Japan is a unique country with many different experiences that make it worth visiting! With so many things to do, we hope you’ll find this list helpful when planning your trip. Keep reading to discover more about what Japan has in store for you.
There are so many things to do in Japan that it would likely take multiple visits to experience everything on your bucket list. From bodyboarding competitions and horseback riding lessons to onsen (hot spring) adventures and crazy vacation experiences, Japan is a truly unforgettable destination with its mix of quirky chaos and tranquil bliss.
From monkeys in hot springs to bamboo forests to dancing robots or visiting Japanese ogre museums, we’ve got a list of all the things you’ll want to do when visiting Japan. Whether this is your first trip, or you’re a regular traveler there, we’ve got something for everyone on our list of craziest and interesting things to do in Japan.
1 Izakaya Hopping
If you want to experience the real local life, one of our favorite things in Japan is to pop into a tiny bar and order some quality drinks, delicacies, and small dishes. Izakayas are often very small spaces that only accommodate around 15 people. This makes it a lot about the atmosphere rather than the quantity of food. We’ve had many really cool experiences where we met with locals, tried dishes that would otherwise be too difficult, and had an overall great evening.
Japan is a place recognized for its delicious izakayas. Check these places out if you get the chance:
Yakitori Alley a.k.a. “Piss Alley”, Tokyo
Osaka: Shinsekai
Osaka: streets just outside of Dotonbori
2 Exploring Bamboo Forest
Of all the bamboo forests in Japan, the most famous is undoubtedly at Arashiyama. Located just outside of Kyoto’s central area, it feels like a world away from the crowds. Beautiful year-round, this grove of swaying bamboo stalks is stunning and allows you to sate your wanderlust with plenty of tranquility.
Well, if you can find tranquility amidst a crowd — there’s just one problem: It can get pretty packed during the high tourist season! We visited during low season so we did not have many issues with crowds. However, we know this isn’t always the case for everybody! We still think it’s worth visiting because it’s worth seeing before it gets too crowded! Even so, we think it deserves a visit and will be one of your favorite photo ops in Japan!:)
3 Experience The Kumano Kodo Trail
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Most countries in Asia are densely populated and jam-packed with skyscrapers, traffic, pollution, and other man-made realities. However, much of Japan is sparsely populated, providing serene and peaceful places for people to retreat from the city’s hustle and bustle.
The Kumano Kodo is a spiritual pilgrimage route that runs through remote mountains and tiny villages in Japan. You can experience traditional guesthouses, as well as take on the ancient trail for yourself.
During our time on the trail, we saw only a handful of people. That’s unbelievable for Japan, especially when compared to larger tourist attractions like Tokyo! However, as more people are becoming interested in traveling to lesser-known locales in Japan like this one, it is inevitable that this place will not remain off the radar for long.
It’s possible to adjust your hiking days to fit your travel plans (you can do 2 days for a short excursion or can extend the trip up to 6 days).
4 Watch Snow Monkeys At Jigokudani Park
We had the best time seeing the monkeys at Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park. It’s located deep in the mountains of Japan, about a half-hour bus ride from central Tokyo. In February, when we visited, everything was covered in snow, and the contrast between the cold weather and jungle was unreal. We loved hopping on our bus for such a scenic day trip to Nagano!
Despite its difficulty in getting there, the Monkey Park was worth it. The monkeys, which are almost always outside of their habitat, were absolutely amusing to watch. There was nothing like seeing them soaking in the natural hot spring while they brushed past us. However, getting to this park takes a lot of time (and it’s only an hour from Tokyo), so it’s not recommended as a day trip unless you have a few days to spare or have some other obligations for the night.
5 Visit Temples And Shrines
Before we begin, let’s briefly discuss what constitutes a temple vs. a shrine. A shrine often contains an iconic torii gate, on which you’ll see the symbol of Japan. Temples often contain statues of Buddha and incense burners, and they often have cemeteries attached. Monks often live and train at temples and are usually seen walking around.
Japan offers a plethora of shrines and temples, including some very famous shrines. Visiting one or two during your trip will give you a sense of the country’s culture, religion, and traditions.
If you ever find yourself visiting a shrine or temple in Japan, you will notice small wooden plaques that are hanging on the gate or fence. These are called ema and they are meant to receive any prayers or wishes from visitors. It is said that the spirits of these shrines will see your wishes because they were made with kami being present.
6 Bath in an Onsen
What is an onsen? It’s a style of bathing in hot water. Onsens can vary from soaking to furo baths, and are an integral part of Japanese culture. Now that you know what an onsen is, why not try one for yourself?
There are onsens all over Japan and they’re a staple to the culture. Traditionally, all onsens are arranged by gender– but that doesn’t mean there aren’t mixed ones. Sento are indoor bathing facilities. The most popular ones use ordinary heated water, and you’ll find varieties for every type of taste.
There are plenty of onsens in Japan year-round, but nothing quite like the pure magic of taking a dip in a steamy onsen while winter effects air kisses your shoulders. That’s why if you visit during the colder months, it’s suggested to take a quick dip at one.
Onsens and sentos are ideal for communal bathing. Getting naked with other people may feel strange in the beginning, but after experiencing a jjimjilbang you’ll realize that nobody cares what you look like there.
7 TeamLab Borderless Museum
The Willy Wonka experience is hard to describe. Be sure to see it when you’re in Tokyo, and your experience will be unmatched! And don’t forget to reserve tickets early so you can maximize your time there and avoid the crowds.
This 10,000-square-meter space is called the Trusco Digital Art Museum (Source: Pagista). With 520 computers and 470 projectors, there’s no set course for experiencing what it has to offer. You can explore this digital art museum in any way you would like to start.
You can’t get tired of a museum visit by visiting it again and again. The art is constantly changing, so you’ll never find yourself in the same place twice. In just a few minutes, you can experience something new like a change of scenery from the burst of purple flowers here to the shower of sunflowers there or even while standing on the spot with the changing seasons just around the corner. Step back in sooner and you’ll find that your experiences will be different each and every time.
8 Japanese Photo Booth
The quickest, yet most memorable experience in Japan is getting a photo booth printout. Google Maps shows that you can find photo booths in many arcades and sometimes they’re simply typed into the search bar like “purikura” – “puri kuriyo” – which means picture frame-looking in Japanese. The best part is you get an inexpensive souvenir at a bargain price, every time you go back home!
9 Visit A Food Tour
Food enthusiasts! If you want to try as many traditional Japanese eateries as possible, learn about the cuisine deeply, and eat it in locations that people don’t normally visit, a food tour is your answer. We discovered food tours a couple of years ago, and are kind of obsessed now. Not only do you get to eat delicious food at some awesome places, but you’ll also learn more about the culture than most other tourists will ever know. When we say this tour is one of our favorites – it means we really enjoyed ourselves!
10 Take a Japanese Cooking Class
Are you interested in taking cooking classes while you’re traveling? Our writer found that it’s an incredibly rewarding experience that will give you a deeper understanding of an area’s culture and cuisine. It’ll also teach you how to make some of your favorite dishes. We took sushi-making classes on our first trip there, and ramen making classes on our second visit.
11 Take a Ride on a Bullet Train
Sometimes during a journey, you just want to relax. In order to do that, we recommend listening to music or some other type of audio book with your headphones. It’s also important to sit back and look out the window when you’re on the train. Japan has famously efficient and clean trains, which will allow for a more enjoyable ride without any discomfort.
