Heading to Japan for an unforgettable adventure? You’ve come to the right place. From being checked in by robotic dinosaurs to themed museums where ramen, toilets and even sewage take centre stage, to islands dedicated to sacred animals, don’t miss these seven unique things to do in Japan.
Get checked into your room by robotic dinosaurs
Located in Osaka’s Chuo districts in Japan, the Henn na Hotel offers a unique check-in experience. Robot dinosaurs work at the reception desk! This hotel chain in cities across Japan, holds the Guinness World Record as the first hotel chain with working robots.
Explore Japan’s animal islands
Japan boasts various unique islands dedicated to specific animal species, often considered sacred and regarded as symbols of the island. These include:
- Deer Island (Miyajima) in Hiroshima Bay: The island’s friendly deer population are free to roam as they please among visitors. Don’t miss the floating Torii Gate here.
- Cat Islands (Aoshima, Ehime Prefecture and Tashirojima, Miyagi Prefecture): With several cat islands to choose from, it can be hard to know which one to visit. However, for those that prefer the company of cats to people, head to Aoshima where the cat population easily outnumbers its human population. Tashirojima Island even has a cat shrine.
- Rabbit Island (Okunoshima, Hiroshima Prefecture): Do you just melt at the sight of a twitching nose and big ears? Then head to Okunoshima where a large number of rabbits can be found roaming all over this unique Japan island. The rabbits have become quite used to their human visitors and as such, you can explore, interact and feed them.
- Fox Village in Miyagi Prefecture: Head to Zao Fox Village to visit a one-of-a-kind forest inhabited by foxes that visitors can walk through. Although they look cute, they’re still semi-wild. So you’ll need to pay attention to the staff members when they explain the rules as you enter.
Embark on a museum tour with a twist
Yes, Japan has ‘normal museums’, but in keeping with the unique and quirky theme, don’t pass up an opportunity to visit the following if you’ve got some time up your sleeve:
- Yokohama Ramen Museum
- Cup Noodles Museum in Osaka
- Parasitological Museum in Tokyo
- Toilet Museum in Fukuoka
- Paper Museum in Tokyo
- Sewage Museum in Tokyo
Indulge in themed café dining
Japan has a number of unique dining experiences at themed cafes such as Owl, Cat, Rabbit, and Hedgehog Cafes spread across various cities. Other options include the Ninja Cafe, Kawaii Monster Cafe in Harajuku, Pokemon Cafe, and the Alice in Wonderland Cafe.
Head to a Tokyo amusement arcade
Although many of the games are modern, there’s always a few old favourites. Experience the nostalgia of throwback amusement arcades, a popular hobby in Japan, particularly in Tokyo’s Akihabara district. These unique arcades are fun for serious gamers, families and the casual player alike in Japan.
Witness Sumo Wrestling behind the scenes
Delve into the world of sumo wrestling by visiting a sumo stable, where young wrestlers live and train under the guidance of a stable master. There are around 44 sumo stables in Japan and some are unique, like Arashio Stable in Tokyo and Sakaigawa Stable in Kyoto, as they allow visitors to take a peak behind the scenes.
Watch monkeys relax in hot springs
Head to Nagano Prefecture in Japan to witness the memorable and unique sight of snow monkeys soaking in hot springs at Jigokudani Monkey Park. Known for its high population of snow monkeys, they make use of the hot springs to stay warm in the cold winter months.
We hope you’ve been inspired to venture beyond the well-trodden path into the quirky and unique in Japan. From the whimsical world of robotic dinosaurs to the serene hot springs embraced by snow monkeys, Japan’s allure lies not just in its historic temples or bustling cityscapes but also in its capacity to surprise and captivate.
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