Fake food that looks so real it’ll make you hungry! Come for the plastic sushi, stay for the worlds’ sharpest knives! Kappabashi Street is where Tokyo restaurants find everything they need, from super-realistic mugs of beer to gorgeous bowls from Japan’s best kilns. Whether you’re in the market for a stag beetle cookie cutter orContinueContinue reading “Kappabashi Street”
Category Archives: Shopping
Noooo! Why is it CLOSED?!
There’s nothing more disappointing than flying all the way to Japan, navigating the trains, and hiking to the pin on your map,* only to discover that something you really want to see is CLOSED! Here’s what locals know about when things are open and when they’re not. 1 The 30-Minute Rule Most places don’t allowContinueContinue reading “Noooo! Why is it CLOSED?!”
Shinjuku Area
Shinjuku is a neighborhood of contrasts, from the neon glow of the Kabukichō red light district on one hand, to the serene treescape and floral wonderland of Shinjuku Gyō-en National Garden on the other. The garden is especially worth a visit in February for the plum blossoms, mid-March through mid-April for every variety of cherryContinueContinue reading “Shinjuku Area”
Shibuya Area
Shibuya is a shopping paradise, home to my three favorite stores in Tokyo, that iconic scramble intersection, a thought-provoking museum, the famous Tokyo Toilets and an excellent skatepark. Even on Coming-Of-Age day, girls head over to Shibuya to party as soon as their family duties are over! The best time to see the famous ShibuyaContinueContinue reading “Shibuya Area”
Fun stuff to do in Tokyo when it’s HOT outside
Don’t let a little steamy weather keep you from having all the summer fun and seeing all the good stuff! There are plenty of only-in-Japan delights you can 100% enjoy and still keep your cool. Instead of groaning at the soaring temperatures, think yourself lucky you’re here for experiences and food that are only offeredContinueContinue reading “Fun stuff to do in Tokyo when it’s HOT outside”
Where to get the best foodie souvenirs in Tokyo
If you’re longing to bring home the amazing tastes of Japan to share with your nearest and dearest, you need to know about antenna shops! Many regional governments sponsor “antenna” outlets in Tokyo where they sell their most famous wares at the same price you’d pay if you visit the hometown maker. In one stop,ContinueContinue reading “Where to get the best foodie souvenirs in Tokyo”
Where to get a healing souvenir for your ailing loved one
If you have dear ones whose health you can’t stop thinking about—even while on your dream trip to Japan—why not bring back a healing gift to show how much you care? Japan has many healing shrines and temples—some specific, some general—and you need not be a practicing Buddhist or a Shinto believer to enjoy theContinueContinue reading “Where to get a healing souvenir for your ailing loved one”
What to do in Tokyo on a rainy day
You’ve got every precious day in Japan all planned out…then you wake up one morning and it’s raining. Here are some only-in-Japan things you can do on a rainy day that might deliver even more fun than what you thought you’d be doing today! MAP TO ALL DESTINATIONS • Only-in-Japan Aquariums If the word “aquarium”ContinueContinue reading “What to do in Tokyo on a rainy day”
Do you know about the currency converter on your iPhone calculator?
Today I learned that there’s a super handy currency converter built right into my iPhone! If you have iOS 18 or later, it’s in the calculator app. Here’s how to use it: See this button? Tapping it takes you to this: Toggle the “Convert” slider… and you’ll see this: You can change the currencies byContinueContinue reading “Do you know about the currency converter on your iPhone calculator?”
Jonelle Patrick writes about Japan 