about this guide
Viviana studied abroad in Kyoto, then did a summer internship there right after. She's an avid matcha lover and made it her mission to find the best in Japan. Here are all of her best recs from her time abroad, with some honorary Tokyo mentions. She kept track of everything she did, so now you can see a collection of everywhere she went in different Google pins below.
the recommendations
JR Kyoto Isetan
Go to the 11th floor — it's all just ramen food stalls. Really cheap, and you can choose what type of ramen you want. Not as touristy, not many people know about it.
Trattoria Liana
Japanese people are really into pizza to the point they want to make it unique to them. Their honey cheese pizza is the best thing ever. Truly a must try.
Pakupaku Morimori Shibuya
Really sweet owners and really, really good meat-based Japanese curry. Also in Shibuya so a good area to hit both.
Maruyasu Sakaba
A little out of the way but where we would always go. Get the all you can eat and all you can drink — it's maybe $25 US for two hours and it's really good food. Most budget friendly izakaya I found. Traditional Japanese food with some Chinese dishes too.
Taste the World
Their whole thing is a different style of breakfast from a different country every month. It was Lithuanian when I went. They have English and American breakfast year round too. Really cool concept, and I've only seen it in Japan.
Yoridokoro
Best rice ever. Right by the railroad so a train passes by. Worth the trip — go to the Kamakura beach and stop here on the way.
Kitsune Kyoto
Very few nightclubs in Kyoto — if you want more go to Osaka or Tokyo. This one is foreigner friendly. I wouldn't go alone as a girl, but it does the job if you're with friends.
Nishiki Market
You have to go every time you're in Kyoto. Huge market with restaurants, stalls, thrift places. The place to find anything and everything. If you overpacked and need an extra suitcase you can buy one there for really cheap.
Imperial Palace Kyoto
Pre-dynasty era palace — you can visit the grounds and take a tour if you want. Right next to the exchange university. Great spot for walks or a picnic.
Good to know just a tiny bit of Japanese especially for ordering and if you have issues tapping into the subway. Simple phrases go a long way.
Cherry blossoms are everywhere in the spring. There are festivals but honestly if you're just walking around you're going to see them anyway — you don't have to go to a festival if you don't want to.
Just do izakaya. Search izakaya on maps and go. All you can eat and all you can drink for around $25 US for two hours. The food is really good and the drinks will get the job done.
Do not go in the summer — it is so hot and incredibly humid. You will need to buy a fan. Go in spring, late winter, or fall if you want to see the autumn leaves.
You mostly just take the subway everywhere and it's really easy. You can just tap your phone, no planning needed. Get a Suica card. You can also use the regular Uber app and it is so cheap there — places that would be a $30 Uber in the US are like $8.
Take a basically empty suitcase and you will fill it up. The shopping is really good and pretty affordable. They have monthly flea markets at some of the shrines and temples — try to line them up so you can do both in one trip.
Viviana kept track of everywhere she went — check out her Google Maps collections below for the full picture.