Why Japan Must Be on Your Travel Bucket List

Being a travel junkie is fun. In case you are one yourself, we have just the thing for you. Japan is an incredibly popular country. Most of that popularity might come from anime nowadays, but there’s so much more to it.

This island country offers nature and scenic places as you’ve never seen. Its culture is rich, people are incredibly polite, and food is like art. What’s there not to love about it? It doesn’t matter whether you are going on a business trip or an expedition to satisfy your thirst for adventure, Japan will embrace you with both arms and show you what you’ve been missing out on all along.

There Are Tons of Scenic Places

If you travel to do some sight-seeing, then visiting Japan has to be on your travel bucket list. This incredible island country has a lot to offer.

The most popular time to visit Japan is during the cherry blossom season. However, blooming pink flowers are not the only thing that will grab your attention. There’s a lot of nature to explore, not to mention some of Japan’s famous landmarks and tourist attractions.

Japan is the type of country that fuses modern and ancient. One minute you’re walking down an urban street, just to take a turn and find yourself traveling back through time to visit a shrine. Some of the things you cannot miss on seeing are Mount Fuji, the Imperial Palace, the Island Shrine of Itsukushima, Osaka Castle, and many more.

Hop on the famous bullet train and visit Japan’s breathtaking zen gardens and temples. You’ll be able to experience the level of tranquility you’ve never known before. Don’t forget to visit the bathhouses as well. They’re definitely an experience worth writing home about. However, think about how comfortable you are with being naked around strangers before you jump into one of their hot springs.

It’s a Shopping Heaven

Being a bit of a shopaholic can sometimes be stressful. There are so many places to shop at, so how do you decide where to go? Fret not; we’ve got your back.

When traveling to Japan, there are multiple places to visit that will provide the best shopping experience. If you’re into all things luxury, the shopping area of Ginza, Tokyo, is your best bet.

However, Ginza isn’t the only place for you to shop. There are Umeda (Osaka), Shinjuku (Tokyo), Hakata (Fukuoka), and many more. But what should you buy when visiting one of these places? We suggest KitKat’s numerous flavors, sake, Japanese unique musical instruments (like shamisen), matcha, wagashi, sensu fans, Japanese cosmetics, etc.

There aren’t many things you cannot find in one of these shopping areas. Japan is also famous for its vending machines, which can offer just about anything, from toys to food and beyond.

Japanese Food

When it comes to food, Japan beats many other countries in how much effort they put into making everything look perfect. The fusion of textures and flavors will have you in love with both their traditional dishes, as well as those with a modern twist.

Dining out in Japan, however, isn’t always an easy task. Restaurants usually specialize in one or several dishes, making it hard for you to decide where you want to go. If you’re not familiar with using chopsticks, this is a great time to learn too.

Some of the traditional Japanese foods we highly recommend are sushi, miso soup, tempura, udon, onigiri, sashimi, tofu dishes, yakitori, daifuku, dango, taiyaki, etc. Don’t miss out on trying green tea or sake, either.

SEE: More Japanese Food Here

Having good table manners is essential when consuming Japanese food, which looks like an art piece on your plate. Some locals will consider asking for utensils other than chopsticks rude. However, if servers notice you’re a traveler, they might ask if you want a fork or a spoon immediately.

There are several table rules you should follow. That’s why it’s important to look them all up before you travel to Japan and decide to visit a restaurant. You need to know the proper things to say before and after each meal, what to do with the plates after finishing, how to walk and sit on the tatami, etc. Don’t let that stress you out, though. Just make sure you act decently, and you’ll be alright.

Sports and Activities

You won’t lack entertainment in Japan if you’re into sports. Japan is famous for martial arts, but those aren’t the only athletic spectacles category that this country can offer. Baseball, soccer, tennis, racing, sumo, boxing, and more are some of the most popular sports in Japan. You definitely shouldn’t miss out on going to some of the matches and experiencing all of the Japanese sports.

Besides sports, there are numerous other things you can see and do that will make your stay unforgettable. If you’re a nature junkie, you’re in luck! Japan is full of seemingly untouched vistas. Not only will you hike beautiful trails, but you’ll be able to see a lot of things on your way to the final destination. You can pass preserved historical villages, different shrines, and even see animals like snow monkeys and Nara deer.

Staying in the city isn’t a problem either. You can go around different restaurants or izakayas (casual food bars), as well as soak in onsen baths, go to large shopping areas, and museums. Taking Japanese cooking classes is yet another fun thing to do during your stay while riding the bullet train is an experience too.

There are different things to be done depending on the weather as well. If you’re in luck, you’ll be able to visit Japan during the cherry blossom season. The beauty of the pink flowers is unmatched, and its popularity can vouch for that.

Amazing People and Culture

Last but definitely not least, if none of the above appeals to you, we suggest visiting Japan to experience its hospitality and culture. The Japanese are known for their welcoming nature, good manners, and politeness. This ensures excellent customer service wherever you go. You don’t even need to thank them for it because they’re just doing their jobs.

The culture and history of Japan are rich. There are a lot of things to learn about it, especially if you immerse yourself in any kind of event or ceremony. That’s why visiting during festivals or participating in traditions is a special treat for anyone.

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Some of the things you can do to participate in Japanese culture are participating in a tea ceremony, having a calligraphy lesson, wearing a kimono (or having a geisha/maiko makeover), learning origami, and so much more. The best thing you can do is try to link up with a local. They will be able to show you everything you need to know and be a part of, to have a complete experience.

There is an important rule you should know about the people of Japan. Even though they’re kind and hospitable, you should never bother a stranger without a good reason. This means you shouldn’t come up to them randomly to start a conversation, or say their dog is cute. They will likely be shocked or startled, and try to politely remove themselves from the situation.

Whatever you do, try your best to be respectful.

Conclusion

There are so many things you can do and see while traveling to Japan. International travel isn’t always easy, but rest assured that this country is incredibly safe. It has meagre crime rates, ensuring your safety wherever you go.

Japan and its people are there to offer you hospitality and entertainment like you’ve never seen before. In case you just want to relax and not worry about a thing, Japan’s nature, shrines, and temples will provide the zen experience you’re looking for.

We hope our Japan travel guide has given you an idea of what you can expect from this gorgeous country. Definitely look into visiting it at least once because it will be an experience you’ll never forget.