About 4 million people visit Japan annually. If you’re planning to join them in seeing one of the most beautiful nations on Earth, you likely are wondering what sites you absolutely must see while on your trip.
Here, we’re going to give you the best basic bucket list for Japanese tourists on the web. Read on to learn some places you need to go and some things you need to see while visiting Japan.
1. Stay in a Capsule Hotel
Capsule hotels are a travel staple in Japan. These inexpensive alternatives to traditional hotels are often hailed as a travel experience that you need to try for at least one night. You can usually rent a “room” for as low as $20-30 per night.
When you stay at a capsule hotel, you aren’t really given a full room. You’re instead given a long capsule that you can sleep in inside the wall. It’s like a cozy little bubble for you to enjoy, complete with bedding and adjustable lighting.
If you’re a solo female traveler, note that your capsule options will be a bit limited. Still, there are women’s only capsule hotels (and unisex ones) that you can enjoy a fun night in.
2. Hike Around Mt. Fuji
Mt. Fuji is one of Japan’s most recognizable national symbols. Technically, it isn’t just a mountain- it’s an active volcano. But since it hasn’t erupted since 1707 and isn’t showing any signs of a future eruption, that’s more of an interesting fact than something to worry about.
Mt. Fuji’s peak is the highest point in Japan, and dedicated travelers can hike all the way to the top. Many choose simply to walk around it or wander its lower area, though. There’s no pressure to take a several-day hike.
This natural wonder has a sophisticated conical form and has been the subject of tons of paintings over the past millennium. When you visit, you can see why; pictures are incapable of doing it justice.
3. Check Out the Temples and Gardens
The base of Mt. Fuji is covered with sacred temples and shrines. This is because the mountain has been long-associated with the heavens. It makes sense to pray at its base.
However, these gorgeous temples are not limited to Mt. Fuji or its surrounding area. They’re scattered all across Japan in both major cities and rural areas. You can enjoy their thousand-year-old structures, sloping rooftops, and colorful art anywhere.
Most temples are accompanied by beautiful gardens… and gardens also sometimes stand on their own! Japanese gardens are known for their native plants including Bonsai trees and bamboo. If you’re lucky enough to visit in the springtime, you also may be able to see some cherry blossoms!
4. See the Hakone Open-Air Museum
The Hakone Open Air Museum isn’t like any other museum you’ve ever been to. For one thing, its exhibitions are all at least partly outdoors. Its aim is to combine art with nature by placing man-made exhibitions in an area surrounded by natural valleys and mountain sites.
The lawns are covered with abstract sculptures made by artists around the world. One of the best parts of this museum, the Symphonic Sculpture, is essentially a tower showcasing stained glass art. The spiral staircase lets you experience all of this artwork before taking you to an outdoor viewing platform.
If you’re traveling with kids, there are also children’s areas in this museum. They can play among soft art installations and experience a relaxing outdoor foot bath. This makes the destination popular among both adults and families.
5. Head to an Onsen
Onsen, or hot springs, are basically synonymous with relaxing getaways in Japan. These springs are outdoor areas where individuals and families can enjoy natural hot water. They’re especially great for colder days and at nighttime – the hot water is at its most satisfying then.
Generally, onsen are divided into male and female areas. However, if you’re going on a couple’s getaway or are with your family, you can rent out private hot springs for a day or two.
Tokyo Tower is a modern architectural marvel that everyone should experience. It’s the tallest steel tower in the world capable of supporting itself. The Eiffel Tower served as its inspiration, and Tokyo Tower is 3 meters higher than it.
Tokyo Tower’s main deck is about 150 meters high. You can easily get to it with an elevator (or a 600-step staircase if you want to get some exercise in). The observatory lets you see a good chunk of the city so that you can watch as the people in it go about their day-to-day lives.
7. Try Out the Local Cuisine
The food is one of the single best things about visiting Japan. Because it’s an island country, all seafood and sea vegetables are extremely fresh and delicious. Hole-in-the-wall restaurants make amazing and authentic sushi for less than $15… or you can get it for $3 in supermarkets and expect around the same quality as a US sushi restaurant.
However, if you aren’t a fan of seafood, there are still tons of great options available to you!
Noodle bars are a quintessential Japanese dining experience that you can’t miss out on. These quaint, no-frills restaurants often serve limited menus of ramen, udon, and soba. You can add toppings and flavorings to curate your experience.
8. Go Shopping in the City
Japan’s cities have a lot of independent and chain shops that you’re sure to love.
You can buy new clothes, which is especially awesome if you’re looking for traditional kimono. You also can buy tea cups, dish sets, and artwork for your home. Just make sure that you have a plan for shipping it back to your home nation!
When you go shopping in Japan, you’re sure to find a lot of handmade items and hidden gems. These make excellent souvenirs that you can keep forever or gift to friends and family. Tokens of luck also make for great mementos and take up virtually no suitcase space.
9. Go-Kart Around Tokyo
Looking for an extremely fun way to spend an evening? You can play Mario Kart… in real life!
These experiences let you dress up as your favorite Mario Kart character, hop on a go-kart, and make your way around the city. They’re great for kids and adults alike, though children can’t drive the karts. This is because you’ll be driving on the real streets of a major city alongside regular cars and buses.
Note that Japan requires that you get an international driving permit from your own country if you want to give go-karting a whirl. Know your plans and get your permit early.
10. Rent a Karaoke Booth
Karaoke is one of the biggest cultural phenomena in Japan. People of all walks of life enjoy renting out private karaoke booths in bars and restaurants. Whether you’re a businessman or a teenager winding down after school, karaoke booths are the place to be if you’re Japanese.
You can rent such a booth with your friends and family. Karaoke is a family-friendly activity that people of all ages will love. You’ll be able to find English songs, so don’t worry about not being able to sing anything!
11. Experience the Ghibli Museum
If you’re like most people, you likely experienced the magic of Japanese animation at least once in your life. Some people get really into anime culture, but others simply enjoy the movies that they see in theaters. These films are often the work of Hayao Miyazaki and Studio Ghibli.
That’s what makes the Ghibli museum one of the best things to do when you visit Japan. You can see the evolution of each film and the ways that they were animated. You also will have the chance to see real cels and better understand how animators brought the characters and stories to life.
12. Go to Universal Studios Japan
Universal Studios Japan has been named Japan’s best theme park for 4 years in a row. There are a lot of reasons for this including its awesome rides, cool buildings, and interesting attractions.
Harry Potter World is a staple of Universal Studios Japan, just as it is in LA. You also might be interested in its Nintendo World area. Nintendo is a product of Japan, so this is a new and exciting way to experience and learn more about the video games that you love.
Plan for Visiting Japan the Right Way
There are lots of amazing things to do when visiting Japan, and it can be difficult to figure out where to start. However, you can’t go wrong with any of the awesome items on this list. Now that you know some of the best things to do in Japan, it’s time to start planning your adventure.
Just About Japan is committed to giving you the best information about Japanese culture and cuisine. Contact us to ask about more things you can do while traveling to this beautiful country.
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