Things to do in Japan

Enjoy the peace and serenity inspired by the sacred chanting of Buddhist monks as you join them for their morning prayers in a beautiful 13th-century temple.

Discover Japan's only beer museum, the home of Sapporo Beer, to learn all about its development and production and, for those who want to, a few cheeky tasters as well!

Ascend 307 metres to the Okurayuma view point, a ski jump used in the 1972 Winter Olympics, and still active today, for spectacular views over snow-covered landscapes and the city of Sapporo.

Explore the Sapporo Snow Festival with its spectacular ice sculptures, some reaching 20 metres in height, magically lit up, as well as musical performances and delicious food.

No visit to Japan would be complete without a ride on the world-famous bullet train, so sit back and relax as you travel at 200 miles per hour through Japan's landscapes.

Experience the perfect display of Japanese culture, witness the preparation and performance involved in the 'Way of Tea', a traditional tea ceremony.

Begin your journey towards inner peace learning the basics of Zen meditation in the tranquil surroundings of a beautiful old temple in Kyoto.

Ascend to the observation deck of the new Orizuru Tower. Rising high above Hiroshima it offers beautiful views over the Peace Memorial Park, the A-Bomb Dome and the city as a whole.

Wander through the delightful Bikan Historical Quarter, stretched along Kurashiki’s Edo Period canals, taking in the picturesque scenes of weeping willows, old stone bridges and lovely, traditional architecture.

Arguably the world's most famous pedestrian crossing, seen in many a film and television show, witness the organised chaos and bright lights of Tokyo's Shibuya Crossing for yourself.

Admire the elaborately dyed silk creations of artist Kubota Itchiku at his eponymous art museum. Itchiku singlehandedly revived the traditional and beautiful technique of 'tsujigahana'.

One of Japan's most famous condiments, wasabi, is an essential element in Japanese cuisine. Learn about its cultivation on a traditional farm and admire the landscapes.

Try your hand at the traditional art of handkerchief dyeing in a workshop of a handicraft village – you'll get to create beautiful colours and patterns working with the dyes.

Spend the night in a ryokan, a centuries-old style of guesthouse that offers the ultimate Japanese experience! Sleep on futons and tatami mats, dine on traditional food and bathe in the relaxing warm waters of an onsen.

Gaze over Mount Aso, Japan's largest volcano and the smaller volcanoes within its huge crater (one of which is active), and admire the incredible scenery that surrounds it.

Cruise the picturesque Yanagawa River on a 'donkobune', a poled riverboat. It's a perfect and peaceful way to enjoy sights such as Yanagawa Castle and the traditional architecture of Yanagawa's canals.

Visit one of Japan's most famous hot spring resorts, Beppu, and soak away any aches, pains and tiredness in the mineral rich waters of your hotel's onsen pools.

Discover the traditional process of paper making before getting your hands dirty making 'washi' (Japanese paper) the age-old way.

Join a dedicated craftsperson in a small workshop to learn all about the lovely and intricate art of gold leaf making, discover what the gold leaf is then used for and have a go at doing it yourself!

Learn all about the traditional production of an essential element of Japanese cooking, the fermented soybean paste 'miso', at an old wooden miso house.

Take part in a handicraft experience - the traditions and techniques of the intricate art of origami. You'll learn to fold some of the simpler, but still impressive, shapes and designs.

The buckwheat soba noodle is one of Japan's most famous culinary exports - try your hand at making them from scratch, before feasting on the delicious results for lunch.

Embark on a relaxed dinner cruise on the waters of Tokyo Bay, enabling you to look back and admire the bright, twinkling lights of the city by night.

Experience the perfect display of Japanese culture as you witness the preparation and performance involved in the 'Way of Tea', a traditional tea ceremony.

With traditional brushes, ink and paper, try your hand at the beautiful art of calligraphy, an important aspect of Japanese culture since its introduction from China in the 6th century.

Embark on a tour of a sake brewery, where you’ll see first hand, the traditional process used to brew the rice wine that is Japan’s national beverage, all before enjoying some tasters.

Visit an historic Kyoto-fan house to try your hand at the art of Japanese fan painting, practised for over a thousand years and still alive today.

Stroll through the scores of vast torii gates to the 800-year-old Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine, a beautiful structure dedicated to the god of samurai in the heart of Kamakura.

Explore the fascinating cultural heritage of Tokyo, learn what shaped this most impressive city and get a glimpse of what life was like through the ages at theTokyo-Edo Museum.

Under the guidance of a skilled instructor, try your hand at making Momiji manju (maple leaf bean buns), Miyajima's most famous confectionary for over a hundred years.

Learn about the role of the masu sake cup in Japan’s culture before stepping into the studio to make your very own cup with an original design, which you can then take home as a souvenir!

Discover the history and etiquette of making and appreciating sushi with a hands-on lesson before sitting down with your instructing chef to enjoy Japan's most famous cuisine. It's the taking part that counts!

Take part in a handicraft experience - the traditions and techniques of the intricate art of origami. You'll learn to fold some of the simpler, but still impressive, shapes and designs.

The buckwheat soba noodle is one of Japan's most famous culinary exports - try your hand at making them from scratch, before feasting on the delicious results for lunch.

The most iconic symbol of Japanese culture, no trip to Japan is complete without at least a glimpse of a geisha. On this tour you'll meet a geisha in Kyoto and learn about their fascinating culture.

Have a go at traditional drumming with a Taiko drumming class, taking part in an energetic and age-old ensemble performance on big, floor torn drums.

For a classic Japanese experience, stay three separate nights in a ryokan, a traditional inn with onsen facilities, where you will sleep on a futon in a comfortable tatami mat room.

Explore Gion, the hub of traditional art & entertainment and the iconic geisha district. The possibility of a geisha appearing from an alleyway, hurrying off to an appointment, always an intriguing possibility.

The embodiment of 'omotenashi' (wholehearted hospitality), a kaiseki dinner is a meticulously prepared and exquisitely served multicourse meal that showcases a chef's skills at a range of intricate skills and techniques. More piece of art than plate of food, you'll be served this must-try culinary experience to enjoy (and admire) while in Kyoto.

Visiting Nikko is like stepping into the Edo period, so wonderfully preserved are the city's shrines, temples and sensibilities. Spend a day here, discovering UNESCO World Heritage Sites amongst the towering cedar trees of Nikko National Park, and lunch on delicious local dishes featuring 'yuba', the layer that forms on top of soy milk when it is boiled. Trust us, it tastes better than it sounds!

Oishi Park, on the northern shore of Lake Kawaguchiko, boasts one of the most spectacular views of Mount Fuji that you'll find anywhere in the area. What makes it extra special are the park's flower gardens, with different blooms in different colours, depending on the season. If you are really lucky and the skies are clear and the lake's waters still, you might get a Fuji reflection!

There are around 25,000 hot spring sources across Japan, so it's no surprise that onsens are such a huge part of Japanese culture. Bathing in the geothermal waters, lauded for their medicinal qualities, is used for relaxation, healing and both literal and metaphorical cleansing. What better way to unwind after a day of exploring than making like a local and soaking.

Wagashi are a traditional sweet treat made of fruit, anko and rice flour. Come Christmas Day, you will learn how to make these beautiful confectioneries from scratch!

The landscapes of the UNESCO-listed village of Shirakawago are particularly enchanting in the winter. Soak up its peaceful rural scenery and visit one of its famous gassho houses.

True sushi is an artform, a foodie reflection of the cultural values of respect for nature, craftsmanship, and community. Supervised by a sushi chef, take part in a sushi making class in Tokyo picking up basic sushi skills before sitting down with your fellow travellers to dine on the results.

A rare glimpse into Japan's geisha culture, sit down to a traditional Kyoto-style dinner with entertainment from a maiko. An apprentice geisha, the maiko will show off a variety of traditional skills, from dancing and singing to making conversation and leading games.

Miyajima, a small island off Hiroshima, is a delightful place to visit. Besides the atmospheric shrine and its photogenic torii gate that seemingly floats at high tide, there is a quirky shopping street that is fun to browse and friendly sika deer who would love to share your food.

Comfortable, reliable, efficient, punctual and fast, Japan's extensive rail network is world renowned, so what better way to explore? Riding a bullet train, known as shinkansen locally, is an essential Japan experience, whizzing up to 320 kilometres an hour to get you from city to city.

Explore the Chiran Peace Museum, established on a former army base. Here, personal letters, photos, and recovered WWII aircraft tell the tale of hundreds of kamikaze pilots, who took off from here to their deaths in 1945.

Take part in a kimono dressing session in the serene Sengan-en Gardens. Here, you’ll have the opportunity to try on Japan’s elegant and traditional attire before taking photos in the midst of the beautiful grounds that surround you.

Don’t leave Kagoshima Prefecture without tasting its shochu – a distilled local liquor, often enjoyed in the southern regions like Kyushu and Okinawa but popular across Japan. Stop by a shochu distillery for a fantastic tasting experience.

Visit the Upopoy National Ainu Museum. Here, delve into the fascinating culture of Hokkaido's indigenous people, the Ainu, who lived here long before the island was annexed by Japan. Today, the Ainu are a minority among Japan's population.

Meet a local farmer, who will show you how to pick your own mikan (mandarin orange) – in the fragrant citrus groves of Shikoku, known as Japan's Citrus Kingdom.

Experience the lively demonstration of the Awa Odori festival dance in Tokushima. Skilled dancers bring this centuries-old tradition to life on stage, blending music, movement, and humour.

Enjoy a lunchtime visit from a very special guest: a maiko, or apprentice geisha! Geisha are increasingly hard to spot in Kyoto, so enjoy this rare, guaranteed glimpse into their secretive world.

Hokkaido dairy is beloved across Japan for its rich, creamy flavour with delicate vanilla notes. Visit a local farm to discover what makes it so special. You'll watch a milking demonstration, sample fresh milk, and even try your hand at making butter!

Discover the rich traditions of Hokkaido's indigenous Ainu people at Lake Akan. Begin with a talk introducing their beliefs and deep connection to nature, before a UNESCO-recognised dance performance brings their stories and traditions vividly to life.

Step into Sapporo's famous Ramen Alley, a narrow lane lined with tiny, bustling ramen shops. Choose your shop and customise your bowl, sampling rich, Sapporo-style miso ramen – a true local speciality.