12 Unique Experiences To Try In Japan

Japan is a notoriously gorgeous country in East Asia filled with natural beauty, serene rural villages and some of the most futuristic and cleanest cities you will ever set foot in.

Japan’s long history and deeply unique culture has been carefully preserved to blend beautfully alongside its rapid modernization in recent years and when you visit you will almost feel as if you have entered a new dimension entirely. Between the abundance of distinctive immersive experiences to try, local cuisine to sample, and historic sites to visit (to name a few), there is something for absolutely everyone to enjoy here.

Not to mention the incredibly friendly and respectful people as well as the safety and convenience when moving around, it was very hard to find any negatives when reflecting on our time in Japan and it easily ranks as one of our favorite country’s that we have visited so far. The following guide will give you a starting point on what to expect when visiting and some of the things we enjoyed the most during our time here. So here are 12 unique experiences to try in Japan!

View Mount Fuji

Mount Fuji is probably Japan’s most iconic landmark with the summit standing at almost 4000 meters above sea level. This iconic volcano is renowned for its symmetrical cone shape as well as its snow covered cap and is a must see when in Japan.

Although you can explore different hiking routes on the mountain, it is generally best observed from afar with many options to get a good look at it. Within Tokyo there are viewing decks around the city which offers a great view when visibility is clear, you can also see it from the window as you take the train from Tokyo towards Osaka (be sure to sit in the right hand side of the carriage).

Other locations you can get a view of it include the town of Hakone and the 5 Lake District so it all depends where in Japan you will be visiting so whatever works best for your itinerary but it is definitely worth going a little out of your way to check it out.

Visit An Arcade Amusement Park

One of Tokyo’s most unique attractions is Joypolis, the world’s largest indoor amusement park where you will three floors filled with interactive arcade games, simulators, and a rollercoaster to enjoy.

A lot of the games and rides have a challenge aspect to them where you can have fun competing with your family and friends as you explore the amusements on offer, even the bathrooms feature some games!

There is a small area you can buy food here and overall, the queues were not to be as we didn’t have to wait more than 30 mins for the rides, we went on a weekday, but it’s possible that it would be busier on weekends.

Stay At A Ryokan

Staying the night at a traditional Japanese inn (Ryokan) is a great way to immerse yourself in the culture while visiting. During our stay, we were treated to a nice blend of modern luxuries and authentic Japanese traditions and amenities.

The building featured tatami mats, sliding doors, cozy futons to sleep in and refreshing onsens which are Japanese hot spring baths. We were also offered kimono robes and sandals to wear for the evening and had an 8-course meal served to us in our room. In the morning we were also free to wander and relax in the lush garden which featured a koi pond.

Staying at a Ryokan is truly a type of hospitality like no other and you will cherish the experience.

Sip Tea at a 400-year-old Tea House

The Amazake Chaya in Hakone is an old-fashioned, 400-year-old Japanese Tea House and is a piece of living history you must see.

Run by the same family for 13 generations, there is such a peaceful environment as you sit in the traditional wooden building while an open fire warms the room.

The staff were so welcoming and kind, and just added to our experience. Be sure to try the Amazake which is a hearty drink made from fermented yeast and rice and the mochi was also the best we’ve ever had.

This tea house is a must-visit if you’re heading to Hakone for a ryokan stay—it really adds to the traditional atmosphere and experience!

Have Tea With a Geisha

Geisha culture in the city of Kyoto is a staple in the city and having tea served to you by a Geisha is a really cool, once in a lifetime experience. Traditionally, a Geisha would serve tea to pilgrims visiting the city’s temples and the practice still takes place in a slightly different form today.

The tea ceremony is a mellow and beautiful experience and in the moment it feels like you’ve gone back in time to the Edo period of Japan. The Geisha, who is a master of the art, will teach you about the meaning of a tea ceremony and will walk you through the steps to brew the perfect cup of tea.

Stay At a Robot Hotel (Henn Na Hotel)

Staying at the Henn Na Hotel Hotel where Robots accommodated us during our stay was incredibly cool and we highly recommend seeing it for yourself.

Upon arrival, we were greeted by a robot dinosaur behind the front desk which was quick and efficient, and safe to say it was the most fun we will ever have when checking into a hotel. The amenities in the hotel had everything you need from laundry to breakfast in the morning which consisted of yoghurt, fruit and juice.

There are human staff to assist when needed but our stay here was so smooth that this wasn’t necessary for us.

Attend A Sumo Wrestling Match

Sumo is a well-known form of wrestling worldwide and there’s no better place to explore what it’s about than Japan.

As the only country that practices Sumo professionally, this would be your chance to attend a competition and feel engrossed in what a true bout entails. From traditional dress wear, ceremonial proceedings, and the wrestling itself, there is so much entertainment value in these competitions.

Be sure to enquire about booking tickets a couple of months ahead of your trip as they can be in high demand closer to the time.

Visit A Theme Cafe

Cartoon characters, tv shows and mascots are notoriously a huge fad in Japan and one of the ways this is reflected is the number of cafes that are themed around them across the cities here.

At these themed cafes you can purchase food and drinks which are artistically designed around popular characters and the theme is key to the ambiance and design of the entire establishment. There is commonly a retail section at these cafes where you will have the chance to pick up some cool, exclusive merchandise to take home with you.

Walk Shibuya Crossing

One of the most photographed and recognizable parts of Tokyo is the Shibuya Crossing where 7 streets intersect, and traffic comes to a halt in every direction allowing thousands of people to cross at one time.

The pedestrian crossing is located outside Shibuya Station and is reminiscent of Times Square in New York with colorful, lit-up billboards surrounding the area.

Coupled with the sheer amount of people moving across the streets simultaneously, it is quite the spectacle to see and almost resembles a choreographed display. For an added bonus, you can check out restaurants

Stay In A Capsule Hotel

Capsule hotels (also known as pod hotels) are made up of small bed sized rooms which are a cozy, unique and affordable way to spend a night while traveling in Japan with prices approximately $25 per night.

Within your capsule you will have enough room to sit up in the bed and you will have amenities such as air conditioning, power outlets, and a small tv. Other amenities in these hotels such as bathrooms are communally shared and the hotel will provide a storage space for your bags and other belongings.

You will find these hotels to be quite futuristic with an emphasis on being very tech oriented, clean, and affordable. Definitely worth trying this new experience!

Go Mario Karting On The Streets of Tokyo

Driving a Mario themed go kart through the streets of Tokyo is a must have experience especially for this who are fans of the video game series.

With the supervision of expert guides, the ride is super safe and exhilarating as you zip through the neon city lights while spectators cheer you on.

You are even dressed as some popular characters from the Super Mario franchise which enhances the experience of a real life Mario Kart simulator.

Get Drinks At A Ninja Bar

Japan is a really fun place to explore eccentric bars and one of the coolest ones we visited was the Ninja Bar in Asakusa, Tokyo.

The bartender was a lot of fun and being dressed as a Ninja added to the unique bar experience. The vibe here was very welcoming and we quickly mingled with both tourists and locals alike. There is even a separate room in this bar which has karaoke so we enjoyed a lively night singing and drinking with our new friends here.

The bar can be a little tricky to find but when you are at the alley with a bunch of shops, you will see a staircase which takes you downstairs near the train station and that’s where you’ll find the bar.