Ultimate Guide to the 50 Coolest Things To Do In JapanLooking for some tips for your visit to Japan? Here's a guide to 50 of the coolest things you can do in Japan, from the most unique places to stay and the best experiences to have to some of the most unusual and fun places to eat!Authorskerrieturcic
DestinationsTokyoItinerary

The Coolest Things To See and Do in Japan

ART AQUARIUM MUSEUM
An aquarium like you've never experienced! In Tokyo.
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teamLab Planets TOKYO DMM
You'll feel like you're actually part of the coolest art installation ever here at teamLab in Tokyo.
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Mount Fuji
Iconic. Make sure you visit the Chureito Pagoda for an epic view of the mountain.
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Chureito Pagoda
The Chureito Pagoda is about a 2-hour trip from Tokyo...but it's totally worth it.
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Arashiyama Bamboo Forest
Visiting the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest is a surreal experience. Located in Kyoto.
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Shinkyō Bridge
Located in Nikko, the Shinkyō Bridge spans the Daiya River and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This very cool vermilion-lacquered bridge is one of Japan's "Three Great Unusual Bridges."
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Tokyo DisneySea
For Disney fans, Tokyo DisneySea is a bucket-list park. And, some say, traveling to this Disney park in Japan is cheaper than visiting Disney World in Florida. Tokyo Disney Resort also features Tokyo Disneyland. Why not do both?!
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Tokyo Tower
The coolest way to experience Tokyo Tower is to book a ticket to the top!
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Tokyo Skytree
You can get even higher than Tokyo Tower in the Tokyo Skytree. Book your ticket to ride up to the top of the tallest tower in Japan—over 2,000 feet!
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Fushimi Inari Taisha
Located in Kyoto, Fishimi Inari-taisha is a stunningly beautiful shrine featuring more than 10,000 stunning orange-red torii (shrine gates). You can spend up to three hours hiking through the gates.
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Niseko Tokyu Grand Hirafu
Skiing in Niseko should be on every skier or snowboarder's bucket list. The best thing is that you can stay right on the mountain.
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Sensō-ji
There's nothing cooler than visiting Japan's oldest and most iconic Buddhist temples. Sensō-ji draws more than 30 million visitors every year!
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Jōmon Sugi
Located on the fairytale-esque island of Yakushima, Jōmon Sugi is thought to be one of the oldest living trees on the planet, at anywhere from 2,170-7,200 years old. It is thought to be the inspiration for the magical forest featured in Studio Ghibli's "Princess Mononoke."
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Shibuya Crossing
The famous street crossing in Tokyo! Shibuya Crossing is the world's busiest pedestrian intersection with up to 3,000 people all trying to cross simultaneously at any given hour of the day. You haven't lived until you've taken part in the "Shibuya Scramble"!
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Shibuya Sky
Experience Tokyo's most famous street crossing from above on this 360-degree open-air observation deck.
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Shinjuku Station
From busiest pedestrian crossing to busiest railway hub in the world. Shinjuku Station sees about 3.5 million people pass through every single day! Grab a train to just about anywhere in Japan from here.
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Shirakawa-go
A UNESCO World Heritage village in the Gifu Prefecture, Shirakawa-go is a region featuring some of the most picturesque villages in Japan. Ogimachi is the biggest and most beautiful.
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Ice Village
Only being open in the winter makes this place the ultimate "cool" Japan destination. This magical Ice Village is a glowing winter wonderland at Hoshino Resorts Tomamu in Shimukappu. There's an ice bar, a chapel, and an ice slide!
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Jigokudani Monkey Park
This world-famous monkey park in Nagano is the only place where wild Japanese macaques geothermal hot springs. The best time to go is between December in dMarch, but the park is open year-round.
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teamLab Botanical Garden Osaka
Beautiful light projections make real nature glow at the teamLab Botanical Garden in Osaka. Actual trees, bushes and even Oike Lake light up and make the garden an immersive nighttime art museum!
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Osaka Castle Park
Head here in the spring for stunning floweirng plum groves and cherry blossoms as thebackdrop for the reconstructed 16th-century castle! The ground surrounding the castle are free to enter and wander.
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Tetsugaku No Michi
Strolling the 1.2-mile Philosopher's Path in Kyoto in spring is a bucket-list item. The stone walkway follows the canal and is surrounded by hundreds of cherry trees featuring a breathtaking tunnel of pink blossoms.
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Kinkaku-ji
The Golden Pavilion in Kyoto is located in a stunning natural setting, but one of the coolest things about this temple is that its top two floors are complete covered in shimmering gold leaf!
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The Coolest Tours to Take in Japan

Tokyo Go-Kart through Shibuya and Shinjuku (IDP Required)
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Tokyo Shinjuku Sumo Show & Experience with Photo
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Kyoto Fushimi-Inari Night Walking Tour
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Tokyo Cherry Blossom Walking Tour
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Shinjuku Golden Gai Food Tour
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Discovering Shibuya
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【OKINAWA・BLUE CAVE】Private Snorkelling -Discount for 3+people
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Tea ceremony by the tea master in Kyoto SHIUN AN
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1 Hour Geisha Show in Kyoto
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The Coolest Places to Stay in Japan

Asakusa Tobu Hotel
How cute is this hotel in Tokyo? Be sure to stay in the Hello Kitty-themed rooms in Japanese-Modern or Sakura Tennyo. They also serve seasonal Hello Kitty-themed meals, drinks, and desserts! Just a 3-minute walk from Asakusa Station and a 4-minute walk from Hozomon Gate.
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HOTEL THE MITSUI KYOTO, a Luxury Collection Hotel & Spa
The Hotel Mitsui Kyoto is the perfect blend of modern luxury and traditional Japanese heritage. The hotel has an underground hot-spring onsen and incredible views of the UNESCO Nijo Castle.
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Luxury hotel SOWAKA
This hotel is all about celebrating Zen. The 23-room luxury hotel does not have TVs on the property. But it does have private rooftop yoga, in-room aromatic HInoki baths, stunning views of the garden, and world-renowned dining.
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Benesse House Museum
Part museum and part luxury hotel, the Benesse House Museum in Naoshima was designed by Tadao Ando, and it is on Japan's famous "Art Island" where Yayoi Kusama's Yellow Pumpkin sculpture sits on the edge of an old pier.
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guntu
This floating hotel, designed after a traditional ryokan, is actually a luxury ship that cruises the calm waters near Japan's Setouchi region.
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Treeful Treehouse
If it's your dream to stay in a treehouse, check out the Treeful Treehouse in Okinawa! Enjoy a 360-degree view of the jungle and an environmentally friendly stay.
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The Coolest Places to Eat in Japan

Tokyo Station
About half a million people pass through Tokyo Station each day, so it's not super surprising that it's actually a great place to eat! There are several hundred restaurants, bars, cafés and shops to explore here. Restaurants range from specializing in street foods to Michelin-starred!
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Dotonbori
The Dotonbori is the iconic, neon-lit heart of Osaka's dining scene. The best way to experience it is by trying the famous street food stalls like Takoyaki Doraku Wanaka.
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Musashi Sky Restaurant
Located on the Tokyo Skytree, Musashi Sky Restaurant features unmatched 360-degree views of the city and even Mount Fuji on clear days. The elegant atmosphere pairs nicely with "Tokyo Cuisine," which features a multi-course dining experience.
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Isaribi
Looking for a robatayaki (fireside barbecue) experience in Japan? Isaribi is a communal, interactive restaurant where chefs prepare meats, seafood, and vegetables in front of you and serve them on long wooden paddles.
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釣船茶屋ざうお新宿店
Sit on a large wooden boat and catch your own meal! The chefs will then prepare it just how you like it.
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kibunesou
Head to the mountain Kibune district in Kyoto to escape the summer heat. Sit on open-air wooden platfroms directly over the Kibune River as you enjoy traditional kaiseki.
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nokishita711
This place in Kyoto is for the adventurous eaters out there. This experimental cocktail bar uses unconventional ingredients in its concoctions, including meat and insect infusions!
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8bit Cafe
Embrace your inner nerd at this nostalgic restaurant in Tokyo. The restaurant is part museum; you can play on vintage consoles like the Famicom and Nintendo 64 then order themed cocktails like Princess Peach Temptation
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Omoide Yokocho Memory Lane
This is where to go for a classic street food experience in Tokyo. Wander the maze-like 1960s-era alleyways and watch chefs prepare food over grills right in front of you in smoky stalls. Most seating is at small counters. Enjoy yakitori (grilled chicken skewers), motsuyaki (grilled offal), and Japanese beers.
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Shinjuku Golden-Gai
Another nightlife district about a 10-15 minute walk from Memory Lane, Shinjuku Golden Gai is more for bar-hopping than food. Six narrow alleys feature more than 200 tiny bars (each only seat a few people!).
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Bear Paw Cafe
This place is just so darn cute! A contactless cafe a short walk from Harajuku Station, order your drinks and get them delivered by fuzzy paws through a hole in the wall!
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Niseko Confidential
This is a cool spot for après ski in Niseko. Head here after a fun day of skiing and enjoy the party vibes as well as handcrafted cocktails inventive dishes. PS: It has a sister, Tokyo Confidential.
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