16 top things that every tourist has to do in Japan

Discover what are the things that you can’t miss as a tourist in Japan! Food, experiences, spots…

Visiting Japan is a unique experience. The food, culture, activities, cities… everything looks different in Japan. Travelling is all about creating memories. To help you create the best possible ones, here you have a list of 16 things that every tourist has to do in Japan. Unlike other lists, I have personally done every single one of these things, so if you have any questions, leave a comment below or reach out on Instagram!

Interested in Japan?

Looking for Japan Travel tips? Check them here!

Table Of Contents

Interested in Japan?
In a budget?
Looking for off-the-beaten-path locations?
When is the best season to visit Japan?
Discover the Snow Monkeys!
Top 5 Castles in Japan to photograph and visit.

Have a karaoke party

Karaokes are different in Japan. Most western countries karaokes involve being at a bar or local with plenty of people and occasionally singing. In Japan, it is more like a private party. Karaoke places rent rooms for a specific amount of time, where you and your friends (or travel friends) can sing, laugh and have fun. Some also offer all-you-can-drink packages, while others might charge some extra fees for drinks.

It is not a cheap treat, but it is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that every tourist in Japan should consider! I did many things in Japan, but spending 3-4h singing (well, I don’t know if what we did was considered singing) at karaoke is one of the best memories I have. Can’t recommend it enough!

In a budget?

Discover how much I spent on my 1-month trip to Japan!

Sleep in a capsule hostel

Fancy sleeping in a beehive style hotel? Well, this is what a capsule hotel feels like. The capsule hotel experience is more about the steps to reach your bed than the actual sleeping. In fact, for trying such a bed layout, any hostel will offer you this experience. However, capsule hotels are about simplicity and silence (hopefully).

After checking in you will leave your belongings in a locker (Japan is one of the safest countries in the world), and grab your essentials (pj’s, toiletries), and go find your bed. Some capsule hotels also have an area for those that need a space to work. Oh, and most importantly: unlike hostels, capsule hotels don’t allow men and women in the same room/floor. If you are travelling with someone from the opposite sex, you won’t see each other until the next morning! Despite this conservatism, it is a really interesting experience!

Eat ramen

The food section of this article could be endless. However, eating ramen in Japan is one thing that every tourist does. There are ramen food chains, with high-quality ramen for an acceptable price. The most well-known one is Ichiran, with plenty of locations all over Japan. I have a place in my heart for Ichiran ramen, as it was there where I had my first meal in Japan. However, I recommend eating in local shops. From my personal experience, the broth tastes better, and they tend to be cheaper (or have more noodles and extras for the same price).

As Japanese people say before eating: Itadakimasu!

things to do in Japan eat ramen — No need to add a caption, right?

Have a relaxing evening at an onsen

There is nothing like relaxing in a Japanese traditional hot spring after a busy walking day in any major city. Two tips and one warning to make the most of your experience.

First, most onsens don’t allow people with tattoos, as it is something associated with the Yakuza. However, there are some touristic onsens that will let you in.

Second, try to find a non-touristy onsen. I got lucky and I found an amazing local onsen, very cheap (less than 1,000 yen) and I was the only non-Japanese person there.

Finally, don’t bring any cameras, phones or similar devices. The experience is about being naked and enjoy the interior and exterior pools. Besides, it is not possible to access to the onsen with any camera.

Eat food from a Konbini

7/11, Lawson or Family Mart will become your best buddies in Japan. Convenience shops have an amazing variety of food, ranging from wasabi snacks to curry bread, but also full meals (I love the Family Mart’s boneless fried chicken). Oh, and the food quality is amazing.

kombini in Japan tourist experience — Kombininception: a Subway inside a Family Mart

Take a shinkansen

Japan is a country 10 years ahead of any other country I’ve been to. Their train system is one of the reasons why. Not only they are really fast, but also super punctual, and with many trains a day. All trains arrive on-time, which is just amazing.

The Shinkansen is the so-called bullet train, and it is a holistic experience, for the speed but also for how comfortable it is. Nothing beats taking a train in Japan.

Try a bento box

It taking trains is amazing, having lunch while on the train is the perfect combination. Japan has the so-called bento boxes, which are a sort of meal packages that can be acquired at any major train station or even at most Konbinis. It is super difficult to choose one, so make sure to take plenty of trains and have a meal in each of them!

Bento box train japan tourist — My first-ever bento box!

Try local food

Every region has its own food delicacies. Ask for a good local restaurant and try the local specialities. If you like eating fish, you will enjoy your trips to coastal areas, as they have plenty of fresh fish at reasonable prices (Kanazawa is a good place to get started). Sushi is not everything in Japan!

Visit a shrine

Japanese temples are a must for any tourist, but make sure to visit some outside of Tokyo. Although most people say Kyoto ones are the most beautiful, my favourite ones are the random shrines found in the middle of any minor city, like the one I found by the Mount Fuji, at Kawaguchi. Do you see this photo? Well, I was alone there.

japan hidden photography spots arayayama shrine by aniolvisuals — Japan’s hidden spots; arayayama shrine

Looking for off-the-beaten-path locations?

Read my top hidden Japan photography spots, including the shirne abobe! Find it here!

Sleep in a ryokan

Despite being a very modern country, Japan also keeps its traditional vibe. One of the best ways to experience it is by sleeping in a ryokan, a Japanese traditional house. However, they are very expensive. Another option for a similar experience (without the food) is to find a traditional hostel, such as the one I found in Nagano. I had an amazing time there with a Canadian girl and a guy from Singapore. If you are reading this, hi!

See the snow monkeys

For nature and wildlife lovers, there is something really special waiting in the heart of the Japanese Alps. In a small valley, only accessible by foot, there is the Jigokudani Monkey Park, home of the snow monkeys, also known as the Japanese macaque. During winter, the best season to visit them, early in the morning it is possible to see them by the hot spring, eating, playing and swimming.

When is the best season to visit Japan?

Discover the main seasonal attractions of Japan. Find it here!

Jigokudani snow monkey park — Snow monkey by the hot spring

Discover the Snow Monkeys!

Check my photography guide to the Jigokudani Monkey Park. Check it here!

Visit a Japanese castle

No trip to Japan is complete without a visit to a typical Japanese castle. Unfortunately, most of them are reconstructions, as the original ones were destroyed during multiple wars and conflicts. Explore a couple of the most famous ones, and spend some time admiring their structure and architecture.

Top 5 Castles in Japan to photograph and visit.

Discover the real Japan. Check it here!

Get lost in a market

Street food in Japan may not be as powerful as in other Asian countries. However, markets are an experience for the senses. My favourite ones were the fish market in Kanazawa, the Nishiki market in Kyoto and the Kuromon market in Osaka.

Osaka market photography — Kuromon Market in Osaka

Explore non touristic areas

A good friend of mine recommended me to avoid touristic areas for a day or two. She couldn’t be more right. Don’t take me wrong. Touristic areas are famous for a lot of valid and worthy reasons. Nonetheless, there is nothing like exploring a rural area or just a small neighbourhood outside of Tokyo. It is then that you see the real-life in Japan.

Visit a don Quijote

Imagine a 7-floor store with products ranging from Japanese whisky to magnets shaped as sushi pieces. This is what a Don Quijote is. No need to buy anything (although it is not easy), just admire the chaos and try to find weird or unusual products. However, as a tourist in Japan, try exploring other supermarkets and shops that are not built for tourists!

Don quijote Osaka — See the tall yellow building? That’s Osaka’s don Quijote!

Eat sushi

Sushi might not be everything in Japan, but it is a must for any tourist. It will not be a cheap meal, but there are options for every budget. Getting closer to the sea will lower the prices. From my own experience, Hiroshima or Osaka are good places to try sushi, as they will be slightly less expensive than Tokyo.

Eat a melon pan

This is a very personal recommendation. Its name is misleading, as it has nothing to do with melons, although it has a similar shape. A melon pan is a sweet bun that can be found at almost every Konbini store. However, my favourite way to eat it is with vanilla ice-cream. In Osaka, you can find the self-declared second-best melon pan in the world, and I swear you can not eat just one. I spent 5 days in Osaka, went there 3 times! The perfect dessert!

Have fun!

It might sound like a cliche but enjoy your trip. Every moment travelling is unique, and Japan is an amazing country with surprises and unique experiences behind every corner.

If you do some of the things on this list I am sure you’ll time in Japan as a tourist will be amazing. And if you have any recommendation for others visiting Japan, leave them in the comments below!

Follow my adventures as a travel photographer on Instagram! For any professional inquiries, you can message me at hello@aniolvisuals.com.