Japan Things to Do

  Kiyomaru Statue
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  • Kodokan Hall
      Kodokan Hall
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  • Kairakuen from Kobuntei
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  • This broke my heart
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Most Viewed Things to Do in Japan

76.

Asakusa   Tokyo

Asakusa, Tokyo

 159 Reviews  If you are not able to visit Kyoto the mother of temples in japan, then Go to asakusa and you will get little of kyoto's atmosphere. visit the temple Sensoji, it's nice but for sure NOT like those in... 

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77.

Gion (Geisha district)   Kyoto

Gion (Geisha district), Kyoto

 64 Reviews  It's not a long walk but it really holds a historical look. building looks new but in the old japanese style. Restaurants there are little above the average price wise. at the end of the road you will... 

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78.

Universal studio   Osaka

Universal studio, Osaka

 25 Reviews  in japanese that ture but still loads for fun for those who have never been to universal stuido of usa. just access the site of universal sutio and you will understand everthing , it is a very... 

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79.

Nagoya Castle   Nagoya

Nagoya Castle, Nagoya

 28 Reviews  With its famed golden shachi dolphin roof decorations, Nagoya Castle is the de-facto symbol of the city. Built in 1612, the main edifice was reconstructed in 1959 on its original foundation after... 

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80.

Meriken Park & Harborland   Kobe

Meriken Park & Harborland, Kobe

 24 Reviews  in this area, you can do a lot. there is the mosaic mall just on the other side from kobe tower, all the cafe and restaurants there have the sea view. i wrote a review about the aswome fisherman... 

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81.

Peace Park and Memorial Museum   Hiroshima

Peace Park and Memorial Museum, Hiroshima

 128 Reviews  I once stayed with a friend who lived a stone's throw away from the Peace Museum in Nagasaki and since then, I have always wondered what it was like to live near a building charged with so much... 

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82.

Todaiji Temple   Nara

Todaiji Temple, Nara

 75 Reviews  Todai-ji ("Great Eastern Temple") is reputedly the largest wooden structure in the world, and it houses what must be one of the largest bronze statues of Buddha around, the Daibutsu or Great Buddha.... 

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83.

Itsukushima Shrine   Miyajima

Itsukushima Shrine, Miyajima

 30 Reviews  If you are in the Hiroshima city, you must visit Itsukushima-Jinjya in Miyajima. It's the shrine (not a temple) with famous red torii (gate) in the water, but has lots more than just the... 

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84.

Korakuen Garden   Okayama

Korakuen Garden, Okayama

 12 Reviews  Korakuen Garden is considered to be one of the three best gardens in Japan since the Edo Period. It was constructed by Tsuda Nagatada by orders of the daimyo Ikeda Tsunamasa and took thirteen years to... 

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85.

Snow Monkey Park   Nagano

Snow Monkey Park, Nagano

 4 Reviews  Without a doubt, one of the coolest spectacles in all of Japan is to watch the wild snow monkeys of the Japanese Alps sit out a snowy winter day soaking in the hot waters of a naturally-heated onsen.... 

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86.

Shinjuku   Tokyo

Shinjuku, Tokyo

 72 Reviews  This was a stunning experience with all the different varieties of cherry trees in full blossom. Incredibly beautiful! The garden is run by the Ministry of the environment now but it has a long... 

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87.

Kiyomizu Temple   Kyoto

Kiyomizu Temple, Kyoto

 99 Reviews  Kiyomizu-dera Temple is perhaps the most beloved of Kyoto's temples and is a fixture in the minds of the Japanese people. The temple's veranda juts out of the side of a mountain supported by... 

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88.

castle   Osaka

castle, Osaka

 63 Reviews  First built in the 1580s on the order of Toyotomi Hideyoshi, Osaka Castle was the largest castle in Japan, a magnificent structure used by Toyotomi as a military stronghold from which to wage war... 

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89.

Parks   Nagoya

Parks, Nagoya

 9 Reviews  Huge success of Shiratori Garden in 1989 led to a number of Japanese garden reconstructions throughout Japan. Tokugawaen Garden built in 2004 is one of such notable examples slightly based on the... 

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90.

Chinatown (Nankin-Machi)   Kobe

Chinatown (Nankin-Machi), Kobe

 12 Reviews  Kobe is home to one of Japan's three most famous Chinatowns (Yokohama and Nagasaki being the other two), so when the Chinese New Year arrives (setsubun), the Chinatowns are great places to visit, and... 

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91.

Miyajima   Hiroshima

Miyajima, Hiroshima

 33 Reviews  I was skeptical about the appeal of Mt. Misen since one round trip ticket costed me 1800 yen, which was by far the most expensive ropeway I had ever used. "No view is worth this much, " I remember... 

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92.

Nara Park   Nara

Nara Park, Nara

 33 Reviews  Nara Park and Miyajima are probably Japan's most famous places to see, pet, and feed deer! The park itself is rather ordinary and unspectacular (not counting all of the historical sites within and... 

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93.

Five-Tiered Pagoda   Miyajima

Five-Tiered Pagoda, Miyajima

 8 Reviews  The beautiful curved roofs of the Goju-no-to Pagoda and strinking vermilion colouring are a familiar sight on the island of Miyajima. Standing on a hill overlooking the bay and Itsukushima Shrine, the... 

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94.

Kibiji District (Kibi Plains)   Okayama

Kibiji District (Kibi Plains), Okayama

 6 Reviews  Saijo Inari is known as one of the three great Inari Shrines in Japan (Fushimi Inari in Kyoto and Toyokawa Inari in Aichi being the other two). It is unique, because the complex is composed of a... 

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95.

Zenkoji Temple   Nagano

Zenkoji Temple, Nagano

 5 Reviews  The main hall is typical Buddhist architecture from the mid Edo Period. The principle image is enshrined inside the altar in the innermost temple. Admission to the inner temple is 500 Yen, and... 

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96.

Ueno Park   Tokyo

Ueno Park, Tokyo

 78 Reviews  It's a large public park in central Tokyo, not the best but probably the one offering the most attractions (museums, zoo,temples..). It's also one of the most famous and popular spot in Tokyo for... 

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97.

Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion)   Kyoto

Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion), Kyoto

 103 Reviews  So when someone has vision's of Japan you imagine 2 things ... first... the modern neon lights, crowded Japan and then the 2nd vision is the peaceful gardens with ancient temples ...... And the Golden... 

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98.

Dotombori   Osaka

Dotombori, Osaka

 22 Reviews  When you see images of Japan this is what the outside world sees ... The neon light, the big crowds .... and this is exactly what you experience when coming to Dontobori Street in Osaka ..... lined... 

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99.

Shrines & Temples   Nagoya

Shrines & Temples, Nagoya

 12 Reviews  1900-year-old shrine with lush evergreen forest is best known by one of the three Imperial Regalia, Kusanagi sword. The shrine saw the modification after the Meiji Restoration. It is a nice place to... 

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100.

Mount Rokko   Kobe

Mount Rokko, Kobe

 7 Reviews  A highland pasture spread on the peak of Mt. Rokko. Sheep, donkeys and ponies are free to graze, and visitors can come in close contact with the animals. Children can learn and try to take milk from... 

 See All 106 Things to Do in Kobe

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Reviews from VirtualTourist Members

Naoshima - Japan's Art Island

by sinjabc

In the spring of 2009, I spent a few days touring Naoshima, Japan's Art Island. Naoshima is originally a fishing village on the southern coast of Japan. The Benesse Corporation has worked with local governments to transform the island into a tourist destination focused on Art and Nature. There are two art museums (Benesse House ¥1000 and Chichu Art Museum ¥2000), an Art House Project (converted traditional houses transformed into art houses) and art installations all over the island. There is also a James Bond museum for fun. The local bus service runs until early evening and is ¥100 (pay when you exit). The bus driver will announce the upcoming stops, know where you want to get off from a local map. We stayed at Tsutsuji-so in Moroccan Yurts (¥4100) on the beach. The stay includes a light breakfast and you can rent a soaking bath room by the hour in the evening.The island is quiet in...

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Budget travellers!

by unaS

I am a budget traveller. Did a lot of research before my trip.Japan can be very expensive, but it doesn't have to be.For some great tips for budget travellers, see:Budget transportation:http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2028_transportation.htmlBudget Accommodation:http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2028_accommodation.htmlBudget to do and sites to visit:http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2028_sightseeing.htmlEating on a budget:http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2028_food.html

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Sumo Tournaments

by salisbury3933

No guarantees of course that a tournament will be going while you are in Japan, but if there is a tournament in progress, it is well worth catching the sumo.There are 6 tournaments a year, 3 of which are in Tokyo, the other 3 in Osaka, Nagoya, and Fukuoka respectively.Tournaments go for 15 days at a time, from Sunday to Sunday two weeks later. If you are going to visit Japan, I recommend having a look to see if the Sumo is on while you are there.

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Kobe

by IreneMcKay

Kobe may not be the most fascinating city in Japan, but it has enough to merit a visit and it is a good base for exploring the area We've stayed in Kobe twice - both times living in the Holiday Inn Hotel which is near Shin Kobe Station. Both visits we have had a japan rail pass and found Kobe an excellent location from which to enjoy a variety of day trips.Kobe itself has a cable car- in Japan they are called ropways which will take you up the mountain behind the shin Kobe station. There are good views, there is quite a nice herb garden and a little statue donated by the people of El salvador in sympathy for earthquake victims the world over.Kobe is famous for having experienced a devastating earthquake in 1995 in which around 6,000 people died and Kobe was left in ruins. There is park by the seaside in Kobe near the Port Tower and Maratime Museum where some of the earthquake damage has...

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Himechi

by IreneMcKay

Himechi is a town about 34 miles west of Kobe. It has a fantastic fairytale castle, best visited in the spring during cherry blossom season.The castle dates from around 1581 and is known as a white egret castle due to its white walls.It survived World War II when much of Himechi was flattened.Although the castle is the town's main attraction, there are several interesting temples near the castle, too.

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Sumo

by IreneMcKay

We also enjoyed a trip to Ryogoku to visit the sumo arena. The sumo arena has interesting wall paintings of sumo wrestlers outside it. Inside you will find a small, free sumo museum. The best bit about this area though is as you stroll around the streets kimono clad sumo wrestlers will walk or cycle past you on their way to and from the arena. You will also see restaurants selling huge protein filled meals (chanko nabe) for maintaining the sumo wrestlers strength and physique.The Tokyo Edo Museum is very nearby. It is supposed to be very good, but we did not visit.

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Old Ladies' Harajuku

by IreneMcKay

For an unusual trip in Tokyo, take the train to Sugamo Station and go to Jizo dori. This street is known as Harajuku for old ladies. While Harajuku is a trendy young people's shopping area with all the latest in fashion, Jizo dori sells everything the elderly could ever want, including shop after shop of rather large bright red thermal underwear. Red is thought to have heat inducing properties.There is also an interesting temple in this area - Kogan-ji Temple. the temple has a statue outside it. Legend states that if your afflicted with pain on part of your body and wash the corresponding part of the statues body the pain will disappear. You'll see a long line of people next to the statue waiting to do just this.Keep wandering down Jizo dori and you will eventually come to one of the station's on the Toden Arkawa Line - Tokyo's last remaining tramway. we took a ride to the last stop just...

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Shinjuku Imperial Garden

by IreneMcKay

Tokyo has some of the most beautiful parks and gardens I have ever seen, but Shinjuku Imperial Garden is hard to beat.I have been there in spring on a freezing cold day when we strolled passed the lakes with cherry blossom petals raining down on our heads. It was also stunning in April with its stunning azalea bushes.The park also has a series of hothouses perfect on a freezing cold winter or spring day.

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Old Tokyo

by IreneMcKay

Another itinery which can easily occupy a whole day is a trip to Ueno Park and the nearby old Tokyo areas of Yanaka, Nippori and Nezu.To reach Ueno Park take the train to Ueno Station.Ueno Park contains Ueno Zoo which I have never visited, but I do know it has pandas. It also has Tosho-gu Shrine which is a life-sized replica of the main temple shrine of Nikko. On our first visit there a Noh play was being staged in the grounds. Free-entry and worth a look.The park also contains several water-lily covered ponds - Shinobazu Ponds and this area has a small temple to the goddess Benten - goddess of good fortune.At the top of the hill not far from the Ueno Station entrance to the park there is a statue of a mighty samurai warrior taking his little dog for a walk.Near Ueno Station before you enter the park you will also find a wonderful street market selling everything and anything, including...

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The Imperial Palace

by IreneMcKay

The Imperial Palace occupies a huge area in the centre of Tokyo. As the Japanese royal family still live there, it is not open to the general public.There are two things worth doing in this area. First go to Nijubashi - this is the most famous access bridge to the palace and while you cannot cross it, it provides a good photo opportunity as it crosses the moat to the palace gates and walls.Secondly, visit the free entry Imperial Palace Grounds. This is an extensive garden which was originally part of the imperial palace grounds but is now open to the general public. It is peaceful, pleasant, green and quiet. You can take a peek into the real palace grounds from some points or just bring a picnic and enjoy a few hours of peace and tranquility.

Fun things to do in Japan

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Things to Do: Cities in Japan
  1. Tokyo Things to Do
  2. Kyoto Things to Do
  3. Osaka Things to Do
  4. Nagoya Things to Do
  5. Kobe Things to Do
  6. Okinawa Things to Do
  7. Hiroshima Things to Do
  8. Sasebo Things to Do
  9. Narita Things to Do
  10. Nara Things to Do
  11. Shinjuku Things to Do
  12. Sapporo Things to Do
  13. Fukuoka Things to Do
  14. Yokohama Things to Do
  15. Takayama Things to Do
  16. Nikko Things to Do
  17. Hamamatsu Things to Do
  18. Niigata Things to Do
  19. Yokosuka Things to Do
  20. Miyajima Things to Do
  21. Okayama Things to Do
  22. Hakone Things to Do
  23. Naha Things to Do
  24. Himeji Things to Do
  25. Kamakura Things to Do
  26. Nagano Things to Do
  27. Kitakyushu Things to Do
  28. Sendai Things to Do
  29. Nagasaki Things to Do
  30. Kawasaki Things to Do
  31. Hakodate Things to Do
  32. Misawa Things to Do
  33. Beppu Things to Do
  34. Kumamoto Things to Do
  35. Okinawa City Things to Do
  36. Fuji-Hakone-Izu-kokuritsu-koen Things to Do
  37. Iwakuni Things to Do
  38. Chiba Things to Do
  39. Otaru Things to Do
  40. Harajuku Things to Do
  41. Toyama Things to Do
  42. Shizuoka Things to Do
  43. Koyasan Things to Do
  44. Kanazawa Things to Do
  45. Yokohama Things to Do
  46. Utsunomiya Things to Do
  47. Matsuyama Things to Do
  48. Tsukuba Things to Do
  49. Matsumoto Things to Do
  50. Odawara Things to Do

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Q:  Toyoko Inn Club Card - I read that the price for this membership card is 1500yen. When is the expiration for this card for... 

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A: Generally the price of the room listed on the website should be the price of the room, at least for Japanese hotels. I can't guarantee it though. Booking.com may add... 

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