Amy's words (previous comment) are spot on. Don't worry so much about the top 10, instead just enjoy life in Japan. Sit in a kissaten (cafe), have coffee, a tamago sando and observe life around you. Marvel at the wonders of Kyoto Station. Ride the loop line around Osaka just to see the city. Get lost in Shinjuku Station (which is quite easy to do). Sit on a bench in Kyoto's Umekoji Park and watch the many trains go by. Ride the Randen Train line in Kyoto and get off a few stops before getting to Arashiyama and wander through the neighborhoods. Take the JR line from Kyoto Station to Nishioji Station (one stop away) and have breakfast at Coo's Conservo bakery. Just wander around.
Thank you, Mike, for the great comment. You're describing the perfect way to slow down and really enjoy Japan. You've actually listed some of my favorite things in Kyoto: the Randen Line, Umekoji-koen, a tamago sando and a good kissaten. It is clear that you know the Japanese art of "mankitsu," which means to enjoy something to one's heart's content. It is something that the flâneur does on his aimless strolls around a city.
Excellent advice. We traveled to Japan in summer 2023, relying heavily on your websites for guidance. Due to limited time and a typhoon which stopped Shinkansen travel, we only visited Tokyo and Kyoto. We saw some of the top ten, but my favorite moments were wandering the streets, finding local tea shops or restaurants and marveling at the wonders 7-11 or Daiso. A visit to the grocery store or ride on Shinkansen were awe inspiring.
Several friends have asked for our itinerary and recommendations. While I point them to your resources, I also say doesn’t really matter where you go in Japan because just being there is an experience. My college kid is hoping to spend a semester there and if they do, we will return and I plan venture off the beaten path to smaller towns.
Thank you for the excellent comment, Amy! Thank you also for using my websites. Tokyo and Kyoto are more than enough. Indeed, just one would be fine if you approached it the way you describe: finding the wonder in the little things. I hope your child does spend a semester in Japan. It would be a fantastic experience. The smaller towns may have fewer "obvious" attractions, but they will have all kinds of nice little surprises. Please keep me posted about your travels and discoveries. Thanks again!
Amy's words (previous comment) are spot on. Don't worry so much about the top 10, instead just enjoy life in Japan. Sit in a kissaten (cafe), have coffee, a tamago sando and observe life around you. Marvel at the wonders of Kyoto Station. Ride the loop line around Osaka just to see the city. Get lost in Shinjuku Station (which is quite easy to do). Sit on a bench in Kyoto's Umekoji Park and watch the many trains go by. Ride the Randen Train line in Kyoto and get off a few stops before getting to Arashiyama and wander through the neighborhoods. Take the JR line from Kyoto Station to Nishioji Station (one stop away) and have breakfast at Coo's Conservo bakery. Just wander around.
Thank you, Mike, for the great comment. You're describing the perfect way to slow down and really enjoy Japan. You've actually listed some of my favorite things in Kyoto: the Randen Line, Umekoji-koen, a tamago sando and a good kissaten. It is clear that you know the Japanese art of "mankitsu," which means to enjoy something to one's heart's content. It is something that the flâneur does on his aimless strolls around a city.
Excellent advice. We traveled to Japan in summer 2023, relying heavily on your websites for guidance. Due to limited time and a typhoon which stopped Shinkansen travel, we only visited Tokyo and Kyoto. We saw some of the top ten, but my favorite moments were wandering the streets, finding local tea shops or restaurants and marveling at the wonders 7-11 or Daiso. A visit to the grocery store or ride on Shinkansen were awe inspiring.
Several friends have asked for our itinerary and recommendations. While I point them to your resources, I also say doesn’t really matter where you go in Japan because just being there is an experience. My college kid is hoping to spend a semester there and if they do, we will return and I plan venture off the beaten path to smaller towns.
Thank you for the excellent comment, Amy! Thank you also for using my websites. Tokyo and Kyoto are more than enough. Indeed, just one would be fine if you approached it the way you describe: finding the wonder in the little things. I hope your child does spend a semester in Japan. It would be a fantastic experience. The smaller towns may have fewer "obvious" attractions, but they will have all kinds of nice little surprises. Please keep me posted about your travels and discoveries. Thanks again!