Top 10 Things to See and Do in Japan

Japan rewards travellers who enjoy things done properly: unhurried meals, beautifully kept gardens, immaculate trains, and a reassuring sense that the details have been thought through. For many British travellers, it feels a little like stepping into a world where etiquette and calm still matter; think a quieter, more graceful version of London at its best, but with better punctuality.

Below are ten experiences that consistently land well with first-time visitors, especially those who want culture, comfort and authenticity in equal measure.

1. Kyoto
2. A local temple
3. Kanazawa
4. Lake Biwa
5. Takayama
6. Nara
7. Shigisan
8. Tokyo
9. The Shinkansen
10. Kyoto cuisine

Takayama’s historic centre, wooden buildings and gentle rhythm of life offer a different side of Japan — one that feels grounded, traditional and wonderfully photogenic.

If you want a respectful, immersive touch, a Kimono Experience in Takayama adds texture to the visit — not as fancy dress, but as a way to engage with the place in a considered way.

Nara brings essential historical context — temples, the Great Buddha, and a softer pace. It’s also an ideal place to experience Japan beyond hotels and sightseeing.

A homestay in the countryside of Nara offers that rare travel luxury: feeling welcomed, not just served — sharing everyday life in a way that’s warm, comfortable and memorable.

For travellers who value wellbeing and quiet reflection, a temple stay can be one of the most surprisingly rewarding parts of Japan. It’s not about being “spiritual” in any grand sense — it’s about stepping away from noise.

An overnight stay at a monastery in Shigisan offers precisely that: simplicity, calm, and a sense of being gently looked after while you slow the pace right down.

Tokyo can sound intimidating on paper, but in person it often feels surprisingly easy — clean, safe, well-organised, and full of pockets of calm. The trick is to explore neighbourhood by neighbourhood, with time for coffee stops and unhurried evenings.

Japan’s bullet trains are an experience in themselves: smooth, quiet and reassuringly efficient. There’s something deeply relaxing about knowing the logistics are simply… handled.

Japan’s food culture is more than restaurants — it’s craft, tradition, and joy in small details. A cooking experience in Kyoto offers a lovely counterpoint to temples and sightseeing, and it’s the sort of memory you’ll genuinely revisit back in the UK.

The Sushi class in Kyoto is a perfect example: practical, sociable and quietly confidence-boosting (and yes, you’ll dine well afterwards).