Here are some things to do based on our trip to Japan last July 2014 🙂
1. Go to Universal Studios. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is now open!
2. Ride the Shinkansen aka Bullet Train. It runs from 320 km/h and costs 14,990 yen one way from Tokyo to Osaka vice versa.
Is that a picture of a plane? Nope, it’s inside the Shinkansen. They look identical but the shinkansen have individual outlets where you can charge your devices. Isn’t it amazing? I’m in love with Japanese trains.
3)Â Drop by a Pokemon Center. This one’s in Osaka, dubbed as the largest pokemon store in the world.
4) Eat dumplings! These are yummy and cheap dumplings found in Osaka. I think these are just 300 yen? We bought it as a set meal with warm noodle soup and Beef Misono with rice. All for 1100 yen. Sweet deal!
5) Try their street ice cream! This is the best tasting ice cream I’ve had, yet! Sesame Ice cream is divine! Costs 250 yen each.
6) If US has a one dollar store, Japan has their very own 100 yen store. Almost the same with Daiso and Don Quixote.
7) Check their technologically advanced restrooms! Don’t worry they now have English subs, just like in the movies. Lol.
8) Observe people. Need I say more? This should be a must in every place you visit.
9) Check the automatic doors of taxis!
10) See a live panda at Ueno Zoo, Tokyo.
11)Â Visit the Sky Tower in Tokyo
12) Observe the right path. In Tokyo, you should keep left. In Osaka, keep right.
13) Notice the current fandom. A year after Frozen was released, Japan is still infected by the blockbuster Disney film.
14) Check their snacks!
15) The warm doesn’t bother the Japanese, anyway. Notice the mist set up in the heat prone areas!
16) Never ever leave Japan without checking their food department store. It’s an entire floor dedicated to food. Food. Food. FOOOD!
17) Check out the cute magazine covers.
18) Of course, try a legit ramen!
19) Visit Hachiko.
20. Try a purikura. It’s a photobooth where you can play dress up. Price is at 400 yen for three copies.
21. Check the skyline of Tokyo from the 45th floor of the Observational Deck. If the sky is clear, you can see Mt. Fuji as well.
22. Is it safe to drink water in the faucet? Japan says YES! We were really shocked and amazed as well with just how accessible water is to the Japanese community. It’s amazing!
23. Of course the trip to Japan would’t be complete without being literally lost in translation.
24. Then there’s the cute little details such as this one inside a magazine store.
25. While inside the HP world, of course we tried the butterbeer.
26. Then we tried some famous takoyaki in Osaka!
27. Rode a Steak Beer Bike which practically roams around the city while you’re eating. But we weren’t able to try it since the guy said it was chained that day. Sad. But cool concept!
Wow, what a beautiful post. You have made me even more excited to get over there now xx
Wow thanks for this list! The more reasons to come and explore Japan 😀 BTW Frozen is every where here too in Jakarta lol
I am IN LOVE with Japan, and have not been able to visit there yet (tho my boyfriend already did, the rascal! haha!). Anyhow, I will definitely be looking into your list once I do get the chance to plan for a Japan trip.
What’s not to love in Japan, anyway? The food, the people, the culture, the places, everything seems so organized and I am dying to go there!
In my case, so much to discover about Japan. It’s only in the internet but I tried to taste Japanese food only. In reality, I dream to explore Japan and its people.
I would love to visit the Harry Potter World! I’m such a fan of HP and this place would really make me happy! Hehe. I love everything you stated here. It’s amazing how Japan is very advanced; I’d love to try the toilet! 🙂
I enjoyed this post, made me miss one of my favorite countries. I have a similar one ( still a work-in-progress ) but it should be up soon. Is Purikura in Harajuku?
Hi Russ, if I remember it correctly, the Purikura is just within the Shibuya district. But I believe you can find it almost anywhere in Tokyo. 🙂
Jealous of this trip! My friend and I are daydreaming of a trip to Japan. Your number 1 on your list is number 1 on my list. I would definitely check out your list again when we finally have a trip there. -katrina centeno
Hopefully I can visit Japan some day, I want to go to Wizarding World of Harry Potter the new attraction in Universal Studio Japan! and I want to try also their food like sushi and authentic ramen.
I would love to go there someday. You so lucky! My cousin went there last month and she went to a public spa where people take a dip nude. There were so many tubs to choose from, one with milk, with flowers, with tea, everything! I wanna go to Hachiko place and of course, disneyland
OMG! The Wizarding World of HP!!! EEEPPPPP! It’s one of the places in my bucket list, since Tokyo is closer than London, I’ll prolly go there instead. Nice photos btw.
Wow, your trip looks like it was amazing! So many things to see, to try! Thanks for sharing with us your experience. I wanna visit Japan one day =)
There’s so much to see in Japan from the theme parks like Universal Studios, to their food and people to their technologically advance equipment and high speed bullet trains. It’s nice that Japan is a much easier place to visit now with the visa application becoming easier.
Konnichiwa.. No matter what the list is.. TO me.. food would always come first…
We did a lot when we went to Japan but not everything on your list. I will bookmark this post and use ti for next time. 🙂
Thank you so much for this list. I hope to do all of these things with my wife and kids when we go to Tokyo. The expenses sometimes intimidate me, but I know I should not, and just have fun. – Fred
Japan is fun! I was there in Sept 2014 and I am going to Tokyo next month. Would love to explore more about Japan especially Hokkaido & Kyoto.
I have always wanted to try ther bullet train and visit universal studios, so these two are definitely worth trying! I would also like to try the delicious meals, and of course butterbeer!