Christmas Break in Japan

By Anna Belsham, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong

During my four week Christmas break from HKPU, I met my Dad in Japan for two weeks over Christmas and New Year, only a short 4 hour flight away. I have always dreamt of visiting Japan and it was everything I imagined and more. While I was there I spent 7 nights in Tokyo, 2 nights in Osaka, 2 nights in Kyoto and 4 nights in Fukuoka, I loved everywhere but I would say that my favorite places where Tokyo and Kyoto and if I went back I would spend more time in Kyoto. I have never been anywhere that is so clean and organized, ques are a big thing there, so be prepared for a lot of them (at most restaurants) and people there are so polite and kind to tourists.

It is a great time to go to Japan as the yen is so good at the moment, so you can get a lot of value for your money. Because of this it is also extremely busy with lots of tourists so that is something to be aware of. Bullet trains and hotels get booked up very quickly so it is crucial to book things in advanced. I was so sad when my time in Japan came to an end and hope to get the chance to visit again before my exchange year ends.

Tokyo Recommendations:

Tokyo has to be one of my favorite cities have ever visited, it had such a unique and vibrant feel, with vibrant lights, the best shopping, temples, parks, art exhibitions and the best food I have ever had. Every area and street you go to is so busy and bustling with different areas having different vibes. I stayed at hotel, La Vista Tokyo Bay, which was a good location but not right in the center, it has free access to Onsens (traditional Japanese hot baths), which was so relaxing and a great experience.

Sights and Areas:

• Shibuja- shibuya crossing, shibuya sky (amazing view of the whole city).
• Yogogi Park (Meiji jingu temple in yogogi park is a must).
• Harajuku (shopping area with vintage shops near Meiji jingu temple).
• Senso-ji Temple.
• Uneo Park (lots of museums and temples in the park).
• Ameyoko Shopping street (right next to Uneo Park).
• Tokyo Tower.
• Ginza- great shopping street (Uniqlo 12 story flagship store, dover street market).
• TeamLab Planets (immersive art experience).
• Shinjuku- 3D giant cat, Nishishinjuku (street with small traditional Japanese restaurants and bars).
• Tokyo Toyosu Fish Market- best sushi I have ever had.
• Tsukiji Outer Market- great place to try lots of Japanese food stalls.
• Vintage shops- Book-off and 2nd Street (chain’s so also in other areas of Japan).

Restaurants

• Gyukatsu Motomura
• Ichiran Raman
• Tenryu Gayoza
• Gyukatsu Kyoto Katsuga
• Menchirashi
• Happy Pancake

Osaka Recommendations:

I really enjoyed my time in Osaka and it was definitely completely different to Tokyo, more laid back and visually very different, it was much more commercialized then Tokyo. But I would say that 2 nights was enough time there for me and it’s not somewhere that I would be rushing to return too.

• Osaka Castle.
• Dontobri- main street with canal and all light up 3D signs (great atmosphere at night).
• Orange Street- vintage shopping.
• America-mura- vintage shopping.
• Mega Don Quijote Shinsekai- shop that sells amazing Japanese goods, I got lots of souvenirs, skincare, haircare and makeup from here (very busy shop so give yourself a while, but is a must, sells everything).

Restaurants

• Onigiri Gorichan.
• Happy Pancake.
• Ichiran Ramen.
• Oosaka 5cm Tonkatsu Chiyomatsu.
• Food stalls in Dontobri.

Kyoto Recommendations:

I spent 2 nights in Kyoto and wish I had more time there, it is full of so many amazing sights and has such a different feel to anywhere else in Japan, one minute you are in a big city and you turn a corner and it feels like your in a traditional Japanese village. It has the most rich culture, nature and amazing architecture, this is because it used to be the capital city of Japan. The hotel I stayed at was Oriental Hotel Kyoto Rokuji, which was in a perfect location with a calming, traditional Japanese style.

Sights and areas:

• Arashiyama Bamboo Forest.
• Kinkaku-ji.
• Kyoto Sento Imperial Palace.
• Gion.
• Sannenzaka – traditional streets with, Hokan-ji temple and Kiyomizu-dera temple.
• Fushimi Inari Taisha.
• To-ji Temple.
• Nishiki fish market.