in Japan, like candy canes are to North Americans. Japanese winter mushrooms are full of umami flavour and when cooked in a hot pot, that flavour seeps into every nook and cranny of whatever is dipped into it! Shangrila’s Sercret in Roppongi is a classy restaurants that’s the perfect place to spend a winter’s evening chatting with friends over delicious food.

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7. Tenmatsu, Tokyo Station | 80$

Although vegetables might not seem like the most exciting dish to go out of your way to eat, vegetables in Japan are something altogether extraordinary and not like any ol’ grocery store vegetable you might cook at home. Tenmatsu is a tempura restaurant which serves up some really unique seasonal veggies in the most textural tempura batter. Visiting here throughout the year will bring all sorts of different taste experiences so there is always something new to try.

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8. Shichi Jyu Ni Kou, Tokyo Station | 80$

Kaiseki is a traditional multi-course Japanese dinner. These fantastically organized little plates of heaven are made with the best seasonal ingredients. The combinations of flavours is meant to evoke the essence of the seasons. Each tiny dish is like a bouquet of flower, layered, colourful and full of texture. The modern interior design of this restaurant is perfected juxtaposed with the ancient, traditional aspects of the meals.

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9. Ebihara, Kagurasaka | 100$

Wasyoku Ebihara creates its dishes like a ballet. The flavours dance over your tongue like a group of performers all working together to create a beautiful piece of art. Their kaiseki courses are set menus and use local, seasonal ingredients cooked to perfection. You’ll receive wave after wave of tiny little dishes, each one bringing in a new taste sensation.

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10. Sushi Bando, Shinjuku | 120$

Sushi Bando is a restaurant serving up more than just a meal. They deliver an experience. The sushi craftsmen buy uniquely selected fish fresh from the market every morning. The cuts you’ll be served are far different from the ubiquitous selection at most sushi restaurants. They employ top-notch cooking techniques and interesting ingredients which add subtle flavours to the fish. This is one of those bucket list restaurants and although it doesn’t come cheap, it’s a great treat for a celebration or a last meal to commemorate your trip.

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Our friends at T5PG sponsored this post and helped created this amazing list. If you’re planning a trip to Tokyo you absolutely should check out their site for more amazing restaurant recommendations!

The post Top 10 Best Japanese Meals you Have to try when Travelling to Tokyo in the Winter first appeared on The Creative Adventurer.

Table Of Contents

1. History
2. Osaka Castle
3. Kuromon Ichiba Market
4. Nambayasaka Shrine
5. Hozenji Yokocho
6. Hozenji Temple
7. Amerikamura! 
8. Hokkyokusei 
9. Dotonburi
   • Glico-Running-Man
10. Ebisu Bridge
11. What to Eat?
    • Takoyaki
    • Kani Doraku Dotonburi Honten
    • Osaka Ohsho
    • Creoru Okonomiyaki
    • Melon Bread Ice cream
    • Pablo Dotonbori
12. Don Quixote Ferris Wheel
13. Space Station

History

In 645, Emperor Kōtoku made Osaka the capital of Japan, and Osaka prospered and grew for years. Eventually, the capital was moved to Tokyo. But Osaka continued to be a flourishing port city and commercial centre for Japan. Today, many people flock onto its streets for one main thing: the food!

Osaka Castle

Start your morning off at Osaka Castle. The history of Osaka Castle dates back to 1583. However, the building you see today is far from the original. Wars, sieges and bombing raids destroyed the structure many times over the years, and the current incarnation is a reconstruction from 1995. The castle is now used as a museum dedicated to the history of the castle and Osaka. While the museum is pretty interesting, for our purposes today, we’re just going to take a walk around the grounds. You can still see so much of the castle from down below. The incredibly beautiful moats and tree line passageways surrounding the castle are a relaxing way to start your morning rather than crammed into a line to see inside.  

Surrounding the castle are various food stalls selling some of Osaka’s culinary specialties. I would opt for the yakisoba, a delicious noodle dish covered in oyster sauce and topped with pickled ginger. Strangely enough, it makes for a delicious and decidedly Japanese breakfast. You can get it to go and eat it in front of the picturesque castle moat which surrounds the entire castle.

Kuromon Ichiba Market

The next stop is the Kuromon Ichiba Market. The Kuromon market has been open as “the nation’s kitchen” since 1601. Its bustling narrow alley serves fresh sushi and sashimi, meat, produce and a collection of housewares and souvenir shops. Although there are plenty of grocery stalls, there are also dozens of small restaurants along the alley where you can grab a delightful little lunch.

Try to arrive before or after 12 pm to ensure it’s not too busy and you miss the lunch rush! While Tsukiji in Tokyo is most notable for its fresh fish, Osaka is famous for its choice of sliced Wagyu and Kobe beef. You can pick your desired cut, and certain shops will cook it right up for you then and there! Just add a little salt and get ready for a transcendent taste experience.

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Nambayasaka Shrine

After stuffing your face at the market, work off all those calories with a short 15-minute walk over to Nambayasaka Shrine. If you’ve been in Japan for some time now, you might think, “another shrine?” but trust me, this one really stands out. Approaching it, even from afar, you’ll notice it right away. The shrine was designed in the shape of an enormous lion’s head. The area of Osaka we’ve now entered is Namba, and this is its main Shinto shrine. While many temples in Japan are Buddhist, brought to Japan by the Chinese, Shinto is Japan’s native religion. Each Shinto shrine worships a particular spirit or “kami.” At this temple, the spirit lion is said to swallow evil spirits and bring good luck to those who come to pray. So if you have any evil spirits to get rid of, this is the place to do it!

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Hozenji Yokocho

Walk up through the charming side street of Namba towards Hozenji Yokocho. Hozenji Yokocho is a tight little alleyway whose architecture has been preserved as a relic from the Edo period. Stepping under the gates, flanked on either side by bright red lanterns, you enter a peaceful oasis. Study the architecture tightly squeezed in on either side. 

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Hozenji Temple

Stop by the nearby Hozenji Buddhist temple, which dates back to the 17th century. This temple gives the name to the area. It features an ancient statue of Fudomyoo, which is covered in moss. Blessings are given by pouring water over the statue, keeping the moss nice and healthy, and, best of all, bright green! It really looks like a tree sculpture instead of a stone statue.

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Amerikamura! 

Our next stop is over in “Amerikamura.” While some places might send you to the more popular Shinsaibashi shopping arcade, I find it rather commercialized and lacking the, sometimes odd, characters that Amerikamura has. You might think it odd to visit somewhere inspired by America if you’re looking for a Japanese experience, but this is Japan’s idealized version of America. Studying if you have lived or have ever been to the US before is fascinating. Colourful and quirky shops line the street, and even more quirkily dressed teenagers relax outside hip coffee shops and lively bars. This is the best place to find well-priced and fantastically curated thrift shops and indie clothing brands.

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Hokkyokusei 

If you’re a little hungry before dinner, stop by Hokkyokusei, where you can sample the now internet-famous omurice. Omurice is an omelette stuffed with rice and slathered in a thick red sauce. When you cut it open down the centre, the entire thing melts down the middle sensationally pleasingly. It’s delicious and the perfect little bit to eat to tide you over before dinner.

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Dotonburi

As night begins to fall, it is time to make your way over to the neon streets of Dotonburi. While the biggest highlight inside Dotonburi is the food, the architecture and spectacular light show are nothing to scoff at. At night, the entire area comes alive, and the lights of the buildings dance on the water along the Tombori River. “Dotonbori” is named after Yasui Doton, whose vision in 1612 was to create two canals connecting this area to the Kizugawa River, thereby increasing its commercial and trading power. War greatly affected his plans; unfortunately, he died before seeing his vision come to fruition. His cousins took over the concept after Yasui Doton’s death and named the area after him.

Glico-Running-Man

One of the most famous neon signs in Dotonburi is the Glico-Running-Man. This billboard has been located here for over 70 years and is the oldest sign on the street. It is over 33m tall and stands imposingly over the iconic Ebusu-bashi bridge. Glico’s primary business is manufacturing confectionery products, so it might seem odd that its mascot is an athlete, but that’s just how Japan is, unexpected.

Ebisu Bridge

Be sure to stand on the Ebisu Bridge and look at the river and the beautiful flashing signs on either side. This is the perfect spot for a photo opportunity or just to take a moment to drink in all the incredible imagery which Dotonburi is so famous for.

What to Eat?

Takoyaki

But there is one reason you probably came to Osaka: to eat, and Dotonburi is the place to do it. What’s great about Dotonburi is that all the food options here are small, unlike huge meals, so you can sample a myriad of Osaka’s culinary treasures in one night. The first stop on your food tour should be Takoyaki. 

This iconic ball-shaped delicacy is the most popular treat from Osaka. Made from an egg batter and filled with a juicy piece of octopus, the batter is then poured into round pans and shaped into adorable little balls. Then it’s covered in savoury sauce, mayo, pickled ginger and topped with bonito flakes. There are so many vendors, so just find the one with the biggest line (always a sign for the best food in Japan) and wait for your turn to dig in!

Kani Doraku Dotonburi Honten

Next up is the famous Kani Doraku Dotonburi Honten. This sign is one of the most popular photo spots in Osaka due to the 3-meter wide moving mechanical crab located on the front of the building. You can dine inside with views over the river, but you can also grab cheaper grilled crab legs right outside the entrance to the restaurant. They are not super cheap but juicy, sweet and incredibly fresh.

Osaka Ohsho

Next up is Gyoza at Osaka Ohsho. Once more, you’ll see giant versions of the gyoza plastered up on the front of the building as you enter. Ordering here is very simple since there is only one option (meat and chives), and you just need to tell them how many order’s you’d like. Get a seat at one of their tiny tables and dress your gyoza with their zingy sauces.xxxxxxx

Creoru Okonomiyaki

At the very end of Dontonburi is Creoru Takoyaki & Okonomiyaki where you can sample Osaka’s own version of okonomiyaki. Osaka differs in this dish by adding grated yam potato to the batter and not including noodles, as some Okonomiyaki in Tokyo and Hiroshima are made with. It is a simple and clean version due to the lack of carbs. It allows the sampling of many different filling combinations.

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Melon Bread Ice cream

After all these incredible savoury dishes, it’s time for something sweet. One of the most popular street sweets is freshly baked melon “pan” or melon bread filled with a giant scoop of ice cream. Despite the name, there is no melon inside. The crust pattern on top of the bread when it cooks gives it a melon-looking appearance, hence the name. The combination of the hot and cold is perfect for any day!

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Pablo Dotonbori

If you’re still craving something sweet, check out Pablo Dotonbori’s cheese tarts. These world-famous tarts are buttery, crispy and perfectly sweet. They often have a big line, but it moves quickly and is worth the wait. Various flavours exist, but the classic and the macha are fan favourites.

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Don Quixote Ferris Wheel

Don Quixote is a famous superstore across Japan. But the one in Osaka is even more popular because it has a giant, 77-meter-tall Ferris wheel on its exterior. Its bright red and yellow tracks and huge mascot characters on the facade made it a popular photo opportunity even though it went out of service years ago. But thanks to its fandom, it was recently renovated and reopened to the public. Take your chance now before it closes down again to jump in and experience stunning views across Dotonbori.

Space Station

End off your night with some retro fun at Space Station. This bar is filled with retro video games, cheap drinks and amazing company!

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Osaka is a city full of surprises and has a lot to offer visitors. With the help of this guide, you can make the most of your 24 hours in Osaka and experience the best of what the city has to offer. From traditional temples to delicious street food, there is something for everyone in Osaka. We hope this guide has helped you plan your trip and that you enjoy exploring this vibrant city.

The post Your ULTIMATE Guide to Exploring Osaka in 24 Hours first appeared on The Creative Adventurer.