What to Do in Japan

The Shiretoko World Heritage Nature Cruise goes around the Shiretoko Peninsula and allows visitors to see the beautiful scenery of the land.

The Seikan Undersea Tunnel is the longest railroad tunnel in the world that goes under water. It is a rail that connects the island Hokkaido with the main one known as Honshu.

Omiya Bonsai Art Museum is the first publicly bonsai art museum in the world. The purpose of the museum is to educate patrons about the various forms of bonsai.

Learn how to make and prepare fresh sushi for yourself in Japan

Asakusa Sensoji is the oldest and most popular temple in Tokyo. It can be identified by the giant red lantern located at the entrance, which is iconic of Tokyo.

Tokyo Tower is the old television communication tower, which has now been converted to the Tokyo One Piece Tower. It was modeled after the Eiffel Tower in Paris.

Tokyo Skytree is a tall brightly metallic spire rising out of Tokyo’s Sumida ward, and at 634 meters, is currently the tallest tower in the world.

Hakone has hot springs, beautiful nature, Lake Ashi, and amazing views of Mount Fuji in the distance.

The Ghibli Museum is a Tokyo museum dedicated to the art of Japanese animation, as well as an exhibition of the colorful characters and scenes from films made by Studio Ghibli.

The Hakone Open-Air Museum is an outdoor museum in the city of Hakone. It seeks to harmonize art with nature in a plethora of fascinating sculptures.

Kenrokuen Garden is located in Kanazawa. The traditional landscape garden was designed to provide visitors with a different view in each season.

Mount Fuji is the tallest mountain in Japan and has been worshipped as a sacred mountain. The perfect cone shape of the mountain is iconic of Japan.

Matsumoto Castle, also known as Crow Castle, is one of the twelve original castles in Japan. It is one of the most complete original castles, which means that it has retained many of the buildings that constitute a feudal era castle.

At over 400 years old, the feudal castle at Hikone is one of the few castles in Japan with its original architecture left largely intact since its first construction.

Shirakawago is a village located in the mountainous regions that borders Gifu and Toyama prefectures. It is where you can see the famed Gassho zukuri (prayer hand farmhouses) that were inscribed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Ise Grand Shrine is one of the most important Shinto shrines in Japan. To embody the teachings of death and rebirth, the shrine is rebuilt every twenty years while using traditional techniques.

Mikimoto Pearl Island is located in the Bay of Toba and can be accessed by using the bridge. It is a museum about pearls, cultivation, and Mikimoto Kokichi.

Kumano is located in the Kii Peninsula and spans into the Wakayama and Mie Prefectures. The Hongu, Nachi and Hayatama Taisha are the three famed shrines of the area.

Koyasan is the center for an important Buddhist sect known as Shingon Buddhism. It is located on the forest covered mountain top of Mount Koya.

Miho Museum was designed by the architect I.M. Pei to showcase the extensive art collection of the Shumei Family. The building is situated in the forested area west of Koka.

Koka's Ninja Mansion is close to 300 years old and used to be resided in by ninja.

Kinkakuji Temple, also known as Golden Pavilion, is a Zen Temple in the northern part of Kyoto. It is known for its top two floors, which are covered in gold leaf.

Kiyomizudera is one of the most famous temples in Kyoto and is most known for the wooden stage that is 13 meters tall. It over looks cherry blossom and maple trees in the hillside below.

Gion is the area where you can see Geisha and have the opportunity to be entertained by them during your meal.

Kyoto Cuisine with Geisha (artisan) or Maiko (apprentice Geisha) includes entertainment provided by them.

Experience a live interaction with a maiko. Drink tea, asking her questions, take a photo!

Green Tea Ceremony is also known as sado, chado, or chanoyu in Japanese. It is an activity that involves the ceremonial preparation and presentation of matcha, powdered green tea.

Japanese calligraphy, known as shodo in Japan, is the rigorous traditional art of writing Japanese kanji.

Fushimi Inari Shrine is located in the southern part of Kyoto and is one of the important Shinto shrines in the city. It is most known for the thousands of vermillion torii gates lined up one after another.

Ikebana is an art which uses careful arrangement of flowers in patterns which attempt to link the spiritual with the natural, and to express balance and harmony.

Japanese Kimono is colorful and elegant clothing worn by both women and men, usually for formal situations.

Zen Meditation in Buddhism is a method of contemplation and focus that trains practitioners in both mental clarity and good posture.

The taiko is a traditional Japanese drum fashioned of wood and hide leather, played with short, thick wooden sticks, which create a bold, powerful sound.

Todaiji Temple is one of the major landmarks in Nara. It is known for housing the largest bronze statue of Buddha in Japan.

Wagyu Beef refers to several breeds of cattle that are known for their marbling meat. They are known for their high quality and price.

Izumo Grand Shrine is located in Shimane Prefecture, west of the city Matsue. It is one of the most important Shinto shrines in Japan.

Naoshima Island is located in the Seto Inland Sea and is part of Kagawa Prefecture. The island is mostly known for the modern art museums, sculptures, and architecture that were funded by the Benesse Corporation.

The Shikoku Pilgrimage Route refers to the 88 Temples that are associated with Kobo Daishi, a famous Buddhist Monk.

Gunkanjima Island is located about 9 miles away from the port of Nagasaki. For a long time the small island served as a coal mine where over 5000 residents lived until 1974.

Takachiho is located in Miyazaki Prefecture and is known for the Takachiho Gorge, which has sheer cliffs that resemble dragon scales.

Mt. Takasaki Monkey Park is a popular monkey reserve that is located at the base of the mountain bordering Beppu and Oita City. There are about 1500 monkeys of the Japanese macaque species roaming freely