Japanese culture is so rich and unique! Besides the amazing sights to see in Japan, there are a few things you must include on any trip to Japan. Some of this advice comes from living in Japan for 1 1/2 years as a missionary where I really got to experience the culture in depth. Make sure you check off this bucket list of Japanese experiences.
1. Sleep in a Ryokan
A Ryokan is a Japanese Style room. this means there is a small entryway where you always remove your shoes and then slip into tatami mat slippers so enter the room. You roll out your own futon and bedding and sleep right on the floor. Futons are surprisingly comfortable. You have to live like the Japanese to fully understand their culture.
2. Cleanse in a Bidet
Bidets were totally foreign to me and trying to read and figure out the instructions were daunting. I think it took me a year to get up the courage to splash water up my butt. But seriously it is really warm, comforting and much cleaner. And look, you can even enjoy your music while you are cleansing your derriere.
3. Squat on the Potty
The first time you open a bathroom stall and it looks completely empty, look down. There is a hole in the ground. Straddle it, squat and then you’ll be amazed and wonder why ALL of our public toilets are not like this! Just be aware that in Train stations and other restroom areas, Toilet paper may not be provided. The Japanese always carry around a small package of tissue just for these occasions. I suggest you do the same!
4. Bathe in an Onsen (public bath):
( No photos allowed in a public bathhouse! Sorry!)
This tradition is a difficult one for westerners to understand. The Japanese are a very modest culture. Even on the hottest of days, they cover up their whole arms and legs. And yet, they are perfectly comfortable bathing in the nude with mom, grandma, child and stranger alike. Not only comfortable, but they take pleasure in it. Instead of going to Disney World, they spend their vacation time at amazing Onsens bathing in different pools.
Most onsens are divided by men and women. So if you are traveling as a couple and aren’t comfortable splitting up, you can try to find a private onsen like we found at our hotel. However, these aren’t really the Japanese tradition and are hard to come by.
The hotel I went to with my mom and a friend had an amazing rooftop pool (swimsuit required) and a rooftop onsen/hot tub (nudity required). We also experienced 4 or 5 pools of varying temperatures, mineral salts, and smells.
Onsens for the beginner:
Shed all your clothing in the locker room and grab a hand towel/washcloth. Head to the showers first. Sit on a stool or upside down bucket as you shower yourself and cleanse everything. You must be completely clean to share the Onsen with others. Carry the hand towel with you, which is just big enough to cover one area as you travel from pool to pool. For the men, this is easy. For women, pick one to cover and don’t think about the rest!
Now that I have told you all the scary parts, I will tell you that once you get over your fears and insecurities, Onsens are incredible! So relaxing, so freeing and so good for your skin. Despite living a strict missionary life for 2 years prior to my first dip, I felt pretty confident in my own skin after seeing so many old and wrinkled bodies. My fair-skinned, red-haired mom was much more self-conscious. But its so normal for the Japanese, no one was looking (except maybe in amazement in how white my mom is!)
5. Try on a Kimono and Obi
Some Museums have different pieces of culture articles you can try on. Or try a kimono shop. You’ll feel like an Asian Princess all tied up with a bow.
6. Buy a Japanese Rail pass
Although the initial cost of a 7 or 14-day rail pass may shock you ($254 or $405 per person), once you are in Japan you will quickly see what an amazing deal this is! Especially if you are riding the bullet train outside of Tokyo. To be able to travel quickly on this pass is incredible. We even had a few times when we went ‘ backward’ on our journey because we didn’t get enough in a location, but it didn’t cost us extra to ride the train. You definitely don’t want to limit your travels because you are running low on transportation budget, so buy your pass early (it has to be mailed to you) and then ride to your heart’s content. Heck, even if you just need to rest your legs, get on and sightsee from the comfort of the train! (We did this to a mountainous city called Takayama and the ride was incredible! See here)
All the train ticket agents are fluent in English (and so are most of the people milling around you). So just ask which platform for your destination and you are sure to get help.
7. Ride around Town on a bike
Being a crowded country, difficult to navigate in a car, many Japanese opt to bike and use the trains for their travels. Join the Japanese and travel by pedaling!
A bike is a surprising rest for your weary tourist legs. Getting to different sights quickly and easily is fun with the wind whipping through your hair (as you blow past the other walking tourists).
Japanese drive on the opposite side of the street, so bikes should, too. This applies to passing others as well; pass on the right instead of the left. Watch for narrow roads and keep your elbows in, the cars pass close to bikes sometimes!
8. Go Faster than a speeding bullet on the Shinkansen
With your Japanese rail pass, you can take nearly any train (except the sleeper trains and the fastest Nozomi). So when going to major destinations, get there in a hurry on the train. The bullet trains are super comfortable with seating that can be adjusted to face forward or back. You have a reserved seat so you are sure to have a rest along the way. There are bathrooms on the trains and plenty of overhead space for luggage. They will also serve snacks along the way. You can sit back and relax because they will announce upcoming stops in English as well as Japanese. I love watching the country zip by on the smooth sailing shinkansen. Why don’t we have one between LA and NYC?
You do need a reserved seat to board the shinkansen. You can reserve your eat just moments before you get on so don’t think you need to plan weeks or days in advance. Just go to a ticket agent, tell them where you want to go and they will set you up with the next available train and the fastest way there.
9. Bask in the beauty of Cherry Blossoms
I know this can only happen during a few weeks of the year, but it really is spectacular. The whole country gets outside and picnics and laughs in the parks during lunch. For people who aren’t very publicly social, it is so fun to see them interacting in such a way.
10. Take a Photo with a Geisha
I’m not sure who was most excited for this picture: the American seeing a geisha girl for the first time, or the Geisha seeing an American giant! Notice he is standing a step lower than the girls in tall shoes and is still a full head and shoulders taller!!! As you travel keep and eye our for people dressed in traditional clothing. It is gorgeous and every detail is precise and put together perfectly.
11. Shop at a Hyaku-en shop (100Yen)
The Hyaku-en shop is the dollar store. Everything in the whole store is only 100 yen! (about $1). Where you’ve seen fans, parasols and silk purses sell for upwards of 20000 yen, here they have everything your heart desires for only a buck! We got our kids a plethora of souvenirs for under $20. No one back home knows the difference. My favorite souvenirs from Japan was a set of all of their tiny dishes, cups, forks, etc. I will have sushi nights and get some use out of my souvenirs.
12. Attend a Festival (Matsuri)
Over New Years or in the Summer, you can find festivals in Japan. They are so interesting with so many things to look at, eat and experience. My favorite activity was scooping soba noodles with chopsticks from a bamboo track as they slid down the pipe. So interesting (and difficult for a foreigner!)
Follow my ideal itinerary in Japan for an excellent experience.
Don’t forget to try these 15 Japanese foods!
These experiences will be unique to Japan and something you’ve most likely never done. Give it a go! Check out must-eat foods in Japan!
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