Exploring downtown Tokyo is never dull—the city's 23 wards (neighborhoods) offer something for everyone. Here's what our Japanese locals love about Tokyo: 

In Tokyo, you'll never lack for excitement. Things to do in Tokyo range from eating at the kaleidoscopic Robot Restaurant to exploring the peaceful cobblestone streets around the Meiji Shrine. And no matter where you want to explore, you can rest easy—Tokyo is one of the world's safest cities.

Locals suggest checking out the crazy (and we mean crazy) colorful fashion trends in districts like Harajuku and Shibuya. These areas can overwhelm, so benefit from local advice. In Harajuku, locals recommend grabbing a beer at Harajuku Taproom: "one of the best craft beer taprooms in the city!"

Locals tell us that eating ramen is a definite must-do in Tokyo. According to them, it's popular to eat at Japanese chain restaurants like Yoshinoya and Ichiran Ramen—in fact, people from all over the world visit Ichiran to slurp pork bone broth (tonkotsu).

Hungry for more ramen recs? You'll have a lot of choices, but you don't have to travel blind. Locals in Japan suggest adding Ramen Street—an underground collection of ramen shops, located on B1F of Tokyo Station—to your Japan itinerary.

No matter how you like to party, you can find your people in Tokyo. What's your travel style? Locals tell us that options range from rockin' at a karaoke bar to sipping sake at a stand-up pub (tachinomi) to exploring streetside beer shacks. 

It's definitely easy to see Tokyo on a budget—major airlines fly to Tokyo on the cheap! Locals tell us that other good ways of keeping under budget include using the Tokyo metro to get around (day passes are about $15 USD) and seeking out off-the-beaten-path stops in Tokyo. Looking for more budget tips to save money in Japan? Locals can help out. 

Japan's capital for over a thousand years, Kyoto retains its striking beauty while embracing more modern trends. Here's what locals love about Kyoto: 

Beautiful and classic, Kyoto is an awesome city to explore. You'll find tons of uniquely Japanese adventures in Kyoto, like listening to the swaying trees of the Sagano Bamboo Forest or tasting new foods at Nishiki Market. 

Kyoto is a great city to get local advice. One of our locals recently recommended visiting the Kyoto Station Building. She explained: "There are hundreds of restaurants in Kyoto Station building complex, and this is where locals, as well as travelers, enjoy lunch and dinner." (She went on to explain the nine sections of the station and what food you can expect to find—a real gem for navigating a busy place like Kyoto Station!)

If you opt to stay in Kyoto the whole time, that's chill—but the city is an awesome place to launch a day trip in Japan. Locals tell us it's easy to catch the train from Kyoto to Osaka (the train takes between 12-40 minutes depending on which one you catch). Once there, locals say you'll find tons of museums, cool shrines, and even a castle.

It's good that calories don't count on vacation, because as Japan's dessert capital, Kyoto offers a wealth of sugary delights. Remember Kyoto Station? Well, it's home to the Pancake Room—which is exactly what it sounds like, and a locally-beloved spot for dessert. Locals also suggest trying unique Japanese candies while in town, like yatsuhashi (cinnamon-sugar rice bars) and niki-niki (sweet bean paste flowers) that you can find freshly made in downtown Kyoto. 

Kyoto may be best known for its beauty, but beneath its classic veneer lies a wry grin—Kyoto nightlife is incredible. For the inside scoop about Kyoto, see what locals say. One recently called the Pontocho district, "The most interesting place for nightlife in Kyoto", citing the combination of good bars, the area's intense history, and the gorgeous river views. 

Throughout the city, you'll find great places for Japanese ales, spots for sophisticated cocktails, and, yes, a number of clubs where you can go wild with the locals. If you're looking for something more chill, simply strolling around Kyoto's ancient streets is a lovely way to spend the evening. 

A big reason why locals love Kyoto is its ease of access. Public transit is well-loved in the city—locals tell us the buses are kept clean and run on a strict schedule. An all-day Kyoto bus pass is only $10 USD. Using public transit in a new city can feel overwhelming, but you can easily navigate with confidence to all stops on your Kyoto itinerary. Locals can provide detailed transit instructions. 

As Japan's food capital (need we say more) Osaka is a fun and dynamic place to visit. The city's intense energy and awesome selection of eats mean you'll leave oh-so-satisfied. Here's what locals love about Osaka:

Obviously, the thing to do in Osaka is to eat. The city is a foodie's paradise! Locals tell us that Osaka is known for three types of food: okonomiyaki (Japanese style pancakes), takoyaki (fried balls of octopus), and kushikatsu (deep-fried meat, fish, and vegetables on sticks).

As to the best place to grab dinner in Osaka? This is a great place to get some local suggestions. Locals say the neighborhoods of Dotonbori or Shinsaibashi should make any foodie's bucket list. The Kuromon Ichiba Market is also fun to check out. 

Osaka itself may be less visited than Kyoto or Tokyo, but the city is an awesome place to explore. You'll find tons to do! Don't know where to start? The Osaka aquarium comes highly recommended by locals—it's one of the largest in the world. Locals suggest visiting early in the day so you can spend a lot of time there. The Osaka Museum of History is also highly recommended—it's a great way to learn about Osaka—and locals tell us it offers a beautiful view of the nearby Osaka Castle. 

Some of the coolest places to visit in Japan are in Osaka, and many are free to check out—which makes Osaka a great stop for budget travelers. For example, Sumiyoshi Taisha is one of Japan's oldest shrines. Free to visit, the shrine's iconic red bridge is hard to miss.

Osaka has great options for nightlife. Whether you want to check out local breweries or a cool cocktail bar, you'll find something great in Osaka. Looking for local advice? Bar Freedom comes highly recommended—especially if you're hoping to spend the night sipping Japanese whiskey.

But if you came to Osaka to eat and not drink, keep in mind that many restaurants offer all-you-can-eat options (within a two-hour time limit). 

Yokohama has thrived following the difficult days of the Great Kanto Earthquake and the city's devastation during WWII. Today, it's a beautiful port city full of great eats, exciting nightlife, and fun stuff to do. Here's what locals love about Yokohama:

Whether you want to ride Cosmo Clock 21, Yokohama's massive rainbow Ferris wheel, or scale the Yokohama Landmark Tower (home to Japan's fastest elevator!) you'll find plenty of opportunities in town to snag an incredible view. 

And once you're back on the ground, benefit from some local insights. Locals suggest checking out the Yokohama Brick Warehouse for a different kind of sight—they say that the warehouse is "unlike any other shopping center you will see during your time in Japan."

In Yokohama, locals suggest prioritizing eating ramen and noodles. (To get an idea of how serious Yokohama locals are about their cuisine, consider that the city has a Cup Noodles Museum and a Ramen Museum—although this one is more of a food court.)

Locals tell us that another good spot to grab noodles is Yokohama Station, where the tradition of wa (group harmony) encourages beauty in public places. (In other words, it's nothing like Penn Station). Restaurants at Yokohama Station serve up all sorts of noodles—udon, ramen, soba—and for $3 USD you can pick up a pretty excellent lunch.

Is there anything more romantic than sunsets on the water? One of our local trip planners recently recommended walking along the waterfront as the sun sets in Yokohama (this diligent planner even included the exact time of the setting sun). Yokohama is also home to classically Japanese bars, which are small, inexpensive, and embrace the tachinomi tradition of drinking while standing up.

When it comes to saving money, locals tell us that Yokohama makes it easy. Cost of living is cheaper in Yokohama than other cities, which means that travelers will save money just by living their best lives—transportation and meals are cheaper here than Tokyo, for example.