Planning for your travel vacation to Japan and struggling to narrow down your travel plan?. Don’t worry, I am here to help you with The Ultimate Japan Bucket List.
Japan is one of the most amazing places in the world. It has lots of eye-catching visuals, unusual activities, and unlimited life-changing events.
Japan makes me fall in love with travel experiences. In this Blog article, I shared all my experiences in Japan.
I hope this article ( Japan Bucket List ) will be helpful to you if you are planning to visit Japan for the first time.
Table of Contents
20 Unforgettable Experiences in Japan Bucket List
1. Watch a Sumo Match
Sumo matches are one of the oldest sports in Japan, going back 1500 to 2000 years. Even though the state has changed, sumo matches are one of the most exciting sports. Everyone must experience it.
Becoming a sumo wrestler is not an easy task. Young men go to training to build mass muscles and weight to achieve as professional sumo wrestlers. Sumo wrestlers battle for prize money and fame in the tournaments conducted around Japan.
Purchasing tickets for the sumo tournaments will guarantee seats for the entire day; most people miss seeing amateurs fight in the morning.
Watching a Sumo match makes me enjoy it more on the Japan Bucket List.
2. Shop in Akihabara
Do you love anime? Visit Akihabara to fulfill your otaku fantasies with Comic books, DVDs, and Miniatures for all your favourite series available in Akihabara stores.
Most of the local people prefer to visit on Sunday to purchase the latest technical products.
After finishing the shopping, try to play videos at any arcade store and eat lunch at Akiba’s well-known maid cafes.
The top floors in the Yodabashi Camera Building have one of the most popular electronics stores with a food court, batting cages, and a driving range.
3. Ride the Shinkansen (Bullet Train)
The railway system in Japan is one of the best railway systems in the world. Most Passengers travel in the bullet train for safety, comfort, and efficiency.
Japan is the first country to build high-speed trains. Japan gained a reputation for its bullet trains.
Riding a mounted gun on the front of the bullet train at high speed is a great experience on the Japan Bucket List to cherish till I die.
The top speed of the bullet train is 400 km/h, but they only maintain a speed of 240-320 km/h for safety reasons, and I really enjoy watching the landscape fly by the window.
4. Experience Cherry Blossoms
Sakura or cherry blossoms are the most well-known places in the world, the main interest on the list. Cherry blossoms offer amazing visuals from the middle of March to the middle of April.
Cherry Blossoms attract more people because it is very beautiful and mandatory to add to your Japan bucket list. Spring is the best season to explore Japan.
Prices of the hotel increased, hotel bookings booked out very quickly, and long queues formed for the most attractive places in the Japan Bucket List.
Autumn is another season to travel in Japan. The trees turn into golden, crimson, and orange.
5. Ski in Hokkaido
Hokkaido is a well-known place, completely filled with snow. Everyone must experience snowboarding in the Japan Bucket List.
One of my favourite snow sports in Japan is Nozawa Onsen. Famous Viewing spots in Hokkaido are Shikisai Hill and Tomita.
Everyone should try some of the specials like corn, lavender ice cream, and Cantaloupe in nearby restaurants.
6. Explore Okinawa Beaches
I completely forgot that I was in Japan while visiting tropical islands in Okinawa.
I spent the whole week on the main island of Okinawa with rental cars, and I fully enjoyed the scenery of Okinawa.
Based on my personal experience, sunbathing on the Okinawa beaches is unique and must be tried on the Japan Bucket List.
7. Stay in Ryokan
I think most people have already experienced luxury hotels, but no one can beat the traditional Japanese inns.
Ryokans are one of the relaxing and refreshing places in Japan. Most of the Ryokans are located in rural areas with beautiful landscapes.
Most of the restaurants frequently serve the local special dishes, including kaiseki foods or buffets.
The most memorable places for exploring Ryokan are Miyajima Island and Atami Onsen.
8. Visit Himeji Castle
Himeji Castle is well known for its amazing white walls, sometimes referred to as the White Heron for its careful maintenance.
Himeji Castle has survived since the 12th century in Japan. Himeji Castle is an example of Japanese engineering and is also known as a masterpiece of architecture.
Exploring Himeji Castle grounds feels like travelling back in time to the Edo Period.
9. Visit Nikko’s Shrines
This place is located in Nikko, Tochigi prefecture, Japan. There are 103 buildings, including temples in the wild environment, and UNESCO historical sites.
They are owned by 3 different temples. they are
- Futarasan shire
- Tosho-gu
- Rinno-ji
Exploring these temples gave me a great experience on the Japan Bucket List, and I wish everyone would visit them once in a lifetime.
10. Enjoy Night Views in Yokohama
Minato Mirai is a very attractive place with the Ferris wheel on the water, surrounded by tall buildings.
The Landmark tower is the tallest building in Japan until 2014, and it is the most recognizable building among all.
The view in the sky garden offers a 360-degree view of the city on a day to see Mount Fuji.
11. Explore Miyajima Island
Miyajima Island is a stunning place with natural beauty in Japan.
Every visitor must experience the sunset on Miyajima Island in the Japan Bucket List.
The Floating Tiri is amazing at night as the sun sets and flood lights will add more brightness to it.
12. Wander through Arashiyama Bamboo Grove
Arashiyama Bamboo Grove is such a unique and amazing place in Kyoto.
Arashiyama Bamboo Grove is very famous, and everyone should visit it once in a lifetime.
At Kōdai-ji temple near Kiyomizu Dera, you can explore a smaller bamboo grove.
13. See Snow Monkeys in Jigokundai
At the top of Mount Arashiyama, you will find the snow monkeys with panoramic views.
You can feed snow monkeys for a small amount. You can find the same monkeys in hot springs with the name of Nagano snow monkeys.
14. Meet the Deer in Nara
Visiting Nara was a unique experience on every Japan Bucket List.
There are plenty near the Todai-ji temple. Watching deer wander is the most memorable experience. You can purchase food to feed the wandering deer.
Nara is a simple day-trip from Osaka or Kyoto.
15. Try Street Food in Osaka
Dotonbori is one of the busiest streets in Osaka with iconic oversized food signs.
Dotanbori had different types of food stalls and restaurants with local dishes like tatoyaki (octopus balls), okonomiyaki (savoury pancake), and kushikatsu (fried skewers).
16 . Visit Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park
One of the depressing and effective experiences on the Japan bucket list is visiting Hiroshima.
In this current society, it might be simple to forget the past. Everything I heard as I entered the Peace Memorial Park is the start of the school. It was really a moving experience for me.
17. Relax in an Onsen
I truly love the Japanese onsen. It was very relaxing and you feel wonderful after the Japanese onsen.
I felt a little awkward being naked around strangers. Bathing in the Japanese onsen promotes good health and well-being.
18. Hike Mount Fuji
When we think about Japan, the first thing that comes to mind is Mount Fuji, a rare volcano found 100km away from Tokyo.
Visiting the classic view of Mount Fuji in Japan made me feel it was a bucket list moment to see the volcano.
19. Cross Shibuya Scramble
The busiest pedestrian area in Tokyo is also known as Shibuya Scramble. Crossing the Pedestrian with multiple strangers is an unforgettable experience on the Japan Bucket List.
Shibuya is also known for its fashion hub. Shibuya has a lot of fashion malls, and it is known as its fashion hub.
20. Explore Kyoto’s Temple
You could not leave Japan without visiting the thousands of vermilion torii gates at Fushimi Inari. Entering the place welcomes you with the main hall, Noh Stage, and a stunning tunnel of torii gates on the left.
It takes a few minutes to walk towards the orange torii gates, and the crowd starts clearing off you and is filled with quiet silence. It is a totally different experience from the Japan Bucket List.
FAQs
1. Is there knowledge of speaking Japanese?
Not really—major cities have English signage, but a few basic phrases are always helpful.
2. How many days should I spend in Japan?
10–14 days lets you see Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, and some side trips.
3. What is the must-try Japanese dish?
You must try sushi, ramen, and tempura in Osaka.
Conclusion
Thank you for reading the complete article about your Japan bucket list. Without a doubt, Japan is an amazing place to visit that should be on everyone’s bucket list. If you are planning a trip to Japan, where would you go first?
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