Top 10 Things to Do in Japan on a First Visit

Beyond sushi and karaoke, Japan is a land of paradox and surprise — intriguing the traveller with its mix of modernity and tradition, big city mania, and natural beauty.

Dig beneath the well-worn cliches that have defined modern perceptions of Japanese culture and you’ll discover some of the most exquisite travel experiences to be had anywhere on the planet.

Here’s a checklist of our top ten things to do in Japan on a first visit.

1. Experience the changing seasons

Mountains and forest cover three-quarters of this island nation and four very distinct seasons impart their unique flavour to the landscape. The annual cherry blossom festivals in spring are the icing on the seasonal cake. Snow brings winter charm to the mountains, and in autumn the sight of thousands of maples (they’re native to Japan) cloaked in red and orange hues is unforgettable.

2. Enjoy the tranquility of temples and gardens

In Japan, temples and gardens generally go together like love and marriage. Crafted like great works of art, gardens flow naturally from Shinto, Buddhist, and Taoist temples and shrines. Carp glitter in the lotus-filled ponds and streams. Curved ornamental bridges, rock and moss gardens, torii gates, pagodas, bells and bamboo add to the beauty and tranquility. Garden and temple fiends should definitely head to Kyoto, where over 2,000 temples and shrines await.

3. Stroll the lantern-lit laneways of Pontocho in Kyoto

Shining in the darkness, the paper lanterns of the orient are fun and traditional. For some lantern magic, stroll through Pontocho Alley in Kyoto at night. It’s the city’s most atmospheric street. Here you’re also likely to spot a geisha flitting by like some mystical creature of the night. It feels like a step back into a magical orient of the past.

4. Soak away your cares in a thermal spring

There are few things in this world as sublime as soaking stark naked in a natural hot spring in the mountains of Japan. Volcanically active, the country boasts some of the best natural thermal springs in the world. Incorporating the Japanese appreciation of nature with zen philosophy, onsen bathing is the ultimate chillaxing experience.

5. Spot a snow monkey

Found on Honshu, Shikoku and Kyushu (three of the four largest of Japan’s islands) and on some of the smaller islands, the Japanese macaque — also known as the snow monkey — lives further north than any other primate. The sight of one bathing in a hot spring or ambling along beside a river in the wild is heart-stopping. While the macaques can sometimes be spotted in the wild, for guaranteed monkey thrills check out the Jigokudani Yaen-koen (Wild Monkey Park) or the Arashiyama Monkey Park in Iwatayama.

6. Explore historic castles, villages and towns

Traditional mountain villages, Edo-period towns and samurai castles offer a direct route into Japan’s past. Visit historic enclaves like Takayama’s old town, Tsumago, the gassho-zukuri thatched roof farmhouses of Shirakawa-go (a UNESCO World Heritage-listed village), Kumamoto Castle, and the heritage boathouses of Ine fishing village.

7. Stay in a traditional ryokan

Popular with tourists and honeymooning Japanese, ryokans offer a chance to experience Japanese accommodation much as it was in the Edo period. Originating in the 17th century as inns for travellers, today most ryokans offer traditional matted rooms, communal onsens and a meal of kaiseki (around 25 small dishes of food served over four courses).

8. Marvel at big city life in Tokyo

Tokyo’s Shinjuku Station is the world’s busiest railway station and a ramble through its multi-levels, escalators and platforms is an experience you won’t forget. Weave your way through the mania of Shinjuku (a ward of Tokyo), marvelling at the machine-like efficiency and cleanliness of an area of less than 19 square kilometres with a population of more than 350,000 people. There’s neon, skyscrapers and shopping galore, but also charming alleys and laneways packed with eateries serving tasty ramen, soba, sushi, yakitori, and more.

9. Escape to the mountains

In stark contrast to big city life, Japan’s mountain regions offer quiet solace. Seventy per cent of the country is covered in mountains and forest — making it one of the most heavily forested industrialised countries in the world. Enjoy scenic vistas garnished with maples and conifers, bathe in hot onsens, admire stunning shrines set in gardens rich in seasonal beauty, and if you’re lucky — meet those wild snow monkeys.

10. Revel in quirky Japan

From futuristic bathrooms to cafes where you can play with kittens, Japan’s quirkiness delights most visitors. While it’s sometimes the butt of foreign amusement, in reality, Japanese creativity and sense of the aesthetic is nothing short of extraordinary, and there are few places in the world that pay such tribute to the inner-child in us all.

For more travel inspiration, visit www.japan.travel.

Browse our range of Japan tours and experiences here.

Do you have any suggestions to add to our list of ten top things to do in Japan on a first visit? We would love to hear from you. Please leave a comment below.

Cover: Fushimi Inari Shrine, Kyoto. Additional images: Envato/Bigstock