I Spent a Day at Japan's Worst Tourist Trap

@Abroad in Japan

Abroad in Japanyoutubethe post

The creator investigates five of Japan's most popular tourist spots to see if the 'over-tourism' headlines are true, offering tips on how to enjoy them despite the crowds.

2 plans · 11 places

Plan · 3 places · Tokyo, Japan

Tokyo's Tourist Traps: Tsukiji, Harajuku, Asakusa

“I ran the gauntlet, exploring Japan's biggest, baddest tourist traps in Tokyo: Tsukiji Fish Market, Harajuku, and Asakusa.”

1
Tsukiji Outer Market
Wholesale market · Chuo City
4.2 (56,127)Open now
Creator's voice
What remains of the world's former biggest fish market, now one of Tokyo's largest street food markets. While some articles declare tourists should avoid it due to high prices and 'inbound-don' (overpriced donburi bowls for tourists), I found the atmosphere still a ton of fun and loved getting lost down its retro streets and alleyways. It wasn't even as crowded as I remembered, perhaps due to the new Toyosu Market. Just do your homework on prices to avoid overpaying for seafood bowls and sushi.
Fish Market Tsukiji Outer Market, および６丁目一部 4 Chome Tsukiji, Chuo City, Tokyo 104-0045, Japan
- Overpriced Uni Bowl · ¥7700 — A bowl of uni (sea urchin) for ¥7,700, which is ridiculously expensive. Typically, uni bowls cost around ¥3,000 to ¥4,000 in most Tokyo restaurants. I also saw one for ¥22,000 down the street. Avoid these overpriced seafood bowls.
- Overpriced Fatty Tuna · ¥5000 — Four pieces of fatty tuna for ¥5,000. Even for the most expensive cut, you'd expect to pay about half the price in a mid-range sushi restaurant with table service.
- Unagi Eel Skewer · ¥1000 — A stick of unagi eel with salty, sticky-sweet eel sauce. It's reasonably priced at ¥1,000, offering a lot of bang for your buck compared to other market items. It's the best value fish I had or saw in the market all day, and it tastes amazing. Don't overlook eel just because it doesn't sound nice.
2
Takeshita Street
Shibuya
Creator's voice
The shopping capital of Tokyo, said to be the birthplace of Japan's Kawaii culture. It's a Technicolor nightmare for me, but it's appealing if you're in middle school or high school, with lots of counterculture and clothing stores. Despite my personal dislike, some viewers found it super fun with cool shops and fashion.
Takeshita St, 1-chōme Jingūmae, Shibuya, Tokyo 150-0001, Japan
- Giant Candy Floss — A candy floss bigger than my head. It's just sugar, but it tastes quite good. It's a fun, Instagram-worthy street food that's part of the Harajuku experience.
- Rainbow Cheese Sandwich — A rainbow-colored grilled cheese sandwich. I had high hopes as grilled cheese is my favorite, but this was a clinical disaster. It's not real cheese; it's an edible form of plastic colored to look like cheese. Horrible, an absolute depravity.
3
Sensoji Temple
Tourist attraction · Taito City
4.6 (99,962)
Creator's voice
The largest temple in Tokyo, located in the historically and culturally important Asakusa district. While the main Nakamise-dori Street is blighted with tacky gift shops and absurdly overcrowded during the day, the temple itself is beautiful. It's much nicer in the evening after 8 PM when the shops are shut, allowing you to enjoy the temple in a more relaxed atmosphere and avoid the crowds.
Sensō-ji, 2 Chome-3-1 Asakusa, Taito City, Tokyo 111-0032

Plan · 3 places · Kyoto, Japan

Kyoto's Tourist Traps: Nishiki Market, Gion, Kiyomizu-dera

“No investigation of Japan's worst tourist traps would be complete without visiting Kyoto, so I hopped on the Shinkansen to see Nishiki Market, Gion, and Kiyomizu-dera.”

4
Nishiki Market
Market · Kyoto
4.3 (53,488)Open now
Creator's voice
Kyoto's kitchen, dating back over 400 years. It resides down a single narrow, bustling street, five blocks long and jam-packed with over 100 shops and restaurants. Unlike Tsukiji, it feels far more intense due to its concentrated layout. I always avoided it, thinking it was the busiest market in Japan, but on a weekday, it's actually kind of calm. Avoid weekends if you want to experience it without overwhelming crowds.
Nishiki Market, Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto, 604-8055, Japan
- Kobe Beef Skewers · ¥2500 — Wagyu skewers advertised as Kobe beef for ¥2,500 per skewer. It smells reassuring, but it's not A5 Kobe. It tastes good but is a bit chewy, almost like British beef, and certainly not worth ¥2,500 for a lesser cut. Wagyu is one of the most misleadingly advertised dishes in Japan, so be careful. Absolute rip-off.
- Overflow Sake Cup · ¥100 — An obscenely cheap sake for ¥100, served in an overflow cup where any spill goes into the cup beneath, which you can also drink from. This was the real deal and made up for the disappointing wagyu.
- Daifuku Strawberry Mochi — A delicious strawberry mochi rice cake. A recommended treat to eat at Nishiki Market, along with drinking sake and avoiding the wagyu.
5
Gion
Kyoto
Creator's voice
The entertainment capital of Kyoto, a historic quarter where geisha still live, work, and operate. Earlier this year, some roads were closed to tourists to protect the neighborhood. While there are many threatening signs warning tourists against photography and harassing geisha, I found people to be more respectful than in previous times.
Gion, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto, Japan
6
Kiyomizu-dera Temple
Buddhist temple · Kyoto
4.6 (72,172)Closed · opens tomorrow 6 AM
Creator's voice
A stunning temple located up a mountainside, offering ultimate photo spots and rewarding views of Kyoto. I visited during rainy season on a Monday, and it was surprisingly quiet.
Kiyomizu-dera, 1 Chome-294 Kiyomizu, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto, 605-0862, Japan

Also in this video

7
Nakamise-dori Street
Tourist attraction · Taito City
4.3 (37,964)Open · until 5 PM
Creator's voice
The shopping street leading to Sensoji Temple. Historically, it was one of Tokyo's largest entertainment hubs. Nowadays, it's practically impossible to move through the thousands of people clambering for selfies, making it hard to enjoy any cultural enlightenment. It's full of tacky gift shops selling things like cartoon costume mustaches.
Nakamise Shopping Street, 1 Chome-36-3 Asakusa, Taito City, Tokyo 111-0032
- Amazake — A non-alcoholic sake drink, which a viewer recommended and bought. It's a nice traditional treat to find amidst the touristy stalls.
- Potato Croquette Ring — A Japanese potato croquette in the shape of a ring. It's one of the increasingly bizarre foods they come up with every week. It's a little bit dry but actually not bad. It's also the perfect way to propose to your other half.
8
Higashi Honganji Temple
Buddhist temple
4.5 (12,280)Open · until 5:30 PM
Creator's voice
A spectacular temple in Kyoto, here since the 17th century, that doesn't really make the guidebooks. I found it completely empty, despite being right in front of Kyoto Station. It also has the fifth biggest bell in all of Japan. It's a great place to visit if you want to avoid crowds.
Higashi Hongan-ji Temple, Shimogyo Ward, Kyoto, 600-8505, Japan
9
Hanamikoji Street
Tourist attraction
4.5
Creator's voice
At the heart of Kyoto's over-tourism woes, this kilometer-long street is known for its characterful o-chaya (tea houses) and many threatening signs warning tourists to refrain from photography or face fines. A ban has been put in place on many private alleyways prohibiting non-residents from entering. I took a stroll down the street and found people to be a lot more respectful than in previous times, with only a handful of folks sneaking photos.
Hanamikoji Street, Gionmachi Minamigawa, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto, 605-0074, Japan
10
Higashiyama District
Kyoto
Creator's voice
The busiest place in Kyoto, known for its rickshaws and the approach up to Yasaka Pagoda, which offers a beautiful view. It's a popular area leading up to Kiyomizu-dera Temple.
Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto, Japan
11
Starbucks Coffee Kyoto Ninenzaka Yasaka Chaya
Coffee shop · Kyoto
4.4 (11,664)Closed · opens tomorrow 8 AM
Starbucks Coffee - Kyoto Nineizaka Yasaka Chaya, 349 Masuyacho, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto, 605-0826, Japan

6 extraction issues

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