10 Bucket List Experiences to Have in Japan
People from all over the World are coming to Japan to experience this amazing country. There is so much to see and endless things to experience and that is a great thing, but it might leave you quite overwhelmed when you are trying to plan your trip. That’s why I decided to write this blog post and share with you the most special experiences you really don’t wanna miss when you come to Japan.
♨️ Go to an Onsen
If you are planning a trip to Japan and have been doing some research, you’ve probably heard of onsens. They are the traditional japanese hot springs that are spread all over the country and they offer an unparalleled relaxing experience that you will likely need after all the sightseeing there is to do around here.
There are a couple of things that set them apart from regular hot springs though. First of all, and probably the most unique thing about them, no swimsuits are allowed. That’s right: if you are visiting an Onsen, you are required to go in completely naked.
That’s something that makes lots of tourists uncomfortable in the beginning but don’t worry because the large majority of Japan’s onsens are gender separated, so you don’t have to be concerned about people from the opposite sex starring at you. Plus, the whole naked thing is so usual for Japanese people, who have grown up with this onsen culture, so believe me when I tell you that no one will look at you at all.
The large majority of Japanese onsens require you to go in completely naked
Another thing that makes Japanese onsens really unique is that tattoos are usually not allowed. That has historical reasons related to gang-members that the japanese didn’t want frequenting the onsens. Back then, they were the only ones in the japanese society having tattoos, which is why they came up with this excuse that tattoos weren’t allowed there. It might sound kind of weird but this rule still applies in many of this country’s onsens, especially in the more traditional ones, so if you have tattoos you really need to check the rules properly before you visit any of them.
Going to an onsen is one of the most relaxing experiences you can have in Japan
💤 Stay at a Ryokan
Staying at a Ryokan was one of the most special experiences I ever had in Japan
🌸🍂 Experience the seasonal changes
Everyone knows about Sakura Season in Japan and I agree that it is truly special and an experience that should be on every traveler’s bucket list. But cherry blossom season is just a very small part of the amazing seasonal changes you can experience in Japan and the rest of it really shouldn’t be understimated.
If you are willing to visit Japan outside of the super-high-season of March and April, you can experience the Autumn colors in Japan, for example. Some people say they even prefer Autumn in Japan instead of Sakura season and now that I am living here and experiencing Autumn as we speak, I truly understand what they mean.
The yellow, orange and red colors popping up everywhere are so gorgeous and the Japanese really know how to make the most of it, with Autumn illuminations being held all over the country.
Autumn Illumination at Hida Folk Village, Takayama
🍣 Eat at a conveyor belt sushi restaurant
Food at conveyor belt restaurants is usually so cheap and delicious
🍵 Go to a Tea Ceremony
Everyone knows that tea is a big deal in Japan and you will see matcha everywhere, but did you know that there are really special tea ceremonies you can experience in Japan?
These are really historical ceremonies that date back to the year 815 and they are considered one of only three classical arts of Japanese refinement. This traditional ceremony has roots in Zen Buddhism and it has lasted to this day.
During a tea ceremony, guests get to experience a process of several hours where green tea is prepared in very specific and methodic ways, usually in a traditional setting like a historical house with tatami mats overlooking a japanese garden.
There are such ceremonies all over the country, including in the main cities like Tokyo and Kyoto. Here are some of the best options for you to experience this ancient art on your trip to Japan.
👘 Wear a Yukata or a Kimono
When I came to Japan for the first time, I saw plenty of tourists and locals wearing traditional japanese clothes and walking around the towns or even doing photoshoots. Back then I had no idea about the difference between those clothes and I had no tried it on myself.
Now that I am living in Japan I can honestly say that my Yukata is one of my favorite posessions of all times! The difference between a Yukata and a Kimono is basically that a Kimono is more formal. Yukatas are used by the japanese for more casual situations, while Kimonos are used for important occasions.
They are both beautiful though and I really think that if you are coming to Japan, you should try wearing one – believe me, you won’t regret it!
If you want to get a Yukata or a Kimono to take home with you, the Kimono-making experience in the link above is a great option! If you prefer to find one second-hand it is a great idea too, as prices can be so affordable. Can you believe I bought my silk Yukata pictured below for only 12€? I got it at this second-hand store in Takayama.
Second-hand Yukatas and Kimonos are really affordable in Japan, like this one I bought for 12€
📍 Visit a historic Japanese Post Town
When people first visit Japan, they often make one mistake: sticking to the main touristic route of Tokyo/Kyoto/Nara/Osaka. Those cities have a lot to see and do, but they will not show you the deep Japan that everyone dreams about. So, if you are craving a deeper end much more memorable experience on your trip to Japan, visiting the countryside is your best bet.
There is so much to experience in the japanese countryside and it honestly feels like a whole other country. It’s quiet, often very empty and so peaceful. History exists everywhere in this country and the countryside is no exception. If you want to experience places that look like they stopped in time in the japanese countryside, visiting a Post Town should definitely be on your bucket list.
Japan‘s historic Post Towns are the old towns that were used by travellers using the major highways to go to and from Edo (current Tokyo). People travelling on those roads needed a place to stop, eat and rest, which generated many beautiful towns along the way. Some of them still exist and visiting them is a truly unbelievable experience to have in Japan.
They often have streets full of traditional wooden buildings and the atmosphere is just magical, especially at night. The most famous ones are Magome and Tsumago-juku, but there are plenty of other Post Towns in Japan to be explored.
🚅 Ride a Bullet Train
It took me a while to get to this one because I’m cheap, so I’m always trying to find the cheapest ways to travel in Japan and that definitely doesn’t include the bullet trains. Buses in Japan are very reliable and way cheaper than the trains, especially the Shinkansen, but riding a bullet train when you come to Japan definitely is part of the experience and I think you should do it at least once!
If you have a JR Pass, you are probably going to be taking several bullet trains to go from city to city, but if you are not planning on buying it (which I think is a wise decision), this tour might be the best option for you. It will take you on a day tour from Tokyo to see Mount Fuji and the return ticket by bullet train is included in the price!
🗻 See Mount Fuji
Of course that Japan‘s most famous mountain had to make this list of the ultimate things to experience here! The perfectly shaped volcano that was formed more than 100.000 years ago has turned Mount Fuji into the tallest mountain in Japan. It stands at 3776 meters tall and it‘s one of the most iconic views you can get in Japan. But it‘s not an easy one to see.
There are many places where you can get a nice view of this World-famous mountain but the weather often refuses to collaborate, which can make it very difficult to experience that picture-perfect view that everyone hopes for.
Even so, it is worth a try whenever you‘re visiting Japan, as it is one of the symbols of this beautiful nation.
🏮 See a Japanese Festival
There are so many festivals in Japan that there is bound to be one whenever you are visiting! In fact, it is estimated than hundreds of thousands of festivals happen every year around the country and many of them should definitely be on your bucket list. Here are some of them:
- Takayama Festival: it happens only twice a year (April 14th & 15th and October 9th & 10th) and it is considered one of Japan’s 3 most beautiful festivals. Read more about it here
- Sanja Matsuri: this is Tokyo’s most popular shrine festival and it happens once a year in May. It is scheduled to happen from May 16th to May 18th in 2025
- Gion Matsuri: another one of Japan’s 3 best festivals, the Gion Matsuri takes place in Kyoto in July. The highlight of this festival is the parade that takes place in July 17th, featuring beautiful wooden floats measuring up to 20 meters.
Takayama Matsuri: one of Japan’s most beautiful festivals
