I have a friend who is a teacher in Hokkaido, I can ask if he’s interested in getting in touch?
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I’ve been to Japan a few times with work and a couple of holidays, seeing the main cities and beyond.
Naoshima is a trek but unforgettable
Beyond Tokyo, my favourite place is Kanazawa.
An Anthony Bourdain show put me onto it
Well specifically, the fish market he visited, where you can eat oysters the size of fillet steaks.
Smaller, calmer and far less hectic than other cities mentioned, it is a city famed for artisan crafts- gold leaf, laquerware, wood carving etc
There are amazing public gardens- Monty Don loved them on his Japan tour show
There is an old Samurai house and gardens you will want to move into
I had the best Ramen of my life there, and there is a modest looking sushi /sashimi place called Kourin that is insanely good value
There are not many tourists, and lots of friendly locals keen to talk English. And drink.
There is an incredible vinyl record bar - Kanazawa Music Bar | KANAME INN TATEMACHI 公式Webサイト | 金沢
There is an excellent and orderly 2nd hand vinyl store called Record Jungle.
There is a branch of Beams for clothes.
The Square Hotel is in a good location and good value.
It’s a gem of a place imo
So chilled, it’s Balearic
Back in Tokyo, if you’re keen on cooking, the street that supplies all the restuarants for crockery, knives ,everything is Kappabashi Street. I’m the kind of sad git who flies home with 6 matt black dinner plates, and ramen bowls, and other assorted small bowls “just in case, maybe for olives?”
Personally, I find Japanese knives too high maintenance and for masochists. Nice to look at mind.
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Thank you, have messaged you
Revisiting this post as I’m leaving Kyoto for Kanazawa tomorrow!
I don’t want to leave Japan, ever 
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The only place I’ve ever been that I already missed while I was still there
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100% agree with this, its just wonderful….everything…it all 
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Just booked it for tomorrow night, thanks for the heads up. Will report back 
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Loving you and Mrs Chris’ posts on the gram Chris. My son and I have been talking about a trip for a few years - maybe next year. Enjoy Kanazawa.
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Cheers Marc, It’s been amazing. All I’ll say is just do it, you won’t regret it. I’ll do a wee write up when we get back and share some tips. The place is life changing.
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Went to the sushi place and it was insane value and so fresh. The music bar was so nice for a few cocktails afterwards and those speakers sounded beautiful…great tips. Back in Tokyo now, last few days before home. What a place.
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I’m going from Nov. 23 - Dec 15 on my honeymoon. Can’t wait, too!
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Boarding tomorrow AM, very excited, completely overwhelmed by all there is to see and do. I barely have a proper itinerary. Wish me luck! Ha
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It’s totally overwhelming and I’ve only been here 3 days! (supposed to be 4 but my flight from Doha was delayed 18 (yes, 18) hours due to a volcano in Ethiopia blowing off its top for the first time in 10,000 years.
You’ll be doing a LOT of walking in Tokyo. Make sure you’re ready for it. Also, staying in a hotel that’s near to either Harajuku, Shibuya, Shinjuku or Roppongi will help you a lot. Mine isn’t and it means I leave in the morning and only come back in the evening, which makes for some pretty tiring days. Sometimes being close for a little pit stop can be a godsend.
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We found the local buses great for getting around and a much gentler way than the metro. Suica card for fares and Google Maps for which bus/stop to get off etc.
Stayed in Shibuya but still did some steps to be fair
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Not sure if anyone has talked about Bar Martha here but I went the other day and it’s great. Amazing space, amazing music, amazing soundsystem, no pics allowed, you have to be fairly quiet (though not library quiet) and the best whisky menu i’ve ever seen.
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reggae/dub club open might be worth a look for people on here.
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Daikanyama is a nice neighbourhood to stroll to from Shibuya - a good shop to aim for is Okura- a branch of Blue Blue Japan - the indigo/ denim specialists - quite the store, they may still keep chickens on the upstairs balcony
It’s a very nice stroll/ mooch, away from the crowds with some interesting stores and places to eat along the way
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If I was going (which I’m not) I’d check out Steve Powers’ shop there https://www.instagram.com/espokyo/
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a few Tokyo spots:
the sogetsu foundation building in Tokyo is a good spot, its an ikebana school on the upper floors. but the ground floor is a huge indoor sculptural park made by isamu Noguchi. you can get a really good view of it from the little cafe there too. really special place. https://maps.app.goo.gl/XVn5Qw7kevHt3DTs6
this museum is really beautiful, Japan Folk Crafts Museum, mixture of European and Japanese works https://maps.app.goo.gl/3mwyZMNN6YW6AZec8 it’s in a very quiet area, you can walk to shimokitizawa from there after, which is a nice walk through tiny backstreets. once in shimokitizawa, it’s worth checking out city country city, nice recordshop / great bar/pasta restaurant. https://maps.app.goo.gl/4NZNAAMSyurUiBYj7
in osaka, I haven’t been here yet, but this little set of shops are in a complex designed by tado ando https://maps.app.goo.gl/SbyCUkp4YGtphZF2A and looks well worth visiting if ever in the city centre.
lastly, there’s sento’s all over place, and it’s worth going to as many different ones as possible. one of the places I went to is in koenji, and it was such a nice spot. again, a little hidden away, but really great area to check out one evening anyway. https://experience-suginami.tokyo/2019/06/kosugi-yu/
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