Learned Lessons for Efficient Travel & Restaurant / Hotel Recs in Japan

Efficiency Tips

Add the Suica card to Apple Wallet before arrival; load funds anytime without needing the Suica app. Works for trains, buses, and even 7-Eleven purchases. Just tap using your phone! Easy and no need for cash. Can refill any time instantaneously through your trip in Japan since it works like Apple Pay.
Download Go (Japan’s Uber equivalent) – reliable and English-friendly.
Use ChatGPT voice as an on-the-go translator during conversations

Rent a portable WiFi transmitter (https://www.japan-wireless.com/). I chose the Premium Wifi option. You can mail it to your hotel or airport if you prefer. Can set this up prior to leaving. Convenient, fast, and much more affordable. You mail it back on the last day (can drop it off at the airport mailbox!).

Use Ta-Q-Bin for hotel-to-hotel luggage transfers. Just talk to the hotel lobby when you’re there, no need to plan in advance for this. Made for much easier and convenient travel. Takes one day, so pack a small overnight bag with essentials.
Shinkansen bullet trains are amazing. You can buy tickets in advance, but if you miss it or change your mind on the timing, you can always go to another train time if you prefer. Simply go to the designated “unreserved seats” section, which they will indicate.

Tokyo

Visit Omoide Yokocho – a lively alleyway filled with food stalls and atmosphere.
The Shinjuku Station area is probably my most re-visited area. Great food, shopping, and things to do/see.

In Ginza: great cafés like Cloud Matcha, Glitch Coffee, and BONGEN Coffee.
Nakamise Shopping Street – food stalls, souvenirs, and Senso-ji Temple.
Recommended ramen spot: Tokichiro.
Tsukiji Market – fresh seafood, mochi, and street snacks.
Stayed at Hoshinoya tokyo hotel – one of the best hotels I’ve been lucky enough to stay in. Such a deep cultural escape. It also has the only onsen in Tokyo.
Stayed at Kimpton Shinjuku. Great location, nice rooms and great service!

Kyoto

The main area is Gion and Nishiki Market (large market with great stores for shopping and food). Pontocho Alley connects the two areas and is such a nice place to walk around.
Loved eating at Curry & Tempura Koisus and Gion Tanto. These were the best restaurants in all of Japan in my opinion!
Mochi Mochi, the famous fresh mochi place is amazing and also a fun area to walk and explore.
Arashiyama: the rickshaw ride was amazing (can book one right by the Togetsuyo bridge along the water), worth the money given they know where to take you, avoid crowds more, and take photos for you.
Fushimi Inari: go early or late to avoid crowds, and I liked going backwards! Most people start at the beginning and take forever taking photos. If you go backgrounds in the route, you see people who are already done with taking photos.
For matcha, maryuku koyamaen is a popular one though often runs out or has long lines. There’s a more “mom and pop” one that is called Horaido Tea Stall in Nishiki market that sells amazing matcha, has a supply, and fewer people seem to know about it. The people who own the shop are so passionate about their work and are lovely people. They have a chart showing the different types of matcha, the strength, taste, etc. They can recommend a type if you’re not familiar with matcha.
Stayed at Hotel Kanra. Great hotel, near Kyoto station too so good location.

Hakone

Stayed at Madoka no Mori - amazing onsen, you can have a private one in your room (though the there is one for other guests as well). Only 20 rooms in the whole place so it’s pretty peaceful and serene! They also allow tattoos if that’s of interest (not that I have one). This was definitely worth traveling to and staying for 1 night!

Uji

Great short trip outside of Kyoto, only 25 min by subway. It’s the matcha capital of the world!
Tsuen main branch is the oldest tea house in japan! Amazing place.
Try to viral matcha parfait dessert in Nakamura Tokichi Honten. There will definitely be a line so go there first, put your name down, and explore the city until your name is called.
Spending ~3 hours was even enough for me in this city to get a feel for the place.