23 Essential Things To Do In Japan For Your Next Visit

Nikko is a mountain town a few hours north of Tokyo filled with UNESCO World Heritage temples that should not be missed by any religious or respectful person to all religions. Many people do it as a day trip but it's worth your time to stay overnight to get an early start and avoid the crowds.

The main attraction here is the Toshogu Shrine, which has more than a dozen luxuriously decorated red-and-gold buildings among huge, ancient cedar trees. Atmospheric Futarasan-jinja is worth a look for games, while the mountain hike up to the tranquil Takino shrine is recommended.

In spring, Japan lives up to the expectations and the hype. The ephemeral sakura aka cherry blossoms are really stunning, and they're everywhere, not just in a particular park or on a canal.

It's a time of year to be joyful when locals take to the parks for hanami picnics and eat all types of food with cherry blossom themes. Sure, Kyoto and Tokyo are excellent spots for famous cherry blossoms, but you will also enjoy Okayama, where it isn't as crowded.

Cherry blossom season starts in Southern Japan, working its way north slowly as the warmth of spring rolls through. Popular places to see these blossoms are Ueno Park and Shinjuku Gyoen in Tokyo, the Philosopher's Walk in Kyoto, as well as Hirosaki Castle Park in Aomori.

There's something quite magical, very Japanese, too, with a bamboo forest and its tower of swaying greenery in the breeze. Far and away the most famous bamboo forest in Japan lies in Arashiyama, Kyoto-one of the most beautiful views in Japan.

Located a little outside the center of Kyoto, it feels like being in quite another world. The grove is beautiful year-round; it also exudes tranquility with these giant bamboo stalks.

This bamboo forest is absolutely gorgeous; it does, however, get rather crowded mostly during Japan's high tourist season.

The Nakasendo Trail is an old path that connected Kyoto and Tokyo during the Edo Period, spanning more than 330 km. While contemporary construction has taken up much of the route, there are a few sections that are still largely intact and may be walked.

One of the most popular parts is in the Kiso Valley, connecting the tiny communities of Tsumago and Magome. This portion of the path is around 8 kilometers (5 miles) long and is reasonably level. It should take between two and three hours, depending on how frequently you stop.

Many people consider Mount Fuji to be a must-see attraction in Japan. At 3776 meters, the perfectly sculpted volcano is Japan's tallest peak, and it is especially beautiful in the winter and spring when snow covers it.

The greatest places to observe Mount Fuji are the hot spring resort Hakone and the Fuji Five Lakes region (particularly the lakeside town Kawaguchiko).

Mount Fuji, however, is elusive and frequently shrouded by clouds. Allowing a few days in the vicinity increases your chances of viewing the peak. You may also climb Mount Fuji, but only in July and August, and it is a difficult climb.

The well-known torii gate of Itsukushima Shrine, which seems to float in the water during high tide, is the reason Miyajima Island is famous. With its woodland temples, roving deer, and breathtaking sea views from Mount Misen, which can be accessed by cable car or a difficult climb, the island is simple to combine with Hiroshima and gives a sense of Japan's natural splendor.

However, because of its popularity, the best way to fully experience its appeal is to spend the night and take in the peace and quiet after the day visitors have departed. Iwaso Ryokan provides a classic inn experience in a prime position, only a short stroll from the attractions.

From Kyoto, Nara is a great day-trip destination. It was Japan's first permanent capital and boasts several UNESCO World Heritage Sites among other historical treasures.

The main attraction is the huge Daibutsu-den, the hall of the Great Buddha, in Todaiji. The hall is the world's biggest wooden structure and houses the 15-meter-tall, 751-year-old statue of Buddha cast in gold and bronze.

Sited on an adjoining forest slope is another sightseeing favorite: the many-structures Kasuga Taisha Shrine; note also the several hundreds of gentle park deers in the large space: Nara Park.

Zen Typically, Buddhist temples include kare-sansui, or dry landscape gardens, which are composed of gravel and rocks that have been meticulously raked into designs that resemble flowing water. They are sleek, understated, and ideal for meditation.

Zen temples are best found in Kyoto. The grounds of Kennin-ji and Kodai-ji are undoubtedly enjoyable, especially during the cherry blossom season. Ryoan-ji Temple is the most well-known and busy temple.

The Muromachi Period (1336 to 1573) saw the introduction of the graceful Japanese tea ritual. During ceremonial gatherings, aristocrats would prepare delicacies and frothy cups of matcha for their guests.

Tea rituals are time-consuming. Instead of bringing cups ready, your host will brew the matcha right in front of you. Every meticulously timed movement is the result of years of research and training. To counterbalance the bitter flavor of the matcha, you will be given a confection to consume before you take a drink of the tea when it is ready.

Some tea masters focus only on this age-old craft. Meeting a maiko (geisha-in-training) can be paired with this experience, though.

The main hubs of Tokyo's nightlife are Shinjuku, Ginza, Roppongi, and Shibuya stations. First, visit an izakaya (a traditional Japanese tavern) or a tachi-nomi (a stand-up bar). Many such venues may be found in Golden Gai, where narrow alleyways are lined with dilapidated watering holes from the mid-20th century.

Tokyo's nightclubs have many floors and feature a variety of musical styles. Since trains don't operate from around midnight until four in the morning, you'll have to spend the entire night out or sleep in a capsule hotel if you miss your train and don't want to pay for a cab.

One of the most amazing things about Japan is the geisha. They receive instruction in traditional arts, dancing, music, and the extremely difficult art of communication.

They appear during banquets in ochaya (teahouses) and ryotei (traditional restaurants), where they amuse patrons who shell out hefty sums to be with these very talented women.

Attending one of the yearly dances held in the spring and fall is a better way to see geisha than scouting them on Gion's streets.

In Japan, sumo is a very serious sport with a long history. As part of the Shinto religion, matches still need rituals that go back to their early days, such as salt purification.

A few times a year, there are sumo tournaments where you may see sumo wrestling. Tournaments are held in Osaka in March and Tokyo in January, May, and September.

The age-old sport has its roots in Shinto religious rites and is deeply ingrained in Japanese culture.

Since sushi is the most famous food in Japan, you really need to try it there. In Japan, there are some strict rules about eating sushi.

It can be made in a lot of different forms. Sushi rice prepared with sushi vinegar is common, but raw fish is not. You can find sushi everywhere, from high-class restaurants to convenience stores. The most famous and most expensive restaurant is Sukiyabashi Jiro in Tokyo.

Also highly recommended is ramen or one-bowl noodle in a delicious broth. Whatever your preference, whether rich tonkatsu (pork bone) or classic shoyu (soy sauce), there are countless restaurants of ramen all over Japan.

The opportunity to see or wear a kimono is the most thrilling thing for many tourists visiting Japan. Even though the majority of Japanese people dress in trendy styles, they occasionally don kimonos for formal dinner parties, festivals, weddings, and graduations.

Renting a kimono to wear for a photo shoot or to show off around town is a common kimono experience. The Nishijin Textile Center in Kyoto is another place to view the newest styles and place an order for a custom-made kimono.

A type of traditional Japanese theater that originated during the Edo Period is kabuki. Drama, dance, and music are all featured, and all the male performers wear ornate makeup.

The Kabukiza Theatre in Ginza, Tokyo, is the greatest place to see a Kabuki play. They provide English subtitles and single-act tickets (performances last hours otherwise).

Whenever you plan on going to Japan, don't miss out or in desire of trying one; board a bullet train: You will be allowed onto most of the Shinkansen lines.

At speeds as high as 300 km/h (186 m/h), they shoot up and down the courses, yet the ride is so smooth you'll hardly notice the speed at which you're moving. You may get sleepy in your spacious, comfortable seat, but if you do, you'll miss the scenery of Japan outside your window.

Even fun-themed bullet trains are available for travel, such as the Hello Kitty Shinkansen, which connects Osaka and Fukuoka.

With its pure-white plaster walls, the graceful Himeji Castle is also referred to as the "White Heron." Because of careful preservation efforts, Himeji-jo's eighty-two original castle structures have survived since the 17th century, making it one of Japan's twelve surviving original castles.

To the west of the castle's grounds, the city established Kokoen Garden in 1992. Even though it's a relatively new addition, exploring the grounds will make you feel as if you've traveled back in time to the Edo Period.

Nine landscape gardens in the traditional Japanese style may be seen there. A tea garden, a water garden, an evergreen garden, a bamboo garden, and a flower garden are some of them.

Takayama is a tranquil mountain town with maintained neighborhoods and antique structures. Takayama and the nearby towns, such as Shirakawa-go, are among the most breathtaking locations on earth if you want to include some picturesque stops in your journey.

The Sanno Spring and Hachiman Autumn Matsuris are the pride and delight of the locals.

Early morning processions with 17th-century yatai floats are a staple of both celebrations. They are taken back to their storehouses at the first hint of bad weather because of their advanced age. During the afternoon display, you may have a closer look at the elaborate lacquerwork and marionettes seen on some of the yatai.

One of the greatest Disney parks in the world, DisneySea has a distinctive maritime motif with ports like Mediterranean Harbor, which resembles Italy, and Mysterious Island, which has a volcano exploding.

Along with more adult-oriented attractions like seeing a Broadway musical or sipping cocktails in a 1920s club on a cruise ship, DisneySea offers a ton of entertaining rides.

Disney can be reached in around half an hour from central Tokyo.

Fanciers of theme parks and well-known franchises like Super Mario and Harry Potter should definitely visit Universal Studios Japan. Since its recent opening, Super Nintendo World has grown to be one of the park's most popular attractions.

Families, groups, or even lone travelers seeking some excitement would love this day out. It is among the top activities in Japan.

The stunning town of Nara, which is home to several ancient structures, significant national monuments, and artwork, has long been a hub of Japanese culture.

Along with its numerous historic roads, the city is home to numerous important old temples. Among these are the enormous bronze statue of the Great Buddha (Daibutsu) and the magnificent Kofuku-ji Temple, which was constructed in the seventh century.

However, many people are more drawn to the amiable deer that inhabit the temple grounds than the amazing legacy. These wild but incredibly docile deer eat rice cakes that are available for purchase from official wildlife caretakers.

One of the most tempting routes to view the landscape of Japan is the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route. The highway is available to private vehicles from April to November, during which time the majestic Tateyama mountain range is visible.

Views of the 186-meter (610-foot) tall Kurobe Dam are available from Tateyama Ropeway. The snow that accumulates along the road in the spring and early summer, however, is the true draw. The drifts reach up to 20 meters in height.

In 1945, the Americans unleashed a nuclear bomb that almost devastated the city of Hiroshima. With relics, narratives, and interactive displays that bring the devastation to life, this extensive museum and installation provides a detailed explanation of the events.

Any visitor should be ready for graphic visuals and anecdotes because the museum's subject matter is both gruesome and educational. To make sure the bombs are firmly in the past, the museum is still a must-see.

One of the only structures left standing from the bomb's ground zero is the neighboring A-bomb Dome, so be sure to fit it in. The spectral shell honors the victims of the assaults and acts as a reminder of the devastation caused by contemporary combat.