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Leslie Koh | Food & Japan Travel

@leslie.koh

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🇯🇵 Your friend who's always in Japan
🍜 Food, things to do & travel hacks
🇸🇬 @visitjapansg SJ60 Travel Curator
👇 FREE Japan maps, guides & travel tools

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Japan’s tax-free shopping system is changing from 1 November 2026!

If you’re planning to shop in Japan later this year, there’s one BIG change you need to know.

Under the new system, tourists will no longer get the tax-free price upfront.

Instead:
🛍️ Pay the full price, including consumption tax🛂 Complete the tax-free departure procedure BEFORE checking in your luggage💰 Your refund can be processed after Customs confirms your purchases are leaving Japan

And this part is VERY important.

If your tax-free purchases are inside your checked luggage, you won’t be able to retrieve them just to complete the procedure.

So make sure you complete the tax-free departure procedure BEFORE checking in any luggage containing your purchases.

There are a few other changes too, including the removal of sealed tax-free bags for consumables, so I’ve summarised everything you need to know in this post!

Save this if you’re travelling to Japan from November onwards and send it to someone planning a Japan trip!

⚠️ Information is based on official guidance available as of August 2026. As the new system has not started yet, procedures may still be updated.

👉 Follow @leslie.koh for more Japan travel tips!

#JapanTravel #JapanShopping #JapanTaxFree #JapanTravelTips #VisitJapan taken in Narita International Airport by @leslie.koh

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2 months ago

Choosing where to stay in Tokyo can honestly be one of the hardest parts of planning your first trip.

Each neighbourhood has a very different feel, so the best place to stay really depends on what you want from your trip.

If it’s your first time, Shinjuku is probably the easiest all-rounder.

For temples and a more traditional atmosphere, Asakusa is a great option.

If you’re planning lots of day trips or want easy access to Narita Airport, Ueno is incredibly convenient.

For shopping and nightlife, Shibuya is hard to beat.

Anime and gaming fans might prefer Akihabara or Ikebukuro, while Ginza is great if food and shopping are high on your list.

I’ve included a few hotels to check out in each area, so save this guide for when you’re planning your next Tokyo trip!

Personally, I book many of my hotel stays in Japan through Rakuten Travel, and you can download the app to enjoy exclusive members’ discounts.

They’re also currently running their September Super Sale until 1 October 2026 at 9am, where you can get extra vouchers for up to 20% off hotel bookings, with savings of up to S$164, on top of selected discounted hotel stays!

Limited vouchers are available on a first-come, first-served basis, so it’s worth checking the app if you’re planning a Japan trip soon.

👉 Follow @leslie.koh for more Japan travel tips and hotel finds!

#TokyoHotels #TokyoTravel #JapanTravel taken in Tokyo, Japan by @leslie.koh

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a month ago

Choosing a hotel in Japan can be surprisingly difficult.

There are thousands of hotels but after 20+ trips to Japan, I’ve found myself recommending these hotel chains because each one solves a different problem.

♨️ Want free ramen and onsen? Dormy Inn
🧺 Travelling for 2 weeks and don’t want to pack your entire wardrobe? Tokyu Stay
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Need space for a family or group? MIMARU
💰 Travelling on a budget? SuperHotel
🚉 Want something reliable near the station? Toyoko Inn
🚶 Want to discover local food spots and hidden gems? OMO by Hoshino Resorts

Of course, there are many other great hotel chains in Japan but these are the hotel chains I find myself recommending most often.

Did I miss any hotel chains you’d recommend or is there a hotel you’d like me to review?👇

👉 Follow @leslie.koh for more Japan travel tips & check out my Tokyo Food Spots list via the link in my bio!

#JapanTravel #JapanHotels #JapanTrip #TravelTips #Tokyo 6 hotel chains I recommend in Japan taken in Japan by @leslie.koh

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4 months ago

For a limited time, you can experience Aoshima Shrine in Miyazaki in a completely different way.
 Usually, Aoshima Island and the shrine close after sunset but during the AOSHIMA Night Up event, the island opens specially at night, with the bridge, shrine grounds and subtropical forest illuminated after dark.
 Walking across the bridge with the sound of the waves beside you already felt completely different from visiting during the day.
 Then once you reach the shrine, the entire atmosphere changes again with the illuminated torii, shrine buildings and light displays.
 I also got to join a special mythology night tour led by a priest from Aoshima Shrine, who explained more about the stories, history and mythology connected to the island.
 There’s something quite special about experiencing a Japanese shrine after sunset, especially when you normally wouldn’t be able to visit at this time.
 📍 Aoshima Shrine, Miyazaki 📅 Until 29 November 2026 🗓️ Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays & public holidays ⏰ 6pm to 9pm in October & November, last admission 8.30pm 🎟️ Night admission: ¥1,000 
There’s also a special mythology night tour led by shrine priests, which requires advance reservation and costs ¥5,000 per person including admission.
 Save this if you’re visiting Miyazaki this autumn!
 👉 Follow @leslie.koh for more Japan travel tips and hidden finds!
 #Miyazaki #AoshimaShrine #JapanTravel #宮崎観光 #青島神社 taken in Aoshima, Miyazaki by @leslie.koh

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3 days ago

❄️ SINGAPORE EVENT ANNOUNCEMENT: AOMORI JOURNEY ❄️

🍎 We’re not done with Aomori just yet! 🇯🇵✨

Besides being one of the top apple-producing regions in the world, Aomori is also famous for having some of the highest snowfall among the prefectures of Japan. ❄️🏔️

Winter, summer, spring and autumn... wrap up your holiday planning with our next event, showcasing the many points of Aomori – from the vigorous displays of energy in the Aomori Nebuta Festival, to the Snow Monster-populated slopes of Hakkoda!

Join our host Leslie @leslie.koh as he shares highlights from his latest trip to northern Japan, followed by a presentation by our friends from Aomori Prefecture who will be sharing their recommended spots for winter sights, activities and experiences to fill up your Aomori winter itinerary! 🗾🚆❄️

☃️ Aomori Journey: Discover Japan’s Snowy North ☃️
📅 Date: Saturday, 31 October 2026
🕑 Time: 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
📍 Venue: One&Co Singapore (Twenty Anson, #11-01, 20 Anson Road, Singapore 079912)
🎟️ Fee: $5 per person (Comes with a Lucky Draw ticket + 🍎 Aomori Apple goody bag!)

🎫 Sign up via Peatix: aomoriwinter.peatix.com

Plus, the experience doesn’t end there! Enjoy a spread of delicious Aomori snacks and drinks–including imported seafood, snacks, and apples fresh from harvest season–then put your Aomori knowledge to the test with a fun quiz. And don’t miss our Lucky Draw, where you’ll have the chance to take home some exciting prizes!

✨ Spaces are limited! Secure your spot and join us as begin our next journey into the snowy side of Aomori! ❄️☃️🏔️🇯🇵 by @leslie.koh

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3 days ago

HiroHako Part 2: A Different Side of Hakodate!

Hakodate is one half of HiroHako, a northern Japan journey connecting Hirosaki in Aomori with Hakodate in Hokkaido.

And here, I got an up-close look at a squid auction which was only the beginning!

Despite being part of the same journey, Hakodate feels completely different from Hirosaki.

Here are some places and experiences I recommend:

🦑 Hakodate’s Seafood Culture I started early with a guided tour that took me up close to a squid auction at a local seafood market, giving me a glimpse into a side of Hakodate’s seafood culture that most visitors would normally never experience.

🧱 Historic Port Area Hakodate grew as an international port and you can still see that history today along the Kanemori Red Brick Warehouse, the Western-style buildings and historic streets of Motomachi overlooking the harbour.

🍽️ East Meets West
That international influence also made its way into the food. At Gotoken, I tried its famous curry rice alongside its popular corn potage soup, a combination that really reflects Hakodate’s East-meets-West history.

⛰️ Mt Hakodate
Beyond the city streets, I slowed things down with an easy hike up Mt Hakodate before returning later for one of Japan’s most famous night views.

🍷 Local Wine & Sake
I also discovered another side of Hakodate through its local drinks, dining at the de Montille & Hokkaido winery and visiting Hakodate Sake Brewery to learn more about sake produced locally.

⭐ Goryokaku One of Hakodate’s most recognisable landmarks looks completely different from above. From Goryokaku Tower, you can clearly see the fort’s distinctive star-shaped design.

🌃 Mt Hakodate Night View And there was no better way to end the journey than looking across Hakodate at night as the entire city lit up beneath me.

Two cities, two very different experiences, and that’s exactly what makes HiroHako so interesting.

Save this for your next northern Japan trip and check out the link in my bio for my list of HiroHako spots I recommend!

👉 Follow @leslie.koh for more Japan travel tips and hidden finds!

#HiroHako #Hakodate #Hokkaido #JapanTravel taken in Hakodate, Hokkaido by @leslie.koh

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4 days ago

For just ¥3,500, you can watch a seafood auction up close!

I joined a guided tour by Hakotore inside the Hakodate City Wholesale Seafood Market, where you get to see what happens before the day’s catch reaches restaurants and shops around the city.

Before the auction starts, buyers walk around inspecting the seafood and checking the quality of what they want to bid for.

Then the bell rings, everyone gathers and suddenly the market comes alive as the auctioneers start calling out bids at incredible speed.

Depending on the season and the day’s catch, you may even get to watch Hakodate’s famous squid being auctioned.

What I really liked was how close you get to the action. You’re not just watching the market from afar, you’re being guided through a working wholesale market while everything is happening around you!

🎟️ ¥3,500 per person
👥 Minimum 2 people
🕒 Tour lasts about 1.5 hours
📍 Hakodate City Wholesale Seafood Market
📅 Book at least 3 days in advance

For easy access, I’ve also added the booking link to my bio so you can check the tour directly!

⚠️ Live squid auctions depend on weather, sea conditions and the day’s catch, so they may not always take place.

Would you wake up at 5am for this? 😂

Save this for your next Hakodate trip!

👉 Follow @leslie.koh for more Japan travel tips and hidden finds!

#Hakodate #Hokkaido #JapanTravel taken in Hakodate Seafood Market by @leslie.koh

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4 days ago

HiroHako Part 1: Hirosaki Beyond Apples! 🍎

Hirosaki is one half of HiroHako, a northern Japan journey connecting Hirosaki in Aomori with Hakodate in Hokkaido.

And while apples are definitely a big part of the city, this trip reminded me just how much more there is to discover here.

Here are some places and experiences I recommend:

🍎 Hirosaki Apple Park
It wouldn’t be Hirosaki without apples! I went apple picking, tasted different varieties of apple juice and discovered just how many ways the city celebrates its most famous fruit. 

🪡 Tsugaru Kogin-zashi
I learnt more about kogin-zashi, a traditional embroidery technique from the Tsugaru region that was originally created to reinforce clothing and help people stay warm through Aomori’s harsh winters.

💙 Natural Indigo Dyeing
I visited Kawasaki Dye Works, Hirosaki’s last remaining workshop still using natural indigo dyeing techniques, discovering another traditional craft that has been preserved here for generations.

👘 Hirosaki Castle Town
Dressed in a yukata, I explored the historic area around Hirosaki Castle and experienced a completely different side of the city beyond its apple orchards.

🍸 Bar & Cocktailteller Snaw
Even after dark, the apple story continues. I ended the night with a cocktail made using locally produced apple brandy by the Japanese owner, who trained in London.

⛰️ Tsugaru Iwaki Skyline
Head towards Mt Iwaki and the scenery changes completely, from the dramatic winding roads of Tsugaru Iwaki Skyline to peaceful countryside and Asobenomori Forest Iwakisou, a traditional ryokan surrounded by nature.

Hirosaki might be famous for apples, but its Tsugaru culture, traditional craftsmanship and landscapes around Mt Iwaki give you plenty of reasons to stay longer.

And this is only the first half of HiroHako.

Next stop, Hakodate!

Save this for your next northern Japan trip and check out the link in my bio for my list of HiroHako spots I recommend!

👉 Follow @leslie.koh for more Japan travel tips and hidden finds!

#HiroHako #Hirosaki #Aomori #JapanTravel taken in Hirosaki, Aomori by @leslie.koh

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6 days ago

With 69 sharp bends, the Tsugaru Iwaki Skyline might be one of Japan’s wildest mountain roads.

Located in Hirosaki, Aomori, this 9.8km toll road winds its way up Mt Iwaki through dense beech forest before reaching the 8th station.

And honestly, it looks even crazier from above.

As you climb higher, the forest opens up to incredible views across the Tsugaru region.

The drive itself is almost as memorable as the destination, especially when you see just how tightly the road snakes its way up the mountain.

For 2026, the road is scheduled to operate until 15 November, although this may change depending on snow conditions. Regular cars cost a ¥2,000 toll and the road is open from 8am to 5pm, with last entry at 4pm.

Would you drive this road yourself?

Save this for your next Aomori trip!

📍 Tsugaru Iwaki Skyline, Hirosaki, Aomori 🚗 9.8km mountain road 💰 ¥2,000 return for a regular car

⚠️ Drone footage was filmed with the necessary permissions. Always check current aviation rules and local permissions before flying a drone in Japan.

👉 Follow @leslie.koh for more Japan travel tips and hidden finds!

#Aomori #Hirosaki #TsugaruIwakiSkyline #JapanRoadTrip #JapanTravel taken in Hirosaki, Aomori by @leslie.koh

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10 days ago

Here’s a Kumamoto itinerary you can save for your next Kyushu trip! 
Kumamoto might be famous for Kumamoto Castle and its One Piece statues, but I discovered there’s so much more to experience around the city.
 Here’s how I spent a day in Kumamoto:
🍶 Kawashiri Town Started the morning with locally brewed sake at Zuiyo no Mori, followed by a traditional Japanese wagashi-making experience at Confectioner Tateyama, a 120-year-old confectionery!
 🍱 Wakamatsuya
For lunch, I stopped by Wakamatsuya, a long-running local favourite known for its unagi. I had their unagi-don, with grilled eel served over rice.
 🏯 Kumamoto Castle & Josaien Explored one of Kumamoto’s most iconic landmarks before heading next door to Josaien to learn more about the city’s history and try local specialities like Jindaiko  Ice Cream, made with azuki beans and chewy mochi pieces.
 🌿 Suizenji Jojuen Slowed things down with matcha at Kokin Denju no Ma, a traditional tea house inside one of Kumamoto’s most beautiful Japanese gardens.
 🏴‍☠️ One Piece statues And of course, I had to find at least one of the One Piece statues scattered around Kumamoto! One of the easiest to visit is the Monkey D. Luffy statue, located just outside the Kumamoto Prefectural Government Office.
 From traditional sake and wagashi to castles, gardens and anime, you can fit quite a lot into one day here.
 Save this for your next Kyushu trip and send it to someone you’d explore Kumamoto with!
 👉 Follow @leslie.koh for more Japan travel tips and hidden finds!
 #Kumamoto #Kyushu #JapanTravel taken in Kumamoto, Japan by @leslie.koh

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11 days ago

Did you know you can get up close to one of Japan’s most active volcanoes in Kagoshima?

Sakurajima might be the reason you first notice Kagoshima but I quickly discovered there’s so much more to experience here!

Here’s how I spent my day:

🌿 Sengan-en I started at one of Kyushu’s most beautiful gardens, with incredible views of Sakurajima. I even got to make my own shirokuma at Sengan-en Tea House, Kagoshima’s famous shaved ice topped with condensed milk and fruit!

🐷 Kagoshima Black Pork Tonkatsu For lunch, I had to try Kagoshima’s famous kurobuta, known for its tender texture and natural sweetness, at a local spot called Aji no Tonkatsu Maruichi.

🌋 Sakurajima The highlight of the day! I took the ferry across to Sakurajima and explored the volcanic landscape while getting an incredible up-close view of one of Japan’s most active volcanoes.

🛺 Kagoshima City Back in the city, I explored historic Kagoshima by rickshaw before heading up to Shiroyama Park Observatory for one of my favourite views of the city and Sakurajima.

🥩 Kagoshima Black Wagyu & Kurobuta And there was only one way to end the day, with two of Kagoshima’s most famous foods in one Shabu-Shabu meal at SATSUMA, located near Kagoshima-Chuo Station.

Come for the volcano but stay for everything else Kagoshima has to offer.

Save this for your next Kyushu trip and send it to someone you’d explore Kagoshima with!

👉 Follow @leslie.koh for more Japan travel tips and hidden finds!

#Kagoshima #Sakurajima #Kyushu #JapanTravel taken in Kagoshima, Japan by @leslie.koh

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12 days ago

Most people overlook Kitakyushu but I think it deserves a spot on your Kyushu itinerary! 
I originally came to discover why the locals call Kitakyushu the sushi capital but ended up finding so much more to experience here.

Here’s what I discovered:
 🍣 Kitakyushu’s Fresh Seafood Surrounded by the sea, Kitakyushu has access to incredibly fresh seafood. I visited a local sushi chain called Heishirou Sushi, where I even got to make my own sushi before eating it!
 🏯 Kokura Castle One of Kitakyushu’s most iconic landmarks and there’s even a cafe on the top floor where you can grab a drink while enjoying the view!
 🍵 Former Yasukawa Residence There’s a cafe inside that serves shaved ice and matcha that you can enjoy while admiring the beautiful Japanese garden of this historic residence.
 ⛩️ Mekari Shrine Located at the foot of the Kanmon Bridge connecting Kyushu and Honshu, this is the northernmost shrine in Kyushu, with its shrine buildings facing the Kanmon Strait. You can even look across the water towards Honshu, Japan’s main island!
 🚶 Walk from Kyushu to Honshu! This might be one of the coolest things I did here. You can actually walk between the two islands through the Kanmon Pedestrian Tunnel beneath the sea!
 🌊 Mojiko Retro I ended the day exploring Mojiko’s beautifully preserved historic buildings, trying its famous baked curry at Mojiko Beer House and watching the port light up from the Mojiko Retro Observation Gallery.
 I came for the sushi but ended up falling in love with the slower side of Kitakyushu.
 Save this for your next Kyushu trip!
 👉 Follow @leslie.koh for more Japan travel tips and hidden finds!
 #Kitakyushu #Kyushu #Mojiko #JapanTravel taken in Kitakyushu, Fukuoka by @leslie.koh

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13 days ago