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Recommendations for your Time in Japan
Tokyo
Here are a few experiences that Eiji and Elizabeth recommend in and around Tokyo:
Take a cooking class with Mayuko
Visit a Sumo training stable with Takaki
Eat fresh, local, Japanese produce at Locale
Drink craft-beer at Mikkeller + drop into Lion for some classical music afterwards
Repair broken or chipped ceramics with Kintsugi at Kuge Crafts(lacquer mixed with gold or silver powder)
Bike through the backstreets of Tokyo with Brad + Chad
Lose your way at the Ghibli Museum (you’ll need to order tickets for April on March 10th, 2020, they sell out quickly!)
Favorite museums: Teien Art Museum, Mori Art Museum, D47 Museum, National Art Center, Hara Museum, Edo Tokyo Museum, Japanese Folk Craft Museum, Edo Open-Air Architecture Museum
The main Kabuki theater will be closed for maintenance in April, but you can still see shows at a theater close by in Shinbashi
Attend an opening or art show at Almost Perfect (explore their neighborhood, Kuramae + Asakusabashi)
Learn about Tokyo’s architecture on a guided architecture tour
Receive a blessing at Meiji Jingu Shrine - this is the shrine dedicated to the Emperor that opened Japan to international trade after 250 years of isolation
See 600+ year old bonsai at Happo-En
Drink all kinds of Japanese wine at Kome Kome
Outside of Tokyo
If you are interested in traveling further afield, here are some destinations to consider:
The Peninsula just off Numazu—Izu—is a paradise for nature and history lovers. If you want to explore the area before or after the festivities check out:
Kawazu Falls + Joren Falls - picturesque
Jogasaki Coast - Hiking Trails
Shuzenji - for history and ryokans
Shimoda - for beaches and the Shimoda History Museum to learn about Commodore Matthew Perry and his Black Ships that forced Japan to open to trade after years of isolation
Elizabeth’s favorite Airbnb - Izu Cliff House
Yakushima - an island off the coast of Kyushu with 1,000+ year old trees
Fukuoka - fun city on the Western Edge of Japan, good for street food
Miyakojima - one of the tropical islands off of Okinawa, the bluest ocean with lovely snorkeling and local culture
Hiroshima + Onomichi - Hiroshima is so historic and peaceful, and puts you into perfect proximity to bike the Shimanamikaido, a series of six bridges that connects Hiroshima to Shikoku
Seto Inland Sea - this inland sea is the setting for many fairy tales in Japan, the current attraction however, are the Art Islands
Shikoku - home to a sacred 88 temple pilgrimage, also has a deep gorge, and beautiful nature
Kumano Kodo - an ancient Pilgrimage trail that crosses the Wakayama Peninsula, normally takes about 4 nights and 5 days
House of Light - a James Turrell Art Piece that you can sleep in. The Mueller’s had Thanksgiving here in 2016.
Lake Biwa - just outside of Kyoto, super historic, minus the crowds
Noto Peninsula + Kanazawa - rich in art and history, some of Elizabeth’s favorite ryokans are located in this area
Kyoto - a must visit for a first-timer in Japan, the country’s capital for over 1,200 years, will be hosting the annual photography festival around this time
Shiretoko - a national park on the northernmost island of Hokkaido - pristine, in April, probably still very snowy
Sapporo - Home of Sapporo beer, delicious soup curry, and surprising art pieces, just a charming, northern city
An Idea for After the Wedding: Olympic Torch Relay
The Olympic Torch will be making it’s way around Japan next year in anticipation of the start of the games at the end of July. If you wanted to go to one of the smaller towns and participate in the revelry as it passes by, it will be in Nara and Osaka for the days after the wedding! You can find more information about the schedule here. This is a great way to participate in the Games without having to make another trip back in July/August/September.
