25 Unique Experiences to Add to Your Japan Bucket List

Planning a trip to Japan? Here are 25 unique experiences to add to your Japan bucket list!

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Japan is one of my favorite countries in the world. There is a rich culture, amazing natural beauty, delicious food, and so much more. You could spend weeks in Japan without running out of unique things to do.

One of the best things about Japan is that it’s home to countless experiences that you truly can’t find anywhere else in the world. Things like hanging out with sacred deer that bow to you when you give them treats, seeing adorable snow monkeys bathing in hot springs, and visiting an island full of adorable bunnies – where else can you do all of these things other than Japan?

With that being said, I’ve asked some of my fellow travel bloggers and Japan enthusiasts to help me put together the ultimate Japan bucket list. This list is made up of incredible experiences that you can only have in Japan, making them a must for any trip to the Land of the Rising Sun.

So, if you’re planning a trip to Japan (or just daydreaming about future visits), keep reading for 25 unique experiences to add to your Japan bucket list!

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Unique Experiences to Add to Your Japan Bucket List

See the Famous Floating Shrine off Miyajima Island

by Sydney from A World in Reach

One of the most unique bucket list experiences you can have in Japan is visiting Miyajima Island. The island, located in Hiroshima Bay, is home to one of the most iconic spots in all of Japan: the floating torii gate at Itsukushima Shrine.

During low tide, you can walk right up and under the bright red torii gate. At high tide, water surrounds the gate, making it seem as if it’s floating. I recommend planning your visit so that you can see the gate at both low and high tide, but if you can only pick one, make sure to choose high tide. You can check tide times here.

In addition to the floating torii gate, Miyajima is home to several great things to do. You can easily spend a day or two exploring the small island. Go shopping and try some local food (especially the oysters) on Omotesando Street, see the five-story pagoda, and hang out with the Miyajima Deer. If you have more time, you can also hike Mt. Misen for incredible views of the island.

You can easily visit Miyajima on a day trip from Hiroshima. If you have a JR Pass, the ferry to the island is included.

Explore the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove

by Sydney from A World in Reach

One of the most Instagrammable spots in all of Japan is the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove. Located in Kyoto’s Arashiyama District, visiting the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove is one of the top free things to do in Kyoto. Strolling along the path while being surrounded by tall, green bamboo stalks will make you feel as if you’re on another planet.

The Arashiyama Bamboo Grove is open 24-hours a day, 7 days a week. Being one of the city’s top tourist attractions, the grove gets pretty busy around midday. For smaller crowds (and better photo opportunities), I recommend visiting in the early morning hours, just after sunrise. You’ll beat the crowds and have perfect lighting for photos.

Experience Tokyo’s Famous Robot Restaurant

by Kerry Hanson from Adrenaline Junkiez

One thing that should be on everyone’s bucket list when they visit Japan is a visit to the crazy Robot Restaurant in Shinjuku, Tokyo. Get ready for an insane, fast-paced, action-packed show of pure Japanese madness. Flashing lights, vibrant colors and so much noise, the robot restaurant really is an experience you will never forget.

Oddly, you might expect that this is a show that you will enjoy over a meal. However, aside from the popcorn, snacks, and flashing drinks you can buy in the intervals, this is not a restaurant in the true sense of the word. But if you want to experience something truly unique to Japan then this is it.

There are dancers, costumes, and interesting props that range from Robots to enormous dragons and serpents. Expect the theatrical and the unusual and sit back and enjoy the show. You will undoubtedly question what is going on at some points but that’s what makes the night even more entertaining.

READ MORE: The Ultimate Tokyo Bucket List

Hang Out with Sacred Deer in Nara

by Megan from Red Around the World

Nara Deer Park is one of the most unique things to do in Japan and is the perfect day trip from nearby Kyoto. It’s a huge park right on the edge of the town of Nara where wild deer roam free – you can even feed them!  Yes, the deer are wild, but they are not afraid of people. They’re actually quite friendly and even a little intimidating.

You can approach the deer, pet them, and feed them the special deer biscuits that are sold throughout the park. If you hold the biscuits up but don’t give them to the deer right away, they’ll bow for them, which is pretty cool.

Some of the deer in the busier areas are a bit more demanding and will pull on loose sweaters and straps, so it’s best to tuck those in before going there. In the areas further from the entrance, the deer are a lot more relaxed but will follow you around. 

You can easily spend all day around the deer, walking around the park, and exploring the many temples on the property, which I would highly recommend doing. This is such a fun experience to add to your Japan bucket list that you can’t have anywhere else.

There is no fee to enter the park, but some of the temples might have fees. You can buy packs of deer biscuits for about 5 Yen. You’ll want to buy a lot of those but it’s best to just get one pack at a time.

See the Impressive Mt. Fuji from Lake Kawaguchiko

by Pamela from The Directionally Challenged Traveler

One of the best things to do in Japan is to see the impressive Mt. Fuji. Since views of Mt. Fuji are weather dependent, it’s a good idea to spend a night nearby.  Lake Kawaguchiko is located at the base of Mt. Fuji and boasts incredible views of the mountain.

Mt. Fuji is actually a combination of three volcanoes: Komitake at the bottom, Kofuji in the middle, and Fuji at the top! It has been considered a sacred site of the Shinto religion since the 7th century.

There are usually some clouds around Mt. Fuji in the morning, but then tend to clear up as the day goes on. If you happen to have a cloudy day, there are plenty of things to do in Lake Kawaguchiko to pass time. Rent a bike to tour the town, enjoy the lake on a kayak or paddleboat, or go hiking in the mountains for more breathtaking views.

The lake is in a valley surrounded by mountains and forests with Mt. Fuji as its backdrop. Large numbers of migratory birds from all around Japan are supported by it being designated an Important Bird Area for over 20 years. For aerial views of the town (and Mt. Fuji) head to Tenjoyama Park to take the cable car up Mt. Tenjoyama.

If you don’t have time to spend the night at Lake Kawaguchiko, you can also visit on a day trip from Tokyo. Book a guided tour from Tokyo, or plan your own day trip by taking the bus from JR Shinjuku Station to Kawaguchiko Station.

Want more of Mt. Fuji? Why not climb it via the Yoshida Trail?

Check out the Cup Noodles Museum in Yokohama

by Jackie Szeto & Justin Huynh from Life of Doing

Nissin Foods’s Cup Noodles and Top Ramen are the top instant ramen noodle brands recognized around the world. If you love eating these noodles, then head to Yokohama for the day to visit the Cup Noodles Museum. (There is a museum in Osaka but on a smaller scale.)

This museum has everything you need to know about the Momofuku Ando, the founder of Nissin Foods and the creator of instant chicken ramen and Cup Noodles, and the history of ramen. You go through a tour where you start in a room full of ramen made by Nissin and other international brands. Then, you watch a biography video on Ando, read more about ramen history, and learn about Ando’s latest invention of ramen space food. 

This museum is a family-friendly spot with plenty of interactive exhibits and activities for children.

One of the coolest things to do as a family is to reserve a spot at the My Cup Noodles Factory. You get to customize your own Cup Noodles as a souvenir. Go through the process of getting a cup, creating a design on the cup, choosing toppings and soup flavor, and seeing the cup sealed with a lid. Other fun attractions for children include making chicken ramen and learning about the manufacturing process.

If you have extra time in Yokohama, visit Shin-Yokohama Raumen Museum after the Cup Noodles Museum. While this place has a history of ramen, the highlight is trying ramen from 9 different stalls. 

Enjoy your ramen day!

Walk through the Famous Fushimi Inari Shrine

by Nora from Go Frame the World

The most important shrine in Kyoto and potentially its oldest historical landmark is Fushimi Inari Taisha. While the shrine buildings are incredibly attractive, the main reason for its popularity are the thousands of torii gates covering the hiking trails leading up to Mount Inari.

The tunnels of bright orange gates span for about four kilometers to the 233 meters-high peak. Many small shrines and mini torii gates are scattered along the path, as well as multiple statues of foxes which are considered to be Inari’s messengers. Inari is the Shinto god of rice, and the keys the foxes are holding are the keys to the rice granary. The torii are donations to have a wish come true and it’s a custom that dates from the Edo period (1603–1868).

Fushimi Inari gates and shrines are an extraordinary piece of Japanese history that attracts millions of visitors every year and is an unmissable part of any Japan itinerary.

See Japan’s Famous Golden Pavilion

by Karen from Karen & The Constables

Japan is one of my favorite countries with such varied and unique places to visit, but one of my favorites is Kinkaku-ji temple, also known as the Golden Pavilion.

Officially named Rokuon-ji, this iconic temple in Kyoto is best known for the pavilion which is covered in real gold leaf, topped with a phoenix, and reflects beautifully in the Kyoko-chi pond. Rebuilt in 1955 after a fire, Kinkaku-ji is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The site was a family home until 1397 when it was acquired by shogun Yoshimitsu and then turned into a Zen Buddhist temple at his request upon his death.

A walk around the beautiful gardens of Kinkaku-ji include many other historic buildings and features showing the 600-year history of the site. Other buildings include the priests’ living quarters, shrines, and a traditional tea house. The grounds also include the bell tower, Ryumon Falls, and a second pond with a carved stone pagoda named White Snake Mound.

Entrance to the temple is only around $4 and it can be reached by bus or car.

Marvel at Kiyomizu-dera Temple in Kyoto

by Mariza from Hop On World

If you’re visiting Japan in autumn, one sight that has to be on your bucket list is Kiyomeza-dera.

Located on the slopes of Mount Otowa in Kyoto’s Southern Higashiyama region, Kiyomeza-dera is a beautiful Buddhist temple and one of the most iconic UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the city. The temple was built in 778 AD, and its main hall was constructed without the use of a single nail. 

Besides the impressive main hall, the sprawling grounds also feature several other points of interest. These include several smaller shrines, the Koyasu Pagoda, and a sacred water spring that is believed to bestow longevity. Take your time strolling the grounds because there are loads of little hiking trails offering picture-perfect views over the temple complex and the city in the distance. Along the way, there’s plenty of photo ops and cozy traditional tea houses where you can sip on a cup of matcha tea.

The temple is easily reached by bus (#100 or 206) from Kyoto Main Station, and the entrance is ¥400. Although the temple is a popular tourist spot throughout the year, the spring and autumn seasons offer the best experience. During spring, you’ll get to see the grounds blanketed in cherry blossoms, and during autumn, dozens of maple trees burst into a kaleidoscope of colors.

Walk down Tokyo’s Plastic Food Street

by Helen from Japlanease

When you visit many of the restaurants in Japan, you’ll notice the most amazing display of plastic food outside. It’s there to show you what dishes the restaurant sells and is very handy to refer to if the restaurant doesn’t have an English menu. You can also visit the street from which much of this food comes and buy your own!

The street is Kappabashi Dori in Tokyo and it’s located close to the Asakusa area of the city.

You’ll be amazed when you walk up there at how creative the items can be – entire plates of plastic pasta in bright red sauce jump out from shop windows. Other items jump out because they have eye-wateringly expensive price tags of tens of thousands of yen – but the good news is other samples cost just a few hundred yen which means they make absolutely brilliant souvenirs. You can even buy kits to make your own plastic food at home or book a class to learn how to do it. The best shop is Ganso-Shokuhin Sample-ya at 3-7-6 Nishi Asakusa, Taito-ku, Tokyo.

Kappabashi is also a great place to stock up on Japanese bowls, chopsticks, and chef’s knives. If you have any interest in all things culinary then definitely add a walk up plastic food street to your Japan bucket list.

See the Snow Monkeys at Jigokudani Monkey Park

by Mia from Walk a While with Me

For a truly incredible experience unique to Japan, you have to visit Jigokudani Monkey Park.

Located in the town of Yamanouchi in the Nagano Prefecture, Jigokudani Monkey Park allows you to observe wild Japanese Macaques up close as they bathe in a hot spring.

While you can’t touch or feed these snow monkeys (as they are wild animals), you can observe them interact with each other and escape from the cold weather in the pools. It’s a lot of fun to watch their exchanges, but it can also be disconcerting when they’re play-fighting around your legs! Nevertheless, these monkeys are pretty used to humans, so they pay very little attention to you.

While the park is open year-round, the monkeys tend to only be in the hot springs from December to March, when the weather is cool and there are tons of snow. I went in January, and the pools were filled with monkeys! But if you’re worried that the monkeys may not be there when you visit, you can check the live camera here.

Overall, for 800 yen, this is an experience you cannot beat!

Spend the Night in a Ryokan

by James Ian from Travel Collecting

Staying in a ryokan is a unique experience everyone should have when they visit Japan. Ryokans are traditional Japanese inns and spending a night there is nothing like staying in a regular western-style hotel, as you are used to. 

You will most likely be greeted by the hostess dressed in a traditional kimono before you take off your shoes and are shown to your room. The most traditional rooms will be a small but empty space with tatami (grass) mats, sliding paper doors, and seats on the floor around a low table. At night, futons will be unrolled for you to sleep on.

A highlight of your stay will be the multi-course kaiseki meal. Beautifully presented – and delicious – meals will be delivered to your room throughout the evening. Before or after the meal, you can soak in an onsen, which is a hot bath of natural spring water. Your room may have a private onsen, but traditionally they have shared tubs, separated by gender.

While some ryokans have more western versions, like regular beds and restaurants for your meals, staying in a traditional ryokan is to really step back in time and experience life as travelers in Japan have enjoyed breaks in their journeys for centuries.

See an Annual Geisha and Maiko Show in Kyoto

by Cristina from Honest Travel Stories

When you think about Japan, you probably picture a geisha or maiko. It’s understandable, as it’s one of the very iconic Japanese cultural elements we all know and love. But how often do you imagine them performing their arts?

Probably not very often, as they can be rarely seen performing. They dedicate and prepare their whole lives for these arts, and yet most people have no idea what this looks like. And that’s why you should include a geisha and maiko show in Kyoto in your Japan itinerary.

There are five annual shows in Kyoto, as there are five geisha districts in the city. Four of them take place in spring and one of them happens in autumn, to celebrate the best times of the year to visit Japan (I actually recommend autumn instead of spring).

And even if though the show happens entirely in Japanese, you don’t really need to know the language. The show is an explosion of color, music, and dancing, and all of these are international languages everyone understands. It marks the maiko graduation after years of learning, so they put in lots of work to make it perfect.

Buying tickets in advance is a hassle, as most reservation websites are in Japanese only, but you can swing by the venues a day or two before and reserve your tickets on the spot. The show costs about $50 USD to see and you can include an additional tea ceremony for around $5. A small price for a unique experience, in my opinion.

Visit the Beautiful Himeji Castle

by Greta from Greta’s Travels

If you’re looking for a can’t-miss experience in Japan, you have to add Himeji Castle to your bucket list. Known as the “White Heron Castle”, it’s located on a hilltop in the city of Himeji.

Himeji Castle is the largest in Japan, and is distinguishable thanks to the unique architecture of the castle. It was first built in the 14th century and has changed ownership numerous times throughout the centuries. Each owner brought new changes to the castle structure, which led to the gorgeous architectural feat we can see today.

Inside you will find carved clan markings and information panels on the history of the castle and surrounding region. The inside of castle retains its original wooden structure. From the final floors of the castle you will see an epic view over Himeji and the neighboring countryside.

Getting to Himeji Castle is very easy. The castle is located a short 10-15 minute walk away from the main train station of Himeji, which you can get to by train from all major Japanese cities. Many travelers come on a day trip to Himeji from Kyoto or Osaka.

READ MORE: The Best Cities to Visit in Japan

Relax at an Onsen in Kinosaki

by Sarah from A Social Nomad

Visiting an onsen – a hot water pool experience – in Japan is one of those “only in Japan experiences” that you must do. 

The onsen town of Kinosaki is an amazing place to do that. There are seven public onsen baths in Kinosaki, each with something unique for the visitor. Even better, the town is famous also for its ryokans – a traditional Japanese lodging house where you have all of your meals, relax in your traditional Japanese room, and, even better, your accommodation includes access to all seven of Kinosaki’s public onsens. That’s two Japanese bucket list items in one!

A stay in a Ryokan usually includes traditional Japanese multiple course dinner and breakfast served in your room.  Traditional ryokans are simple with little furniture and tatami mat flooring. Wear traditional yukata clothing and embrace the whole experience. Most ryokans in Kinosaki will provide a traditional Kaiseki Ryori Dinner served at low tables in your room. They’ll provide you with wooden shoes – or Geta in which you can walk around the town and visit the onsens. This is an incredible onsen ryokan experience and one not to miss.

Explore the Hakone Open-Air Museum

by Cortney from Tin Can Living

The Hakone Open-Air Museum is one of the most famous open-air museums in Japan! It was opened in 1969 and has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1999.

The museum has over 30 acres to explore, but what’s so special about it? Many different exhibits focus on various aspects of Japanese history and culture. For example, there is an exhibit that focuses on traditional Japanese architecture from the Edo period which includes a large model of a typical mansion with all its rooms labeled. This would be great for anyone who wants to learn more about this period or just see how the inside of a traditional house looked like.

This museum is best known for its great sculptures and collections of art. Every year, artists from all over the world come to create new pieces, which adds a lot of variety to the museum! The most famous artists include Henry Moore, Isamu Noguchi, and Auguste Rodin. Their sculptures can be seen all around the museum, and they’re just amazing! Noguchi’s sculpture ‘Black Sun’ is probably one of the most notable pieces in this place. It was created to represent Japan after World War II and it has a great impact on people who see it for the first time.

This museum is absolutely stunning and is a must-see when visiting Japan.

Take a Food Tour of Kobe, Uji, and Kyoto

by Bernadette Young from Live a Relaxed Life

For those that want to eat as much Japanese food as possible in one trip, it is super easy to do! It is best to make Osaka your home base and buy a Japan Rail Pass for this food tour.

Thirty minutes away from Osaka is Kobe, home of the world-famous Kobe Beef. The opportunity to try authentic Kobe beef makes meat lovers flock to the city Other points of interest are the oldest Chinatown in Japan, the Kobe Harbor and Ferris wheel, or Nunobiki Falls for a touch of nature.

Uji is known for its matcha and the tea is used in different dishes like ice cream, cakes, mochi, and noodles. You can even take a day trip to Uji for a Matcha Green Tea Tour. The city also has the Tale of Genji Museum, which displays anything and everything connected to Japan’s oldest novel.

In Kyoto, Kyo-Kinana is an ice cream shop that only sells ice cream made from soybean powder or “kinako”. Visitors can eat the flavor of the day at the bar or sit at a table and try their menu of ice cream and parfaits. Kyoto is considered the cultural center of Japan so there are numerous temples, shrines, museums, gardens, and restaurants to visit.

By visiting these three cities, you’ll be able to try some of of the best food in Japan!

Visit an Island Full of Rabbits

by Helen from Differentville

If you’ve wanted to visit an island full of rabbits, Japan’s has one – and this adorable enclave of cuteness is easy to visit as a day trip from Hiroshima, Kyoto, and Osaka.

It’s called Okunoshima and exactly why it’s overrun with wild rabbits no one completely knows, but as soon as you hop off the ferry to the island, the floppy-eared residents will appear wanting snacks.

While the bunnies are the main draw, the scenery is pretty and there’s some history to explore. The island has quite a dark past as it was actually a poison gas factory in a former life. Some of the factory ruins remain and there’s a small museum to explore. There aren’t any shops though, and the only restaurant is at the hotel, so bring any drinks or snacks you might need.

To get to Okunoshima, take the bullet train to Mihara – from there, at weekends you can take a direct ferry to the island, or, get the local train to Tadanoumi where you’ll find the Rabbit Island Visitor Center (the best place to buy safe snacks to feed the rabbits) and pick up the ferry for the 15-minute ride to the island.  See more in this Rabbit Island Guide.

Go Skiing in Hokkaido

by Emma from Wanderlust and Wet Wipes

You can go skiing in many places but there’s are lots of reasons why skiing in Japan is one of the best things to do there. Hokkaido is known for its world-class skiing (Sapporo hosted the Winter Olympics in 1972) and has several amazing resorts including Furano, Hakodate, Niseko, Otaru Tenguyama, Rusutsu, and Sapporo (and there are literally hundreds of smaller ones too!).

The region’s combination of cold air from Siberia and moisture from the Sea of Japan combine and hit Japan’s mountains, which creates heavy snow – and lots of it! Sapporo even has a snow festival in February to celebrate the white powder falling from the sky!

Imagine spending the day skiing some of the many slopes in Hokkaido, looking out over one of the island’s majestic mountains. For lunch, you stop on one of the hillside slopes or at the bottom of one of the pistes to slurp up delicious ramen, devour a katsu curry or some teriyaki chicken (and if you’re not a fan of those, there are Western options too).

At the end of the day, stash your skis and head to an onsen to soak your aching legs in a traditional Japanese hot spring. When you’re all finished there, head out to choose between one of the hundreds of amazing restaurants in your resort.

Skiing in Hokkaido is great for beginner and advanced skiers.

Wander the Streets of Higashiyama in Kyoto

by Melissa from Parenthood and Passports

One of the best preserved historic districts in Kyoto, Higashiyama is known for its narrow, steep streets lined with traditional wooden buildings.

Ninenzaka and Sannenzaka are two of the most charming streets in Kyoto. These picturesque streets are some of the best places to see cherry blossoms or fall colors in Kyoto or to simply experience the culture of Japan.

The neighborhood is lined with shops, restaurants, and tea or coffee houses that heavily cater to tourists. If visiting Kyoto with kids, this area also has several sweets and candy shops and parks that children will love.

This popular area can become quite busy during the day and evening, but if you visit during the early morning hours before the stores open around 9 a.m., you’ll have the beautiful streets all to yourself.

Explore the Historic Village of Shirakawa-go

by Bernadette Young from Book Retreats

Shirakawa-go is a small village in the mountains of Hakusan National Park and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its unique architecture known as gassho-style houses. 

The homes were built in the 1800s and have steep roofs that are supposed to resemble hands in prayer. The structures were built with the four seasons in mind – snow easily falls off the roof and the placement of the homes minimized wind resistance which helps keep it cool in the summer and warm in the winter. The homes are also unique because the attics were used for silk production and to cultivate silkworms.

The village is four hours by train from Tokyo and there are numerous tours available. To get the perfect landscape picture of the village, head to the Shiroyama Observation Deck. A visit to the nearby village Gokayama has fewer crowds, the same architecture, and is well-known for the traditional Japanese washi paper.

Sample Hida Wagyu in Takayama

by Bernadette Young from Explorer Chick

Takayama City in the Gifu Prefecture is known for its historic district, well-preserved homes from the Edo period and, ryokan, or traditional Japanese inns. But another reason to visit is to sample Hida wagyu beef.

Wagyu beef is known the world over for the marbling of the meat that sometimes looks like it is more fat than actual beef. It can only come from the black-haired Wagyu cows that are found in Japan. And it is very much restricted to come from a specific region: Kobe beef comes from Kobe in Hyogo Prefecture while Hida comes from the Gifu Prefecture. For meat lovers, scattered around the city are a hefty amount of restaurants that serve Hida beef where diners can eat everything from grilled steak to Hida beef ramen. 

To get a glimpse into how life was in the 1950s to 1970s Japan, a visit to the Takayama Shōwa-kan Museum is a must. The Showa era is the time in Japan’s history when Emperor Showa ruled, 1926-1989. At the museum, visitors are transported into the vintage townscape with its life-size exhibits so it really does feel like stepping back in time.

Hike the Kumano Kodo Trail

by Katie Diederichs from Two Wandering Soles

If you’re an avid hiker and want to get off the beaten path, hiking the Kumano Kodo Trail will surely be a highlight of your time in Japan.

This pilgrimage route brings hikers through the forested mountains of the Kii Peninsula. It gives those with an adventurous spirit the opportunity to experience a completely different side of Japan and to spend the night in charming villages that most travelers never see.

The Kumano Kodo is a network of trails that connect three famous shrines. These routes have been used by pilgrims and adventure seekers for more than 1,000 years. It is often compared to its sister trail, Camino de Santiago, due to its cultural and historical significance.

Whether you hike all or just part of this trail, the most iconic sight is Nachi Taisha, the most famous shrine along the Kumano Kodo. Behind this orange shrine looms Nachi Falls, the tallest waterfall in Japan, making this a spectacular place to end your Kumano Kodo journey.

See the Geisha Houses in Kanazawa

by Chloe from Chloe’s Travelogue

Kanazawa in the Japanese Hokuriku region is a small historic town with ancient architecture and rich history. When this charming town had its most glorious days during the Edo Period, it was all about money, gold, and geisha. So it is not a surprise to find Geisha Houses in Kanazawa. 

The ancient neighborhood of Higashi Chaya District features well-preserved traditional Japanese teahouses where Geishas perform. In other parts of Japan (like Kyoto), these teahouses are off-limits for international travelers; only existing guests and their referrals are allowed. But not in Kanazawa!

Two of the teahouses in Higashi Chaya are open to the public: Shima and Kaikaro Teahouses. Shima is more like a museum where you can peek at how a geisha’s life would have been 200 years ago. Whereas, Kaikaro still is a referral-only teahouse in the evening while serving tea and gold-leaf confectionery (a local specialty) during the day for any visitors.

Most likely, you won’t see any real-life geisha. Nevertheless, getting invited into a geisha’s living quarters and entertainment room is a rare opportunity you should not miss. So go experience the glamorous teahouses and geisha culture from the Edo golden period next time in Kanazawa.

Have a Night Out at a Snack or Host Bar

by Diana from The Globetrotting Detective

Snack bars and host bars have been a very big and important part of Japanese entertainment culture for half a century. They are a unique Japanese bar experience and an authentic place where you can learn about Japanese nightlife culture.

You can find snack and host bars anywhere in Japan from big cities to rural areas.

Snack bars, sunakku in Japanese, are designed for a male clientele. The guests are mostly middle-aged or older salarymen. They go to snack bars to have a good time and relax.

The clients are served and entertained by female staff and/or the mama-san. The mama-san is always an older lady who is the owner and manager of the snack bars. The hostesses in the snack bars today are sort of modern geishas. The hostesses chat with the guests, light their cigarettes, pour their drinks, drink with them, and sing karaoke together.

In an average snack bar, customers pay around 3,000 yen for a table for one hour. This includes the company of a hostess and some light food. On top of that, you pay for the alcohol you and your hostess consume. The girls’ task is in fact to make guests purchase and drink as much alcohol as possible.

The host bars, hostu baru in Japanese, are the same as snack bars. But in host bars, female guests pay to be entertained by handsome men.

The goal in both snack and host bars is to make the guest happy and loved and make them want to keep going back. 

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The Ultimate Japan Bucket List: Final Thoughts

As you can see, there are so many amazing, unique experiences that you can have while traveling through Japan. This list has 25 of the best things to do in the country, and this is only a small glimpse of all the wonderful experiences you can have in Japan!

If you’re planning a trip to Japan, make sure to add at least a few of these bucket list experiences to your Japan itinerary. Whether you want to see Japan’s top sights, admire some of the country’s most beautiful places, or try some of the best Japanese foods, there’s an experience on the list for you!

Have you been to Japan? What’s on your Japan Bucket List?

More Japan Travel Posts:

• Top Travel Tips for Your First Visit to Japan
• The Ultimate Tokyo Bucket List
• Day Trips from Tokyo, Japan
• Free Things to Do in Kyoto, Japan
• The Best Cities to Visit in Japan

Pin this Japan Bucket List to Pinterest for future travel planning and inspiration!