IT’S HERE! THE TRIP 5 YEARS IN THE MAKING: JAPAN 2018. SHOUTING!
Immediately after our wedding, we planned our five-year anniversary trip to Japan. It wasn’t even a question really, more like a milestone of life on the same level as giving birth, retirement, or winning American Idol. With a trip this big, we couldn’t waste any time or stomach space, so we checked out our favorite blogger, Mark Wiens, as well as many other sites and youtube videos for some foodie insights. With a long list of things to see, do and eat, two weeks was just enough time to scratch the surface of Japan (and ending with a day in Hong Kong.) Japan, LET’S GO!
TOKYO
Tokyo is deceptively large, taking about 45 minutes to get from one end to the other by subway/train. We stayed in Shibuya, which has a famous cross-walk intersection that you might recognize from that scene in Tokyo Drift. Sorry, that’s the only real Japanese reference I know of. Japan has a lot of trains, subways, and buses, but we managed to walk an average of 8 miles a day. Walking around was fun, and I’d argue it’s the best way to see Japan.
Meeting up with Taichi and meeting his wife Yuki was a great way to kick start our trip! They treated us to a local izakaya near Ueno station and we had a good time catching up. Peace sign is appropriate for this picture!
Did you know: You can rent a row boat at Chidorigafuchi Park and paddle your way through a pink and white paradise when cherry blossoms are in full bloom. You could probably rent a boat at other times, too, but, meh.
Did you know: Tokyo Disney Sea is unlike any Disney park in the world featuring unique lands and rides. Oddly enough, Disney does not entirely own this park or the Tokyo Disneyland Resort. However, they do have creative control. 
Harajuku: great if you’re a teeny bopper looking to have some after-school crepes and buy a new dongle for your backpack.
Or if you’re Jenny, you double fist it cuz Japan.
Did you know: Akihabara is an otaku’s paradise, which is odd because otaku’s are known to spend their time at home. I suppose if they do go out to see the light of day, it’s to stock up on anime, figurines, and manga at this geek haven.
Can’t forget about this guy!
KYOTO
If you’re looking for a more traditional side of Japan, Kyoto is the place to be. The old capital is where you’ll find a lot less skyscrapers and suits and a lot more traditional style buildings, shrines, and kimonos. Kyoto is also home to major tourist attractions such as the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, Kinkakuji and the Fushimi Inari-Taisha Shrine.
Kinkakuji, or “The Golden Pavillion,” rests atop Mirror Lake and paints a perfect scene just by existing. The top two floors of this Zen temple are covered in gold leaf. Enough said.
Oh, and there’s a hedgehog cafe.
Did you know: If you’re going to rent a Kimono, Kyoto is the place to do it. With several rental locations and the old-town feeling, you can feel right at home. Walking around, you’ll see both tourists and locals renting kimonos and experiencing a day out on the town.
Still got to keep in touch with the present, though. Because you know, life.
Did you know: Ryokans, or Japanese-style Inns, are a great place to spend a day bathing in some natural-spring water. Built with traditional-style sliding panel doors, windows, and a private wooden onsen, you can soak up the essence of a simpler time.
You even get to wear yukatas, and dinner is prepared and served to you in your own room! At night, the dinner table is moved aside and futons are laid out for you to sleep on. Yes, I thought to myself, “Did I just pay an exorbatant amount of money to sleep on the floor?” Yep. Worth it.
OSAKA
Moving further west, Osaka, was a blend of Kyoto and Tokyo with Nara and Kobe at arm’s length. Its downtown area was the most impressive outdoor market in Japan featuring giant animatronic creatures and signage, and lots of food to try.
Feeling lucky? Take a gachapon machine for a spin, or even better, try your hand at a UFO claw machine! Note: If you find your just not able to get the prize you want out of the UFO, flag down a staff member! They will be happy to reposition your item, and even tell you the secret to winning the game!
We can’t forget that there is an instant noodle museum there, too! Here you can draw on your own cup o’ noodle container, modify the contents, and have it shrink wrapped and ready for consumption for just 300 Yen (~$3).
NARA
We didn’t venture around Nara a whole lot, but we did make it out there to see the Todaiji Temple. This temple houses the world’s largest brozne statue of Buddha Vairocana, known in Japanese as Daibutsu. On your way into the temple, you can buy some crackers to feed to the local deer. Be careful, they can get quite aggressive!
That pretty much concludes the things we did in Japan. I decided to separate that from the next section which is: THE PLACES WE ATE IN JAPAN. (A * next to the name means you must try this if you ever visit Japan!)
CONVENIENT STORES (CONBINI)
So simple, yet so delicious. Onigiri from 7-11 or Lawson’s Market were definitely a thing. Most of them were fish based, but once in a while I could identify a miso pork or chicken version. Conbini were also great places to stock up on drinks, candy, other snacks, and even tweezers at one point.
SWEET STUFF
SHIRO-HIGE CREAM PUFF FACTORY, TOKYO*
Totoro is everywhere! And I don’t just mean that philosophically. Totoro takes the shape of plush toys, pins, figurines and most deliciously, cream puff. Shiro-Hige’s Cream Puff Factory turns the neighbor you know and love into a delectable treat! It was almost too cute to eat. 
Almost.
TORAYA KARYO ICHIJO, KYOTO*
Toraya had a variety of wagashi on their menu, which was made even more special by Jenny’s kimono experience. Here we tasted seasonal wagashi, traditional yokan, and mugwort mochi. So colorful, intricate, and of course delicious!
KAGIZEN YOSHIFUSEN HONTEN, KYOTO
This place is known for a traditional type of wagashi called Kuzukiri, a made-to-order starchy noodle chilled in ice, served with a brown sugar dipping suace. Noodle’s for dessert? Why not. It was an interesting taste!
NAKATANIDOU, NARA*
You might have seen this manju shop on youtube, featuring a dude pounding a green substance with an ol’ wooden hammer. Showing up to fresh mochi is exactly what you think it is: AMAZING. If you’re lucky, you might get a two-for-one if they form a couple of off-sized ones. We didn’t stick around for the pounding, instead we decided to buy a few and be on our merry way.
MALEBRANCHE, KYOTO
A small dessert shop serving Kyoto style pancakes and other desserts. Literally a pan cake.
SAVORY STUFF
YOSHINOYA, TOKYO*
Japanese people must be seriously dissapointed when they show up to a Yoshinoya in the states thinking “Ah, something I can relate to!” only to find that there’s no raw egg or green onions. After having this combo in Japan, I can’t have a gyudon any otherway.
AZABU SHOKUDO, TOKYO
Omuraisu is chicken fried rice, wrapped in an omelette with demi-glaze or ketchup gooped on top. Sounds pretty whatever, until you eat it and you realize it’s everything you want in life.
TONKATSU TONKI, TOKYO
This two-story shop serves up fresh tonkatsu that they hand-bread in front of you if you get a good bar seat. Boasting a more traditional style of tonkatsu, the batter was more doughy than flaky, but had a nice crunch to it. Also comes with unlimited cabbage if anyone really likes that.
IROTA KITAMISE, KYOTO*
After showing up to a highly rated sukiyaki place only to find that the menu was a bit pricey, we took a detour to find Irota Kitamise, a reasonably priced menu that had everything we love. Beef, beef, and oh yeah, beef. Without a reservation, we were lucky to have been seated. We sat traditional style as a server who spoke limited English set up our sukiyaki hotpot. What came after was mouth-watering insanity.
Stop. Just stop.
RAMEN IPPUDO, KYOTO
With locations throughout Japan, Ippudo’s reputation is built on its classic Tonkotsu broth. Rivaling Ichiran, this ramen shop had everything going right for it.
SODAISHO RAMEN, OSAKA*
Our FAVORITE bowl of ramen, the rich shoyu ramen from Sodaisho. This was unlike any ramen I’ve ever had in the states and in Japan. By far the most memorable and delicious bowl of ramen of life. Also, the server reminded me of Steve Buschemi, and Jenny of One Piece character, Usopp.
ORETACHI NO CURRY YA RAMEN KOJI LABO, OSAKA*
Our first attempt at curry landed us at an Indian-inspired shop, Botani. It was good curry, but not the curry we were looking for. We wanted that Japanese brown goop over rice with a pork cutlet buried underneath. We found it. We ate it. We loved it.
LA SHOMON, KOBE*
“Japanese people don’t eat Kobe beef,” said the waiter as he cooked our dry-aged Kobe beef steak in front of us. Well that made me feel better about all the money I just spent on this 4 oz. piece of meat. Honestly, it was delicious, succulent, and everything you imagine it to be. Kobe beef in Kobe, can’t get any closer than that.
FOOD NOT PICTURED:
BUTAGUMI, TOKYO – Best tonkatsu and our first meal in Japan*
ICHIRAN RAMEN, TOKYO – Stall-based, vending machine ticket-order system. Strong competitor for tonkatsu ramen and open 24 hours!
SHIN UDON, TOKYO – Best Udon*
DENNY’S, TOKYO*
MATSUYA, KYOTO
CHAO CHAO GYOZA, KYOTO – Best gyoza in Japan (in our opinion and also nationally recognized)*
BOTANI CURRY, OSAKA
Just realized I didn’t take a picture of a lot of the best foods on our trip. I think I was too focused.
STREET AND MALL FOOD
This ice bar stand lets you purchase melted chocolate so you can draw on your treat!
Oh, Japan. So full of life, culture, food, and robots. Well that’s it! After another cultural awakening, I’ve found myself yet again suffering from a trifecta identity crisis. But at least I got some pork out of it.