It’s time to travel the world again and if you’re in search of wonder, there’s no place better to explore than Japan. From wandering the streets of vibrant Tokyo neighbourhoods to relaxing in an onsen, these are the things you won’t want to miss on a holiday to Japan.
Holidays in Japan often begin in Tokyo. This is a destination in itself but there’s no reason to restrict yourself to the wonders of the capital. Let us help you plan the perfect trip to Tokyo and beyond.
In partnership with Japan National Tourism Organization
1. Stroll along the streets of Shinjuku
Shinjuku is one of Tokyo’s most popular neighbourhoods, and there are two distinct sides to this area. This is Tokyo’s busiest suburb, where a great mix of shops, restaurants and bars will keep you busy from dawn until dusk and throughout the night. Many of these are found inside glimmering skyscrapers, a symbol of modern culture.
However, between Shinjuku’s impressive buildings are almost secretive alleyways. In Omoide Yokocho, you’ll enjoy hole-in-the-wall dining for an authentic culinary experience. For those looking for a drink, head to Golden Gai to experience bars in a labyrinth of alleyways.
Shinjuku, Tokyo
2. Hang out in Harajuku
Harajuku is another popular area of Tokyo, known for being fashionable and kawaii. Its iconic main street, Takeshita Street, is full of cute, colourful and cool shops, attractions and people. It’s also an underrated destination for foodies, whether you want cheap bites or Instagram-worthy plates. You won’t go hungry here!
Harajuku is also next to Yoyogi Park, located adjacent to Harajuku Station. One of the biggest parks in Tokyo, you’ll find manicured lawns, large ponds and wooded areas. The park is particularly popular in spring when the cherry blossom trees bloom and in autumn when the ginkgo trees turn golden.
Harajuku girls taking a photo. Image © TCVB/Meiji Jingu Shrine, Tokyo/Harajuku, Tokyo
3. Admire ancient temples and shrines
There are thousands of temples and shrines found throughout all of Japan. No matter how long your holiday is, you won’t run out of temples and shrines to admire.
Shrines are associated with the Shinto religion and have a torii gate at the entrance, while temples are rooted in Buddhist beliefs and have a sanmon gate at the entrance. Sensoji in Asakusa is the oldest Buddhist temple in Tokyo, dating back to the year 645. It’s a vibrant temple and is also home to Nakamise-dori, a shopping street lined with some 90 stalls selling souvenirs, crafts and food. Next door is Asakusa Shrine, a Shinto place of worship with a long history intertwined with Sensoji.
Hozomon Gate at Sensoji in Asakusa, Tokyo
4. Take a ride on the bullet train
Japan is home to the world’s first high-speed rail, known as the shinkansen, or commonly as the bullet train, and is capable of reaching speeds of up to 320km/hr. While the train itself is worth riding solely for the experience, it’s also an incredibly efficient way of getting around the country.
There are ten shinkansen routes you can ride across the country. Starting in Tokyo, you can head west to Kanawaza, or southwest to Kyoto and then carry on to Hakata and Kagoshima Chuo further south. Alternatively, head north from Tokyo, and visit the city of Niigata on the western coast, or stick to the eastern coast until you reach Hokkaido, with the farthest station found in Hakodate. You can purchase a Japan Rail Pass, which includes travel across all JR train lines, including the shinkansen (excluding the Nozomi trains), for 7, 14 or 21 consecutive days. A seven-day pass is currently around A$330 for an adult.
See the country from the comfort of a high-speed bullet train
5. Indulge in regional delicacies
When it comes to Japanese cuisine, you may think you know what it’s all about – sushi, ramen, gyoza – but every corner of Japan has its own unique local specialties, and discovering as many as you can should be top of your travel list. For sushi, the place to start is at Toyosu Market in Tokyo. This is the biggest fish market in the world, and there are almost 40 restaurants around the marketplace where you can try the daily catch.
For takoyaki, the place to be is Osaka. This distinctive ball-shaped snack is filled with pieces of octopus and topped with a special savoury sauce, mayonnaise, dried seaweed and bonito flakes. It can be found all over the city, but we recommend stopping by the Kuromon Ichiba Market or wandering around the Tennoji or Minami areas. For a blend of fresh seafood and savoury offerings, Hiroshima is known for both its oysters and its okonomiyaki – Japan’s take on a fritter (but a thousand times better). In fact, you can even try the two together and have an oyster okonomiyaki. Make for the Hiroshima Station area, or downtown to try this delicious combo.
If you have a bit of a sweet tooth, you must try Kyoto’s matcha sweets. You can find many cafes and shops selling these sweets in Gion, and this treat makes for a perfect pick-me-up after a day of sightseeing.
Try takoyaki in Osaka
6. Kayak in crystal clear waters
Hokkaido may be best known for skiing, but there are plenty of other outdoor activities to enjoy in this northernmost prefecture all year long. One of the most enchanting things to do is to take a trip to Lake Shikotsu, a body of water that’s famed for its crystal-clear waters.
The most spell-binding time to visit is in winter as that’s when the water is at its clearest, but there are other treats at warmer times of the year. If you go in autumn, you’ll see the edge of the lake cloaked in fiery-coloured leaves.
Lake Shikotsu in Hokkaido Prefecture
7. Visit a traditional village
One of the most captivating parts of a holiday in Japan is the opportunity to mix modern life of the big cities with traditional living found in rural villages. One of the best places to do this is with an overnight stay at Shirakawa-go in Gifu Prefecture, a UNESCO World Heritage listed village. The gassho-zukuri houses feature unique thatched roofs and some of the houses are believed to date back over 300 years. If you’re short on time, you can make the visit in a day.
While there, enjoy views of nearby mountains (snowclad in the winter), visit the Tenshukaku Observatory and take life at a slightly slower pace.
Snow-covered gassho-zukuri houses at Ogimachi Village in Shirakawa-go
8. Experience an onsen
Relaxation is a big part of any trip, no matter where you go on holiday. In Japan, the traditional ways are often the best way to take it all in. This generally means visiting an onsen. Onsen are traditional baths using thermal springs. They’re said to have many health benefits, including reduced stress, improved sleep and helping cure skin problems. Used since ancient times by samurai and other travellers, now the onsen is the ultimate day spa.
Ryokan Shuku Kaifu in Minamichita Hot Spring Village, Aichi Prefecture/Kusatsu Onsen in Gunma Prefecture
9. See the flowers in bloom
Experience a sensory delight by visiting Japan when flowers are in bloom. The biggest draw is the cherry blossoms, called sakura, which start blooming from late February all the way through to May, depending on the location. Spreading across almost the entire country, this mass bloom of white and pink flowers is a natural wonder.
That’s not Japan’s only floral claim to fame. From mid-April, wisteria begins to come into flower. These can be purple, pink or white and, again, are grown across the country. Ashikaga Flower Park in Tochigi Prefecture is one of the top places to see this.
Later in the year, the Tambara Highlands of Gunma Prefecture take on a purple hue in July and August, as more than 50,000 lavender plants show off their beauty. Farm Tomita in Hokkaido Prefecture is another spectacular place to see lavender. The best time to see them is usually around early to mid-July.
Cherry blossoms along the Meguro River in Tokyo
10. Explore its majestic mountains
Japan’s mountainous terrain makes it a haven for anyone in search of adventure. Hokkaido is the snow capital of Japan and it’s a huge hit with skiers and snowboarders. Soft powder is often found at Niseko, and the ski fields Furano and Kiroro are also worth visiting no matter your skill level. When the snow melts and warm weather arrives, make use of the wide range of hiking and biking trails found all throughout the country, such as Lake Ashi in Kanagawa Prefecture.
Lake Ashi in Kanagawa Prefecture/Lake Chuzenji, Nikko National Park in Tochigi Prefecture
Discover more things to see and do in Japan at Japan.Travel.
Start planning your next adventure
Want to read more?
- Discover the best times to book a holiday in Japan.
- Get in the mood for Japanese cuisine with our travel from your kitchen series: Japanese yakiniku.
- Interested in seeing sakura? Find out more about Japan’s famous cherry blossom season.
