Japan Wrap Up

At the end of each trip I like to give y’all a wrap up of the places I’ve been so that you can keep those deets handy for if you’re ever travellin’ to that part of the world and this trip is no different. Japan is a bloody fantastic country with a bunch of stuff to do no matter what you’re into; shopping, culture, nature and just about anything else. Oh, and of course some bitchin’ vegan eats when you can find ’em (it’s not that hard).

Osaka (Check out the posts here and here for the full posts)

Where to Stay

If you want to be near all of the lights of Dotonbori, the major shopping strip and a bunch of walkable vegan-friendly eats, APA Hotel Namba-Shinsaibashi is a pretty good choice. Good transport links and activities are within a short walk of this awesomely located hotel but it’s definitely not luxurious. I stayed in a single room which was very small with not a lot of storage but if you just need a base to crash, this is for you!

Getting Around

Subways and trains are your best friend in Osaka if you don’t want to walk or bike it. If you’re planning on catching some bullet trains during your stay in Japan, definitely get a JR Pass and use it to your advantage while getting around each city too. Where a JR line isn’t possible, the subway is a cheap and fast way of getting from A to B.

Best Eats

Aju Vegan Bistro was one of my faves even though it was a little out of the way and doesn’t have the best atmosphere, make sure you get the assorted vege soy chicken and soft serve! El Pancho is the spot for some fun drinks, atmosphere and pretty good Mexican grub while I’d definitely recommend grabbing a burger at Salunpowaku if you plan on hitting Minoh Falls.

What to Do

You’ve got to check out the Glico Running Man at Dotonbori, hit the Shinsaibashi Shopping Arcade to drop a stack of yen, Minoh Falls to get some naytcha into ya and Neco Republic to experience Japan’s cat cafe culture in a way that actually helps animals, not harms them.

Hiroshima (Check out the full post here)

Where to Stay

The rooms at Hiroshima Tokyu REI Hotel are quite spacious and a great place to come back and rest after a day exploring this beautifully green city. Hiroshima Peace Park and shopping arcades are both within a reasonable walking distance, as is the vegan food.

Getting Around

We didn’t catch many trains during our time in Hiroshima but the easiest way to get around other than walking is using the cable car system, which is a cheap way to explore the city. Hop a boat at the Peace Park to get a boat direct to Miyajima or hire a bike as the place is full of ’em!

Best Eats

You have to have an authentic Hiroshima okonomiyaki experience and Nagataya is the vegan place to do it (ask for the vegetarian menu and you’re all set). Art Elk Cafe is also close by and makes a great lunch or dinner set, which clearly marked vegan options while Vegan Cafe appears the be the only all vegan joint in the city, serving a set lunch each day on tatami mats – a lovely experience!

What to Do

If you can handle a little walk, Minoh Falls is a must if you want to check out some beautiful maple trees and perhaps spot a monkey! Miyajima should be at the tippy top of your list if you’re wanting to get your shrine fix while all of the buildings at the Hiroshima Memorial Peace Park are incredibly important places to visit to learn about the terrible atomic bomb that shook the city all those years ago.

Kyoto (Check out the full post here)

Where to Stay

Hotel MyStays Kyoto-Shijo is a reasonably comfortable hotel (albeit with very hard beds) which is a dope place to stay if you’re going to be catching public transport to other parts of Kyoto or walking to vegan joints and shopping destinations.

Getting Around

Again, biking is a very popular way to get around Kyoto but it’s also very easy to get around by pounding the pavement. Subways and JR lines will get you where you need to go beyond what you’re comfortable walking plus they seem to have a really great bus system (although I didn’t use it).

Best Eats

If you’re a sesame lover, Gomacro is non-negotiable for an all-vegan, sesame heavy dining experience. Momukuteki has a really cool atmosphere with a reasonable selection of vegan meals and some bitchin’ shakes and desserts (OMG the desserts!) If you’re willing to splurge a little on a traditional shojin-ryori meal, Yoshuji is the place to be after exploring Mt. Kurama.

What to Do

The shopping area surrounding Nishiki Market is a great place to make it rain yen all over the place, with plenty of chain stores and boutiques to suit a range of budgets and tastes. Fushimi Inari is your place to hit for your torii gate fix, while the Sagano Railway, Bamboo Forest and Hozugawa River Boat combo makes an awesome nature-filled day trip. For a dose of traditional Japanese culture, hit up Gion and explore the beautiful streets while trying to spot a geisha or two!

Tokyo (Check out the full post here)

Where to Stay

Both Hotel Sunroute Plaza Shinjuku and Century Southern Tower Hotel are perfectly located near Shinkuku station, your gateway to all of Tokyo while also having a bunch of vegan eateries, gardens and shopping all within walking distance. Both have beautiful lobbies with bars and restaurants, very comfortable rooms and fantastic staff if you’re willing to spend a little bit more for the facilities.

Getting Around

Getting around Tokyo is so easy when you’re near a major JR station and have a JR Pass; once you reach your station, hop off and hit it by foot to make the most of everything my favourite Japanese city has to offer.

Best Eats

Chaya is a must for a special, macrobiotic meal (remember that strawberry shortcake?!) while Lime Cafe is where it’s at for an inexpensive, all vegan and reliable meal (with a very vegan friendly grocery attached). T’s TanTan is without question your number one spot for ramen while Ain Soph. Ripple is your best bet for an American style junk food feast.

What to Do

If you’ve got the time, be sure to check online for visibility and hit Lake Kawaguchi to grab a snap of Mt. Fuji. Shopping and eating around Shibuya, Shinjuku and Harajuku are a must while Sanrio Puroland is the place to get your extra dose of kawaii. Ueno Park also has a great collection of museums and galleries, just be sure to avoid the zoo!

Now before you get sick of me running my mouth about Japan (soz if you already are), I’m going to wrap things up here for this trip. Be sure to leave a comment if you have any tips to share or questions to ask about my Japanese adventures!

Sayonara for now.