Top things to see and do in Japan

Read any guide to Japan and they will all say pretty much the same thing in terms of the top places to visit and experiences to have. We have included a few of these classics, but we have also thrown in some of the more unusual reasons to visit Japan, to show you that there is a depth to this wonderful country that is well worth unveiling. Read on for our selection of the best things to see and do in Japan…

A holiday to Japan in the springtime allows you to see the beautiful bloom of cherry blossom – a stunning visual contrast to the tech-heavy landscape of the cities. These symbolic flowers are highly appreciated by the Japanese for their short life – a reflection of the existence of life itself. So poignant is the cherry blossom bloom, that locals hold hanami picnics under the trees, to celebrate their beauty.

Cherry blossom is often used to flavour Japanese sweets (look for the word ‘sakura’ on the label) and its petals are often sprinkled in coffee.

herry blossoms at Hirosaki Park

The most popular places to see the cherry blossom in Tokyo are Shinjuku Gyoen or Ueno Park. In Kyoto, it’s Philosopher’s Path and Maruyama Park. Timings are weather dependent, but the best time to catch it at its most beautiful tends to be around early April.

If you’re going to take a train journey in Japan, make it one on the bullet train. Known as shinkansen, these high-tech, high-speed trains can travel at more than 300km an hour – and despite the huge distances they cover, average delays are measured in seconds, rather than minutes.

Bullet train passing Mount Fuji

The entire journey is an experience, from watching that sleek, curved nose pull into the station to tucking into a traditional Bento box lunch as you watch the scenery pass by. The bullet train network links many of Japan’s major cities, including Tokyo, Kyoto, Hiroshima, Osaka and Hakodate. Our Japanese escorted tours include at least one journey on a bullet train, with tickets and seat reservations organised for you.

There’s a lot that goes into the perfect cup of tea. Do you use a bag or leaves? How long should you brew it? When’s the right time to add the milk?

In Japan, tea masters can study for a decade or more to elevate their beverages to an art form. They use matcha, a powdered green tea that’s rich in antioxidants. Tea masters will carefully scoop and whisk the matcha until it’s just so, before presenting the chawan (tea bowl) to the first guest.

Tea ceremony in Japan

Every aspect of a tea ceremony is carefully considered, from the simple tatami-mat floors to the beautifully decorated ceramic bowls. Each movement is mindful, with its own significance. This time-honoured ritual is chadō – the way of tea – and it’s a fantastic Japanese experience to add to your trip.

Japan isn’t short of beautiful architecture. From gleaming glass buildings to art deco monuments and traditional constructions from the Edo period, there is a wonderful diversity of architecture to uncover.

You don’t need to look too far to discover traditional Japanese architecture. Whilst the inner cities may be dominated by glass skyscrapers, you can still find traces of the stunning wooden structures that were once so prominent across Japan. From authentic tea houses and stilted houses with sliding screens to Buddhist temples from the 6th century, you can take a history lesson of Japan by visiting places like Kawagoe – a small city near Tokyo with old Japanese buildings that have been converted into shops, cafés and restaurants.

Asakusa, Tokyo

For modern architecture, pay a visit to the Ribbon Chapel in Hiroshima, or St Mary’s Cathedral, a stainless steel and glass construction in the heart of Toyko. The former Audi Forum or ‘The Iceberg’ as it’s known, in Omotesando is also worth a visit.

Japanese food is some of the best-looking on the planet. From sushi and sashimi, to curries, ramens and special teas, Japanese cuisine is a culinary sensation that will delight all your senses.

Sampling a few authentic dishes is one of the best things to do in Japan. Sushi is a must-try dish and there is certainly no shortage of sushi restaurants to try out. Tokyo has around 5,000 of them, some specialising in conveyor belt sushi, others specialising in particular sushi fillings such as fish.

Sushi rolls

For Japanese-style tapas, look out for izakaya – these sociable restaurants are places to meet, drink and order a selection of small plates for your party to nibble on as you chat late into the evening. (And if you’re worried abot the language barrier when it comes to ordering, have a read of our Japanese language guide for a helping hand.)

Mount Fuji is Japan’s highest mountain and is easily accessible from Tokyo (you’ll also get great view from the Tokaido Shinkansen bullet train). Its famously symmetrical cone is often shrouded in cloud, so getting a glimpse of Mount Fuji in full is a rare treat. Few people realise that it’s actually three volcanos in one - Fuji at the top, Kofuji in the middle and Komitake at the bottom.

Mount Fuji

Mount Fuji is one of the iconic things to see in Japan, but take some time to learn more about its cultural significance too. Fujisan plays a part in many Buddhist and Shinto traditions and beliefs, and there are shrines and sacred sites scattered across its slopes.

Geisha culture is a fascinating one and is a subject of intrigue for many a tourist to Japan. Geishas were once wrongly tarnished as glorified call girls, as a result of misconceptions from war time. They are in fact entertainers, who undergo gruelling training and forgo their education and freedom to become highly skilled experts in classical art, dance and music.

Geishas, Kyoto

Despite the punishing schedules for the young girls when they are first recruited, there is a strong sense of pride and honour in finally becoming a fully-fledged geisha, known as a geiko. Geishas are considered celebrities in Japan and entertain many different types of people, from royalty to high-profile businessmen and women.

Kyoto is the best place to see geishas, particularly in the historic Gion district. You might by lucky enough to see them en route to an engagement; you can also book a dining experience attended by a geisha or maiko (a geisha still in training).

From dry gardens inspired by Zen philosophy, to arrangements of maples and mosses that look like they’ve been lifted from a painting, Japan’s gardens are some of the most beautiful in the world.

Kanazawa garden

They’re not hard to seek out, either. There are sprawling grounds surrounding castles and shrines, hidden-away courtyards squeezed into the centre of ryokans, and superb urban parks in cities like Tokyo, Kyoto and Hiroshima.

Give yourself ample time to enjoy them. These aren’t places to be rushed – they’re places for calm and contemplation, where you can stop, step back and appreciate nature’s beauty. Some of our favourite Japanese gardens to visit include Ginkaku-ji (Silver Pavilion) in Kyoto, Kenrokuen Garden in Kanazawa and Korakuen Garden in Okayama.

Forget the bubble bath and glass of wine – bathing in Japan looks a little different. When locals want to unwind, de-stress or just have a catch up with friends, they head to their neighbourhood onsen.

Japanese macaques in an onsen

Here, mineral-rich hot springs are channelled into a series of bathing pools, some simple and functional, others landscaped with rocks and greenery. In public baths, men and women will bathe separately; private onsen can be booked by couples, families or groups of friends. You might even be lucky enough to find your own personal onsen in your hotel room.

As with many aspects of Japanese culture, there are some definite dos and don’ts that you’ll need to remember before you take to the waters. The video here will give you more information, but the big ones to remember are that swimsuits aren’t allowed and that a top-to-toe scrub before you get in is compulsory.

Swap shoes for slippers and ditch your jumpers in favour of a yukata (a kimono-like robe) – a stay at a ryokan practically demands that you embrace tradition (in the best way, of course).

These authentic inns are all about culture and hospitality. You’ll sleep on cloud-soft futon bedding, sip green tea poured by your room attendant, and perhaps sit down to a magnificent multi-course kaiseki dinner.

Ryokan

Some ryokans are simple and cosy, others are lavish and luxurious, but they all offer an experience that’s truly Japanese. An overnight stay is a great thing to add to your Japan itinerary.

A chance to visit Tokyo may be an obvious reason for a trip to Japan, but there is a plethora of weird and wonderful reasons to spend some time here. For a light-hearted induction into the city’s delights, Japanese karaoke is a must. It may be a bit of fun to us in the UK, but in Japan it’s a serious night out and there are hundreds of karaoke bars offering everything from karaoke in a hot tub to private rooms themed to Hello Kitty or the Vietnam War.

Film buffs can check out the New York bar (inside the Park Hyatt hotel) from Lost in Translation, where Bill Murray met Scarlett Johansson, or Karaoke Kan Shibuya, where their characters belt out tunes by Elvis Costello and The Pretenders.

When you think of what to do in Japan, heading for the beach might not be one of the first things that springs to mind. But with almost 30,000 kilometres of coastline, a day at the seaside is more do-able than you might think.

Omaezaki lighthouse

The best beaches are located in the south in Okinawa – part of an archipelago of islands in the East China Sea. White sandy beaches and coral reefs make for an idyllic place to relax and take a swim in the turquoise waters.

In Kyoto, beach lovers can head to Wakasa Wada Beach, located on the shores of the Sea of Japan and Asia’s first Blue Flag Beach. For Osaka beaches, head to the region of Kansai to check out Nishiki Beach or Tokimeki Beach.

If you’re ready to start planning your holiday to the land of the rising sun, browse our collection of escorted tours to Japan.