I look for quality noodle shops and gyoza. Summer I look for baseball games (Osaka). Mt Fuji is still on my list (it’s on the bullet train route from Tokyo to Osaka), but that is a kid summer thing. I don’t eat at McDonalds on the road, at all, except that one time at Tiananmen Sq in Beijing 😉. I often walk, walk, walk, wherever I am - parks, temples, river walks, museums, shopping districts, etc. Believe it or not, I use Trip Advosor, ALOT, to find something “completely” different. I research ahead of time, and coordinate with the concierge when I get there (sometimes calling ahead). If you were going to Osaka, I could really help you out. Subway system, while intimidating, is really very simple (same in China and most any other city/country). I generally don’t use the buses or shuttles, unless it’s the hotel’s shuttle. Taxi’s are convenient too, though can be costly. Also, make sure to have a hotel card from the concierge with the home’s address, helps taxi driveways due to language issues.