What To Do In Japan | My Japan Small-Group Trip Recap

I don’t know about you, but my Instagram feed has been flooded with Japan content this year. My favorite travel accounts posting pictures of stunning cherry blossoms, neon-lit streets, perfectly plated ramen, and ancient shrines. When I noticed that so many small-group tour companies were launching Japan trips (and my favorite company, Under30Experiences, was one of them), I knew I had to go. I wanted to see my Instagram feed in real life.

After months of anticipation, the time had finally come. I boarded my flight buzzing with excitement (just ask the poor woman who sat next to me – I was practically jumping up and down for the 11 hr flight), and set off for ten incredible days exploring the best of Japan. From iconic landmarks that I was hoping to see, to charming lesser known spots that surprised me, it was a whirlwind adventure that gave me a whole new appreciation for the country. 

Here are my trip highlights, and all the things to do in Japan on your next adventure!

Highlights From My Small-Group Trip

• Must-Visit Cities In Japan
  
  • Tokyo
  • Hakone
  • Kyoto
  • Nara and Osaka
• Spirituality In Japan
• Must-Try Food In Japan
• Prepare For Your Japan Trip
• Why I Chose U30X For My Japan Trip
• FAQs

Must-Visit Cities in Japan

Planning a trip to Japan? With so much to see and do, here’s how to spend your time in each of the best cities to visit in Japan.

TOKYO

We kicked off the trip in the world’s largest city: Tokyo! With over 40 million people in the greater metro area, Tokyo is buzzing with life. We loved turning the corner and spotting something new: a Godzilla climbing a skyscraper, a giant cat hologram, rooftop gardens cascading down buildings, and neon signs that would put Times Square to shame. Tokyo is a futuristic, efficient, and spotless city. Even the public bathrooms are high-tech. 

Things To Do in Tokyo:

• Stroll through gardens, palace grounds, and parks. Some people in my group woke up early to run (crazy thing to do before walking 20,000 steps in a day) through the nearby public spaces. They liked seeing the Imperial Palace and National Gardens before the crowds arrived. 
• Explore Akihabara, Japan’s “Electric Town”, to dive into anime and manga culture.
• Run across Shibuya Crossing, the world’s busiest intersection. It’s fun to walk through it and then see the chaos from above at one of the observation decks.
• Shop the famous streets like Takeshita Street and Nakamise Street. Pro Tip: Japan can get very hot and humid. Buy a cute paper fan early in the trip to keep yourself cool.
• Visit a dog cafe! Tokyo has hundreds of animal cafes ranging from dogs to otters and capybara.

Tokyo Travel Tip: Tokyo is a super busy city and pedestrians share the sidewalks with bikers (who apparently have an aversion to using their bells). Pick a side of the sidewalk and stay there so you don’t get run over.

Group Highlight: During free time, our group planned ahead and reserved tickets to teamLab Planets Tokyo, an immersive art experience. We walked through huge light installations, waded through colorful pools of water, and entered digital landscapes. It’s a very whimsical and fun activity. We giggled through the whole thing. This is a must-do in Tokyo!

HAKONE

Leave electric Tokyo behind, and get a breath of fresh air in the mountain village Hakone. We took the local bus up to Lake Ashi, stopping for a cup of sweet Amazake tea along the way. On a wet fall day, mist rolled across the lake and clung to the surrounding mountains – it was a vibe. From there, we boarded a pirate ship to cross the lake and admire the iconic Hakone torii gate. Then we took the Hakone Ropeway (cable car) to the active volcano Owakudani. The sulfuric steam and rocky terrain created a unique atmosphere. After a day outside, we headed to our guesthouse to warm up in a hot spring onsen. 

Things To Do in Hakone:

• On Owakudani volcano, eat the famous black eggs. Boiled in volcanic water to turn black, it’s said that eating an egg will add seven years to your life. The good thing is they come in a four pack so you don’t have to try them alone. 
• Walk around Lake Ashi to visit Hakone Shrine.
• Look for Mount Fuji! Did you know Mount Fuji is only visible 80 days of the year? With heavy cloud coverage, we didn’t see the real thing so we held up a shot glass with the mountain on it and pretended. If you get lucky and see it, send me your pictures!
• Stay in a traditional Japanese guesthouse and sleep on tatami mats. I loved sleeping on the floor listening to the rain patter against the paper windows.

Hakone Travel Tip: After 80 °F weather in Tokyo, we were all a little shocked at how much colder it was in the mountains. Pack layers and a waterproof outer shell to protect against rain and wind. 

Group Highlight: After our group dinner in the village, we headed back to the guesthouse to chat, play games, and take turns soaking in the onsen. We loved having a chill night in, getting to know our fellow travelers better. It’s nights like these that make small-group travel the best!

KYOTO

Kyoto was my favorite city from the trip! A great blend of old, with wooden architecture and pedestrian only streets, and modern, with skyscrapers and bullet trains. Kyoto has a booming restaurant scene. Try ramen, sushi, tonkatsu (pork cutlet), tempura, and wagyu beef. We also enjoyed walking around Gion, the historic Geisha district. I recommend reading Memoirs of a Geisha before heading to Kyoto. It will give you some history on the Gion district, a description of life as a Geisha, and an introduction to Japanese culture (Plus it’s a beautifully written story). Your guide will lead you through the best shrines in Kyoto and give you plenty of free time to explore the city. 

Things To Do in Kyoto:

• Hike to Fushimi Inari shrine. Given as offerings of gratitude, 10,000 orange torii gates line the trail up to the shrine. If you want to enjoy the gates and get great pictures without the crowds, hike all the way to the top. In 100% humidity, we were sweaty but made it to the top in about 45 minutes. For a more authentic souvenir, stop at Chie Okumura’s stand on the way down. You’ll recognize it by her cat sitting out front. She’s a local artist who designs and prints cute postcards. Her stand also had my favorite fortune of the trip. Inside a small clay fox, the spirit animal of the Inari Shrine, you’ll receive a message from the spirits. Mine said, “my luck will improve if I make an effort and all my wishes will be fulfilled later in life.” It also told me “not let stress build up” but that’s easy for a fox statue to say.
• Visit Daisen-In Temple for a meditation class with a Buddhist monk and examine the rock garden to learn about our spiritual journey through life. 
• Look for a Geisha in Gion. I got lucky and saw one! These women with their intricately tied kimono and white face paint are a beautiful, unique site. If you see a Geisha, just remember it's technically illegal to take their photo. 
• Taste all the matcha! Kyoto is the birthplace of matcha and there are so many treats to try. I even picked up a Matcha bowl, whisk, and tea powder to bring home.
• Wander Nishiki Food Market, see the monkeys at Kyoto’s Monkey Park, and visit the Kyoto Tower for panoramic views. This city had so much to do!

Kyoto Travel Tip: Wake up early or stay out late to get the famous photo spots without the crowds.

Group Highlight: We rented bikes and cycled along the Kamo River. Seeing the city from the water was a fun way to explore. We all agree, you should add this optional activity to your itinerary.

NARA & OSAKA

Our final stops were Nara and Osaka, two vibrant cities full of culture, food, and fun nightlife. Bar hop on your final night as you say goodbye to your fellow travelers.

Things To Do in Nara and Osaka:

• Bow to a deer in Nara Park. And yes, they’ll bow back! Now, don’t let their cute faces fool you. These little guys are after one thing, the crackers. Top Tip: Only hold one cracker at a time to help avoid getting swarmed. 
• Visit Osaka Castle and shop the Shinsaibashi district
• Walk the neon-lit streets of Dotonbori at night and try local street food like takoyaki (octopus balls).

Osaka Travel Tip: Save your souvenir shopping for the end of your trip. Osaka has a large Don Quixote for candy, skincare, and quirky Japanese merch.

Group Highlight: Walking along the river at night looking at all the stores, signs, and restaurants lit up. There was also an anime convention in town so we had fun spotting the costumes.  

Spirituality in Japan

Japan has deep spiritual roots. There are over 80,000 shrines and 70,000 temples across the country, each with its own stories and superstitions. You’ll visit Senso-Ji Temple, Meiji Shrine, Hakone Shrine, Kiyomizu Dera Temple, Fushimi Inari Shrine, Daisen-In Temple, Kinkakuji Zen Temple, and Todaiji Temple, to name a few. 

At every temple, you can draw a fortune. If you like it, keep it. If you don’t, leave it behind by tying it up, and the monks will burn them at day’s end to release the bad energy.

You can also buy lucky charms to improve your fate in any category, from business, travel, love, health, wealth, etc. They’re meant to be given as gifts for the luck to work, so our group swapped them with each other. I received the love charm. Who knows? Maybe I won’t be a solo traveler for much longer? I’ll keep you posted if the magic works.

My favorite spiritual experience was at Todaiji Temple in Nara. Home to Japan’s largest Buddha statue, you’ll find a wooden pillar with a hole the size of the Buddha’s nostril. Legend says those who crawl through it will reach spiritual enlightenment and be protected from evil. After some negotiating, I managed to squeeze through. Give it a try, but know that it was definitely designed with petite Japanese people in mind.

If you’re keeping track, that’s seven extra years, spiritual enlightenment, protection against evil spirits, luck in my love life, and all my wishes fulfilled. Things are looking good!

Must-Try Food in Japan

A big part of travel is trying different foods from a new culture. Japan has become a foodie destination and for good reason. Start your trip with a sushi making class and keep eating from there!

Group Favorites:

• Ramen from anywhere
• Citrus broth sea bream dumplings from Nishiki Ramen
• Matcha from Matcha Stand Maruni
• Chocolate chip matcha ice cream from Snoopy Chocolate

Food Tips for Japan:

• Don’t eat while walking; eat near where you buy your food.
• There aren’t many public trash cans so be prepared to carry your trash or return it to the vendor you bought the food from.

Navigating Japan as a Vegetarian or Vegan

Okay, real talk. Japan isn’t the easiest country for vegetarians/vegans to navigate but it’s definitely doable. 

My recommendations for Japan as a Vegetarian/Vegan:

• Download the Happy Cow app for help finding nearby veg friendly restaurants.
• Try the vegan tomato ramen at Nishiki Ramen.
• Order the miso bean burger from Dragon Burger, around the corner from Fushimi Inari Shrine.
• For my vegetarians, pick up an egg salad sandwich from 7-Eleven. They are hyped up on social media and I have to agree, they taste good, and are a quick, easy, and affordable option for lunch.
• Pack a few protein bars (this is a good habit to get into no matter the destination).

Why I Chose U30X For My Japan Trip

With so many new Japan tours popping up, you may be wondering why I chose an Under30Experiences trip?

Even as a confident solo traveler, I wanted a guide to handle logistics, the language barrier, and building the itinerary with must-see stops. U30X works closely with local guides to create wonderful experiences. I also like that the pricing is so inclusive; there are no surprise costs. They also give the guide the flexibility to make changes to the itinerary to adapt to weather or group interests. It’s nice knowing that no matter what, I get a great trip. 

And honestly? The people are the best. I’ve traveled with other companies and I always come back to U30X because every group is so great. I always walk away with new friends.

FAQs

When is the best time to visit Japan?

Each season has something special: cherry blossoms in spring, summer for hiking, colorful fall foliage, and snowy winter landscape. Pick the time based on your schedule and preference – you won’t be disappointed. 

Is Japan expensive to visit?

Japan can be expensive compared to other Asian countries, but there are ways to make it more affordable. Grab lunches from 7-Eleven, stay in hostels or guesthouses, and take advantage of the wonderful public transport system. Also, the yen is currently weak against the US dollar, making travel significantly more affordable for foreigners. 

Bonus: U30X has a great Black Friday sale coming up. It would be the perfect time to snag a seat on their Japan trips and save some money!

Is Japan safe for solo female travelers?

Absolutely. Japan is one of the safest countries I’ve visited. I felt comfortable walking around alone at night. I saw women leave their open purses unattended (the New Yorker in me was screaming) and nothing happened.  

What should I pack for Japan?

Comfortable walking shoes, lightweight layers, a rain jacket, and a small day bag are a must. Locals tend to wear neutral tones over loud patterns or colors. For more help deciding what to pack, download my complete packing list here.

Japan Should Be Your Next Adventure

Now I understand why Japan is the “it” destination for solo travelers and small group tours. It has a good balance between culture, nature, and modern convenience. 

In ten days, I explored three major cities, experienced centuries of tradition, and drank more matcha than I’ll ever admit, and I still feel like I’ve got more to see! If you’re ready for a destination that’s super different and fun, book a small group trip to Japan with Under30Experiences. They’ll handle all the details so all you have to do is show up excited for an adventure!