Tokyo

Imperial Palace (inner grounds not open to public)

Meji Shrine (Harajuku)
Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building (Shinjuku)
o Free + Observation decks
Park Hyatt (Shinjuku) New York Bar
Shinjuku Gyoen (National Garden)
Golden Gai (architecture + nightlife, in Shinjuku)
Sky Tower and Mori Art Museum (Rappongi)
Koenji/Shirrakirzaua

Kyoto
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Fushimi Inari Shrine (Shinto Shrine, Torii gares)

Bike Hire
Kurama (rural town in Northern mountains, 30-40 mins on
train) outdoor onsen + Buddhist temple
Ks house Kyoto, probably the nicest hostels Ive ever stayed
at friendly staff, good location

Osaka
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Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan (a little $$)

Floating Garden Building (observation deck, city views) ->
Umeda Sky Building
Dontonbori, Chuo Ku area (nightlife)
Osaka Castle

Hiroshima
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Ks house Hiroshima was cheap and all the staff were

helpful/friendly/I met the love of my life
Rent a bike and head for the hiroshima peace
memorial/Childrens peace monument
Ride through the park, until you reach ->
Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum
Hiroshima Castle, also worth riding there
Theres also a great nightlife district I cant find the name
but its walking distance from Ks House (not too helpful here I
know)
Ask Ks House staff how to get to Miejima its about a 45
minute trip (2 trains and a ferry worth it do it promise me,
alright good) get there before the afternoon so you can ride
up the mountain and play with deer/see the sun set

Naoshima
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Tadao Ando's (look him up) Island of modern art and stunning
architecture
Benesse Art Site Naoshima When youre finished try to catch
the shuttle sky chair train thingy to the actual hotel top and
walk around for some stunning views of the island (best at
sunset)
Chichu Museum pricey , minimalist but worth it
Lee Ufan Museum pricey not much there, but if youve made
it this far could be worth it or just walk around outside and
up to the front desk and youve already seen some of the best
of it
I love yu surrealist/modernist onsen
Art house projects (designed by artist such as James Turrel),
scattered around the Island. Good adventure to walk around
and find them
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e5475.html

Teshima
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Right next to Naoshima, one 15-20 minute (approx) ferry

Theres only really one museum on this island, Teshima art

Museum

its brilliant, its location is stunning, but there is only really

one piece, Just need a day trip and a few hours at most

http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e5440.html

TOKYO- Districts

Ikebukero
We first stayed at Kimi Ryokan in Ikebukero on the Yamonote Line. Pretty good
location as its like three stops from Shibuya and shinjuku and stuff, and not so
touristy and popular. A bit grimy. We went to a few bars there too.
Harajuku
Such a sweet place. There is a main street of Harajuku is just outside the station
called Takeshita St, and is filled with the start of op-shops and harajuku style
clothing. Everything is a bit overpriced on this street as its the main one, but find

some side alleys and stuff. There is also a crazy impressive stadium designed by
Kenzo Tange, just near the bridge where all the Harajuku girls are meant to hang
out. Before you go shopping in Harajuku, you should also check out Yoyogi Park. Its
like central park sort of (I dont really know) but it leads you to this big Japanese
shrine for Emperor Meiji (the dude that industrialised Japan).
After that, Omotesando St is like the Champs-Elysees of Tokyo. With really nice
buildings and expensive stores. Theres a MOMA store that is cool there, and hipster
cafes on the side streets near it.
Go into the Commes des Garcons store to marvel at how much a modern kimono
would cost.
Check out the original Harajuku Gyoza, a coffee shop called Lattest, the cat gallery.
Shinjuku
Classic Tokyo street scene. With heaps of people and lights going down the street
for ages. Go to the Golden Gai district. Tiny tiny tiny 1metere wide bars. Its a bit hard
to find, but a lot of fun.
Akihabara
So much fun. Its the old electronic district which has now become the crazy place for
playing computer games. There are 5 storey buildings just for playing Tekken.
Roppongi
Bit of a business district and upmarket but its where some good clubs and jazz bars
are. Oh and art galleries.
Shimokitezawa
Second hand district on the Yamanote line. Lots of op shops. Hipstaaaaa
Asakusa
Markets I think on a Sunday
Tsukuji
Famous Japanese fish market where they auction off Tunas for like 1000000000
dollars. have to go like reallllly early in the morning to see it (5am)
Odaiba
Man-made island port in Tokyo
Ueno
Museums.go to the Museum of Western Art designed by Le Corbusier. Amazing
collection of modern art.
Yokohama
Worth a day trip- Tokyos sister city on the ocean. Interesting to see a less dense city
in the area
Book now for Studio Ghibli museum. Apparently its hard to get into if you dont
pre organise it. Youd love it, i didnt go but shouldve
To get a really good free view of Tokyo (instead of going up Tokyo Sky Tree)- go to
the Metropolitan Office Towers in Shinjuku and they have an observatory deck which
is free

Helpful sites/apps:
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http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e4207.html

Insidekyoto.com

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