TOKYO

Kimukatsu is a popular tonkatsu (pork cutlet) restaurant in Japan serving high quality pork thinly sliced and stacked into 25 layers. It is then covered with fresh breadcrumbs and fried slowly in low temperature for 8 minutes resulting in a deliciously crunchy and tender mille feuille type of pork cutlet. We …

J.S. Pancake Cafe (ジェイエス パンケーキカフェ) serves delicious and filling brunch all day every day. J.S. Pancake Cafe is owned by the Japanese casual clothing brand, Journal Standard, and specializes in savory and sweet pancakes. They have twelve locations in Japan including two in Tokyo and one in Yokohama. We stopped in at the Tennoji location in the Mio …

MUJI Ebisu reopened their store at the new Atre Ebisu West building (an extension of the Main Atre Building) in April 2016 and it`s bigger and better than ever. This store occupies the fifth and sixth floors and carries the first makeup counter in the Kanto region. They hold about …

This time of year is perfect for a Mt. Takao Hike. The trip to Mt. Takao takes about one hour from Shinjuku station on the Keio Line. Mt. Takao has been a location of worship for more than 1,000 years. The main temple Yakuoin is located near the summit and is a popular place …

*** Note the previous loction in Yokohama has closed. The new location which opened Aug 2019 is in Odaiba, Tokyo) Only in Japan is there a Poop Museum (Unko Museum).  Japan has a poop fascination – I am always reminded about when my kids were in Japanese hoikuen (daycare) that the diary …

Sweet potato digging is an autumn tradition that all Japanese kindergarten and early elementary kids partake in October through December. In Japanese sweet potatoes are called “satsumaimo”. Enjoy a nice autumn day outside central Tokyo and go sweet potato digging. Below are five recommended locations to go Japanese sweet potato …

Yakiniku Shibaura is our favorite family-friendly yakiniku restaurant in Setagaya-ku. They serve delicious cuts of Japanese domestic Wagyu Beef. Our kids love it. As you walk into the restaurant you see a refrigerator stocked with slabs of Japanese domestic Wagyu beef. Yakiniku Shibaura carefully selects their Wagyu beef from different areas of Japan, and …

Haneda airport is a great spot to take your kids. The International Terminal has 30 stores, 44 restaurants, and you don’t need a flight ticket to access. Also makes a great Tokyo Rainy Day activity. Haneda Airport with Kids – TOP THINGS TO DO at the INTERNATIONAL TERMINAL   View …

We visited Universal Studios Japan in Osaka during Halloween month and loved it! Now added to our list of TOP Theme Parks in Japan and Osaka with Kids Itinerary here are our TIPS to enjoy your visit. Universal Studios Osaka is a character theme park with a collection of exciting entertainment …

Nakameguro Park (中目黒公園) is a well-maintained open grass park frequented by locals and families. They have a large variety of plants and flowers that you can learn about at their “Flower and Greenery Learning Center” and a “creature pond” to view fish, frogs and insects. Located within the grounds is a …

Nakameguro is a popular yet quiet residential neighborhood filled with unique boutique shops and cafe. The area comes alive with their Cherry Blossom festival along the Meguro River in mid spring and during their summer matsuri (festival). Wondering what to do for one day in Tokyo? Pick your favorite day …

Bills, our favorite Australian restaurant known for their delicious food and bright and spacious dining, opened their newest location on the top floor of the brand new Okura House building in Ginza. Located across from Blvgari and Louis Vuitton, and next to Cartier, Bills Ginza has a warm and inviting interior with an …

Kidzania is of our kids` favorite indoor theme park on our list of TOP Theme Parks in Japan next to Kandu and Sanrio Puroland (Kitty Land). Kidzania Tokyo, located at the Urban Dock LaLaport in Toyosu, is an indoor theme park for families. The park is a city built to …

We love this quiet, residential area in Shibuya-ku. We often often spend our day in the Ebisu Station West Exit area then walk towards Daikanyama or the East Exit towards Ebisu Garden Place. Wondering what to do for one day in Tokyo? Pick your favorite day from our Tokyo one day …

Genmian Brown rice and vegetables cafe is a welcome stop after days of sightseeing, and takoyaki and kushikatsu (Osaka street food). Genmian cafe serves healthy meals with carefully selected ingredients focusing on brown rice and seasonal vegetables that are close to pesticide free. They serve meat and poultry that is …

Nakaoe Park (中大江公園) is a large 100 square meter space divided into four large multi-purpose areas; an area for toddlers, a playground, an open space, and green space with beautiful cherry trees in Spring. We were staying at the Hotel MyStays Otemae and stumbled upon this park after an early morning wake up from …

If you are looking for a romantic date night restaurant with amazing Italian food, you must try Via Brianza in Azabu Juban. The restaurant is one of my husband’s and my favourite hideaways. The chef and owner Okuno-san studied in Italy to perfect his skills and now owns a few …

Spa World made it on our list of TOP Theme Parks in Japan. Spa World Osaka is an excellent place to relax after a long day of sightseeing. Open from 10:00 – 8:45am the next day, this popular onsen theme park is equip with all your relaxation needs; themed saunas, …

Just added this cute play space to our list of Top Tokyo Restaurants with Play Areas – babies and kids (0-6 yrs) and Tokyo One Day Itinerary: Jiyugaoka Area with Kids. Milkland Hokkaido Cafe is a newly opened cafe in the heart of Jiyugaoka where you can enjoy milk and …

Kids Plaza Osaka is an excellent indoor museum to take your kids to rain or shine. Built as an educational museum in 1997 it provides three floors of exhibits and activities that will keep your kids interested and engaged for hours. Located just behind the museum is the huge Ogimachi Park Playground. When entering …

On a sunny day escape central Tokyo and head for the huge Showa Kinen Park 昭和記念公園.  Showa Memorial Park is approximately a 50-70 min trip from central Tokyo via car or train. Biking, hiking, climbing nets, bouncing on huge white soft blobs and hiding from dragons can keep the little ones …

Start your morning off at Ivy Place, one of our favorite breakfast spots on our list of Top Tokyo breakfast & brunch recommendations. Located in the stylish Daikanyama T-Site complex, Ivy Place opens daily from 7:00 a.m. and offers a variety of breakfast choices that change with the season. Patrons have …

If you have 3-5 days to spend in Tokyo, we highly recommend this one-day itinerary for Tokyo One Day with Kids – Shibuya, Harajuku, Omotesando, and Aoyama areas. The Shibuya, Harajuku, Omotesando and Aoyama area is a great place to see the modern, hip fashion and entertainment side of Tokyo …

Zusso Kids Hair Salon is a great place to get your kids first haircut. They have everything a child needs to keep them entertained; mini cars to sit in, small toys for toddlers, and a selection of Japanese and Disney movies to keep them entertained. They will shampoo, cut, blow …

Gelateria Acquolina (ジェラテリア アクオリーナ) is another spot to add to our Favorite Top 5+ Ice Treats in Japan. It`s is a cozy shop in Yutenji that creates delicious homemade gelato with flavors that change with the season. The classics are there but they also have unique flavors like our favorite: basil …