Hiroko｜Japan Tour Designer

Have you ever had wagyu that's deep fried, but still medium-rare inside? This is Gyukatsu Kyoto Katsugyu Pontocho Shijo Ohashi Store Zen, where you get their Premium WAGYU Sirloin GYUKATSU ZEN. Crispy outside, medium-rare inside, and you grill each bite yourself on a hot stone to finish. So good! It's right by Shijo Ohashi Bridge, the Kamo River and Nishiki Market, so it's easy to stop by while sightseeing in Kyoto. They also serve a Japanese breakfast set, a real Japanese style morning. You can reserve a table during breakfast hours, so it's easy to fit into your Kyoto plans. 📍 Pontocho, Kyoto 🍽 Wagyu GYUKATSU & breakfast set 🥩 Grill it yourself #PR #KyotoKatsugyu #japantravel #kyotofood #wagyu

Iga is the birthplace of Japan's real ninjas, and here, you can become a ninja too. You put on a ninja costume and learn lots of ninja techniques from a real ninja master, from throwing shuriken to secret moves! The best part is the cave adventure. You make your way through a dark cave, solving ninja tricks as you go. So thrilling! I didn't film much of the inside so I don't spoil it lol 📍 Bansenshukai, Iga, Mie 🚃 1 min walk from Uenoichi Station 🥷 Newly opened in 2025 #mie #iga #ninja #klookkreator #PR @Klook USA

🥷 I stayed in a 150 year old Japanese house in Iga, Japan's ninja town. NIPPONIA HOTEL Iga-Ueno Castle Town, in Iga-Ueno in Mie, is a "dispersed hotel" where the rooms sit inside 150 year old registered cultural property townhouses scattered across the old castle town. It feels like you're staying in the whole town, soaking up the history and daily life of the ninja's homeland. The rooms come with hinoki cypress baths and terraces looking over the garden, so you can really unwind. Venture a little beyond Kyoto and Nara for a special night in the ninja's hometown. Book on Klook and use my code HIROKOJAPAN for a discount 🎟️ 📍 Iga-Ueno, Mie (NIPPONIA HOTEL) 🏯 Rooms in 150 year old townhouses #mie #iga #nipponia #klookkreator #PR @Klook USA

When it comes to yakiniku in Kyoto, there's one place I've loved for years 🥩 I booked this on Klook, and if you're going too, use my code HIROKOJAPAN for a discount 🎟️ Kyo Yakiniku Hiro Gion Yamana-an is set inside a renovated 130 year old ryotei, full of a beautiful, traditional Japanese atmosphere. You get to enjoy wagyu hand-picked by the head chef across all kinds of cuts, served as a course, and it's just a 5 minute walk from Gion-Shijo Station. In the calm, elegant space, the top quality wagyu grilled right in front of you was honestly the best 😋 The wagyu sushi is a must try, so tender and it pairs perfectly with soy sauce! If you want a truly special yakiniku experience in Kyoto, I really recommend this place 🥹 It's popular, so be sure to book early! #kyoto #wagyu #yakinikuhiro #klookkreator #PR @Klook USA

♨️ Did you know there's a place in Kumano where you can rent an entire onsen all to yourself? Touji no Niwa Kumano-Kawayu, in Kawayu Onsen in Kumano, Wakayama, is a hot spring retreat set inside a registered cultural property nearly 100 years old (a historic hot spring ryokan). It's fully private rental only. You wear a bathing garment, so couples, groups and families can all enjoy it together. You move through a half body bath, then a craft mist bath, then an outdoor bath, slowly resetting your mind and body 🌿 The concept is "soak, drink, rest." Upstairs, TOJI Cafe serves local treats like Kumano pork pâté, craft onsen beer and junmai sake. The daytime plan is a 2-hour private rental, and there's a more casual hourly evening slot too. It only opened in April 2026, so come reset yourself on your Kumano Kodo journey. 📍 Touji no Niwa Kumano-Kawayu (Kawayu Onsen, Wakayama) ♨️ Fully private, reservation required 💴 2-hour rental from ¥13,000 (about $85)/person ⏰ Open 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM #wakayama #kumano #onsen #japantravel #pr

A hotel made for Kuromi fans in Kyoto I'm a huge Sanrio fan, so staying in a room that's completely Kuromi felt like a dream. I stayed in the Goth Loli room, where the walls, ceiling, bed and even the picture frames are all Kuromi, done in a moody black and purple style 🖤💜 There's also a cute pop Cosmic Kuromi room, so you can pick whichever vibe suits you. You even get original Kuromi amenities to take home, and the room sleeps up to 4. It's super popular, so be sure to book before you go! 📍 Kyoto (RESI STAY THE KYOTO) 🖤 Fully Kuromi themed room, up to 4 🚶 13 min from Kyoto Station #klookkreator #kuromi #sanrio #pr @Klook USA

A brand new spot just opened in Gion, Kyoto, where they grill Kobe and Omi beef right in front of you, teppan style. It's right by Yasaka Shrine, so the access is amazing!!!! The chef grills your Kobe and Omi beef course right before your eyes, and both the look and the taste are next level. Trained at Michelin restaurants and five star hotels, he pairs the beef with seasonal Kyoto ingredients for the perfect plate 🥩 Enjoying this in the beautiful old streets of Gion feels so luxurious, perfect for a special occasion. In my course the beef was incredible, but the rare salmon steak and the truffle soup were SO good too ✨️ And this place even has halal-friendly wagyu courses, so everyone can enjoy it with peace of mind. Sudaku is a famous brand with around 50 shops across Japan, already open in Singapore and the Philippines, with London and Shanghai coming next. This new Gion location is their premium line, and the rich course menus are the highlight! 📍 Gion, Kyoto (by Yasaka Shrine) 🚶 10 min from Gion-Shijo Station 🗓 Opening July 1, 2026 #kyoto #gion #kobebeef #wagyu #pr

Experience real kendo and the way of the samurai in Kyoto 🥷 Booking link in my bio! Use my code HIROKOJAPAN for a discount on Klook 🎟️ I took a program in Kyoto where you get to handle a katana and try kendo. Everyone trains together, so it turned into a really fun cultural exchange. They even teach you the spirit of Bushido, the samurai code, in a classroom session. So you don't just try kendo, you really understand the culture behind it. No experience needed and all the gear is included, so anyone can join. A must-try for an authentic Japanese experience! #kendo #kyoto #japantravel #samurai #kyototrip

Most visitors see Fushimi Inari, the Yasaka Pagoda and a few temples, then head to Osaka. But Kyoto is a region. 1. The Kyoto everyone knows Fushimi Inari · Yasaka Pagoda Dinner on the Kamo River terraces 2. Woodland Kyoto · 2 hours north Arashiyama · Hozu River boat Miyama thatched village 3. Kyoto by the Sea · 2 hours north Amanohashidate sandbar Ine boathouses · INE CAFE 4. Kyoto Tea Country · 20 min by train Wazuka tea hills · Byodo-in Nakamura Tokichi matcha sweets Save this for your trip 🔖 and send it to your travel buddy. Full details, maps and directions are on my new blog. Comment "Kyoto" for the link, or tap the link in my bio! Which Kyoto would you pick? 👇 #kyoto #kyototravel #japantravel #kyotoprivatetour #kyotoguidedtour

Here are the new spots that opened in Japan this year that I'm most excited about! 1. Uzumasa Kyoto Village Kyoto · Mar 2026 Samurai-movie park, now an Edo town open until 9 PM 2. DRUM TAO Theater Kyoto Kyoto Station · Apr 2026 Taiko x digital art, 7 & 9 PM 3. AZUMA FARM Koiwai Iwate · Apr 2026 Farm stay by Aman's founder 4. GRAN Tenku Namba to Koyasan · Apr 2026 New train with a dining car 5. FAMIMA PARK AZABUDAI Tokyo · Jul 2026 NIGO's flagship FamilyMart 6. Mishima Skywalk Shizuoka · new decks Jul 2026 Sky decks facing Mt. Fuji 7. Kai Miyajima Hiroshima · Jul 2026 Onsen ryokan facing the sea Save this for your trip 🔖 and send it to your travel buddy. Full details, maps and official links are on my new blog. Link in bio! Which one is first for you? 👇 #japantravel #japantrip #visitjapan #japantravelguide #japanprivatetour

Kyoto isn't one place. It's 9 very different neighborhoods, and choosing the right ones makes or breaks your trip. 1. Gion & Higashiyama Yasaka Pagoda · Hanamikoji Street Ninenzaka · Sannenzaka 2. Arashiyama & Sagano Bamboo Grove · Sagano Romantic Train Hozugawa River Boat · Kimono Forest 3. Downtown Kyoto Kamogawa riverside dining Nishiki Market · Pontocho 4. Fushimi Fushimi Inari Taisha Gekkeikan Okura Sake Museum Jukkokubune boat ride 5. Northwest Kyoto Kinkaku-ji · Ryoan-ji Ninna-ji · Kitano Tenmangu 6. Northern Higashiyama Keage Incline · Nanzen-ji Aqueduct 7. North Kyoto Kifune Shrine · Kibune kawadoko Sanzen-in (Ohara) 8. Central Kyoto Nijo Castle · Kyoto Imperial Palace 9. Kyoto Station Area teamLab Biovortex Kyoto DRUM TAO Theater · Kyoto Tower Save this for your trip 🔖 and send it to whoever you're going with. Want to explore these areas with a guide who really knows Kyoto? I run private tours in Kyoto. 6 day tours from ¥44,000, bookable until 8 PM the day before. Link in bio. Which area is first on your list? 👇 #kyoto #kyototravel #japantravel #kyototrip

😳 I crossed the longest "everyday" suspension bridge in Japan, 54m up in the air. The Tanise Suspension Bridge, deep in the mountains of Totsukawa in Nara, is 297m long and 54m above the river. Back in 1954, local residents pooled their own money to build it, making it the longest suspension bridge for daily life in Japan. Locals still cross it as part of their daily lives today. It sways a lot with every step, so honestly it's a little scary... but the view of the river and valley below is breathtaking. Only 20 people can cross at a time, and it's free. It's pretty deep in the mountains, so going by car is best. Pair it with a scenic countryside drive. 📍 Tanise Suspension Bridge (Totsukawa, Nara) 🚶 297m long, 54m above the river 💴 Free to cross #nara #totsukawa #japantravel #hiddenjapan #bridge

🚆 A resort on rails. I rode the observation car of the luxury sightseeing train "Shimakaze" on the short stretch from Kyoto toward Nara. Cars 1 and 6 of the Kintetsu Shimakaze are high decker observation cars with raised floors. Through the big windows you look down over the passing scenery, with a sense of openness totally different from an ordinary express. Every seat is a leather electric reclining seat, so you can really relax. Shimakaze normally runs from Osaka-Namba, Kyoto and Nagoya all the way to Kashikojima in Ise-Shima. But here's a tip: you can also ride just the short Kyoto to Yamato-Saidaiji stretch (the gateway to Nara). It takes about 35 minutes and costs around ¥2,200, so you can try this luxury observation car easily, and add a little touch of luxury to getting around Kyoto and Nara. There's just one service a day from Kyoto and from Osaka, so book early! 📍 Kintetsu Shimakaze (Kyoto ⇔ Nara) 🚉 Kyoto to Yamato-Saidaiji, about 35 min 💴 About ¥2,200 (~$15) for this stretch, book ahead #kyoto #nara #kintetsu #shimakaze #japantravel

🧹 I went to see the once a year "big clean" of the Great Buddha at Todaiji. Every year on August 7, Todaiji Temple in Nara holds "Ominugui," a traditional ceremony that wipes away a year of dust and purifies the Great Buddha before Obon. It has been held since 1964. In the early morning, around 120 monks and helpers purify themselves at the Nigatsudo bathhouse, then gather at the Great Buddha Hall in white garments and straw sandals. Using brooms and dusters, they carefully clean the roughly 15m tall Great Buddha. Some are lifted by gondola to reach the face and chest, a truly striking sight. 📅 Every August 7 ⏰ 7:00 to 9:30 AM (entry 7:30 AM) 📍 Todaiji, Nara #naratrip #todaiji #ominugui #japanculture #japantravel

♨️ I tried to get into the only World Heritage hot spring in the world you can actually bathe in, and it did not go as planned 😂 Tsuboyu, in Yunomine Onsen in Kumano, Wakayama, is the only "World Heritage site you can bathe in" on Earth. It's registered as part of the Kumano pilgrimage route. It's a tiny natural rock bath that fits just 2 or 3 people, rented privately in 30 minute slots. The water is said to change color up to 7 times a day. But when I went, the water was way too hot to get in... 😂 It comes straight from the source, so it gets really hot. The trick is to add some cold water first. There's no booking here, it's first come first served. You get a numbered waiting card at the reception and wait your turn, and they don't take online or phone reservations, so keep that in mind! 📍 Tsuboyu (Yunomine Onsen, Wakayama) ♨️ Private 30-min slots, ¥800 for adults ⏰ 6:00 AM to 9:00 PM (last entry 8:30 PM) #tsuboyu #wakayama #kumano #onsen #worldheritage

⛩️ Did you know Japan has a torii gate this huge??? When you think of Japan's most famous torii, it's the tunnel of red gates at Fushimi Inari. But this one is Japan's largest torii gate. Standing in Oyunohara in Kumano, Wakayama, this giant torii is 33.9m tall and 42m wide, the biggest in all of Japan. Built from steel in 2000, it's absolutely breathtaking up close! This is actually where Kumano Hongu Taisha originally stood. The shrine once sat on a sandbank where three rivers meet, but it was washed away in the great flood of 1889 and moved to its current spot. For centuries this was the spiritual heart of the Kumano pilgrimage, visited by retired emperors dozens of times. It sits within the World Heritage "Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range," and the air here feels quiet and sacred. It's just a 10 minute walk from Kumano Hongu Taisha, so be sure to stop by 🌿 📍 Oyunohara, Wakayama (Kumano) 🚶 10 min from Kumano Hongu Taisha ⛩ 33.9m tall, Japan's largest torii 💴 Free to visit #wakayama #kumano #torii #oyunohara #japantravel

🦌 Have you heard of "Shikayose," where wild deer come running out of the forest all at once, drawn by the sound of a horn, in Nara Park? It's a uniquely Nara sight that has continued since 1892. When a staff member plays a natural horn, deer gather from every direction and are rewarded with acorns. Nara's deer are a designated National Natural Monument, so this is a special morning tradition you can only see in Nara 🌿 [Summer Shikayose 2026, held on Sundays] 📅 Jul 19 & 26, Aug 2/9/16/23/30, Sep 13/20/27 ⏰ Starts 9:00 AM (held even in light rain) 📍 Tobihino, Nara Park 💴 Free, no reservation Fun fact: you can actually pay to have a private Shikayose done just for you. If you're curious, ask me in the DMs 😊 #nara #narapark #deerpark #japantravel #shikayose

🙏 I'm sorry if this surprised you 🙏 Normally I share the beautiful places in Japan that are worth visiting, but I also want you to see the reality, so today I'm showing you Fushimi Inari Taisha exactly as it looked at 3pm when I went. The truth is, if you go early in the morning, there are far fewer people, and it's much easier to take those lovely photos you see on Instagram. Happily, traveling in Japan has become really popular lately. The exchange rate is part of it, but I also think it's because prices are lower than in the West, the service is wonderful, and it feels safe. But Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka have great access and so many attractions packed close together, so overtourism has become a real problem. If it's your first time in Japan, you should absolutely still visit these cities. But if it's your second time or more, or you just want to enjoy Japan a little more slowly and away from the crowds, I'd really love for you to explore other cities too. This July, to help more people discover rural Japan, I teamed up with a licensed travel agency and started planning private tours. I share these as carousel posts you can swipe through, not as reels, so please go take a look. Thank you for finding me😉 #overtourism #fushimiinari #japantravel #privatetour #kyototrip

Japan's countryside is home to stunning views and unique experiences you can't find in the cities. In this post, I've handpicked 5 highlights from Kochi: - Kashiwajima - Niko-buchi - Nakatsu Gorge - Makino Botanical Garden - Private Villa YUHIMI 📌 Why travel to rural Japan ・Enjoy nature without the crowds ・Cheaper hotels than in big cities ・Experience the old, traditional Japan 📌 Why choose a private tour ・A guide and chauffeured car mean you're safe even without trains ・Customize your itinerary to your taste for the highest satisfaction ・Full support during your stay in Japan for peace of mind Check out the previous post I featured on the last page for full details! #japantravel #kochi #niyodoblue #ruralJapan #privatetour

🚆 Did you know there's a luxury train that runs from Osaka and Kyoto all the way to Ise-Shima, like a resort on rails? It's the Kintetsu sightseeing limited express "Shimakaze." Every seat is a leather electric reclining seat, and with just 3 across it's incredibly spacious. Cars 1 and 6 are high deckers with raised floors for amazing panoramic views. There are private compartments, group seats and even a cafe car, where you can try Matsusaka beef curry, clam pilaf, local beer and sweets 🍛✨ And even with all this luxury, it's only around ¥5,040 from Osaka to Kashikojima. Plus there's just one service a day from Kyoto and from Osaka, so book early to be safe! 📍 Kintetsu Shimakaze (to Ise-Shima) 🚉 Kyoto 10:00 / Osaka-Namba 10:40 🎫 Just 1 a day, book early #japan #luxurytrain #shimakaze #japantravel #kyototrip