I’ve been to Japan twice, and it is easy to understand why people keep coming back. Every trip revealed something new and unforgettable.
If you’re searching for the 10 best things to do in Japan, you’re probably trying to figure out what’s truly worth your time in a country packed with options. Find my top picks below!
BEST PLACES TO STAY in JAPAN:
• Be like a bee for Nine hours (my favourite capsule hotel)
• Yiyi Tokyo Disney minpaku (house close to Tokyo Disneyland)
• Fujikawaguchiko Onsen Konanso (onsen and Mt. Fuji view!)
• Kiraku Kyoto Honmachi (the best Ryokan in Kyoto with a private onsen)
• Miyajima guest house (perfect place to stay close to Itsukushima shrine)
• Guest house Pongyi (sleep in old kimono shop!)
• Yudanaka Yasuragi (small traditional Japanese ryokan)
TOP EXPERIENCES in and around JAPAN:
• Drive a Go-Cart on Tokyo streets (super fun Super Mario for a day!)
• The ABSOLUTE BEST museum ever (TeamLab is MUST VISIT!)
• Rent a Kimono (… when in Rome Kyoto …)
• Fushimi Inari Walking Tour (Nice way to learn about Torii Gates)
• Hiroshima and Miyajima (perfect day tour!)
• Food tasting in little Kyoto (come hungry!)
• Shirakawa go Village (see traditional Japan)
• Tea ceremony (experience the art of drinking tea)
Looking for the best way to GET TO JAPAN:
• Find best flight fares to Japan
• Having a Japan Rail Pass is the best way to travel around Japan
Japan, Nippon, or the Land of the Rising Sun, seamlessly combines culture, nature, and modern innovation in a way few countries can. Japan is the only country in the world where you can soak in a volcanic hot spring, ride a 320 km/h bullet train, and bow to a wild deer — all in the same day.
Is easy to reach country in East Asia, and is definitely worth visiting for its depth and contrast.
In this guide, I’ve selected the top 10 things to do in Japan based on firsthand experience, prioritizing what adds real value to your trip.
Whether you have one week or three to build your Japan itinerary, these are the Japan attractions and experiences worth your time.
FRIENDLY REMINDER
Never leave for a trip without travel insurance. Unexpected issues can arise so I suggest using insurance that covers people from all over the world, while outside their home country. You can buy this travel insurance even if you are already abroad.
Top things to do in Japan
TL;DR / KEY TAKEAWAYS
● One of the best things to do in Japan is to explore Tokyo’s neighborhoods, Kyoto’s temples, and Japan’s unique mix of modern and traditional culture.
● Admire Japan’s nature from Mount Fuji, Hakone, Fuji Five Lakes, Kamikochi, the Japanese Alps, to tropical Okinawa.
● Ride the Shinkansen bullet train for fast, efficient city-hopping and use the Japan Rail Pass for unlimited travel.
● Try authentic Japanese cuisine, from sushi, ramen, and street food to regional specialties and sushi-making classes.
● Participate in one of the unique things to do in Japan, such as experience sakura and hanami, join a tea ceremony ot participate in other cultural ritual reflectiong Japan’s tradition.
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List of the best things to do in Japan
Walk through Tokyo’s neighborhoods
Tokyo is not a single destination; it has multiple destinations in one.
Originally the city of Edo, Tokyo’s neighborhoods developed around train stations, temples, rivers, and markets, giving the city its unique variety of experiences. Each area grew its own identity, and exploring them is one of the best things to do in Japan.
Key neighborhoods for any Tokyo itinerary include Shibuya, home to the famous Shibuya Crossing and Hachiko Statue, and Shinjuku, known for skyscrapers, observation decks like the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building, lively nightlife, and narrow alleys filled with local izakayas.
Ginza offers high-end shopping and fine dining, while Asakusa is perfect for seeing old Tokyo with Senso-ji Temple, traditional craft shops, and street food stalls. For tech and pop culture, visit Akihabara. Harajuku combines quirky fashion with street snacks along Takeshita Street.
Among the best things to do in Tokyo, some of the top experiences include riding a Go-Kart tour, watching a sumo show, visiting the teamLab museum, taking a Purikura photo, and indulging in a bowl of ramen.
Immerse in Kyoto’s timeless temples and shrines
Kyoto has been Japan’s capital for over 1,000 years and remains the country’s cultural heart, home to temples, shrines, and historic neighborhoods.
Fushimi Inari Taisha, Japan’s most famous Shinto shrine with thousands of vermilion torii gates winding up the mountainside, should be included in any Kyoto itinerary. Other must-visit sites are Kinkaku-ji, the Golden Pavilion and a UNESCO World Heritage-listed temple, and Gion, with narrow streets and wooden machiya houses where you may glimpse Maiko or Geisha.
Other top things to do in Kyoto are exploring the Arashiyama bamboo grove, taking part in a tea ceremony, or visiting teamLab Biovortex in Kyoto. You can also rent a kimono, which adds a personal touch to temple visits like Kiyomizudera and gives you a sense of experiencing Kyoto like a local.
Feel the speed on the Shinkansen bullet train
Japan’s cities are far apart, but traveling between them is fast and easy.
Riding the Shinkansen bullet train is genuinely one of the best things to do in Japan. Trains reach speeds of up to 320 km/h and connect major cities like Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, and Hiroshima. The roughly 450 km journey from Tokyo to Kyoto takes about 2.5 hours, making city-hopping incredibly efficient.
The Japan Rail Pass used to be the most popular way to enjoy unlimited travel on most Shinkansen lines and could save money if you planned to visit several cities. Selected foreign visitors can even ride a 90-minute bullet train for free. You can track current and maximum train speeds using the Shinkansen Speed Guide app on Android.
When on Shinkansen, don’t forget one important Japan travel tip; avoid talking on the phone while on trains, as passengers usually like to keep the carriages quiet.
Admire the majestic Mt. Fuji and Japan’s nature
Let’s be honest! Japan’s cities are diverse, but Japan’s nature has far more to offer than cities alone.
Seeing Mount Fuji, an active volcano, the highest peak in Japan and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a must for any Japanese bucket list. You can view or climb the mountain. To reach the summit, hike the Yoshida Trail in summer or visit the Fuji Five Lakes area. Hakone is accessible as a day trip from Tokyo, while Chureito Pagoda near Lake Kawaguchiko offers one of the most recognizable views of Japan’s iconic mountain, especially during sakura season or autumn foliage.
Besides active volcanoes, the Japanese Alps are ideal for hiking and outdoor adventures. In Kamikochi, you can walk flat riverside trails, spot Japanese macaques, and find some of the most scenic viewpoints in the region.
Less frequently visited Okinawa offers a tropical contrast with white-sand beaches and coral reefs. You can snorkel at Cape Maeda, dive in the Kerama Islands, or explore Shurijo Castle Park.
Experience Cherry blossoms and Autumn leaves
Japan’s seasons transform cities and nature, making spring and autumn the best times to visit Japan.
I visited Japan during both seasons and personally preferred cherry blossom (sakura) season. Peak bloom runs from late March to early April in Tokyo and Kyoto. Top spots to see sakura include Ueno Park, Shinjuku Gyoen, Maruyama Park, and the philosopher’s walk near Ginkaku-ji. You can use Japan app like Sakura Navi to help track bloom so you can plan your visit according to the bloom.
Autumn leaves peak from November to early December, with Kyoto’s temples and surrounding mountains turning brilliant red and gold. You should also visit Miyajima Island near Hiroshima during this time. Momijidani Park is famous for its river valley and maple trees, and you can also try local momiji manju, a sweet maple-leaf-shaped cake, as a seasonal treat while walking through the colorful foliage.
Indulge in delicious Japanese cuisine
Japanese cuisine, known as washoku, is recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage and should be a highlight of any Japan itinerary.
Food in Japan could (and should) easily deserve an entire website on its own, but even a short trip lets you explore an incredible range of dishes. The country’s most famous foods include sushi, ramen, okonomiyaki, and street snacks like takoyaki. You can taste premium beef like Kobe beef and Wagyu steaks served in specialized restaurants and colorful desserts.
Each region and prefecture has its own specialties. In Osaka, often called Japan’s street-food capital, the neon-lit Dotonbori district is packed with food stalls, markets, and restaurants serving fresh takoyaki and okonomiyaki. In Hiroshima, the local version of okonomiyaki is layered with noodles and cooked on large hot plates.
Markets across Japan are excellent places to try fresh seafood, tempura, and regional dishes while seeing how ingredients change from prefecture to prefecture. You can also join a sushi-making class to learn how chefs prepare rice, slice fish, and assemble traditional sushi. Cooking classes and food tours, like a sake brewery tour, are the best way to understand Japanese food culture while tasting a wide variety of dishes in one place.
Participate in traditional ceremonies at shrines, temples, and events
Traditional ceremonies and festivals are still an active part of daily life in Japan.
One of the most well-known traditions is the Japanese tea ceremony, where powdered green tea (matcha) is prepared and served following precise rituals developed over centuries. You can join tea ceremony experiences in places like Kyoto or Tokyo, often held in traditional tea houses or temple gardens.
You can also rent a kimono while exploring historic districts and temples in Kyoto.
Spending time at Japan’s sacred sites is genuinely one of the best things to do in Japan, as they both follow specific rituals. At Shinto shrines such as Fushimi Inari Taisha, you wash your hands and mouth at the purification fountain, bow, ring the bell, and clap before praying. At Buddhist temples like Senso-ji, you light incense, place a small offering, and pray quietly.
You can also watch a live Sumo tournament or morning training session to see Japan’s national sport.
Visit historical sites
You can admire Japan’s unique centuries-long history in its cities, temples, and castles.
Visit Nara, Japan’s first capital, and bow to the gods. Deer, considered messengers of the gods, roam freely around the Todai-ji templem housing the world’s largest wooden building, and the surrounding temple grounds.
Step inside Japanese wooden castles, which are very different from European fortresses. My two favorites are white Himeji Castle and the black Matsumoto Castle, where you can see intricate feudal architecture and defensive design.
In Hiroshima, visit the museum, Atomic Bomb Dome and Peace Memorial Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site preserving the memory of 1945. While there, try Hisoshima speciality or take a short ferry to Miyajima to see Itsukushima Shrine with its iconic floating torii gate.
For more modern history, you can explore Nagano, host of the 1998 Winter Olympics, or visit Olympic venues in Tokyo.
Relax in a traditional accommodation
You can book a hotel, but staying in a traditional ryokan with an onsen is easily one of the top things to do in Japan.
These traditional Japanese inns feature tatami-mat rooms, futon bedding, and multi-course kaiseki dinners that highlight seasonal ingredients. For first-time visitors to Japan, I recommend Hakone region. Hakone ryokans have sulfur-rich hot springs and some of the best views of Mount Fuji. You can also stay in ryokans in Kyoto or Yudanaka, and pair your stay by visiting Jigokudani Monkey Park, to see the famous snow monkeys.
Don’t forget to follow onsen etiquette when visiting one! Wash before entering the baths, avoid swimsuits, cover your tattoos, wear a yukata robe and keep your voice low.
Another famous but slightly less traditional accommodation option is capsule hotels, which are efficient for city stays. I enjoyed my stay at 9h Narita, which combines comfort and convenience.
Buy a unique souvenir
Friendly advice: come to Japan with an empty suitcase. Thank me later.
In Japan, finding something genuinely special will not be hard. I always try to pick something meaningful that reflects local culture, but you can also bring home simple souvenirs like a fridge magnet or a deck of cards.
The best places to shop for souvenirs are large department stores such as Isetan Shinjuku, food markets like Nishiki Market, or small local shops you encounter while traveling around Japan.
I usually bring home regional specialties like matcha sweets, Roku Gin, Japanese whisky, snacks, and even postage stamps, goshuin temple stamps, puzzles or Pokémon cards. I also love Japanese stationery sets.
Other typical Japanese souvenirs include crafts such as pottery, hand-painted fans, or delicate kimono fabrics. You can also shop for electronics, quirky toys, anime merchandise, food gifts, calligraphy sets, or high-quality Japanese kitchen knives.
Things to do in Japan on a MAP
HOW TO USE THIS MAP
Use your mouse or fingers to ZOOM in and ZOOM out. For more info about the place, click the icons on the map.
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Final thoughts on the best things to do in Japan
Japan, or the land of the rising sun, absolutely deserves a place on your travel bucket list.
The country might not look like anything special, but it’s packed with amazing things to do. It offers an incredible variety of experiences, from exploring neon-lit cities and ancient temples to relaxing in hot springs and tasting one of the world’s most celebrated cuisines.
Japan truly has something for every type of traveler.
You can spend your days wandering through historic streets in Kyoto, meeting friendly deer in Nara, riding the Shinkansen between cities, or learn about history of Japan in Kanazawa, Takayama, or Hiroshima. If you are a nature lover, you can hike in the Japanese Alps, admire sakura, find the best view of Mt. Fuji, or hike around Shikoku, known as Shikoku Pilgrimage (Henro), connecting 88 Buddhist temples.
Evenings are perfect for soaking in an onsen, exploring food markets, or enjoying sushi, ramen, and street food in districts like Dotonbori.
Now that you have a list of the best things to do in Japan, check out more guides on where to stay, what to pack, where to see the cherry blossom, or an idea for your Japan itinerary. Find more Japan guides on how to get here, if it is safe, what apps to use, and even how Japan compares to South Korea and China for your East Asian escape!
➤ Read more Japan travel guides
• First-time Japan itinerary: How to spend 17 days in Japan
• How to visit Fushimi Inari Shrine in Kyoto
• Is Kyoto Worth Visiting? Should you add it to your Japan itinerary or not
• Ultimate List of 23 Best Japan travel apps (Tried & Tested)
• 15+ Best places to see cherry blossoms in Japan (+ Map!)
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