Adventuring through Japan is akin to flipping through the pages of an endlessly fascinating manga series – a whirlwind of colour, culture, and quirks. This is a country where tranquil tea ceremonies meet the electric buzz of Tokyo, where samurai castles stand in stoic contrast to the wild waves of the surf-ready beaches.
But to truly understand Japan’s multifaceted splendour, you need to do more than skim the surface. You need to immerse yourself in a narrative of discovery. On this adventure, you’ll encounter the ancient and the modern, the charming and the bizarre. Here’s a roster of 22 activities that will take you beyond the tourist trail, unlocking the real treasures of Japan.
1. Unleash Your Inner Samurai
Where: Tokyo
What: Samurai Experience
Why: Because ’90s kid’s dreams never die.
Who didn’t want to walk in the footsteps of the noble warriors of feudal Japan, the samurai, at least for an hour or two? In Tokyo, you can don the traditional armour, learn the art of the katana, and feel the honour of the code of bushido. It’s not every day you get to slice through the air like Magen from “Samurai Champlin” without a second glance from pedestrians. It’s a life experience, Japanese-style.
2. Prowl Through the Pachinko Parlours
Where: Everywhere!
What: Pachinko Gaming
Why: It’s a symphony of spectacle.
These aren’t your usual run-of-the-mill arcades; Pachinko is practically a religion here. The cacophony of the machines, the neon artistry adorning every square inch – stepping into a Pachinko parlour is like being swallowed by the Technicolor whale. Plus, there’s a certain thrill in the clatter of the silver balls that’s strangely hypnotic. Just don’t forget to collect your prizes before you exit the rabbit hole.
3. Monkey Around in Japan’s Hot springs
Where: Jourdain Monkey Park, Yamanouchi
What: Onsen with Snow Monkeys
Why: Relax with some simian friends.
Sure, you might have soaked in a hot spring before, but how many times have you shared it with a troupe of Japanese macaques? These fluffy celebrities are a regular sight at Jigokudani – ‘Hell Valley’ – where the waters are warm, and the monkeys are cooler than you. It’s the kind of scene-stealer moment you’ll be telling grandkids about.
4. Stand in Awe at Fushimi Inari Shrine
Where: Kyoto
What: Vermillion Torii Gates
Why: For the EMAzing views.
If you conjure an image of Japan in your mind, it probably looks a lot like Fushimi Inari with its glorious gates that snake up Mt. Inari. It’s a place that hums with history and spirituality, yet remains deeply Instagram able. Take a hike, leave a prayer, and bask in the otherworldly glow of the ‘Senbon Torii’ – ‘Thousand Torii.’
5. Get Your Ghibli On at the Studio Ghibli Museum
Where: Mintaka, Tokyo
What: A Glimpse into Ghibli World
Why: To indulge in cinematic candy.
Hayao Miyazaki’s animated universe is a special kind of magic. The museum is a celebration of wonder and whimsy, complete with life-sized Totoro to pose with. And as you walk through this enchanted space, you’ll be forgiven for momentarily slipping into the notion that a friendly forest spirit might just be around the corner.
6. Journey to the Centre of the Karaoke Universe
Where: Throughout Japan
What: Karaoke Night
Why: To reach your Whitney Houston moment.
Karaoke might not have started in Japan, but it sure hit its stride here. With English songs aplenty, you’ll find yourself centre stage, belting out ballads like a pop sensation. Who knows, maybe you’ll even impress a few locals with your ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ performance.
7. Sate Your Sushi Cravings at Tsukiji Fish Market
Where: Tsukiji, Tokyo
What: Morning Auction and Fresh Sushi
Why: It’s the mecca of seafood.
The Tsukiji Fish Market had humble beginnings as a stall set up by street-side fisherman. Today, it’s the granddaddy of seafood extravaganzas. The pre-dawn Tuna Auction? A bucket-list checkbox waiting for your pen. And what about fresh sashimi breakfast straight from Tsukiji’s famous stalls? That’s the taste of travel that you can’t replicate back home.
8. Get Elemental with a Tea Ceremony
Where: Various Tea Houses
What: Traditional Japanese Tea Ceremony
Why: A crash course in tranquillity.
In a world that moves a million miles a minute, the tea ceremony’s serene pace is a breath of matcha-scented air. It’s more than just sipping a beverage; it’s a meditation on every measured moment. A tea ceremony lets you glimpse the ordered beauty that underpins so much of Japan’s culture.
9. Spend a Night in a Capsule Hotel
Where: Across Major Cities
What: Capsule Hotel Experience
Why: For the ultra-modern, space-saving comfort.
Capsule hotels are the literal embodiment of “taking black coffee with a little sugar” level of minimalist living. It may not seem like the most comfortable setup, but the modern amenities and efficiency of space will surprise you. Plus, you can’t beat the price for a centrally-located hotel in Tokyo!
10. Follow the Cherry Blossoms with a Hanami
Where: Nationwide during spring
What: Cherry Blossom Viewing
Why: Nature’s poetry in flower form.
Hanami is a full-on festival, an art, and an experience. Crowds flock to parks, sports teams call off practice, and office workers ‘accidentally’ forget their briefcases at home to witness the ephemeral bloom of the Sakura. It’s like strolling through a pink, cotton-candy dream.
11. Cruise Through the Old and New in Akihabara
Where: Tokyo
What: Akihabara Electric Town Experience
Why: To feel the heartbeat of modern Tokyo.
Akihabara isn’t just for the otaku. It’s a bonanza of technology, from the latest gadgets to retro arcade game stalls. Maid cafes beckon with their surreal ‘kawaii’ culture, while neon lights clash with traditional ‘omiyage’ shops. It’s the quintessentially electric Tokyo experience.
12. Scale the Walls of Matsumoto Castle
Where: Matsumoto, Nagano
What: A Samurai’s Stronghold
Why: Because time-travel is real here.
Matsumoto Castle’s black and white beauty is iconic. Once across the moat and through the ‘kuromon’ (black gate), you’re transported back to the time of the shoguns. Climb the steep stairs and admire the view, but don’t forget to look down – you’re standing on history here.
13. Explore the Historic Halls of Toshiko Shrine
Where: Nikko, Tochigi Prefecture
What: Intricate Shrine Architecture
Why: Awe at the detail; stay for the serenity.
The Toshogu Shrine is known for its kaleidoscopic carvings, so ornate they verge on the gaudy, yet retain an elegance that’s uniquely Japanese. This UNESCO World Heritage site isn’t just an art gallery in wood; it’s a complex of wonders that demands a day to fully appreciate.
14. Kaleidoscope in Kobe’s Luminous Har Borland
Where: Kobe, Hyogo
What: Kobe Har Borland
Why: To shop, dine, and Ferris wheel in one swoop.
Once you tire of temple-hopping, hit up Kobe’s Har Borland. It’s a waterfront district of commerce and leisure, with a Ferris wheel that provides stunning views of the city and bay. It’s a lively area to refuel, shop, and grab those glitzy night photos over the water.
15. Stand in Shibuya’s Scramble Crossing
Where: Shibuya, Tokyo
What: Scramble Like a Local
Why: For that ‘Lost in Translation’ moment.
The famous Shibuya Crossing is like an overture for the absurd symphony that is Tokyo city life. Cross it by foot to revel in the organized kaos, or take a perch at one of the surrounding buildings for an awe-inspiring avian view of the human tide.
16. Find Solace at the Adashino Nenbutsu-ji Temple
Where: Kyoto
What: Temple of Buddha Statues
Why: 8,000 stone Jizo statues await your visit.
This profound and peaceful temple is a poignant stroll through a sea of over 8,000 Jizo statues, each one carved with care for the unclaimed dead. A visit here is a reminder that peace comes in many forms, sometimes in the shape of a weathered stone deity.
17. Gorge on Ramen in Its Birthplace
Where: Fukuoka
What: Fukuoka Ramen Feast
Why: Eating noodles rarely gets more serious.
Fukuoka is the original home of tonkotsu ramen, a rich, pork-bone broth delight that has inspired a billion bowls worldwide. Sample from the myriad stalls at the Yanagibashi Market, and you’ll forget instant ramen ever happened.
18. Sample Sake in the Famed Gion Neighborhood
Where: Kyoto
What: Gion Sake Sampling
Why: To toast to Japan’s cultural heart.
Gion is the heart of Kyoto’s traditional entertainment and geisha culture. Tucked away are stellar Sake bars where you can sample the rice wine in various grades and styles. It’s like a geography lesson in glass form as you taste the regional nuances.
19. Ride the Rails in JR’s Shinkansen
Where: Nationwide
What: Bullet Train Journey
Why: Speed and style in one steel package.
Japan’s Bullet Trains, or Shinkansen, are not just a mode of transport; they’re a rite of passage. They whiz across the land in a flash of sleek silver, offering a glimpse of the country’s diverse terrain at breakneck speed. Plus, the efficiency and comfort are second to none.
20. Take a Stroll at the Himeji Gardens
Where: Himeji, Hyogo Prefecture
What: Koko-en Garden Sightseeing
Why: Serenity and staggeringly beautiful landscapes.
Koko-en Garden is a sequence of nine separate gardens designed during the Edo period. Each garden has its theme, from serene lakes to bustling teahouse scenes, all encapsulating a particular slice of Japan’s aesthetic history.
21. Indulge in Tradition at a Sumo Wrestling Match
Where: Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya, or Fukuoka
What: Sumo Wrestling Tournament Visit
Why: Witness the sport of titans up close.
Sumo isn’t just a sport; it’s a dance, a discipline, and a ritual. Seeing it in action is to get a glimpse of wrestlers whose every step is freighted with centuries of tradition. Feel the ring tremble as contenders collide, and immerse in the raw power of Japan’s prized national sport.
22. Camp Under the Stars in Yakushima’s Forests
Where: Yakushima Island
What: Forest Camping
Why: To commune with the ancients at Earth’s end.
Yakushima’s moss-draped, millennium-bearing trees make any camper feel small in the grand order of things. This remote island sanctuary holds one of the rare few forests that pre-date human civilization. Camping under these colossal trunks and starlit skies is an experience that shapes the soul.
These 22 activities scratch the surface of Japan’s cultural and natural riches, each one a step further into the enigma that is the Land of the Rising Sun. It’s a country that’s all about contrasts and surprises, where the line between reality and fantasy blurs, and where each adventure is but a prelude to the next.
