Anime & pop culture
Ultimate guide to anime, manga, gaming, and theme parks in Japan: Akihabara & Nakano Broadway shopping, Ghibli Museum & Ghibli Park ticket dates, Pokémon Centers, Super Nintendo World at USJ Osaka, and Tokyo DisneySea.
Things to do in Japan by interest
Pick what you love — anime, hiking, temples, food, nightlife or shopping — and we'll point you to the best places for it, with links to our full destination and practical guides.
Nature & hiking
Best outdoor adventures and hikes in Japan: climbing Mount Fuji (July–September), walking the Nakasendo post towns (Magome to Tsumago) and Kumano Kodo pilgrimage, Kamikochi alpine valley, and Hokkaido national parks.
History & temples
Explore Japan's UNESCO temples, Shinto shrines, and 12 surviving original castles: Kyoto's Kinkaku-ji & Fushimi Inari, Nara's Todai-ji Great Buddha, Himeji & Matsumoto castles, samurai districts, and goshuin stamp books.
Food & drink
Where and what to eat in Japan: regional ramen styles, Tokyo Edomae sushi & Toyosu Market, Osaka street food, Kyoto kaiseki, izakaya dining etiquette, sake breweries, and Japanese whisky distilleries.
Nightlife
Experience Japan after dark: tiny bars in Shinjuku Golden Gai and Omoide Yokocho, Ebisu and Yurakucho yakitori alleys, Osaka Dotonbori and Ura-Namba, Fukuoka yatai stalls, karaoke rooms, and last-train (shuden) rules.
Shopping
Where and what to shop for in Japan: 10% tax-free shopping rules, Kappabashi kitchen knives, Japanese drugstores and skincare, Ginza depachika food halls, Shimokitazawa vintage clothing, and Don Quijote mega-stores.
Still deciding where to go?
Try our which-region quiz, browse all destination guides or check the seasonal calendar to see what's best during your dates.