Top Things To Do In Japan

Tailoring each experience to your wishes by locals who love their city

Group of tourists posing with their local guide at a popular temple in Japan

Top things to do in Japan

From exploring cool neighborhoods to eating with the locals to seeing iconic sites, these are some of our favorite experiences

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Wondering what to do in Japan?

Japan is a land of contrasts, its drastically different cities each with a reputation that precedes it and a list of things to do that you could spend a year trying to tick off and still not scratch the surface. In Japan, the ancient and modern are so intimately connected that it seems the one could not exist without the other. Japan’s cities may at first glance appear to be ultra-modern metropolises filled with high-octane entertainment, but peer behind the futuristic facade and you’ll uncover a thousand ways to experience Japanese tradition. Between the centuries-old and contemporary halves of this beautiful country, the things to do in Japan are anything but ordinary.

Meet some of our Japan local hosts

Kenji

Tokyo

Funny and friendly guy with a love for night hikes and deep conversations

Asuka

Sapporo

A calm Japanese part-time translator always with a huge smile on her face

Tourists visiting a popular temple in Japan

Traditional roots

Throughout Japan’s modern cities, countless opportunities to connect with history and heritage abound. The things to do in Japan that celebrate the country’s culture are some of the most memorable travel experiences in the world. From ancient shrines to sumo stadiums, centuries-old dining traditions to tea ceremonies, Japan’s culture is waiting to be discovered. Whether you don a kimono and explore an atmospheric temple, watch a spellbinding geisha performance, or spend a night in a wooden bathhouse, it’s the traditional things to do in Japan that make the country even more magical.

Local women dressed in traditional clothing in an alleyway in Japan

Cities that tell stories

As a country, Japan has several attractions shared by its major cities: fantastic food, cherry blossoms, ancient temples, and dimly-lit izakaya bars. But even with these similarities, each city brings its own unique things to do in Japan. There’s Hiroshima, a city that, beyond its tragic past, is a thriving cosmopolitan community of trendy coffee shops and crowded stores. Kyoto, on the other hand, is a storybook scene of wood-built streets and lantern-lit geishas, while Tokyo and Osaka are modern hubs of high-octane entertainment featuring some of the most futuristic things to in Japan.

Tourists experiencing a traditional Japanese meal on a food tour in Japan with a local

Spectacular cuisine

Ask any culinary expert, and they’ll tell you Japan is one of the best food destinations in the world. With an emphasis on tradition, fresh ingredients, and flavors that range from subtle to super-bold, Japanese cuisine is tremendously varied. No matter where in the country you happen to explore, phenomenal food will be found. Whether you try traditional Kaiseki in Kyoto, Okonomiyaki in Osaka, Fukuoka’s Tonkotsu ramen, and perfectly marbled Kobe beef (not to mention the lesser-known Sapporo “soup curry”), the foodie things to do in Japan will have you planning your second trip.

Japan travel tips and inspiration from our Travel Magazine

Find essential city info, travel tips and the best things to do in Japan and around the world recommended by our local hosts

Latest reviews from our guests

Eli was awesome. She helped us understand Japanese culture and practices and let us enjoy the day at our pace and in the manner in which we wanted. She also helped us find good vegetarian food

April 2025

Sindhu R
Eli made the tour fun and personal giving multiple suggestions of her favorite places and showing us both the bright lights and hidden gems of Fukuoka. She made an in depth schedule and was able to change it on the fly depending on our interests. My wife and I laughed constantly throughout the tour with Eli which made the experience completely worth it. Felt like hanging with a friend.

April 2025

Nathan M
We made a last-minute request for a food tour in Fukuoka in the evening and it was our good fortune that Bruce was available to take us for a tour the next afternoon. The tour was a great introduction to the food culture of the city. While the yatai tour is an evening experience, he was able to send us to one of his favourite yatai stalls where Mariko-san took care of us, introducing us to local seafood tempura.

April 2025

Pam B
Eli was friendly and genuine. She showed us great spots so we got the flavor of Fukuoka. She tailored the itinerary very well to our tastes and abilities. She showed flexibility to make revisions as needed. We ate at a local fish market restaurant, ate delicious pastries, saw shrines and learned their history, learned about local customs and ceremonies and wandered through all sorts of shopping areas. Highly recommend this tour especially if your time is limited in Fukuoka.

April 2025

Nancy R