8 incredible experiences that should be on your Japan bucket list

You haven't experienced Japan if you can't tick these experiences off your bucket list.

BY Melissa Mason

Last updated . 30 November 2023

Japan has always held a great fascination for Australians, and these bucketlist experience prove why.

For a relatively small country in terms of land mass, all Japan bucket list experiences certainly punch well above their weight when it comes to what’s on offer for visitors.

From transformative cultural experiences to foodie meccas that will delight the senses, indulgent relaxation for the wellness-inclined to getting up-close-and-personal with wildlife, these are the adventures across the country you need to tick off on your next trip.

torii gates of the Fushimi Inari Shrine, Kyoto

Natural and man-made beauty abounds, like the torii gates of the Fushimi Inari Shrine in Kyoto.

1. Soak in a Beppu onsen

One of Japan’s most famous onsen resorts, Beppu is blessed with eight different natural springs – each with public baths and facilities so you can enjoy the soothing mineral benefits of the thermal waters, which can help ease aching muscles.

Aside from onsens, you’ll find other forms of bathing across Beppu such as sand baths (soaking in heated sand) and mud baths. Even the hotels have their own onsens for guest use.

Choose from eight different natural springs in Beppu.

2. Take the bullet train around Japan

As the most famous mode of transport in Japan (if not the world), travelling by bullet train is one of the easiest, quickest and most scenic ways to hop from city to city.

The speedy rail system traverses Japan’s islands and major cities, hurtling you along at speeds of 300 kilometres an hour.

Jump on the most famous mode of transport in Japan.

3. Visit Osaka and Kyoto

These two wildly different cities are worth visiting to experience the rich cultural history of Japan.

Kyoto once served as Japan’s capital and also housed the Emperor’s residence for over 1,000 years. Filled with ancient temples and shrines, it’s where you’ll find the beautiful orange torii gates of the Fushimi Inari Shrine. In contrast, Osaka is a bustling, thrumming city which foodies will delight in – the street food and casual dining scene here is top-tier.

See apprentice geishas walking around in Kyoto.

4. Watch the Sumo wrestling

Sumo is something most of us have little understanding of, aside from what we’ve been shown in movies. See the real deal in Japan, where the form of wrestling originated back in the Antiquity period. Japan remains the only country where it is practised professionally, and six tournaments are held across the year.

Witness an exciting Sumo wrestling match. (Image: Bob Fisher)

5. Spend Time With Snow Monkeys

Accustomed to humans and therefore able to be observed at close range, the snow monkeys (officially known as Japanese macaques) of the Japanese Alps – not far from Yudanaka city – are incredible to witness, and also extremely cute. Known for being docile and relaxed,

Get up close with Japan’s famous bathing snow monkeys.

6. Partake in a Japanese tea ceremony

A Japanese tea ceremony (known in Japan as ‘The Way Of Tea’) is not to be missed on a trip to the country. Rooted in Zen Buddhism, the practice is steeped in history, with origins dating as far back as the 12th century. You’ll find them around the country, but Kyoto is an especially popular to experience one.

Experience a traditional Japanese tea ceremony.

7. See Mount Fuji in cherry blossom season

A visual representation of Japan, Mount Fuji during cherry blossom season is likely to top your bucket list. Occurring during spring, April is the best time to witness the event. Head to Shizuoka or Yamanashi for those Instagram-worthy photos of cherry blossoms in the foreground against the spectacular Mount Fuji in the background, or cruise the Fuji Five Lakes area for stunning vantage points of the mountain.

Head to Shizuoka or Yamanashi for perfect shots of Mount Fiji.

8. Enjoy the best food in Tokyo

Japan’s capital and the country’s most popular tourist city is also the birthplace of modern sushi and absolutely the best place to eat it. Nigiri is the most popular form of sushi here, where rice is moulded by hand and raw fish is added on top, with tuna being the most popular variation.

There are so many ways to try sushi in Tokyo, but one you should definitely add to the list is a conveyor belt restaurant. While we have plenty of these in Australia, this style of sushi restaurant originated in Japan and remains the most popular sushi restaurant to this day.