Kanazawa is the capital of the Ishikawa Prefecture on the central island of Honshu, next to the Sea of Japan. I visited this city in May 2023 for a day and had a blast! So, what is Kanazawa, Japan famous for?
Well, Kanazawa is known for the stunning Kenrokuen Garden, one’s of Japan’s Top 3 Landscape Gardens! Then there’s the iconic Nezumitamon Gate, which leads you to Gyokuseninmaru Park and Kanazawa Castle. Finally, I loved wandering around Oyama Shrine complex and garden.
The Maeda Clan ruled today’s Ishikawa Prefecture from 1583 to 1869. They were the second richest family in Japan back then. Since Kanazawa was spared by air raids during World War II (same as Kyoto), visitors can still find remains of the Edo period (1603-1868) today.
But Kanazawa was affected by the earthquake on January 1, 2024. It’s only 100 km (62 miles) south of the Noto Peninsula, the epicenter of this terrible incident. Fortunately, soon after, Kanazawa opened most of its tourist attractions again.
Oyama Shrine & Garden area
Address: 11-1 Oyamamachi, Kanazawa, Ishikawa 920-0918, Japan
Oyama Shrine (or Oyama Jinja) was completed in 1599 to honour Maeda Toshiie. He was the first lord of the Maeda Clan and there’s also a statue of him on the shrine grounds. Initially, Oyama Shrine stood on nearby Mount Utatsu and later moved to its present location in 1873.
What’s unique about Oyama Shrine is the main entrance gate which beautifully blends together Japanese, Chinese, and European religious themes. A Dutch architect designed it and added stained glass windows on the third floor. Besides, it used to be the original entrance to Kanazawa Castle.
The entrance gate to Oyama Shrine. Photo credit: Soramimi on Wikimedia Commons.
After walking through the gate, visitors will spot impressive shrine buildings for worshipping, as well as the peaceful garden area. It features ponds, bridges, stone lanterns, small waterfalls, and walking paths. I felt like I’d stepped right inside a Studio Ghibli movie! 😀
The Main Worship Hall at Oyama Shrine and the peaceful garden area.
The Oyama Shrine complex is always open and there’s no admission fee.
Nezumitamon Gate and Bridge
Address: 1-1 Marunouchi, Kanazawa, Ishikawa 920-0937, Japan
Our next stop is the iconic Nezumitamon Gate and Bridge, one of the five entrances to Kanazawa Castle Park. The gate and bridge were first built in the 17th century. Sadly, the bridge was demolished in 1877 because of its age and wear. Soon after, in 1884, a fire ruined Nezumitamon Gate.
Nezumitamon Gate and Bridge reopened in July 2020. Thanks to historic records that were used, they look pretty much the same as 400 years ago! The bridge was reinforced with steel as well, so it can survive earthquakes. In the end, it was covered with a wood finish.
Nezumitamon Gate and Bridge.
Fun fact: A 19th century historian assumed that Nezumitamon comes from the word gate (mon) and its grey colour, which is similar to a mouse’s (nezumi).
Visitors can walk around inside Nezumitamon Gate and learn about its history. Admission is free and it’s open daily from 9 am to 4:30 pm (last entry is at 4 pm).
Gyokuseninmaru Garden
Address: 3 Marunouchi, Kanazawa, Ishikawa 920-0937, Japan
Gyokuseninmaru Garden is a stunning landscape garden inside Kanazawa Castle Park. It was completed in 1634. It is named after Gyokusen, the wife of Toshinaga Maeda, the second lord of the Maeda Clan.
It was abandoned during the Meiji era (1868-1912). But authorities decided to rebuild Gyokuseninmaru Garden in an authentic way and it reopened in 2015.
It has bridges, a large pond, lots of trees, and stair-like waterfall that flows from one of the garden’s distinctive stone walls. The Gyokusen-an Teahouse is perfect for taking a break and trying traditional Japanese matcha tea and tasty Wagashi sweets (for 730 ¥)!
From March 1 to October 15, Gyokuseninmaru Garden is open daily from 7 am to 6 pm. In the winter months, it’s open from 8 am to 5 pm. There’s no admission fee.
If you’re visiting Gyokuseninmaru Garden after sunset on a Friday, Saturday, or the day before a public holiday, it is lit in beautiful colours. They are different every season and that’s the only time when the garden is open until 9 pm!
As per Japan Guide, visitors are currently not allowed to walk around Gyokuseninmaru Garden, because of a damage from the earthquake on January 1, 2024. Hopefully, it will reopen soon!
Kanazawa Castle
Address: 1-1 Marunouchi, Kanazawa, Ishikawa 920-0937, Japan
Kanazawa Castle is one of Kanazawa’s major historic landmarks, so it’s a must-see on your visit!
The original castle dates back to 1580. Only three years later, the Maeda Clan moved in and lived here for 14 generations until 1868. With time, the castle burnt down several times.
Since the latest fire in 1881, only two storehouses and the Ishikawa-mon Gate are originals. During World War II, Kanazawa Castle was an army base. Then it was a campus building of Kanazawa University from 1949 to 1989.
Finally, the castle was designated a National Historic Site of Japan in 2008.
Two turrets and the Gojukken Nagaya Storehouse, which were original castle buildings, were restored in 2001. Thanks to using traditional techniques and materials, they look the same as back in the 1850s. The Hashizume-mon Gate, another reconstruction, was added in 2015.
Kanazawa Castle Park is open all year and it’s free to walk around outside. But there’s an admission fee of 320 ¥ to visit the Hishi Yagura, Gojikken Nagaya, and Hashizume-mon Tsuzuki Yagura (turret and storehouse).
Kenrokuen Garden
Address: 1 Kenrokumachi, Kanazawa, Ishikawa 920-0936, Japan
Kanazawa is also famous for Kenrokuen Garden right next to Kanazawa Castle. Kenrokuen means “Garden of the six sublimities”, which describe the garden’s unique characteristics: Spaciousness, tranquility, artifice, antiquity, water sources, and amazing views.
The Maeda Clan built Kenrokuen Garden for private use from the 1620s to the 1840s. It later opened to the public in 1871. The garden area covers 11.4 hectares and is a perfect spot to walk around and being in nature for a few hours!
Kenrokuen Garden has stone bridges, streams, two main ponds (Kasumigaike and Hisagoike), Japan’s oldest fountain, the Midoritaki Waterfall, two teahouses, the two-legged Kotojitoro Lantern, and tons of trees and plants!
In spring, visitors come to Kenrokuen Garden to see plum and cherry blossoms and in early summer, they enjoy the greenery. In the fall, colourful maple leaves dominate the garden. Lastly, yukitsuri (“snow hangings”) cover the pine trees in the winter to protect them from heavy snow.
So Kenrokuen Garden looks different each season! I also loved seeing the staff’s efforts to keep Kenrokuen Garden spotless, and that they set up thick logs to avoid some trees from falling down!
Left: Thick logs are protecting a tree from falling down. Right: Kenrokuen Garden in the winter with the Kotojitoro Lantern and yukitsuri tree covers. Pic #2 is credit of tab2_dawa on Wikimedia Commons.
Kenrokuen Garden is open 365 days a year. From March to October 15, it’s open 7 am to 6 pm and from October 16 to the end of February, it’s open 8 am to 5 pm. Admission is 320 ¥ per person.
Other Attractions Kanazawa is Famous for
Are you sick of reading about Kanazawa’s beautiful castle and garden areas now? Perfect 😀 😀
So here are few other attractions that Kanazawa is famous for:
Higashi Chaya District
Address: 1-13 Higashiyama, Kanazawa, Ishikawa 920-0831, Japan
Similar to Takayama, Kanazawa has three well preserved districts from the Edo period. The largest and most beautiful is the Higashi Chaya District. It is famous for its well preserved wooden chaya (teahouses), where geisha used to perform for visitors.
The Shima Teahouse is open to the public as a museum, and you can see the rooms where the geisha danced and played traditional music. Other buildings from the Edo period inside the Higashi Chaya District have been transformed into shops and cafés, sake breweries, or restaurants.
Omicho Market
Address: 50 Kamiomicho, Kanazawa, Ishikawa 920-0905, Japan
Only a short walk from Kanazawa Station, Omicho Market is perfect to try some local food from the 200 vendors and restaurants sitting here every day. It usually gets very busy around lunchtime, when both locals and tourists come here. Omicho Market is open daily from 9 am to 5 pm.
Thanks to Kanazawa being so close to the Sea of Japan, it’s known for the best seafood in the country. So if that’s your thing, one famous specialty dish to try is Kaisendon (seafood donburi), which vendors sell at Omicho Market as well.
Nagamachi Samurai District
Address: 1 Chome-3-12-2 Nagamachi, Kanazawa, Ishikawa 920-0865, Japan
Back in the Edo period, groups of society lived in dedicated districts of Kanazawa. The Nagamachi Samurai District was home to wealthy samurai and their families. Visitors can see a restored samurai residence at the Nomura Samurai House & Garden.
The residence is open from 8:30 am to 5:30 pm (April to September) and 8:30 to 4:30 pm from October to March. Admission is 550 ¥ per person.
To learn more about these cool attractions, check out this video by Japan-Guide:
Conclusion
As you can see, Kanazawa is worth visiting, thanks to its many unique attractions! Since it’s not on every traveler’s Japan itinerary, it’s less crowded than Tokyo, Kyoto, or Osaka. Besides, it’s easy to get around on foot. Many of the attractions are free, so it’s a good place to save money as well!
If you prefer to take a bus, the Kanazawa Loop Bus travels on a circular route that covers pretty much all of Kanazawa’s famous attractions. It leaves from Kanazawa Station’s East Gate bus terminal every 15 minutes from 8:30 am to 6 pm.
My favourite places to visit in Kanazawa are Kenrokuen Garden and the iconic Nezumitamon Gate and Bridge. So I hope I have inspired you to visit this beautiful Japanese city someday 😉 Or if you’ve been to Kanazawa, feel free to share some insider tips in the comments. Cheers!
Traveling around Japan for a while? Then check out these posts:
Disclosure: I only recommend products that I’ve used in the past, and all opinions expressed in this post are my own. This post contains affiliate links. If you use one of the links throughout the page to buy something, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks.
Kyoto is the capital of the Honshu Island in eastern Japan. It was Japan’s capital and the emperor’s home for more than 1,000 years (794 to 1868). 1.46 million people lived here in 2020. In this post, I’ll show you the Best way to Spend 48 Hours in Kyoto!
Kyoto has more than 2,000 Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines, the most any city has in all of Japan. One of the most famous shrines is Fushimi Inari Shrine. Visitors can also check out imperial palaces, tea ceremonies, gardens, Arashiyama Bamboo Forest, and maybe see a geisha (female entertainer) in the Gion district.
Sadly, Kyoto was affected by several fires and wars in the past. But during World War II, the enemies noticed the city’s historic importance, so they spared Kyoto from atomic bombings.
Today, Kyoto is a modern city that’s proud to be the cultural capital of Japan. Thousands of visitors come here every year to experience its rich cultural heritage.
Things to See and Do
Wander Around Arashiyama Bamboo Grove
Address: Arashiyama Genrokuzancho, Ukyo Ward, Kyoto, 616-0007, Japan
Let’s start with one of Kyoto’s top attractions! Arashiyama Bamboo Grove is a peaceful and serene forest of thousands of bamboo trees. They are standing proudly on the left and right side of a 500-meter (1,640 ft) walking path. Some of the trees are up to 27 meters (90 feet) high!
In Japan, bamboo trees are a symbol of strength that are supposed to keep evil spirits away.
While it’s a beautiful walk next to the bamboo trees, Arashiyama Bamboo Grove often gets very busy with tourists. So I recommend visiting in the early morning or close to sunset to avoid them. I came during the day, but stumbled upon other paths near the forest, where there was barely anyone!
Arashiyama Bamboo Grove is always open and there’s no admission fee.
To get there, just hop on the JR Sagano Line from Kyoto Station. Then exit at Saga-Arashiyama Station and walk for 10 minutes to get to Arashiyama Bamboo Grove.
Visit Seiryo-ji Temple
Address: 46, Sagashakadofujinokicho, Ukyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto, Japan
On my way back to Saga-Arashiyama train station, I stopped at Seiryo-ji Templefor a bit. This less crowded temple complex was completed in 895 AD. Its main buildings are the main hall and Tahoto pagoda. The temple belongs to the Jodo Buddhist sect.
The main hall of Seiryo-ji Temple.
Seiryo-ji Temple is famous for its carved wooden statue of Shaka Nyrorai, a young buddha. It’s a national treasure and is only shown to the public on the 8th of the month in April, May, October, and November from 11 am.
Visitors can see the main hall’s interior after paying a 400 ¥ admission fee. There’s a peaceful garden area to explore within the temple complex as well.
If you’re interested in visiting more less crowded temples in Kyoto, check out Brandon’s post about 5 Lesser-Known Temples in Kyoto!
Fushimi Inari Shrine
One of Kyoto’s Instagram hotspots is the tunnel of thousands of torii gates at Fushimi Inari Shrine. Every torii gate was donated by people or companies and the donor’s name and donation date is written on the back of each gate.
The torii tunnel at Fushimi Inari Shrine. Photo by Caleb Jack on Unsplash.
Fushimi Inari Shrine is one of the shrines that were built to honour Inari, the Shinto god of rice. It says that foxes are Inari’s messengers, which is why there are several fox statues within the shrine complex.
There are some other buildings around the shrine grounds as well, like the Main Shrine, Worship Hall, Hall of Shinto Music and Dance, and the Shrine Office.
If you keep on walking through the torii tunnel, you’ll end up at the peak of the sacred Mount Inari (233 m/764 ft). The hike up and back to the shrine area takes 2 to 3 hours. There are also restaurants along the way that serve local dishes, e.g. Inari Sushi, aburaage (fried tofu), and Kitsune Udon noodles.
To get to Fushimi Inari Shrine, take the JR Nara Line from Kyoto Station to JR Inari Station (5 minutes). It’s only a short walk to the shrine grounds.
Similar to Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, Fushimi Inari Shrine often gets packed with tourists during the day. But it’s open 24/7 and there’s no admission fee.
The Worship Hall at Fushimi Inari Shrine.
Join a Traditional Japanese Tea Ceremony
A great way to dive into Japanese culture is to join a traditional tea ceremony. Two ways to book this experience is through Get Your Guide or Viator, which I did as well. I participated in a 45-Minute Tea Ceremony Experience with Tea Ceremony Koto (37 Nishi Goshonouchi-cho, Kinugasa Kita-ku, Kyoto, 603-8377, Japan).
After entering the building, our group of 10 people sat down in a circle in a tatami floor room. First, the tea master introduced us to the tea ceremony’s long history and its important role in Japanese society until today. Then she taught us formal rules every participant had to follow during the ceremony.
Next, our hostess made the first kind of matcha tea and served it to us. A few minutes later, one after the other used these rules by saying the following words to the person next to them:
“Thank you for joining me”, then “Excuse me for being ahead of you”, and finally “Thank you for the tea”.
Then we could proof our skills by making a different flavour of matcha tea ourselves, said the same phrases, and drank it together. We all had our own cup, and tried some tasty Japanese sweets as well!
At the end of the tea ceremony. What an enriching experience!
The 45-minute tea ceremony experience costs 3,300 ¥ per person and you can add a kimono rental as well for an authentic experience. While I didn’t do it this time, I already look forward to trying on a kimono on my next Japan trip! 🙂 The tea master was happy to take pictures of us at the end, too.
Walk Around the Gion District
Before hopping on the train to the next city, I had to stop in Gion, also known as Kyoto’s famous Geisha district! It’s located around Shijo Avenue, between Yasaka Shrine in the east, and the Kamo River in the west.
Many tourists come here to shop, eat, or spend time at an ochaya (tea house), where geiko (Kyoto dialect for geisha) and maiko (geisha trainees) entertain visitors.
Sometimes geiko and maiko are walking on the streets of the Gion district as well. This guide by Wanderlust UK is great to learn about their life and how to behave as a tourist if you meet one of these iconic performers.
A geiko playing shamisen (traditional Japanese musical instrument). Photo credit: Sawai Susao on Wikimedia Commons.
A local told me that Gion district mostly comes to life during the evening. While I didn’t meet a geiko or maiko this time, I stumbled upon an impressive statue! Besides, the Gion District is famous for its traditional wooden machiya (merchant houses) and narrow side roads.
From Kyoto Station, take bus #206 and get off at Gion bus stop (about 20 minutes). Or if you’re taking the local train, exit at Gion-Shijo Station on the Keihan Line or Kyoto-Kawaramachi Station on the Hankyu Line to get to the Gion District.
Visit The Kyoto International Manga Museum
Address: 452 Kinbukicho, Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto, 604-0846, Japan
If you like manga (Japanese comics and graphic novels) don’t miss The Kyoto International Manga Museum, which opened in 2006. Manga have been an important part of Japanese culture for a long time, and have spread all over the world in the past decades!
Here you’ll learn about the history of manga, which started during the Taisho era (1912-1926). The manga on the shelves are in Japanese, but there’s a small section of translated manga on the ground floor, too (e.g. Portuguese, German, and French).
The “What is Manga?” permanent exhibit on the second floor is the best part, in my opinion. Its shelves display a huge selection of manga from 1912 to 2005, including Dragon Ball, Sailor Moon, and Kamikaze Kaitou Jeanne! You’ll also learn how manga are made and if all manga artists are millionaires or not!
Promotional video of The Kyoto International Manga Museum.
Visitors are welcome to read one or more of the 50,000 manga inside the museum reading areas. If you’re here on a holiday or weekend, stop by the Manga Studio, where you can watch real manga artists at work! In the Portrait Corner, a manga artist is happy to draw a portrait of you!
Photography is often not allowed at the Kyoto International Manga Museum to protect the artwork and/or because of copyright.
The Kyoto International Manga Museum is open daily (except Wednesdays) from 10:30 am to 5:30 pm (last entry is at 5 pm). Admission is 900 ¥ for adults (19+), 400 ¥ for High School and Junior High School students (13-18 years), and 200 ¥ for elementary school students (6-12 years).
Watch Out for the Famous Poké Lids
While exploring Kyoto, be sure to look down once in a while, and you may spot one of the colourful Poké Lid manhole covers! I found one with Totodile and Azumarill on it (Address: Kankijicho, Shimogyo Ward, Kyoto, 600-8835, Japan)!
In fact, did you know that Kyoto is the real life location of Ercuteak City in the Pokémon Generation 2 games (Gold, Silver, and Crystal)? These unique manhole covers are spread all over Japan, with five of them in Kyoto City.
Where to Stay in Kyoto
I stayed at Matsubaya Ryokan (Kamijuzuyacho, Shimogyo Ward, Kyoto 600-8150, Japan), which first opened in 1884. My room had a futon bed on a tatami floor, a low table sitting area, and a yukata (Japanese-style robe) to wear.
For breakfast, you can choose between Traditional Japanese breakfast and Western-style breakfast. They were happy to cook a vegetarian Japanese breakfast for me, which was super tasty!
There’s also a beautiful Japanese garden on site. Besides, the Matsubaya Ryokan is only one stop from Kyoto Station (via the Karasuma subway line).
This was the largest ryokan I stayed at during my Japan trip. While it was a nice place, it felt less personal than other ryokans or guesthouses. But it’s understandable that it’s busier because Kyoto is one of Japan’s most popular places to visit!
Where to Eat & Drink
Hobodo Café
Address: Sakyo-ku, Shoojicho, 452, Kyoto, 606-8353, Japan
The small and 100% vegan Hobodo Caféis the perfect spot for lunch! Their weekly changing menu features Japanese cuisine with international influences. There’s a little book shop as well.
When I was here in May 2023, I went for a tasty dish of various vegan foods. It consisted of brown rice, sesame-dressed turnips and radishes, silk beans, bamboo shoot dumplings in spring rolls, and more! It was so refreshing, and although it looks fancy, it was only 1,400 ¥! The staff was super friendly as well.
Hobodo Café is open Wednesday to Sunday from 11:30 am to 5 pm.
Itadakimasu! (Enjoy your meal!) 😛
Qué Pasa – Downtown
Address: 142 Ainocho, Shimogyo Ward, Kyoto, 600-8071, Japan
Need a break from the yummy Japanese food for dinner? Then Qué Pasa is a great choice! This small Mexican burrito/Californian Fast Food Shop serves both meat and vegetarian/vegan dishes, and seems to be a popular place for students to hang out.
You can choose between tacos, burritos (duh!), nachos, quesadillas, Mexican grilled corn, spare ribs, alcoholic drinks (including Corona and Margarita), and more! I had the Veggie Burrito, which was very filling, and the staff was friendly and efficient.
They are open daily from 11:30 am to 2:30 pm and 5:30 to 8:30 pm (5:30 to 8:30 pm only on Thursdays).
Grab food from the Conbini (Convenience store)
If you’re on the go (or on a budget), grabbing snacks or a meal at one of the conbinis is a great idea! They are all over Japan, and the most common ones are Family Mart, 7-Eleven, and Lawson. Besides, pretty much all of their labels are in Japanese and English, which is very helpful!
My favourites were onigiri (rice balls), edamame chips, broccoli & cabbage salad, green tea, and of course, Japanase chocolate! Many locals get food from conbinis as well.
How to Get to and Around Kyoto on Public Transit
As one of Japan’s major cities, getting to Kyoto with public transit from any direction is very easy. Many tourists take the one of the Tokaido Shinkansen lines from Tokyo Station to Kyoto Station (2 to 3 hours).
If you’re coming from Hiroshima, just hop on the Tokaido Shinkansen line from the opposite direction to Kyoto Station (1.5 to 2 hours).
I got to Kyoto from the north, by taking the JR Thunderbird Limited Express from Kanazawa Station to Kyoto Station, which is the fastest option (2 hours 6 minutes).
Finally, if you’re trying to get to Kyoto from Osaka, it’s only 30 minutes on the Tokaido Shinkansen line.
You can also book a Highway bus or Night bus that goes from Tokyo to Kyoto, like Willer Express and the Kanto Bus. While they are much cheaper than the Shinkansen, they take much longer to get there (8-9 hours).
Inside Kyoto, there’s a good public transit system as well. You can choose between two subway lines, local trains, and a dense bus network to get around. Or book a ticket for the Sky Hop Sightseeing Bus to get to Kyoto’s major tourist attractions.
Both locals and tourists like to use a prepaid IC card (e.g. Suica, Pasmo, or Icoca) to pay for local train or bus tickets. You can buy or charge them with cash in pretty much any train/subway station.
Thanks to its flat terrain and easy layout, it’s popular to bike around Kyoto as well. There are many bike rental companies, such as next to Kyoto Station and close to Arashiyama Bamboo Grove. Daily rental rates start at 1,000 ¥ for regular bikes and 1,700 ¥ for e-bikes.
Finally, the closest airport to Kyoto is Osaka Itami Airport, about one hour by bus from central Kyoto.
Conclusion
As you can see, there are lots of great ways on How to spend 48 hours in Kyoto! Whether you’re into exploring shrines and temples, getting your manga or anime fix, eating tasty food, watching a geiko or maiko perform, or trying out a traditional Japanese tea ceremony, Kyoto has it all!
Without a doubt, my favourite activity during my Kyoto visit was the traditional tea ceremony. From learning about the tea ceremony’s history and how important it still is in Japanese society, to making our own matcha tea, I highly recommend trying out this experience. The hostess was very knowledgeable and explained everything in an easy to understand way!
Although it was quite crowded, I enjoyed walking around Arashiyama Bamboo Forest and the Fushimi Inari Shrine complex a lot. I especially liked the unique fox statues sitting close to the famous and impressive torii tunnel!
So I’m already looking forward to visiting Kyoto again and seeing some of its lesser known, but I’m sure just as amazing tourist attractions. 🙂
Traveling around Japan for a while? Then check out these posts:
Disclosure: I only recommend products that I’ve used in the past, and all opinions expressed in this post are my own. This post contains affiliate links. If you use one of the links throughout the page to buy something, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks.
Absolutely, Nikko, Japan is Worth Visiting! I was here for a day in May 2023, and was amazed by its unique attractions, such as Toshogu Shrine that includes Tokugawa Ieyasu’s mausoleum. He was Japan’s first shogun (ruler) of the Edo period.
I also wandered along the mysterious Kanman walking path that leads to Kanmangafuchi Abyss. It’s famous for the row of 74 Jizo statues and Reihikaku Pavilion. Lastly, I had to see the sacred red Shinkyo Bridge and try Yuba, a soy bean curd skin specialty dish from this region.
Nikko is a small city of 80,239 residents (2020) in the mountains of the Tochigi Prefecture in eastern Japan. The Buddhist monk Shodo Shonin (735-817 AD) founded this city more than 1,200 years ago. Elevations in and around Nikko range from 200 to 2,000 meters (656 to 6,561 ft).
Want to learn more about what makes this city special? Then keep on reading and you’ll find out if Nikko, Japan is Worth Visiting!
Things to See and Do
Visit the amazing Toshogu Shrine
Address: 2301 Sannai, Nikko, Tochigi 321-1431, Japan
Toshogu Shrine is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and was established in 1617. It sits inside a beautiful forest area and more than a dozen buildings make up the shrine complex. Some have golden leaf ornaments and gorgeous wood carvings, which you cannot find anywhere else in Japan.
Two buildings with golden leaf decorations inside the Toshogu Shrine complex.
One building that stands out is the Five-Story Pagoda by the main entrance gate of Toshogu Shrine. The main pillar of the pagoda was put 10 cm (3.9 inches) off the ground to avoid that the wood lengthens and shrinks with time.
The Five-Story Pagoda close to the entrance of Toshogu Shrine.
Next, check out the colourful animal wood carvings on the storehouses in the entrance area! The most famous ones are the Three Wise Monkeys who “see, hear, and speak no evil” and the Sozonozo Elephants (“imagined elephants”). People came up with this name because the artist who carved them had never seen a real elephant in his life!
Then enter the Main Shrine Building that has a prayer hall and main hall. They were built to honour the spirits of Tokugawa Ieyasu, Toyotomi Hideyoshi and Minamoto Yoritomo (two other important Japanese historical figures). Please note that taking photos inside the building is not allowed.
As you walk through the Sakashitamon Gate, look out for the small but iconic Nemurineko(sleeping cat) carving! It’s supposed to guard the entrance gate to Tokugawa Ieyasu’s grave.
On the other side, there are two flying sparrow carvings. They are a symbol for the harmony of all beings in Japan during the peaceful Edo period (1603-1868) after decades of civil wars.
The Nemurineko carving.
Now we’ve reached Tokugawa Ieyasu’s (1543-1616) final resting spot! Ieyasu is enshrined as the deity Tosho Daigongen, which means “Great Deity of the East Shining Light”.
Tokugawa Ieyasu’s tomb.
Normally, Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines in Japan are separate entities. But Toshogu Shrine has elements of both religions, as they were blended together until the Meiji period (1868-1912) began. While Buddhist elements were removed from many shrines soon after, this didn’t happen here.
Lastly, you can visit the Nikko Toshogu Museum. It opened in 2015 to commemorate the 400-year anniversary of Tokugawa Ieyasu’s death. It displays his armor and swords, but also writing tools and letters he wrote.
Toshogu Shrine is open daily from 9 am to 5 pm (4 pm from November to March). The last entry of the day is 30 minutes before closing time.
Admission is ¥ 1,300 for the shrine, ¥ 1,000 for the museum only, and ¥ 2,100 for the shrine and museum.
Beautiful stone lanterns inside the Toshogu Shrine complex.
Wander along the Kanmangafuchi Abyss
Address: Takumicho, Nikko, Tochigi 321-1415, Japan
The gorgeous 5-km (3.1-mile) Kanman walking path in the less touristy west side of Nikko leads to the Kanmangafuchi Abyss. It’s a volcanic canyon within a peaceful forest along the Daiya River. The riverbanks were created by lava flows when nearby Mount Nantai erupted a long time ago.
One of the highlights along the path is Jiun-ji Temple, which Kokai, a high rank Buddhist priest, founded in 1654. Sadly, the great flood of 1902 destroyed the temple, but it was replaced by only one small main hall Hondo in 1973.
Right next to Jiun-ji Temple you cannot miss the row of 74 Jizo statues facing the Daiya River. These mysterious stone statues wearing red hats and red bibs are guardian deities of travelers and deceased children in Japanese Buddhism.
Initially, one hundred Jizo statues sat here, but because of the river’s vagaries, some have vanished with time. In fact, I read that every time people visit this spot, the number of Jizo statues is different. That’s why they are also called bakejizo (phantom Jizo).
The row of Jizo statues and one single Jizo statue.
Another scenic spot, only a few steps further, is Reihikaku Pavilion. The original building had a stone altar that was used to do the Goma Fire ritual. Its main characteristic was burning pieces of paper or wood with prayers written on them. This way, Fudo Myoo, one of the Five Wisdom Kings in Buddhism, could hear the prayers.
Unfortunately, the great flood of 1902 ruined Reihikaku Pavilion and a statue of Fudo Myoo as well. The pavilion we can look at today was completed in 1971.
Reihikaku Pavilion.
The path to Kanmangafuchi Abyss is always open and there’s no admission fee.
While the Daiya River looks gorgeous, visitors are advised to stay away from its banks, because they are very slippery.
Sadly, I didn’t walk all the way to the Kanmangafuchi Abyss. But I loved that the path wasn’t as busy as other places in Nikko (only three people passed me on the way). The green and peaceful forest area made me feel so calm, that I almost forgot I was in a city!
The walking path and a beautiful waterfall on the other side of the Daiya River!
Admire the Sacred Shinkyo Bridge
Address: Kamihatsuishimachi, Nikko, Tochigi 321-1401, Japan
The bright red Shinkyo Bridge(“sacred bridge”) across the Daiya River in the city centre marks the entrance to Nikko’s shrines and temples. It was completed in 1636, but there was a bridge at the same spot long before that. The great flood in 1902 destroyed it, too, but it was quickly rebuilt in 1904.
The Shinkyo Bridge.
According to legend, in 766 AD, the priest Shodo Shonin and his followers couldn’t cross the Daiya River, because there was no bridge. But after Shodo said a prayer, the god Jinja-Daisho showed up on the other side with two big snakes wrapped around his arm. Then the god threw the snakes across the river and they turned into a rainbow-coloured bridge.
Until 1973, crossing the Shinkyo Bridge was limited to important military leaders and imperial messengers. But nowadays, everyone is allowed to enter the bridge after paying a small admission fee of ¥300.
The Shinkyo Bridge is open daily from 8:30 am to 4 pm (April to October) and 9:30 am to 3 pm (November to March).
Other Things to See and Do in Nikko
Unfortunately, one day wasn’t enough to see everything that the Nikko region has to offer.
So here are few other places that I think, make Nikko, Japan, worth visiting as well:
Rinnoji Temple
Address: 2300 Sannai, Nikko, Tochigi 321-1431, Japan
Rinnoji Temple is the oldest and most important temple in Nikko. It was founded by the monk Shodo Shonin in the 8th century. He devoted it to the Nikko area’s three sacred mountains (Mt. Nantai, Mt. Taro, and Mt. Nyoho).
The mountains are represented by three gold lacquered wooden statues of an amida buddha and two cannon bodhisattva in the main hall. The latter is a person who’s on the path to reaching Nirvana in Buddhism.
The three statues inside Rinnoji Temple. Photo credit: Zairon on Wikimedia Commons.
Rinnoji Temple is open daily from 8 am to 5 pm (4 pm from November through March).
Admission starts at ¥400 per person.
Kegon Waterfalls
Address: 2479-2 Chugushi, Nikko, Tochigi 321-1661, Japan
Kegon Waterfalls (97 m/318 ft tall) is in the Okunikko region within Nikko National Park. They are one of Japan’s Top 3 Waterfalls. You can watch them from a free observation deck, a paid platform with three decks, or Akechidaira Observation Deck.
Kegon Waterfalls freeze solid sometimes during the winter months and the scenic Lake Chuzenji is right behind them.
Senjogahara Hiking Trail is 6 km (3.7 miles) long and goes from the Ryuzu Waterfall to the town of Yumoto Onsen through the Senjogahara Marshlands. All hiking levels are welcome! In winter, the trail is accessible with snow shoes or cross-country skis, which you can rent in the area.
Where to Stay in Nikko
I booked a private room at the Turtle Inn (2-16 Takumi-cho, Nikko, Tochigi, 321-1433, Japan), a simple, but clean and affordable Japanese guesthouse. It’s in a quiet residential area and a bus stop to the city centre is nearby. The private indoor onsen was perfect to recover from walking around Tokyo a lot!
The kind receptionists made me feel at home right away. The Turtle Inn is only steps from the Daiya River. So when I laid down at night, all I could hear was the calming rushing of the water! The healthy breakfast was very yummy, too.
Where to Eat & Drink in Nikko
The Bell Café
Address: 6-39 Yasukawacho, Nikko, Tochigi, 321-1432, Japan
The Bell Café is a small but cozy café/restaurant in the Nikko city centre. I tried the “Yuba Festa” (Monk’s diet), a set meal featuring yuba (soy bean curd skin), shiitake mushrooms, veggie tempura, miso soup, and yuba sashimi!
Yuba is a specialty dish from the Nikko area. Besides, this is one of the few places in town where you can try a vegetarian version.
The Yuba Festa dish. So yummy!
The Bell Café is open daily from 10:30 am to 4 pm and 6 pm to 9:30 pm. The service was great as well! When I visited in May 2023, they only accepted cash, no credit cards.
Sogen Coffeeshop
Address: 1-21 Yasukawacho, Nikko, Tochigi 321-1432, Japan
Sogen Coffeeshopis a cozy spot for a break after walking around town! The elderly couple who manages the place went above and beyond to make me feel comfortable. For example, the man brought me a portable heater after he’d seen that my clothes were soaked from the rain!
I ordered ocha (Japanese Green Tea) with biscuits, which was very good! Their little gift shop is perfect for finding a homemade bringalong! Sogen Coffeeshop is open daily from 9 am to 5 pm and is only a few minutes from the Shinkyo Bridge.
Japanese Green Tea and biscuits on the side.
How Many Days Should I Spend in Nikko?
Nikko is a popular spot for international and local tourists. Some go here for just a day trip, but I recommend staying in Nikko for two days. That way, you’re not in a rush.
You’ll have time to visit Toshogu Shrine, Rinnoji Temple, Shinkyo Bridge, Kanmangafuchi Abyss, and find a few cool souvenirs on your first day. On Day Two, you could take a bus to the Nikko National Park area to see Kegon Waterfalls and Lake Chuzenji, and go for a hike.
When is the Best Time to Visit Nikko?
Many people visit Nikko in October and November, so they can enjoy the pretty fall foliage (koyo)! The best spots in town to see them is by the Shinkyo Bridge and on the trail leading to the Kanmangafuchi Abyss. You can also see them inside Nikko National Park.
Nikko is a bit cooler than other places in Japan during the summer months (May to September) thanks to its location in the mountains.
December and January are the coldest months in Nikko, with occasional snowfall and temperatures falling down to -4 C (24.8 F)! Besides, some sites and restaurants in the Okunikko area are closed during the winter season.
In the spring, same as other places in Japan, people come here to admire the gorgeous cherry blossoms.
Please keep in mind that August and September is typhoon season in Japan.
How to Get to and Around Nikko on Public Transit
Nikko is about 100 km (62 miles) north of Tokyo and train journeys take 90 to 120 minutes.
I bought the Nikko Pass World Heritage Area at the Tobu Tourist Information Centre inside Asakusa Station in Tokyo (¥ 2,040). It includes a trip to Tobu Nikko Station and back to Asakusa Station for 1-2 consecutive days, as well as a free local bus pass in Nikko.
Beautiful scenery on the way from Tokyo to Nikko <3
If you’re in Nikko for up to four days, look at the Nikko Pass All Area. It also includes transportation to Lake Chuzenji and the Okunikko region. It’s ¥ 4,600 from April to November and ¥ 4,230 from December to March. These passes are only available to international travelers though.
Or if you have the Japan Rail Pass, take the Tohoku Shinkansen from Tokyo Station to JR Nikko Station (via Utsunomiya). JR East train passes work as well. The two train stations in Nikko are only a short walk away from each other.
There are also Highway buses from Tokyo Narita Airport, Tokyo Haneda Airport, and Yokohama to Nikko.
Visitors who are short on time can take the World Heritage Sightseeing Bus that goes in a circle around some of Nikko’s beautiful shrines and temples. These buses run often from JR Nikko Station and Tobu Nikko Station.
If you’re going to Nikko National Park, note that buses from/to Nikko don’t run very frequently. So check the schedule beforehand to avoid getting stuck somewhere!
Tokyo Narita Airport and Tokyo Haneda Airport are about three hours from Nikko.
Conclusion: Is Nikko, Japan Worth Visiting?
Yes, Nikko, Japan is Worth Visiting for sure! Whether you’re into learning about Japan’s history, relaxing at the many onsens in the region, hiking, watching lakes and waterfalls, or trying local food, there’s something for everyone!
It’s also a perfect spot to escape the busy city life (e.g. Tokyo) for a few days and enjoy some nature!
Since I didn’t have time to visit Nikko National Park this time, I can’t wait to go back to Nikko someday!
Disclosure: I only recommend products that I’ve used in the past, and all opinions expressed in this post are my own. This post contains affiliate links. If you use one of the links throughout the page to buy something, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks.
Mount Koya (Koyasan) is a remote temple town of 2,812 residents (2021) in the Wakayama prefecture. It has an altitude of 800 meters (2,624 ft) above sea level.
Back in 805 AD, the monk Kobo Daishi(Kukai) (774-835 AD) brought Shingon Buddhism, a sect that was influenced by the Chinese, to Japan. Kobo Daishi built the first temple in 826 AD in Mount Koya, and soon after it became the centre of Shingon Buddhism and Japan’s most sacred town. As a result, Kobo Daishi was one of the most significant religious characters in Japan.
Mount Koya is one of the three sacred sites of the Kii Mountain Range, and it was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2004. Many pilgrims and tourists have visited Mount Koya for enlightenment and spirituality over time, and most have stayed in Buddhist temple lodging facilities (shukubo). Today, there are more than 100 temples in town, and about half of them offer authentic temple accommodations.
Want to learn more about Buddhism in Japan? Then booking accommodation at Fukuchiin Temple(657 Koyasan, Koya, Ito District, Wakayama 648-0211) is a great idea! From stunning artwork and antiques, relaxing onsen facilities, to Buddhist workshops and morning prayer sessions, there’s plenty of cool things to experience!
Staying at Fukuchiin Temple
A Short History of Fukuchiin Temple
Fukuchiin Temple is right in the heart of Mount Koya, and was founded by Kakuin Ajari in the 12th century. The main reason for opening the temple was to worship Aizen Myo-o, a Buddhist deity who has the power to make all wishes and desires come true.
Rooms and Amenities
Fukuchiin Temple offers 60 Japanese-style rooms on three floors for up to 250 guests. All rooms have tatami floors, futon bed(s), free Wi-Fi, air conditioning/heating, seating area, a yukata (Japanese-style bathrobe), and towel.
Some also have a TV and private Western-style toilet, and a nice garden view.
My room at Fukuchiin Temple. During the day, the futon bed is hidden in the closet. 😉
Apart from rooms, it’s possible to rent meeting rooms and conference rooms at Fukuchiin Temple as well.
Artwork, Antiques, and Onsen Facilities
As you wander around the temple hallways, take some time to admire the antiques from the Nara period (710-784 AD), calligraphy writings, and wall paintings. My favourite artwork is the colourful tiger painting! There are a few cozy sitting areas as well.
Fukuchiin Temple is proud to offer the only natural hot springs in Mount Koya. You can relax in their open air rock bath, indoor bath, family bath, or sauna. All are separated for men and women, but tattoos are not allowed. You can find more details on their onsen facilities here.
Open air rock bath. Photo credit: Fukuchiin Temple.
Sutra Copying Workshop and Morning Prayer Session
For an even more authentic experience, overnight guests at Fukuchiin Temple are encouraged to join several Buddhist workshops and sessions.
For example, you can participate in a Sutra Copying workshop in the evening. After cleansing their hands with incense powder, every guest kneels down in front of a table. Then a monk gives you a paper with Japanese characters on it, and you’ll copy them with a very thin ink brush.
Besides, everyone needs to write down a wish on their paper. This meditation technique started in the Heian period (794-1185 AD), and you get a Buddhist bead bracelet, too! Guests are not allowed to drink alcohol before the workshop, as this takes a lot of focus.
Sutra Copying Workshop (photo credit: Fukuchiin Temple) and the bead bracelet I got!
Every morning at 6 am, guests are welcome to join the Morning Prayer session with the monks who live and work at the temple. It was very moving to listen to them chanting songs, and all the Buddhist treasures inside the room were super impressive! In the end, both the monks and visitors said a prayer and bowed afterwards. What an amazing experience!
Photo credit: Fukuchiin Temple.
Shojin ryoki cuisine at Fukuchiin Temple
As a Buddhist monk, it’s common to eat shojin ryori(monk’s diet) vegetarian meals. So at Fukuchiin Temple, you can book this kind of breakfast and/or dinner in advance, for an extra cost.
Guests sit in several traditional Japanese-style dining rooms, and wall separators are put up between groups for privacy. The kitchen uses local specialties, such as koya-dofu (frozen-dried tofu) and Kinzanji wasabi, and fresh seasonal vegetables, with miso soup, rice, and green tea.
The dishes at Fukuchiin Temple are made from scratch and change every month. Unfortunately, the kitchen is unable to accommodate food allergies or dietary needs.
Breakfast meal at Fukuchiin Temple.
Temple Garden Areas
Fukuchiin Temple has three beautiful gardens: The Rock Garden (“Lotus Garden”), Aizen Garden, and Tosen Garden, and the last one has a pond as well. All of these were designed by the Japanese landscape architect MireiShigemori (1896-1975).
The gardens are famous for their powerful stonework and moss plants, and guests are welcome to walk around and relax here during their stay.
Coffee Corner, Gift Shop, and Directions to Fukuchiin Temple
Only a few steps from the breakfast rooms, you can drink a cup of coffee or tea in the cozy Coffee Corner room! There are some books and magazines, too. What a perfect spot to sit and relax, especially during the colder months!
Fukuchiin Temple has a small gift shop as well, which is open during limited hours of the day.
After arriving at Koyasan Station by cable car, it’s pretty easy to get to Fukuchiin Temple. Just hop on a local bus going to “Okunoin” or “Daimon”, and exit at the 4th stop, “Koya Keisatsu-mae”. The temple is on the right side, about 30 meters back from the direction of the bus.
My Opinion on Staying at Fukuchiin Temple
As you can probably tell by now, staying at Fukuchiin Temple is quite a special experience!
When you first enter the temple, you need to leave your shoes in the reception area, and put on slippers. Next, the English-speaking receptionists are happy to guide you about your stay. Please note that there’s a curfew at 9 pm, so be sure to be back at the temple by then.
The temple hallway near the reception area.
Before Mount Koya, I was in Kyoto, and staying at Fukuchiin Temple was a great way to recover from the big city! It was quiet and calm, just as you’d imagine a Buddhist temple to be. So it’s perfect to relax, meditate, cleanse your body, and see what the simple life of a Buddhist monk is like!
My room was very clean and spacious, and I was grateful for the heater, lol! The Sutra Copying workshop and Morning Prayer session were perfect to learn about Buddhism in Japan and about a monk’s daily lifestyle inside the temple. The food at breakfast was delicious as well! 😛
So even though the nightly rate is quite high (¥ 15,000 to ¥ 30,000 per person, depending on the season), I highly recommend trying this kind of accommodation at least once in a lifetime!
Fukuchiin Temple is open year-round. Staying here is very popular, so it’s best to book this accommodation weeks or even months before your trip to Japan starts.
Fukuchiin Temple from the outside.
Mount Koya Okunoin Cemetery
The next morning, I wandered around Mount Koya’s town centre for a bit. After a while, I crossed Ichinohashi Bridge over the Odogawa river, which is the entrance to Okunoin Cemetery(132 Koyasan, Koya-cho, Ito-gun, Wakayama, 648-0211). It’s inside an ancient cedar forest grove, and with more than 200,000 tombstones, is Japan’s largest cemetery.
Some important historical figures are buried here. Examples are the Tokugawa family (who ruled Japan during the Edo period) and the Toyotomi family (who ruled the country before the Edo period). You’ll also find many Jizo statues (the Buddhist deity that protects children and travelers) along the 2 kilometer (1.24 mile) long walkway.
At the end of the pathway is Mount Koya’s biggest attraction: Okunoin Temple, that is home to Kobo Daishi’s mausoleum. Thanks to his high significance in Japanese religion, this is one of Japan’s most sacred places and a popular spot for pilgrims.
Unfortunately, I didn’t have time to go all the way, but I felt so calm during my walk around Okunoin Cemetery! In my opinion, all the graves surrounded by the old cedar trees contribute to the serene and mystical (even almost magical) atmosphere of this place. It’s also perfect for some shirin-yoku (forest bathing)!
Okunoin Cemetery is open during the day and nighttime, and you can book a guided night walk at 7 pm each day (in English), that takes about 1.5 hours.
Other Things to Do in Mount Koya
Here are few more things to do in Mount Koya, that sadly, I couldn’t do this time:
Kongobujiis the most important temple of Shingon Buddhism in Japan. It was built in 1593 by Toyotomi Hideyoshi and you can visit its rooms, that have cranes and flower blossoms on the walls. Admission to enter Kongobuji Temple is ¥ 1,000.
Behind Kongobuji is Banryutei Rock Garden, Japan’s biggest rock garden, which has been around since 1984. It has more than 100 large granite stones.
The Daimon Gate is the gateway to Mount Koya. It’s a multistoried tower gate at 25.1 meters (82.3 ft) high and was rebuilt in 1705, after the original gate was destroyed by fire and lightning.
Mount Koya also has some great hiking trails for all abilities. For example, the Kohechi Trail from Mount Koya to the Kumano Hongu Taisha Grand Shrine is a part of the famous Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage route. It’s a rugged and steep hike though, and is about 70 km (43 miles) long!
If you don’t feel super adventurous, Mount Koya also has some nice souvenir shops in the downtown area! 😀
Where to Eat & Drink in Mount Koya
If you’re not eating dinner at Fukuchiin Temple, Hanabishi Restaurant(769 Koyasan, Ito Gun Koya Cho, Wakayama, 648-0211) is a great choice! They offer Kaiseki cuisine (traditional Japanese multicourse dinner), sushi and bento box dishes, and shojin ryori (vegetarian).
I had the Sanko Zen Buddhist Vegetarian Meal, that consists of fried eggplant covered in bean paste, sesame tofu, cooked veggies, enokidake mushrooms, and more! While the price was a bit high (¥ 2,640), it was more than worth it, especially the eggplant was super tasty!
Please note that many restaurants in Mount Koya close by 5 or 6 pm. Besides, I was surprised to not see any konbini (convenience stores), but you can find some vending machines around town. 😉
How to Get To and Around Mount Koya on Public Transit
The closest big city is Osaka, which is about 2 hours north of Mount Koya. The most direct train option is to hop on the Nankai Limited Express in Shin-Imamiya Station to Gokurakubashi Station. Then transfer to the Nankai Koyasan Cable Car train to Koyasan Station, and local buses are ready to take you around town from there!
If you’re in Koyasan for two consecutive days, it makes sense to buy the Koyasan World Heritage Ticket. It includes roundtrip transportation from Namba or Shin-Imamiya Station to Mount Koya, unlimited local bus travel, and discounted admission to certain tourist attractions. The rate starts at ¥ 3,080 per person.
Disclosure: I only recommend products that I’ve used in the past, and all opinions expressed in this post are my own. This post contains affiliate links. If you use one of the links throughout the page to buy something, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks.
Konnichiwa! Today we’re spending one day in Takayama, a city of 88,473 people in the Northern Japanese Alps in the Hida region. It lies within the Gifu Prefecture. Takayama’s official name is Hida-Takayama, to avoid confusion between places in Japan with the same name.
Thanks to its remote location in the mountains, Takayama wasn’t affected by war attacks, fires, or other catastrophes in the past. This is why it’s one of Japan’s most preserved historic cities.
Besides, back in the Edo period (1603-1867), Takayama was famous for its high quality timber, woodworking, and skilled carpenters. So it became a very wealthy merchant town. Even today, Hida lumber, woodcrafts, and furniture from the Takayama area are popular across Japan.
There are lots of options on how to spend one day in Takayama, from visiting its Old Town District, Temple Town, morning markets, Nakabashi Bridge, to unique lodging and restaurants. Hajimemashou! (Let’s get started!) 😀
The Best Things to Do and See in Takayama
The Old Town District
Let’s start with Takayama’s top attraction, which means walking around and admiring the well-preserved houses and streets from the Edo period inside the Old Town District. Some of the oldest houses in this neighbourhood were built back in the 17th century!
The main streets covering the Old Town District are Ninomachi Street, Sanmachi Street, Ichinomachi Street, and Sannomachi Street. There are many old homes, shops, cafés, museums, and sake breweries (you can participate in sake tastings as well). Some have been in business for centuries!
Some of the old merchant houses are open to the public, and you can find lots of unique souvenirs, arts and crafts, and woodcrafts inside the shops. What a great way to support the local economy!
The Old Town District is only 10 minutes of a walk from Takayama Station, and there are local buses as well. Or you can book a rickshaw ride, i.e. a person will pull you while you sit and relax inside a carriage! The cost is ¥7,000 for 30 minutes (based on two people).
Not too far away is the Miyagawa Morning Market (33 Suehiromachi, Takayama, Gifu, 506-0016), which happens daily from 7 am to 12 pm (8 am to noon from November to March). Local vendors sell fresh fruit and veggies, flowers, and handmade souvenirs, and there are also regular stores next to the road.
This is a great opportunity to meet friendly locals, and the market is right next to the banks of the stunning turquoise Miyagawa River, which is a nice spot to sit for a while after your shopping is done!
Jinya-Mae Morning Market
The other daily morning market in Takayama is Jinya-Mae Morning Market (1-5 Hachikenmachi, Takayama, Gifu, 506-0012), open from 7 am to noon (8 am to noon in the winter months) in front of Takayama Jinya. The vendors sell fresh produce, snacks, and souvenirs.
Unfortunately, I didn’t have a chance to visit Jinya-Mae Morning Market this time. 🙁
Neko no Tsuki Sakurayama Cat Café
If you’re a cat lover, visiting the Neko no Tsuki Sakurayama Cat Café(1-4-2, Oshinmachi, Takayama, Gifu, 506-0851) is a must! This cozy and inviting café is inside a traditional Japanese townhouse, that has been a part of the city for 130 years.
The Neko no Tsuki Sakurayama Cat Café intends to find a loving home for stray cats in Takayama and encourages locals and tourists to spend some quality time with cats! The spacious cat area of the café has two floors and the second level looks like a Japanese house.
Every cat’s profile for people interested in adopting one, a few of the kitties I hung out with, and the Neko no Tsuki Sakurayama Cat Café from the outside.
It’s obvious that the cats feel very comfortable here, because they have plenty of hiding and sleeping spots, tasty food, and get cuddles every day! The staff is very friendly, too, and I love the design of this place, especially the dark brown wooden outside building and floors.
For 30 minutes of kitty time, the cost is ¥ 700, and feel free to buy some treats as well (for an extra ¥ 200)! The Neko no Tsuki Sakurayama Cat Café is open Tuesday to Sunday from 11 am to 5 pm.
You can find the separate café sitting area on the right side of the building, which is equipped with Hida wood furniture and the coffee mugs were designed by artists from the Hida region!
Temple Town
Next, we’ll wander around the Teramachi district, better known as Takayama’s Temple Town! Here, more than 10 temples and shrines are standing next to each other. So it’s a great chance to see them all in a short time.
It’s in a quieter area, and while they are rather small, the temples and shrines are all very well taken care of. First, I walked by the Myokanzan Eikyoin Temple(1-6-4 Wakatatsumachi, Takayama, Gifu, 506-0854), and the pathway to Higashiyama Hakusan Shrine (1-74 Wakatatsumachi, Takayama, Gifu, 506-0854). It was built in 720 AD, which makes it the oldest shrine in Takayama.
Left: Myokanzan Eikyoin Temple. Right: Torii gate leading the path to Higashiyama Hakusan Shrine.
Then I stopped at Daio-ji Temple(67 Atagomachi, Takayama, Gifu, 506-0855) with its Buddhist statue, Zen garden, and Shoro (bell tower) that was built in 1689. It’s the oldest bell tower in the Gifu prefecture.
Then look at Gohozan Dounin Temple (64 Atagomachi, Takayama, Gifu, 506-0855), built by the priest Senso in 1614. It’s famous for its Jizo statues and Koryuzan Sogen-ji Temple (39 Tenshojimachi, Takayama, Gifu, 506-0832). The main hall of the latter temple has a hipper copper roof, and has an impressive bell tower as well.
Left: Entrance to Koryuzan Sogen-ji Temple. Right: The bell tower within the Koryuzan Sogen-ji Temple complex.
If you’d like to stay at a Buddhist temple for a night, this is possible at Tensho-ji Temple Youth Hostel(83 Tenshoji-cho, Takayama, Gifu, 506-0832). It was built in the 12th century.
Nakabashi Bridge
Another one of Takayama’s iconic landmarks is Nakabashi Bridge (4-9 Kawaharamachi, Takayama, Gifu, 506-0847). This crimson bridge overlooks the Miyagawa River and is a part of the 1 Chome Hon-machi and Kamisannomachi neighborhoods.
Nakabashi Bridge is a popular photo destination, in particular during the cherry blossom season. This offers a great mix of colours (i.e. the pink/white flowers and the crimson bridge colour). Moreover, the bridge is lit up in different colours at night during busy tourism periods every year.
Watch Out for Sarubobo Dolls
While you’re browsing through Takayama’s souvenir stores (or just walking around the streets), it’s very likely that you’ll see one special item: Sarubobo Dolls! These cute-looking lucky charms are typical for the Hida region and the translation for sarubobo is “monkey baby”.
Many mothers give it to their daughters for a happy marriage, good fertility, and a child birth that’s as easy and smooth as possible. You can also buy Sarubobo dolls in different colours with a different meaning (e.g. green for peace and health and black for protection from evil), but the red one is the most common. What a unique souvenir to take back home!
A cute Sarubobo statue I stumbled upon while walking around Takayama!
Other Things to To Do in Takayama
So as you can see, there are tons of fun things to do in Takayama in a day! But if you’d like to explore more attractions in or close to the city, I suggest staying for at least two days.
Here are some other things to do and see that sound amazing:
Takayama Festival happens in April and October, and is in the Top 3 of Japan’s most beautiful festivals. The main attraction are the stunningly decorated yatai (festival floats). If you’re in Takayama outside of this timeframe, you can see the floats at the Takayama Festival Float Exhibition Hall.
The Takayama Jinya was the local government office until the end of the Edo period in 1868. The building still stands today as a museum for visitors. You can look at the offices and conference rooms, and next to the main building is the largest traditional rice storehouse in Japan.
Shiragawago is a remote village in the Shogawa River Valley, only an hour from Takayama by bus. It’s famous for its traditional gassho-zukuri farmhouses in the Ogimachi district, and some of them are more than 250 years old! Shiragawago was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995.
If you don’t have time to visit Shiragawago, stop at the Hida No Sato(Hida Folk Village) instead. This open air museum has more than 30 traditional buildings from the Hida region. They were built during the Edo period, and it’s only a 30-minute walk or 10-minute bus ride from Takayama.
To learn more about these attractions, check out this YouTube video by Japan Guide:
Where to Stay
As a popular tourist attraction, Takayama has plenty of lodging options to offer. You can choose between hostels, guesthouses, apartments, B&B’s, ryokans (traditional Japanese inns), and Western-style hotels.
I stayed at the Takayama Ninja House(1-31-2 Wakatatsumachi, Takayama, Gifu, 506-0854), a small traditional Japanese guesthouse just a few minutes from the Old Town District. I booked a Japanese-style single room with tatami mat flooring and a very comfy futon bed. Western-Japanese style rooms are available, too.
The lowest room charge ranges from ¥ 7,500 to ¥ 10,000 per night, and bathrooms are shared. You can enjoy free coffee and Japanese tea at the reception. Besides, there’s a public bath house (onsen) only 5 minutes from the property, at ¥ 440 per person.
Octavio, the owner, was always happy to chat, which made me feel at home right away! He also had great suggestions on things to do in and around Takayama. Moreover, he prepared a small breakfast in the morning (green tea, toast, and jam), which was very good! He offers a free shuttle service (must be reserved in advance), and private parking is possible on site (at ¥ 1,000 per night).
Where to Eat & Drink
While Takayama is a smaller city, there’s a big selection of restaurants to choose from.
First, I tried a local specialty of the Hida region, which is soba noodles! I had Fried Soba Noodles with an egg on top for lunch at Bokunchi Café(5-6 Shimosannomachi, Takayama, Gifu, 506-0841), and it was super tasty! It’s really close to the Miyagawa Morning Market as well.
For dinner, Octavio suggested that I eat at the Royal Nan House (6-18 Hanasatomachi, Takayama, Gifu, 506-0026), a local Indian restaurant. I’m so glad I followed his advice, because the Chana Masala with Garlic Naan bread and Mango Lassi were amazing!
But there was a local specialty I couldn’t try, which is Hida gyu (Hida beef). If you eat meat, it’s supposed to be one of the best! Fortunately, Brandon mentions the best Hida beef dishes and where to find them in his Takayama Travel Guide, so feel free to check it out!
How to Get To and Around Takayama via Public Transit
It’s pretty easy to get from/to Takayama to other places in Japan via train and bus.
The closest big city is Nagoya, which is a 140-minute train ride via the JR Hida Limited Express to Takayama, and costs around ¥ 6,140 per person. If you have the Japan Rail Pass, the cost is fully covered.
From Tokyo, take the JR Tokaido Hikari Shinkansen to Nagoya, then transfer to the Hida Limited Express train (about 4.5 hours, at ¥ 14,190 per person). Please note that the Tokaido Nozomi Shinkansen train to Nagoya is not covered by the JR Pass.
From Kyoto or Osaka, hop on the JR Tokaido Shinkansen to Tokyo, then transfer to the Hida Limited Express train in Nagoya (3 to 4 hours, at ¥ 10,000 to ¥ 11,000 per person).
I took the Hida Limited Express from Nagoya to Takayama, and man, the scenery was so beautiful! <3
Or you can take the JR Hokuriku Shinkansen train from Tokyo to Toyama, then transfer to the Hida Limited Express train to Takayama (about 4 hours, at ¥ 16,120 per person).
You can also book a daytime highway bus from Tokyo (Busta Shinjuku) to Takayama (5.5 hours, starting at ¥ 6,500 per person), and there’s an overnight bus available as well on certain dates.
JR Takayama train station is right next to the Takayama Hida Bus Centre, and local buses from/to the city centre run on a regular basis (at ¥ 100 per bus ride). There’s also the Sarubobo tourist bus to Hida no Sato, that goes every 30 minutes.
The closest airport is Toyama Kitokito Airport, which is 57 km/35 miles north of Takayama. It offers domestic flights to Tokyo Haneda Airport and Sapporo, and international flights to Shanghai, Seoul, and Taipei.
The Best Time to visit Takayama
Takayama sees the nicest weather of the year in the spring (April/May) and fall (October/November). While summers get hot, it’s colder than in big cities in the evenings.
Takayama can get pretty cold and snowy in the winter months, with one meter (3.2 feet) or more per month of snow piled up! The average low temperature in January and February is -5 C or 34 F.
Mid-June to mid-July is the rainy season, but it doesn’t rain every day, so it’s a nice time to visit as well. So just bring a rain jacket and/or umbrella just in case, and you’re good! 😀
As you can see, Takayama is an awesome place to visit, no matter what time of the year it is!
Moreover, I like that Takayama is not as busy as Tokyo, Kyoto, or Osaka, but it offers a great Japanese small-town vibe, and a chance to experience the “real” Japan in a rural area!
If you’ve been to Takayama and have any insider tips, feel free to share them in the comment section! Cheers 😀
Here are a few of my other Japan blog posts for you to check out:
Disclosure: I only recommend products that I’ve used in the past, and all opinions expressed in this post are my own. This post contains affiliate links. If you use one of the links throughout the page to buy something, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks.
Tokyo is Japan’s capital and largest city. With 37.2 million inhabitants in the metro Tokyo area, it’s also the most populous area in the world! Tokyo was originally a fishing village called Edo, and has only been the capital since 1868.
Tokyo sits on the Honshu island in the east of Japan, and is the country’s economic and business hub.
For many international travelers, Tokyo is the gateway to their Japan trip.
So here’s the ultimate guide on how to spend four days in Tokyo!
Things to See and Do
Onoterusaki Shrine
Onoterusaki Shrine(2-13-14 Shitaya, Taito-ku, Tokyo, 110-0004). This beautiful and calm Shinto shrine is in Tokyo’s Taito district. It was founded in 852 AD to honour the scholar, calligrapher, and poet Ono-no-Takamura (802–852 AD) from the Heian period (794-1185 AD).
He is the guardian of actors and others in the entertainment industry. That’s why many scholars and entertainers come here to pray for their success.
Onoterusaki Shrine has one main shrine as well as seven sub-shrines and 14 kami (gods or the spirits of the dead) are enshrined here. Among them is Tenjin (845-903 AD), the God of Learning.
The main shrine building and one of the sub-shrines.
Another unique attraction inside the shrine complex is the Fujizuka, a miniature version of Mount Fuji! Back in 1828, stones from Mount Fuji were brought here to build the 5 meters (16 ft) high mountain. This place is closed off by a gate guarded by stone monkeys, and is only open to the public for climbing on July 1.
In general, Mount Fuji is a sacred spot in Japanese culture, as many people believe that it is a god or that god lives inside this majestic mountain.
The gate to protect the Fujizuka, with the partial mountain in the background.
Many people wash their hands and mouth at the purification fountain by the entrance before praying.
You can also buy lucky charms from one of the friendly shrine maidens (miko) who work at the shrine. There’s no admission cost to visit Onoterusaki Shrine, and it’s open 24/7.
A lucky charm that I bought at Onoterusaki Shrine. It translates to “Arts Improvement Charm”. People hope that will help them to improve in school subjects or hobbies, or to achieve their artistic dreams.
If it’s your first time in Japan, I recommend familiarizing yourself with common Shinto shrine and Buddhist temple etiquettes before visiting. Please find more details here.
Tokyo Tower
Next, check out one of Tokyo’s major landmarks: Tokyo Tower (4 Chome-2-8 Shibakoen, Minato, Tokyo, 105-0011)! It’s a radio and observation tower that was inspired by the Eiffel Tower, and at 333 m (1,092 ft), is Japan’s second highest structure.
Tokyo Tower was completed in 1958 and is a symbol for Japan’s rebirth after the end of World War II. Visitors can go up to the Main Observation Deck (150 m/490 ft) or the Top Deck (250 m/819 ft) to enjoy an amazing view of the city.
At nighttime, the tower lights up in different colours, and there are plenty of events as well.
I took the elevator up to the Main Observation Deck, and I loved that with all the skyscrapers, there are green spaces as well! Another cool attraction is the Great Shinto Shrine, and praying in front of it is supposed to protect the visitors, broadcasters, and others involved with the tower.
Many people have bought a wooden plaque at the souvenir shop next door, on which they’ve written a wish or a prayer, then have hung it next to the shrine.
Tokyo Tower view during the daytime and the Great Shinto Shrine.
Tokyo Tower is open year round. The Main Observation Deck is open 9 am to 10:30 pm, and the Top Deck is open from 9 am to 10:15 pm. Adult admission is ¥1,200 for the first level, and starts at ¥2,800 for the Top Deck Tour (includes a visit to the Main Deck). You can purchase online tickets here.
Place No. 23 Park & The Ten Jizo
If you need to recharge after your visit to Tokyo Tower, go for a walk around the peaceful Place No. 23 Park (3 Chome-4 Shibakoen, Minato City, Tokyo, 105-0011) right across the street.
With all the beautiful trees standing here, be sure to watch out for the Ten Jizo! These little statues wearing red bibs represent Jizo, the guardian deity of the children and travelers in Japanese Buddhism.
Place No. 23 Park and the Ten Jizo.
Pokémon Centre Tokyo DX
But Tokyo, and Japan in general, is not just famous for its shrines, temples, and architecture, but also its pop culture (in particular anime, manga, and video games).
One example is Pokémon, of course! If you’re into that, buying some cool merch at the Pokémon Centre Tokyo DX(Nihombashi Takashimaya S.C. East Building 5F, 2-11-2 Nihombashi, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, 103-0027) is a must!
When you first enter the store, Pikachu, Snorlax, and Mew are here to greet you, and the big screen showing new and old Pokémon video games took me right back to my childhood!
Pikachu, Snorlax, and Mew.
Both young and mature (lol) Pokémon fans get their money’s worth here, as there’s a great selection of goodies, from kawaii (cute) plushies, food, cutlery, stickers, stationary items, jewelry, clothing, to so much more!
The Pokémon game screen and cool stuff you can find at the Pokémon Centre Tokyo DX!
The Pokémon Centre DX is one of Tokyo’s six Pokémon Centre branches, and is open daily from 10:30 am to 9 pm. It is only a 5-minute walk from Tokyo Station’s Yaesu North Entrance.
Satisfy Your Inner Otaku (Geek) in Akihabara
To make your day of Japanese pop culture even more special, take the metro to Akihabara (often called Akiba), Tokyo’s neighbourhood of electronics stores and otaku (geek) culture. It has a few chain electronic stores, like Sofmap, Laox, and Bic Camera, and some offer duty-free shopping to foreign tourists.
Other stores specialize in manga and anime collectibles, (retro) video games and consoles (like Super Potato), figurines, and card games.
Don’t miss Akiba’s Arcade Game Centres, where you can play any games (including claw machines) you like! Many of the machines accept ¥100 coins, and if you run out, just head to one of the coin exchange machines, and you’re good! 😀
My favourites are the UFO catcher machines and music games at TAITO Station (4 Chome 2-2, Sotokanda, Chiyoda City, Tokyo, 101-0021)! It’s the largest Arcade Game Centre in the world with its five floors.
Moreover, you can visit one of the famous Maid cafés (where waitresses dress up as maids) or a Manga-Plus-Internet café (where basically, you can read manga, surf the internet, but also spend the night for cheap) in Akihabara.
You might see people dressed as cosplayers in this area as well. If you’d like to take a picture, make sure to ask for permission first.
Shibuya Crossing
For the next stop on our list, let’s take the metro to Shibuya Station, which is right across from Tokyo’s iconic Shibuya Crossing (Dogenzaka, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, 150-0043).
Shibuya Crossing is the busiest pedestrian intersection in the world, with an average of 3,000 people crossing the street every two minutes! With these huge crowds, it’s natural to expect chaos. But instead, I felt very safe, and everything is done in an orderly and efficient manner.
The best way to experience Shibuya Crossing is to dive into the crowds first, then watch the people from a bird’s eye perspective. The Starbucks across from Shibuya Station and the MAGNET by Shibuya109rooftop deck on the 7th floor offer the best view.
Here’s a video I took of the crowds at Shibuya Crossing:
Many movies have been filmed at Shibuya Crossing, such as Lost in Translation and The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift. Besides, it’s famous for its Halloween Party and the New Year’s Eve countdown.
Visit the Hachiko Statue
Before heading back to the train station, take a quick stop at the Hachiko Statue (2-1 Dogenzaka, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, 150-0043). It honours Hachiko, a loyal Akita dog, who waited for his owner, Professor Eizaburo Ueno of Tokyo University, every day at 3 pm in front of Shibuya Station.
Sadly, the professor suddenly died at work in 1925, but Hachiko kept waiting for him daily until his own death until about 10 years later.
Another cool attraction in central Tokyo is Ueno Park (Uenokoen, Taito City, Tokyo, 110-0007). First opened in 1873, it’s one of the five oldest public parks in Japan. The park covers 54 hectares (133 acres), and is most famous for museums (e.g. Tokyo National Museum, National Science Museum, and the Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum) and Ueno Zoo, Japan’s first zoological garden.
There are also more than 1,000 cherry trees, so many people celebrate hanami (cherry blossom season) here from late March to early April every year. Ueno Park is also a great picnic spot, and there are festivals and events on a regular basis.
Ueno Park map and some beautiful plants growing inside the park.
Originally, the park area was a part of Kaneiji Temple, one of the largest and wealthiest temples of the city, that belonged to the ruling Tokugawa clan during the Edo period (1603-1867). Unfortunately, this temple was almost completely destroyed during the Boshin War, which lasted from 1868 to 1869.
On May 15, 1868, the Battle of Ueno broke out in today’s Ueno Park. The Shogi-tai soldiers from the old Tokugawa government fought against the new imperial Meiji government, and the Shogi-tai were defeated within only 10 hours. In 1874, the Ueno War Memorial was built to remember the Shogi-tai.
You can also look at the Saigo Takamori (1828-1877) statue, who was one of the generals in the Battle of Ueno, and is often called the last true samurai in Japanese history.
The Ueno War Memorial and the Saigo Takamori statue.
Shinobazu Pond & Bentendo Temple Hall
After learning about these tragic past events, it’s a relief to stumble upon the peaceful Shinobazu Pond(Uenokoen, Taito City, Tokyo). It has many lotus flowers, that are in full bloom in July and August, and are a symbol for purity in Buddhism. It also has a duck pond and a boat pond, and you can rent a paddle boat as well.
Next, take a look at the impressive Bentendo Temple Hall (2-1 Uenokoen, Taito City, Tokyo, 110-0007), a Buddhist temple standing on an island inside Shinobazu Pond. It was built in the early 17th century to honour Benten (also called Benzaiten), the goddess of good fortune, wealth, music and knowledge.
The temple hall was destroyed in 1945 due to bombings in World War II, but it was rebuilt in 1958. Fortunately, the sacred Benten statue survived this attack, and is now shown in the Main Hall in the inside of the temple hall.
The front entrance to Bentendon Temple Hall.
Bentendo Temple Hall is open daily from 7 am to 5 pm and admission is free.
Gojoten Shrine
Then keep on walking until you reach Gojoten Shrine (4-17 Uenokoen, Taito City, Tokyo, 110-0007). This less crowded but equally beautiful Shinto Shrine has been standing within Ueno Park since 1662.
Gojoten Shrine was built to honour the gods of medicine and healing. So people come here to pray for healing, but also students hoping for good exam results. I especially loved the tunnel of red torii gates, and serene atmosphere of this place.
Places of prayer inside the Gojoten Shrine complex.
The torii gate tunnel next to Gojoten Shrine.
The Sailor Moon Store
Last but not least, if “In the name of the moon, I will punish you!” are your favourite words, you cannot miss the Sailor Moon Store in Harajuku (1-11-6 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, 150-0001)!
It was opened in 2017 to celebrate Sailor Moon’s 25th anniversary, and has a great selection, e.g. stationary items, posters, magnets, jewelry, key chains, cards, socks, and even a Sailor Moon costume! Some of them are exclusively available at the Sailor Moon Store, nowhere else.
One of the Sailor Moon Store windows and I found a cute greeting card!
The Sailor Moon Store is inside the Laforet department store, and is open daily from 11 am to 8 pm.
Since Tokyo is such a huge city, it’s impossible to visit all of its amazing attractions in only four days. So feel free to look at Nomadic Matt’s list of The 30 Best Things To Do in Tokyo for more inspiration!
For the first three nights, I stayed at Toco Tokyo Heritage Hostel(2-13-21 Shitaya, Taito City, Tokyo, 110-0004). It is within a quiet residential area in East Tokyo, but only a few minutes away from Iriya Station and many attractions are nearby, like Akihabara and Ueno Park.
This wooden traditional Japanese house was built in 1920, and a place like this is hard to find in Tokyo these days. It also has a peaceful Zen garden with trees, koi fish pond, and stone lanterns.
I stayed in a very spacious 8-bed female dorm, and the mattresses were super comfortable! There’s also a small work station with a view of the garden, and they have private rooms as well.
Moreover, there’s a cozy bar/lounge area for guests and locals to use (your first drink of the night is free!), kitchen and eating area, and Japanese breakfast each morning (at ¥500 per person, and a vegetarian/vegan option is available).
Dorm bedroom (Photo credit: Toco Tokyo Heritage Hostel*) and the kitchen/eating area.
*This photo is not allowed to be used for commercial use.
One of the biggest perks of this hostel is its staff. Everyone is super kind and helpful, and makes you feel right at home. For example, when I had to call a pharmacy for medication, the receptionist was happy to translate between the pharmacist and me.
Here’s a video of the awesome vibe at this hostel (video credit: Toco Tokyo Heritage Hostel*):
*This video is not allowed to be used for commercial use.
Nomadic Matt also put the Toco Tokyo Heritage Hostel on his list of the 10 Best Hostels in Tokyo. Since this hostel is very popular, it’s best to book well in advance. Dorm room prices start at ¥ 5,000 and private rooms at ¥ 27,250 per night, and it’s cash only.
Akihabara Bay Hotel
Are you looking for a different, but just as authentic Japanese lodging experience? Then I highly recommend staying at a Capsule Hotel for a night!
Originally, this accommodation concept was invented for Japanese business men who missed the last train, and needed a comfortable but cheap accommodation for the night. But nowadays, capsule hotels are also available to women and foreign travelers!
I stayed at the Akihabara Bay Hotel (44-4 Kandaneribei-cho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, 101-0022), which is for women only, and is just a few minutes of a walk from Akihabara Station. Rates start at ¥ 4,800 per night.
Guests stay and sleep in a little capsule (pod), that consists of just a bed and some basic amenities (e.g. lights, Wi-Fi, bedding, plug ins, and alarm clock). Towels, toothbrushes, razors, slippers, and pajamas are provided for the night, too. And if you want privacy, just pull down the capsule door!
My capsule bed and the room I stayed in!
Guests only bring their most important things into their capsule, and store their luggage in a separate locker room overnight. At the Akihabara Bay Hotel, there’s also a lounge in the basement, where you can eat meals, make phone calls, etc.
Many capsule hotels are found in larger Japanese cities and inside or near train stations, so they are very convenient! But most people come here to sleep only, so chatting with your roommates is not common.
Where to Eat & Drink
Since Tokyo is such a huge city, there are thousands of restaurants for every taste and budget.
Here are my favourites:
T’s TanTan Ecute(7 Chome 1-1 JR, Ueno, Taito City, Tokyo, 110-0005). This all vegan restaurant chain has several locations in Tokyo, and I went to the one inside JR Ueno Station. While they are famous for their ramen noodles, they also serve soy hamburger meat, lasagna, pizza, and soup.
I ordered their White Sesame TanTan Ramen with rice and soy meat. So good!
Coco Ichibanya Curry House (Kanda Hirakawach 4, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, 101-0027). If you’d like to try Japanese curry, look no further! This chain restaurant is right across from Akihabara JR station, and you can choose between meat, seafood, and vegetarian curry. The prices are very budget-friendly, too (less than ¥1,000 per dish).
I had the Vegetarian Curry with rice and soy hamburger meat. Totemo oishi des! (It’s so yummy!).
To get the full Pokémon experience in Tokyo, there’s no way to miss the awesome Pokémon Café, which is right next to the Pokémon Centre Tokyo DX!
Here you can enjoy a bunch of Pokémon-themed meals, drinks, and sweets, such as an omelet-shaped Pikachu, Pikachu Pancake, Gengar’s Confuse Ray Smoothie, and the Pokémon Café’s Very Chocolate Parfait (my choice)! Plus, your Pokémon friends are happy to join you 😀
But the best part is when Pikachu appears out of nowhere, and starts its iconic singing and dancing! 😀
Moreover, you can buy some unique souvenirs here, like Pokémon-themed plates and soup spoons.
Please note that the Pokémon Café is super popular, so making reservations ahead of time is a must. Reservation days and times open up to 31 days in advance, and are often fully booked within 10-15 minutes! Please find more details on reserving spots here.
Tokyo also has many nice “normal” cafés, so make sure to check these out as well! For example, I ordered a red bean paste bun and Royal Milk Tea for breakfast at the MIYABI Café & Bakery (5 Chome 11-1, Toranomon, Minato City, Tokyo, 105-0001) on my way to Tokyo Tower.
Another great breakfast option is Vie de France Bakery & Café inside Akihabara Station, where they have Japanese and Western pastries and drinks. I had their Chocolate bread and red bean and sesame donut, and they were to die for!
Left: Red bean paste bun and Royal Milk Tea. Right: Chocolate Bread and red bean and sesame donut.
Many locals in Tokyo buy food and drinks at Convenience Stores (Lawson, Family Mart, and 7-Eleven are the most common) on a regular basis. They are cheap, have a good selection (also for vegans and vegetarians), and you can find them pretty much around every corner!
Convenience store dinner 😛
The same goes for Vending Machines, and many sell soft drinks and alcoholic drinks, but also food, like freshly made pizza and burgers!
Vending machines in Tokyo.
In general, I found eating out in Tokyo quite easy, despite my limited Japanese language skills. Some customs are similar to North America, such as waiting to be seated and getting a free water with the meal. Besides, many restaurants have an English menu.
But some things are very different, so make sure to familiarize yourself with Japanese eating etiquette here.
It’s also good to know a few basic Japanese words and phrases, and you can point at the dish you want to order as well. While many Japanese people don’t speak much English, the staff will always try their very best to help you. Please note that tipping doesn’t exist in Japanese culture.
Another cool thing in Japan is that some restaurants have artificial food displays outside, so you can see what it is! Or if worse comes to worst, Google Translate is a big help to communicate.
Artificial food display outside of a restaurant in Shibuya, Tokyo.
How to Get Around Tokyo
Once you get a hang of it, getting around Tokyo via public transportation is pretty easy. The signs inside train stations are in Japanese and English, and I found Google Maps quite helpful in most cases.
For taking subways and trains within Tokyo, it’s a good idea to buy an IC card (Suica or Pasmo card) at one of the ticket machines, that you can charge with cash whenever your budget runs out. They can also be used to buy stuff at convenience stores or at vending machines!
Trains in Tokyo and the rest of the Japan are always on time, which is amazing! Besides, they are efficient, clean, and the train staff is always happy to help. In some areas of Tokyo, there are women-only cars during certain times of the day for more safety and security.
If you plan to visit more places in Japan after Tokyo, I recommend buying a Japan Rail Pass. Only foreign tourists are allowed to use it, and it’s valid for unlimited transit on most JR trains all over the country for 7, 14, or 21 days. Regional JR Passes are available for certain areas as well.
Like in other big cities, it’s not recommended to rent a car due to heavy traffic. Moreover, people drive on the left in Japan, so that might be a challenge if you’re not used to it. The same goes for taxis or rideshares, because they can get crazy expensive.
If you’d like to explore Tokyo with a local guide, Get Your Guide and Viator offer lots of walking and cycling tours. Of course, you can also walk around at your own pace or rent a bicycle. Tokyo is a very bike-friendly city, and many locals use this method of transportation as well.
One more thing: While walking around Tokyo, you should expect to get lost sooner or later. So it’s a good idea to plan some extra time if you have an “appointment” (e.g. a train departure time). And sometimes, you may find unique attractions that you otherwise could have missed! 😉
Three bicycles parked in front of a building in Tokyo. Photo by Clay Bankson Unsplash.
The Best Time to Visit Tokyo
Most tourists go to Tokyo in the spring (late March to early April) for the cherry blossom season or in October/November, when the leaves change their colours. So it gets pretty crowded, and accommodation prices will be higher or fully booked quickly.
Beautiful cherry blossoms in an alleyway in Tokyo at night. Photo by ayumi kuboon Unsplash.
I went to Tokyo in May, which is during the shoulder season, and it was perfect! It was nice and sunny, and the average temperature was 20 C (68 F). The rainy season is in June, and it gets very hot and humid in July and August (26 C/78.8 F on average), so it’s not recommended to visit Tokyo then.
Mid to late April and September are supposed to be beautiful and warm months as well. But please note that typhoon season is from May to October and earthquakes occur sometimes, so it’s a highly recommended to purchase travel insurance. I used World Nomads for this trip.
Thankfully, Tokyo doesn’t get too cold in the winter, and there are way less tourists around. The coldest month is January (5 C/41 F on average), and if snow falls, it usually melts within a day or two.
It’s also a good idea to learn about Japanese holidays while planning your trip.
So that’s a wrap on how to spend four days in Tokyo, and arigato (thank you) for joining me! While it sounds cliché, it’s obvious that Tokyo offers a great mix of both traditional and modern attractions, and is an amazing city to get lost in.
First, I was excited but also a bit scared to visit Tokyo (let’s face it, almost all of Canada’s population lives in the metro Tokyo area)! But I had an awesome time exploring this city, and my favourites were the Onoterusaki Shrine, Pokémon Café, and the Gojoten Shrine with its impressive torii gate tunnel!
Tokyo is one of the safest cities in the world. Besides, everyone, from servers to cashiers, hostel receptionists, and random people on the street, was so kind, and made me feel welcome right away.
Here are a few of my other Japan blog posts, if you’re interested:
Disclosure: I only recommend products that I’ve used in the past, and all opinions expressed in this post are my own. This post contains affiliate links. If you use one of the links throughout the page to buy something, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks.
