Japan Through Artists’ Eyes: TWT Notes for getting adjusted, exploring the neighborhood, and ideas for your free time…

Yozakura (Night time cherry blossom viewing) at Nakameguro

Version 2024.02.22 (please watch for changes as this page is subject to updates)

Dear Guests,

Welcome to Japan! Thank you for planning your trip to Japan a day or two early in order to get more adjusted and acclimated—every little bit helps! Mark and Dana created this FAQ to as you adjust to the time difference, and plan your activities these additional days, during the “free time” during the trip, as well as for those staying longer after the trip.  There’s so much to do here in Tokyo, and our itinerary is very full, so we hope you find these suggestions helpful to get your bearings and to follow your interests as you explore the neighborhood, and the city beyond. We’ve included links to some very helpful YouTube videos, by our favorite hosts—you might want to explore their other posts.

Within this document you will find background information including activity and restaurant suggestions.  The activities and restaurants we’ve listed here are meant to pique your curiosity / prompt potential exploration. Most listed below are not officially part of our tour, so please try to experience them on your own to enhance and supplement your experience. With the coming of the cherry blossom season comes tourists and locals having parties, making these weeks very busy, celebratory time. If you desire reservations at any particular restaurant, or type of cuisine, or for any particular activity during your free evenings (both pre-tour, during the tour, and afterwards), the sooner we can try to reserve them for you the more likely we are to be able to secure them for you, otherwise you can be impromptu and our various hotel concierges will try to work their magic.

If you have any questions, or need help deciding, please don’t hesitate to ask!

We are looking forward to seeing you soon!  Thank you for joining us!

Your Co-Hosts,

Mark and Dana 

Hyatt Centric Ginza Tokyo Background information

A few activity suggestions within walking distance of The Hyatt Centric Ginza Tokyo hotel

Visit the historic Kabuki-za Theater (renovated by noted architect Kengo Kuma in 2013)

This is a landmark of architecture and theatre a short walk from the hotel, the lobby is free, and has an outstanding shopping area in the basement (B1F) [9:30-18:30 daily], and a nice garden and “experience gallery” with props and costumes on the fifth floor (5F), even if you don’t see a show.

Matinee and evening kabuki (half-day) performances consist of multiple acts and usually last 3-4 hours, so we recommend you experience a short sample, it may be possible to purchase a shorter “one-act” ticket the day before (if available) at a very reasonable cost (e.g. $10-$20 USD per ticket) though the seats are on the 4th floor (up high). These “one act” performances usually last 60 to 90 minutes and you can leave early (or decide not to go and just discard your ticket) without feeling very bad. If this might interest you, please try to give Mark two days advance notice (tickets can be purchased online at noon the day before the performance) - popular performances sell out quickly.

Visit a Ginza major department store

We recommend positioning yourself outside one of the main department store entrances just prior to opening time (opening times are noted below, and worth double-checking). The store will open exactly on time and the staff will bow and will greet you with a loud “irrashaimase!” (welcome!) as you walk through the doors.

1. Matsuya Ginza (opens at 11 AM)

2. Mitsukoshi Ginza (opens at 10 AM)

3. Takashimaya Nihonbashi (opens at 10:30 AM)

Visit the Art Aquarium Museum (Ticketed Attraction)

The Art Aquarium Museum in the 8th and 9th floor of the Matsuya Department store in Ginza is a permanent exhibition of Japanese goldfish swimming in a variety of colorful tanks. Although online advance ticket purchase is possible, on site ticket purchase works fine on most weekdays.

Walk around the Imperial Palace

The Imperial Palace serves as the residence of the Emperor of Japan.

The palace’s moat perimeter is a favorite local jogging route. Although you cannot enter inside the palace grounds, you can view some of the exterior from outside the perimeter. On this same site previously stood Edo Castle, constructed in 1457. It was the residence of the Tokugawa shogunate who ruled Japan from 1603 until the Meiji Restoration in 1868. Some of Edo Castle’s stone walls and gates still remain.

Ginza Shopping

Ginza shopping includes a large array of flagship stores of many world-renowned luxury brands including Mikimoto, Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Gucci, Dior, Cartier, Tiffany & Co., Hermès, Bulgari, Mont Blanc, Prada, Burberry, Chaumet, and Armani. The Japanese fashion chain Uniqlo has a very large outlet here. The Ginza district also includes lifestyle and home goods at Muji, creative and innovative finds at Loft, stationery at the Japanese mecca Itoya, and a wide variety of gadgets and tools at Tokyu Hands. Within a very short walking distance of the Hyatt Centric Ginza Tokyo Hotel, the Ginza Six stands out among shopping complexes, offering over 200 high-end shops, diverse dining options, cultural experiences with art installations and a Noh theater, alongside a tranquil rooftop garden, all encapsulated within a modern design that blends tradition and innovation. When you check prices, you may notice the US dollar’s favorable exchange rate with the Japanese Yen.

Visit other nearby Ginza Hotels

You might enjoy visiting other nearby hotels for various reasons. The Peninsula has a reputation for lavish luxury and a renowned high tea experience. The Imperial Hotel, steeped in history and known for its service, has the Old Imperial Bar that pays homage to Frank Lloyd Wright's original design. The Palace Hotel has great views of the Imperial Palace gardens. The Muji Hotel is located at the top of Ginza’s Muji department store, and reflects Muji’s minimalist design and functionality.

On-Your-Own Night Summary (advance dinner reservations encouraged - please ask if you need help)

  • 19 (Tues) March (Tokyo / Ginza)

  • 20 (Wed) March (Tokyo / Ginza)

  • 24 (Sun) March (Kyoto)

  • 26 (Tues) March (Tokyo / Shibuya)

Other Ginza Area Restaurant Recommendations

Ginza Restaurants recommended by the Peninsula Hotel Concierge

10 Japanese Restaurants at Ginza SIX (an upscale shopping mall) recommended by Tokyo Weekender

Best Restaurants in Ginza recommended by Timeout Tokyo


Kyoto Area Restaurant Recommendations (from our local guide - who loves good food - Masa Fujiwara)

Kyoto Sushi Restaurants in the 5,000-10,000JPY price range (about $30 to $60 USD)

  • Kappa Sushi

☎ +81 50-5488-1706 evening hours: 17:00-23:00
Website (English) + English menu available and Instagram

  • Sushisei (Japanese Only Website)

☎ +81 75-252-1537
11:30-15:00/evening hours: 17:00-22:00

Website (Japanese Only) and No Instagram

  • Sushi・Ryouri Nakata ☎ +81 75-366-4580 17:00-0:00

  • Instagram

Kyoto Sushi Restaurants in the 10,000-20,000JPY price range (about $60 to $120 USD)

  • Sushitoku

☎ +81 75-354-1934 11:30-14:30/18:00-23:00
※ Closed on Mon.
Website (English) and Instagram

  • Sushi Imai

☎ +81 75-561-1010 12:00-14:00/17:00-22:00 ※ Closed on Wed.

Google Map

Kyoto Sushi Restaurants in the 20,000-30,000JPY or more price range (about $120 to $180 USD)

  • Sushi Rakumi

☎ +81 90-4566-3733 17:00-19:00/19:30-21:30

Website (Japanese) and Instagram

Kyoto Edomae (Traditional) Sushi

  • Sushishinn

☎ +81 75-223-3355
12:00-19:30
※ Closed on Wed.
Website (Japanese) and Instagram

  • Kyoto Sora

☎ +81 75-366-5808
11:30-13:30/17:00-22:00
※ Closed on Mon.
Instagram

Other (Non-Sushi) Kyoto Restaurants in the 5,000-10,000JPY price range (about $30 to $60 USD)

  • Kushikura

☎ +81 120-138-488
(grilled chicken in skewers) Sun-Thu/17:00-21:30 Fri & Sat/17:00-22:00 
Website (English) and Instagram

  • Kakyu ⚠An interpretor will be required. (japanese creative cuisine) 17:30-23:00

    ☎ +81 75-231-9671
    ※Closed on 1st&3rd Sun. 
    Website (Japanese) and Instagram

  • TADKA (south india)

17:30-22:00
※Closed on Sun & Mon. ☎+81 75-746-2337
Website (Japanese) and instagram

  • MUGHAL (indian)

17:00-22:00
☎+81 75-241-3777
Website (English) and instagram

  • Manzara gion (japanese/obanzai)

17:00-0:00 ※Closed on Mon
☎+81 75-532-3619
Website (Japanese)

  • La Mer giki (french)

18:00-21:30 ※Closed on Tue.
☎+81 75-371-4343
Website (Japanese)

Other (Non-Sushi) Kyoto Restaurants in the 10,000-20,000 JPY Price Range (about $60 to $120 USD)

  • Another C (Modern Japanese/creative cuisine)

18:00-23:00.
☎+81 75-746-2438
Website (English) and Instagram

  • Obase (Italian)

8:00-22:00 ※Closed on Wed & Thu.
☎+81 75-211-6918
Website (Bilingual) and Instagram

  • ORTO (Italian & French) 18:30-22:00

18:30-22:00 ※Closed on Mon & Tue
☎+81 75-212-1166
Website (Bilingual) and Instagram

  • Yonemura (creative cuisine) 18:00-21:00

18:00-21:00 ※Closed on Tue & Wed
☎+81 75-533-6699
Website (Japanese)

  • IL GHIOTTONE (Italian)

18:00-20:00 ※Closed on Tue & Wed.
☎+81 75-532-2550
Website (Multilingual) and instagram

  • Yata gion (Japanese creative cuisine)

17:00-22:00
☎+81 75-525-5511
Website (Japanese) and instagram

  • Mikuni gion (teppanyaki/japanese steakhouse)

Open 24 hours
☎+81 75-561-3928
Website (Japanese)

Other (Non-Sushi) Kyoto Restaurants in the 20,000 JPY or more price range ($120 USD or more)

  • Wakuden Muromachi (Japanese)

17:30-21:00 ※Closed on Tue.
※Closed on Tue.
☎+81 75-223-3200
Website (English) and instagram

  • Kikunoi (Japanese)

17:00-20:00
☎+81 75-561-0015
Website (English) and instagram

  • Roan-Kikunoi (Japanese)

17:00-19:30 ※Closed on Wed.
☎+81 75-361-5580
Website (English)

  • Rakumi gion (Japanese a la carte)

17:30-23:00 ※Close on Sun.2nd&4th Mon
☎+81 75-531-3733
Website (Japanese)

Shibuya Area Restaurants Recommended by the Cerulean Tower Tokyu Hotel concierge

Shabuzen Shibuya (Shabushabu and Sukiyaki with premium Kobe and/or Omi Beef): website

Hanno Daidokoro (Yakiniku BBQ,Izakaya Japanese Style Pub,Horumon - Offal): website

Yakitori Tsukada Shibuya (Chicken skewer pub): website

Teppanyaki 10 at Shibuya Scramble Square (iron grill) website

Ichiran Shibuya (Ramen) website

TOPICS

What is a SUICA card?

A SUICA card is a smart prepaid card used for “touchless” public transportation and cashless payments in Japan, offering convenience and wide acceptance across various transportation networks and retail outlets. Tourists benefit from the ease of navigating Japan's transport systems without needing to purchase individual tickets, and the card can be used for small purchases (e.g. at vending machines, convenience stores, etc.). An electronic version of SUICA can be added to Apple Wallet on iPhones, enabling users to manage and recharge their card digitally and use their iPhone for transportation and small purchases.

Fun fact: SUICA stands for "Super Urban Intelligent Card." - Suica is also a Japanese word that can mean either “watermelon” or “picked squid” (usually the context helps to clarify which word you mean)

Using Google Maps in Tokyo

Google Maps is highly efficient for navigating in Tokyo (and across Japan) due to its comprehensive and up-to-date information on public transportation routes, including train and bus schedules, making it easy to plan travel itineraries. Its detailed maps and walking directions are helpful for navigating Japan's complex city layouts and finding points of interest, restaurants, and accommodations, often including opening and closing times. Additionally, Google Maps offers real-time traffic updates and alternative route suggestions.

Recommended spots for viewing Cherry Blossoms in Tokyo

Paolo’s ten cherry blossom viewing recommendations are:

  1. Sumida River

  2. Yoyogi Park

  3. Ueno Park

  4. Chidorigafuchi

  5. Yasukuni Shrine

  6. Shinjuku Gyoen

  7. Yaesu Sakura Dori

  8. Imperial Palace

  9. Meguro River

  10. Rikugien

Managing Tokyo’s Various transportation options (e.g. Taxis, Buses, Subways, and Trains)

Tip: Bring a hotel business card with you in order to show it to your taxi driving

Visit a Japanese Convenience Store or “Konbini”

Convenience stores, or "konbini" in Japan, are an integral part of daily life in the country, offering an astonishing variety of services and goods that go far beyond what is typically expected from such establishments elsewhere. Open 24/7 and located at nearly every corner in urban and rural areas alike, these stores provide a convenient and efficient shopping experience, catering to the needs of people at all hours with their wide range of products, from ready-to-eat meals and snacks to household essentials and beyond. Try paying with a SUICA card here!

THANK YOU!

Mark Holzbach mark@tinyworldtours.com +1 512.689.6777

Dana Friis-Hansen dana@tinyworldtours.com +1 512.653.8188