Our specialty is helping travelers who believe that travel is about unique, memorable experiences – not just sightseeing or checking items off a list.
But if you’re planning a trip to Japan, consider including at least a handful of the 25 remarkable places and experiences featured below.
25 places & experiences in Japan to include on your bucket list
You won’t be able to fit them all into a single trip, but we hope these amazing places and experiences inspire you – and make it onto your personal bucket list!
1. Tsukiji Fish Market
Tokyo’s Tsukiji Fish Market
A must-visit before it relocates in November 2016, Tokyo’s Tsukiji Fish Market is a favorite for food lovers and photographers alike. Whether you go early for the tuna auctions, or later in the morning for a sushi breakfast and a stroll through the market, make sure to visit Tsukiji while in Tokyo.
2. Splurge on a luxurious Tokyo hotel
Lounge at Andaz Tokyo
With beautiful luxury hotels including Aman Tokyo, Andaz, Conrad Tokyo, Palace Hotel Tokyo and so many more (including, of course, the Park Hyatt Tokyo made famous in Sofia Coppola’s Lost in Translation), it’s worth splurging on at least one night at a luxurious Tokyo hotel.
3. The art island Naoshima
Yayoi Kusama’s pumpkin sculpture, Naoshima Island
For art lovers, Naoshima is a must-visit, with museums designed by Tadao Ando and works by world-class artists from around the world. Stay at the museum-hotel Benesse House, and also make sure to visit the tiny nearby art islands of Teshima and Inujima.
4. Kyoto’s bamboo forest
Bamboo forest in Arashiyama, Kyoto
The perfect half-day trip while in Kyoto, on the city’s western outskirts you’ll find the scenic Arashiyama district, home to Zen temples and the iconic bamboo forest.
5. Eat Ramen
Hakata ramen, Fukuoka, Japan
Wherever you go in Japan – from Fukuoka (aka Hakata) in the far west, to Sapporo in the far north – you’ll find incredibly good ramen shops with passionately devoted followers.
6. Ride the Bullet Train
Shinkansen (bullet train) passing Mount Fuji
A ride on the shinkansen (bullet train) is on nearly everyone’s must-do list, and fortunately it’s almost always the best way to travel around Japan. Before hopping on the train pick up a delicious seasonal bento and a bottle of sake (eating and drinking on the train is a national tradition), and enjoy the landscape as it zips by.
7. Onsen (hot springs) in Winter
Onsen at Beniya Mukayu ryokan
Soaking in remote onsen (hot springs) while the snow falls around you is one of the most magical experiences you can have in Japan, and makes braving the cold all the more worthwhile. Combined with a stay in a traditional ryokan (Japanese-style inn), and you have all the makings of an unforgettable trip.
8. Sushi & Sashimi
Casual sushi shop (Photo Credit: bryangeek via Compfight cc )
From Tokyo’s refined sushi temples (think Jiro Dreams of Sushi), to humble kaiten-zushi (conveyor belt sushi) shops, no trip to Japan is complete without trying sushi and sashimi.
9. Japanese Nightlife
Cocktail at Gen Yamamoto, Tokyo
Whether you’re enjoying craft cocktails at a tiny bar, drinking with locals at a casual tachinomiya (stand bar), singing all-night karaoke, catching the show at Robot Restaurant, or dancing the night away, Japan has some of the most varied and entertaining nightlife in the world.
10. Sumo & baseball
Sumo rikishi at the Tokyo basho (Photo credit: Bob Bloom)
Attending an athletic event provides great insight into Japanese culture, and two of the most worthwhile are tradition-filled sumo, and baseball, with its uniquely Japanese spin.
11. Japanese matsuri (festivals)
Spectacular Nebuta Matsuri, Aomori, Japan (photo credit: chrisliang82 via Compfight cc)
Japan has too many matsuri (festivals) to name, but some of the most remarkable include Hokkaido’s Yuki Matsuri (Snow Festival), Shikoku’s boisterous Awa Odori dance festival, and the beautiful Gion Matsuri of Kyoto.
12. Cherry Blossom Season
Cherry blossoms in Takayama
Despite the crowds, hanami season is arguably the most magical time of year in Japan. The country is covered in pink blossoms, and parks and gardens are filled with revelers celebrating over sake and seasonal bentos. Plan well in advance – things fill up sooner than most travelers think.
13. Fushimi Inari Shrine
The beautiful red torii of Fushimi Inari Shrine, Kyoto
Just a few minutes south of Kyoto is the beautiful Fushimi Inari Taisha shrine, where you can walk through seemingly-endless tunnels of vibrant vermillion torii gates as you ascend Mount Inari.
14. Dining & drinking at Izakaya
Food and drink at an izakaya
For a quintessential night of Japanese food, drink and revelry, head to a neighborhood izakaya (Japanese-style gastropub). In addition to being the perfect place to sample a wide variety of Japanese dishes – from seafood to fried foods, tofu to vegetables – eating and drinking at an izakaya is also a great way to mingle with locals.
15. Stroll in a Japanese Garden
Kasumi Pond at Kanazawa’s Kenroku-en Garden
Kyoto is most famous for its wealth of gardens, but lovely gardens abound in Japan, from renowned stroll gardens like Kenroku-en in Kanazawa, to the gorgeous gardens of the Adachi Museum of Art.
16. Skiing and Snowboarding
Niseko, Hokkaido (photo credit: Waltham Photo via Compfight cc)
From the Japanese Alps of Nagano, to the legendary powder of Niseko in Hokkaido, Japan has some of the best skiing and snowboarding in the world. After a day on the slopes, rejuvenate with cozy izakaya food and healing onsen (just another reason to visit Japan in winter).
17. Take a walk in the woods
Nagano, Japan
Japan is a hiker’s paradise, with wonderful day hikes and multi-day walks throughout the country. Two of the best are the charming Nakasendo Trail and the spiritual Kumano Kodo pilgrimage route.
18. Stay at a Buddhist Temple
Monks on Mount Koya (photo Credit: Crystalline Radical via Compfight cc)
For a taste of Buddhist life, spend a night at a shukubo (temple lodging) on sacred Mount Koya or at Nagano’s Zenko-ji Temple. Enjoy delicious vegetarian shojin ryori meals and rise early to attend morning prayers.
19. Modern Architecture
Herzog and de Meuron’s Prada boutique in Aoyama, Tokyo
In Tokyo and beyond you’ll find world-class architecture from Japanese and non-Japanese architects, including stunning works by Tadao Ando, Kenzo Tange, Kengo Kuma and Fumihiko Maki.
20. Go sake tasting
Sake tasting at an izakaya
Unless you’ve had sake in Japan, chances are high you’ve never tried truly good sake. Treat your palate to a sake tasting at a sake shop, bar or restaurant specializing in high-quality premium sake.
21. Japanese Castles
Himeji Castle
Most of the castles you’ll see in Japan (such as Osaka Castle) are reconstructions, and look beautiful primarily from the outside. But a handful – including the famous Himeji Castle, along with others such as Matsumoto Castle – have been lovingly preserved and maintain the atmosphere of days long past.
22. Snow Monkeys
Snow monkeys enjoying a soak
While possible to visit throughout the year, the best time to visit the onsen-loving snow monkeys of Nagano is in deep winter, when the landscape is completely covered in snow.
23. Drink Matcha Green Tea
Matcha green tea
Whether as part of a tea ceremony, or in a charming teahouse along with seasonal wagashi (Japanese sweets), there is nothing more heartwarming than a freshly-prepared cup of matcha green tea.
24. Climb Mount Fuji
View of Mt. Fuji
The old saying goes that there are two types of fools in the world: those who never climb Fuji-san, and those who climb it more than once. On the way up you’ll see children and grandparents, and while not the most scenic trek, it is all worthwhile when you reach the summit in time for sunrise.
25. The Islands of Okinawa
Aharen Beach, Tokashiki Island, Okinawa
The islands of Okinawa are home to stunning beaches, world-class scuba diving, and fascinating culture and history. In particular, the remote islands of Okinawa – such as the pristine Yaeyama Islands – feel worlds apart from mainland Japan.
Japan has even more amazing places to explore
We hope you’ve found inspiration in our favorite places and experiences in Japan. For even more ideas make sure to check out our free Japan travel tips and resources!
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