13 Unique Experiences You Can Only Do in Japan
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1. Cook with Locals in a Japanese Home
2. Sleep in a Manga/Anime Café
3. Experience an Onsen (Hot Spring Bath)
4. Join a Samurai or Ninja Experience
6. Try a Japanese Food Tour by Night
8. Participate in a Traditional Tea Ceremony
10. Mario Kart / Go-Karting Through Tokyo
11. Explore a Japanese Vending Machine Wonderland
12. Collect Temple & Shrine Stamps (Goshuin)
Japan is packed with experiences you simply can’t find anywhere else, from training like a samurai to sleeping in an anime cafe. If that sounds insane, just wait until you see the rest. In this guide, we're taking you through 13 of the most unique experiences that will make your trip to Japan truly unforgettable. Personally, our favourite is the bonus experience…
1. Cook with Locals in a Japanese Home
Go beyond just eating at restaurants and learn to make iconic Japanese food like sushi, ramen, or okonomiyaki from a local host. This is a fantastic way to understand Japanese ingredients, etiquette, and family culture. Many platforms now connect travellers directly with host families.
Best platform: Nagomi Visit
How it works: You send a request to find a host, receive host offers, and can chat with your host before the day of cooking. All hosts are prepared to speak English.
2. Sleep in a Manga/Anime Café
Forget boring capsule hotels, stay overnight in a manga kissa! These cafes offer private cubicles with a reclining chair, unlimited manga, free drinks, and showers. It's a quirky and uniquely "only in Japan" experience.
What it is: A Japanese establishment with a large library of manga, computers with internet, and private booths. It’s a low-budget option for reading, relaxing, or even overnight stays.
What to expect: You'll find these cafes near train stations, often with various names like "Internet Cafe," "Manga Kissa," or "Media Cafe." You may be asked to register for a membership card. Most cafes have unlimited soft drinks, DVDs, and PCs. Some even offer VR, game consoles, and karaoke for rent.
3. Experience an Onsen (Hot Spring Bath)
Onsens are a deeply ingrained part of Japanese culture, used for relaxation, wellness, and socialising. A natural hot spring bath where the water is heated by geothermal activity and is rich in minerals.
What to expect: Most onsens have gender-separated bathing areas. Nudity is standard, and you must wash thoroughly before entering the bath. The water can be very hot, so start slowly. While indoor baths are common, outdoor baths (rotenburo) let you soak surrounded by nature. Many onsens also provide yukata robes and offer private baths.
Additional Tips: Some onsens do not allow tattoos, though private baths or tattoo-friendly options are becoming more common. Remember, onsens are meant for calm and rejuvenation, so avoid loud talking or splashing.
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4. Join a Samurai or Ninja Experience
Join a hands-on experience and train with sword masters or learn stealth techniques. Some experiences even include wearing traditional armour or kimonos. It's a mix of fun and cultural history you can only do in Japan.
5. Witness Sumo Wrestling
Sumo wrestling is Japan's national sport with a history spanning over 1,500 years. Matches are short but intense and filled with fascinating rituals.
What to expect: Before each match, wrestlers perform ceremonial salt throwing, stomping, and hand clapping. Major tournaments are held six times a year in cities like Tokyo, Osaka, and Nagoya. Watching sumo gives you incredible insight into the discipline, hierarchy, and rituals central to Japanese culture.
6. Try a Japanese Food Tour by Night
Go beyond konbinis and explore izakayas (pubs) and street-food alleys at night. A guided tour is the best way to find hidden bars and local spots you might not discover on your own.
Best for: Osaka, the food capital of Japan!
7. Learn Japanese Calligraphy
Join a hands-on workshop to learn Japanese calligraphy (Shodō). It's a traditional art form that is both creative and meditative.
What to expect: An instructor will demonstrate proper brush techniques and stroke order. You’ll use a brush, ink, and special paper to create characters. The process is relaxing and meditative, and you can often keep your finished work as a souvenir.
8. Participate in a Traditional Tea Ceremony
The Japanese tea ceremony (Chanoyu or Sado) is a traditional ritual for preparing and serving matcha. It’s a highly choreographed practice that emphasises harmony, respect, purity, and tranquillity.
What to expect: A host will guide you through the ceremony. Participants follow specific movements and etiquette, and a small sweet is usually served before the tea to balance its bitterness. It’s a calming, reflective break from sightseeing.
9. Stay Overnight in a Ryokan
Experience the charm of "old Japan" by staying in a ryokan, a traditional Japanese inn. Many ryokans include beautiful gardens, onsen baths, and even multi-course meals.
You can check out the Ryokan we stayed in at Mount Fuji ↗️
10. Mario Kart / Go-Karting Through Tokyo
Get your adrenaline fix with a real-life go-karting experience on the streets of Tokyo. You can often dress up as your favourite characters and drive past famous landmarks.
What to expect: You'll need a valid international driver’s license. A guide will lead you on a pre-planned route through the city. Helmets are provided, and tours typically last 1-2 hours.
11. Explore a Japanese Vending Machine Wonderland
Vending machines in Japan sell much more than just drinks. You can find everything from hot meals and cakes to unique toys and cultural goods. It’s a quirky and iconic part of Japanese culture.
💡 We did a YouTube video where we discovered super quirky vending machines in Tokyo. The locations are in the video!
12. Collect Landmarks, Temple & Shrine Stamps (Goshuin)
At landmarks, shrines and temples across Japan, you can collect beautifully hand-drawn calligraphy stamps in a goshuin-cho (stamp book). Each stamp is unique, and the temples/ shrine ones are usually signed by monks or priests, and become a personal travel diary and a sacred souvenir.
13. Sleep in a Temple (Shukubo)
For a truly unique experience, stay overnight in a Buddhist temple. A shukubo is a temple lodging where you can experience traditional Japanese culture and temple life firsthand.
What to expect: You’ll stay in a traditional tatami room and may be invited to join morning prayers, meditation sessions, or sutra chanting with the monks. Meals are typically vegetarian (shojin ryori), emphasising seasonal ingredients. The environment is incredibly peaceful and reflective.
Book a temple stay below ⬇️
Bonus Experience: Discover Tokyo's Unique Car Culture
Beyond the iconic go-kart tours, Tokyo offers a chance to immerse yourself in its legendary car culture. This unique experience lets you see some of the city's most specialised vehicles, from iconic JDM cars to rare imports, as you navigate the famous streets from Shibuya Crossing to Rainbow Bridge. Some of the tours also allow you to join the famous (and secret) car meet-ups.
What it is: A guided tour focused on discovering Tokyo's vibrant and diverse car scene.
What to expect: You'll ride in a unique vehicle, following a pre-planned route through some of the city’s most famous districts and landmarks. It’s an unforgettable way to experience Tokyo's modern landscape and car culture all at once.
💡 Want help planning with your Japlanning (Japan planning haha)? Why not check out The Ultimate 2-Week Itinerary for Japan (with Insider Tips)
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