Have you been?
Since I'm asking GPT to help with this translation, there may be some exaggerations.
Hi there!
I might not be very helpful on this site in general, but I can definitely assist you with your travel plans!
Believe it or not, I was born in Kobe, raised in Kyoto, and now live in Nara!
So, I'd like to introduce you to some recommended spots around the Kansai area.
First, Kyoto.
As you probably know, Kyoto is rich in history and has countless temples and shrines.
Honestly, there are just too many to choose from, so I’ll go ahead and personally recommend two: Kiyomizu-dera Temple and Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine.
You might already know them, but Kiyomizu-dera boasts a history of over 1,200 years and is a World Heritage site. Not only is the temple itself magnificent, but the view from there is absolutely beautiful.
The other is Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine.
It’s the head shrine of all Inari shrines in Japan and is dedicated to the fox deity.
The shrine itself is beautiful, but what I personally recommend is the Senbon Torii ("Thousand Torii Gates").
Just like the name suggests, hundreds of bright red torii gates are lined up in rows, and you can walk through them.
Note: In the photos, it looks like a serene path lined with gorgeous torii gates, but in reality, it’s crowded with tourists, almost like rush hour! I recently took a stroll there and honestly, it was full of international tourists — I barely saw any Japanese people there! (laughs)
Next is Nara.
When it comes to sightseeing in Nara, Kasuga Taisha Shrine is a must-see.
Kasuga Taisha is located right next to Nara Park and Todai-ji Temple, so you can visit the famous Great Buddha of Nara and meet the adorable deer that bow to visitors, all in the same area.
I also have a few recommendations for Osaka and Kobe, but if you let me know more about what kind of trip you're planning, I can give you even more detailed advice.
Feel free to reply anytime!
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I'm still debating whether I should go to Kobe since my time in each major city is somewhat limited.
To answer the question, the gist of the trip is in a comment I made earlier here
Feel free to recommend places you like yourself and I'll probably try to fit most if not all into my plans :D
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I read your comment. That makes me all the more eager to recommend Fushimi Inari Taisha and Kasuga Taisha.
At Fushimi Inari Shrine, you can experience a beautiful shrine and the famous "Senbon Torii" (literally "a thousand torii gates"—though I wonder if there really are a thousand!). Then at Kasuga Taisha, you can interact with the friendly, bowing deer in Nara Park and visit the 18-meter-tall Great Buddha at Tōdai-ji Temple.
Fushimi Inari Taisha is just a five-minute train ride from Kyoto Station, so it’s relatively easy to access. However, walking from the station to the shrine and exploring the Senbon Torii will probably take about half a day.
Kasuga Taisha is about 1 hour and 30 minutes from Kyoto Station by train and on foot. The area is quite spacious, with many sightseeing spots clustered together—Kasuga Taisha, Tōdai-ji, Nara Park, the National Treasure Museum, and more. To enjoy them fully, you’ll likely need more than half a day.
Also nearby is Nakatanidō, famous in some circles for their incredibly fast mochi pounding. It’s a fun little stop if you’re in the area.
If you’re interested in what I mentioned above, let me know how long you’re planning to stay around Kyoto or Nara—I can give you more specific suggestions based on your schedule.
As a side note: by mid-May, the sun will probably be quite strong. Many foreign tourists wear sunglasses to protect their eyes, but in Japan, some people still have the old stereotype that “sunglasses = delinquent,” which can make others feel uneasy.
If you ever need help and want to ask a Japanese person something, you might get a more friendly response if you take off your sunglasses when approaching them. Using a translation app will also make interactions go more smoothly.
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Thanks for the lovely suggestions Sakakino! :)
I'll be staying in Kyoto for 6 full days, same with Osaka, and one of them is reserved for a Nara day-trip.
Also, I wear glasses, so it'll be no issue XD
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I've never been there, but maybe it will interest you.
kyoto international manga museum
TOEI KYOTO STUDIO PARK
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Sounds like a lot of fun! I hope you have a great trip! =)
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I'm hope you have a great time in Japan! Enjoy! =)
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Have a good trip from now :)
I'm planning to go to Japan too. Maybe with South Korea.
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I went to SK last year, so so beautiful! I heavily recommend allocating some time for a small flight to Jeju / a few days in Busan.
Seoul was amazing and I spent most of my time there (lots to explore!) but the vibes in Jeju and Busan are just so different, people are extremely friendly, seafood is amazing and such good weather around this time of year :)
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thank you again for the nonos and the giveaway train.
hope you have an enjoyable trip in japan, make sure u eat your fill of sashimi, sushi, ramen, udon, soba, bento, donburi, curry, tempura, yakitori, onigiri, shabu shabu, etc etc etc ! :)
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Will do! I'll be like Kirby the entire trip XD
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Are you going to any of the Kirby Cafes by any chance?
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Here’s my perspective as an ordinary Japanese citizen.
Famous restaurants featured in travel guides or on the internet tend to be a bit pricey, especially in touristy areas like Osaka and Tokyo, where there are many restaurants geared toward tourists.
However, chain restaurants have standardized pricing no matter where you go, and they tend to be quite affordable.
Personally, I feel like you can get a full meal for around 1,200 yen—for example, a ramen and fried rice set.
Once the price goes over 2,000 yen, it starts to feel more like a meal aimed at tourists or something a bit more upscale.
If you go to a high-end traditional restaurant (ryotei) or a truly authentic place, the price can easily go over 10,000 yen.
For lunch, I think places in the 1,000 to 1,500 yen range are good, and for dinner, you could treat yourself and go somewhere around 2,000 yen.
There are also all-you-can-eat restaurants. For about 3,000 to 5,000 yen, you can enjoy a time-limited all-you-can-eat experience.
For example, at a yakiniku restaurant called “One Karubi,” you can eat as much as you want from the entire menu for around 5,000 yen over a two-hour period.
I’ve heard that some people from abroad have never experienced an all-you-can-eat restaurant. Why not give it a try?
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I've been in a buffet but I feel like an "all-you-can-eat" experience is different. Will try it, I have another marked another AYCE as "might be worth taking a look", though it was a soba restaurant and not a Galbi type meat restaurant.
Thanks for the tips! Any chains you'd recommend specifically to try? I heard Ichiran was okay but overcrowded as hell with all the tourists hyping it up. I was recommended MOS, Freshness Burger and I wanted to also try Sukiya and Yoshinoya.
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This is just my personal opinion, of course, but here are some of my favorite chain restaurants that I often go to:
Ramen:
Rairaitei (light broth) I think Rairaitei’s ramen is the best in the world.
Tenkaippin (rich, thick broth) revew
Gyoza no Ohsho (general Chinese food)
Yakiniku (BBQ):
One Karubi (all-you-can-eat)
Beef bowls (Gyudon):
Nakau (though honestly, Sukiya and Yoshinoya are pretty much the same—there’s not much difference between gyudon chains)
Family restaurant:
Saizeriya (an Italian-style family restaurant that’s super famous in Japan—surprisingly tasty and ridiculously cheap)
Curry:
Coco Ichibanya
Since these are all chain restaurants, they’re not exactly "gourmet spots for tourists," but I personally think they’re just plain tasty.
Also—tonkatsu (breaded pork cutlets) is really good, so you should definitely try some while you're here!
Oh, and one more thing:
There’s a ramen shop in Nara called Muteppou (lit. “Invincible Cannon”). It serves insanely rich tonkotsu (pork bone) ramen—so thick, they say you could stand a chopstick in the broth. It’s definitely not for everyone, but if you're looking for something extreme or just want to try something memorable, it might be worth a shot.
reviwe
As for me, I’ve had it twice—and both times, I had diarrhea about 30 minutes after eating.
I think my stomach has officially categorized Muteppou’s ramen as “not meant for human consumption.” 😅
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Coco Ichibanya came highly recommended as well, can't believe I forgot about that! I saved a few locations in Osaka for when I'm craving curry :)
Other than it and Saizeriya I've barely heard of these, will do my research !
Also, about Muteppou, that tracks XD
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Hope you have a wonderful and fulfilling trip! Never been overseas myself so no helpful recommendations from me but heartfelt thanks for the puzzles and giveaways, cheers and safe travels!🧳
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Hope you have a great trip!! My main tip is always have cash on you, many little restaurants (cheap and delicious) won't take other payment methods :p
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Which is understandable but so unnatural to me! I've worked as a waiter for the better part of 5 years as a side job while studying so it's ingrained in my mind to leave atleast a 12% tip to a good waiter. I guess my "gochisosama deshita" will have to suffice XD
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If you try to tip the staff, they’ll probably have to go ask their manager what to do—because it’s not in the manual!🤣
Jokes aside, if you try to offer a tip, the staff will probably be genuinely confused.
Saying "gochisousama deshita" is a really good idea.
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I think I forgot to bump this thread, so let's fix that!
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Thanks a bunch for the giveaways and hope you have a great trip.
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Hello SG friends, I am doing a solo trip to Japan in the middle of May and will return near the end of June!
I'll be visiting Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka (obviously) and Sapporo as well as doing some day trips for Hiroshima, Otaru, Nara, Mt. Fuji, Jigokudani Monkey Park and Kamakura. I will be trying to have a healthy blend of city life and and nature exploration and also trying out as many types of food I can :D
For any users familiar with Japan through their own experience, whether local or from your own trips, feel more than free to leave any tips, suggestions or even warnings and things to avoid you can think of XD
As I'll be abroad, I probably won't have much time (if at all) to make giveaways or honestly do anything else on here but will be back relatively soon, I'll make my group giveaways beforehand to end near when I get back and also leave you with a pretty easy nonogram followed by a few more carts and a more difficult nono before the final carts, enjoy :P
Edit: Holy crap, thanks all for the well wishes and the tips / recs!
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