Top 10 things you must experience in Japan

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Japan has so many unique places to go, food to eat, and sights to see. It may seem overwhelming at first to decide exactly what should be on your agenda during your trip.  If you are planning your very first trip to Japan, there are top 10 things that you absolutely need to add to your list to experience. 

None of these are specific to any of the regions or cities or seasons. So you’ll have the opportunity to include all of these into your itinerary regardless of when and where you go in Japan. 

1. Stay at a Ryokan

Ryokan is basically the Japanese version of the bed and breakfast.  If you were to splurge on one thing in Japan, this is an experience that you will never regret.  You’ll experience the pinnacle of the “Japanese hospitality” in a ryokan.

Although Onsen is not necessarily synonymous to Ryokan, I’m putting Onsen as a subset of Ryokan just because I realize it’s not for everyone.  Onsen is a natural hot springs that are available to the public or to the patrons of some of the ryokans.  They are usually segregated for men and women. But you do go in completely naked.  There are many unwritten rules and etiquette around how to use the onsen – too many to go over here.  But note that some of them do not allow tattoos to be visible, which can create some challenges for Western visitors.  You can avoid this issue by renting out a private onsen. They are available in some establishments, usually for a fairly reasonable fee.

2. Eat authentic sushi

If you love sushi, you absolutely must eat the real, authentic sushi in Japan.  While sushi is, of course, available everywhere, you need to experience it in two ways:

1) Kaitenzushi – Directly translated it means “rotating sushi.” This type of sushi restaurant serves small servings of sushi on small plates that are placed on a conveyor belt-like structure that goes around the restaurant.  You pick up the plates you want. The plates’ colors vary based on the price. And they tally up the total cost based on how many empty plates are left at your table. 

2) Sushi restaurants that are close to the fish markets are truly the best there is.  These restaurants most likely aren’t the flashiest and some of them may be hard to find because their storefront is not flashy.  But look for them or ask around if you are anywhere near any of the major cities’ fish markets.  Just be forewarned: Once you try this type of sushi, no other sushi will be good enough for you!

3. Plan a visit to a themed cafe

Mainly available in larger cities geared toward tourists, themed cafes are one of the main tourist attractions in Japan.  There are ALL kinds of cafés imaginable:  hedgehog, owl, Shiba Inu, robot, Alice in Wonderland, Vampire, Pirate, Ninja, Pokeman, Kawaii (Cute) Monster…just to name a few. 

While some of the menu items may seem overpriced and overrated, visiting at least one of the cafes will be worth the experience.  Check out and purchase tickets to some of the themed cafes in advance here.

4. Ride the Shinkansen

Shinkansen is the “bullet train” on the Japan Railways (JR) network of trains, that can travel at the speed of up to 200 mph.  Shinkansen is typically used to travel between major cities in Japan and can be costly to ride on multiple times unless you use the JR Pass. 

The impressiveness of how Shinkansen looks is surpassed by the experience traveling on them at a near top-speed. It’s so quiet and smooth, you would never know how fast you are going.  If you travel a long distance on a Shinkansen, also experience eating ekiben or special bento boxes sold on a train or at the train station, while riding on the train.  You are allowed to drink beer or sake on the train as well! 

Before you go: Read through these unwritten etiquette rules when it comes to riding public transportation including Shinkansen.

5. Go have a drink or ten at an izakaya

We have had some of our best times in izakayas in Japan.  Izakaya basically is a Japanese pub with tapas. It’s an informal bar with a lot of small plate options to choose from.  The food and drinks are usually cheap. And it’s a great place to try all kinds of simple yet delicious menu items.  Characteristically quiet and reserved Japanese people are quite lively at izakayas where the conversation and alcohol flow liberally.  Kids can go into izakayas too. But it might be get too rowdy (and smoky) for the kids especially as it gets later, past dinner time.

6. Walk through a convenient store

When you say Seven-Eleven or Lawson’s, what you might imagine is nothing like what you’d experience in Seven-Elevens and Lawson’s (yes, Lawson’s!) in Japan.  They are stocked with pre-packaged food and snacks that are, dare say, as good as some home-cooked meals!  Many locals and travelers alike stop at these convenient stores to pick up cheap meals and drinks for the day.  International ATMs that can be used with the U.S. and other foreign banking cards are also located within many of the Seven-Elevens. 

7. Sake Tasting

While Japanese sake is picking up popularity abroad, sake you taste in Japan, particularly these Jizake (or locally brewed sakes) are nothing like what you may have tasted in the States.  They are so clean yet so complex. Tasting sake at local sake breweries is the best way to experience the Japanese sake at its finest.  Even if you think you are not a sake fan based on the experience you’ve had, at a fairly low cost you can try various types of sakes that might still turn you into a fan.  I know…because that’s how I got hooked!

Related article: See the 5 common myths about Japanese sake.

8. Seek out regional cuisines

Every region and most major cities in Japan have a regional dish or two (or ten!) that they are known for.  Find out the regional specialty food of the cities and regions where you will be staying in Japan. And plan to try at least some of them. 

9. Have pictures taken with mascots

That’s right, mascots.  You won’t find them at college sport events like you might in the States. Rather you can find many of them at local events or various tourist spots. There are everywhere. And usually have an interesting story behind what they are and how they are relevant to the location or event.

Japan’s obsession with mascots goes beyond the fact that they are everywhere.  Japan is the Guinness World Record holder for the most number of mascots doing synchronized dancing at one time. That would have been a sight to see!

10. Visit a department store

(Hint: go straight to the basement!). Department stores in Japan are very similar to the old-fashioned department stores in the U.S. in terms of how they are structured.  They are tall buildings with every floor dedicated different categories like men’s fashion, women’s fashion and so on. 

But even if you are not into shopping, you must take a peek at the “basement” (usually the floor B1) of one of these department stores.  The entire floor is completely dedicated for FOOD!  A fresh bread store, regional and local food stands, and boxed sweets that are perfect for souvenirs can all be found there.  It’s usually packed with customers who make their one last stop before they head home with the goodies.  And it’s a bit of sensory overload of sight, sound and smell!

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