First-time visitors
Start in Tokyo’s Shinjuku for a sumo experience and visit the Ghibli Museum in Mitaka. Day trips to Mt. Fuji and Lake Kawaguchi provide accessible nature outside the city.
See suggested experiences
Preview travel guide
Things to do in Japan
Japan offers a mix of urban landmarks and natural excursions, from Tokyo’s sumo shows to Mount Fuji views. Below: bookable tours and tickets from GetYourGuide and others, plus a brief travel-planning overview ahead of full editorial content.
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Bookable experiences in Japan
Japan offers a wide range of activities reflecting its diverse culture, history, and landscapes. From urban experiences in Tokyo to traditional sites in Kyoto and natural beauty in Hokkaido, there are options suitable for varied interests and seasons.
4.7(5881)
via GetYourGuide
Tokyo: Mt. Fuji Tour, Hakone Ropeway, Owakudani, Lake Ashi
From £45
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4.8(1342)
via GetYourGuide
Tokyo: Shinjuku Sumo Show & Experience with Photo
From £45
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4.8(3549)
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Tokyo: Fast & Furious Tokyo Drift III Experience
From £110
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4.8(1368)
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Tokyo: Mt Fuji & Oishi Park & Lake Kawaguchi & Oshino Hakkai
From £37
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4.3(1126)
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Osaka: Universal Studios Japan Entry Ticket
From £45
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4.4(88)
via GetYourGuide
Ghibli Museum Mitaka Tour with Local Guide & Ticket
From £47
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Plan by travel style
How are you travelling?
A starting point for shaping the trip around the way you actually travel — not a fixed itinerary.
Families
Universal Studios Japan in Osaka offers theme park entertainment, while the Hakone Ropeway and Owakudani volcanic valley provide outdoor activities suitable for children.
See suggested experiencesCouples
Evening sumo shows in Shinjuku and scenic boat rides on Lake Ashi near Hakone fit relaxed, shared experiences. The Fast & Furious Tokyo Drift III Experience adds an unusual night activity.
See suggested experiencesCulture lovers
Visit the Ghibli Museum for Japanese animation history, Tokyo’s sumo stadium for tradition, and historic neighbourhoods like Mitaka and Hakone for regional culture.
See suggested experiencesFood & local flavour
Tokyo’s markets and street food scenes offer sushi, ramen, and seasonal ingredients, while local guides showcase regional specialties around Mt. Fuji and Hakone.
See suggested experiencesEasy wins / short stays
Spend a couple of days in Tokyo visiting sumo shows, a Ghibli Museum tour, and a day trip to Mt. Fuji and Lake Kawaguchi for varied experiences in limited time.
See suggested experiencesTop experiences by type
Browse by what you want to do
Landmark tickets
Look for tickets to Universal Studios Japan, the Ghibli Museum, and Mt. Fuji day tours.
See optionsMuseums & culture
Key museums include the Ghibli Museum in Mitaka and sumo stadium experiences in Tokyo.
See optionsWalking tours
Walking in Tokyo’s Shinjuku district and around the Mitaka neighbourhood offer cultural insights.
See optionsFood & wine
Food experiences focus on Tokyo street markets and tasting local dishes near Mt. Fuji.
See optionsRiver & boat tours
Boat rides on Lake Ashi near Hakone are notable water-based activities.
See optionsDay trips
Day trips to Mt. Fuji, Hakone, and Lake Kawaguchi are popular from Tokyo.
See optionsFamily activities
Universal Studios Japan and Hakone Ropeway rides suit family groups.
See optionsTransfers & practical travel
Airport transfers typically involve Narita or Haneda to central Tokyo, with booked options available.
See optionsTrip-planning notes
A short guide to Japan
What should you book ahead in Japan?
For major landmarks, limited-capacity museums and popular day trips, advance booking is usually the safest option in Japan — the queues at headline sites in peak season are real, and the cheapest timed slots tend to sell out first. Anything ticketed where the visit depends on a specific date or time should be locked in two to four weeks ahead when possible.
What can usually wait until you arrive?
Neighbourhood wandering, casual food stops and most flexible sightseeing rarely need to be booked in advance. The same goes for transport you only commit to once you've seen the weather and the queues. Leave room in the itinerary for the small discoveries — they're often what people remember a year later.
Tickets, guided tours or passes?
Single tickets work when you know what you want and you're happy to navigate independently. Guided tours buy you context — useful at sites where the story matters more than the views. Multi-attraction passes only make sense when you'll genuinely use three or more included tickets in the time window. Do the maths before you buy.
A simple first-trip plan
Morning at the headline landmark with a skip-the-line ticket. Lunch in a neighbourhood you haven't planned. Afternoon at a museum or one guided walk. Evening at a relaxed viewpoint, food spot or short cruise. That single pattern, repeated across two or three days in Japan, handles 80% of a first visit without burning anyone out.
Quick answers
The short version
Direct answers to the questions most travellers actually ask before they book.
- Best things to do in Japan for first-time visitors
- First-time visitors should attend a sumo show in Shinjuku, tour the Ghibli Museum in Mitaka, and take a day trip to Mt. Fuji and Lake Kawaguchi for a mix of urban culture and nature.
- What should you book ahead in Japan?
- Book Ghibli Museum tickets weeks in advance due to limited availability, secure entry for Universal Studios Japan during peak seasons, and reserve Mt. Fuji day trips especially during cherry blossom or autumn foliage periods.
- Best Japan experiences by travel style
- Families benefit from Universal Studios and Hakone Ropeway; couples can attend sumo shows or boat rides on Lake Ashi; culture lovers should prioritize Ghibli Museum and historic Tokyo neighbourhoods; food enthusiasts focus on Tokyo markets and regional specialties.
- How to choose tours and tickets in Japan
- Use single tickets for fixed-entry sites like Ghibli Museum, guided tours for complex day trips to Mt. Fuji, and consider combo passes only if planning multiple activities in one location to save time.
- Simple first-trip plan for Japan
- Spend one day in Tokyo attending a sumo show, visiting the Ghibli Museum, and experiencing city nightlife; follow with a day trip to Mt. Fuji and nearby lakes for scenic outdoor visits.
Compare booking partners
Compare more Japan tours and tickets
Each partner has a different sweet spot. Use this as a shortcut to the right catalogue for what you're trying to book.
Headout
Best for last-minute Tokyo experiences
Headout offers easy booking for city-based experiences like sumo shows and evening activities in Tokyo.
Browse HeadoutGetYourGuide
Best for diverse Japan tours and tickets
GetYourGuide provides a broad selection from Mt. Fuji tours to Universal Studios Japan tickets, covering multiple destinations.
Browse GetYourGuideTiqets
Best for museum and timed entry tickets
Tiqets specializes in timed-entry tickets such as for the Ghibli Museum, helping secure limited-access visits.
Browse TiqetsViator
Best for comprehensive day trips
Viator offers extensive day-trip options including Hakone and Mt. Fuji from Tokyo, with detailed itineraries.
Browse ViatorFAQ
Frequently asked questions about Japan
- Cherry blossoms generally bloom between late March and early April, but the timing varies by region; southern areas bloom earlier than northern regions.
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