What to do
in Japan  

April 26th – May 12th, 2016
(Last Updated August 2018)
 

 


 

Summery Videos of Osaka and Tokyo
 

 


 ——————–
 
Mid-End of April, I went to Japan for 16 days, visiting 2 different cities in Japan: Osaka and Tokyo. Spending under $5000 CAD for everything (flight, stay, food, transportation, and gifts).
 
I bought a round trip flight from Toronto to Tokyo for $800 CAD. Taking the bullet train from Tokyo to Osaka and then back to Tokyo, cost about $360 CAD for a 7 Days JR Pass. My friends and I used Airbnb for all of our stays and in total we spent around $750 CAD per person.

 
 

Money Exchange

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I exchanged all my cash before going to Japan because I thought it would be easier and the most convenient. I didn’t want to run around finding places to exchange cash. Coincidently, my bank already had Japanese Yen to exchange on the same day. I was told usually, you would have to give at least a week in advance to be safe.
 
Now that I’ve been on a 6 week Asia trip this year and could not exchange for every country I went to in one go. I learned that it’s not a big problem to exchange some cash at the airport and exchange the rest later to get better exchange rates elsewhere.
 
* I will be posting photos and videos of my recent trip sometime soon!
 

 

JR Pass

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Valid for travels on all JR national trains in Japan, including Shinkansen bullet trains and Narita Express. You can select 7, 14 or 21 consecutive validity days. I booked with a Japanese Travel Agency, JTB International. They also helped book Ghibli Museum Tickets! You received an exchange order (delivery in Japan is available), which needs to be exchanged and activated in Japan to receive the actual JR Pass (You must purchase in advance before flying to Japan).
 
I bought the 7 Day JR Pass because I was going to travel from Tokyo to Osaka and back in the first 7 days. On the first day, I used the express train from airport to Tokyo. On the second day, I left Tokyo to Osaka. Lastly, on the sixth day, I went back from Osaka to Tokyo.
 
* Easier to know what areas you’d be visiting to know if it is worth buying the JR Pass
 

 

Pocket Wifi

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Portable wifi allows you to have internet access at all times. We used Global Advanced Communication. Picked up and returned at Narita International Airport. Cost about $100 CAD for the two full weeks we were in Japan.
 
* It can connect with multiple phones
 

 

Tokyo Metro

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Toyko Metro fare varies (pay by distance) and using the PASMO Card is the most convenient. It’s a prepaid/rechargeable transit card that allows you to enter the subway by tapping on the card reader at fare gates. You can buy this card at ticket vending machines, station offices and pass offices at any Tokyo Metro Stations. Each card cost 500 JPY and can be used for both Tokyo Metro and JR line.
 
* To get from the airport to Tokyo, take Narita Express (JR line) to Tokyo Station (transfering to Toyko Metro lines)
 

 

  What to do
in Osaka  

 

 



 


  

Things to Do

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Osaka
 
Sumiyoshi Park (Beautiful Park)
 
Expo City (Japan’s Largest Complex)
* Fun place to go during the day to play, eat, and shop
 
Pokemon Gym (Interactive Games & Merchandise Shop)
* Permanently closed, but it is still open in Tokyo
 
Osaka Castle (One of Japan’s Most Famous Landmarks)
 xBetween Umeda Station & Osaka Station or Namba (Osaka Downtown)
* Packed with shops and restaurants, amazing lights at night
 
Kobe
* While we were staying in Osaka, we did a day trip in Kobe
 
Nankin-machi (Chinatown)
 
Ikuta Shrine (Near Nankin-machi)
 
Bibi & George (Owl Cafe)
 
Sinsekai
* Old neighbourhood with a lot of restaurants with pretty night lights
 
Spa World (Indoor Osen)
* 24/h Indoor hot springs with many baths and sauna and a swimming pool
* HEADS UP: You will be going in naked into the Onsen. You must shower and clean off any makeup before going in. They do not allow those with tattoos, but I heard you can go in if you wrap up your tattoos properly where it does not touch the water
 

Where to Eat

 ——————–
 
Osaka
* Unfortunately I did not keep track the names of restaurants I’ve tried in Osaka, but you really can’t go wrong anywhere you try. I ate a lot of sushi, sashimi, takoyaki, yakitori, and all the Japanese snacks. Do try Okonomiyaki! I heard it’s amazing in Osaka
 
Expo City (Japan’s Largest Complex)
* Fun place to go during the day to play, eat, and shop
 
Between Umeda Station & Osaka Station or Namba (Osaka Downtown)
* Packed with shops and restaurants, amazing lights at night
 
24/7 Grocery Stores & Convenient Stores
* Japanese snacks, fruits, drinks, and etc
* Try the jelly energy drinks and onigiris
 
Rikuro-ojisan no mise (Japanese Cheesecake)
* Similar to Uncle Tetsu’s Cheesecake!
 
Kobe
Steakland Kobe (Kobe Beef)
* There are different priced Kobe beef. If you can afford it, get the most expensive Kobe because it will just melt like butter! Although, the other Kobe is delicious as well
 
Nankin-machi (Street Food)
* Lots of street food from savoury to sweet

 

 

 

 

 

 

  What to do
in Tokyo 

 

 



 


  

Things to Do

 ——————–
 
Harajuku (Shopping District)
* Shopping for clothes, accessories, makeup, and etc
 
Akihabara (Electric Town)
* Shopping for electronics, anime & video games merchandise, and etc
 
Tokyo Joypolis (Arcade)
* Giant Arcade with tons of interactive games, kid and adult friendly
 
Tsukiji Market (Fish Market)
* Go early morning and be prepared to wait in long lines, but it is so worth it!
 
Dog Heart (Dog Cafe)
* You can play with many dogs inside or bring them for a walk
 
WOMB (Club)
 
 

Where to Eat

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Day
 
Kyushu Jangara Ramen (Ramen)
* Amazing Ramen
 
Kawaii Monster Cafe (Bright Colourful Cafe)
* Alice Wonderland Themed looking Restaurant from decor to waiting staff
* If it’s your birthday, they will pull you out and perform a fun cute & scary dance/show with whoever else is there for their birthday. You also get a colourful birthday cake
 
Curry Camp (Curry)
* Delicious curry cooked with local fresh ingredients
 
Sushi Midori (Sushi)
* You have to get a ticket with a number because it seems to always be busy
 
Night
 
35 Steps Bistro (Izakaya)
* Very hidden, you go down 35 steps to enter the restaurant! Great atmosphere to hangout, eat, and drink with your friends
 
Ninja Akasaka / Ninja Restaurant (Tokyu Plaza Akasaka)
* Ninja themed restaurant from decor, waiting staff, and even the food!
 
Nishiazabu Gogyou (Ramen)
* Known for Fire Ramen
 
Robot Restaurant (Dinner & Show)
* Watch a crazy Robot performance
* You have to choice to pay for dinner or just enjoy the show
 
Golden Gai (Alley of Local Bars)
* It’s either free or you pay a small entrance fee, depending on the bar. The bars are all very small and intimate, fitting 5 people or less and so many to choose from
* We only had time to choose one bar and our bartender let us play music and dance, she was so cute!
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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