Japan's Top 6 Things to Do

When exploring Japan make sure to visit some of these popular destinations there:

Visit Some Ancient Temples

Japan has a lot of temples. Kyoto alone has hundreds. Kyoto’s temples may be the best of the bunch, but Nara and Kamakura are also worth a visit, an easy day trip from Tokyo. No matter where you are, there is a shrine nearby. A wish can be made by shaking the bell rope in front of the shrine and clapping together. Attendants may also sell small papers telling your fortune. Make a wish, then tie it to the tree like the locals.

Ride The Bullet Train

To understand Japan’s marvel of modern engineering, the Shinkansen, also called the bullet train by foreigners, you have to ride it. Journeys take close to three hundred kilometers an hour, but they’re smooth and pleasant. While you’re on the train, well-dressed attendants serve snacks. If you want unlimited travel in Japan, get a Japan Rail pass before you go.

Sample Some Japanese Cuisine

There has been a boom in western popularity of Japanese dishes such as sushi and sashimi. Be sure to ask about the local specialties in Japan. Every region has its own dish! The atmosphere at an Izakaya, a Japanese style restaurant with a pub-like atmosphere, can be raucous. Most menus include lots of snack-sized servings that people can share. A specialty is spiced grilled chicken sticks (yakitori). Rowdy locals are likely to give you a hearty welcome off the beaten track.

Bathe in a Hot Spring

Getting naked with strangers might not be everyone’s idea of fun, but if you can get past the initial inhibitions, it’s amazing. The beautiful rotemburo (outdoor hot springs) are often up in the mountains, surrounded by amazing scenery. There are usually separate hot springs, and towels are available outside the baths for modesty.

Go on a Hike

The mountains of Japan offer many hiking opportunities. The Japanese love climbing Mount Fuji, but if you want to beat the crowds, there are plenty of other hills nearby. Relax sore muscles with a soothing dip in a nearby hot spring on your descent.

Visit Traditional Neighborhoods

Japan mixes old and new. Traditional farming villages contrast with high-tech cities, but even Tokyo has traditional precincts. Experience the old Japan with a stroll through an area such as this, observing the old wooden houses while boisterous fish salesmen yell for business.