Japan

Restaurant · Kyoto

Nabura

A ramen bowl you can't find outside of Japan. The most rich, umami-filled mackerel broth filled with chewy noodles and topped with a divine fried piece of fish. A must visit for ramen + fish lovers.

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Restaurant · Tokyo

Pizza Studio Tamaki

Tokyo is not just for sushi and ramen. Some of the best pizza exists in the city, in my opinion best represented by Pizza Studio Tamaki with their charred crust and airy crumb. I like this Higashi-Azabu location, which you can usually walk into for lunch if you arrive a little before opening time.

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Cultural Spot · Kyoto

Kurama Temple

The easiest way to escape the tourist crowds of Kyoto. A short ride on the Eizan Line drops you at the base of Mount Kurama, where the trail winds steeply up through cedar forest to the main temple. The incline is real, but the payoff is a quiet mountain atmosphere. At the top, you can continue over the ridge to Kifune shrine on the other side.

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Restaurant · Tokyo

Kai Sushi

My favorite neighborhood sushi spot. Come for the lunch omakase, where you can indulge in some of the best sushi in Tokyo for a very reasonable price. They don't speak much English, so best for the adventurous looking for an authentic local experience. If going, I recommend you ask for one of the sushi-only lunch sets, to which you can add additional pieces of your choice.

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Restaurant · Tokyo

Arbol

Hidden in the back alleys of Kagurazaka, eating at Arbol is a special experience. They serve Italian-Japanese fare made with local ingredients, from an open-air kitchen in a converted house that makes it feel like you've been invited to an exclusive dinner party.

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Cultural Spot · Kyoto

Nanzen-ji

If you could only visit one temple in Kyoto, I'd recommend Nanzen-ji. The complex is anchored by a massive sanmon gate you can climb for views over the city and a Meiji-era brick aqueduct that cuts through the grounds. Unlike many temples, you can enter the main hall and tour the gardens. Nanzen-ji also sits at the start of the Philosopher's Path, which you can follow north to Ginkaku-ji.

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