Do you want to experience the local culture on your upcoming trip to Japan? Check out these five best things to do in Japan.
There’s a record number of people visiting Japan for their vacation. Over 30 million visitors go to Japan every year.
But, how do they actually spend their time in the Land of the Rising Sun? Stuffing your face with sushi and walking around the Bamboo Forest is great fun!
However, you may also wonder what are the best things to do in Japan if you want to discover more about the local culture.
Do you want to know more about Japanese culture? Check out our top 5 tips in the blog post below. Let’s get started!
1. Experience a Tea Ceremony
Many Japanese people enjoy drinking several cups of tea per day. But, there is much more to the tea-drinking ceremony than slurping your favorite beverage.
There are many important meanings behind the simple ceremony. You can’t experience a true Japanese tea ceremony without someone else showing you how it’s done.
Not sure about your preferred cup of tea? You’ll be able to try everything from the sweetness of matcha green tea or the soothing flavor of sencha.
2. Enjoy a Dip in the Onsen
Your experience in Japan is never complete without a visit to the one of the many onsens around the country.
Remember, everyone’s equal in the onsen. The hot springs are scattered around every corner of the islands of Japan.
Soaking yourself in these communal baths is a great way to relax and recover from other exhausting tourist activities.
The water in the onsens is considered by many local people to help with healing and restoring your health.
3. Be a Spectator at a Sumo Match
Are you a sports fan? You have probably never experienced a sport quite like sumo wrestling before.
This isn’t just another martial art. It’s also packed with the traditions of Shintoism. Make sure you plan your visit around the matches.
You’ll be able to grab tickets to see a contest at the Ryogoku Kokugikan, Tokyo in either January, May or September.
Check out more information about attraction tickets here.
4. Dress Up in a Kimono
When you walk around Kyoto, you’ll almost certainly encounter people dressed in Kimonos. These beautiful traditional garments are expensive souvenirs for tourists eager to take part in the local culture.
However, you can rent a kimono to enjoy as you walk around the city. This is especially common in the district of Gion in Kyoto, where rental shops are everywhere.
Taking snaps of you and your family in kimonos is a great way to create a lasting memory of your time in Japan.
5. Stop By an Izakaya
The izakayas are the best places to get a bite to eat and a drink of beer wherever you are in Japan.
You’ll notice the locals sitting at the bar at lunch breaks or after work enjoy small plates of sushi and cups of sake.
Even though izakayas are famously narrow bars, you’d be amazed by how many people squeeze inside to experience this traditional aspect of Japanese culture.
What are the Best Things to do in Japan?
Now that you know some of the best things to do in Japan to experience the local culture, you can make sure you connect with the country’s traditions.
There are so many things to do in Japan while you’re on vacation. But, with our list, you can make sure you check off some must-see attractions.