A temple at dawn
Skip the midday crowds. Visit Fushimi Inari in Kyoto or Senso-ji in Tokyo at sunrise. You'll have the place nearly to yourself.
✨ Must-sees in Japan
The real must-sees in Japan go beyond the postcard spots. These are the places locals point visitors toward once the obvious sights are out of the way.
In Japan, must-sees comes down to a few things: a temple at dawn, a depachika (department store basement), and a local izakaya.
A depachika (department store basement)
The food halls beneath major department stores are an art form. Isetan in Shinjuku is legendary. Go for the free samples, stay for the wagashi.
A local izakaya
Skip the themed restaurants. A tiny izakaya with 8 seats and a handwritten menu is where the real magic happens.