Japan Travel: Most Exciting Things to Do Around the Country

Have you ever wanted to see monkeys bathing in hot springs, visit innovative tech galleries, and see a sumo match all in the same vacation? How about visiting ancient shrines, an island filled with cats, or enjoying all you can eat KFC?  Well, you can do all of that and so much more if you visit Japan 

There’s a reason Japan is on so many different people’s bucket lists. It’s a nation that not only exports a wide amount of adored products and entertainment, but it’s a country that’s also full of rich history, beautiful scenery, and unquenchable fun. Not to mention its ridiculous amount of tourist attractions despite the size of the island. Many travelers found themselves visiting before the border restriction and many soon wish to return. This post will cover the most exciting things to do around Japan that will make your vacation extravagant and memorable!

1. Visit TeamLab’s Digital Art Museum

Most likely when you fly into Japan, you will be landing in either Narita or Haneda Airport, both located in Tokyo. This bustling mega-city is where you will encounter all sorts of incredible experiences found nowhere else. Including TeamLab’s digital art museum that’s filled with dozens of rooms with light shows, projected art pieces, and experiential art that fully immerses you.

Unlike most tourist attractions within Tokyo, getting access to TeamLab’s digital art museum is located on an artificial island. Head to Minato city (Tokyo has cities within cities) and there you will have access to the rainbow bridge. Google Maps will navigate you towards the correct subway stations, lines, and transfers required to reach your destination. Payment is ¥3200 ($27.82 2022/02/20) for adults and you must book within the set admission times.

2. Visit a Sumo Wrestling Match

A popular sport that has been covered by news and sensationalized by movies is the over 1,500-year-old Japanese sport known as sumo. Sumo wrestling is a seasonal sport available 6/12 months of the year. You’ll have to pay attention to which city is hosting tournaments through news outlets like the Japan Times that focuses on the sport of sumo. 

If you’re on a trip you missed out on tournament season at the time of your vacation, don’t start sulking yet! Morning practice at sumo stables is available all year round. You can easily book online for a reasonable price. Be on time and you can glimpse into the life of a hardworking Japanese sumo wrestler!

3. Book Studio Ghibli Museum Tickets Early

Award-winning director, screenwriter, producer, and animator Hayao Miyazaki has created movies and artwork that has touched the lives of many adults within their childhood. A must-see museum for any Ghibli fans is the incredibly popular Studio Ghibli museum. This museum is so popular that you have to book your tickets one month in advance.

The museum is very kid-friendly and even has a giant cat bus plushy from My Neighbor Totoro for children to play on within the building. Sculptures from Castle in The Sky along with a short Miyazaki film that’s only screened within the museum are available, making visiting this location truly exclusive.

4. Visiting Shrines, Temples, and Centuries-Old Architecture

Despite Japan being one of the most innovative nations on our planet. Several technologically advanced cities like Tokyo & Kyoto introduce both modern, and traditional architecture within themselves. An example is the Imperial Palace located within Kyoto. It’s an enormous collection of buildings from the Edo period built for the Meiji empire and its respected nobility.

The imperial palace in Tokyo & Kyoto and is easily accessible by using the inner-city busses because each imperial palace is located within their respective cities. Traveling from cutting-edge, city areas to locations that are filled with traditional buildings can happen within a matter of minutes. Shrines can also be found all over Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, and several other prefectures around Japan.

5. Indulge in Conveyor Belt Sushi

One of the first cuisines that come to mind when people think of Japan is sushi rolls! They’re robust in taste, contain healthy ingredients, and taste better nowhere else in the world but Japan. A modern fun twist that’s been introduced into the world of dining in the far east is conveyor-belt restaurants! 

Conveyor belts are set up beside sit-down booths around the dining establishment. Plates of sushi rolls, gyoza, miso soup, and more can be found rotating around the room. Simply pick up which plate looks most appetizing and enjoy. Menu tablets are also provided at each table so you can select beverages, desserts, or specific items you’d like prepared for your table. 

Once you’re all finished with your food and drink, the server will identify each plate on your table, and compare it to the plate’s associated price category (dependent on restaurant policy). Also, don’t worry about tipping after the price has been tallied up. There’s a cultural tradition, of believing that you are already paying for good service. So all you need to do to show your gratitude is finish your plate!

Also worth noting is that Japan is home to some of the most expensive meals in the world. Dare to try?!

6. Visit the Northern Island Hokkaido

The island up in the northern area of Japan is known as Hokkaido. Its biggest and most well-known city is Sapporo, known internationally for its high-quality beer brand. Hokkaido is home to some picturesque mountain ranges, perfect for professional mountain hikers & skiers. Hokkaido has an airport, however, the island is cheaper to commute, to and more accessible by using a bullet train. For more information on regional bullet train lines, seat prices, and destinations, visit the shinkansen guide.

7. Spend Time at Jigokudani Monkey Park

Arguably one of the biggest tourist attractions in Japan is the snow monkeys! Jikogudani Park is where travelers can see monkeys warming themselves up in volcanic hot springs. 

For your safety, it is advised not to feed the monkeys any food or drinks. It is also forbidden to approach the wild monkeys off the designated path.

8. Take Advantage of Peach Aviation’s Ticket Vending Machines

Vending machines are super popular all over Japan. There are more vending machines in the country than people living in New Zealand! Beverages, hot drinks, toys, cigarettes, and more are all cheap and easily accessible through vending machines across the nation. They’re not clunky like North American machines and they even have warming slots for hot coffee cans. So what does an airline have to do with vending machines?

Peach Aviation introduced its gacha capsule vending machines in Shibuya. Each capsule contains a random return ticket to one of twenty different airports around Japan. With so much adventure, history, and cuisine to explore around Japan, taking advantage of this crazy luxury is a must-do if you have time while vacationing.

9. Visit Okinawa Island

Flying way down south to the isles of Okinawa, you can see vivid turquoise waters, beautiful animal and plant life. Along with one of the most hospitable and welcoming people you could ever have the privilege of meeting, both of which combine to make this one of the most popular destinations in Japan for tourists and those looking for TEFL jobs abroad. There are lots to do within the tropical paradise island. Shark diving, cave snorkeling, whale watching, and visiting the Shuri castle are a few major tourist attractions to Okinawa.

The island is also home to an underground naval headquarters that was used during WW2. It shares a dark history similar to a notorious forest located within Kyoto and should only be researched if you can handle mature content. Besides the naval base, Okinawa is a family-friendly travel spot that has lots of variety despite the size comparison between Japan.

10. Relax in an Onsen

Vacationing in Japan often takes a toll on your feet, legs, and some of your joints from the extensive amount of walking you’ll be doing. Unless you have an international driver's license, even utilizing public transportation to get to your destinations will still involve a significant amount of walking around. That’s why you should do yourself a favor and relax in a Japanese onsen.

Bathing in hot water helps relieve the muscle tension built up from walking around for long periods every day while traveling. And who doesn’t love a little bit of self-care during vacation? Before booking a reservation, it is important to know some onsen rules. Firstly you must bathe yourself with a bucket of water before entering the hot water. Secondly, tattoos must be covered up with wrapping or patches in traditional onsens. And lastly, do not be noisy. Most onsens have noise policies and foreigners are often scrutinized more often than Japanese natives. 

11. Visit a Samurai Museum

Edo period Japan is known for its fascinating stories, artifacts, and most of all samurai! Learning about the history from a tour guide who’s adept in the Edo period is incredibly rewarding to history buffs. There’s so much riveting knowledge about the samurai lifestyle, hierarchy, and turmoil political landscape. Plus seeing all the katanas and samurai gear make perfect pictures for your Instagram travel stories!

Tours can often go for around ¥1800 ($15.66) and last around one hour. Gift shops normally are available after the museum tours and can have all sorts of souvenirs. From fans, katana umbrellas, expensive kimonos, to actual samurai blades! Taking a trip to a samurai museum is an affordable, and exhilarating experience that’s full of valuable Japanese historical insights.

When Can I Travel to Japan?

At the moment Japan is currently preparing to open borders up for business people, and students. Once infectious disease authorities can identify any spike with opening borders, discussions about opening up for tourism will begin. It is currently unknown when Japan will open up for tourism, but once the border opens pack your bags and get ready for one of the most extravagant vacations of your life!