15 things you should absolutely do when you are in Japan

Last Updated on June 17, 2025

From traditional tea ceremonies to cozy nights in a Ryokan, soaking in hot springs, and perfecting your sushi-making skills, this article is your guide to an unforgettable Japanese adventure. Whether you fancy a karaoke night, a sip of Sake, or a view of mount Fuji, there are plenty of things to do in Japan! So, buckle up, grab your favorite Matcha treat, and continue reading.

1. Take place in a traditional tea ceremony

The tea ceremony is a very traditional activity in Japan. It is a ritual of preparing and serving Japanese green tea, called Matcha, served with traditional Japanese sweets to balance the bitter taste of the tea. The ceremony has a large amount of steps for the process. At the end, it is not about drinking tea, but preparing a bowl of green tea.

When I was at a tea ceremony in Kyoto, there was a woman who made the tea step by step and meanwhile there was another woman (the host) who gave each one of us two sweets. When the tea was ready, the host handed over a bowl of tea to every one of us, did a prayer and made a bow. After that, we could drink our tea and eat our sweets.

It was very interesting and informative to experience a traditional tea ceremony and I can really recommend it when you are planning to travel to Japan. In the photo below you can see the host who explained the preparation steps to us and the woman who prepared the tea.

Tip: before I went to Japan, I arranged a Japanese snack box subscription via Sakuraco. It was really nice to be introduced to Japanese snacks and tea in advance and to try it all. Each month, we also received a booklet with the box that explained everything about the foods and drinks and shared other fun facts. I can recommend to arrange this box as a travel related gift for someone.

2. Overnight in a traditional Ryokan

I have already told you something about the traditional Ryokan in my Nara and Hakone article of Japan. This is absolutely something you should do when you are traveling to Japan! During my trip, I spent one night in a Ryokan.

But what exactly is a Ryokan? Well, from the inside and out it really is a traditional, Japanese building with lots of details. Furthermore, one of the most exciting things, a Ryokan offers you to sleep in a traditional, Japanese bedroom where you sleep on the ground and sit on pillows on the ground at a low table. Unfortunately I got a Western bedroom, I would have loved to try a traditional room. Also, it is required that you walk in a kimono through the Ryokan: you have to dine in your kimono and have breakfast too. You can chose a kimono when you arrive at the Ryokan. The fact that almost every Ryokan has a hot spring (a relaxing place with swimming pool) and a lounge bar (with karaoke!) makes it even more special.

Yes, this was absolutely a great experience. The fact that you have to walk in your kimono all day is not that bad, I actually really liked it and it was so much fun to experience Japanese customs for one night.

3. Try a traditional hot spring

Hot springs are very popular across Japan and can be found both indoors and outdoors. They’re known for their relaxing effect on the body and mind, and many believe the minerals in the water provide different health benefits. There are various types of hot springs throughout the country, so it’s worth researching to find one that suits your travel plans — chances are, there’s a great onsen near your destination!

Have you already heard about the Japanese macaques that visit hot springs during winter? These snow monkeys have become famous for their unique and adorable behavior: soaking in natural hot springs surrounded by snow. With snowflakes drifting gently around them, the monkeys lounge in the warm waters, creating a serene and unforgettable scene.

Want to see it for yourself? Check out this amazing video below showing their peaceful hot spring routine.

4. Visit the many temples and shrines

Japan is well-known for its many temples and shrines and most of them are so beautiful and so detailed in the Japanese architecture. During my trip through Japan, I loved to visit those temples and shrines, especially the ones in Kyoto.

The Fushimi Inari Shrine is very popular and very touristic, but on the other hand also a very beautiful and impressive shrine. I really loved to walk around here and it was definitely my favorite shrines which I have seen, together with the Kinkakuji temple. This temple (also known as the Golden Pavilion) also is a very touristic place, but oh so pretty and very photogenic. The gardens and nature around the temple also was a beautiful thing to see and capture.

5. Try food with the Matcha taste

Earlier I already told you about Matcha: the traditional, Japanese green tea which is often used during tea ceremonies. However, you can also get a lot of treats in Japan, made of Matcha. You can get a lot of Matcha chocolate, ice cream and drinks for example, which also have a green colour. I tried a Kit Kat with the Matcha taste and personally, I really liked it. Because it is really something Japanese, you should definitely try it when traveling to Japan.

6. Take a sushi class

I already told you something about the sushi class I took in Tokyo and I can really recommend you to do this when you are visiting Japan. Sushi is something typical Japanese and there are so many possibilities to have a sushi class in Japan, so why wouldn’t you try it? I found it very fun and informative to make my own sushi and at the end, I could eat it as well for lunch.

7. Spot Geisha’s

From what I know, you have a district in Kyoto where you can spot Geisha’s. Geisha’s are Japanese women, dressed in kimono’s and with a white-painted face and red lips. They also wear a wig from black hair. Geisha’s are known as companions and are seen as examples from beauty and sophisticated culture.

The district where you can find them is called the Gion district. Unfortunately, it is very hard to take a picture of the Geisha’s, since they just show up sometimes and most of the time they are running around. By the time you want to take a picture, they are, most of the time, already gone. However, it is nice to spot the Geisha’s and nice to walk around this district, because it has some traditional, wooden houses which gives a nice view.

8. See Mount Fuji

I have been to Mount Fuji during my trip through Japan, but unfortunately I have not seen it. Due to the bad weather, the sky was so misty that I could not get a great view over Mount Fuji. I was so disappointed, because this was really something I would want to see and to experience. When I get the chance, I would definitely travel back to Japan. I think it is such a beautiful view, especially what I see from photos. Furthermore, I have seen the environment of Mount Fuji, included lake Ashi (location), which also was very beautiful.

9. Stay in a capsule hotel

Japan is also well-known for its many capsule hotels. During my trip in the country I have not stayed in one of these hotels, but I think it is definitely something you should experience when you are traveling to Japan. You are literally sleeping in a small capsule. Most of the capsule hotels have rooms with television, radio, a lamp and air conditioning. Some great examples are the The Millennials in Kyoto or the First Cabin Ichigaya in Tokyo. Even though these are very small rooms, I think this will be a great experience to spend a few nights in a capsule like that.

10. See the cherry blossoms

To get the chance to see the cherry blossoms, you should go to Japan in spring time. I was there in the autumn, so unfortunately I had no chance to see the cherry blossoms. However, I have seen some extremely beautiful pictures of these blossoms and therefore I think this is one of the things you should really do when traveling to Japan. If I get the chance to travel to Japan another time, I will definitely go during spring.

Tip: while Japan is world-famous for its sakura festivals, South Korea also offers stunning cherry blossom experiences, such as in Seoul’s Yeouido Park, Gyeongju, and the picturesque streets of Jinhae during the Jinhae Gunhangje Festival.

11. Explore the urban environment

This is an activity which you can do best in Tokyo, since this capital city has more than fifty neighborhoods which are worth exploring. Tokyo’s architecture, people and culture are so various and therefore definitely worth a visit. It is very interesting to just take a walk and see how many different kind of people and cultures you cross. Some people even fall in love with Tokyo (guess with Japan in general) and decide to stay in the country.

Living in Tokyo is ideal for families due to its safety, educational opportunities, family-friendly entertainment, cultural diversity, and convenient amenities. I am sure that you will be impressed with its public transportation, healthcare services, and international schools, which contribute to families’ well-rounded and enriching living experience. Given its rich culture and advanced technology, I witnessed how happy families are in Japan.

12. Do some karaoke

In Japan, karaoke bars are everywhere! This beloved evening activity is a staple of Japanese nightlife, often enjoyed as part of a fun night out. You can even find karaoke bars in some Ryokans—just ask around or search online, and you’ll have no trouble locating one.

Karaoke is such a popular and unique experience in Japan that I highly recommend trying it during your visit. I had a blast doing karaoke in Hakone, and I also stumbled upon a karaoke bar while exploring Tokyo. It’s an especially entertaining activity if you’re traveling with a group, so don’t miss the chance to give it a go!

13. Try the Japanese drink Sake

Sake is a typical Japanese (alcoholic) drink which you should definitely try when you are traveling to Japan. This drink is made of rice and there are plenty of sakes to choose from;

Sake offers different pairings with various Japanese dishes. Crisp and clean sakes like Ginjo or Daiginjo complement raw fish, making them ideal for sashimi and sushi. Robust sakes such as Junmai or Honjozo pair well with grilled meats like yakitori.

Light and acidic sakes, like Ginjo, enhance the texture of tempura. Grilled fish matches with Junmai or Honjozo varieties, offering various flavors. Versatile sakes, including Junmai or Honjozo, work seamlessly with communal hot pot meals, known as Nabe. For Japanese pickles (Tsukemono), light and fruity sakes like Ginjo create a harmonious balance.  

Multi-faceted sakes such as Junmai or Daiginjo are suitable for kaiseki, a traditional multi-course meal. Ramen pairings depend on the broth type, with Ginjo complementing lighter broths and Junmai matching richer ones. Surprisingly, aged sakes like Koshu can pair well with cheese.

Honestly, I did not like sake as much as I hoped I would, but it was worth the try.

14. Travel by the Shinkansen train

The Shinkansen is a network of high-speed railway lines. These trains are the way to travel in Japan. They are not expensive and you can arrive at your destination very fast. It is nice to feel like a local and travel by train to a place. I have travelled by train from Kyoto to Hakone and it was only an hour traveling, which is very fast.

15. See Tokyo’s skyline

In my hotel in Tokyo I had the honor to stay on the 29^th floor, which gave me such a breath taking view over the city. I literally put a chair close to the window, just sat there for quite a while and dreamed away by looking at the beautiful view over Tokyo.

Conclusion

There are so many more things you should absolutely do when you are traveling to Japan. These are my best recommendations. Part of them I have done, part of them not yet. I hope these tips are useful for you. If you have any questions about the above mentioned information, please let me know in the comment section below. I’m happy to help you. Safe travels!

Author: Tamara

Pin this post for later if you’re planning to visit Japan!

This post may contain affiliate links. This means that when you purchase something through my links I earn a small fee at no extra costs to you. You still pay the same. Win-win! Thanks for supporting the work I put into Girlswanderlust.