Thing to do
1. Dotonbori
Osaka's canal-side entertainment strip, lined with giant 3D shop signs, theatres and restaurants, and the classic place to eat your way through the city at night.
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2. Nishiki Market
A narrow covered market street of around 130 food shops between Teramachi and Takakura, known for centuries as Kyoto's kitchen.
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3. Tsukiji Outer Market
The lively market streets that remained in Tsukiji after the wholesale fish market moved to Toyosu, packed with seafood stalls, knife shops and breakfast counters.
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4. Arashiyama Bamboo Grove
A walking path through tall groves of moso bamboo between Tenryu-ji and Okochi Sanso villa, one of the most photographed places in Kyoto.
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5. Kuromon Ichiba Market
A covered food market of about 150 shops stretching 580 metres in Nipponbashi, known for seafood, fruit and food to eat as you stroll.
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6. Shibuya Sky
An open-air rooftop observation deck around 229 metres up on Shibuya Scramble Square, looking straight down on the famous Scramble Crossing.
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7. Kabuki-za Theatre
Tokyo's principal kabuki theatre in Ginza, rebuilt in 2013 to a Kengo Kuma design, staging traditional performances most days of the month.
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8. Philosopher’s Path
A stone footpath beside a cherry-lined canal at the foot of the eastern hills, linking Ginkaku-ji in the north with the Nanzen-ji area to the south.
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9. Shinsekai
A retro entertainment district built after the 1903 exposition, centred on Tsutenkaku Tower and known for kushikatsu restaurants and old-style shopping streets.
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10. Gion Corner
A nightly hour-long show in Gion presenting seven traditional arts, from tea ceremony and koto to kyogen comedy and dance by maiko.
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11. Ryogoku Kokugikan
The national sumo arena in Ryogoku, hosting the January, May and September Grand Sumo Tournaments and a small free Sumo Museum.
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12. Tenjinbashisuji Shopping Street
Japan's longest shopping street, a covered arcade of around 800 shops running about 2.6 kilometres north from the gates of Osaka Tenmangu shrine.
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13. Kyoto Tower
A 131-metre tower opposite Kyoto Station, opened in 1964, whose observation deck 100 metres up gives a full view across the city and its ring of hills.
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14. National Bunraku Theatre
The national home of bunraku, Osaka's classical puppet theatre, with a 753-seat main auditorium a minute from Nipponbashi Station.
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15. Omoide Yokocho
A narrow post-war alley by Shinjuku Station's west exit, packed with around 60 tiny yakitori counters, izakaya and bars under glowing lanterns.
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