Where We Eat, Shop & Explore in Japan

Osaka's neon-lit food street along the Dōtonbori canal — home to the Glico running-man sign, giant crab-shaped Kani Doraku billboard, and half the takoyaki, kushikatsu and okonomiyaki stalls in Japan. Go after dark for the full billboard effect. Avoid the biggest queues (Ichiran, Kinryu Ramen) and try the side streets — the second-best takoyaki spot is often better than the one with the 40-minute line.

Solo dining ramen booths. Order your broth strength, noodle firmness, and richness on a form. A deeply personal bowl of tonkotsu, perfect for the solo traveller.

Spacious market with vendors selling street food, fresh produce & shellfish, plus souvenirs.

Japan's most iconic peak at 3,776m — best viewed from the Fuji Five Lakes region. Chureito Pagoda gives you the classic postcard shot with the tower in the foreground; Lake Kawaguchi is the best for reflection photos. Climbing season runs July to early September; buy an official ¥2,000 climbing pass online before you go. Distant views from Hakone hot-spring inns and the Tokyo-Kyoto shinkansen are also worth catching on a clear day.

Kyoto's 400-year-old covered food market — five blocks of narrow lanes packed with pickle shops, dashi vendors, matcha stalls, and yuba (tofu skin) makers. Best mid-morning on a weekday to dodge tour groups. Skirt the outer edges to find real produce stalls, not tourist snacks. Great for a slow graze rather than a sit-down meal.

One of Ben and Sam's absolute go to ramen places when in Japan. They have eaten there so often its become tradition.

Immersive digital-art museum where you walk barefoot through knee-deep water, mirrored infinity rooms and giant projected flower installations. Different feel to teamLab Borderless (which is Azabudai) — Planets is more physical and experiential. Wear or bring shorts, phones OK but no waterproof cases needed. Book timed-entry tickets 1-2 weeks ahead, especially for weekends. 60-90 minutes end to end.

The only Disney park in the world with a nautical theme, and widely considered the best Disney park anywhere. Seven themed 'ports' including Mediterranean Harbor, Arabian Coast, and Mysterious Island. Book Fantasy Springs tickets well in advance — the 2024 expansion added Frozen, Rapunzel, and Peter Pan lands and they sell out.

Japan's original Disney park — Cinderella's Castle, meticulous theming, and rides that lean harder into detail than the US parks. Best on a weekday to dodge queues; grab a Premier Access ticket in the app on the way in for Pooh's Hunny Hunt and the Big Thunder Mountain area. Whole-day visit; food is much better than most theme parks.

Tokyo's Eiffel-inspired 333m orange-and-white lattice tower, opened 1958. The Main Deck at 150m is the classic view; the higher Top Deck at 250m costs extra but gets you above most surrounding buildings for cleaner sightlines. Sunset gives you the daylight-to-neon transition in one 20-minute window. Book Top Deck tickets online to skip queues.

One of the best-stocked knife shops in Osaka, with English-speaking staff (rare for Japanese knife stores) who'll explain steel types, help you pick a shape, and engrave your name in kanji while you wait. Range spans beginner-friendly Tojiro up to serious Nigara Hamono and Sakai-forged blades. A must-visit if you're building or restocking your collection while in Japan.