If you’re planning a trip to Japan, you’re in for a treat. In this article, you will find that there are many adventurous things to do in Japan. This fascinating country is home to a wealth of weird things to see and do. From the neon-lit streets of Tokyo to the serene temples of Kyoto, Japan is a must-see destination for anyone looking for an unforgettable travel experience. In this post, we’ll take a look at five of the strangest and most adventurous things to do in Japan.
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Have you ever been to a restaurant where the waiters are robots? No? Well, then, you need to add it to your list of weird things to do in Japan. At the Robot Restaurant in Tokyo, you can feast your eyes on an over-the-top performance that features dancing robots, lasers, and flames. It’s definitely a sight to see, and you’ll never forget it.
If you’re looking for an adventurous experience that’s truly unique, then a visit to a maid café is a must. These cafés are all the rage in Japan, and for good reason—the waitresses here are dressed as maids, and they act as your personal servants for the duration of your visit. They’ll do everything from serve your food to give you a shoulder massage. It’s definitely an adventurous experience, but it’s also a lot of fun. The maids at Maid Café are always happy to chat and take photos with you, so don’t be shy!
Dive into Akihabara Culture: Electric Town’s Nerdy Wonderland – Strap on your geekiest gear, solo traveler, and dive headset-first into Akihabara. It’s like someone took all your childhood fantasies of anime, manga, and video games, threw them into a blender, and spilled the colorful concoction all over this buzzing district. Marvel at more neon than your retinas can handle while navigating a maze of high-tech treasure troves that make your local Best Buy look like a yard sale.
Experience the Fantasy: Beyond the Looking Glass (or Screen Door) – Stepping into a maid cafe is like tumbling down a rabbit hole and landing in a gamer’s fever dream. The door swings open and—bam!—reality checks out. Welcome to the make-believe meet-up, where you’re not just “some person,” you’re a “Master” or a “Princess,” and the maids? Perfectly coifed, frillier than your grandma’s doilies, and sweeter than your neighbor’s diabetic cat. Pro tip: No one’s judging, so leave your cool card at the door and revel in the ridiculousness!
Menu Delights: Confectionery Meets Culinary Cosplay – The menu in these joints reads like your favorite manga decided to become a cookbook. And we’re not talking about your basic burgers and fries—we’re talking feasts that are Instagrammable before the filter. Foods with faces, ladies and gents. Drinks that are so kawaii you’ll need to reassure them it’s okay before taking a sip. And yes, you can let a maid turn your omelet into Pikachu with an edible marker because this is Akihabara, and here, playing with your food is a requirement, not a faux pas.
Photo Opportunities: Say “Cheese-kun!” – Get ready to spam your followers with selfies so cute they’ll need a disclaimer. Maid cafes are a veritable buffet of snap-worthy moments. Strike a pose with maids who make costume parties green with envy, clutch themed props, and capture the kind of memories that’ll make your ex-besties from high school say, “Wait, you did what in Tokyo?”
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If you’re looking for something a little strange and wonderful, you should make your way to Harajuku Takeshita Street, Tokyo. This pedestrian-only street is crammed full of eclectic shops and quirky restaurants, making it the perfect place to wander around and explore.
Be sure to check out the Harajuku Girls—it’s definitely a sight to see! These fashion-forward ladies are always on the go, and they love to dress in outrageous styles. So be prepared for some serious fashion overload. If you’re looking for a unique souvenir, be sure to stop by one of the many candy stores on Takeshita Street. The selection is always changing, but you’re sure to find something crazy and delicious that you can’t get back home.
Street Food Delights: A Gastronomic Rollercoaster on Takeshita Street – Ladies, ready for a flavor fiesta that’ll have your taste buds dancing more intensely than a viral TikTok challenge? Takeshita Street is not just a street; it’s a culinary catwalk showcasing the supermodels of street food. First up, crepes that are so thin and filled with so much goodness, it’s like they’re defying the laws of physics. Move over, Paris, Tokyo’s doing it with a twist, stuffing them with everything from fresh fruit to tiramisu.
Diving deeper into the savory sea, we stumble upon takoyaki, aka octopus balls – and no, we’re not talking about an underwater sporting event. Imagine bite-sized spheres of joy, brimming with bits of octopus, so delectable, you’ll momentarily forget about every ex. Then there’s yakisoba, noodles that are stir-fried to perfection, presumably by angels or some highly skilled chefs (same difference).
People Watching: The Live Soap Opera of Takeshita Street – If you ever fancy yourself as a director scouting for the next big reality show, Takeshita Street is your open-air studio. This place buzzes with an energy that could power a small town, offering front-row seats to the fashion runway of the real world. You’ll see styles ranging from the “I woke up like this” to the “I’m possibly a lost unicorn.”
The crowd here is a kaleidoscope of humans—tourists with cameras hanging like medals of honor, locals strutting the latest in ‘Harajuku fashion’, and perhaps a cosplayer or two, reminding us that, yes, you can rock a full-on anime character look on a Tuesday afternoon. It’s a feast for the eyes and the soul, proving that people are the best TV.
Cultural Hub: Harajuku – Where Trendy Is The Norm – Harajuku isn’t just a place; it’s a vibe, a lifestyle, the trendsetter of trends in the bustling heart of Tokyo. Takeshita Street, its pulsing artery, is where fashion-forward youth declare, “This is me, and yeah, I’m fabulous!” It’s like the coolest underground band that everyone knows about but still feels like a personal discovery.
In this cultural melting pot, fashion isn’t just clothes; it’s art, rebellion, and a history lesson in pop culture, all sewn into one. Music? It’s not just background noise; it’s the heartbeat of Harajuku, dictating the pace and the vibe. This iconic street is a candy store for the soul, offering the sweet, sweet fix of freedom and self-expression.
You may have heard of Mount Takao, but have you heard of Monkey Mountain? It’s a little-known tourist spot that’s home to hundreds of monkeys. And if you’re lucky, you might even be able to catch a glimpse of the snow monkeys that live there. It’s definitely worth a visit if you’re looking for something a little bit different and adventurous things to do in Japan. Just be prepared for the hordes of tourists that flock there during the peak season! This one is certainly making it to my bucket list!
You’ve probably seen pictures of the Wisteria Tunnel before—it’s one of the most popular tourist attractions in Japan. And for good reason! The tunnel is covered in wisteria flowers, and the sight is absolutely stunning. If you’re planning on visiting Japan, make sure to put the Wisteria Tunnel on your list of things to do. It’s located in the Fuji Five Lakes region, and it’s open from late April to early May.
Natural Beauty: Your Date with the Wisteria Tunnel – Alright, darlings, let’s paint a picture here. Imagine walking into what seems like a Disney movie set, only it’s real, and you didn’t even need a talking animal to guide you there. Welcome to the Wisteria Tunnel, a place so gorgeous it’ll make your exes look like potatoes by comparison. Here, the wisteria blooms don’t just hang; they cascade like the hair of a thousand fairy-tale princesses, in hues of purple, pink, blue, and white that make the rainbow look kinda basic.
As you stroll through this corridor of dreams, a sense of tranquility wraps around you like a snuggie, offering a hug from the universe itself. Trust me, it’s a full-on sensory hug fest.
Seasonal Splendor: Timing is Everything, Babe – If you’re planning to woo yourself with a visit to this floral nirvana, do it right. The Wisteria Tunnel isn’t just about turning up whenever you fancy. Oh no, honey, she’s a diva, and you get to see her in all her glory only once a year – typically late April to early May. Mark your calendars, set a dozen reminders, tattoo the dates on your arm if you must because you do not, I repeat, DO NOT want to miss this.
This is when the tunnel transforms into that kaleidoscope of colors and fragrances, making you question, “Am I still on Earth, or did I somehow get transported to a planet where everything is pretty?” Darling, that’s the magic of wisteria in full bloom. Miss this, and you’ll be scrolling through your feed, crying over your failed timing while everyone else’s selfies make love to your envy.
Photography Paradise: Snap It Like It’s Hot – And now, for my shutterbugs and Instagram goddesses, the Wisteria Tunnel is nothing short of a photography paradise. This is where your camera goes to find its purpose, and your Instagram feed goes from “meh” to “YAAAS QUEEN!” Imagine the vibrant wisteria flowers as your backdrop, creating a visual feast so delectable, even your camera will thank you.
Bring that camera or have your smartphone at the ready, because every angle here is THE angle. Whether you’re shooting for the ‘Gram, trying to make your ex cry saltier tears with what they’re missing out on, or simply documenting the breathtaking beauty for your eyes only, this place is it. Our advice? Go wild, get creative, and remember – in the Wisteria Tunnel, every shot is a cover shot.
Scale the legendary Mount Fuji and bask in the glory of conquering Japan’s highest peak. Brace yourself for a challenging hike, breathtaking landscapes, and the satisfaction of standing on top of the world (well, almost).
Iconic Summit: Mount Fuji, aka That Majestic Beast – Alright, you intrepid trailblazers! Feast your peepers on Japan’s tallest heartthrob: Mount Fuji. Standing tall, proud, and oh-so-photogenic at 3,776 meters (throw a little gasp in here, ladies, that’s 12,389 feet!) of pure, volcanic glam. This isn’t just a mountain; it’s the Beyoncé of mountains – fierce, fabulous, and flawlessly symmetrical. On a clear day, Fuji-san (yeah, we’re on nickname terms now) winks at you with its snow-capped peak from miles away, flirting with your adventurous spirit.
Climbing Season: Cue The Adventure Windows – Strap on those hiking boots between early July to early September, because Mother Nature rolls out the red carpet for climbing this iconic diva. It’s like the mountain’s personal VIP party, and you’re on the guest list. P.S. Trying to shimmy up this peak outside of climbing season? Pfft, you might as well try to sunbathe in a snowstorm. Hazardous conditions and about as many open facilities as a ghost town? No thank you! Stick to the season, conquer that climb, and live to tell the tale with all the sass of a survival expert.
Trail Options: Pick Your Path, Rockstar – When it comes to getting up close and personal with Fuji-san, it’s not one-size-fits-all. Got choices, ladies! Will it be Yoshida Trail, the equivalent of the popular kid in class? Or Subashiri Trail, a scenic flirt that merges with Yoshida’s popularity at the eighth station? Maybe you’re feeling bold and badass, and Gotemba Trail’s longer, lonelier walk is your jam. Or perhaps Fujinomiya Trail tickles your fancy, offering a steeper challenge because you laugh in the face of inclines. Whichever you choose, you’re in for one hell of a date with nature.
Climbing Experience: The Stairway to Heaven (Sort of) – So, you’re at the fifth station, lacing up, heart pounding, ready to tango with the altitudes. This is it, the climb of climbs, ranging from a brisk 5-hour ascent (show-offs) to a more ‘smell-the-roses’ 10-hour journey. Remember, the mountain won’t move for you, Cinderella, so your royal highness will have to do the legwork. Tackle this beast and you earn the right to brag until, well, forever. You’ll climb, you’ll sweat, you may even curse a little (okay, a lot).
Strap on your snorkeling gear (or go full mermaid with scuba diving) and dive into the turquoise waters of Okinawa. Explore vibrant coral reefs, swim alongside tropical fish, and revel in the awe-inspiring beauty of Japan’s underwater wonderland.
Hold on tight and prepare for a heart-pumping rafting adventure in Shikoku’s Oboke Gorge. Navigate through thrilling rapids, marvel at the towering cliffs, and feel the rush of adrenaline as you conquer the untamed waters.
Hakuba, nestled in the Nagano Prefecture, is known for its world-class ski resorts. But when the sun starts shining and the snow disappears, it’s time to take to the skies. Picture this: you, strapped into a paraglider, ready to defy gravity and embrace the exhilarating feeling of weightlessness. As you ascend, the panorama of those majestic mountainous landscapes unfolds before your eyes, leaving you in awe of nature’s beauty. It’s like being in a freaking postcard, but you’re the main character!
This paragliding adventure is not for the faint of heart, my fearless friends. It’s a chance to feel the rush of adrenaline as you soar higher and higher, taking in views that will make your Instagram followers green with envy. Trust me, your selfies will be epic. Just don’t drop your phone from the sky – that would really suck.
But here’s the best part: paragliding in Hakuba gives you a whole new perspective, a sense of freedom that only comes from defying gravity and embracing the unknown. It’s a chance to challenge yourself, to conquer your fears, and to experience the world from a whole new angle.
Yokohama, a city south of Tokyo, is home to the Yokohama Sea Paradise, an aquarium and entertainment complex that knows how to bring the thrill factor. Want to get up close and personal with some majestic sharks? Well, strap on your courage and slip into that wetsuit because we’re about to embark on the underwater adventure of a lifetime.
As you navigate through the watery depths, the graceful sharks gracefully glide past you, their sleek bodies cutting through the water like something out of a nature documentary. It’s like swimming in an aquarium, but without the glass separating you from the action. This is the real deal, ladies.
Hokkaido, Japan’s northernmost island, is known for its insane amounts of pristine, fluffy snow. Think snowflakes the size of your head cascading down from the heavens, creating a winter paradise that even Elsa from “Frozen” would envy. It’s like entering a whole new dimension where untouched slopes and breathtaking landscapes await. Now imagine dropping from a freaking helicopter onto these powder-covered peaks. Talk about making an entrance!
Heli-skiing, my fearless friends, is all about turning conventional skiing on its head. Forget about crowded resorts and groomed runs – this is about heading off the beaten path, finding those hidden gems, and experiencing the thrill of carving your way down untouched slopes that make you feel like the snow goddess you truly are.
But wait, let’s not forget about the absurd level of badassery involved. Picture yourself hopping into a freaking helicopter, soaring above the mountains like a majestic bird, and then being dropped off at the top of a slope that looks like a winter wonderland dream come true. The feeling of anticipation as you prepare to descend is electrifying, your adrenaline pumping as you make turns in glorious powder that’s as smooth as butter. It’s a dance with gravity, a symbiotic relationship between you and the mountain. And trust me, when you’re done, you’ll be on top of the world, feeling like you just conquered Everest (minus the frostbite, thank goodness).
When it comes to travel, Japan is a hot destination for a lot of reasons: the food, the culture, and—of course—the crazy experiences you can only have there. If you’re looking to do something off the beaten path, check out our list of the five weirdest things to do in Japan.
And whatever you do…don’t forget to Travel Till You Drop!
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Hi, Jill Here
Hi! I’m Jill, a Dallas, Texas girl traveling the world. After a career in the Air Force and touring over 50 countries later, my need to explore keeps going! It’s time to rock & roll and find all those places I never knew I was missing.
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