Best Things to Do in Japan: A Complete Travel Guide

Japan rewards travellers who go beyond the highlights. Between the famous temples, the bullet trains, and the cherry blossoms, there's a country full of quiet neighbourhoods, incredible food, and experiences you won't find anywhere else. Here's where to start.

Top experiences not to miss

• Riding the Shinkansen between Tokyo and Kyoto — a highlight in itself
• Visiting Fushimi Inari shrine in Kyoto at dawn before crowds arrive
• Staying one night in a traditional ryokan with kaiseki dinner and onsen bath
• Exploring Nara's deer park and the giant bronze Buddha at Todai-ji
• A day trip to Hiroshima and Miyajima island

Tokyo highlights

Tokyo is overwhelming in the best way. Shibuya crossing at night, the vintage shops of Shimokitazawa, the street food markets of Tsukiji outer market, the teamLab digital art spaces, and the panoramic views from the Skytree or the free Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building observation deck. Allow at least three full days in the city.

Kyoto: how to do it properly

Kyoto has hundreds of temples but not all are worth the queue. Fushimi Inari and Arashiyama bamboo grove are essential. Kinkaku-ji (the Golden Pavilion) is busy but genuinely stunning. For a quieter experience, Ryoan-ji's famous rock garden or the bamboo-lined path to Jojakko-ji temple are far less crowded and equally beautiful.

Off the beaten path

Kanazawa offers a samurai city experience without Kyoto's tourist density. Hakone combines onsen, ryokan, and views of Mount Fuji. The Nakasendo trail, an historic postal road between Nagoya and Tokyo, can be walked over several days through preserved post towns like Magome and Tsumago. These are all reachable by train.

When to visit

Cherry blossom season (late March to early April) is Japan's most celebrated travel period — expect crowds and higher prices. Late October to mid-November brings autumn foliage that's equally spectacular and slightly less crowded. January to February is cold but excellent for ski resorts in Hokkaido and Nagano.