Add these to your Japan Bucketlist!

Japan really surprised us. Sure, all our friends had raved about it, and many even planned their next trip before their first one ended—but now that we’ve been, we completely get it. It’s safe, clean, organized, and full of culture, with something for every kind of traveler.
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​✅ Shopper? Check! (Oh, and bring a second suitcase for all your finds!)
​✅ Foodie? Check!
​✅ Adventure seeker? Check!
​✅ Culture lover? Double check!
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So, if you’re heading to Japan and need some ideas, here are our top 2 favourite experiences from our last trip—and 3 more we’re dying to try on our return visit!

Our Top 2 Japan Experiences

1) Izu Peninsula Road Trip​

If you’ve read our travel guides before, it’s no surprise that Izu Peninsula tops our list. Our five-day road trip through Izu took us along breathtaking coastal landscapes, through charming local fishing villages, and to some of the most delicious kaiseki meals we’ve had. Add in endless Mount Fuji views and relaxing evenings soaking in onsens at beautiful ryokans, and you’ve got the perfect escape.
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It’s just a quick two-hour train ride from Tokyo, yet it feels like stepping back into Japan before the tourist crowds arrived.

👉 Thinking of going? We’ve got you covered with the best experiences in Izu and a full guide on how to plan your road trip through the peninsula!

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2) Hunting down the best Uni Toro Bowl in Japan

We can’t talk about a trip to Japan without talking about food! Sure, almost everything we ate was incredible—but once in a while, you stumble across a meal that stays with you long after the trip ends. And no, it wasn’t a fancy, expensive omakase dinner.
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It was an unforgettable Uni Toro Bowl we discovered at a tiny mom-and-pop restaurant in Nara. The buttery toro, fresh uni from Okinawa, and perfectly cooked rice created a combination we haven’t found anywhere else—and yes, we tried!

Curious where this hidden gem is? 👉 Check out our Day Trip to Nara guide!

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3 Experiences we are dying to try in Japan!

1) 🔪 Crafting our own Japanese knife​

When we think of Japan, images of samurais and their razor-sharp katanas immediately come to mind. For the rest of us mere mortals, the next best thing is a beautifully sharp Sakai kitchen knife. In this workshop, you get to craft and personalize your very own Sakai knife—and take it home! We’re already planning to do this on our next trip.

2) Learn Kintsugi and experience a Ryokan​

Kintsugi is a Japanese technique that doesn’t just fix broken ceramics—it turns each piece into a work of art, celebrating its cracks and imperfections. On this exclusive two-day tour, you’ll learn two different kintsugi methods, take part in a private tea ceremony, enjoy a delicious kaiseki meal, and stay overnight at one of Kyoto’s finest traditional ryokan inns.

We’ve always wanted to try kintsugi, and honestly, what could be better than learning it while enjoying a luxurious ryokan experience?

3) Craft our own Journal with traditional hand made Washi Paper​

At this Kyoto workshop, you can craft your very own Washi Journal using paper-making techniques that date back 14 centuries. There’s something magical about working with washi paper—and even more satisfying knowing you made it yourself.

It’s not only a beautiful souvenir to take home, but the perfect place to capture our Japan travel memories!

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Japan has us already planning our return! Have a one-of-a-kind experience there? We’d love to hear about it.

That's it for now!

Looking forward to bringing you new joy, inspiration, and adventures!

Ryan & Nan

WaylessTravelers