A First-Timer's Guide to Japan

The must-dos in Tokyo

• I opted to visit Thermae Yu, one of Tokyo’s more popular onsens, as a way to combat my jet lag after a 14-hour flight. Visiting any of the city’s onsens can be a great way to charge up for the rest of your stay.

• For those looking for greenery within the bustle of urban Tokyo, I highly suggest taking a stroll through Yoyogi Park. Home to the Meiji Jingu Shrine, the park offers stunning trees, tranquil ponds, and great people-watching.

• TeamLab Planets was a museum unlike any that I had previously visited. As someone rarely stimulated by museums, I promise you won’t run into that problem here. These interactive exhibits have a unique way of appealing to all your senses.

• If you happen to be traveling with a significant other, I’d suggest a sunset or evening entry to Shibuya Sky. While there are several strong contenders for best vista in Tokyo, this is my personal favorite for 360-degree views of the city. This visit could be perfectly complemented by a nighttime stroll through Golden Gai or other parts of Shinjuku.

If you can manage it, I recommend four to five days in Tokyo. As Tokyo is one of the most densely populated cities in the world, I advise starting your days early to beat the crowds. Additionally, I recommend a central location such as Shibuya for ease of access to the rest of the city. I rarely go for a high-rise hotel, but Cerulean Tower was an ideal home base for my time in Tokyo—it offers incredible views directly from your room.

The must-dos in Kyoto

• Fushimi Inari has to be #1 on this list as the iconic attraction of Kyoto. Do yourself a favor and wear comfortable shoes and pack a beverage—getting to the top is no small feat! I’d set aside half a day for this.

• Perhaps my most poignant moment in Kyoto was a leisurely walk along Philosopher’s Path. Kyoto is known for its sense of tranquility, and this spot perfectly encapsulates it. Consider a lunch at Juu-go, then stroll along the path at your own pace.

• There’s no shortage of temples in Kyoto, but Kiyomizu-dera provides the wow-factor. This UNESCO World Heritage Site offers sweeping views of Kyoto while underscoring the monument’s cultural and historical significance.

Three to four days in Kyoto should suffice for a first-timer.

My strongest recommendation for travel to Japan is to intentionally set aside time for food. I tried to hit all of the staples: sushi, ramen, Kobe, soba, and, yes, even the 7-Eleven egg sandwiches. Here were the standouts:

• Udatsu Sushi: This was my first-ever meal in Japan, and it delivered in a major way. You simply must experience omakase in Japan, and this is a great place to do it. Udatsu is off the beaten path, and the walk through a quaint neighborhood makes the experience even more unique. A great place for a special occasion or welcome-to-Japan splurge.

• Uobei Sushi: On the other end of the sushi spectrum, Uobei’s conveyer-belt sushi offers a fun, budget-friendly, fast-casual option. It’s hard not to smile when you’re here.

• Rama: A lovely fusion of Italian-Japanese omakase against an Edward Hopper–inspired backdrop. Rama is run by one of the most personable chefs you’ll find in Japan. He made my birthday one I will not forget any time soon.

• Ichiran: The classic Japanese ramen experience—in the privacy of your own personal booth. I had hesitations about waiting 45 minutes for a chain restaurant, but those hesitations subsided after my first bite.

• Juu-go: This one-man soba spot off the Philosopher’s Path in Kyoto makes for an excellent lunch destination. This is one of those intimate experiences where you really get to connect with the chef, who educates you on the process of tilling, harvesting, and transforming buckwheat into soba.

• Itoh Dining: Arguably my favorite restaurant in Japan, Itoh is known for its Kobe and Wagyu, but everything on the menu is 10/10. The riverside backdrop makes it an excellent choice for a date night.