How To Spend An Incredible Two Weeks in Japan: A First-Timer’s Guide

Exploring Miyajima, one of the best things to do in Japan.

Without a doubt, the travel-related question I’m asked most frequently is “What should I do during my upcoming trip to Japan?” If I had a dollar for every time someone asked me this question, I could probably fund my next flight to Tokyo! Well, you asked, and we listened: hot off the press, we’ve finally written our Japan itinerary — full of glorious food, sights, and, of course, booze! Here’s how to spend an incredible two weeks in Japan.

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Yunessun Spa Resort in Hakone, Japan: Or, You Too Can Bathe in Wine and Coffee

Hakone Kowakien Yunessun, also called Yunessun Spa Resort or simply Yunessun for short, is a wine-loving, coffee-guzzling tourist's dream come true. Here's the real deal about what to expect when you visit this hot springs theme park in Hakone, Japan. #Yunessun #Hakone

If you’ve been following this blog for a while now, you’ll know that I’m a complete sucker for themed experiences. Whether it’s a Marie Antoinette-themed speakeasy or a Doctor Who-themed restaurant, I tend to seek out the quirkiest, wackiest themed experiences I can when traveling.

So it should come as no surprise that, when we discovered a magical place in Japan where it was totally acceptable — nay, encouraged — to bathe in wine, it was the first thing I booked when we were planning our stay.

Hakone Kowakien Yunessun, also called Yunessun Spa Resort or simply Yunessun for short, is a wine-loving, coffee-guzzling tourist’s dream come true. Here’s the real deal about what to expect when you visit this hot springs theme park in Hakone, Japan.

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Drinks in Translation: Visiting New York Bar at the Park Hyatt Tokyo

New York Bar, Park Hyatt Tokyo's iconic hotel bar, looked classy in "Lost in Translation," but is it worth a detour for wine or cocktails? Yes! Here's why.

Let’s get this out of the way early: yes, the Park Hyatt Tokyo hotel will be forever linked to Sofia Coppola’s 2003 film, “Lost in Translation.” Yes, you may have originally clicked on this post because you want to pretend you’re Scarlett Johansson sipping on cocktails with Bill Murray at Park Hyatt Tokyo’s New York Bar.

The iconic hotel bar may have looked stunning in Coppola’s film, but is it really that classy and sophisticated in real life? Are the drinks any good? And, most importantly, is it worth a detour in your precious Tokyo itinerary?

The answer, it turns out, is a resounding yes. In other words, for good times, you’ll want to make it Suntory New York Bar time. Here’s why.

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10 Things That Surprised Us While Visiting Japan

From the kindness of the Japanese people to their amazing vending machines, here are 10 things that surprised us while visiting Japan for the first time.

It’s been a mere week since Mr. Five O’Clock and I returned to NYC from visiting Japan, and in some ways, it feels like we’re waking up from the best dream of lives. (Oh, wait, I did just wake up… and it’s 3 AM. Curse you, jet lag!)

Plenty of things surprised us throughout our two weeks in Japan, from the kindness of the Japanese people to those freakin’ cool ramen-eating booths. Perhaps what surprised me most of all, however, was how much I grew to love this country that had originally not even been on my radar.

In putting our jet lag to good use, we’ve got our first post about Japan all ready! Here are 10 things that surprised us while visiting Japan.

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