101 Things to Do in Japan

So it's your first time going to Japan, but you don't really know what you can do in Japan. Or it's your 5th trip to Japan, but after visiting Kiyomizu-dera and Tokyo Tower you just don't have any inspiration anymore. Then this is list is for you! It is inspired by my first trip to Japan, my future exchange year in Fukuoka and my never ending bucket list.

General places

1. (Après) ski (Party) in Hokkaido
2. Exotic getaway in Okinawa
3. Exploring temples in Kyoto
4. And especially make sure to visit Fushimi Inari Taisha in Fushimi
5. Get your Chinese fix in China Town of Yokohama
6. Crawl through the huge Buddha of Kamakura
7. Shopping in Tokyo
8. Eating lots in Osaka
9. Go to historic Nara
10. Enjoy the multicultural Nagasaki
11. Visit Japan's most beautiful castle in Himeji
12. Enter the Buddhist world of Koyasan
13. Be amazed by the black castle of Matsumoto
14. Relive days gone by in traditional Takayama
15. Learn about the unique architecture of Shirakawa houses

Traditional entertainment

  16. Attend a tea ceremony
  17. See a maiko or geisha dance
  18. Attend a Hanami party (cherry blossimg viewing party)
  19. Try Ikebana
  20. Relax in an Onsen (hot spring bath)
  21. Transform into a geisha
  22. Go on the 88 Temple Pilgrimage
  23. Indulgence for a Kabuki performance
  24. ... and Sumo of course

Modern entertainment

  25. Sing karaoke
  26. Try your luck with a UFO-game at one of the game arcades
  28. Get creative with purikura, cute photo stickers
  29. Get your light sticks out for a Concert
  30. All-you-can-drink party at an izakaya, Japanese bar
  31. Drop your jaws at the extravagant musicals of Takarazuka
  32. Eat Korean hotteok pancakes in Korea Town, Shin-Okubo
  33. Take a river cruise in Osaka or Odaiba, Tokyo
  34. Go to the 7/11 at 3AM
  35. A night out at a Host- or Hostess Club
  36. Fashionista time in Harajuku. Or eat crepes.
  37. Go deaf at a Pachinko parlor

Enjoy nature 

  38. Photograph the gorgeous colors of koyo, autumn foliage
  39. Catch some glowing fireflies or screeching cicadas
  40. Light up by watching the Firefly Squid
  41. Smell the lovely lavender of Furano in summer
  42. Explore the Gyokusendo Caves in Okinawa
  43. Gaze up at the Wisterias of Kawachi Fuji Garden
  44. Bathe with monkeys in the hot springs of Yamanouchi
  45. Climb to the top of Mount Fuji
  46. Search for princess Mononoke in Yakushima
  47. Dive the wonderful underwater world of Okinawa
  48. Enjoy the view of terraced paddy fields

Special places to eat

  49. Pet cute animals at a cat- dog- or owl cafe
  50. Feel like a true geek at a a geek cafe
  51. Nomming at a yatai, food stall
  52. Live a Japanese fairy tale in the theme cafe of the Bamboo Cutter
  53. Become a true Princess at the Princess theme cafe
  54. Catch your own fish at Zauo cafe
  55. Mysterious ninja restaurant, Ninja Akasaka
  56. Find your dream robot girl at Kabukicho Robot Restaurant

Festivals

  57. Watch stars on Tanabata Star Festival
  58. Play at a matsuri (Summer Festival)
  59. Enjoy students' creativity at a bunkasai, a cutural festival
  60. Be amazed by the snow statues of Sapporo Snow Festival
  61. Party with demons at the Oni Fireworks Festival in Hokkaido
  62. Stroll through fields of Sunflowers at Akeno Sunflower Festival
  63. See the historical parade of Jidai Matsuri
  64. Dance with the Awa Odori Dancers during Obon Matsuri

Famous sites

  65. Appreciate Japanese gardens, like Ritsurin Garden
  66. Pose in front of the Golden Pavilion, Kinkakuji
  67. And visit the Silver Pavilion As Well
  68. Drink your portion of wisdom, health or longevity at Kiyomizudera
  69. Buy souvenirs at touristy Asakusa
  70. Calm down at the zen garden of Ryoanji
  71. Admire Osaka Castle
  72. Tokyo Imperial Palace
  73. Remember how lucky we are at Hiroshima Peace Memorial
  74. The largest wooden building in the world, Todaiji
  75. Oase of peace in Tokyo, Meiji Shrine
  76. Eiffel Tower's red sister, Tokyo Tower.

Amusement parks

77. Visit Disney Sea Land, the only one worldwide
78. Feel like a ninja or geisha in Edo Wonderland
79. Get sick in one of the crazy rollercoasters of Fuji-Q Land
80. Watch fishies at Kaiyukan Aquarium
81. Become dizzy by the height of Tokyo Sky Tree
82. Act like a kid at Sanrio Puroland
83. Play in the first Universal Studios of Asia
84. Step into the Netherlands at Huis Ten Bosch
85. Water fun at Spa Resorts Hawaiian

Unusual places

86. Paradise for cat lovers, Tashinojima
87. Naoshima, island of art
88. Eerie times at the deserted island of Hashima
89. Site of Reversible Destiny, Yoro Park
90. Yunessun Spa, refresh yourself in a hot bath of wine, tea or Ramen soup.
91. Yum,  Shin-Yokohama Ramen Museum!
92. Farming at Pasona02, an underground farm
93. Creepie doll city Nagoro
94. Meguro Parasitological Museum, for people with strong stomachs

Accomodations

95. Release your inner monk during a temple stay
96. Get cosy and cramped in a capsule hotel
97. Feel the allure of traditional Japan while staying in a machiya
98. Treat yourself and stay at a ryokan. With private Onsen, just because you can.
99. You don't need to be in love to enjoy the quirky love hotels
100. Go on the Cheap and spend a night in a Manga/Internet Cafe
101. Chilly stay at the Alpha Resort-Tomamu ice village