Finding Hidden Gems in Japan

LAPD2022 on 12/04/2024 - 23:00

I have travelled to Japan a couple of times and it's amazing. I am looking to experience more of the country and culture when I visit again.

On one occasion in Tokyo I met up with a resident Japanese guy that I met in Melbourne who lives in Tokyo. He took my friend and I to an Okonomiyaki restaurant / bar in Shinjuku that was on the 11th floor of some random building - we took a dingy lift from the ground floor and it opened up to this amazingly vibrant, loud, buzzy place full of people enjoying themselves and having a good time.

It was amazing! The thing is, I wouldn't have had a clue such a place existed. As a tourist who speaks very limited Japanese and cannot read the language I can only go to places that I can see on street level (or have an English sign telling me where to go). Google maps doesn't help in this regard either, it's awfully intimidating to try to go to a place like I mentioned here by myself.

Does anyone know of a website, service, app, tour service, or something that can help me find more of these places that are largely invisible?

The next time I go I would like to see more of this sort of thing and less Matsuya!

Travel Asia Japan

Comments

  • MS Paint on 12/04/2024 - 23:19
    -7

    I use this to find hidden gems in Australia. I believe it will also work in Japan.

  • p1 ama on 12/04/2024 - 23:24
    +2

    You need to connect more with expats and locals, and avoid being a tourist - many of the "hidden gems" are such because they are not visible to tourists.

    It'll take some work, but join some expat groups for people living in Japan, make some Japanese friends (e.g. language exchange groups), try to do something other than "touristing" in Japan, e.g. do you work in a company that has a presence in Japan - maybe try and see if there's any opportunity for you to visit there, perhaps some expo or conference that you can go to…etc., you're more likely to meet people this way, and more likely have social interactions with locals who can show you around.

    • APD2022 on 13/04/2024 - 05:54

      Yeah, I do try. I don't work for a company like that unfortunately, just go on short trips.

      Perhaps I should go to a place like The Hub(?) or whatever those English pubs are and try to meet some people and see what happens.

  • Mechz on 12/04/2024 - 23:45
    +1

    There is a Pie Face in Shibuya that sells VB. How's that for cultured.

  • Barbados Slim on 13/04/2024 - 03:39
    +4

    Tabelog - restaurant review site/app that is used more by Japanese people than tourists. I used it when I went a few years ago and found some great places that weren't obvious on gmaps etc it was pretty sick. Had to translate from Japanese to English though but still good!

    • APD2022 on 13/04/2024 - 05:54

      Thanks for that, I'll look it up!

  • Benoffie on 13/04/2024 - 08:40

    Try Yokohama. Last visit was taken there by local friend who took us to Chinatown. Was trendy vibe and out of the way. More locals than tourists.

  • beerpara on 13/04/2024 - 09:30

    Care to post the address of the okonomiyaki place in Shinjuku? I’ll be going there later in the year.

    • APD2022 on 13/04/2024 - 21:04

      I would love to share but I couldn't find it again when I tried. I'll try to get the details though!

  • mskeggs on 13/04/2024 - 10:36

    Take a look at https://tokyocheapo.com/
    I’ve also seen some interesting things on YouTube, and once the algorithm sees you like “check out this cool thing in Japan” it will make useful suggestions.

    • APD2022 on 13/04/2024 - 21:05

      Thanks, good resource!

    • gregoinc on 06/05/2024 - 15:10

      Fantastic resource, thanks for sharing. Our 10 year old daughter wants to see Japan, so we're looking at going on the bullet train to Kyoto/Osaka.

  • Tiredman on 13/04/2024 - 10:59

    Local cab drivers.

  • KaTst3R on 13/04/2024 - 11:26

    Does anyone know of a website, service, app, tour service, or something that can help me find more of these places that are largely invisible

    If it is on a website or an app, it wouldnt be invisible right?

    • APD2022 on 13/04/2024 - 21:05

      There are so many small apps and services that don't have marketing budgets to stand out in the market, so it is hard to find them if they exist. Japanese services are especially hard to find.

  • koga on 01/08/2024 - 01:32

    Check local volonteers websites - worked magic for me once, myself and my daughter spent a lovely day with the local lady who took us around the area we lived in Tokyo.

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