Things to do in 

Japan

Find alternative things to do in Japan by stepping into neighborhood studios, backstreets, and island ferries from Tokyo and Kyoto to rugged Tohoku and the art-filled Setouchi Inland Sea.

Cultural experiences: In Tokyo, sip hand‑brewed coffee in a Kanda kissaten and join a beginner taiko session in Asakusa that families enjoy. In Kyoto, try indigo dyeing at Aizenkobo and visit tea farmers in Wazuka near Uji, a calm outing for seniors. In Kanazawa, add a gold leaf workshop before a stroll through Omicho Market. In Kinosaki Onsen, couples and luxury travelers unwind in yukata between private hot springs and kaiseki dinners.

Day trip ideas: From Tokyo, ride to Kawagoe for kurazukuri warehouses and sweet potato treats, or to Kamakura for temple walks and ocean air. From Kyoto or Osaka, spend a quiet day in Nara’s backstreets and feed deer in Naramachi, then sip matcha in Uji. From Hiroshima, ferry to Miyajima for shrine views and forest paths. From Sapporo, wander Otaru’s canal glass shops and try warm seafood bowls by the quay.

Explore Japan’s regions: In Kanto, Tokyo’s neighborhoods shift from antique Kanda to indie Koenji. In Kansai, Kyoto’s temple districts pair with Osaka’s markets and late-night snacks. Along the Hokuriku Coast, Kanazawa and toy-like villages in Toyama mix crafts and alpine views. In Chugoku and Setouchi, Hiroshima’s peace sites balance with island art on Naoshima. In Tohoku, Sendai and Aizu offer castle towns, hot springs, and quiet trails. In Hokkaido, Sapporo anchors seafood markets and wide parks. In Kyushu, Fukuoka’s yatai stalls lead toward Beppu’s steaming baths. In Okinawa, Naha’s markets and beach ferries set a slower rhythm.

Travel tip: Plan 10–14 days for a first loop across Tokyo, Kyoto/Osaka, and Hiroshima or Kanazawa; add 3–5 days for Hokkaido, Kyushu, or Okinawa. See options at ToursByLocals Japan.

More places to see in Japan

Beyond Tokyo, step into smaller cities and islands where gardens, markets, and local meals set a calmer pace.

Kanazawa: Walk into Kenrokuen when the gates open and listen to the water channels before the crowds arrive. Pick up sushi and grilled skewers at Omicho Market for lunch, then cross into Nagamachi to tour the Nomura Samurai House and its compact garden.

Naoshima: Reserve a late-morning slot at the Chichu Art Museum and let the natural light do its work, then ride the island bus to see outdoor installations around Benesse House. Wander over to Honmura in the afternoon for the Art House Project tucked into old homes.

Takayama: Start with the morning markets along the Miyagawa River for farm pickles and snacks, then try a tasting at Funasaka Sake Brewery after lunch. Catch the bus to Shirakawa-go for the Shiroyama viewpoint and be back in town before dark.

Fukuoka: Visit Dazaifu Tenmangu shrine early and warm your hands on a fresh umegae‑mochi, then return to the city for dinner at Hakata Issou. After dark, pull up a stool at a yatai along the Naka River and watch the steam rise from the pots.

Seasonal activities

Spring: Picnic under cherry blossoms in Tokyo, Kyoto, or along castle moats in Hirosaki, then wander through lantern-lit parks for quiet yozakura evenings. Watch ornate floats roll past at April’s Takayama Festival or slip into a neighbourhood matsuri in May, a gentle pace for families, couples, and seniors.

Summer: Expect hot, humid days; start early for shrines and save warm evenings for riverside strolls or terrace dining in Kyoto. Catch larger-than-life parades at Gion Matsuri, dance at Obon in rural towns, and look up as fireworks bloom over Tokyo and coastal bays, while families cool off on Okinawa’s beaches and hikers head for the Japan Alps.

Fall: Follow turning maples from Hokkaido south to Kyoto, timing a visit for temple light-ups and crisp afternoons. Taste new rice and seasonal sweets, then ride scenic trains through Nikko or the Kurobe Gorge, an easygoing way for seniors, photographers, and couples to take in the colour.

Winter: Sink into steaming onsen after powder days in Hokkaido or Nagano, then watch snow lanterns and ice sculptures glow at the Sapporo Snow Festival. Seek out city illuminations and Christmas markets, visit the snow monkeys of Jigokudani, and greet the year at a midnight shrine visit, with couples and luxury travellers favouring a cosy ryokan night.

Japan’s calendar turns on beloved traditions: Kyoto’s Gion Matsuri each July, Aomori’s lantern-lit Nebuta and Tokushima’s Awa Odori in August, Tokyo’s Sanja Matsuri in May, and Takayama’s float festivals in spring and autumn. Summer fireworks like the Sumida River display, harvest celebrations such as Nagasaki Kunchi, and February’s Sapporo Snow Festival return year after year, anchoring trips across the country.