Most Unique Things To Do in Japan: 10 byFood Original Experiences

Whether you’re the outdoorsy type, dreaming of hiking the Northern Alps of Nagano or a city slicker destined for Shinjuku, there is something for everyone in Japan. But for those who have been to Japan multiple times or lived here for years, you might be looking for something to spice up your travel itinerary. 

Well, you’re in luck because today, we have a few unique things to do that will take your travels in Japan to the next level.

Find peace in the bustling city of Ueno during this dining and matcha experience at the Tokyo National Museum.

After strolling through Japan’s treasure trove of ancient scroll paintings and ceramics, arrive at Okyokan, a house with 280 years of fascinating history. Originally used as a temple study room, the building was transported and donated to the Tokyo National Museum in the 20th century. 

It’s been carefully preserved, including the reproductions of the fusama paintings done by its former master, Maruyama Okyo. In the Tohaku Chakan tearoom, you’ll be served a seasonal dining course presented in multi-tiered oju food boxes fit for the occasion. 

When finished with your decadent meal, you’ll be guided by an expert on how to make the perfect cup of matcha tea, fueling you for the rest of your tour of the Tokyo National Museum. 

If you’re going to take any sushi-making class, this Shibuya sushi would be a fantastic one to choose. Under the guidance of Chef Takahoshi Hiroshi, you’ll receive a sushi masterclass at Sushi Hajime, just a few minutes from Shibuya Station. 

Learn how to prepare vinegared rice — an integral part of Edomae sushi — as well as how to cut fish slices, grind fresh wasabi and mold nigiri sushi. 

Included in your experience are seven pieces of sushi, dessert, sake and tea to accompany your meal. Two pieces will be “omakase,” meaning it’ll be left up to the chef to decide exactly what you’ll be tasting, influenced by the season’s ingredients, or even what looked best at that morning’s fresh fish market.

For a more extensive insight into the selection process of the best fish for sushi, join this Tsukiji Market tour and sushi-making class. 

With Chef Saisho, owner of Ginza Saisho, you’ll visit his favorite shops in Tsukiji Market, learning about the variety of seafood offered there. If you’re lucky, you’ll be able to witness large slabs of fresh tuna being diced and sold on auction. 

After picking out the ingredients for your sushi, you’ll head back to Ginza Saisho, where the lesson will begin. Chef Saisho will demonstrate how to mold the sushi, combining your pieces with freshly grated wasabi and customizing the selections to your preferences. 

Finish off the meal with Chef Saisho’s patented dish, uniku, a mouthwatering bite consisting of thin cuts of premium wagyu beef wrapped around a sizable portion of raw uni sea urchin. 

See the highlights of Hiroshima by bike on this Hiroshima cycling tour, complete with a visit to a local bakery to fuel your journey, along with iconic landmarks like Hiroshima Peace Park and Hiroshima Castle. 

Learn how Hiroshima bounced back after the devastation of the atomic bombing and became a modern city with a hopeful future. This tour takes place in the early evening hours, allowing you to see the area go from day to night!

Conclude the tour with Hiroshima’s signature dish, hiroshimayaki, a regional take on the comforting okonomiyaki pancake with soba noodles.

Find out more: 6 Must-Try Restaurants in Okonomimura: Hiroshima’s Okonomiyaki Village

Experience 24/7 views of Mt. Fuji in this unique glamping tour, giving you front-seat views of the rich culture that surrounds the majestic mountain in the region of Fujinomiya. 

You’ll spend two days sightseeing and interacting with the locals as you harvest vegetables, enjoy a sake tasting at a local brewery, eat a yakiniku BBQ meal and breakfast, and go on a walking tour of Shiraito Falls, a World Heritage Site.

Your overnight accommodation will be a luxury tent on a Japanese farm, allowing you to immerse yourself in the environment more deeply.

You’ve heard of apple picking, but have you ever heard of mikan picking? Head to Ehime Prefecture, one of Japan's main producers of mikan oranges. 

Live as a mikan farmer for a day on this unique experience, where you’ll learn how to pick the best mikan at a woman-lead farm, make fresh-squeezed juice from your selection, enjoy a mikan-themed bento box and taste marmalade made by locals! 

Find out more: What is Mikan?

If you find yourself in Fukuoka, consider a geisha dining experience, where you can enjoy a traditional geisha dance show and shamisen performance before eating a beautifully presented Japanese lunch, complete with tea and wagashi sweets at the end. 

Want to add on to the experience? Add on kimono-wearing and tea ceremony options.

Immerse yourself in temple life at one of Japan’s oldest temples, Chuzenji Temple, in this reservation-only experience hosted by The Ritz-Carlton Nikko. 

Practice meditation via writing sutra or drawing Buddhist imagery to bring wellness and fortune. Then, witness an otherworldly fire ritual with rhythmic chanting. 

Top off the morning with an elegant kaiseki multi-course meal in the hotel’s decadent dining room.

Step back in time as you explore the halls of the Mugen-an residence. This meticulously preserved home was built over a century ago by a prestigious family of the former Kaga domain in current-day Ishikawa Prefecture. 

Experience cha-kaiseki (tea kaiseki), a meal designed to complement Japanese tea ceremonies, with each dish enhancing the flavor of the tea. After lunch, head to the great hall to watch a traditional tea ceremony. 

Conclude the tour with a visit to the gallery to learn about the exquisite lacquerware and utensils used in the tea ceremony from your host, a lacquerware craftsman whose works have been curated in museums worldwide. 

Choose from a selection of beautiful kimono at a rental shop before heading to the historic Zojoji Temple, famous for its view of Tokyo Tower. While you're there, have your photos taken by a professional photographer with the perfect blend of old and new Japan as the backdrop. 

Explore the temple grounds, where you’ll watch the Buddhist daily service and offer your prayers. Finish the day with an Edo-style course meal at the elegant Tofuya Ukai.

Your day doesn’t stop when the tour finishes. You can continue to wear the kimono afterward and mail it back from your hotel for free at the end of the day.

For a few more must-see attractions and locations, browse our two-week Japan itinerary, have a gander through more geisha experiences in Japan and treat yourself to Tokyo’s best Michelin-star restaurants.

Since we’re giving you some of our finest byFood-original experiences, you may be tempted to book one of our food tours for the first time. If that’s the case, you may wonder, “Is byFood legit?” 

Yes! And here’s everything you need to know about byFood.

Well, that depends on where you're going! Use our handy Japan travel itineraries to find the best things to do, wherever you are:

• 3-Day Tokyo Itinerary for First-Time Visitors
• 3-Day Kyoto Itinerary for First-Time Visitors
• 3-Day Osaka Itinerary for First-Time Visitors