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If you’re planning your first trip to Japan and wondering where to start, look no further than Lilah’s insider guide. After living in Japan for six months, she’s uncovered the must-see cities, hidden gems, and cultural experiences that every first-time traveler needs to know. Whether you’re drawn to the vibrant streets of Tokyo, the historic temples of Kyoto, or the natural beauty of Hokkaido, Lilah’s recommendations will help you craft the perfect itinerary for an unforgettable Japanese adventure.
Hey! My name is Lilah and I’m here to talk about some of the top things to do in Japan from the perspective of someone who is coming up on six months of residency in the country. From exploring popular tourist attractions to hitting up the local cuisine, these are my recommendations for a first-time visitor to Japan, especially those who may not be familiar at all with the culture or customs that are common practice here every day.
Activities to do in Japan’s Must-Visit Cities
The very first thing I like to do when visiting a new country is decide which cities are the absolute top priority for me to experience during my visit. Even after living in Japan for so much time, I still have a lot of the country to see, so my recommendations will be a bit limited, but I think that they will still suffice for first-time travelers who are unfamiliar with Japan and don’t know what to expect.
If you are planning a trip to Japan, I would be sure to include Kyoto due to its cultural significance, Hokkaido for its slightly different climate and regional differences, and of course, Tokyo, to experience the bustling capital and the token Japanese city experience that the country has to offer.
Kyoto
In Kyoto, the cultural capital of Japan, there are countless shrines, temples, and other worship sites that are all worth seeing. I would definitely not skip the Fushimi Inari Taisha shrine, renowned for its long pathways underneath orange arches. I would also recommend Tenryuji temple due to its proximity to the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest and variety of local street food and souvenir markets. You can read more about my food recommendations when visiting Japan in the previous post that I wrote about my experiences with Japanese cuisine!
Kyoto would also be the ideal place to partake in traditional Japanese ceremonies such as the traditional tea service, Buddhist prayer ceremony, and partaking in dressing in Kimono, a custom that Japanese people especially appreciate when tourists take the time to engage in. Booking these excursions in advance can ensure that you have a well-rounded and well planned visit to Kyoto.
Tokyo
From Kyoto, you can seamlessly board a Japanese bullet train, or Shinkansen, to the nation’s capital of Tokyo. Like I previously mentioned, I have been living in Tokyo for close to six months now and I still have an incredibly long list of activities I hope to experience. That being said, it’s important to prioritize the excursions and attractions that are the most important to you and your travel companions, because Tokyo truly has something for everyone. I find it easiest to give recommendations based on districts in Tokyo because there is good food, fun entertainment, and easy transportation to access all of it all over the city.
I would recommend the Shibuya & Shinjuku area for iconic Tokyo sightseeing and for souvenir shopping. For museums and art galleries, I would recommend Ginza, specifically the Ginza Yanagi Gallery. Finally for food: great Japanese options are available all over Tokyo, but if you’re interested in something different, Shin-Okubo is well-known for its Koreatown aesthetic and after an hour-long train ride South to Yokohama, you can find a series of streets that hosts the largest Chinatown in Japan.
Hokkaido
Of my recommendations, Hokkaido is the only city I have not personally visited. I included it because I believe it is a good area to visit to get an idea of what everyday life is like in Japan – both Tokyo and Kyoto can give you a good feel for the culture of Japan, but tend to be very touristy. While Hokkaido sees its fair shares of visitors, I think it will be less of a tourist hotspot and will give travelers an opportunity to experience a more authentic lifestyle. The following locations and activities are on my personal wish list for my future visit to: the Shukkeien Garden, the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park, and Senkoji Temple.
Plan Your Perfect Japan Itinerary
All in all, Japan is an incredibly culturally rich country with tons to see and do – these recommendations are based on my own personal experiences, and you should modify your own trip to accommodate your personal preferences and potentially pre-existing interest in Japanese traditional and pop culture. If you are interested in hearing and reading more about my continued travels and experiences as a foreigner teaching English in Japan, please follow TravelBud for more!
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