Japan is a place unlike any other. Its unique culture and tradition combined with the modern technologies make it one of the most attractive travel destinations. With such a wide range of activities to do and places to visit it can keep you busy for weeks. That’s why you might need our Japan bucket list to help you make the most out of your trip. Here are the top 50 things you shouldn’t miss while travelling in Japan.
1.Enjoy delicious sushi prepared right in front of you at a sushi conveyor restaurant – everything is so easy at these restaurants – you come in, choose an empty seat on the square bar table surrounding the master chef and choose your favourite sushi from the variety of options moving on the conveyor. Look for the colour of the plate to find out the price of a sushi portion. Don’t forget to prepare some green tea to enjoy with your sushi using the green tea powder and the tiny tap for hot water that is provided in front of every seat.
2. Choose from a variety of seafood at Tsukiji fish market – from sea urchin to oysters and whale meat this market has it all! Definitely a place you should add to your Japan bucket list!
3. Get closer to the future at Miraikan – the Museum of Emerging Science in Tokyo. Do you want to see androids from the future? Or learn about the perspectives of modern medicine in a very interactive way? Or maybe find yourself in a huge binary system? We guarantee that this place will pique your curiosity!
4. Get lost in impressive digital art exhibitions at teamLab borderless – this place really feels like a different world! Once you enter this digital art space you will get lost in the variety of overwhelming projections expanded in all three dimensions of the space. With many interactive and creative playgrounds teamLab borderless will make you feel like a kid again! It is definitely worth a visit!
5. Visit a temple or a shrine – Dominated by Shintō and Buddhism religions Japan temples and shrines have unique beauty. You will see many places of worship in Japan. Use the opportunity to learn something more about these two religions and enjoy the harmony surrounding these places.
6. Experience a Japanese bath or Onsen – A unique experience ideal for relaxing after a busy day of sightseeing. Please note that tattoos are not allowed in Onsen so please cover them before entering.
7. Visit the famous Meiji Jingu Shrine in Tokyo – one of the most beautiful Shintō shrines in Tokyo dedicated to the Emperor Meiji and Empress Shōken.
8. Try Rainbow Cotton Candy and Japanese Crepes at Harajuku street – Harajuku street is home to Tokyo’s craziest street styles, countless shops and some of the most instagrammable desserts!
9. Shop fixed price Japanese products at DAISO 100 Yen shops – DAISO is a chain of fixed price stores where you can find cheap products like souvenirs, cosmetics, kitchenware and food. With more than 3000 locations all over Japan, a DAISO shop can be just around the corner.
10. Go for some luxurious shopping at Ginza district – a complete opposite of DAISO stores, Ginza is the place to go if you are travelling Japan on a higher budget.
11. Make a kaleidoscope picture at Tokyo Plaza Omotesando Shopping Centre – You will find this place interesting even if you are not a big fan of shopping malls! You can never make two identical pictures here as the reflections in the mirrors change according to the movement on the street.
12. Cross Shibuya Scramble Crossing – one of the busiest crossroads in the world with approximately 2500 pedestrians crossing at a time! For a better view on Shibuya Crossing check out the nearby Starbucks!
13. Try everything matcha in Kyoto. This was a must do thing on our Japan bucket list. Kyoto is popular for matcha – matcha tea, matcha latte, matcha cakes, matcha ice cream… The choice is tough here for a matcha lover!
14. Climb the viewing platform at Roppongi Hills for a stunning view over Tokyo – Roppongi hills is one of the places you can visit if you want to see Tokyo from a bird eye point of view. The ticket comes with a free entrance to Mori Art Museum of contemporary art located in the same building.
15. Visit Sensō-ji temple – the oldest and one of the most beautiful Buddhist temples in Tokyo.
16. Shop for typical Japanese souvenirs at Nakamise Street – the 250 meters shopping street is located at Sensō-ji temple in Asakusa and it’s a perfect place to buy Japanese souvenirs.
17. Play arcade games at Akihabara – the centre of Japanese anime, manga and cosplay culture. Don’t miss this district when planning your Japan bucket list!
18. Try Taiyaki – a fish-shaped waffle filled with red bean paste – simply delicious!
19. Take a ride on Shinkansen – bullet trains are a very Japanese thing known for their punctuality and speed! It is a must do experience and also a very convenient and fast way to travel across the country.
20. See Mt. Fuji – now you need to be lucky to tick this off your bucket list and that’s simply because of – the weather! So check the forecast before you go. Choose a clear day and head to Kawaguchiko Lake or Hakone – some of the best places for chasing views on Mt. Fuji!
21. Feed the deer in Nara – Nara is easily reachable from Kyoto or Osaka. It makes a nice and relaxed day trip from any of these places. The city is beautiful with many shrines and temples. Still the biggest attraction here are the extremely friendly deer roaming freely on the streets and in the parks. Don’t forget to get some deer cookies, you will surely make some furry friends!
22. Hike through tori gates at Fushimi Inari Taisha in Kyoto – If we need to imagine Japan in one picture it would definitely be red tori gates. Do you agree? Make sure to include Fushimi Inari to your Japan bucket list. It is a great place if you are after some picturesque hiking and also a perfect place to take that must-have Japan picture.
23. Turn into samurai or ninja and learn more about the rich Japanese history at the Samurai and Ninja Museum – Want to learn how to use katana, throw ninja stars (shuriken) or use a blowgun (fukiya) – then this is the right place for you!
We visited the Samurai and Ninja museum in Kyoto. However there are many different options to choose from. Here are some of them:
24. Wander around Yasaka Pagoda – one of the most beautiful pagodas in Kyoto – this place is absolutely magical with narrow streets in old Japanese style, many souvenir shops and the stunning roofs of the five-story Yasaka pagoda. Make sure to leave some time to just roam around and enjoy this area of Kyoto.
25. Spot a geisha in Gion – If you are familiar with Japanese culture even on a very basic level, we bet you have heard of geishas. A geisha is a woman highly trained in traditional Japanese arts. They are trained to become a perfect company in a party of men. It is not easy to spot a real geisha, but there is a district in Kyoto called Gion where chances to see one are the highest. Make sure to be there exactly at 5:45 p.m. And get your camera ready, but be respectful, geishas don’t like to be disturbed.
26. Visit Hiroshima and the Atomic Bomb Dome – The place where the first atomic bomb exploded is today completely reborn and modern city. If you happen to be in Hiroshima make sure to visit the Atomic Bomb Dome. It is one of the few buildings left standing after the blast which has been kept unchanged as a symbol of the devastation.
27. Take a ferry to the famous Miyajima Torri gate – During our visit Miyajima tori gate was under reconstruction so make sure to check if it is open before you go. But it is not only the famous tori gate that make this place worth visiting. Once you arrive at the island you will be welcomed by friendly herd of deer. You will have the chance to walk through the local shopping streets and admire a beautiful five-story pagoda.
28. Try maple shaped cookies – a typical threat in Miyajima – between the stalls of the Miyajima local shopping market you will find many Japanese souvenirs and cutely looking sweets. Don’t forget to try the most typical ones for this area of Japan – the delicious maple cookies or Momiji Manju which are prepared right in front of your eyes!
29. Eat a cute bear bun or Korilakkuma – Does slice of strawberry ice cream in a fluffy steamed bun sandwich sounds exciting to you? Imagine it decorated with cute eyes and ears to look like a bear head. We don’t know if it will satisfy your stomach but we guarantee it will make a smile on your face. So why not give it a try?
30. Go on a rollercoaster in Universal Studios Japan – USJ is a theme park located in Osaka that is definitely worth spending a day in! A place where you will literally get lost and feel like a kid again! The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Jurassic Park, Hollywood, New York and Minion Park are only few of the ride zones. Among others, we took the Hollywood Dream Ride and man it was INSANE! To avoid the crowds you can book your tickets in advance. There are many providers you can get your ticket from. We recommend KLOOK, which was the cheapest at the time we visited. Let us know your experience!
31. See the famous Glico sign and Dotonbori street in Osaka – and make that mandatory picture in front of the Glico’s 80 year old running man which has become one of Osaka’s most visited landmarks. Has anyone tried Pocky sticks by the way?
32. Walk in a bamboo forest in Arashiyama – We bet you have seen a picture from this place on social media – a nicely fenced path between huge bamboo trees. Walking through this photogenic place is a perfect way to spend a relaxing morning during your stay in Kyoto.
33. Meditate at a Buddhist temple – we did it at Shunkoin temple in Kyoto, but many other temples also offer this possibility. A great way to relax and learn more about zen meditation! Make sure to check the schedule and book your visit in advance on the official website of the temple. Thanks to Mr. Takafumi Kawakami for sharing his knowledge on zen meditation and making our stay an experience to remember!
34. Visit Kinkakuji – the golden temple – different than other places of worship in the region the top two floors of this Zen Buddhist temple in Kyoto are completely covered in gold leaf. This beautiful building stands on a large pond reflecting its golden walls – perfect for making some nice shots.
35. Experience a night in a capsule hotel – Yes, a night is enough according to us, but you might want to stay longer. Staying at a capsule hotel is a must try experience in Japan, something between a dorm and a spaceship – decide for yourself!
36. Buy Japanese souvenirs – buying things that are typical for the places you visit is a nice way to bring a tiny part of the atmosphere with you and a beautiful reminder of your trip. And Japan has a lot to offer when it comes to shopping, so make your choice between Japanese fans, chopsticks, pottery, swords, kimonos, hair accessories, the list goes on and on..
37. Experience Japanese toilets – an inevitable part of every trip to Japan and one of the most fascinating things you will notice about this country straight away. The toilets come with instructions and different options. There is a button for everything and you can even create some privacy by turning on a flowing water sound. In one word – toilets from the future!
38. Buy Omamori – a Japanese protection amulet – Omamori are commonly sold at Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples. They come in different shapes and colours and with various forms of luck and protection.
39. Try ramen – a noodle soup dish originally imported from China which has become very popular in Japan. Don’t be surprised if you notice people around you slurping the noodles in the restaurant, that’s how ramen is eaten in Japan!
40. Visit a Sumo match – where else can you see a Sumo match if not in Japan? Make sure to book your tickets well in advance to avoid disappointment.
41. See Tokyo from above at Fuji Television Tower – another great place to see Tokyo from a 25-floor-high point of view.
42. Try sake – or Japanese rice wine – the most typical alcoholic beverage you can find in Japan! We don’t guarantee that you will like it, but it is definitely worth a try!
43. Buy a Japanese sword or katana – Katana is a traditional Japanese sword and it is a nice souvenir to bring back home from Japan. However it is recommended to ship it straight away to your home address in order to avoid customs problems. Some companies offer shipping for additional price, for example the souvenir store at Samurai and Ninja Museum in Kyoto can ship items to almost all of the countries in the world!
44. Explore the streets of Kyoto in a traditional kimono – No Japan bucket list would be complete without this! There are many places in Japan which offer kimono rentals and you can even get a complete makeover including makeup and hairstyle. Regardless of your genre why not explore the streets of Tokyo or Kyoto in style?
45. Buy something from a vending machine – There are around 5.6 million vending machines in Japan or one vending machine for every 23 people! There is a really big variety of items you can buy from a vending machine such as hot and cold beverages, snacks, toys, but also rice, umbrellas, ice-cream and even eggs!
46. Choose your food according the plastic models – A very interesting thing we noticed about Japanese restaurants is that they have plastic models of the meals you can order! And they all look pretty realistic!
47. Take a calligraphy class – Try yourself in one of the most highly valued traditional Japanese skills which requires patience, calmness and years of practice to master. For a long time Japanese have considered beautiful handwriting to be a reflection of one’s character and personality.
48. Visit a Japanese Tea Ceremony – We had this one for long on our Japan bucket list. Your trip would be a great opportunity to learn more about the Way of Tea and enjoy a cup of delicious matcha while attending a traditional Japanese tea ceremony. Find out about the techniques of tea preparation and drinking and how you can achieve the main purpose of the ceremony which represents harmony, respect, purity and tranquility.
49. Try tempura – Another must try Japanese dish consisting of battered and deep fried seafood or vegetables.
50. Try Asahi – the best Japanese beer – Definitely the most delicious beer you can have in Japan! A must try!
We hope that the above list of 50 Things to add to your Japan bucket list will give you an idea of some of the places and activities this beautiful country has to offer and help you to better plan your trip!
Make sure to check out our list of useful things you might wish to consider while travelling to Japan.
With Love,
Jelena and Luke
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