Activities in Japan
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TOP SELLER
Mt Fuji, Lake Ashi and Bullet Train Day Trip from Tokyo
11 hours (Departs Tokyo, Japan)
by Viator
Visit Japan's iconic Mount Fuji on Tokyo's most popular day tour, then return to Tokyo by famous Shinkansen Bullet train. You'll enjoy lunch on Mt Fuji, cruise…Not LP reviewed
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Funaoka Onsen
This old bath on Kuramaguchi-dōri is Kyoto's best. It boasts an outdoor bath, a sauna, a cypress-wood tub, an electric bath, a herbal bath and a few more for good measure. Be sure to check out the ranma (carved wooden panels) in the changing room. Carved during Japan's invasion of Manchuria, the panels offer insight into the prevailing mindset of that era. (Note the panels do contain some violent imagery, which may disturb some visitors.)
To find the bath, head west about 400m on Kuramaguchi-dōri from the Kuramaguchi- Horiikawa intersection. It's on the left, not far past Lawson convenience store. Look for the large rocks out the front.
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Tokyo Rent a Bike
This shop up Yamate-dōri from Nakameguro Station rents out multi- and single-gear city bicycles for touring around Tokyo. Check it out on its YouTube channel for details.
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Gokō-Yu
Gokō-yu, a popular bath, is another great spot to sample the joys of the sentō. It’s a large two-storey bath with a wide variety of tubs. There’s also a giant sauna with two rooms; one is merely hot, the other is incendiary! We also like the TV fish tank in the entrance (you’ll see what we mean). Note that Gokō-yu is a little hard to find – turn north off Gojō-dōri at the store that sells charcoal and gas burners.
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Tokyo Disney Resort
Pop quiz: what's the most visited sight in Japan? Kyoto's temples? Nope. Harajuku? Not quite. Ten points go to the person who guessed Tokyo Disney. As tragic (or as telling) as it may be, Tokyo Disney is a smashing success, offering visitors two theme parks – Tokyo Disney, modelled after the California original, and Tokyo DisneySea, a clever add-on that caters more to adults. Invest in a Fast Pass to cut down on time lost waiting in lines; it's also worth packing a bentō, as on-site restaurants are almost always overrun with diners.
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Maika
If you ever wondered how you might look as a geisha, Kyoto has several shops that offer maiko-henshin (geisha transformation). Maika is a popular maiko-henshin shop in Gion. If you don't mind spending a bit extra, it's possible to head out in costume for a stroll through Gion (and be stared at like never before!). The process takes about an hour. Call to reserve at least one day in advance.
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Toyota Mega Web
Car fiends and kids can get behind the wheel of hybrid and electric cars at Toyota Mega Web, one of Toyota's company showrooms. Consult the website before cruising by, as opening hours can vary.
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Maeda Point
One of Okinawa's most popular dive spots is Maeda Point, located off Cape Maeda, which has a drop-off wall that attracts numerous species of tropical fish including batfish, parrotfish, barracudas and clownfish.
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Hiking
Most people come here to hike, whether it's the eight-hour version or some of the tamer three-hour counterparts. (Some people may even wish to hire a scooter or motorcycle) Rebun-tō is a naturalist's dream: fields of over 300 species of wildflower explode from May through to August; the terrain is varied and each walking track is unique; and the beaches harbour all sorts of cool finds, from interesting (and edible!) marine animals to semiprecious stones.
When hiking it's a good idea to take a bus to the northern tip of the island, Cape Sukoton, and hike your way back past breathtaking cliffside vistas, fields of flowers and dwarf bamboo, thick forests and tiny fishing…
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Hiking on Rishiri-zan
A near-perfect cinder cone rising like a miniature Mt Fuji from the surrounding sea, Rishiri-zan (1721m) provides numerous hiking opportunities and stunning scenery. If you're feeling energetic and have good footwear you can hike to the summit in a day. The two most reliable hiking tracks to the summit start at Oshidomari and Kutsugata (about 3km from town). A road encircles the island and a limited bus service links the small fishing villages on the way.
This service runs to the start of each track; otherwise walk (about an hour), hitch, take a taxi or ask your lodgings if they can drop you off. Prepare properly for a mountain hike and pay particular attention to the…
reviewed
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Mt Fuji, Lake Ashi and Bullet Train Day Trip from Tokyo
11 hours (Departs Tokyo, Japan)
by Viator
Visit Japan's iconic Mount Fuji on Tokyo's most popular day tour, then return to Tokyo by famous Shinkansen Bullet train. You'll enjoy lunch on Mt Fuji, cruise…Not LP reviewed
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Daibutsu Hiking Course
This 3km wooded trail connects Kita- Kamakura with the Daibutsu in Hase (allow about 1½ hours). The path begins at the steps just up the lane from pretty Jōchi-ji, a few minutes from Tōkei-ji. Along the course you'll pass Zeniarai-benten, one of Kamakura's most alluring Shintō shrines. A cave-like entrance leads to a clearing where visitors come to bathe their money in natural springs, with the hope of bringing financial success. From here, continue down the paved road, turning right at the first intersection, walking along a path lined with cryptomeria and ascending through a succession of torii to Sasuke-inari-jinja before meeting up with the Daibutsu path once…
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Temple Walk
There are several temples in the vicinity of Mano, many of which lie along a peaceful 7km nature trail that begins just west of Konpon-ji, near the Danpū-jōbus stop. It's a short walk from there to the Myōsen-ji temple, which has a distinctive five-storey pagoda.
The trail then passes through rice fields and up old wooden steps set into the hillside to Kokubun-ji, Sado-ga-shima's oldest temple (dating from 741); although sadly neglected, it's still beautiful. Another 3km takes you past marvellous lookout points to Mano Go-ryō, the tomb of Emperor Juntoku. From there, it's a short walk down to Sado Rekishi Densetsukan where tireless robots illustrate dioramas of Sado's…
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Sapporo Beer-En
A museum and beer garden, Sapporo Beer-En is located in the original Sapporo brewery. Two tour options are possible: visitors on the short tour (30 minutes) get a takeaway goody bag with a can of beer per person and various other items; those wanting more action should take the 50-minute option, which includes a 20-minute all-you-can-drink afterwards.
The adjoining beer garden has food, a variety of beverages and serves the local grilled lamb speciality, jingus kān, which has become a popular Sapporo dish.
To get here, take the Tōhō subway to the Higashi-Kuyakusho-mae stop and take Exit 4. Head south along Higashi-Nana-Chōme-dōri to N8E8 (about 10 minutes). The large…
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Kyoto and Nara 2-Day or 3-Day Rail Tour by Bullet Train from Tokyo
by Viator
lt;pgt;Choose from a two-day or three-day Bullet train excursion to Kyoto and Nara from Tokyo. You'll tour Nara's temples and shrines, spend the night in Kyoto…Not LP reviewed
from USD$690.73 -
Kurama Onsen
One of the few onsen within easy reach of Kyoto, Kurama Onsen is a great place to relax after a hike. The outdoor bath has a fine view of Kurama-yama; the indoor bath includes use of sauna and relaxation areas. Buy tickets from the machine outside the door of the main building (instructions are in Japanese and English).
To get to Kurama Onsen, walk straight out of Kurama Station, turn left up the main road and follow it for about 10 minutes. You'll see the baths down on your right. There's also a free shuttle bus that runs between the station and the onsen, leaving approximately every 30 minutes.
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Mt Fuji Day Trip including Lake Ashi Sightseeing Cruise from Tokyo
11 hours 30 minutes (Departs Tokyo, Japan)
by Viator
lt;pgt;Visit Japan's iconic Mount Fuji, cruise Lake Ashi and ride the aerial cableway at Mount Komagatake on this popular day trip from Tokyo. You'll enjoy…Not LP reviewed
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Hokkaidō Brewery
Diehard beer fans will want to take the 40-minute train ride out to this current brewing and bottling facility, This mammoth production plant seems more like something out of a James Bond movie than a place where beer is made: technicians in white lab coats peer into test tubes; immaculate stainless-steel tanks are covered with computerised gauges and dials; and video cameras monitor the bottles as they whizz by.
The tour is self-guided and English is minimal, but you'll be rewarded with a refreshing 20 minutes to tipple at the end. Take the JR Chitose line towards the airport and get off at the Sapporo Beer Teien Station. Head away from the tracks towards the giant white…
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3-Day Mt Fuji, Kyoto and Nara Rail Tour by Bullet Train from Tokyo
by Viator
Capture the quintessential Japanese travel experiences - Mt Fuji, Kyoto and Nara - on a three-day Bullet train rail tour from Tokyo. Your experience begins with…Not LP reviewed
from USD$679.29 -
Kyoto Rail Tour by Bullet Train from Tokyo
12 hours 30 minutes (Departs Tokyo, Japan)
by Viator
lt;pgt;If your time in Japan is limited and you don't want to miss the sights of Kyoto, zoom there and back by Bullet train on this comprehensive one-day rail…Not LP reviewed
from USD$440.97 -
Tokyo Tower, Tea Ceremony and Sumida River Cruise Day Tour
by Viator
lt;pgt;See Tokyo at its dynamic best on this jam-packed day of sightseeing. Perfect if your time in Tokyo is limited, you'll see all the highlights such as…Not LP reviewed
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2-Day Mt Fuji, Hakone and Bullet Train Tour from Tokyo
by Viator
lt;pgt;Escape the big-city bustle to explore Mt Fuji, stay in scenic Hakone then zoom back to Tokyo by Bullet train on this overnight jaunt. You'll cruise Lake…Not LP reviewed
from USD$208.05 -
Kyoto Full-Day Sightseeing Tour including Nijo Castle and Kiyomizu Temple
9 hours (Departs Kyoto, Japan)
by Viator
lt;pgt;Experience the magic of Kyoto on a full-day sightseeing tour of Japan's cultural jewel. You'll visit Kyoto's most popular attractions by coach and enjoy…Not LP reviewed
from USD$125.08 -
Nara Kōtsū Bus Tours
- Nara, Japan
- Activities › Bus
Nara Kōtsū runs daily bus tours on a variety of routes, two of which include Nara city sights only and two of which include more distant sights like Hōryū-ji and the burial mounds around Asuka. An explanation tape in English is available for all but the Asuka route. Lunch at a Japanese restaurant on the route is optional (reserve when buying your ticket). Nara Kōtsū has offices in JR Nara station and across the street from Kintetsu Nara station. For something more intimate, try one of the private tours operated by one of the Kyoto-based private tour operators or one of city's volunteer guide organisations.
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Nikko National Park Day Trip from Tokyo
11 hours (Departs Tokyo, Japan)
by Viator
lt;pgt;Explore the scenic shrines and countryside of the Nikko National Park on a day trip from Tokyo. Nikko has been a center of Shinto and Buddhist mountain…Not LP reviewed
from USD$137.31 -
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Tokyo Cruise
Tokyo Cruise offers reasonably priced rides aboard the suijō bus (water bus) under the 12 bridges up and down the Sumida-gawa and across Tokyo Bay to Odaiba. Its main ports are Hinode Pier near Hamamatsuchō station on the JR Yamanote Line, the former feudal garden Hama Rikyū, Azumabashi Pier near Asakusa and Odaiba. Most fares are under ¥800 but are highest between Asakusa and Odaiba; the boat, Himiko, connects Asakusa and Odaiba nonstop for ¥1520. It was designed especially for the water bus by the cartoonist Matsumoto Reiji and looks like a bug from the future.
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