Azabujuban might be best known for its boutiques and designer dogs, but tucked between the luxury is a taste of New York—wax-paper-wrapped bacon, egg & cheese sandwiches and foldable pepperoni slices served with swagger. In this MK Presents dispatch, a Queens-born writer explores two Tokyo spots that channel NYC energy through simulated nostalgia, media-fueled devotion, and a surprising attention to greasy detail.
4 min read
Guide / TOKYO
Yanaka Ginza
A timeless shotengai where old Tokyo lingers—lined with mom-and-pop shops, street snacks, and slow-lane charm.
A secluded hillside retreat in Kyoto’s Higashiyama district, Banyan Tree offers ryokan-inspired luxury, private gardens, and holistic wellness programs.
Discover Kyoto’s most romantic power spots on a private MK tour to Kifune and Kamigamo Shrines. Follow ancient legends, write heart-shaped ema, and enjoy grilled rice cakes along the way. Whether seeking blessings for love, renewal, or quiet reflection, this sacred journey through Japan’s spiritual heart offers more than sightseeing—it’s a return to something timeless.
3 min read
Guide / KYOTO
Kuishinbo Yamanaka
A legendary Kyoto steakhouse specializing in rare cuts of Omi beef, offering a refined yet unpretentious dining experience for true wagyu enthusiasts.
A refined kaiseki restaurant in Kyoto's Nakagyo Ward, offering seasonal dishes that emphasize sustainability and the natural flavors of premium ingredients.
A precision-driven kaiseki restaurant in Gion where each dish reflects the clarity and tempo of Kyoto’s culinary discipline, led by Chef Masakatsu Sakagawa.
An intimate Kyoto restaurant where Chef Tsukasa Miyashita reimagines kaiseki through inventive techniques and seasonal ingredients, offering a unique dining experience.
Once feared, now beloved, Shinsekai is Osaka’s chaotic, retro dreamscape where neon light meets battered kushikatsu, and old-school arcades glow beneath Tsutenkaku’s gaze. This MK Deep Dive traces the neighborhood’s transformation—from 1910 ambition to postwar decay to a new wave of reverence. Step into the unpolished soul of a city too bold to imitate, and too alive to fade.
3 min read
Guide / OSAKA
Kishiwada Castle
A stone-walled relic of samurai legacy in coastal Osaka—Kishiwada Castle stands quiet but proud, its keep reflected in a koi-filled moat.
A distinguished private museum in Kobe, showcasing a world-class collection of traditional East Asian art, including two National Treasures and numerous Important Cultural Properties.
Meriken Park blends Kobe’s international history with its serene, modern charm. Once a cargo wharf, now a vibrant seaside promenade, it offers art, memorials, city icons like the Port Tower, and cherry blossoms in spring. As part of MK’s private Kobe tours, this luminous waterfront reveals Kobe’s resilient, cosmopolitan spirit—framed by sea and mountain, and ideal for daydreamers seeking more than just a destination.
2 min read
Guide / KOBE
Yuzuruha Shrine
A historic Shinto shrine in Kobe, renowned for its over 1,200-year history and as a site where athletes and fans, including figure skater Yuzuru Hanyu, come to pray for guidance and success.
Tucked within Kobe’s Nankinmachi district, Kanteibyō is a vibrant Taoist temple dedicated to the Chinese war god Guan Yu—a spiritual and architectural gem amidst the bustling food stalls.
Hidden among the hills of Awaji, Lazy Inn. is a tranquil, adults-only boutique stay where modern minimalism meets curated local cuisine in an immersive natural setting.
Set along the scenic Seto Inland Sea, KAMENOI HOTEL AKO is a relaxed coastal retreat with sea-view onsen, spacious rooms, and hearty buffet meals—ideal for families and group travelers.
Floating on the waves of Lake Biwa, Chikubushima Island has drawn pilgrims and poets for over 1,300 years. Home to Hogon-ji Temple and Tsukubusuma Shrine, it’s said to be a power spot—where Benzaiten, the goddess of music and fortune, still answers prayers. Part of the Saigoku Kannon pilgrimage and steeped in imperial lore, this 2-kilometer sanctuary offers myth, history, and stillness—all in a single ferry ride.
2 min read
Guide / SHIGA
Sagawa Art Museum
A contemporary art museum featuring serene architecture and exhibits inspired by Japanese aesthetics.
A renowned restaurant specializing in premium Omi beef dishes, offering a blend of traditional and contemporary Japanese culinary experiences in a serene setting.
A long-established restaurant and butcher shop specializing in authentic Omi beef dishes, offering sukiyaki, shabu-shabu, teppanyaki, and steaks in a traditional Japanese setting.
A renowned restaurant in Omihachiman specializing in premium Omi beef dishes, offering a blend of traditional and contemporary Japanese culinary experiences in a serene setting.
A luxury resort hotel nestled in Itoshima's Futamigaura area, offering spacious ocean-view suites, personalized amenities, and a seamless blend of self-hospitality and luxury.
Kamado Shrine in Fukuoka is no ordinary shrine—it’s split between the base and summit of Mt. Hōman, one of Japan’s sacred mountains. Long associated with love, protection, and mysticism, it honors Tamayorihime, mother of Emperor Jimmu. From ancient rituals to anime pilgrimages, this shrine fuses history, folklore, and design into one unforgettable experience.
3 min read
Guide / FUKUOKA
Shiomi Park
A scenic park located on Shikanoshima Island, offering panoramic views of Hakata Bay, Fukuoka City, and the surrounding sea, ideal for sunrise viewing and nature walks.
A refined urban ryokan in central Sapporo, blending traditional Japanese hospitality with modern comfort, featuring natural hot springs sourced from Noboribetsu’s Karurusu Onsen.
Step inside a red-brick relic of Hokkaido’s frontier days. The Sapporo Beer Museum pours more than golden brew—it serves up 120 years of pioneer ambition, resilience, and the simple joy of beer under cold northern skies.
2 min read
Guide / SAPPORO
Hyousetsu No Mon
A renowned crab specialty restaurant in Sapporo's Chuo Ward, offering an extensive menu featuring king crab, snow crab, and hairy crab prepared in various styles within a traditional setting.
Tucked in the Japanese Alps, Takayama-shi is Japan’s living postcard—a preserved castle town filled with sake breweries, Hida beef, and seasonal festivals that float through lantern-lit streets. Known as “Little Kyoto,” it offers old-world intimacy without the crowds. With MK’s curated Takayama and Shirakawa-go Sightseeing Plan, step into a mountain dreamscape where history, craft, and nature still breathe.
2 min read
Guide / NAGOYA
Akariya Geihanro
A refined riverside ryokan in Inuyama, offering serene accommodations, kaiseki dining, and breathtaking views of Inuyama Castle.
Founded in 1873, Atsuta Horaiken Main Restaurant is the birthplace of hitsumabushi, blending tradition, technique, and history in every bowl of grilled eel.
