FOOD SOUVENIRS FROM JAPAN

Food souvenirs from Japan are a vibe! At any Family mart or 7-eleven store you visit, it will be difficult to control to purchase everything – from snacks, ice-creams, chocolates, liquors, the list is unending!

The best to try is to go to any major station and find an Omiyage store. These stores have tasting tables. So much so, that sometimes an entire floor is dedicated to tasting rounds and trying all the sweet and salty wonders Japan offers. Once you like the taste they are beautifully wrapped in boxes to carry them home safely.

Instant Ramen

If you have spent time in Tokyo, then you have definitely indulged in Ramen noodles which are like a staple food in Tokyo.

They make for a convenient food option that can be picked up from a vending machine or 7-Eleven stores, add boiling water and consume after letting it sit for a couple of minutes. These cup noodles taste as good as the actual ones in restaurants and that is why they are a must-buy Tokyo souvenirs.

They are conveniently packed in a cup that comes with a fork so easy to carry and do not take up space in the bag. If you want it to taste like a fresh ramen bowl, add preferred ingredients like fresh veggies and boiled egg while cooking.

While ramen flavouring has beef in it, there are now options for soy-flavoured vegan cup ramen. Although it is difficult to read the ingredients and know if the ramen cup you are buying is vegetarian, it is best to ask the staff about it or shop for it with a local as store staff may not be able to converse in English.

Carrying difficulty: Easy 

Price: From JPY250 (approx. US$2)

Tokyo Banana

Your search for what to buy in Tokyo ends here.

Tokyo Banana is a sponge cake with cream custard filling in different flavours that are shaped like a banana.

The classic flavour is banana cream but other variants include chocolate and caramel bananas that come with prints – flowers, leopard, hearts, strawberry, etc. This is the most popular souvenir in Tokyo because of its cuteness and deliciousness. It has a good shelf life of about a week which makes it even more tempting.

Carrying difficulty: Moderate

Price: From JPY1296 yen (approx. US$9-10) for a pack of 8 pieces

Daifuku Mochi

Daifuku mochi is a delicious confectionery.

It has a mochi (rice cake) skin wrapped around a sweet filling. The cakes are usually rolled in starch to keep them from sticking to your fingers or to each other.

The most common filling used in daifuku is the anko (red bean paste). Others include strawberry, Japanese apricot, caramel, chestnut, coffee, and many more.

It is a palm-sized cake that is generally served with Matcha tea. However, it has a low shelf life of 2-3 days if stored in a refrigerator. Store-bought dried mochi has a much longer shelf life than fresh mochi. It will last a few months at room temperature and up to a year in the freezer. Because it lasts so long at room temperature, there’s no need to refrigerate packaged mochi

Carrying difficulty: Easy 

Price: From JPY1000 (approx. US$10) per pack

Kit Kat

Kit Kats are the most popular food souvenirs from Japan.

There are specially flavored Kit Kat bars that belong to the list of novelty souvenirs so much so that there are entire aisles of kit kats in some stores. The matcha flavor is the most popular choice.

There are over 300 flavours of Kit Kats in Japan. These include bizarre and unusual flavours such as wasabi, edamame, and durian. However, there are amazing flavours such as strawberry, apple, and rum raisin and you curse the makers for not making those for your country.

Kit Kats in Japan have special festival flavours such as Sakura (cherry blossom), Ume Sake, and Tokyo Banana.

While you get most flavors in any grocery store, special flavors can be obtained at their store at Narita airport where there is a dedicated store of Kit Kats. 

Carrying difficulty: Easy

Price range: From JPY180 – 1100 (approx. US$1.14 – 10) per pack depending on sizes and flavors

Tokyo Hiyoko Manju

If anyone wants to learn how to make food interesting they should make a run to Tokyo, Japan.

Giving cute shapes to food can really turn around a business and it is so true for Hiyoko Manju.

Hiyoko Manju, also known as Baby Chick Sweet Steamed Bun with Yellow Bean Jam is a chick-shaped pastry. The bun is a thin pastry shell that has sweet lima bean paste filling. Other flavours include salt-flavoured paste or black sugar.

Locally it is a favorite snack and has been around for more than 100 years. Tokyo Hiyoko sweets can be found at major train stations and airports. 

Its shelf life is 15 days.

Carrying difficulty: Moderate

Average price: JPY680 (approx. US$6) per box (5 pieces)

Imo Yokan

Imo Yokan is a popular Japanese dessert that is made with mashed sweet potato, agar-agar, and sugar. It looks like jelly. The sweet is usually served in rectangular bite-size slices. I had rounded pieces in Thailand and they tasted equally good!

Imo Yokan in Tokyo, being a traditional dish, is served in many places but particularly Funawa Café in Asakusa is known to be an old Japanese yokan shop that specializes in it. 

Imo yokan has a normal shelf life of 7 days and tastes best when paired with green tea.

Portable level: Easy to manage

Average price: JPY650 (US$6) 

Konpeito Sugar Candy

Konpeito is a traditional sugar candy that was introduced by Portuguese traders in Japan during the 16th century. The word “konpeito” comes from the Portuguese word “confeito” meaning confection or candy. 

Konpeito is a small candy that comes in various colours but is unflavored.

Made using Wasanbon sugar, this candy is not only pretty, but it has a gentle sweetness. The pieces almost melt right in your mouth and are a real treat. They are perfect for party decorations or even event souvenirs. The candy is served with Matcha tea or at cafes.

It has a lengthy procedure wherein it is heated at high temperatures which is why it has an exceptional shelf life whereby it is said that, in a dry condition, it will retain its original flavour for 20 to 30 years. The long shelf life, however, is applicable only to that made by the traditional method and, generally, the shelf life for konpeito is defined as one year.

Carrying difficulty: Very Easy

Average price: JPY300 (approx. US$2.8)

Matcha Flavored Snacks

Matcha is powdered green tea and matcha flavour is huge in Japan.

Traditionally matcha is very significant with tea ceremonies. Owing to that, green tea-flavoured snacks are a favourite among the locals. It may take some time to develop the strong, slightly bitter taste of matcha but if you like it then you will love all the matcha-flavoured snacks. 

I personally did not like the flavor since I am used to subtle green tea in India, so I gave this a pass. Even at the tea ceremony, I attended, I was able to consume matcha tea only because of the presence of Konpeito.

Tokyo has overdone itself with matcha-infused candy, desserts, and snacks that you can never imagine could be matcha flavored. Sometimes it’s a hit sometimes, not so much.

At most supermarkets and convenience stores, you can find matcha green tea flavoured caramels, cookies, and chocolates available at any given time of the year. The matcha green tea KitKat is especially popular among travelers and can be purchased at stores nationwide. This is one food souvenir from Japan that you must not forget.

Carrying difficulty: Easy

Average price: JPY200-800 (approx. US$2-7)

Senbei Rice Crackers

Rice is an extremely important ingredient in Japanese cuisine. Served alongside many traditional Japanese meals, it is also used to make a large variety of different foods, from sweet desserts to fermented alcoholic drinks to savory bread. One of the most prevalent types of foods made from rice are senbei. 

Senbei is a type of Japanese rice cracker. They come in various shapes, sizes, and flavours, usually savoury but sometimes sweet. Senbei is often eaten with green tea as a casual snack and offered to visit house guests. It is as famous as the Banana chips of Kerala. 

While traditionally Senbei was made using glutinous rice and toasted, in modern times, it is made using non-glutinous rice and baked or even fried. The crispness is addictive and it is a satisfying and healthy snack – which makes it a perfect edible souvenir from Tokyo to carry back home. 

It comes in various flavors such as soy sauce, nori, sato, etc. and there are senbei made for special occasions too. It can even be paired with a hummus platter, guacamole, cream cheese, and many others depending on the flavor.

It has a long shelf life which is perfect for consumption after a few weeks. It is easily available in convenience stores. When I visited the MUJI store there was an entire aisle selling only senbei. There are small and big packs depending upon the way you want to gift.

Carrying difficulty: Easy

Average price: JPY 300-500 (approx. US$2.7 – 4.5)

Pocky

There is no dearth of types of sweets as snacks. And these snacks make for a perfect and yummy food souvenir from Japan. Pocky is another top-selling sweet in Japan and comes in various flavours.

Pocky is a chocolate-coated biscuit stick, and one of the most popular Japanese snacks of all time. Although I have seen Pocky in 7-eleven stores in Thailand and Vietnam, the range of flavours is only available in Japan. 

Small packs of Pocky are available in matcha, strawberry, milk, banana, cookies and cream, coconut, honey, and mousse flavours other than the regular chocolate flavour.

However, the Giant Pocky which is very regional has flavours such as Hokkaido Yubari Melon, Uji Matcha Tea, and Shunshu Kyoho Grapes. Giant Pocky is 10 inches longer than the usual chocolate Pocky and its diameter is 3 times bigger.

Carrying difficulty: Very Easy

Average price: JPY 150 – 300 (approx. US$1.3 – 3) for a small box and JPY 850 – 1,050 (approx. US$7.9 – 10) for a giant pack.

Sake

Sake is Japanese rice wine and is one of the must-buy Souvenirs from Tokyo.

Just like all wines, it takes time to develop a taste for Sake and finally decide which one you like before taking it back home.

Sake bottles have numbers on them that indicate “sake meter value” or SMV, which indicates to an extent how sweet or dry sake is. A number of -1.4 to +1.4 is considered relatively neutral. Anything in the negatives will be sweeter while anything in the positives will be dry.

Sake comes in many sizes, small bottles containing 360 ml or the large bottle containing 1800 ml which is the standard sake bottle size. Sake is available in liquor stores, department stores, or the alcohol section in supermarkets. Even Narita airport has a liquor store selling sake where you can taste and buy it.

Sake has a great shelf life. An unopened bottle can be easily stored for up to 2 years while an opened bottle needs to be refrigerated and consumed within 2-3 weeks.

Carrying difficulty: Difficult. Since it is a glass bottle, it needs proper packaging with bubble wrap to avoid spilling in checked-in luggage of a flight.

Average price: JPY 1,800-10,500 (approx. US$16 – 95)

Umeshu

Umeshu is a traditional Japanese liqueur made from ume fruit.

Ume is a locally grown green plum. Ume plums (unripe) are steeped in liquor and sugar. A perfect balance between ume extract and alcohol is achieved by aging the fruit, with the seed still inside.

The delicious tang of Umeshu comes from the citric acid in the fruit, and the refreshing flavour stimulates the appetite. This is a sweet drink and is often used as dessert liquor which is why it is liked by all. As it has less alcohol content ( 10–15%), it is a preferred choice of beverage while having food. 

Umeshu, or plum wine, has a rich, sweet, and fruity quality that makes it a great souvenir for those who like sweeter liquors. Popular brands of umeshu are CHOYA, Toko Ginjo Umeshu, Shiraume no Niwa, Nakata Umeshu Taru, and Hanzo Umeshu. It can be found in liquor stores, supermarkets, and even convenience stores. Sometimes it is packed in tetra packs as against the glass bottles, which makes it easy to carry in luggage. 

It has a high shelf life but it’s better to refrigerate after opening the bottle/tetra pack. 

Carrying difficulty: Moderate

Average price: JPY 1,500-3,900 (approx. US$11 – 34)

SUSTAINABLE TIPS FOR FOOD SOUVENIRS FROM JAPAN

• Try to sample a souvenir before purchasing. It shouldn’t go to waste. Try to read the instructions/ingredients (some of the packets have English text) so that you don’t pick up non-vegetarians or items that may cause allergic reactions. Ask for help from the staff.
• Carry a bag while shopping and avoid plastic bags.
• Encourage shopkeepers to pack fragile items in a newspaper instead of bubble wrap.

Love Collecting Souvenirs? Check out some more articles:

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• Easy to pack souvenirs from Jaipur, India
• Souvenirs from Taiwan
• Souvenirs from Uzbekistan
• Souvenirs from Kutch, Gujarat
• Souvenirs from Kenya

Which food souvenirs from Japan did you end up purchasing? Tell me in the comments below!

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Top Things to do in Tokyo

Admire the plastic food display in Tokyo

As soon as you land at the airport, you will start observing the food display. I was intrigued and went close enough and thought ‘wow, they make these every day just for the display’. I was corrected by a fellow colleague who convinced me that it is actually made of plastic. I had to touch one of the displays to believe it. I however got used to it. I actually loved the idea of such a display as you know what you are going to eat. Hence I had to feature it in my things to do in Tokyo list.

Photograph the Tokyo tower

Situated in the business area Shimbashi, you cannot miss the orangish-golden glistening tower. Photograph it from your hotel, nearby walk bridges or under the tower. You can climb up the tower to get a bird’s eye view of Tokyo. Going up the tower has entry fees and I decided against it. For me, it was definitely one of the top 15 things to do in Tokyo.

Visit Tokyo Disneyland and be a part of the Disney parade

I just had to feature Tokyo Disneyland in the most popular things to do in Tokyo. How can anyone miss this childhood bucket list while in Tokyo? Yes, visitors will be spoiled for choice between Disneyland and Disney sea but visit one or both if time permits.

Since I was on a business trip to Tokyo, I only had an evening to spare. Thankfully there was an evening pass available and not a huge queue. I took the 6 pm to 10 pm pass and was able to tick off some of the popular rides and even the evening Disney parade. If you have a day, here is how to optimize the Tokyo Disneyland visit.

Visit Sensō-ji shrine

Tokyo’s most visited temple enshrines a golden image of Kannon (the Buddhist Goddess of Mercy) and is reportedly the most widely visited spiritual site in the world with over 30 million visitors annually. Be blessed by visiting this temple and drink water from one of its fountains (there is a particular way to do it and there are instructions for you to follow). You may also make an offering by drawing a wooden stick from the box, and pick up a fortune-telling paper strip in the drawer that bears the number indicated on your stick. If your fortune is good, you can keep it; but if it’s bad, it is custom to tie the strip of paper to one of the wires on the temple grounds so the bad omen will stay there and not stick to you.

Go Souvenir shopping

Well, you have to do this to take home gifts for friends and family. A shopping street called Nakamise leading to Sensō-ji temple will fulfill all your souvenir demands. From refrigerator magnets to keychains, Japanese dolls, chopsticks, fans, kimonos, and even Japanese confetti and cookies everything is available here. Carry big bags, I tell you!

Visit the Odaiba beach

Odaiba is a waterfront area built on reclaimed land in the Tokyo Bay area where you can gaze on both – hearth of the city and ocean while you dine and shop; overlooking the rainbow bridge, the statue of liberty, and Tokyo TV tower. This is definitely one of the amazing 15 things to do in Tokyo and you should not miss it.

Experience Tokyo Food

Visitors are certainly spoilt for choice with the variety of food available. Since I am a vegetarian I got some amazing veg food with local drinks. I had sticky rice, fresh raw vegetables with 9 types of sauce, Japanese tofu soup, veg sushi, fried vegetables, sake, and the unending supply of green tea.

Talking about food, Tokyo has some of the most unique themed cafes and they are must-try, some for the decor, some for the overdose of cartoon, and some for its delicious food.

Shop till you drop at Ginza street

Ginza is definitely one of the must visit places in Tokyo. Ginza is a market for luxury goods and reportedly the best to shop in Japan. Ginza is also of interest for its architecture, dining, tea rooms, entertainment, and attractions. The area glitters with lights and if you are up for high lifestyle shops you can shop from any brand in the world you want whether fashion, cars, or diamonds. There are of course affordable shopping options too or just window shopping!

Photograph the Cherry Blossom

The cherry blossom (also known as sakura) is Japan’s popular symbol. The flower holds a very prominent position in Japanese culture which makes it special for the locals as well as the tourist who especially travel in spring to see them bloom. White or pale pink, sometimes dark pink or yellow, there are over a hundred varieties of cherry trees.

There are many dozens of different cherry tree varieties in Japan, most of which bloom for just a few days in spring. The seasonal spectacle is celebrated with hanami (cherry blossom viewing) parties under the trees.

Japan celebrates the Cherry Blossom festival every year. Depending upon the weather conditions the dates are announced and tourists can plan their visit accordingly. Tokyo, Kyoto, Nagoya, Hiroshima, Osaka, and Fukuoka is where the festival takes place.

Since I visited Japan in November, I only managed to click the cherry blossoms embossed on these manholes.

Experience the traditional Japanese tea ceremony

Experiencing this tradition was one of the main highlights of my trip as it was so touching and rich. The Japanese tea ceremony is a choreographic ritual of preparing and serving Japanese green tea, generally served with Japanese confetti so as to balance the bitter taste of the tea. Preparing tea in this ceremony means pouring everyone’s attention into the predefined movements and the whole process is not about drinking tea but is about aesthetics – preparing a bowl of tea from one’s heart and placement of tea utensils at right angles. This is called ceremony for a reason – it makes you feel special and part of something important.

Experience Tokyo Waterways

Tokyo’s waterways have few takers but according to me, one must ride the waterways at least once. The options are aplenty – from the water bus to cruise ships, from party boats to Himika there is one for everyone.

The water bus is the most common way to experience the waterways, also affordable. It is a boat ride from Odaiba to Asakusa to experience the change from fast-paced city life to a slow old life. Watch the city from the river ride overlooking some beautiful and weird buildings. It covers all city landmarks such as Tokyo Skytree, Rainbow Bridge, and Asahi Group Headquarters Building.

Yakatabune or the party boats are unique to Japan and a lovely reminder of the olden days with the lighting of traditional paper lanterns. These boats are available for private rental and shared tours.

Dinner cruise ships set sail along the Sumida River and out to Tokyo Bay for views of the glittering skyline. There are a variety of cruises and operators, but dinner cruises tend to be popular and will need to be reserved in advance.

Walk across the small alleys in the centre of old Tokyo

Discover what these alleys have to offer and the way they display it. I personally love discovering any new place on foot. It is great to get a local flavor, engage in a dialogue with a local, try some food stuff, find a cheap bargain on accessories or simply photograph something interesting.

Buy a beverage from the Vending machines

Japan has the highest number of vending machines per capita with a reported 5.1 million vending machines. This is exactly why it is called the vending machine heaven.

The authorities want everybody to be well hydrated and have overdone installing the vending machines every few meters. There are vending machines in Tokyo for everything you can imagine – from dried fish to fermented soybeans, from fresh fruits to ready-to-eat noodles, from popcorn to milk, Tokyo has it all. There are vending machines for bizarre things selling idol photographs – dedicated to Japan’s popular idol bands Nogizaka46 and Keyakizaka46 as well vending machines selling umbrellas.

Look out for the expiry date as these beverages are also put up on 50% or 80% discounts before 2-3 days of expiry.

Use the ultra-modern toilets of Tokyo

This has to be one of the bizarre experiences in Tokyo! After using a toilet when you want to flush, it takes a few seconds to understand the signs on the panel, and then you realize the instructions are in English and Braille as well.  Welcome to the world of ultra-modern toilets of Japan!

I was never surprised in my life to use the various functions of a simple toilet. There are many buttons each with a great utility, promising to give a wonderful experience. Yes, using a toilet in Tokyo is no less than a memorable experience. Tokyo wants its visitors to experience luxury even in public toilets!

To start off, most toilet seats warm up as soon as you sit on them.  A panel installed near the seat called ‘washlet’ or ‘control panel’ has functions to clean you up after you are done with the business. And you don’t need toilet paper – how sustainable!  Users can choose the pressure and the temperature of water to clean them up.  Users can even mask any unwanted noise with a flushing sound.

Once you are clean, get up and an automatic sensor will flush everything for you. Sometimes there would be a hand sensor and if you take your hand near it, it will flush. Each toilet is unique in Japan.

Shop for delicacies at the Narita airport

Before bidding goodbye to this amazingly awesome place, it is important to stock on the yummy treats to carry back home. This is a massively difficult task, especially because there are way too many good options for souvenir shopping at Narita airport. So what to buy at Narita Airport?

Tokyo Banana is the must-buy souvenir in Tokyo. It is a dessert which is a fluffy cake filled with banana custard cream and shaped like a banana.  I tried to source these in the Senso-ji market but I did not find them. Narita airport has a huge shop dedicated to the Banana Tokyo goodies. Its popularity is apparent because of the huge queue in the shop.  I picked up the classic Tokyo Banana while it is available in many flavors and prints such as flowers and leopard.

Kit-kat in Japan is available in over a hundred flavors. If you are game to try some of the most bizarre flavors it is all available at Narita airport. Durian, Wasabi, and Edamame are some of the unusually flavored kit kats available.

Other chocolates which are must buy from Tokyo include Pocky (in these flavors: Kyoto Uji Matcha, Hokkaido Yubari Melon and Shunshu Kyoho Grapes), GODIVA Souvenir Biscuit Japan and ROYCE’ Chocolates.

Sustainable tips for Things to do in Tokyo

•  Tokyo is extremely disciplined hence you have to respect their laws. Always segregate your waste. Look for an illustration/creative in case the text is in Japanese.
• Be courteous – always greet and say thank you to every possible person – shopkeepers, taxi drivers, hotel staff, restaurants, etc.
• Use public transport: Everybody uses it so you must too. It is a cheap way to get around, there are people who can help you to get tickets from machines and frequency is good to get around anywhere in Tokyo.
• Eat Local: There are all kinds of varieties of Japanese food available – veg, nonveg, and vegan.
• Do not give tips at a restaurant: Staff takes it as an insult. Yes, it is true.

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2 DAYS IN PHNOM PENH

Independence Monument of Phnom Penh

Trip to Phnom Penh is incomplete without the visit to the independence monument of Cambodia, also known as Vimean Ekareach. The monument built in traditional Cambodian architecture was built in the centre of the city to pay respect to Cambodia’s independence from France in 1953 and serves as a memorial place dedicated to the Cambodian’s patriot who died for the country. The 20-meter high monument is inspired from the Khmer temple at Angkor Wat and is shaped as lotus stupa.

Visitors are allowed to go inside and can pay their respects from the outside. At night it is lit with the colours of the national flag and the monument stands out. The space around the Independence Monument is an open space with a garden so it also serves as a picnic place for locals at night. I saw a lot of families with their food baskets enjoying their meals here. 

I visited during the day and night.

Ideal Duration of visit: 10-15 minutes

Entry fees: Free

Wat Phnom temple

Among the things to do in Phnom Penh, Wat Phnom is one of the most popular places to visit in Phnom Penh. Phnom Penh is named after the Hill of Penh on which this ancient temple complex stands. It is a Buddhist temple which was earlier known as Krong Chaktomok. According to a legend, a lady found statues of the Buddha inside a tree floating in the River. With the help of villagers she built a temple by increasing the height of a hill which is now known as Wat Phnom.

Today, the temple is an amalgam of styles and structures from across its more than 600-year history, including gardens built by the French in the late 19th century and shrines that represent Taoist, Confucian, and Hindu beliefs.

The locals have a lot of faith in this temple and that is why it is extremely busy throughout the day. 

The main stairway to the temple is guarded by statues of lions and naga, the mythical snakes of Hinduism and Buddhism. After climbing a few flights of stairs you’ll come across a man releasing sparrows by paying money. This is the Buddhist belief of saving all beings from suffering while gaining personal merits. It was heart-wrenching to see these birds being forced out of the cage, just to be caught back again to put in the cage. Please do not pay here! 

The interior of the temple has a central altar complex with a large bronze seated Buddha surrounded by other statues, flowers, fruits, candles and other items of devotion. The walls and ceiling are covered with murals, especially of Buddha’s earlier reincarnations, the Khmer version of the Ramayana. There are other smaller temples and idols around the complex and people are seen worshipping and offering Prasadam (religious offering consisting of food and drinks).

Ideal duration of visit: 1 – 1.5 hours

Entry fees: US$1

National Museum of Phnom Penh

Your 2 days in Phnom Penh are incomplete without a visit to the National Museum. If you are interested in archaeology, then the National Museum is a dream stop for you. The National Museum of Cambodia has the world’s finest collection of Khmer sculpture. The sculptures are housed in a beautiful terracotta structure of the traditional design. The structure of the museum is gorgeous and the insides are also maintained nicely with proper interpretation of each artifact.

I was blown away by the fact that there are sculptures of Hindu deities housed in the museum. The idols were recovered from the 10th 11th and 12th centuries in the areas around Angkor. There are many sculptures of Vishnu, Ganesh and Shiva in various poses. 

The complex also has a stunning courtyard with fountains, statues, ponds where visitors can take a break and relax on the benches.

Guided tours are available in English, French, Spanish and Japanese languages. Audio tours are also available in eight languages. A comprehensive booklet, The New Guide to the National Museum (US$15), is available at the front desk. 

Note that visitors are not allowed to photograph the collection. However, I was allowed to take pictures of the central courtyard. 

Ideal duration of visit: 2 – 2.5 hours

Entry fees: US$10

Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda

Some people may want to give this a miss if you have only 2 days in Phnom Penh. But the Royal Palace has a stunning architecture that awes all the locals and tourists alike. It is the official residence of the King of Cambodia. The palace occupies several acres of land in the city center with several buildings inside the complex.

Check out the most impressive Throne Hall and sink in to see the royal and majestic interiors. You can observe the hall from doors and windows and are not allowed to go inside. Don’t even try as there are guards.

Aside from the Throne Hall, the other important building is the Silver Pagoda. The pagoda is named so as it is made of 5329 silver tiles covering the pagoda floor weighing almost five tones. You will not see it as it is covered by tiles except a small portion near the entrance is exposed. You will know this only if you get a guide (we didn’t but we overheard one of them).

Get awed with 2 statues of Buddha – a large one referred to as the Emerald Buddha and a small solid-gold Buddha encrusted with 2,086 diamonds. The gem above the forehead weighs 25 carats and another on the chest is a hefty 20 carats.

Note: Royal Palace is closed from 11 am to 2 pm. 

Ideal duration of visit: 1.5 hours

Entry fees: US$10

Evenings in Phnom Penh

Since all the visitor places close at 5 pm, you have the evening to relax. If you want to relax by the riverfront head over to Sisowath Quay. Watch the sun go down with some ice coffee or food. 

Nightlife in Phnom Penh

If you are feeling adventurous head over to the Nagaworld Casino to try your luck in any of the 100 games spread to 3 floors. There is a live dance performance every 30 minutes which you can enjoy while enjoying a drink or pastry from their shop. The food options are amazing as well. Nagaworld has its own duty free shopping in the basement in case you want to shop.

If hitting the casino is not your scene then you can simply enjoy the street food or Cruise on the Tonle Sap. If you want more than just street food, you check out one of the many night markets in Phnom Penh including alongside the river on Sisowath Quay. Alternatively, there are others such as Jet Container Night Market, with pop-up restaurants, bars, and stores, and is well worth the visit alone.

Ideal duration of visit: 2-3 hours (depends)

Entry fees: Free

The Killing Fields – Choeung Ek Genocidal Center

The Choeung Ek Phnom Penh Killing Fields are located 15 kilometres from Phnom Penh and will require a lot of time in commuting and in the field so dedicating an entire morning is best. Hire a tuk-tuk for the day (US$25) and it will cover everything.

Phnom Penh underwent a horrifying genocide that was carried out by the Khmer Rouge regime (led by Pol Pot) between 1975 and 1979. Out of the 7 million population then, over 1.7 million died of starvation, execution, disease or overwork. Some estimates place the death toll even higher. 

The Khmer Rouge apparently arrested and killed all people from the previous regime – including soldiers, politicians and bureaucrats, educated, capitalist and city people, to grow rice and other agricultural products as Pol Pot wanted to develop Cambodia into an agrarian economy like the Angkor Empire in earlier days. When people complained they were tortured and killed, including women and children. You should read in detail about the history of Cambodia.

An audio tour around the field gave us an idea of what happened here. You can still see bones and scraps of clothes on the ground. The Khmer Rouge utilized barbaric methods for killing – farm tools, bamboo, axes, and sharp sugar cane branches. One-stop on the audio tour included “the killing tree” where children were held by their legs, swung against the tree and then discarded into the mass graves. It’s impossible to imagine such inhumane activities done only a few years ago!

Ideal duration of visit: 2-3 hours

Entry fees: US$15 (includes audio tour)

Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum

If you have the heart to see the genocide museum after visiting the killing fields, go for it. I did not so I passed!

Codenamed as S-21, Tuol Sleng was converted from a school to an interrogation centre on the orders of Pol Pot when his Khmer Rouge movement took control of Cambodia in April 1975. At least 12,000 people who were held here were killed here. 

The Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum is now the memorial site of the S-21 interrogation and detention center of the Khmer Rouge regime. Located in the heart of Phnom Penh, it preserves a tragic period in history with the aim to encourage visitors to be messengers of peace.

Ideal duration of visit: 1-2 hours

Entry fees: US$8 (includes audio tour)

Phnom Penh Central market

Central market is quite popular with locals and tourists alike in Phnom Penh and has cheap deals on almost everything – clothes, souvenirs, jewellery, duplicate designer bags, shoes, etc. even though it is cheap, bargain at least 30-40% or more.

Ideal duration of visit: 2-3 hours

Entry fees: Free

PRACTICAL TIPS ABOUT 2 DAYS IN PHNOM PENH

Phnom Penh Weather

Cambodia has a tropical climate and is hot and humid most times of the year and rains almost daily. The best time to visit Phnom Penh is between November and April when it sees very little rain. 

I visited Phnom Penh in August and it was super humid. Being from India, it was bearable for me. 

Phnom Penh food

Phnom Penh tourism is incomplete without tasting the local food, just like most Asian countries. Phnom Penh noodles are extremely popular among the locals and tourists alike. Unfortunately, being a vegetarian, I couldn’t have any street food as all of them had meat. Plus I was staying with my parents so I just preferred having food cooked by my mom. I did relish the array of fresh fruits in Phnom Penh.

If you are a vegan or a vegetarian like me, don’t lose heart. You may not be able to enjoy the street food like others, but there are many Indian restaurants which serve thali meals. Not only Indian but even middle eastern and other veg platters are available. Check this – vegetarian restaurants in Phnom Penh guide.

Safety in Phnom Penh

Phnom Penh is generally safe during the day but there have been incidences of pickpocketing and bag snatching, just like any other tourist city. Simply be alert with tuk-tuk drivers and do not befriend them. Leave valuables and bank cards at home where possible. Drink spiking in bars is not common in Phnom Penh but it is always best to be alert and buy your own drink.

Where to stay in Phnom Penh

I stayed in my parent’s apartment but these are some of the properties I had looked up when I was helping a friend search for where to stay in Phnom Penh. Whether you are staying for 2 days in Phnom Penh or more these are some of the good options to look into.

Resort in Phnom Penh/ Luxurious stays in Phnom Penh: Courtyard by Marriott, Nagaworld Resort

Hotels in Phnom Penh: Grand River Boutique Hotel, Grand Waterfront Hotel

Hostel in Phnom Penh: Onederz Hostel, Feliz Hostel

SUSTAINABLE TRAVEL TIPS FOR 2 DAYS IN PHNOM PENH

• Cambodia is still a developing country and has a lot of poverty. Try buying food and clothes from a local market/food joint to boost their economy rather walking into a mall/food chain.
• There is a lot of waste lying on the streets. But as ethical tourists do not add to it. If you do not find a bin, keep the waste with you, till you find one.
• Cover your knees and shoulders at all times. It’s a hot and conservative country – protect your body with clothes rather than sunscreen.
• Hire local guides and tuk-tuk drivers – they will get a day’s meal for their family
• Drinking water – try and refill water bottles instead of buying them every time. Hotels and restaurants have refilling facility and don’t shy away from asking. You’ll save money and the environment.
• Do not pay the beggars – at times you’ll almost want to give in to the grim-looking expressions. They may be part of a gang and your money may fund it and lead to more beggars on the streets. Best is to avoid eye contact.

Read More Cambodia Posts:

Is Angkor Wat worth Visiting?

Read popular posts about neighbouring countries:

Thailand: 3 days Nakhon Phanom Itinerary

Laos: Must visit attarctions in Luang Prabang

Vietnam: 2 days in Hanoi | Hoi An Itinerary

Have you been to Phnom Penh? How was your experience? If not, did you find this 2 days in Phnom Penh guide useful enough to plan a trip there? Let me know in the comments below!

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How to reach Kuang Si Waterfalls from Luang Prabang

The Kuang Si Falls in Laos is located 23 km south of Luang Prabang and it takes about 45-60 minutes to reach from the centre of town making it a perfect day trip from Luang Prabang. Reaching the waterfalls is easy and accessible, with plenty of transport options available – Tuk-tuks (private or shared), public van, private car, motorbike and boat. If you are feeling a bit adventurous you can even bike to waterfalls from Luang Prabang.

Visiting hours: 8:00 to 17:30

Entrance fees: 20,000 kip per person including camera fees and entry to bear rescue centre

Kuang Si Falls Activities

Trekking to the top of falls

From the biggest waterfall, on its either sides, you will find muddy steps which can take you to the top of the waterfalls. A steep yet short hike of 20 minutes will take you into the untouched and surreal world. The top is the kind of location where movies are shot and one can get amazing Instagram photos.

A steady stream of water flows a the top before it hits the 50m drop to form the stunning waterfall. You can take a canoe ride on this stream. A small shop owner who sells water can help you go on this ride.

If you have more time in hand, trek for 3 km to reach a Secret cave near a spring and have the entire area to yourself.

Love trekking? Check a guide on Nong Khiaw not far from Laos Kuang Si Falls.

Enjoy the pristine nature

Sit down on the wooden benches set up near most pools.  Enjoy the sight of aqua colored water. Or sit down near the pool and dip your feet in the cold water for a free fish spa! Just soak in the unspoilt nature. May be having a snack here is good idea too.

Swim in the pools

Yes, swimming in the pools is allowed unless specified in certain areas. However, diving is strictly prohibited. You need to be careful in these pool as there are deep waters in certain areas and no lifeguard on duty!

Tip: There are changing rooms for men and women before and after you take the dip.

Visit the Tat Kuang Si Bear Rescue Centre

When you entre through the entrance gate, you will come across Tat Kuang Si Bear Rescue Centre even before you hike towards the waterfalls. The centre is operated by Free the Bears organization who have helped rescue and relocate more than 20 Asiatic Black Bears. See them in a playful mood or just taking a nap before you move on to the falls.

Best time to visit Kuang Si Waterfalls

The best time to visit Kuang Si Waterfalls is from November to April. The weather is pleasant and the water in the pools are settled post-monsoon. However, if you happen to visit the waterfalls between May to October, the falls would have a totally different look and swimming would not be possible.

Kuang Si Waterfalls Tips

• Shoes – Proper walking/hiking shoes are highly recommended if you trek to the top.
• Comfortable clothing – Shorts and t-shirts are ideal for this place with a change in a swimming costume.
• Drinking water and some snacks – Even in winter months, the jungle can get a bit humid. It is best to carry your own water and you will need a snack after the hike. There are 2 shops – one at the bottom near the pools and one at the top but they are extremely expensive.
• Mosquito repellent – Thanks to the lush green forest and waterfalls, there are way too many mosquitoes for comfort. It’s best to carry a mosquito repellent.

You can also check out Tad Sae Waterfalls which are near Luang Prabang.

Sustainable tips for Kuang Si Falls visit

• Reusable water bottle – Though it is important to carry drinking water, carry in a reusable and refillable bottle.
• Do not litter – It is perfectly okay to snack near the waterfall, but do not litter the pristine areas. Use a trash bin to dispose of snack pouches or pet bottles. Or even better, take it back to the hotel.
• Do not go in the water applying sunscreen lotion/mosquito repellent creams – Cosmetic products use many known and unknown chemicals. They may or may not react with the natural flora and fauna of the area. Why take the chance? Best is to avoid it. For mosquitoes, apply an organic roll on, on clothes.
• Respect the nature – Though you may get the most perfect shot and a thousand likes for the photo, do not in any way harm the natural formations of the waterfalls or trees for a vantage point.
• Do not feed the bears – After reading their sad stories, you may be tempted to give them a snack, but don’t. Buy a souvenir instead so that the organization taking care of them can feed them.

Read More posts from Laos:

• Luang Prabang Night Market
• Sustainable tourism in Luang Prabang
• Ethical cheese at Laos Buffalo Dairy Farm

Disclosure: I was invited by Mekong Tourism Coordinating Office (MTCO) and Luang Prabang Tourism Board on a FAM trip. However, all opinions are unbiased and of my own.

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