13 Cool Things to Do In Japan That You Can’t Do Anywhere Else

Everything you’ve heard is true. Japan is – without a doubt – very cool.

The unique aesthetic against neon lights. The manicured parks with breathtaking views. The karaoke, the salary workers and shiny new skyscrapers that live next to old temples.

Japan has quickly become one of my favourite new places to visit. So I reviewed my memories and I compiled this list to share with you.

These are my favourite cool things to do in Japan. It’s all the stuff you really can’t do anywhere else.

Now let’s get into it!

1. Get Lost In Tokyo

You may have heard, but Tokyo is big.

You could easily spend your whole trip exploring the city. But even if you’re just spending a few days there, you can cover a lot of ground. The convenient train systems and walkability make it pretty easy.

So here are some of my favourite things to do while visiting Japan’s capital city:

• teamLab
• Old drinking alleys (yokocho) like Golden Gai in Shinjuku
• Summertime hanabi (fireworks festival)
• Meiju Jingu
• Check out unique animal cafes
• Walk across Rainbow Bridge for stunning views of Tokyo
• Shibuya Scramble crossing
• Shibuya Sky, Tokyo Tower or Tokyo Skytree observation decks
• Sensō-ji temple in Asakusa
• Explore cool towns like Daikanyama, Shimokitazawa or Jiyugaoka

2. Try Japanese Kimono Wearing

Kimono wearing is a fan favourite for travellers to Japan. It’s a fun way to immerse yourself in the culture and experience the traditional fashion.

Essentially, you get to wear traditional Japanese clothing and walk around for a day, complete with an “obi” sash and some zōri sandals.

Kimonos are generally worn for formal occasions like traditional weddings or cultural events. But it’s also a sort of tourist experience. I saw a lot of visitors strutting around in busy areas and next to historical sites, which is where you’ll often find rental shops.

So if you’re keen on having a kimono experience, Kyoto and Asakusa (in Tokyo) are two popular places worth checking out. But you can learn more here.

3. Experience Japanese Sakura or Koyo

If you’re planning a trip to Japan during the spring or fall, you’re in luck.

You’ll be here for Japanese sakura and koyo (cherry blossoms and fall foliage, respectively).

In my opinion, these are the best times to visit. The weather is perfect, the scenery is epic and the energy is unmatched.

When I’m here during these seasons, I love taking light hikes, exploring the parks and having a relaxing hanami party in the park (aka, eating and drinking next to sakura trees).

But just be warned, it’s going to be a zoo during these peak seasons and people will be everywhere. So it helps to plan ahead and show up early.

Still, even with the crowds, the views and the vibes are incredible.

4. Explore Scenic Japan & Its Many Historical Gems

The Japanese landscape is amazing. It’s one of the things that’s stayed with me the most, like photos imprinted in my mental feed.

The natural wonders, the historical sites, the modern architecture – there is so much scenic beauty here. And a lot of these areas are very uniquely Japanese.

Exploring scenic Japan and its many historical sites is also a great way to travel slowly and keep things relaxed.

So if you’re looking for some cool things to do in Japan, remember to pause for a moment and take in the surroundings (and maybe snap a few photos too).

Here are some of my favourite scenic or historical spots in Japan:

• Mt. Fuji
• Lake Kawaguchiko
• Kinkakuji, Kiyomizu-dera and other temples in Kyoto
• Enoshima Island and Kamakura
• Atomic Bomb Dome
• Itsukushima Shrine in Hiroshima
• Ginzan Onsen in Yamagata
• Nozawa Onsen in Nagano

5. Hike Mt. Fuji

If looking at Fuji-san from a distance doesn’t quite cut it for you – and you’re feeling industrious – you could always hike it.

This is an epic Japanese experience and it’s definitely something that’s on my own Japanese bucket list.

It does however require a little bit of preparation. For example, you need to plan your trip around hiking season, make sure you have the right gear and expect to stay at a mountain hut the night before.

But it’s definitely a very cool experience and if you can get a clear day, you’ll catch some unforgettable views.

You can learn more about hiking Mt. Fuji on the official website here.

6. Enjoy Japan’s Shopping Hotspots

If you love to shop, then you’ll love Japan. There are endless stores for every type of budget and style.

Boutiques and vintage shops are balanced with luxury and glitz.

So remember to leave some extra room in your suitcases!

Here are a few of my favourite spots to check out for some amazing shopping experiences:

• Ginza. A fun area for upscale shopping, restaurants and ritzy vibes.
• Omotesando Hills. This is also a fancier area with expensive stores and aesthetic cafes, but it’s closer to Harajuku and Meiji Shrine.
• Daikanyama. This is one of my favourite areas. It’s highly aesthetic, clean and screams luxury and lifestyle.
• Shimokitazawa. This is by far my favourite place in Tokyo for thrifting and finding secondhand gems.
• Donki. This is a ubiquitous Japanese chain worth checking out. It’s a busy store with anything and everything you could ever want. And I loved getting lost there.

7. Dive Deep Into Anime Culture

Anime culture is global. But its epicentre is in Japan.

So if you’re a manga fan or you just have a love for artistic travel, then you’ll have plenty to do.

The most common place to find this culture is in Akihabara (in Tokyo), which is a hub for manga shops and “otaku” culture things. And I definitely felt the anime vibe when I was there. Especially in Akihabara’s Electric Town, which has various anime and manga venues, video games and collectibles. 

Some other cool places to see (for anime culture) are the Ghibli Museum in Mitaka or the Unicorn Gundam statue in Odaiba.

But even if you ignore all of these spots, you’ll probably still notice manga-style characters in stores, on buildings or as mascots for some places.

At least, I did.

8. Recharge At A Japanese Onsen

Enjoying Japanese onsens (hot springs) is a popular pastime in Japan and definitely one of my favourite memories from my trip there.

They’re incredibly relaxing and can help you sit back, relax and forget about any travel troubles you may be having.

There are thousands of resorts scattered throughout the country, so it’s probably best to do a local search based on where you are (or where you’re heading).

Just be sure to check the requirements and book ahead of time for popular areas, since resorts can fill up quickly (especially during holidays).

9. Go “Street Karting” Around Tokyo

My first time seeing go-karts on Japanese streets, I was left feeling slightly confused.

Then I was concerned.

And finally, I was curious. Street karting is a popular tourist attraction in both Tokyo and Osaka. Essentially, you can drive a mini go-kart around the city with a line of other drivers.

Many people will pick up outfits or costumes (for example, at Donki) beforehand to really make the experience unique and fun.

It looks super fun and it’s definitely a uniquely cool thing to do in Japan. But just keep in mind that you’ll need an international driving permit to enjoy this experience.

You can learn more about Street Kart in Japan here.

10. Sing Through the Night At Japanese Karaoke

No trip to Japan would be complete without trying karaoke. Singing your heart out in a small karaoke room overlooking neon lights is like a rite of passage for travelling there.

And it’s truly a uniquely Japanese experience.

But the best part is these karaoke rooms are completely private. This may come as a relief if you’re used to western karaoke, which is usually at a bar and in front of lots of strangers.

Japanese karaoke is everywhere and you can rent rooms by the hour. Just look for big signs that read “カラオケ” (ka-ra-o-ke).

And don’t worry, they’ll have an English menu and English songs for you to sing too.

11. Buy A Temple Book & Collect Goshuin

I saw so many amazing temples and shrines during my trip. But did you know that Japan has over 150,000 temples and shrines?

I did not. And that’s just a crazy number. So this is the perfect pastime if you love cultural travel and historical sites.

And one way to amplify this experience is through what’s called “goshuincho”. These are beautiful hard-covered books used to collect unique stamps from each site you visit.

You can purchase these books (and the stamps) directly at the temple or shrine you’re visiting. The stamps are very aesthetic too, artistically drawn in traditional Japanese calligraphy. It’s a truly cool souvenir and something you can keep adding to on subsequent visits.

So, how many temples or shrines do you think you could visit in one trip? Maybe not thousands, but make it a challenge and see what you can do!

You can learn more about goshuincho here.

12. Experience the Kanto vs. Kansai Differences

Two of the biggest cities in Japan are Tokyo and Osaka. But they each have their own very unique personality.

It’s something I definitely picked up on while I was there and it’s a cool experience worth having.

This is actually a pretty big topic in Japan – the whole Kanto vs. Kansai debate. So feel free to ask some locals what they think on the matter.

But mostly, you’ll find that Osaka (which is part of the Kansai region) has its own set of unique phrases, architecture, food and personality.

And even simple things like using the escalators is the opposite. In Kanto, you stand to the left, but in Kansai, you stand to the right.

People tend to be more outgoing in Kansai. And I also noticed a lot of the buildings there had big mascots attached to them. The most famous example of this is in Osaka’s Dotonbori area.

So if you can, spend time in both areas and see if you can notice the differences.

Sometimes, it’s subtle – other times, it’s more obvious.

By the way, getting to Osaka from Tokyo (and vice versa) is super quick and easy using the Shinkansen bullet train. A one-way ticket is around ¥14,000. But if you’re travelling during a holiday, be sure to reserve a seat beforehand.

13. Enjoy Delicious Japanese Cuisine

A big part of travelling in Japan is indulging in the amazing food. And it truly is amazing.

Every region of Japan has its own specialty dish too. For example, Osaka is known for its okonomiyaki and takoyaki. And Hokkaido has particularly amazing seafood.

But wherever you are, the amount of options are seemingly endless.

Since the hardest part is choosing where to go and what to eat, here are some of my top picks:

• Kaiten sushi. Kaiten sushi, or conveyor belt sushi, is a staple. Kura Sushi is a popular (and quite affordable) chain I like to go to.
• “Real” sushi. If you’re looking for something nicer, going to a legit sushi restaurant may be your speed.
• Yakiniku. This is grilled meat and these restaurants are fun because you get to cook your own meats and veggies at the table.
• Gyoza. These are minced pork dumplings with crispy bottoms. They’re delicious.
• Ramen. You don’t need to look far to find a good ramen spot. I love AFURI ramen and Ichiran is a famous ramen chain also. By the way, a long line is usually a good sign.
• Japanese curry. It’s milder but delicious.

Wrapping Up

There are so many cool things to do in Japan, it truly has something for everyone.

But this is my curated list of all my favourite experiences. A few of my top picks are exploring scenic Japan, recharging at beautiful onsens, getting lost in Tokyo and eating as much ramen and gyoza as I can.

So how about you – what are you most excited about doing in Japan?