I kept finding myself in this neighborhood. Definitely explore Golden Gai, a neighborhood filled with the most excentric little bars you'll ever see in your life.
- Nightingale http://tokyo-nightingale.com/ (Amazing trippy experimental music bar in the Golden Gai district)
- Tachibana examination room (Also in Golden Gai, when I went we had a colonic-themed cocktail served by a cross-dressed/I believe gender-fucking person in a nurse outfit)
- Antiknock (Famous hardcore punk club, cheapest drinks I found in Tokyo. Check the schedule on Twitter or their site. Not my typical scene but this was awesome to see. Twitter @antiknock1985)
- 9h Nine Hours (Amazing pod hotel. If you're okay with staying in single-gender shared spaces, this place is super futuristic, clean, and reputable. As close as you'll get to sleeping in a space ship for ~$50 USD.)
Home of the famous crossing and dog statue.
- Tower Records (Not only still exists in Japan but it's bigger than any record store I ever even remember seeing in the U.S. It's also really cool to check out Japanese versions of American records.)
Tokyo’s ‘hipster’ neighborhood. Just walk around here, you’re bound to come across some cool shit.
This is the famous electronics/video game district. Supposedly a gathering place for cosplayers but we didn’t see too many unfortunately.
- Super Potato (Famous retro videogame store, fun jump down memory lane for the gamer geek crowd.)
- Mandrake (8 stories of anime/manga. Start at the top and make your way down. Includes some out-there stuff.)
- Curry Up (Indian/Japanese fusion curry near Harajuku by fashion designer Nigo of Bathing Ape)
- Tsukiji Fish Market (Touristy AF, worth it. Pick up some cheap sushi at the stalls just outside of the actual market. Business winds down by around 9am but tourists only have access at certain hours. Get lunch at one of the sushi restaurants nearby afterward or ramen at Chuka Soba Inoue.)
- The Giant Ghibli Clock (Clock tower designed by famous animated film director Hayao Miyazaki)
Kyoto is gorgeous. Unfortunately a lot of my favorites pots here were def aimed at expats but they were cool.
- Nishiki Market (It’s a market. It’s cool. Mostly food but I saw some dope graphic jackets nearby too.)
- Gogyo (Try the burnt miso ramen)
- Arashiyama (The bamboo forest is incredible. Check out the tea house too.)
- L'escamoteur Bar (French carnival-themed cocktail bar, one of the best I’ve ever experienced in my life. The owner is a magician. Not Japanese but dope nonetheless.)
- Cafe Independants (Expat bar.)
Osaka is much rougher around the edges than Kyoto or Tokyo. Think of it like a Baltimore or mid 00's Brooklyn, as douchey as that sounds it's cool.
- Shinsekai (Cool neighborhood with a 70’s futurist aesthetic. Just south of the Hitachi tower.)
- Okonomiyaki chitose (Osaka style pancakes. If you’re not in the area just be sure to check out an okonoiyaki spot)