I went to Japan back in 2023, here are my latest recommendations.

Tokyo #

Shinjuku #

Tonkatsu Tonta とんかつとん太 https://maps.app.goo.gl/txBUsDSTHNsnwGYK9 I really enjoyed this Tonkatsu. Soft and juicy. Lined up ten twenty minutes before opening, and the line wasn’t too long.

Get off at Takadanobaba Station

Menya Sho Honten 麺屋翔本店 https://maps.app.goo.gl/FrzJWQ6zuHoQgw37A Great Ramen place, specialize in Chicken broth I got the Shio Ramen 軍鶏特製塩ラーメン

Satei Zenkashoin 茶庭然花抄院 https://maps.app.goo.gl/WFmChy1WLXDt6xbG6 Enjoyed the Japanese desserts here, like ice cream, or matcha

Shibuya #

Azuki to Kōri あずきとこおり https://maps.app.goo.gl/ZgHMZRF4Adsy3i9T7 Great shaved ice spot. Need to wake up early to get reservation online. They open seats two weeks at a time

Roppongi #

Azabudai Hills 麻布台ヒルズ https://maps.app.goo.gl/xaugCGLqpkXKAG616 Opened in 2023, this new building contains a bunch of shops and restaurants. If you have a chance it’s a nice place to walk around and shop. There’s also an observatory up top. Worth the visit to see Tokyo Tower

DOLCE TACUBO CAFFE https://maps.app.goo.gl/vzy9VJF4dWsBoKs88 In Azabudai Hills shopping district. Really good pudding and cream puff. Their main shop is near Ebisu. Highly recommend

Iruca Tokyo Roppongi 入鹿TOKYO 六本木 https://maps.app.goo.gl/PLgvRTiacd5KQpKj8 Fancy ramen with truffles. Pretty good if you’re okay with the wait

Ueno #

Kameya 龜屋一睡亭 https://maps.app.goo.gl/C5yDLTZVY2mcTB6fA Good multi course meal. Probably need reservations.

Ginza #

Ginnotō main building 銀之塔 https://maps.app.goo.gl/yDt214hLY11C4XXFA If you’re craving Beef Stew, this is a good place to go. Beef really soft

BONGEN COFFEE Tokyo Ginza https://maps.app.goo.gl/RBWfGYot7j3C3MjP6 If you’re into coffee, I liked this place. Had matcha latte

Henri Charpentier Ginza Store https://maps.app.goo.gl/82CoB7kapN3WDqDi7 Had Mont Blanc. Pretty good

Ningyocho #

Naruto Taiyaki 鳴門鯛焼本舗人形町店 https://maps.app.goo.gl/QteSRkDrf3QM7Tm78 Pretty good Taiyaki. It’s a chain so you can find all over Tokyo

Itabashi #

Ramen Yoshikawa 寿製麺よしかわ西台駅前店 https://maps.app.goo.gl/MPionzuP74xFPhRx6 This place is super out of the way, but I highly recommend eating here if you have the chance. Get here early before it opens and you won’t have to wait long. Super good ramen.

Mitaka #

Ramen Sakurai 麺屋さくら井 https://maps.app.goo.gl/UakAQ3qP7BYGhjmg6 Highly recommend this ramen shop. Line are long, come early to wait less. Their rice bowls are also good

Ramen Sukoyaka ラーメン健やか https://maps.app.goo.gl/3pTnZhWn9qKs42Md9 If you want Ramen in Mitaka, this was nice

Yokohama #

Saiyuki 西遊記 https://maps.app.goo.gl/KZeaXoVBD9w8722J7 If you’re craving Dim Sum, we really enjoyed this place. Portions are small, and Dim Sum in Japan is more expensive, but the taste is pretty good.

Manchinro Tenshinpo 萬珍樓點心舗 https://maps.app.goo.gl/KWyWonmYjFMEKfxP8 Another Dim Sum place, also pretty good

Yokohama Aka-Renga Soko 横浜赤レンガ倉庫 https://maps.app.goo.gl/1sy4QFhN1NCBNFgFA Also known as the Red Brick Warehouse it’s another building with a lot of small shops and food for you to shop around.

Kamakura #

If you’re already at Yokohama, it’s not too far to Kamakura, which has the Great Buddha and other well known temples.

Mt. Takao #

If you want to go hike, Mt Takao is just off Tokyo and has good views.

Kyoto #

Yakiniku Yazawa Kyoto 焼肉矢澤京都 https://maps.app.goo.gl/7THBVatXNsZEHoFS8 Great Yakiniku place. Can reserve online

ShinPuhKan 新風館 https://maps.app.goo.gl/CiiuVY6VZ8nLkGWG7 Great shopping mall with a lot of things to see. Has good chocolate and dessert. Just a few blocks from Kyoto Station

Around Kyoto Gyoen #

Hafuu 肉専科はふう本店 https://maps.app.goo.gl/S5UAgYbHBJvcKF1h7 Great Beef Katsu place. We walked up right as it opened and don’t have to wait

Hitsuji Doughnut ひつじドーナツ https://maps.app.goo.gl/r5SwjUGFGXWvkQiP6 If you’re craving donuts, this is pretty good for Japanese twist on the dessert. Lines are long, be prepared.

ASSEMBLAGES KAKIMOTO https://maps.app.goo.gl/ASveH3PVobZycJcY8 Great dessert if you are around