24 Things To See and Do in Japan

1. Visit Himeji Castle JAPAN

Himeji Castle (Himeji-jo) is one of the best preserved castles in Japan. Construction originally started in 1331, Himeji was untouched by the devastation in WWII, unlike Osaka and Hiroshima Castles.

Himeji Castle's white exterior and unique architecture symbolize a white heron taking flight.

216 people are doing this goal:

2. Visit Kiyomizu-dera JAPAN

Kiyomizu-dera, officially Otowa-san Kiyomizu-dera is an independent Buddhist temple in eastern Kyoto. The temple is part of the Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto (Kyoto, Uji and Otsu Cities) UNESCO World Heritage site.

125 people are doing this goal:

3. Walk the Nakasendō JAPAN

The Nakasendo, also called the Kisokaido, was one of the five routes (major roads) of the Edo period, and one of the two that connected Edo to Kyoto in Japan.

97 people are doing this goal:

4. Visit Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park JAPAN

Peace Park is dedicated to the legacy of Hiroshima as the first city in the world to suffer a nuclear attack, and to the memories of the bomb's direct and indirect victims (of whom there may have been as many as 140,000).

203 people are doing this goal:

5. Visit Disneyland Tokyo JAPAN

Disneyland Tokyo was the first Disney park to be built outside of the United States and opened April 15, 1983.

273 people are doing this goal:

6. Visit Kinkaku-ji (Temple of the Golden Pavilion) JAPAN

Kinkaku-ji, also known as Rokuon-ji, is a Zen Buddhist temple in Kyoto, Japan. The garden complex is an excellent example of Muromachi period garden design.

160 people are doing this goal:

7. Visit the Ghibli Museum JAPAN

Ghibli Museum is a museum featuring the Japanese anime work of Studio Ghibli, and is located in Inokashira Park in Mitaka, a western suburb of Tokyo, Japan.

The Ghibli Museum in Japan houses a life-size replica of the Catbus from the iconic animated film "My Neighbor Totoro."

280 people are doing this goal:

8. Take a trip on the Shinkansen (Bullet train) JAPAN

The Shinkansen, also known as the bullet train, is a network of high-speed railway lines in Japan operated by four Japan Railways Group companies.

255 people are doing this goal:

9. Climb Mount Fuji JAPAN

Mount Fuji is the highest mountain in Japan at 3,776.24 m (12,389 ft).

Mount Fuji is best viewed early in the morning, especially from Lake Kawaguchi for stunning reflections.

234 people are doing this goal:

10. Visit the Tranquil Zen Garden of Kyoto JAPAN

Ryoan-ji - is a Zen temple located in northwest Kyoto, Japan. Belonging to the Myoshin-ji school of the Rinzai branch of Zen Buddhism, the temple and karesansui garden is one of the Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The Tranquil Zen Garden features meticulously raked gravel symbolizing water, creating a serene atmosphere.

449 people are doing this goal:

11. Visit the Meguro Parasitological Museum JAPAN

Located in the vibrant city of Tokyo, the Meguro Parasitological Museum offers an intriguing and offbeat experience for curious travelers. As the only museum of its kind in the world, it delves into the captivating world of parasites, showcasing an extensive collection of over 300 specimens. From massive tapeworms to microscopic organisms, visitors can immerse themselves in the bizarre and awe-inspiring realm of these often misunderstood creatures. With informative exhibits, interactive displays, and a captivating atmosphere, a visit to the Meguro Parasitological Museum promises to be an educational and unforgettable adventure for those with a taste for the peculiar.

The Meguro Parasitological Museum in Tokyo is the only museum in the world dedicated solely to parasites, housing over 45,000 specimens including a 30-foot-long tapeworm.

64 people are doing this goal:

12. Visit the Buddhist Monuments in the Hōryū-ji Area JAPAN

The structures inscribed are some of the oldest extant wooden buildings in the world, dating from the 7th to 8th centuries. Many of the monuments are also National Treasures of Japan, and reflect an important age of Buddhist influence in Japan.

79 people are doing this goal:

13. Visit Tokyo National Museum JAPAN

The museum collects, houses, and preserves a comprehensive collection of art works and archaeological objects of Asia, focusing on Japan. The museum holds over 110,000 objects, which includes 87 Japanese National Treasure holdings.

The Tokyo National Museum houses the largest collection of Japanese art and artifacts in the world, including the famous "Great Buddha of Kamakura" statue.

117 people are doing this goal:

14. Visit the Historic Villages of Shirakawa-gō and Gokayama JAPAN

These villages are well known for their houses constructed in architectural style known as gassho-zukuri. The Gassho-zukuri, "prayer-hands construction" style is characterized by a thatched and steeply slanting roof resembling two hands joined in prayer.

69 people are doing this goal:

15. Visit the Itsukushima Shinto Shrine JAPAN

Itsukushima Shrine is a Shinto shrine on the island of Itsukushima (popularly known as Miyajima) in the city of Hatsukaichi in Hiroshima Prefecture in Japan.

140 people are doing this goal:

16. Cross the Akashi Kaikyō Bridge JAPAN

Also known as the “Pearl Bridge” and considered as Japan’s finest engineering feat.

49 people are doing this goal:

17. Visit the Shrines and Temples of Nikkō JAPAN

The UNESCO World Heritage Site Shrines and Temples of Nikko encompasses 103 buildings or structures and the natural setting around them.

The Yomeimon Gate at Nikkō's Toshogu Shrine is adorned with over 500 intricate carvings.

100 people are doing this goal:

18. Visit Shiretoko National Park JAPAN

The word "Shiretoko" is derived form an Ainu word "sir etok", meaning "end of the Earth".

58 people are doing this goal:

19. Visit Kyoto National Museum

The collections of the Kyoto National Museum focus on pre-modern Japanese and Asian art.

50 people are doing this goal:

20. Visit Osaka Castle JAPAN

Originally called Ozakajo, it is one of Japan's most famous castles, and played a major role in the unification of Japan during the sixteenth century of the Azuchi-Momoyama period.

148 people are doing this goal:

21. Visit the Asahi Beer Hall JAPAN

The Asahi Beer Hall is considered one of Tokyo's most recognizable modern structures. The shape of the building is that of a beer glass, designed to complement the neighboring golden beer mug-shaped building housing the Asahi Breweries offices.

43 people are doing this goal:

22. Visit Universal Studios Japan JAPAN

The park is similar to Universal Orlando Resort, since it contains many of the same rides. Most visitors are Japanese tourists or tourists from other Asian countries such as Taiwan, Hong Kong, and South Korea.

122 people are doing this goal:

23. Visit Nagoya Castle JAPAN

Nagoya Castle is a Japanese castle located in Nagoya, central Japan. During the Edo period, Nagoya Castle was the center of one of the most important castle towns in Japan—Nagoya-juku.

Nagoya Castle, built in 1612, is famous for its golden shachihoko, mythical dolphin-like creatures.

76 people are doing this goal:

24. Visit Jigokudani Monkey Park JAPAN

Jigokudani Monkey Park is famous for its large population of wild Japanese Macaques (Macaca fuscata), more commonly referred to as Snow Monkeys, that go to the valley during the winter, foraging elsewhere in the national park during the warmer months.

116 people are doing this goal: