My first trip to Japan date back to 2018. It was three weeks filled with travel, discoveries, reunions with friends living in Tokyo, delicious specialties, and countless memories. The experience was so magical that I initially hesitated to share it with anyone or write an article about it. Perhaps I wanted to keep these memories to myself, maybe because I still can’t believe I fulfilled one of my dreams. Nevertheless, I’ve decided to share 45 of my favorite moments from Japan with you, through images and words. I hope this somewhat different article allows you to journey alongside me.
Filled my travel journal with stamps
I’m an avid collector, and my passion becomes uncontrollable when it comes to collecting stamps. At every temple or tourist spot, I eagerly sought out the stamp stand or inquired at the information desk to have my travel journal stamped. It’s a wonderful way to remember visits and a true delight to discover each stamp’s unique design!
Collect gotochi cards
Another of my obsessions: Gotochi cards. These are unique postcards specific to each of Japan’s 47 prefectures. Each prefecture has a series of cards that change annually, representing iconic places, dishes, objects, or historical figures. These cards can only be purchased at local post offices for 185¥ (approximately €1.50). There’s also a mini version of each Gotochi… even cuter!
Strolling through city parks and enjoy konbini snacks
Konbini, or convenience stores, are among my favorite places in Japan. Open at every street corner, day or night, these shops (7-Eleven, Lawson, or FamilyMart) offer all kinds of food products, hot or cold, beverages, as well as various services like stationery, hygiene products, ticket sales, and more. The snacks from these konbinis were always super fresh and incredibly appetizing!
Get all the gachapon goodies
A Gashapon is a coin-operated machine that dispenses toys and more. By inserting 300¥ and turning the crank, I could collect a splendid hat for my cat! I brought back three different ones (candies, bunny ears, and an orange) to the great delight of Hippo.
Enjoy quietness in a temple
Japanese temples are true beauties, and the special ambiance they exude is an experience to live at least once in a lifetime. During our trip, we visited numerous temples, both small and large, and took advantage of these moments to slow down and savor the tranquility.
Eat takoyaki in Osaka
Takoyaki is an Osaka specialty consisting of a dough ball (similar to savory pancake batter) with pieces of octopus and ginger. Made to order, they’re topped with a sauce similar to okonomiyaki (cabbage omelets), Japanese mayonnaise, and katsuobushi (dried bonito flakes). A real delight to enjoy on the go… trying not to burn yourself!
Watch a baseball match and snack
We love experiencing unique activities while traveling… like watching a Tokyo Giants game at the Tokyo Dome. We inquired at the ticket booth for two affordable tickets and managed to find standing spots. A baseball game is quite long, especially standing. Yet, it was amazing to see how Japanese fans cheer for their team and live their love for the sport. Plus, there are special snacks available. I had my first melon soda while enjoying pork bites.
Admiring Tokyo’s Night Lights
Whether day or night, Tokyo never sleeps. It’s both overwhelming and hypnotic.
Eating shabu-shabu with a view of Shibuya crossing
Shabu-shabu is a type of Japanese hot pot where ingredients are boiled in a flavored broth. It’s the perfect meal for a friendly evening with friends… complemented by a beer or a Calpis (the white drink you see in the photo opposite me) – a non-alcoholic beverage made from water and lactic acid bacteria, somewhat like Yakult.
Going all out in arcades and give your best Taiko no Tatsujin performance
Arcades are one of the most well-known elements of Japanese pop culture, and for good reason: they’re truly amazing! We spent many hours trying to understand the games (all in Japanese) and discovered Taiko no Tatsujin, a rhythm game played with drums. I loved it so much that I bought the game for Nintendo Switch!
Being awestruck
During our stay in Japan, we visited many tourist sites, all magnificent, but one of the most beautiful (and also most visited) was the Kinkaku-ji Temple (Golden Pavilion) in Kyoto. It looks like a postcard, doesn’t it?
Filling my Goshuin-Cho with temple calligraphy
Another collection: goshuin stamps. A goshuin is a calligraphy accompanied by a temple stamp that proves one has visited the said temple. Each temple has its own stamp, and the calligraphy is done by a temple employee, representing the name of the shrine, the name of its main statue, and the day of the visit. These stamps (priced at 300¥ or €2.30, which is a donation to the temple) are to be collected in a Goshuin-cho, a special notebook that can be purchased at temples (between 1000¥ and 2000¥ or €7–14). These notebooks can be unique to certain temples and can hold 20 to 40 goshuin. By the end of my stay, I had filled my Goshuin-cho.
Eating matcha ice until you drop
Did I mention I love matcha ice cream?
Having a picnic at Yoyogi Park on Sunday and watching people dance rock
Located in the heart of Tokyo, Yoyogi Park is a true green lung in a huge metropolis. It’s the fourth-largest park in the city and is the perfect place to enjoy a nice picnic. Every weekend, Rockabilly dancers perform at the park’s entrance, and many people gather on the lawn to enjoy the day.
Taking the subway
Taking the subway in an unfamiliar city is always a bit of an adventure. In Japan, however, the experience is amplified. Despite its vast network, Japanese subways are punctual (a true legend), super clean, quiet, safe (you won’t get harassed every five minutes), and well-signposted.
Soak in with a view on Mount Fuji
For our little nature getaway, we decided to explore the Yamanashi region, well known for its vineyards, and we enjoyed a relaxing soak in the hot springs of Isawaonsen, with a view of Mount Fuji. The onsen are separated by gender: women on one side, men on the other. Here, part of the baths were outdoors and another part indoors. Unfortunately, it’s not possible to take photos of the hot spring, but I can assure you it was a magical moment.
Sip a white peach smoothie
There’s nothing better than a refreshing drink after soaking in hot spring water for an hour. White peach is a local specialty, and I had the chance to enjoy a delicious local smoothie.
Discover the Japanese Countryside (and visit a vineyard along the way)
To continue our visit to Yamanashi, we explored the vineyards and a local winery. We learned the secrets of Japanese wine production and tasted various regional wines. It was fascinating to see the number of people present and discover the wide variety of wines.
Walking along Lake Kawaguchiko and admiring Mount Fuji
We stayed in Kawaguchiko, in the center of the Five Lakes region. This lake is well-known for reflecting the north face of Mount Fuji. We rented a cabin in the woods, facing the lake, with a lovely little barbecue and spent a few days in complete tranquility. Walks around the lake led us to charming little spots where we could watch fishermen, grab a bite, or simply sit and relax.
Eat another matcha ice cream (but with a view)
I mean, the view makes it even better, right?
Trying to decipher menus in Japanese and then saying: ‘The best dish you have on the menu, please!’
Each time we looked for a restaurant, we tried to ask for an English menu (which was rarely available in traditional or local spots) or one with pictures (which helps when choosing). If neither option was available, we would simply ask: “The best dish you have on the menu, please!” And we were never disappointed.
Buying both cold AND hot drinks from a vending machine on every street corner
Another brilliant Japanese invention: drink vending machines! You can select both cold (in blue) and warm (in red) drinks! Isn’t it amazing?
Drink milk tea everywhere
I’m a big tea drinker, and I especially love milk tea… You can imagine the joy I felt walking around the city with a nice hot tea in hand.
Discovering Japan-only exclusives… like this peach Fanta!
Japan is well known for offering many limited editions, like this peach Fanta that’s only available at certain times of the year!
Enjoying a nice hot bath at night
Hot springs (onsen) or public baths (sentō) are one of the best experiences you can have while visiting Japan. There’s nothing better than soaking in a hot bath at the end of a long day of walking. Here, you don’t wash — you relax. The baths are separated by gender, and you must wash at a shower station (you sit down!) before enjoying the various baths at different temperatures. A real treat!
Enjoying a national holiday (Kodomo-no-hi) and eating cotton candy
On May 5th, Japan celebrates Children’s Day, and luckily, we were in Kyoto at the time! Many activities are organized for families, with plenty of food stalls… and I even got to make my own cotton candy! You never really grow up, do you?
Ordering ramen from a vending machine
Before enjoying your delicious ramen… you have to order it! Some restaurants have vending machines outside where you place your order. You pay directly and receive a ticket with your selection. Then you go inside, hand your ticket to the server who shows you your seat, wait… and enjoy!
Eating an uncountable number of ramen bowls
I promise you, all of them are absolutely delicious. Even though I’m lucky to have a Japanese neighborhood in Düsseldorf that comes pretty close to those flavors.
Falling in love with the authenticity of Japanese storefronts
Sometimes it’s hard to choose where to eat or what to visit — everything is just so cute…
Meet Pikachu
As you know, I’m a huge Pokémon fan, and I finally got to meet Pikachu during a special appearance at one of the many Pokémon Centers in Japan!
Making new friends in Nara
Nara is the perfect city for a day trip. Located just 42 kilometers from Kyoto, it’s a charming town with several UNESCO World Heritage buildings. It’s home to over a thousand freely roaming deer — an absolute must-visit!
Trying to make the right choice at street food stands
You won’t go hungry in Japan! As you walk around, you’ll always come across street food stands. Here, I tried dango — skewers of mochi rice balls made from glutinous rice flour and water. My little guilty pleasure.
Eating a bento on the Shinkansen on the way to Kyoto
Japan’s high-speed train, the Shinkansen, is one of the best ways to explore the country in comfort. During the ride, you can admire the scenery and enjoy a delicious bento bought at the station. These bentos come in all sizes and flavors — something for everyone!
Enjoying the evening — even in the rain
No matter the time or the weather, every moment is worth enjoying.
Biting into a delicious, still-warm melon pan
Melonpan is a sweet bun with a cookie-like crust on top. It comes in various flavors (chocolate, pumpkin, matcha), but my favorite is the classic version — best bought in Akihabara, Tokyo. Still warm and crispy, it’s a true delight.
Living out my Pokémon passion — even on my plate
The cuter it is, the better it sells! And that applies to food too. Taiyaki is a fish-shaped cake typically filled with red bean paste or custard. This one was shaped like the famous Magikarp and filled with custard cream. Gotta catch them all!
Wandering through the alleys of the old Tsukiji fish market and…
Tsukiji was the world’s largest fish market, founded in 1935. The original location was closed in September 2018 (right after my visit) and relocated elsewhere in Tokyo the following October. It was a real pleasure to stroll through the fish and seafood stalls — a true experience!
Eating fresh fish for lunch
There are plenty of restaurants in the area — and for good reason: the fish couldn’t be fresher! Many places offer affordable lunch sets every day. A great way to enjoy truly fresh seafood.
Spending the day at DisneySea
We ended our trip with a special day: a visit to DisneySea, a one-of-a-kind theme park exclusive to Japan! Opened in 2001, it’s themed around ocean adventures and is, in my opinion, the most beautiful theme park I’ve ever seen. Everything is magical — you feel completely transported into another world. It’s well-organized, clean, and thoughtfully designed from start to finish.
Meet Goofy
I even got to meet Goofy, who was dressed pretty stylishly for the occasion, and we took lots of photos with him.
A feast for the eyes
There was also a world inspired by 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea…
Discovering The Little Mermaid’s World
And of course, the magical world of Ariel, the Little Mermaid.
Eating as many Disney snacks as possible
Everything is thought out — even the food is exclusive to the park, cute, delicious, and affordable!
Trying to engrave these moments in my memory forever
We spent the entire day marveling at everything and trying to convince ourselves it was all real.
Watching the sun set behind Mount Fuji
We had to end with a photo of Mount Fuji, didn’t we?
And that’s it… I’m keeping the rest of my memories to myself, but I hope I was able to take you on a journey and help you discover Japan through this post. Now there’s only one thing left I’m waiting for: going back!