Live like a Japanese: Top 10 Travel Experiences in Japan 2016

"What to do in Japan? Where to go in Japan 2016? What to eat in Japan?" These are commonly googled words for a traveller researching on Japan. The best way to see Japan is through the eyes of locals themselves— and nothing beats knowing the places commonly frequented by the locals. This post seeks to encapsulate the best experiences that Japan has to offer. It is not your everyday guide to Japan. In fact, the places listed here are shared by my Japanese friends as well as my brother, who has frequented Japan for more than ten times due to the nature of his work!

Japan Travel Guide 2016

"Nearby" Reclamation Kawaguchiko 河口湖干拓ワンド付近

Near Kawaguchiko music forest

Imagine walking into a picturesque scene— where you can take in the beautiful sights of a calm, peaceful lake glistening against a mountainous backdrop of Mt Fuji. The soft rustling of the leaves looks golden under the orange hue. This place has no english name because it is not frequented by tourists at all. We chanced upon this enchanting while waiting for the shuttle bus running at hourly intervals. There is NOT a single soul in this place, so you can take all your OOTD shots without having to be embarrassed. I thought it was a really romantic place, and hopefully I can bring my future spouse here!

Directions: It takes about 2 hours to reach Kawaguchiko lake from Shinjuku. Going there, we purchased tickets from the Shinjuku train station itself and enjoyed an excellent scenic ride. Instead of the train, we decided to ride an express bus and purchased tickets (Adult: 1,750 JPY) from the highway buses website.

Tips: My family took a day trip to Kawaguchiko as advised by my brother as he travelled to Japan more than 10 times. You may wish to stay overnight in that area if you love the sights of nature!

Address: Japan, 〒401-0304 山梨県南都留郡富士河口湖町河口
Phone: +81 555-76-6869

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Sushi Zanmai すしざんまい 築地駅前店

Fresh sashimi from Sushi Zanmai

Located at the famous Tsukiji fish market, Sushi Zanmai is popular among Japanese and tourists alike. The sashimi were beyond fantastic— it was so fresh and one can only be so amazed at the quality of such sushi with the price. I'd say that you wouldn't have visited Japan if you haven't try the sashimi from Sushi Zanmai. Like most Japanese, the service crew were really polite in their greetings— one of the waiters even offered to take a family photo for us!

Tuna sushi from Sushi Zanmai

Address: 〒104-0045築地3-11-9築地スクエアビル1F
Phone: +81 3-3524-9833
Website: http://www.kiyomura.co.jp/company/company_top.html

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Hungry Tiger

Don't judge it by how it looks— it was absolutely tantalising!

Recommended by my brother's client, Hungry Tiger is a place where you might get stares for being the ONLY tourist in the restaurant. Coming here is akin to finding out the Japanese's secret hideout. I risked my life taking a photo here because EVERYTHING that you order here sizzles— you have to wear a napkin bib or get scalded by the splattering juices. Their glorious meat will definitely not let you down.

Address: 西区南幸1-3-1 横浜モアーズ8ＦYokohama, Japan
Phone: +81 45-311-9977
Website: http://www.hungrytiger.co.jp/

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Ichiran Roppongi 一蘭 六本木店

One of the best ramen restaurant in Japan

This restaurant is tucked away in a hidden corner of an old, grey building. Take the lift up to third floor and you'll see the restaurant. You won't see the faces of the waiters and waitresses (unless you sneakily peek through the blinds like how I did it). Your order is first taken through a vending machine before you enter the restaurant. Then, you are seated into various compartments. When seated, your ramen is tailored according to your preference for the amount of garlic, green onions, hot sauce, noodle texture and more.

Address: 4-11-11 Roppongi, Minato, Tokyo 106-0032, Japan

Japanese address: 六本木4-11-11 六本木GMビル2FMinato-ku, Tokyo
Phone:+81 3-3796-7281

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Cup Noodles Museum カップヌードルミュージアム

This is Japan's version of 'Cai Fan (Mixed Vegetable Rice)'— just kidding. I never knew that cup noodles were invented by Japanese, in fact, it was also one of the earlier inventors who invented cup noodles for space! The museum is extremely inspirational and insightful— you see how cup noodles have changed the whole world. You also get to learn the process of how cup noodles are created, and I must say it takes a genius to invent one. This is a must-visit place for families who would want to inspire their children, and aspiring entrepreneurs who wish to learn the values of the Japanese people.

Address: 中区新港2-3-4, Yokohama, Japan 231-0001
Phone: +81 45-345-0918
Museum hours: 10:00-18:00 (last admission 17:00)
Closed on New Year's Eve and New Year holidays

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Yoshinoya 吉野家

Best beef bowl in Japan: Yoshinoya

Please don't snort at the idea of having Yoshinoya— because that's what I did when my brother said that the first thing to do when touching down in Japan is to eat Yoshinoya. We definitely tried Yoshinoya in Singapore before, but this beef bowl in Japan is worlds apart.  Yoshinoya is considered 'fast food' (in the sense of time and efficiency) because they can serve you quicker than McDonald's.

I've had Yoshinoya thrice during my trip in Japan, and I just wish I could eat it everyday.

Address: Shinjuku 1-chome 東京都新宿区新宿1丁目32−5 ·

Phone: +81 3-5363-1828
Open 24 hours

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Oshokuji dokoro darumayaお食事処達磨也

I literally almost had a heart attack here: it's my first time seeing an old lady being a chef and waiter to more than 30 diners. The greatest point is that her home cooked food is ultra heavenly. Trust me, you'll be the only foreigner in the restaurant and you won't regret it. In fact, you can't find any reviews on them from trip advisor etc.  You must try her garlic gyoza, can someone bring those back to Singapore, please?

Here are some tips:
1. Be prepared— she cannot speak English at all but the pictures do help. You can use Google Image translator... it's not always accurate, but at least you can make out some words!
2. It's quite difficult to find the restaurant if you don't know the area. Try using Google Maps before hand!

Address: Japan, 〒401-0304 山梨県南都留郡富士河口湖町河口2866
English address: 2866 Kawaguchi Fujikawaguchiko Minamitsuru-gun Yamanashi
Phone:+81 555-76-7060

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Daily Chiko デイリーチコ

Famous Japanese ice-cream shop: Daily Chiko near Nakano station

This 5-year old ice-cream shop is famous among Japanese.  I'm surprised that it has not been covered by tourists— the area at Nakano is a beautiful place with many authentic Japanese stores and there are hardly any tourists around. 

Daily Chiko Ice-ceram

Address: Japan, 〒164-0001 Tokyo, Nakano, 5 Chome−52−15, コープブロードウェイセンター B1F
Phone: +81 3-3386-4461

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東京築地中央卸売市場　Tsukiji Market - Tokyo Metropolitan Central Wholesale Market

Fresh fish butchering in Tsukiji Market

Enjoy the sights of skilful butcher slicing tuna and more. This sprawling wholesale fish market distributes meat, produce and flowers in Tokyo and is famous for being one of the world's most largest fish market. Don't worry if you can't stand fishy smell— because I can't too but the cold weather somehow made it okay. Here's a video of fish butchering:

Address: 5 Chome-2-1 Tsukiji, Chuo, Tokyo 104-0045, Japan
Phone: +81 3-3542-1111

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Minato Mirai 21 みなとみらい21

I guess you can tell by now that I'd prefer places without many people. There are just too many people back home, hence it's always wonderful to get a breather overseas! Minato Mirai 21 is the central business district (CBD) of Yokohama, yet it retains the charm of it being a seaside urban area. There are a wealth of attractions here, including the Cup Noodles Museum mentioned above. Also, the Cosmo World amusement park looks pretty amazing— I wish we had time to go there.

Address: Minatomirai, Nishi Ward, Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture 220-0012, Japan Getting to Minatomirai: The most central station is Minato Mirai Station on the Minato Mirai Line, which is located in the basement of Queen's Square [2 stations from Yokohama Station (3 minutes, 180 yen)].