From busy Tokyo streets to the quiet spirit of Izu

What is Neighbor’s Eyes?
There are things you’ll never learn from guidebooks—like why a convenience store meal can be strangely satisfying, or how a quiet roadside shrine can move you more than a famous temple.

Neighbor’s Eyes is a window into how everyday Japanese people actually see and feel their country. These are personal reflections, small discoveries, and cultural side notes you’d only get if you had a thoughtful local by your side.

No clichés, no perfect shots—just honest moments, seen through the eyes of your neighbor.
Feel free to click on ‘👀Neighbor’s Eyes‘.

1 – Week Itinerary

　Day 1 – Arrival & First Encounters

Accommodation (choose by preference)💡Japan’s hotels strike an impressive balance between price and comfort.
From sleek luxury towers to compact, efficient business hotels, there’s a perfect stay for every kind of traveler and budget.
Choose the one that fits your night—and your journey.
💎 Luxury hotel 🏙 City hotel 🛏 Business hotel

Accommodation: same options (luxury / city / business)

Accommodation: Tokyo (any style)

Leave with memories not only of places, but of people, rituals, flavors, and quiet moments

👀Neighbor’s Eyes #1 — Standing Soba: Japan’s True Fast Food
Soba is meant to be elegant—served chilled with dipping sauce or in a steaming bowl, with a fragrance, texture, and smooth slurp that define Japan’s refined palate.

But standing soba is different.
It’s quick, it’s cheap, and—believe it or not—it’s kind of brilliant.

Some soba lovers say this doesn’t count as “real” soba. And sure, it’s not hand-cut in the mountains of Nagano.
But picture this: a hot bowl of broth made with real dashi, noodles cooked fresh to order, served in under two minutes… for just 300 to 400 yen (around 2–3 USD). That’s cheaper than a coffee in most big cities.

And the chains that run these shops?
They’re constantly refining their recipes, trying to pack the most taste and comfort into the smallest time and space possible. It’s fast food—but with craftsmanship.

Bonus fact: While “soba” means buckwheat noodles, nearly every shop also offers udon.
In Tokyo, you’ll see most people choose soba. In Osaka? Udon rules. It’s a tiny cultural detail—but once you notice it, you’re seeing Japan more deeply.

So don’t come expecting gourmet soba.
Come amazed that in a modern, high-income country like Japan, you can still get a delicious, satisfying bowl of noodles for just a few coins.

👀Neighbor’s Eyes #2 — Izakaya
In Japan, izakaya are casual spots to eat, drink, and relax — similar to pubs or bistros abroad.

Chain izakaya are everywhere, especially near train stations. They’re affordable, consistent, and perfect for group hangouts, but most food is pre-prepared and lacks a handmade feel.

Independent izakaya, on the other hand, vary widely. Some are forgettable, but many offer handmade dishes, local specialties, and a warm, personal vibe — all at great value. These hidden gems often become locals’ favorite places.

One tip: If you like beer, try saying “Toriaezu, biiru!” (Beer first, please!) at a small izakaya. It’s a classic move — and might just earn you a smile or a conversation. Give it a shot!

👀Neighbor’s Eyes #3 — Be Careful on Tokyo Mornings
In Tokyo and other major cities, weekday mornings (Monday to Friday, 7–9 AM) mean crushing crowds on the trains—far beyond what most travelers expect.

To avoid a stressful start to your day, consider one of these smart options:
　Head out early, before the rush begins
　Enjoy a leisurely breakfast and start your day after the 10 AM hotel checkout
　Stay near your first destination and begin your sightseeing on foot

Avoiding the rush can make all the difference between a hectic morning and a smooth, memorable start to your day in Japan.

But if you’re curious and want to experience the rush hour for yourself, give it a try—just make sure to go hands-free. Big bags or suitcases will make it nearly impossible (and earn you a few glares).

👀Neighbor’s Eyes #4 — Hot or Cold? Your First Step into Soba Culture
In Japan, soba noodles are more than just a quick bite — they’re a piece of culture.
When you order, you’ll usually be asked: kake or mori?

Kake soba comes in a hot broth — great for colder days.
Mori soba is served cold with a dipping sauce on the side, and it’s actually the better choice if you want to enjoy soba’s natural aroma and texture.

There’s a local way to eat it too:
Dip only the bottom half of the noodles into the sauce (dipping it all in can be too salty), and then slurp it up with a little “zuzuzu” sound. Chew briefly and swallow — soba fans call this nodogoshi, the smooth feeling as the noodles go down.

It might feel a bit awkward at first, but slurping is totally fine in Japan — in fact, it’s how real soba lovers eat.
So if someone near you is doing it proudly, don’t be surprised — they might just be a local expert from Tokyo.

👀Neighbor’s Eyes #5 — Getting to Izu – Choose Your Best Route
Heading to the Izu area? You’ve got three main options:
① Bullet train + local lines
② Limited express Odoriko
③ Rental car

If you’re going straight to Shuzenji, the Odoriko is a great no-transfer choice.
If you want to explore Mishima on the way, take the Shinkansen and then transfer to a local line.
And if flexibility is your thing, a rental car gives you total freedom.

But a heads-up — if you drive from Tokyo on a Saturday morning, expect major traffic. A smart move is to take the Shinkansen to Mishima first, then rent a car from there.

Unlike Tokyo, Izu is a region where having a car really changes how much you can see and do.
Think it over — it might be the key to a smoother trip.

👀Neighbor’s Eyes #6 — How to Score Unagi at Sakuraya—Japan’s Busiest Eel Shop—Without the Crazy Wait
Sakuraya in Mishima is legendary. Because they serve only a set number of eels each day, even with a reservation you’re often stuck in line for one or two hours before you actually eat.

Sure, you can fill the time with a stroll along the Genbei River boardwalk next door, or pop over to nearby Mishima Taisha—but here’s the locals-only shortcut:

1. Call ahead and order take-out.
2. Pick it up, then eat in your car or at a nearby park.
　Hot, fresh, and every bit as good as dining inside.

Pro tip: Sakuraya’s unagi is still delicious when it cools down, so order an extra box and taste it both ways.

Take-out slots can fill up fast—sometimes the earliest pick-up is still an hour or two away—so call early. And when you arrive, be sure to tell the staff you have a take-out reservation; otherwise you might get shuffled into the dine-in line.

Enjoy the best eel in Japan—minus the marathon wait.

👀Neighbor’s Eyes #7 — The True Magic of Arcana Izu
Plenty of travel guides will tell you how amazing Arcana Izu is—but here’s what a local neighbor would really highlight:

1. World-class French cuisine, no dress code required.
Chef Yuma Itoi trained in France and was once a sous-chef at a top establishment. His cuisine rivals Tokyo’s finest French restaurants—but because Arcana is an auberge (a lodge with a dedicated restaurant), there’s no need for formal attire. You can enjoy some of Japan’s best French cuisine in comfort and ease. That balance of excellence and relaxed atmosphere is truly rare.

2. Hospitality that’s humble—but extraordinary.
Let’s say you’re celebrating an anniversary and ask for a flower arrangement for your room—say, for 10,000 yen. Instead of taking a profit, Arcana will use the entire budget to source the perfect flowers. If the best fit happens to be a florist two hours away, they’ll drive there and back just for you—without ever mentioning it. You might only find out if you visit the florist yourself. That’s the spirit of Japanese omotenashi—quiet, invisible care that asks for nothing in return.

👀Neighbor’s Eyes #8 — A Quiet Walk Through Kawabata’s World
There’s a walking trail known as the Odoriko Path that winds from the Jōren Falls, along the Motoya River, through the old Amagi Tunnel, and down along the Kawazu River. It’s more than just a scenic route—it’s a journey into the heart of Japanese literature.

The Amagi Tunnel stands as the symbolic setting of The Dancing Girl of Izu, a story by Nobel Prize winner Yasunari Kawabata. A quiet, poignant tale of a young student and a traveling dancer, it captures the innocence and distance of early 20th-century rural Japan.

If you have the time, consider reading the short story before your visit. You might find yourself walking not just through forest and stone—but through memory and feeling, too.

👀Neighbor’s Eyes #9 — Temples, Shrines, and Castles
If you want to feel the essence of Japan’s history and culture, three symbols stand out: temples, shrines, and castles.

In this itinerary, you’ll visit two iconic spiritual sites—Sensoji Temple in Asakusa and Mishima Taisha Shrine. To complete the trio, we’ve included Odawara Castle, a place of legendary strength and strategy.

Originally built by the powerful Hojo clan, Odawara Castle was one of the most impregnable fortresses during Japan’s warring states period. Even the great general Uesugi Kenshin, known as the “God of War,” couldn’t break through—it’s said his army of 100,000 men had to retreat after a month-long siege.

What made it so formidable? A massive defense system called Sogamae, which encircled not just the castle but the entire castle town. With 15-meter-high earthworks stretching over 9 kilometers, and farmland inside the walls to provide food, Odawara was a castle built to outlast any attack.

👀Neighbor’s Eyes #10 — A Rare Taste of Edo in a City of Regional Flavors
Tokyo is a city where people from all over Japan come to live and work—which means, ironically, it doesn’t have many local dishes of its own. That’s why many izakayas in Tokyo focus on regional specialties: Hokkaido seafood, Kyushu-style pork, Okinawan classics—you name it.

But among all that, negima stands out as one of the few authentic dishes from the Edo period still served in the capital today.

Negima is a warm and flavorful hotpot-style dish featuring chunks of fatty tuna (toro) simmered with thick slices of Japanese leek (negi) in a soy-based broth. It’s simple, refined, and deeply satisfying—something that feels both nostalgic and elegant at once.

There’s one place in particular—modest in price, but extraordinary in execution—where you’ll find it done to perfection. It’s run by a watchful okami-san (female proprietor) whose attention to detail and care rivals that of Tokyo’s finest ryotei (traditional high-end restaurants). The atmosphere is unpretentious, but the quality is world-class.

It’s not just a meal. It’s a glimpse into the quiet, enduring spirit of Edo cuisine—one that most visitors never get to see.