There is no surprise why Japan is one of the top travel destinations in Southeast Asia.

For one, it boasts a wide myriad of food—from freshly sliced sashimi to crispy tonkotsu, wholesome bowls of soupy ramen and more. The culture is also a very unique one, and the Japanese are easily the most cultured and friendliest people around.

We simply cannot get enough of Japan; there’s just so much to see and do and experience. If you still haven’t taken a first trip to Japan, you’re completely missing out. Here are the 24 Unique Things You Can Only Experience In Japan.

#1 VENDING MACHINES ARE APLENTY

You will be surprised by just how many vending machines you can encounter when strolling down a street. Every vending machine is different, and you will find a huge variety of drinks that come in the most colourful packaging!

Photo Credit: Japan Guide

#2 WATCH A SUMO WRESTLING MATCH

Dating all the way back since ancient times, sumo wrestling has always been considered as entertainment and it is the country’s national sport. You can catch a glimpse of all the action when you attend a sumo tournament by purchasing tickets from an official vendor, through their convenience stores, or from this website.

#3 SPEND A NIGHT AT GRAN CYBER CAFÉ @BAGUS

Japan is known for having the most unique hotels and one of them is a manga cafe, which is also known as a kissa cafe to the locals.

At Gran Cyber @Bagus Cafe, guests are provided with facilities such as a shower room, comfortable private cubicles for sleeping and the best part—free food!

@Bagus Gran Cyber Café
3F Adhoc Shinjuku Building
3-15-11, Shinjuku
160-0022, Japan
Tel: +81 3-5363-6253
Daily: 24 hours
Nearest Station: Seibu-Shinjuku

Photo Credit: Travel with Rhys

#4 TOUR SHIBUYA ON A GOCART WHILE DRESSED AS A MARIO CHARACTER

What better way to tour one of Tokyo’s busiest shopping districts than on a GoCart, and dressed up as a Mario character?

The MariCar SuperHero Go Cart Tour in Shibuya allows you to drive licensed GoCarts on public roads. Along the two-hour drive, you will get to see a couple of Tokyo’s most popular attractions along the way—including the iconic Tokyo Tower!

MariCar
Tel: +81 3-6712-8275
Daily: 10am – 10pm

#5 TASTE FRESH SASHIMI AND SUSHI AT TSUKIJI FISH MARKET

If you have not heard about Tsukiji Fish Market by now, you are probably living under a rock. Feast on the freshest sashimi that you will ever taste from several restaurants at the market, including Sushi Zanmai, Ryu Sushi, and the more popular Sushi Dai and Sushi Daiwa.

Tsukiji Fish Market
5 Chome-2-1 Tsukiji, Chou
104-0045, Japan
Daily: 12pm – 2.30pm, 6pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: Tsukiji Shijo

#6 GET THE BEST VIEW OF SHIBUYA CROSSING AT QFRONT BUILDING

If you are looking to get a good shot of the famous Shibuya crossing, a window seat at QFRONT Building’s Starbucks is your best bet to catch all the action. Watch locals and tourists hurrying across the intersection while you enjoy a cuppa or two.

QFRONT
21-6 Udagawa-cho, Shibuya
150-0042, Japan
Tel: +81 3-3770-2301
Daily: 6.30am – 4am
Nearest Station: Shibuya

#7 VISIT A POKÉMON CENTER

Do you really need a reason to visit any of the Pokémon Centers that can be found all over Japan?!

You will be able to find limited edition plush toys, Pokémon-themed stationaries, Pokémon printed t-shirts, and just about any other merchandise under the sun. The biggest Pokémon Centre is supposedly the one in Ikebukuro, Tokyo.

Pokémon Center MEGA TOKYO
2F, Sunshine City alpha
3-1-2 Higashi-Ikebukuro, Toshima-ku
170-6002, Japan
Tel: +81 3-5927-9290
Daily: 10am – 8pm
Nearest Station: Ikebukuro

Photo Credit: Rakuten Travel

#8 FEED DEER AT THE NARA DEER PARK

Nara Deer Park is one of the more well-known attractions in Nara; it is home to hundreds of tame, free-roaming deers. You can purchase deer crackers around the park to feed the creatures. Some of them even know how to bow for food—how adorable is that?!

Photo Credit: Bored Panda

#9 PET FOXES AT THE MIYAGI ZAO FOX VILLAGE

Located in the mountains near Shiroishi, the Miyagi Zao Fox Village might be a little out of the way, but it is totally worth the commute. Just as its name suggests, this is where you can feed and even cuddle tame foxes that roam around freely.

Miyagi Zao Fox Village
11-3 Fukuokayatsumiya
Miyagi Prefecture
989-0733, Japan
Tel: +81 224-24-8812
Mon, Tue & Thu to Sun: 9am – 4pm
Nearest Station: Shiroishi

#10 GO FOR AN ONSEN EXPERIENCE

Gone are the days when onsens are traditional stone baths located far up a mountain. Present-day onsens are much more convenient since they are usually housed in mini resort facilities and come with additional services.

Think massages, aromatherapy, and even restaurants within the onsen’s grounds for a quick meal. Check out our post on some of the best onsens in Tokyo.

#11 TAKE A PEACEFUL, QUIET TRAIN RIDE

The Japanese are really considerate people and this is something that is often reflected in their public transports. It does not matter whether you board a relatively empty train or one that is packed full during peak hours—everybody onboard is usually very quiet.

Take a peaceful train ride while reading that book you have been wanting to start on, or listen to your favourite music playlist during the journey; you will be surprised at how enjoyable a train ride can be.

#12 HIKE UP MOUNT TAKAO FOR THE AUTUMN LEAVES

Don’t freak out when you see the word ‘hike’. The trek up Mount Takao is relatively manageable, and even if you prefer not to, there are cable car services to take you up the mountain.

The mountain welcomes more visitors during the Autumn season when the leaves turn into beautiful shades of red, yellow and orange.

#13 THE CONVENIENCE STORES BOAST A DELECTABLE RANGE OF MICROWAVEABLE FOOD

No other country does it like Japan when it comes to their impressive array of instant food options. Their convenience stores carry everything from cream pasta, to bento meals, soupy noodles and even omurice. The options are endless and we certainly aren’t complaining!

#14 BITE INTO THE FLUFFIEST PANCAKES EVER

The Japanese are known for their delicious desserts, and they somehow never fail to make anything look visually appealing. If you are a fan of pancakes, the ones at Gram Pancakes are so fluffy and soft that they jiggle when you shake the plate. Totally perfect for an Instagram boomerang!

Gram Pancakes
1-9-30 Jingumae
150-0001, Japan
Tel: +81 3-6804-3399
Daily: 11am – 9pm
Nearest Station: Harajuku

#15 DINE AT A VENDING MACHINE RESTAURANT

In Japan, having a meal outside without any human interaction is completely possible. Besides having ramen at Ichiran, you can visit Jihanki Shokudo, a vending machine restaurant in Gunma Prefecture. The machines carry tempura udon, hamburgers, ramen and more.

293-3 Tomizukach?, Isesaki-shi
Gunma-ken 372-0833, Japan

Photo Credit: Inside Kyoto

#16 DRESS UP AS A GEISHA IN KYOTO

The best place in Japan to see geishas is in the Gion district in Kyoto. For the uninitiated, geishas are skilled high-class entertainers; their dressing and practices are considered a form of art.

Even if you do not get to catch a glimpse of the geishas in Kyoto, you can still dress up in an exquisite kimono and learn a bit more about their culture.

#17 EVERYTHING IS ABOUT THE AESTHETICS

The Japanese hold very high standards when it comes to the aesthetics of the food they serve. Everything looks almost too good to be eaten and we simply cannot resist the beautiful packaging!

#18 HAVE A GO AT A GACHAPON MACHINE WHILE YOU EAT SUSHI

The Japanese sure know how to put a creative spin when it comes to dining. At Kura Sushi in Ikebukuro, you can have a go at the in-built gachapon machines located above your seat with every four plates ordered. Oh, and did we mention that everything on the sushi menu is priced at just ¥100?

Kura Sushi
Toshima-ku, Tokyo Minamiikebukuro
1-19-5 G Building Minamiikebukuro 01 B1F
Tel: +81 03-5960-1810
Mon to Fri: 11am – 12am
Sat and Sun: 10.20am – 12am
Nearest Station: Ikebukuro

Photo Credit: Travelin’ Boots

#19 HAVE A PICNIC AT YANESEN CEMETERY DURING THE CHERRY BLOSSOM SEASON

The Japanese do not treat cemeteries as an inauspicious place. In fact, the locals regularly pay cemeteries a visit either to pray, or pay respects to the dead.

During the cherry blossom season, you can pop by Yanesen Cemetery for a picnic amongst the breathtaking pink blooms.

Photo Credit: Osaka Info

#20 VISIT AN INSTANT RAMEN MUSEUM

It is safe to say that cup noodles is everyone’s guilty pleasure. But have you ever wondered have they have been made, or how long instant noodles have been around for?

Visit the Momofuku Instant Ramen Museum located in Osaka, and immerse yourself in everything related to instant noodles. You can even customise your own cup noodles as a personal souvenir!

Momofuku Ando Instant Ramen Museum
8-25 Masumicho, Ikeda
563-0041, Osaka, Japan
Tel: +81 72-752-3484
Wed to Mon: 9.30am – 4pm
Closed on Tuesdays
Nearest Station: Ikeda

#21 GET UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL WITH WILD MONKEYS AT THE JIGOKUDANI SNOW MONKEY PARK

If you are into wildlife and nature, nothing beats watching these cheeky, yet adorable monkeys bathing in the hot onsen during winter. Situated in Yamanouchi, Nagano Prefecture, Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park lies in the valley of the Yokoyu River and it is home to over 160 Japanese Macaque monkeys.

The hike up to Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park takes about 30 to 40 minutes but trust us when we say that it is worth all the effort when you get up close with the wild animals.

#22 MARVEL AT THE MAJESTIC NARUTO WHIRLPOOLS

The Naruto Whirlpools are tidal pools that occur along the Shikoku coast of the Naruto Straits and these tidal pools were the very ones who inspired the famous cartoon character, Uzumaki Naruto.

A true wonder of nature created from the clash of tides from the Seto Inland Sea and the Pacific Ocean, the views Naruto Whirlpools offer are so magnificent that they alone would justify a trip to Tokushima. You may book a boat tour at Naruto Sightseeing Steamship Co. which will take you on a vessel to admire these natural wonders.

#23 NOH—CLASSICAL JAPANESE MUSICAL DRAMA

Noh is a classic stage art and one of Japan’s oldest and proudest art forms where performers don a variety of masks and traditional costumes depicting different characters. The stories are told through not just dialogue, but also via singing and musical accompaniments.

Today, Noh theatre performances only happen 10 times a year but if you get the chance to see one in Japan, we highly recommend it. Where else would you get such an authentic experience?

#24 STORE AND AGE YOUR OWN AWAMORI IN A HANDMADE JAR UNIQUE TO YOU

Awamori—a type of sake unique and indigenous to Okinawa, Japan—is a distilled rice liquor which has clear distinctions from the popular Japanese shochu in several ways. Chuko Distillery is Okinawa’s oldest and most established distillery and this is where you can even buy unique hand-made jars to store and age your awamori.

Should you be in Okinawa, make sure to sign up for a free tour of the distillery which comes followed by a tasting session. It is a must to check out the cool hand-made earthenware jars and you might even catch one of the craftsmen at work when you are there!

Address: 132 Nakachi, Tomigusuku City, Okinawa

Most Singaporeans are used to the idea of cat cafes—but when it comes to themed cafes, Singapore is not quite at Japan’s level yet.

Did you know that you can cuddle up to a stranger, play with an owl and even have vampires serving you in a cafe? Sounds crazy but these thematic cafes really do exist.

From Alice In Wonderland Cafes, Owl Cafes, Robot Restaurant to Penguin Cafes, here are 10 themed cafes in Japan that you should check out the next time you visit the country.

Source: Alice In An Old Castle

#1 ALICE IN WONDERLAND CAFE

Fans of Alice in Wonderland will be thrilled to dine in Japan’s Alice in Wonderland-themed cafes. There are such unique cafes in Ginza and Shinjuku districts of Tokyo, where visitors get to immerse themselves in the highly acclaimed novel.

Building 3 B1 171-0022 Tokyo Toshima-ku
2-16-8 Minami-Ikebukuro Fujikyu building east
Mon to Sat: 5pm – 11pm
Sun: 5pm – 12am

#2 CUDDLE CAFE

A cuddle cafe might sound bizarre, but it is seriously what it is. Located in Tokyo’s quirky electronics district, Akihabara, customers basically pay a fee to sleep in the arms of a pretty girl or receive a foot massage. Their eccentric services range from 20 minutes to 7 hours.

KN Building 3F, 2-11 Sakumacho, Chiyoda-ku
Akihabara, Tokyo, Japan

Source: Thierry Draus

#3 FISHING RESTAURANT

Tokyo’s Fishing Restaurant operates on a simple yet fascinating philosophy—you eat what you fish. Visitors are given the option of letting the waiter fish for them, or they could catch fishes on their own. These fishing restaurants can be found across Japan in areas including Kyushu, Kanto, Kansai and Tokai.

High Manten Jinnan Building B1F,
1-19-3, Jinnan,
Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Mon to Fri: 11.30am – 2.30pm, 5pm – 11pm
Sat & Sun: 4pm – 11pm

Source: Tsunagu Japan

#4 MAID CAFES

Maid cafes are the epitome of quirkiness. Waitresses are dressed like maids and the dishes served here are inherently cutesy. Think heart-shaped omelettes served by ‘kawaii’ cosplay girls. These maid cafes have different themes such as pop idols or Warring States Period.

Mitsuwa Building 4F-7F, Soto-Kanda 1-11-4, Chiyoda-ku
Tokyo, Japan
Tel: +81 (0)3 3526 3131

Source: Travelog

#5 NINJA CAFES

If you have always dreamt of meeting a ninja, then pay a special trip to Tokyo’s Ninja Cafe. The interiors of this cafe are designed to mimic an ancient Japanese castle and waiters are dressed up as ninjas to complete your dining experience. A meal here is far from cheap, but the experience is certainly worthwhile for those who love ninjas.

Tokyu plaza Akasaka 1F
2-14-3, Nagatacho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
Tel: +81 03-5157-3936

Source: Time Travel Turtle

#6 OWL CAFES

Over at Tokyo’s Akiba Fukurou Cafe, patrons get to interact with an owl for a period of one hour. Reservations are highly recommended and it costs ¥1,500 / S$16.65 for an entrance fee which includes a soft drink of your choice. Flash photography and disturbing of sleeping birds are prohibited.

7 Kanda Neribeicho, Chiyoda
Tokyo, Japan
Tel: +81 3-6206-4095
Mon, Wed to Fri: 12pm – 6pm
Sat & Sun: 12pm – 7pm
(Closed on Tuesdays)

Source: Kotaku

#7 PENGUIN CAFES

Penguin cafes are very popular and one can find several of such themed cafes and even bars across Japan. The concept lies in the idea where you can watch penguins behind glass doors. Depending on the company, some establishments allow you to interact with these creatures during feeding times.

COSMY1 1st Floor, 2-38-2 Ikebukuro,
Toshima-ku, Tokyo, Japan
Tel: +81 03 5927 1310
Daily: 6pm – 4am

Source: Tokyo Times

#8 REPTILE CAFE

Move over, furry cutesy animals. Reptile Cafes are now catering to people who love cold-blooded creatures such as snakes and other scaly reptiles. Customers too must accept the fact that Reptile Cafes are not held responsible if they were to get bitten. Not one for the faint-hearted, indeed.

Sampo Sogo building 8F, 6-5-6 Jingumae,
Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, Japan
Tel: +81 3-6427-9912
Mon, Wed to Sun: 11am – 8pm
(Closed on Tuesdays)

Source: Timeout Tokyo

#9 ROBOT RESTAURANT

Tokyo’s Robot Restaurant is situated within a six-minute walk from Shinjuku Station and the dining establishment is unmistakable. Expect a loud and vibrant atmosphere featuring a multi-coloured dance floor, twirling disco balls and fembots! It is best to book online to avoid disappointment.

1-7-1 Kabukicho Shinjuku-ku
Tokyo, Japan
Tel: +81-3-3200-5500
Daily: 3.30pm – 11.30pm

Source: Pinterest

#10 VAMPIRE CAFE

Tokyo’s Vampire Cafe has been in operations since a decade ago and it is designed to reflect Dracula’s castle. Each host’s dramatic make up and outfit make them look like gothic lolitas and of course, every single dish is named after a vampire. Visitors can anticipate bizarre drinks such as The Virgin’s Fresh Blood.

La Paix Building 7F 6-7-6 Ginza Chuou-Ku
Tokyo, Japan
Tel: +81 03-3289-5360
Daily: 5pm – 11pm

There are so many attractions in Japan and most of these wonderful places are actually interestingly situated out of its capital, Tokyo. How does feeding the friendly deers at Nara Park, visiting the Japanese macaques at Jigokudani Monkey Park and exploring the compound of UNESCO World Heritage-listed Himeji Castle sound?

From the enchanting Arashiyama Bamboo Grove to historic Fushimi Inari Shrine, here are the 9 Best Attractions In Japan That Travellers Should Not Miss.

#1 ARASHIYAMA BAMBOO GROVE

Chances are, you must have seen Arashiyama Bamboo Grove on travel websites or your instagram feed at any one point in time. The magical forest – also known as Kyoto Bamboo Forest – is exceptionally tranquil and is characterised by two rows of towering bamboos.

Ukyo Ward, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture, Japan

#2 FUSHIMI INARI SHRINE

Fushimi Inari Shrine is one of Kyoto’s most famous landmarks and boasts a history of more than 1,300 years. Located in the south of Kyoto, this shrine is dedicated to the shinto God of rice. There are actually two trails of Senbon Torii gates but these pathways eventually merge into one.

68 Fukakusa Yabunouchicho, Fushimi Ward, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture 612-0882, Japan

#3 HARAJUKU

When in Harajuku, make a trip to the 400-meter long Takeshita Dori for the quintessential Harajuku expereience. Over here, you will come across boutique stores, dessert kiosks and many Japanese cosplayers.

1 Chome Jingumae, Tokyo 150-0001, Japan

Read: 9 Things You Need To Eat & Do When In Takeshita Dori, Harajuku.

Source: Alpha Coders

#4 HIMEJI CASTLE

UNESCO World Heritage-listed Himeji Castle is a fine surviving Japanese castle complex – this national treasure consists of 80 over buildings! The Himeji is also a very popular cherry blossom spot.

68 Honmachi, Himeji, Hyogo Prefecture 670-0012, Japan

Source: The Travel Mentor

#5 JIGOKUDANI MONKEY PARK

The Jigokudani Monkey Park is quite an unconventional tourist attraction. This unique hot spring is filled with wild snow monkeys and you can see these 150 primates every day throughout the year. Admission tickets are price at ¥500 per adult and ¥250 per child.

Yudanaka-Shibu Onsen, Yamanouchi town, Nagano prefecture, Japan

Source: Robert OToole

#6 MOUNT FUJI

Standing at 3,776 metres, Mount Fuji is Japan’s highest elevation. The active volcano is located about 100 kilometres away from Tokyo. It is officially open to climbers in the months of July and August.

Source: The Globe and Mail

#7 NARA PARK

Nara Park is one of the oldest parks in Japan and is home to hundreds of free-roaming deers. Some of these docile deers have learnt to bow and you can even purchase crackers from the park to feed them.

Nara, Nara Prefecture, Japan

#8 NATIONAL ART CENTRE TOKYO

Tokyo National Art Center’s visually stunning architecture should not be missed; check out the splendid undulating glass facade and the three spectacular conical volumes within. Admission to the museum’s main atrium is free of charge but charges do apply for entrance to the gallery’s exhibits.

Kokuritsu Shin-Bijutsukan
The National Art Center, Tokyo
7-22-2 Roppongi Minato-ku Tokyo 106-8558 Japan

#9 TSUKIJI FISH MARKET

Tsukiji Fish Market is one of the world’s biggest and oldest wholesale seafood markets. The world-famous destination is where you can eat the freshest sashimi and watch the iconic tuna auction. It is also where Japan’s fish traders gather to barter for the best fishes.

Note that Tsukiji Fish Market might be moving soon, but the verdict has yet to be confirmed. Read more about it here.

5 Chome-2-1 Tsukiji, Chuo, Tokyo 104-0045, Japan