MY JAPAN RECOMMENDATIONS

This is a list of all my favourite and must-go places I went to during my trip in Japan, both food and non-food, and also a couple of places I went to 'for-the-gram' that I squeezed in. I was here for 17 days so we tried out heaps of things and visited a total of 7 cities!

MUST GO'S:

- Gram Pancake and A Happy Pancake: Both have several branches across Japan. Gram Pancake is limited to 20 servings per session of their premium souffle pancake (11am, 3pm and 6pm) which was so fluffy and we could not get enough of the cream on the side! We went at 5.30pm for the 6pm session and pretty much got it at 6pm as it wasn't busy at this time. But they do sell out the earlier sessions. The rest of their menu is thin pancakes and includes savoury options - we tried their salmon and avo pancake which was nice and light!

A Happy Pancake is also a must-try for their souffle pancakes! Both times I went, I got the original/basic one, and it is honestly so soft and jiggly. They have a range of souffle pancakes to choose from. You may also want to try Flippers, which is another pancake chain.

- Ichiran: you can't go to Japan and not try the ramen at Ichiran right? Just be prepared to line up - we lined up almost an hour. Ippudo in Japan is cheaper than in NZ and we also checked out Mutekiya, which is a busy and popular little ramen restaurant!

- Any sushi train: You gotta experience it. Recommend Uobei in Tokyo if you want the cheapest - 100yen for each plate.

- Sakura-tei (Harajuku): all-you-can-eat okonomiyaki! One of my faves just because of the whole experience of getting to cook it yourself. Go during lunch, it's cheaper for all-you-can eat then than during the rest of the day.

- Senso-Ji Temple (Asakusa): definitely recommend the whole Asakusa area for a cultural experience - shop, eat and explore the temple! Some people dress up in kimonos for photos here.

- TeamLab Borderless (Daiba): on a man-made island in Tokyo. Beautiful exhibitions, you'll get some amazing photos. There's also TeamLab Planets now.

- Shibuya: basically a given that you'll be in Shibuya if you're going to Tokyo for shopping and to see Shibuya Crossing! Harajuku, another popular area for the younger people, is just nearby too!

- Dotonbori: Food central of Osaka - lots of takoyaki stalls and just heapppss of food!

- Yoshinoya: super cheap Japanese multinational fast food/restaurant chain, known for their gyudon (beef on rice bowl).

- Cremia Ice cream: Holy moly Cremia soft serves are a whole 'nother level. It's one of those foods that you'll definitely come across wherever you are in Japan but this one is from Dotonbori in Osaka and I found their serving is a lot more than other places. So so creamy, the Japanese are known to make quality soft serve and this was definitely one of, if not the best soft serve I've ever had. It’s made from Hokkaido fresh cream for that rich milky taste and high milk fat content. And the cone isn't just your basic icecream or waffle cone, it’s langue de chat - a thin buttery shortbread and I am all for it.

- Osaka Aquarium: whale shark! World's largest aquarium.

- Kuromon Market: highly recommend for shopping and snacks. It's also walking distance from Dotonbori.

- Universal Studios Japan: definitely one of the best theme parks I've been to. We arrived about an hour before opening time to line up.

- Kinkakuji Temple: the most beautiful golden temple, situated in Kyoto.

- Yasaka Pagoda: preferred this over Fushimi Inari Shrine to be honest (we went to these two spots during the day we were dressed up in kimonos). Much less crowded, which makes photos easier.

- Kichikichi Omurice: watch my Japan story highlight on my instagram if you want to find out what it's famous for. Bookings are open about one month in advance and I recommend booking as soon as it does open to guarantee your preferred time!

To book: http://dongree.xsrv.jp/kichikichi/reserve/notes-on-reservation/

- Go see some deers at Nara Park or Miyajima Island: we hired bikes near Nara Station and biked to the park! Go further for more deers - not necessarily a good thing though. Be warned, they may nip your butt because they're after the crackers you'll be feeding them! There are also some deers on Miyajima Island - far less than Nara Park so they'll be less in your face.

- Melonpan: This is a chain store but you should easily come across stores selling melon bread with ice cream in Japan. I've never seen this outside Japan so give it a try!

FOR THE GRAM:

- Alfred Tea Room

- Shirohige's Cream Puff Factory (Setagaya): adorable totoro-shaped cream puffs! Quiet neighbourhood area, and only a short train trip from bustling Shibuya! So glad we went out here. Cheaper if you takeaway.

- Machi Machi (Harajuku): we don't have this chain in NZ (yet) so was excited to try in Japan! Also bumped into their store in Korea. Must try their bottled panna cotta drinks! They have cute art/decor on the walls which pretty much everyone uses for photos.

Check out my Japan story highlight on my Instagram to see more of my amazing time in Japan!