6 uniquely Japanese experiences

There's never been a better time to visit the Land of the Rising Sun.

By Clair Morton
Published: Friday, November 24, 2017
Updated: February 20, 2019 at 12:58 pm

Away from the hustle and bustle of Tokyo is a whole new world to explore. Here are some of our favourite things to do beyond Japan's busy capital.

Take a (skinny) dip in an onsen

Get ready to shake off any insecurities because this experience can only be had in your birthday suit.

Japan is famous for its public baths, and Saki-no-yu in Shirahama, Wakayama prefecture, is said to be one of the oldest in the country at more than 1300 years old.

Once favoured by emperors for its reported therapeutic benefits, the unassuming little building perched on the edge of the Pacific Ocean offers gender-separated pools of differing temperatures, all in the open air. Bring a towel and enjoy the ocean view for just Y500.

Once your fingers and toes have sufficiently turned to prunes, get an energy boost just down the road in the form of an onsen tamago, or hot spring egg. The elderly woman who sells these delicacies has been doing so for generations.

Useful info: Saki-no-yu is closed Wednesdays. Opening hours change throughout the year.

Play with a hedgehog at an animal café, or island 

Cat cafes have been around for a while now, but have you ever been to a hedgehog café? Owls, bunnies, dogs, snakes, goats – if you can pet it, you can almost guarantee you will find it in a café dotted around one of Japan’s major cities. Most animal cafes charge an entry fee, which often includes a free drink or two.

If a café isn’t enough, you can always take a trip to Tashiro-jima, a small island off the Honshu mainland which has in recent years been overrun with cats, or nearby Usagi Shima (Rabbit Island).

Hot tip: If you do venture to a hedgehog café, wear the gloves provided to handle them. Your fingers can look giant, juicy mealworms to a hungry hedgehog, and these little guys have sharp teeth.

lake kawaguchi
Explore the Kawaguchi lakeside by bicycle.

Cycle around one of the ‘Mt Fuji five’

South of Tokyo lies the crown jewel of Japan, Mt Fuji.

It can take a bit of luck to get a clear view of this iconic landscape but regardless of whether the weather wants to cooperate, Japan’s Mt Fuji region is still definitely worth a look in. There are five lakes to explore around the mountain; each with its own unique character. The easiest of these to access is Lake Kawaguchi, the second largest of the Fuji five.

Hire a bicycle and spend half a day cycling around the lake to get away from the regular tourists haunts and get a glimpse of regional life on the lake.

Let a master teach you the way of tea

If you’re hoping to learn more about Japan’s oldest traditions, Kyoto is the place to be. There are a few tea houses here which offer traditional matcha tea ceremonies. A slow, deliberate technique full of intricacies, there’s a meditative quality to this experience.

To continue the cultural experience, take a stroll through Kyoto’s historic Gion district for a glimpse at a geisha.

kiyomizu-dera
The Kiyomizu-dera temple is one of Kyoto's must-see attractions.

Say a little prayer

Steeped in history and bursting with beauty, the Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines scattered through Japan’s towns and cities are a must-do on every traveller’s list.

Even if you weren’t trying, it would be near impossible not to stumble across one at some stage – Kyoto alone has more than 2000 temples and shrines – but some of Honshu’s best include the Kiyomizu-dera in Higashiyama, Kotoku-In temple in Kamakura, and the Sensoji temple in Tokyo.

For the more intrepid travellers, UNESCO World Heritage Site Seiganto-ji can be difficult to get to but offers a two-for-one, with Nachi waterfall, the tallest in Japan at 133m, nearby.

Bow to the deer in Nara Park

The Japanese are known for their impeccable manners, and it turns out some of the country’s animals are too.

About an hour and a half south of Kyoto you will find the city of Nara, home to a stag-gering number of wild deer who have learnt to bow to people who visit Nara Park.  You bend, they follow. Reward them with crackers, which you can buy at stalls around the park for about Y180.

This is also the perfect place to stretch your pun muscles. Oh deer, what have we done?

Fun fact: Nara Park is also home to one of the biggest bronze Buddha statue in the world, housed in the famous Todai-ji temple.

deer
Nara Park is full of friendly deer.

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