10 Unusual Activities to Do in Japan
A country where cutting-edge modernity meets untamed nature, Japan is a holiday destination brimming with surprises.
A country where cutting-edge modernity meets untamed nature, Japan is a holiday destination brimming with surprises. Between the towering skyscrapers of endless cities and national parks bursting with colour, between state-of-the-art robots and traditional dress, Japan is a land of contrasts where you travel through time and humanity itself. Here are 10 unusual activities you absolutely must experience on your trip to Japan:
Attend a Traditional Spectacle
While Japan is one of the world's most modern and high-tech nations, it has not abandoned its traditions. Make the most of your Japan trip to discover the incredible, authentic culture unique to this people. You'll have the opportunity to attend several traditional spectacles: a sumo tournament, a maikos (geishas) performance, or a kabuki performance (popular theatre).
Attend a Tea Ceremony
Tea is not a beverage consumed hastily in Japan. The tea ceremony is an important tradition that remains very much alive today. Taught in dedicated schools, it unfolds over nearly five hours, performed in traditional attire. It's an unusual philosophical and spiritual moment where you learn to embrace the present time with reverence. It's now a highly esteemed Japanese art form, carefully preserved from the encroachment of modernity.
Take an Artistic Workshop
Speaking of art, nothing beats participating in an artistic workshop during your stay in Japan. The Japanese are renowned craftspeople, and some of their skills are unique in the world. You could, for instance, decide to learn calligraphy or take an Ikebana course—the art of flower arrangement.
Learn to Make Sushi
If you wish to bring home some culinary expertise, and even better, some delicious recipes, learn to make sushi in Japan! The finest masters will be delighted to share this intricate art with you, and you can savour your creations back home afterward... Don't worry if you're not keen on raw fish: Japanese cuisine goes far beyond sushi. Far from it—you could also choose to learn how to prepare meat the Japanese way, make gyozas, tempuras, okonomiyakis, or curries, according to your taste!
Bathe in Thermal Springs
You absolutely must bathe in an onsen during a stay in Japan. These thermal springs, renowned worldwide, are delightfully relaxing! Extremely hot and often sulphurous, these baths are the perfect place to unwind and forget all your worries. In mere moments, you'll discover the Japanese art of "zen". Moreover, some of these onsens are situated in breathtaking natural settings that will leave you speechless.
Discover the Snow Festival
An original event in Japan, the annual snow festival is a spectacle not to be missed. Held each February in Sapporo, the festival showcases immense snow and ice sculptures of exceptional precision and emotional impact. If you're travelling to Japan in winter, this is an unmissable activity!
Visit Themed Cafés
In Japan's major cities, cafés themselves are an attraction worth the detour. A new popular trend, these cafés are far more than simply a place to grab a snack. You'll find cafés decorated with every conceivable theme: dog or cat cafés, offering a bit of comfort and companionship, or more unusual ones featuring owls or hedgehogs; cafés themed around films or anime, like Hello Kitty; cafés staffed by robots or others with "maids"—young women dressed as French maids who serve and entertain.
Observe Monkeys
Japan is also an exceptional place to observe wildlife, particularly monkeys. Even in the city, you may encounter macaques who, like you, are enjoying the thermal springs. You can notably spot them in the botanical park of Hakodate and in the Jigokudani snow monkey park near Yamanouchi.
Have Fun Like a Local
Beyond its serene and spiritual traditions, Japan is also known for its vibrant urban life. Experience life like a local to discover modern Japanese living: shop in the massive streets of Tokyo, visit an arcade game hall, spend an evening singing karaoke, or don a cosplay outfit like a true "otaku".
Go Diving
This is certainly not the first thing that comes to mind when travelling to Japan, but the country is an interesting diving destination. Its waters are home to remarkable marine species, notably the enormous manta rays. To observe them better, go diving around Okinawa during a trip along Japan's coastline.
Frequently asked questions
The best time depends on the activity you choose. For the Sapporo snow festival, plan your trip for February. For outdoor onsens with views of nature, autumn (October–November) and winter are ideal. For diving in Okinawa, prefer April through October. In general, spring (March–April) and autumn are the most pleasant seasons to travel in Japan.
No, most workshops (cooking, ikebana, calligraphy) and tourist experiences like onsens or themed cafés are accessible without speaking Japanese. Many providers offer guides or instructions in English. However, it's advisable to learn a few polite phrases in Japanese, which are greatly appreciated by locals.
The budget varies depending on the activities. Entry to a public onsen typically costs between €5 and €15. Cooking or calligraphy workshops are offered between €30 and €80 per person. A diving session in Okinawa can cost between €60 and €120. Themed cafés in Tokyo charge entry fees of €8 to €20. Overall, plan a budget of approximately €200 to €400 to enjoy several of these experiences.
The most famous place to observe Japanese macaques bathing in onsens is the Jigokudani snow monkey park near Yamanouchi in Nagano Prefecture. The park is accessible by train from Tokyo (approximately 2.5 hours) followed by bus or on foot. The best time to see them is winter, from December to March, when the monkeys take advantage of the thermal springs to stay warm.
You can book a tea ceremony through specialized travel agencies, platforms like Voyagin or Airbnb Experiences, or directly with tea ceremony schools in Kyoto, Tokyo, or Nara. Short introductory ceremonies (1–2 hours) are offered to tourists, unlike the complete 5-hour ceremonies reserved for advanced practitioners. Book in advance, especially during peak season.
Yes, Okinawa offers diving experiences suited to all levels, including absolute beginners. Many local dive centres offer introductory dives with instruction, allowing you to observe manta rays and coral reefs without prior certification. For certified divers, the sites around Okinawa's islands offer exceptional experiences with remarkable visibility.
