Japan is a country like no other. It is a place full of contrasts, from chaotic cities to tranquil forests, from peaceful temples to quirky cafes and karaoke. No matter if it is your first time visiting or the hundredth time, you will always find something unique and unforgettable to do in Japan.
For those of you who are visiting Japan for the first time or are just looking for cool things to do the next time you are in Japan, I have decided to compile a complete list of all the best things I did in Japan and that I think you will love too.
Without further ado, here are the 16 best things you should not miss when visiting Japan. Let's start off with the obvious: visit Tokyo.
- 1. Visit Tokyo
- 2. Witness the Shibuya Crossing
- 3. Watch the Locals Incredible Gaming Skills at a Arcade Game Center
- 4. Sleep in a Capsule Hotel
- 5. Bathe in an Onsen
- 6. Hike Around the Forest of Nikko
- 7. Visit Kyoto
- 8. Attend the Gion Matsuri Festival in Kyoto
- 9. Walk Through the Bamboo Grove in Kyoto
- 10. Visit all the Shrines and Temples in Japan
- 11. Try all the Street Food in Japan
- 12. Ride the Shinkansen Bullet Train
- 13. Visit an Imperial Castle
- 14. Eat Sushi
- 15. Row a Boat at Takachiho Gorge
- 16. Climb Mount Fuji
- Japan Travel Video
- Further Reading for Japan
1. Visit Tokyo
Tokyo, the capital city of more than 9 million people, is a vibrant and bustling city full of beautiful places to see and quirky things to do that you shouldn't miss. It is hands down the best place to start your journey in Japan and to help you wrap your head around the unique norms and culture of the land of the rising sun.
Tokyo is home to many tourist attractions that highlight the very best Japan has to offer, from the beautiful temples of Senso-Ji and the stunning Meiji Park, to the bustling streets of Harajuku where you will find a ton of cool-looking people with crazy hair and out-of-this-world clothes.
It is also a great place for you to learn about and witness the beautiful traditions of Japan, such as the Saturday morning wedding ceremony that you can often see at Meiji Park.
You can also go crazy in Tokyo and visit all the quirky cafes and restaurants such as the Robot Fighting Restaurant where you can watch people dress in robot costumes and perform fights or visit the Vampire Cafe where the interior is painted black and red and the decor such as skulls and roses is dimly lit with candles.
As you can see, there are a ton of things you can do in Tokyo. If you are planning to visit Japan, I highly recommend you spend at least 3-4 nights in this wonderful city and explore all the things you can do there.
2. Witness the Shibuya Crossing
One of the best things you can do while you are in Tokyo is to witness the Shibuya Crossing. Shibuya is one of the most crowded districts in Tokyo, and you will see a lot of foot traffic in this area all day, every day.
Due to the crowds, Shibuya also has one of the busiest intersections in the world, with 4 roads merging and 5 zebra pedestrian crossings. It is quite a sight to behold when the traffic lights turn red and the "scramble" begins.
You would see throngs of people on all ends of the pedestrian crossings scrambling to make their way across the road all at once in a weirdly chaotic and orderly way, the Japanese are known for. It is a sight unlike anything you have seen before, and I highly recommend you witness it once in your life.
Here's a hidden gem for you. If you are looking for a viewpoint to see the Shibuya Crossing from above, I highly recommend you go up the MAGNET by Shibuya 109 shopping mall, go up to the 6th floor, and you will find a small window right by a toy store where you can see the crossing from above for free.
3. Watch the Locals' Incredible Gaming Skills at an Arcade Game Center
One of my favorite things to do when I was in Japan was to go into one of the many arcade game centers and watch people show their mad skills while playing these arcade games. It's crazy how good the Japanese are at arcade games.
One of the best places to see people play arcade games is at Taito Station near Shibuya Crossing, where the entire building is filled with arcade machines. Here, locals can unwind from a busy day at work and be themselves.
That is why the arcade game industry is still very much alive here in Japan. Due to the strict social code and the orderly manner of their society, the Japanese often find places like this to let loose and unwind. They say they can often be themselves in places like this without being judged by other people.
It is a little sad, but it is part of the culture and how their society functions, and it gave us a chance to see how the locals unwind. Plus, your mind will be blown when you see the skills of these mad lads. I didn't even know that human hands can move that fast when playing arcade games.
4. Sleep in a Capsule Hotel
Another cool thing you can do in Japan is to sleep in a capsule hotel, where the Japanese have pioneered the art of providing sleeping pods for people who miss the last train home due to long working hours. Before tourists like us found out, they were already using them as budget accommodation instead.
Due to the deep integration of the capsule hotel into the working culture in Japan, there are some very old and poorly maintained capsule hotels out there where you will be sleeping in a capsule among some very interesting characters (trust me, I accidentally slept in one and I don't recommend it). So, be sure to keep an eye out for newer capsule hotels if you wish to experience sleeping in a pod.
One of the best capsule hotels I have ever stayed in is the 9 Hours Capsule hotel, a modern, sci-fi, and minimalist-themed capsule hotel located in the Gion District in Kyoto where you can sleep in these beautiful all-white and black space pods.
It is one of the best capsule hotels out there, and if you are looking to stay in one, be sure to book one that is as high, if not higher than the 9 hours capsule hotel for a better experience.
5. Bathe in an Onsen
Like it or not, spending time at a public bath (known as Onsen to the locals) is a popular pastime activity for the Japanese. It would be a crime to visit Japan and not participate in it at least once in your life, especially with your friends.
Yes, it is weird to be naked around other people. Trust me, I got weirded out as well the first time I did it, but after a few times, you will get used to it, as I did, and the whole experience becomes more of a relaxation than the nerve-wracking experience your mind made it out to be.
If you are planning to bathe in an Onsen, I would recommend doing it in the countryside instead of a big city. Usually, Onsen in big cities are just indoor bathhouses. However, if you want the real traditional Onsen experience, you have to go to places where there is actually a natural hot spring. In these hot springs, you can bathe in an Onsen outdoors.
I did both, several times in Tokyo and Kyoto, and I didn't like it as much as when I did it in an Onsen near Mt. Aso, an active volcano in the southern island of Kyushu, which is located outside in the open (still gated, so do not worry), where the smoke from the hot spring meets the cool air from the outside.
It is actually quite liberating to be able to bathe out in the open if you think about it, and if you are looking to experience that for the first time, make sure you do it outside of big cities in Japan.
6. Hike Around the Forest of Nikko
One of my favorite places in Japan is Nikko, a small city located just 2 hours north of Tokyo, surrounded by beautiful forests and old shrines waiting for you to explore.
Nikko is known for its iconic red Shinkyo Bridge and is home to several stunning Edo-era shrines, such as the shrine of Nikkō Tōshō-gū, among others. These shrines are scattered throughout the forest, providing an opportunity for hiking and discovering these forgotten treasures.
Nikko is also near the stunning Kegon Falls and Lake Chūzenji, which offer several great nature spots for you to hike around and escape the bustling cities of Japan. It is one of the best places for you to visit if you like nature and if the concrete walls of Tokyo are starting to get to you.
7. Visit Kyoto
Kyoto used to be the capital city of Japan before it moved to Tokyo during the Edo era. What remains in Kyoto are some of the most stunning tourist attractions and old architectures with a rich history that you should definitely explore when you are in Japan.
Kyoto's rich history and its prominent role in shaping the history of Japan are preserved in places like the Golden Pavilion of Kinkaku-Ji and the Imperial Palace of Kyoto, where you can visit and explore at your own leisure.
Kyoto's beautiful past is also well-preserved in places like the Higashiyama District, where you can still see these old traditional houses all lined up on both sides of the street. Many locals, as well as tourists, can be seen walking around and shopping their way through the district, some adorned in the Japanese traditional dress of Kimono.
Kyoto is a crowded yet tranquil city to visit, which highlights how big Japanese cities can modernize and still maintain their traditions and roots. It is nothing like Tokyo, where all you see are streets full of concrete walls. If you are looking for more cities to visit in Japan, Kyoto should definitely be at the top of your list.
8. Attend the Gion Matsuri Festival in Kyoto
I like visiting a place during a local event or festival, especially when I didn't plan for it. That was the case for me in Kyoto, as I happened to be there during the 5-day-long Gion Matsuri of purification and pacification. This festival takes place annually on July 17th and 24th.
Three nights before the last day of Gion Matsuri, the entire streets of downtown Kyoto are closed off from traffic and turned into pedestrian streets where street food carts and stalls are lined up on both sides for us to try.
I must have spent more than 5,000 JPY on street food during the 3 nights leading up to the Gion Matsuri celebration. There were tons of delicious street food to try, sake to drink your night away, and street performers to keep you entertained until late at night.
On the last day of Gion Matsuri, the entire road in the Gion District is closed down for the massive parade of Yamaboko Junkō. Local musicians sit in these massive floats, playing drums and flutes as the floats are pulled with ropes through the street.
It is one of the best celebrations you can experience in Japan, and due to it happening right in the summer months when most international travels occur around the world, Gion Matsuri makes for a great reason to visit Japan and Kyoto in July.
9. Walk Through the Bamboo Grove in Kyoto
One of the most popular tourist attractions in Kyoto that you shouldn't miss is the Bamboo Forest of Arashiyama, located in the northwest part of Kyoto. Here, you will find several small walking paths that zig-zag their way through a bamboo forest that is several meters high.
It is one of the most scenic walking paths in Kyoto, which makes it a popular photo spot among tourists around the world. The summer months are the best time to visit the Bamboo Forest, as the colors will be at their most vibrant during this time.
That said, it can get quite crowded and extremely humid during the day in the summer. So, the best time to visit the Bamboo Forest of Arashiyama is right before sunset, around 5 - 6 PM, when the crowds are thinning, and the heat is becoming more bearable. If you are in Kyoto and looking for a nice place to take photos, the bamboo forest is a must-visit.
10. Visit all the Shrines and Temples in Japan
Japan is home to some of the most stunning and unique-looking temples out there, and there are a ton of unbelievably beautiful shrines and temples all across the country that you should explore.
Places like Kyoto have a ton of beautiful shrines and temples you should visit, such as the Golden Pavilion, the Eikan-Dō Zenrin-Ji Zen Garden, Fushimi Inari Shrine, and Hokan-Ji Temple.
Even Tokyo, a large modern metropolis, has plenty of ancient shrines and temples tucked in between the concrete walls of Tokyo's buildings and skyscrapers like the Meiji Park, Senso-Ji Temple, and Gōtokuji Temple.
Not to mention all the incredible temples and shrines located deep in the lush green jungles hidden away in places like Nikko and all the seven lakeside towns around Mt. Fuji that are waiting for you to explore. You can find beautiful Zen Buddhist temples all over the country, so be sure to keep an eye out for one while you are traveling in Japan.
11. Try all the Street Food in Japan
Japanese food is renowned throughout the world; there is no denying that. From the deliciously healthy staple Japanese food like Sushi to the delicious grilled takoyaki, getting to try all of these street foods in Japan is a feat in and of itself.
While you are in Japan, you will likely stumble upon many of these small food carts in front of national parks or in night markets, selling all sorts of grilled and deep-fried snacks (yes, we East Asians do love our deep-fried stuff) by "uncles" and "aunties".
When you do, be sure to give them a go. More often than not, you won't regret it. Street foods I highly recommend you try when you are in Japan are Takoyaki (ball-shaped snacks filled with octopus), Yakisoba (stir-fried noodles), Dango (Japanese rice dumplings on a stick), Gyoza (grilled dumplings), and, of course, the Japanese noodle dish of Ramen.
12. Ride the Shinkansen Bullet Train
One of the highlights of traveling in Japan is getting on one of these Shinkansen trains, a bullet train system in Japan that connects the 3 main islands together with an extensive railway network that travels up to 320 km/hr (200 mph!).
This masterpiece of an engineering feat was first founded back in 1964, after the devastation that came after World War 2. It is the greatest example of how resilient the Japanese people are. Shinkansen can travel over 674 km in just 3 hours, more than half the time it would have taken to drive.
The Shinkansen is the best and most efficient way to travel around Japan, especially if you wish to cover long distances within a short period of time. That said, such incredible speed also comes with gut-punching prices, with the normal bullet train price from Tokyo to Kyoto costing around 14,000 JPY or 130 USD per person.
If you want to explore Japan extensively but don't have the budget to spend on Shinkansen tickets every time you travel, a train pass is definitely something you should consider. With passes like the JR Pass or Klook Value Pass, you can enjoy unlimited access to Japan's high-speed trains for a specified period without the need to purchase a ticket each time you want to use one.
Other than the convenience it gives, purchasing train passes can also lead to significant cost savings, especially if you plan to travel extensively. If the traditional JR Pass is slightly beyond your budget, you can explore the Klook Value Pass and enjoy even greater savings. Traveling around Japan has never been more accessible!
Tips: Get the Klook Value Pass instead of JR Pass to travel across Japan and save up to 130 USD!
13. Visit an Imperial Castle
I love walking around imperial-era castles and pretending to be a samurai. I know it's childish, but hey, we Thais grew up with the influence from Japanese comics and mangas, and boy, does it feel epic to do so.
Nowadays, these imperial castles are turned into museums where anyone can visit, walk around their castle grounds, and check out all the beautiful rooms. Visitors can also go up the watchtower to see the castle grounds and the city from above.
There are many remaining imperial castles scattered throughout the country, but some of the most notable ones are the Osaka Castle and Kumamoto Castle, so be sure to check them out when you are in Japan.
14. Eat Sushi
Of course, while in Japan, it would be a shame if we traveled all the way here but did not try the most Japanese dishes of all, the sushi!
Sushi is not considered cheap, even in Japan, but you can literally find it everywhere. Whether it is at the airport, shopping malls, or regular food markets, there is no shortage of places where you can find affordable sushi sets to try.
Since it is made mostly out of rice and fresh seafood, they are pretty healthy and great for any meal. I often buy some at the train station before I am about to jump on one of the Shinkansen trains and travel long distances.
When you are in Japan, be sure to keep an eye out for cheap sushi sets to try out as much as you can. Trust me, sushi doesn't get any better than this.
15. Row a Boat at Takachiho Gorge
One of the most photogenic places in Kyushu, the southern island of Japan, is the Takachiho Gorge, a beautiful gorge deep in the lush green forest of Japan where you can rent a wooden boat and row around the river, exploring all the beautiful rock formations and features of Takachiho Gorge.
To get to Takachiho Gorge, you will have to first travel to Kumamoto, one of the large cities on Kyushu island. There are many trains connecting Tokyo to Kyoto and then to Kumamoto, so you should have no trouble getting there, especially if you bought yourself a JR Pass.
Once you are in Kumamoto, you will have to rent a car and drive to Mt. Aso, explore the volcano, and stay there for a night before continuing down Highway 325 to Takachiho Gorge.
Once you are there, you can then rent a boat for around 5,000 JPY for 3 people and row along the gorge. You can also enjoy the park up at the top of the gorge and just have a nice day out in nature. Visiting Takachiho Gorge is a great thing to do if you decide to go off the beaten path in Japan and explore Kyushu instead of staying on the mainland.
16. Climb Mount Fuji
And, of course, your journey in Japan cannot end without attempting the ancient pilgrimage hiking trail to the top of the iconic Mt. Fuji. The hike takes around 10 hours spread across 2 days, with around 5-6 hours of hiking on your first day to the 8th station, where you will spend the night.
The next day, you will have to wake up early and hike to the summit for the sunrise before heading down, totaling about 4-5 hours of hiking time. The view on the way is pretty mediocre, but the view up at the top at sunrise is pretty spectacular, as I was told.
You see, I did hike up there to the top, but what I saw was nothing but rain and fog as the super typhoon came straight at us on the day we were supposed to reach the summit. Against my better judgment, I eventually went to the top and saw, as you see here in the photo above. It wasn't ideal, but at least I can say I did it, which is good enough for me.
If you plan to tackle this feat as I did, one thing you should know is that the trail is only officially open during the summer months when the snow-capped top has already melted away, so do not expect to see the iconic snow-capped mountain when you are here.
Now that we have all the information we need, it's time to start planning your trip! Here are some resources to help you get going:
Are you planning to travel independently? Be sure to check out my guide on How To Plan A Backpacking Trip here.
Further Reading for Japan
Looking for more information for your trip to Japan? Here is a collection of articles about Japan that you might find useful:
- For a complete Japan itinerary, check out: 2 Weeks Backpacking Japan Itinerary.
- Visiting Japan for the first time? Here are a few things I wish I knew before visiting Japan: 13 Important Things To Know Before Visiting Japan.
- Want to climb Mount Fuji? Here is a complete guide on how to and not to climb Mount Fuji for a real-life experience.
- What is it like to climb Mount Fuji during a super typhoon? Here's A Backpacking Travel Guide to Mt. Fuji and Kawaguchiko.
- Looking for a complete travel guide to Tokyo? Check out: 14 Best Things To Do In Tokyo.
- For a complete itinerary of Tokyo, check out: 3 Days Backpacking Tokyo Itinerary.
- Planning to visit Nikko soon? From hiking to best temples to visit, here are the 10 Best Things To Do In Nikko.
- Another awesome place to visit in Japan for a great view of Mt. Fuji is Hakone. Here are the 9 Best Things to Do in Hakone.
- A day trip to Hakone from Tokyo is possible, but you need to be smart with your time. Here is a complete One Day Hakone Itinerary From Tokyo.
- Kyoto, the old capital city of Japan, is a one-of-a-kind city that you should not miss. Here are the 16 Best Things To Do In Kyoto.
- For a complete itinerary of Kyoto and Osaka, check out: 3 Days Backpacking Kyoto-Osaka Itinerary.
- There are more to Hiroshima than the war memorial. Here are the 13 Best Things to Do in Hiroshima.
- Want to go off the beaten path in Japan? What about exploring Kyushu island? Here is a 3-day road trip itinerary for Kumamoto and Aso.
- Not convinced by my words about Japan? Watch this: Just Japan Travel Video.
- Wondering where to go after Japan? How about hopping over to China or visiting the islands of Taiwan or Hong Kong?
- For all articles about Japan, please visit the Japan Travel Guide page.
- Looking to travel to East Asia? Check out all my articles about East Asia here: East Asia Travel Guide page.
- You can see all my Asia-related articles here: Asia Travel Guide page.
- For more of my travel guides like this, visit my Destinations page.
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