Best Ever Japan Food Tour Cherry Blossoms with Hiroshima

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Togoshi Ginza is an especially long shopping street located in Tokyo’s Shinagawa ward. It’s the longest shopping street in Tokyo and one of the largest in Japan. The street took its name from Tokyo’s well- known Ginza district after bricks were donated from the Ginza area to refurbish the worn thoroughfare after the Great Kanto Earthquake. Unlike the high-class shopping centers found in Ginza, Shibuya, and Shinjuku, Togoshi Ginza is a “shotengai” - which features shops catering to the common needs of the locals. If someone needs dish soap or laundry hangers they go here. The street also contains shops selling locally-made snacks and sweets, and one famous food is the local “korokke”, a Japanese take on the French croquette. Togoshi Ginza is also a prime location for people-watching, as it's a good place to experience the daily life of Japanese residents.

A Chopsticks-Making experience offers guests the chance to make their own personalized set of wooden chopsticks. Start from a block of hinoki (Japanese cypress) wood, which you will then shape with a Japanese hand plane and smooth with sandpaper. Enjoy a relaxing moment of traditional craftwork as you listen to the crisp rustle of the hand plane gliding on the soft wood, inhale the earthy scent of cypress, and watch the delicate shavings curl away from the block as your chopsticks begin to take shape. Participants in the experience will have the guidance of a local expert in completing their personalized chopsticks, making it a good class for families or for the inexperienced craftsperson.

Ramen has become a quintessential Japanese comfort food, and it's easy to understand why - the warm broth, the chewy noodles, toppings like pork belly, green onion, and egg floating on top just makes your mouth water. And the ways of preparing the classic dish seem endless - with thin or thick noodles, miso, soy, and salt broths, made with chicken, beef, pork, seafood, or vegetarian, so that a ramen-tasting tour in a place like Shinjuku is full of countless possibilities. Popular varieties include Tsukemen, where noodles are served in a separate dish and dipped into the flavorful broth. Some ramen shops specialize in curry ramen, which is made to various levels of spiciness, while other might make paitan ramen, which features pork (tonkotsu) or chicken bone boiled for hours to a rich creamy broth. As this is a tasting, expect smaller bowls of “mini ramen” – enough to truly appreciate the taste, but small enough that your stomach has room to finish the tasting course.

Shinjuku is one of the most popular spots for nightlife in Tokyo, and Kabukicho is its pulsing, vibrant heart. The Main Gate of Kabukicho glows brightly over the central vein of Tokyo’s biggest red-light district – Kabukicho Ichiban-gai Street, and as you stroll down the busy walk, your senses are continuously engaged by the sight of flashing lights and flickering neon of store signs stacking higher and higher, with energetic music pulsing out from the vibrant karaoke spots and nightclubs. Near the center of the district, the ferocious head of Godzilla rises out of Hotel Gracery Shinjuku and hourly roars at the people below, with flashing eyes and a steamy mist, and can be viewed from Godzilla Street.

No Japanese culinary experience would be complete without sake, and the Sake Market in Shinjuku offers one of the most diverse sake-tasting experiences in Tokyo. With a selection of over a hundred Japanese alcoholic beverages that include international brands and local favorites. They serve not only sake, but also shochu, plum wine, red and white wine, fruit liqueurs, sours, and soda. As a part of the experience, they also serve snacks (called “otsumami”) as part of the experience, which add to the community atmosphere and act as a complement to the drinks. Taste and compare different drinks with your fellow travelers in a casual setting.

A Karaoke Experience in Japan is very different from what visitors from other countries might imagine. A traveler from the US might think of Karaoke as having to get up on a little stage in front of strangers and sing in a bar. In Japan, people rent some time in a “karaoke box” - a private room where you can sing in front of friends and coworkers. Words to the song appear on a giant TV screen so everyone can sing along, and the karaoke establishments usually offer drinks for sale to stay hydrated between rounds of singing your heart out. The music catalogs have a lot of Japanese music, but also usually have a good selection of songs in English, Korean, Chinese, and many other languages.

Senkyaku Banrai is in Toyosu, and is a dining, shopping and relaxation center inspired by the traditional seafood markets from the Edo period. The heart of the complex is Edomae-dori - an Edo-period streetscape lined with stalls where visitors can taste the delicious seafood from nearby Toyosu Wholesale Market, in addition to casual street foods like taiyaki (fried fish-shaped treat), or tamagoyaki (rolled omelette), regional favorites, and sweets. It’s the perfect destination for casual wandering, with seafood markets that evoke the traditional spirit of Tsukiji Outer Market. One especially popular spot in Senkyaku Banrai is the rooftop foot bath, which overlooks Tokyo Bay and offers a good spot for travelers to rest weary ankles.Senkyaku Banrai is in Toyosu, and is a dining, shopping and relaxation center inspired by the traditional seafood markets from the Edo period. The heart of the complex is Edomae-dori - an Edo-period streetscape lined with stalls where visitors can taste the delicious seafood from nearby Toyosu Wholesale Market, in addition to casual street foods like taiyaki (fried fish-shaped treat), or tamagoyaki (rolled omelette), regional favorites, and sweets. It’s the perfect destination for casual wandering, with seafood markets that evoke the traditional spirit of Tsukiji Outer Market. One especially popular spot in Senkyaku Banrai is the rooftop foot bath, which overlooks Tokyo Bay and offers a good spot for travelers to rest weary ankles.

Teamlab Planets TOKYO is an enormous digital art museum in Toyosu where you can kick your shoes off and explore barefoot through interactive spaces that aim to connect your body to the art in a set of curated areas. The Water Area, with its digital koi fish swimming around your ankles, is perhaps the most famous, while the Garden Area shows 13000 live orchids suspended in the air, slowly seeming to flow upward. The Open Air area creates a column of fire, while the Athletics Forest encourages spatial interaction in artworks like the Caterpillar House, which simulates trying to navigate bouncing spheres. Many of the exhibits seem to dissolve the boundaries between body and art, reimagining the idea of a borderless world. Some of the exhibits involve walking through knee-deep water or on reflective surfaces, so visitors are requested to wear shorts or pants that can be rolled above the knee.

Shibuya Crossing is one of Tokyo's most famous and recognizable locations. Tokyo is a true megalopolis: a city that never sleeps, and the Shibuya Crossing is a perfect example of that endless activity that Tokyo has become known for. Shibuya Crossing sits next to Shibuya Station, and is a multi-directional "scramble crossing" often called the world's busiest intersection, suffering almost no loss of foot traffic no matter the time of day. The Crossing is so iconic that it has been featured in movies, such as Lost in Translation and Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift. The crossing is nearby another famous landmark - the statue of Hachiko the Dog sits on one of the corners. And the area has some other nearby attractions to enjoy - go shopping at Shibuya Scramble Square, take in the view from Shibuya Sky, or sit on the second floor of the Tsutaya Starbucks and sip coffee while you watch the bustling crowd on the Crossing below.

One of Tokyo’s most beloved, albeit unofficial landmarks, the Hachiko statue tells the tale of an especially faithful Akita dog named Hachiko. This dog famously went to Shibuya station every day to await the return of his master, a professor at Tokyo University. Hachiko continued to wait, even 10 years following the professor’s untimely passing. The story has since passed into legend, commemorated with the statue near Shibuya station. The statue has become a popular meeting place for local residents, conveniently located just outside one of the station’s main exits, now known as the Hachiko exit.

Shibuya Nonbei Yokocho, also called “Drunkard’s Alley” is an atmospheric little street that hearkens back to Tokyo during the Showa era, lined with little izakayas and bars, many of them only fitting 6 or 8 people at a time, and some so old they have been a fixture in the street for generations. The shop are lined with glowing paper lanterns and vintage signs, adding to the street’s rustic aesthetic. The izakaya maintain a casual, friendly atmosphere while delighting their patrons with tasty eats and alcohol. Popular foods you’ll find there include yakitori, oden, grilled fish, sashimi and other seafood, nikujaga (a stew of meat and potatoes), and other quick tasty bites, with drinks that include draft beer, highball, sake, or non-alcoholic options.

The outer Tsukiji Fish Market offers a variety of freshly prepared food products and ingredients. Travel in between the different stores and taste a few of their dishes, freshly prepared with some of the best ingredients.

The Imperial Palace is located in the center of Tokyo, only a short walk away from Tokyo station. The palace is home to the current Imperial Family. The inner grounds of the palace is not open to the public, except on January 2nd and December 23rd where guests are able to enter and see the current members of the Imperial Family from a balcony. Visitors can view the Nijubashi, two bridges that form an entrance to the inner palace grounds. The stone bridge in front is called Meganebashi (Eyeglass Bridge) for its looks. The bridge in the back was formerly a wooden bridge with two levels, from which the name Nijubashi (Double Bridge) is derived.

Take a lesson from an expert and prepare fresh sushi. Experience the difference in the taste of Japanese-grown ingredients. Then, enjoy eating your masterpiece for lunch after completing your sushi lesson.

Ueno Park is located in next to Ueno Station in Tokyo. This large public park features many museums such as the Tokyo National Museum and the National Science Museum. The entrance of the famous Ueno Zoo is also located in the park. Ueno Park is Tokyo’s most popular location to view the cherry blossoms in the spring, and has a large number of Hanami parties.

The Sensoji Temple located in Asakusa is one of the most popular Buddhist temples to visit. The temple was built and completed in the year 645 and is Tokyo’s oldest temple. The surrounding area offers shopping for souvenirs and food. The Sanja Festival is one of Tokyo’s biggest festivals and is held every May at Asakusa Temple.

The Tokyo Skytree is Japan’s tallest structure ever built and the world’s second tallest structure ever built at the time of its completion. Located not too far from Asakusa, this 634 meter tall tower is now one of the most popular destinations for visitors. The main observatory is 350 meters high and the second observation deck is 450 meters high and both offer a breathtaking view of the city.

Mt. Fuji is a widely-known symbol of Japan. At 3,773 meters, Mount Fuji is Japan’s tallest mountain. “Station (gome)” is the unit representing one tenth of the length from the trail entrance to the top.The fifth station Mt. Fuji is the fifth point from the base at the height of 2,305 meter. Being the end of the Fuji Subaru Line toll road and the highest point that general cars can reach. From the observatory you can see below Komitake Shrine, an ancient place for prayer that has been visited by worshippers and disciplinant, and Yamanaka-ko, the largest lake among the five Fuji lakes.

One of the most popular ways to get around Hakone is by taking the Hakone Ropeway. The ropeway travels between Sounzan and Togendai. The Hakone Ropeway gives visitors a beautiful view of Hakone and on a clear day, it is possible to get a nice view of Mount Fuji as well.

Owakudani is located in Hakone and is an area around a crater where gaseous fumes, hot springs, and hot rivers exist. Just like most of Hakone, on a clear day, it is possible to see Mount Fuji as well. There are hiking trails available for guests, but these trails are difficult for inexperience hikers.

The shinkansen (or "bullet train") is a type of high speed train that travels between most of the major cities in Japan. By taking the shinkansen, trips between destinations that might take almost a full day by car can be reached in a few hours. The bullet trains can run up to 320 kilometers per hour (close to 200 miles per hour), and are known to be generally on time, comfortable and safe.

Hikone Castle is located in Hikone Japan not too far from Kyoto off the shores of Lake Biwa. This castle is one of the four castles in Japan that were declared as national treasures. This castle is an original castle that has never been destroyed and rebuilt. Around the castle is the Hikone Castle Museum and the beautiful Genkyuen Garden.

Built on the grounds of Hikone Castle in 1677, the Genkyuen Garden features a central pond and a circular walking path. It was originally built as a means of entertainment for the local lord, his family, and his guests. From the garden visitors can see the Hikone Castle’s mainkeep, known as “borrowed scenery”. There are also a cluster of wooden buildings where tourists can enjoy a cup of tea during their serene visit.

The Miho Museum is located in the city of Koka and along with Koka’s ninja attractions, is a fun side trip from Kyoto. This museum has a unique architecture that blends in well with its surroundings and artwork display. This museum features many exhibits of world history and culture.

Arashiyama is located on the western outskirts of Kyoto and is a well-known destination for both the cherry blossoms and fall colors seasons. North of the famous Togetsukyo Bridge is Sagano, and together they make this place a nice little getaway from temples and shrines to enjoy nature. Popular destinations include the Togetsukyo Bridge and the Bamboo Forest of Arashiyama.

One of the most popular and well-known spots for visitors is the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest. A nice walking path takes visitors through the groves of bamboos. The Arashiyama Bamboo Forest is also one of the most famous and photographed places in all of Kyoto and brings many visitors every year during the autumn color season.

The famous Kinkakuji (Golden Pavilion) Temple is located in northern Kyoto and is most known for the building covered in gold leaf. This famous building is the number one most popular destination for tourist visiting Kyoto. The Golden Pavilion sits overlooking a large pond and various small attractions and shops are available for visitors.

Take the chance of interacting with a maiko while drinking tea, ask her about her profession, training, and lifestyle. What is different between her life and other girls in Japan? Drink a cup of tea with her, and fulfill some of your curiosity, and even take a picture with her.

The Kiyomizu-Dera Temple is located only 15 minutes away by bus from Kyoto Station to the eastern side of Kyoto. This temple is one of the most popular temples in Kyoto and is listed as one of Japan’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The temple features a large wooden terrace that offers a fantastic view of the cherry blossoms in the spring and autumn colors during the fall season with the city of Kyoto in the background.

Maruyama Park is located in eastern Kyoto near the Gion district, only 20 minutes away by bus from Kyoto Station. During cherry blossom season in the spring, this is the most popular park for hanami and to view the cherry blossoms. In the center of the park is the tall weeping cherry tree that becomes lit up for a beautiful cherry blossom spring night.

Located only 20 minutes away by bus from Kyoto Station, is the Gion Geisha District. The Gion Geisha District is one of the most famous and popular destinations for tourist visiting Kyoto. This area is filled with restaurants, teahouses, shops, and other attractions to entertain guests. The machiya merchant houses along with river and the occasional geisha walking around, brings visitors from everywhere to experience everything that this area has to offer.

Gion and Pontocho are two very well-preserved sections of old Kyoto, and walking between their traditional wooden buildings makes a traveler feel like they have stepped back in time. Their old-fashioned eateries offer seasonal Kyoto cuisine nearly as old as the city itself, so a food tour is one of the best ways of really immersing in the time- honored culture that Kyoto has cultivated for over a millennium. Kyoto is known for its kaiseki cuisine - a type of Japanese haute, so some of the dining experiences will be kaiseki-adjacent as far as what you are offered. Kyoto is famed for its tofu dishes, so it’s definitely worth trying while enjoying Gion and Pontocho. Kyoto has superior matcha cultivation, so try the green tea or foods that have been flavored with matcha. The old city also has a thriving sake industry, so you can enjoy the delicious taste of sake, which really completes the Kyoto dining experience.

The Fushimi Inari-Taisha Grand Shrine is located in southern Kyoto and is one of the most famous and visited shrines in Kyoto. This shrine is only five minutes away from Kyoto Station by train, and features over a thousand vermillion colored torii gates that brings many tourist to this shrine every year.

Located north of Nara Park is one of Japan’s most historic and famous temple called the Todai-Ji Temple. This temple is listed as one of Japan’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The temple’s main hall named Daibutsuden, is the largest wooden building in the world. It is home to one of Japan’s largest bronze statues of Buddha siting at fifteen meters tall.

Located in central Nara is Nara Park, it is one of the most famous and popular parks in Japan. The park is famous and popular because it is home to over one thousand deer. The deer roam freely throughout the park and visitors are able to get up close and feed the deer as well. This park is conveniently located near most of Nara’s main tourist destinations, which include Todai-Ji Temple, Kasuga Taisha Shrine, Kofuku-Ji Temple, and the Nara National Museum.

Shinsaibashi is Osaka’s main and most popular shopping center. This crowded area is full of stores that cover everything from clothes to food and entertainment. Nearby this busy shopping center is also the famous entertainment district called Namba. This area also is full of restaurants and shops as well.

Himeji Castle is located in the city of Himeji and is only a five minute bus ride away from Himeji Station. Himeji Castle the most popular and visited castle in Japan, it is also listed both as one of Japan’s national treasure castles and as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This castle is also one of Japan’s twelve original castles, which means it was never destroyed in its history and has been standing since it was originally completed in the year 1609. The surrounding area is also one of Japan’s most popular cherry blossom destinations during the spring.

Kurashiki’s canal area is one of Japan’s most beautifully preserved canals that date back as far to the Edo Period. The canals were once used to transport rice into the storehouses where they would be shipped to cities such as Osaka and Tokyo (was known as Edo during those times). Now this historic area is the most popular destination for tourist visiting Kurashiki. Many of the historic storehouses have been turned into shops, cafes, restaurants, and museums for guests to enjoy.

The Hiroshima Peace Park is a memorial park located in the center of the Hiroshima City. Many of the memorials related to the dropping of the atomic bomb are located in and around this area. The park is the location to the memorials such as the A-Bomb Dome, Children’s Peace Monument, and the Peace Memorial Museum. This area is also listed as one of Japan’s UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The Peace Memorial Museum is one of the main destinations for guests visiting the Hiroshima Peace Park. The features the history of Hiroshima, effects of the atomic bomb, and its aftermath. Guests visiting the museum can explore the various artifacts and displays related to the atomic blast.

One of the most famous and well known shrines in Japan is the Itsukushima Shrine. This location is one of Japan’s top three most scenic places along with the famous Matsushima Bay and Amanohashidate, and brings plenty of tourist every year. This shrine and its famous torii gate are built over the water, which makes it seem like it is floating in the sea. Guests can stay in the ryokan hotels nearby or ride one of the many boat cruises while here.

One of the most unique attractions in Onomichi City is the Shimanami Kaido. This long 60 km (close to 37.25 miles) road connects the main island of Honshu to Japan’s Shikoku Island and passes over six small islands in the Seto Inland Sea. This roadway is the only way to travel into Japan’s Shikoku Island by foot or bicycle. Visitors can rent bikes to travel between Onomichi, the small six islands, and Imabari City on Shikoku Island. The scenery is spectacular and lets travelers enjoy the natural beauty of the Seto Inland Sea and the islands.

Oboke Gorge is one of the most popular outdoor destinations in Japan along with the Koboke Gorge in the Iya Valley area. One of the most popular activities for guests visiting the area is riding one of the Oboke Gorge boat rides. Visitors that are not interested in the strenuous outdoor activities, such as hiking or rafting, can instead enjoy a pleasant ride down the Yoshino River.

Ritsurin Koen Park is one of Japan’s most beautiful landscape garden located in the city of Takamastu. Many consider this garden to belong on the list of Japan’s three most beautiful gardens. This spacious and beautiful park features many ponds, hills, trees, bridges, and pavilions. There are a number of walking routes throughout the park and provides views that would leave any guest satisfied.

There are many restaurants located within Kobe that serve Japanese or international cuisine, but there are many places that offer Kobe beef. Kobe is known around the world for its famous Kobe beef, which is beautifully marbled, delicious, and very expensive beef. The most popular way to enjoy Kobe beef is in a restaurant where the chef grills the meat in front of the guests. Eating Kobe beef is a popular activity for tourist visiting Kobe and can provide a delicious and unforgettable experience.

Kuromon Ichiba, or "Black Gate Market" is a major produce and seafood market in the city of Osaka. It sells not only seafood, fruit, and vegetables, but also sweets, picked foods (or "tsukemono"), meat, and even clothing. This large outdoor covered market dates back to the Edo period, and has since become a top destination for visiting tourists to browse and sample some of Osaka's famous street food. Some of those stores have been in business for a very long time, including a tea shop that opened in 1937. While you can find a good assortment of street food, including Osaka's famed Takoyaki, and delectable sweets like strawberry daifuku (strawberries covered in mochi), the reason why Kuromon is so popular is that many of the produce sellers will cook the fresh seafood you want right there in front of you. As the market can become busy and packed with visitors, all the shop owners ask is that visitors be patient and respectful of others.

Katashimo Winery is a winery in Osaka that has been in operation for over a hundred years, and is the oldest active winery in Western Japan. The company grew out of a region that has produced grapes for a thousand years, and from the start, the goal of the Katashimo Winery has been to produce wines that reflect the Osaka region and that they hoped the locals would like. Grapes are either grown in their own vineyard or are from other local growing partners that have agreed to produce together an environmentally safe, organic way. Despite being around for over a hundred years, the winery still has a very approachable, down-to- earth feel. They don’t produce on a large scale, and have a more limited selection, which is meant to reflect the personal touch of Osaka that they aim to infuse into every wine they make. While touring the winery, you will not only get to taste a few of their delicious wines, but you will also learn about the history of their winery and how their process has evolved over time to become what they are today.

While walking through Shinsekai, you will be treated to a fascinating time-capsule of Osaka in the 1980s. Initially constructed following the Industrial Exposition of 1903, which had led to millions of new people coming to the area, Shinsekai was created to be Osaka's "city of tomorrow". Considered at the time to be a model of what new cities should be, Shinsekai is a mix of Western influences: one part Paris and one part New York City, with Tsutenkaku Tower at its center - the tallest tower in Asia in its day. It even boasted a Coney Island-style amusement park that connected by tram straight to the tower. But after a few decades (and a couple of World Wars), the neighborhood was neglected, and Tsutenkaku Tower burned down. Though the tower was eventually reconstructed, Shinsekai never regained its old splendor, and today is a fascinating destination for visitors looking to experience a time-locked Osaka. Trying the famous local dish, Kushikatsu, is a must - breaded and deep-fried meat and vegetables on a stick adds yet another layer to that sense of nostalgia you'll feel when visiting Shinsekai.

Tsutenkaku Tower is one of Osaka’s premier landmarks, located in the Shinsekai district of Osaka. At 103 meters tall, Tsutenkaku (literally, The Tower Reaching Heaven), is the perfect place for a grand view of Osaka city. The original tower was burned down in the 1940s and the remaining steel was used during World War 2, and later the people of Osaka rebuilt the tower as a symbol of Japan’s reconstruction. On the observation deck is enshrined a wooden statue of Billiken, an American good luck charm doll that became a “god of happiness and good fortune”, attracting thousands over the years to make a wish near the doll. The tower is also splendid to see at night, resplendent in neon lighting.

The Shinsekai District is a region of Osaka constructed at the turn of the century (1900s), to be a center of commerce and industry, and a representation of Osaka’s growth into the industrial age. There was heavy Western influence in Japan’s growth during that period, and Shinsekai was modeled with elements of Paris and New York City in mind. Nowadays, the region maintains a nostalgic atmosphere, and has become a good place to experience Osaka’s street food culture. The Shinsekai District is especially known for kushikatsu, which are deep fried meat and vegetables on skewers, but you can find Takoyaki, Okonomiyaki, and other popular Osaka comfort foods while exploring the area. There are also various amusements to check out while there, including a carnival-style shooting gallery, and Tsutenkaku Tower.