The Experiences in Japan That Captured My Heart: An 11-Day Journey Through Tokyo, Kyoto & Kanazawa

My 11-day trip to Japan captured my attention and engaged my senses more than I ever expected—and my expectations were already quite high. Rather than run through every experience I had, I wanted to focus on the foods, places, and aspects of Japanese culture that left the biggest impression on me. I hope I can bring a little of what I learned home and carry these experiences with me for years to come.

As the departure date for our trip neared, I felt a blend of excitement and nervous anticipation that I hadn't experienced in over a decade—possibly even two. Despite having had the privilege of traveling to Asia four times before to explore different destinations, it had been 13 years since my last adventure to Asia, when work took me to Singapore and I extended my trip to Bali, Indonesia.

The internet—and especially smartphones—have revolutionized international travel. Three of my previous trips to Asia occurred before I even owned a smartphone. Nowadays, tools like Google Maps, Google Translate, and affordable international data plans make navigating a foreign country significantly easier. Whether this is ultimately a blessing or a curse is up for debate, but it certainly enhances travel accessibility.

Now, onto the Japanese experiences that truly captured my attention and heart.

Tokyo is so cool! Few cities in the world have a personality quite like Tokyo. Much of Tokyo was destroyed during World War II, leaving it without the centuries-old architectural character found in cities like Kyoto. Instead, it evolved into something entirely its own—not quite Western, not traditionally Eastern, but unmistakably Tokyo.

Here's what I was most taken by during my 4 days in Tokyo:

• Tokyo (and much of Japan) makes it convenient by providing English signage in almost every necessary location (bathrooms, parks, hotels, attractions, restaurants, train stations, airports). This makes traveling in Tokyo nearly as easy as in London, New York, or Toronto.

• Unique indoor and outdoor multi-level shopping centers and rooftop parks such as Miyashita Park and the Tokyo train station, which you would rarely see anywhere else.

• The overall cleanliness of the city—especially one this large—is mind-boggling. You notice it everywhere: on trains, in parks, public restrooms, train stations, and the streets themselves. Japanese culture places a strong emphasis on personal responsibility, with people taking ownership of their own trash and often picking up litter they didn't create. That sense of shared responsibility seems woven into everyday life and may be one of the reasons the country functions so remarkably well.

• Tokyo just works. They utilize underground, ground level, and above-ground spaces (with people living and working on all three levels about equally, according to our tour guide), making the city feel less crowded than expected. Every available space, including alleys and building floors, is used effectively. Additionally, charming restaurants, bars, and shops are nestled into the small spaces beneath the many train platforms throughout the city.

• The small spaces mentioned above often lead to mini indoor/outdoor "malls" if you continue walking, where more shops, izakayas, and ramen and udon restaurants can be found. It sometimes feels endless but is likely necessary to accommodate everyone, as many restaurants are small, holding only 20-30 people at most.

  
  

  

• Walking is the best way to experience Tokyo, and we enjoyed exploring various neighborhoods, including the charming shops, cafes, and restaurants in the residential area of Yanaka Ginza. Walking from Yanaka to the bustling shopping and dining hub of Ameyoko market offers a completely different experience, transitioning from a relaxed atmosphere to one filled with "lights, action, and activity." The walking paths and quiet open spaces of the expansive Ueno Park, which we passed through on our way back from Yanaka to the Ueno area, provide a welcome break from the lively activity in Ameyoko.

• Taking a river cruise on the Sumida River to see Tokyo from the water with buildings all around us. We ended up on the island of Odaiba to enjoy waterfront views and admire the Rainbow Bridge. We spent a peaceful hour sitting by the Odaiba Beach and strolling around the path around the beach.

• The Shimbashi area, where we spent our first day in Tokyo, was a pleasant area to wander among the many large and unique buildings around us, offering plenty of excellent dining options.

Eating sushi became an almost daily ritual. I enjoyed sushi or sashimi in some form for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and the variety of fish we sampled was remarkable. Whether it was a sit down formal meal at a restaurant or a simple sushi bento box picked up at Tokyo Station for dinner aboard the bullet train to Kyoto, the quality was consistently outstanding.

No trip to Japan feels complete without dining at a conveyor belt sushi restaurant. We had an outstanding lunch at Mori Mori Sushi Omicho in Kanazawa, and it proved to be the perfect introduction to the city's incredible seafood. Kanazawa is renowned for its fresh seafood due to its coastal position on the Sea of Japan. The highlights were the fatty tuna and ama ebi (Japanese sweet shrimp), prized for its delicate sweetness, buttery texture, and the freshness that comes from the cold waters of the Sea of Japan.

Our favorite sushi and sashimi experience in Japan came at Tsukiji Itadori Bekkan, a tiny eight-seat restaurant tucked into the heart of Tsukiji Market. The chef prepared each piece of sushi and carefully sliced the fish for my sashimi rice bowl just a few feet in front of us with remarkable precision and quiet concentration. Just outside the entrance, Tsukiji Market buzzed with thousands of shoppers, vendors, and tourists. Yet inside, the restaurant felt almost meditative—a tiny oasis amid the surrounding energy. It was one of the most memorable dining experiences of my life. What really struck me was the quiet pride the chef took in his craft. Every movement was completed with the confidence decades of experience bring and his genuine happiness in serving such an exceptional meal made the experience unforgettable.

Watching him work reminded me of so many other experiences we'd had in Japan. Whether it was a sushi chef, a train conductor, or someone cleaning a park, there seemed to be a quiet pride in completing each and every task exceptionally well.

Shrines and Temples. Kyoto is filled with beautiful temples and shrines, so many that it's easy to experience "temple fatigue" after a few days. While each has its own character, a handful of the ones I visited stood out to me.

One of the most striking was Kiyomizu-dera, a UNESCO World Heritage Site founded in 778 AD. Perched on the hillside of Mt. Otowa, its dramatic wooden stage overlooks some of Kyoto's most beautiful scenery. To avoid the largest crowds, we arrived shortly after 7:00 a.m. We weren't the only travelers with that idea, but the temple was still quiet enough to appreciate both its beauty and its remarkable setting before the city fully awakened.

Yasaka Shrine provided another unforgettable Kyoto experience. The quiet streets surrounding Yasaka Shrine that we navigated during our evening walking tour became one of my favorite memories of Kyoto. The soft lighting, glowing red lanterns, and beautifully preserved wooden buildings created an atmosphere that felt almost timeless. I was also fascinated by the restaurant windows. They were thoughtfully designed to offer just a glimpse of the intimate dining rooms inside—enough to spark curiosity while still preserving the privacy of the guests. It perfectly captured something I noticed throughout Japan: beauty often comes from subtlety rather than extravagance.

During our evening walk, we were fortunate enough to see two geisha and one maiko (an apprentice geisha) quietly making their way to or from an engagement, likely at one of Kyoto's traditional tea houses. It was one of those magical travel moments you never expect to experience. Their elegant silk kimonos, distinctive hairstyles, and striking white makeup with bold red lips made them instantly recognizable, and seeing them in their natural setting felt far more meaningful than encountering them as part of a staged performance.

One of our most peaceful walks in Tokyo was through Meiji Jingu, a Shinto shrine in Shibuya, Tokyo. Passing beneath its enormous wooden torii gate and following the forested paths into the shrine grounds felt worlds away from the energy of the surrounding city. It was hard to believe such tranquility could exist in the middle of one of the world's largest metropolitan areas.

Several other temple and shrine experiences left lasting impressions, and a few deserve their own mention later in this post.

Tokyo's interesting buildings and skyline. Few skylines are as distinctive as Tokyo's. Rather than rising from a single downtown, the metropolitan area's 37 million residents are spread across numerous business districts, creating clusters of towering skyscrapers separated by neighborhoods of mid-rise buildings. Strict earthquake-resistant building codes have shaped much of the city's architecture, yet the skyline never felt repetitive or sterile.

Tokyo's skyline isn't memorable simply because it's tall. It's memorable because the city never sacrifices the pedestrian experience. Despite its immense scale, the streets continually invite you to slow down and explore. Between the office towers are tiny parks, narrow alleys, intimate restaurants, shrines, and quiet residential streets. Tokyo somehow manages to feel both enormous and surprisingly local at the same time.

Creative architecture wasn't limited to Tokyo. Kanazawa also made a memorable first impression with its dramatic Tsuzumi Gate at the train station and the charming "Welcome to Kanazawa" fountain, which displays the time using flowing water. Both reflected the city's blend of modern design and traditional culture.

General Food Culture and Japanese food variety. The overall quality and variety of Japanese food we experienced resulted in one satisfying snack or meal after another. We rarely found ourselves repeating dishes because there was always something new to discover—unless we really wanted to revisit a particular dish (hint: okonomiyaki). From yakitori and yakisoba to udon, ramen, mochi, matcha desserts, and black sesame gelato, the range of unique dishes seemed endless.

The people preparing the food clearly care deeply about their craft. They are focused not only on technique but also on the small details of presentation, which somehow seem to make the food taste even better. This discipline and attention to detail seemed consistent everywhere—from a small breakfast diner, to grilled skewers at an izakaya, to a fine dining establishment. I particularly enjoyed watching cooks prepare okonomiyaki in front of us at several restaurants. This savory Japanese pancake is made with cabbage, batter, and various toppings including meat and seafood, then cooked on a flat-top griddle directly in front of the customer.

I was also impressed by the quality of Japanese bakeries and their incredible variety of sweet and savory breads. A sausage-and-mustard baguette and a marmalade buckwheat bread from Hippo Bakery near Omicho Market in Kanazawa were particularly memorable. This bakery, along with Bake House Inoue in Kyoto, stood out to me as producing breads and pastries at a level comparable to some of the best bakeries I've experienced in cities like New York, Chicago, London, and Paris.

The incredible range of food I experienced in Japan extended beyond traditional Japanese dishes. Even when we occasionally ate non-Japanese cuisine, I was impressed by the thoughtful adjustments and small details that made familiar dishes feel uniquely Japanese.

The beauty of the country. One of the best ways to appreciate Japan's natural beauty is from the window of a bullet train. As the countryside races by, rice fields, lakes, islands, and distant mountains unfold one after another, offering a constantly changing landscape. Even the cities embrace nature, with rivers, bridges, parks, and tree-lined walkways appearing around nearly every corner.

Kyoto is particularly captivating. I found that whatever you give to Kyoto, it will give back to you in abundance. What do I mean by that? It means that the more you walk, the more Kyoto reveals itself. Wander along The Philosopher's Path, a tranquil, 2-kilometer stone walkway that traces a canal lined with hundreds of cherry and maple trees and don't miss walking along the larger Kamo River and the more quaint Takase River with its pleasant and romantic alleys. If your legs are really tired, you'll fall in love with Kyoto in 48 hours😃.

Kanazawa is often referred to as "Little Kyoto" and offers its own beautiful river, the Asano, to stroll along with picturesque bridges and pleasant home and restaurant lined walkways that are strikingly beautiful at night. We really enjoyed walking along the river after dinner one evening. Kenroku-en in Kanazawa is one of the top Japanese gardens in the country and is the primary tourist attraction in the city. We thoroughly enjoyed the serenity and beauty of these gardens. Every detail seems meticulously cared for—from the stone walls and ponds to the carefully pruned trees and peaceful walking paths.

The thing about many of these places (the gardens, shrines, river walkways) is that they are so serene and peaceful that they are almost best enjoyed alone. The sounds and the environment of these places are saying all that need to be said and the chit chat we all engage in during walks is just unneeded background noise in places like these. I took a couple of hour-long walks by myself along the Kamo River in Kyoto and the Asano River in Kanazawa, and they are some of the most enjoyable walks I can remember taking.

Japanese Hotel Breakfast Buffets Are Sensory Overload. As much as I enjoy breakfast, I usually avoid hotel breakfast buffets because I simply can't eat that much first thing in the morning. Japan was the exception. Experiencing a Japanese hotel breakfast buffet isn't just about eating—it's a cultural experience that reflects many of the values I came to appreciate throughout Japan. Like so many things in Japan, every aspect of the buffet is thoughtfully organized. Nothing feels excessive or wasteful. The focus here is on quality, presentation, and efficiency. The dishes offered varied across the food spectrum: grilled salmon, silky boiled tofu, Japanese omelets, pickled vegetables, fresh seafood bowls, salad stations, miso soup, fruit/yogurt/granola stations and desert displays. I left just as impressed by the presentation as I was by the food itself. The way apples, melons, and vegetables were sliced reflected the same care and precision I'd noticed throughout Japan, while even the condiment station showed remarkable attention to detail, with citrus-infused soy sauces, bonito flakes, sesame seeds, pickled ginger, julienned green onions, and numerous other toppings carefully matched to specific dishes.

Beyond the hotel buffets, I came to appreciate just how varied breakfast can be in Japan. No two mornings felt quite the same. Some began with pastries from neighborhood bakeries, which produce exceptional sweet treats that are flavorful without being overly sugary, alongside savory creations like duck-and-green-onion pastries and sausage-filled baguettes. Even something as simple as an omelette was elevated through careful technique, with barely set eggs surrounding a soft, custard-like center.

Getting off the beaten path during the hike to Mt. Inari at Fushimi Inari Taisha was one of the most rewarding experiences of our time in Kyoto. Rather than staying on the main trail the entire way, we took the quieter bamboo forest route for part of the climb. Almost immediately, the crowds disappeared, replaced by the sounds of birds, towering bamboo, and a peaceful stillness that made the hike feel much more personal.

Along the way, we paused at a small shrine to smell the incense, reflect, and offer a prayer of gratitude. It was one of those periods of powerful calm during the trip that I will remember years and decades from now when I reminisce about my first visit to Japan and this particular hike.

I would recommend taking the bamboo forest route on the way up and returning via the main trail. Descending through the seemingly endless rows of vibrant vermilion torii gates, set against the lush green forest, is an experience not to be missed.

Kindness toward others, consideration for the greater good, and the philosophy of continuous improvement (kaizen) seemed to influence nearly every aspect of life in Japan. Whether those values fully explain what I observed or not, they certainly helped me make sense of so many experiences throughout our trip. They seemed reflected in the respect people showed one another, the remarkable cleanliness of public spaces despite the scarcity of garbage cans, and the care that went into even the smallest details.

One evening, while walking home from dinner, it all seemed to click. I noticed several restaurants using rows of empty wine and whiskey bottles in their front windows—not as decoration alone, but as a tasteful way to provide diners with a sense of privacy while still allowing passersby to catch a glimpse inside. It was such a thoughtful solution to such a simple problem, and it perfectly captured the understated elegance I kept finding throughout Japan.

From the precise way vegetables are sliced and an egg sandwich is assembled, to the thoughtful design of public toilets, the ramen shop ticket-ordering system, and the efficient layouts of homes and hotel rooms, I kept seeing ordinary things that had been refined rather than simply accepted. My parents instilled in me the idea that almost anything can be improved with enough thought and effort. What I saw in Japan was that same philosophy carried out on a much broader scale, woven into everyday life in ways both large and small.

Experiencing teamLab Biovortex Kyoto felt almost spiritual—a celebration of light, sound, movement, and wonder. This interactive museum and modern art installation is like something I've never seen or experienced. At times, it felt like I was stepping into a living rendition of Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon—a mesmerizing blend of sound, light, movement, and digital art that bordered on the surreal.

Watching five-year-olds, teenagers, parents, and grandparents all react with the same childlike amazement was one of my favorite parts of the experience. Age simply didn't matter. Walking through rooms filled with floating balloons, shimmering lights, bubbles, and ever-changing digital landscapes awakened a sense of childlike wonder that I hadn't experienced in decades. For a little while, everyone inside seemed to forget their age and simply enjoy the moment.

Leave room in your itinerary for somewhere beyond Tokyo and Kyoto. If your schedule allows, consider adding a destination that's a little farther down the list of Japan's most-visited places. For us, that place was Kanazawa. The train ride from Kyoto offered yet another opportunity to appreciate Japan's beautiful countryside, and once we arrived, we were rewarded with one of the country's finest gardens, peaceful walks along the Asano River, and the incredible seafood stalls of Omicho Market. It became one of the highlights of our trip—not because it was packed with famous attractions, but because it encouraged us to slow down and simply enjoy where we were.

With fewer crowds than Tokyo or Kyoto, we found ourselves lingering longer in gardens, wandering quiet neighborhoods, and feeling like we were experiencing a different side of Japan. Tokyo and Kyoto are unforgettable, but spending a few days in Kanazawa reminded us that some of our favorite travel experiences came when we slowed down and explored beyond the busiest destinations.

Japan's Incredible Markets. During our final two days in Tokyo, we stayed near Ueno Station, which gave us plenty of opportunities to wander through Ameyoko Market. This is a place of constant energy—cafés, restaurants, bars, shops, and food stalls all packed together into a lively maze that seemed to go on forever.

Wandering through Tsukiji Fish Market was one of the highlights of our time in Tokyo. We sampled sushi, grilled shellfish, wagyu beef skewers, Japanese melon, and yuzu-filled mochi topped with fresh strawberries, stopping whenever something caught our attention. It's a unique experience to wander around, observe everything, and taste the delicacies that catch your eye. One practical tip: bring cash, as many of the vendors still prefer it. We also enjoyed visiting Tsukiji Uogashi, the quieter indoor market next door. It felt more local, was generally less expensive, and offered a welcome break from the crowds outside. After buying a few items, we took them to the third-floor eating area and enjoyed lunch at a much slower pace.

The Omicho Market in Kanazawa is a must-see attraction if you're visiting Kanazawa. I was particularly impressed with its seafood, which was on full display with enormous oysters, sea urchin, hairy crabs, and many other types of fish. We loved choosing a variety of seafood and enjoying it with a beer right in the market. While the market also offers other foods, including sweets and grilled meats, and has some souvenir shops, it is heavily focused on seafood and has one of the most impressive displays of fresh seafood I've ever seen at a market.

Nishiki Market in Kyoto is quite popular with tourists, but it's certainly worth visiting. We appreciated the energy and activity of the market and had the chance to sample spices, drinkable dashi broth, and matcha ice cream. Even if you only stop for a few small bites—or simply walk through the market—the sights, sounds, and atmosphere of Nishiki Market make it a worthwhile experience.

One thing I loved about all three markets was that there was no right way to experience them. We wandered, sampled whatever looked interesting, lingered when something caught our eye, and let curiosity determine our route.

Participate in some tours. I generally prefer to plan my own routes and explore independently, but I've learned that adding a few well-chosen tours can make a trip much richer. The value of the tours wasn't really about overcoming a language barrier. Japan is remarkably easy to navigate, with English signage throughout major transportation systems, attractions, and many restaurants. The tours added something different: context. They helped us better understand the history and culture while exposing us to small details and off the beaten places that are easy to miss when exploring on your own.

I enjoy doing a tour on my first day in a new city because it often highlights places I may want to return to and explore more deeply on my own later. We took walking tours in each city we visited—Tokyo, Kyoto, and Kanazawa—and also experienced a unique tea ceremony in Kanazawa. The tea ceremony took place in a beautiful private Japanese garden, complete with koi ponds and stone pathways winding through carefully maintained landscapes. Inside a dedicated tea house, we learned the etiquette behind preparing and sharing tea, including the importance of gratitude toward both the person preparing the tea and those sharing the experience. It offered a glimpse into a centuries-old tradition where the preparation of tea becomes almost as meaningful as drinking it. The ritual reflects the deeper purpose of tea in Japanese culture: creating a moment of mindfulness, gratitude, and cleansing of both body and spirit before sharing in the experience.

Take public transportation. Everything at airports, train stations, subway stations, and on buses is listed and announced in both Japanese and English, making Japan's clean and efficient public transportation system surprisingly easy to navigate. In many cases, it will get you where you need to go faster and more efficiently than traveling by car, and because everything is so organized and clearly marked, I found it easier to use than many public transportation systems I've experienced around the world.

One of the unexpected benefits of using public transportation was the glimpse it provided into everyday Japanese life. One cultural observation that stood out to me was how early Japanese children develop independence. It is common to see children as young as eight or nine riding buses and trains alone or with friends to get to school and activities. Seeing this repeatedly throughout our trip made me stop and think about the level of trust, safety, and independence built into Japanese society.

Don't be intimidated. The system is designed so well that everyone can use it—including children. Using public transportation wasn't just the fastest way to get around; it became one of the best ways to observe everyday Japanese life and better understand the culture.

Talk less and think more about your actions, particularly in public settings. One of the things I appreciated most about Japan was how peaceful public spaces felt. Whether we were walking through a park, riding a train, or strolling along a river, we could hear the sounds of the water, the birds, and the city itself rather than the constant noise of conversations or people talking on phones.

I couldn't help but compare that to home, where it's more common to hear loud conversations, speakerphone calls, or people shouting across a park. In Japan, I had the impression that many people approached public spaces with the mindset that they belong to everyone, not just to the individual. There seemed to be an unspoken understanding that each person's actions affect everyone else's experience. That may be one of the biggest lessons I brought home from Japan. It made me want to be more thoughtful about how my own actions affect the people around me, especially in shared public spaces.

The hike from Kibune to Mount Kurama, about an hour north of Kyoto, was the most memorable hike of our trip. While many hikers begin in Kurama and finish in Kibune to enjoy lunch at one of the restaurants with beautiful patios overlooking the river, we chose the opposite direction so we could end the day relaxing in Kurama's natural hot spring. The trail is moderately challenging and manageable for most hikers, but it's the overall experience—not simply reaching the destination—that makes this two- to three-hour hike so unforgettable.

The journey begins and ends in a picturesque mountain village and passes through a beautiful forest filled with towering trees, peaceful shrines, and sacred monuments. Along the way, you'll encounter two major temple complexes and numerous smaller shrines tucked quietly into the mountainside, each offering an opportunity to pause, reflect, or simply appreciate the peaceful surroundings before continuing on.

What makes this hike so memorable is how completely it engages your senses. The sounds of temple gongs, rushing waterfalls, and birds echo through the forest. The scent of burning incense mingles with the fresh mountain air and cedar trees. Vermilion torii gates, weathered stone staircases, and endless shades of green create a vibrant and calm landscape. Rounding every corner, we were greeted with another breathtaking view of temple rooftops framed by layers of forested mountains.

Taken as a whole—the mountain villages, shrines, forests, sounds, aromas, and quiet moments of reflection—it became one of my favorite hikes I've ever taken and one of the greatest travel experiences of my life. I've written hundreds of words and included a few photos below, but they barely hint at what it feels like to experience this place in person.

We finished the day at an onsen (Japanese hot spring) in Kurama, soaking in naturally heated geothermal waters surrounded by the mountains we had just crossed. After several hours on the trail, it was the perfect way to end the afternoon. With separate men's and women's bathing areas and both indoor and outdoor pools, it introduced us to another uniquely Japanese tradition and provided a peaceful conclusion to one of the most memorable days of our trip.