There’s no doubt that planning an itinerary in Japan can become overwhelming, because there’s just so much to do, especially if it’s your first time there!
It all comes down to prioritizing your time, and what is truly unique to Japan. You really want to focus on experiences that you can only do in Japan, and avoid spending excessive amounts of time travelling.
Unfortunately, there are some pretty popular top things to do in Japan that you shouldn’t bother doing, at least not on your first visit!
So here’s my top list of things NOT to do in Japan, and what to do instead!
Psst! This blog post contains affiliate links in it which sends me a bit of extra money if you use them… at no extra cost to you!
What To Do And What NOT To Do In Japan
Here are some of the top things to do in Japan, and why you shouldn’t do any of them your first time in Japan.
They’re either time consuming, not exclusively Japanese, or hard to get to. Regardless of the reason, there’s most often an equivalent, or even better alternative!
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What NOT To Do In Japan: A Day Trip To Kawaguchiko
Seeing Mount Fuji from Kawaguchiko is undeniably one of the top things to do in Japan, it’s by far one of the best.
The problem? Mount Fuji is very hard to actually see, as it’s very weather dependent. Most of the time, it’s covered by clouds or fog, and don’t forget that it could also rain when you visit. And if you’re visiting in the summer, it will be missing its iconic snow cap (it does actually melt!).
The second problem? (yes, there’s a second problem!) It’s not that easy or simple to get to Kawaguchiko.
There are a few ways to get to Kawaguchiko from Tokyo, but unless you book them far enough in advance (and reserving the Express train), you’re looking at a few train transfers and it can take up to 3 hours!
In the worst case scenario, which is unfortunately very likely, you’ll spend an entire day going to and from Kawaguchiko and not seeing Mount Fuji at all.
Instead, Stay Overnight In Kawaguchiko
An alternative plan is to stay the night in Kawaguchiko.
There are a few benefits to staying the night in Kawaguchiko. First, it’s less stressful than traveling back and forth in one day.
But you also increase your chances of seeing Mount Fuji. You’re not only there for a longer period of time, but you’re able to be there at arguably THE BEST time: in the morning and evening. There are usually less clouds in the mornings and evenings, and also less tourists!
Although it’s a better plan, it’s of course still not foolproof.
You’re now spending more money on a hotel, which you most likely have to book in advance as well (which is never great for weather dependent activities!).
So See Mount Fuji From Tokyo, Or The Shinkansen Instead!
All this doesn’t mean you can’t still try to see Mount Fuji in a way that’s more convenient and doesn’t lock you into admiring a wall of fog.
key to actually seeing Mount Fuji is to be flexible with your itinerary. And surprisingly, the best place to see it is actually from the Shinkansen (the bullet train in Japan). You can also see it from afar on a completely clear day just from Tokyo itself.
So there’s no point in stressing over booking a hotel last minute or jumping into a 3 hour train journey.
First, check the weather forecast and the cloud coverage everyday. You can check the cloud coverage. Choose the day with the highest probability of seeing Mount Fuji.
To see Mount Fuji from the Shinkansen, book a Tokaido Shinkansen going from Tokyo towards Osaka. Make sure to book a window seat F (or D in a Green Car). It’ll be about 45 minutes from Tokyo until you see the mountain, but until then, just relax!
We got off at Shin Fuji station to take some pictures, but I wouldn’t go any further from the station than that! Just get back on the train in the opposite direction and head back to Tokyo. If you book seat F (or D if you’re in a Green Car) you’ll be able to see it again!).
An even easier option is to see Mount Fuji from Tokyo. On a clear day, you can see it from the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building or the Bunkyo Civic Center. Both are completely free to enter. The Bunkyo Civic Center stays open later, so if you’re travelling in the summer, you can come here for sunset.
Go On An Organized Tour Instead
Mount Fuji is a lot closer if you drive there instead of taking the train. So an alternative option could also be to go on an organized tour from Tokyo of you still want to see that iconic view, like this one from Viator.
Things NOT To Do In Japan: Go Inside Osaka Castle
If you’re going to visit Osaka, avoid actually going inside Osaka Castle. Though there was a castle built here in the 16th century, the current structure is a reconstruction from the 1930’s, with some major upgrades in the 90’s.
So although it was rebuilt based on the original castle, I can’t get over the fact that there’s an elevator inside. Today, the castle is home to a museum focused on the history of Osaka, and castles and warlords in Japan.
Your ticket to the museum will also include entry to the 8th floor observation deck. From here you can see the surrounding area including the city, Osaka Castle Park and the Osaka Plain.
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Not-Your-Typical One Day Osaka Itinerary For The Ultimate Experience
Instead! Admire Osaka Castle From The Rooftop Patio
Going inside Osaka Castle might seem like the right thing to do (and only thing to do in Osaka), but there’s a much better alternative!
Osaka Castle is DEFINITELY worth visiting, I’m not denying that. It’s beautiful and built in that classic Japanese castle style – the outside is anyway! And that’s what you should be admiring when you visit… NOT the inside!
Highlights Of Osaka Tour
Book a private tour of Osaka taking you to all the highlights and hidden gems of the city, see it on Viator.
Or check out more Osaka guided tours on Viator.
The best way to truly admire Osaka Castle is to go to the Landmark Square in Osaka Castle Park. There’s a rooftop restaurant*, with the perfect view of Osaka Castle! Either enjoy lunch here, or just sit on the patio with some Asahi Beers (which are from Osaka by the way!).
*The rooftop is closed in the winter (from November to February).
If You Still Want To Go Inside A Castle In Japan…
Obviously, admiring Osaka Castle from the outside isn’t exactly the same as seeing the inside of a Japanese castle. But there are two better options if that’s what you’re interested in: Nijo Castle or Himeji Castle.
Nijo Castle in Kyoto was completed in 1603 and has been restored over the years to its former glory. It has quite a rich history, ushering in the beginning and ending of the last feudal period in Japan.
Today, you can walk through the castle (without your shoes) and learn about what each room was used for. Unfortunately there are no pictures allowed inside Nijo Castle.
Another alternative to Osaka Castle is Himeji Castle, in Himeji. It’s two years old than Nijo Castle (completed in 1601), but it was never attacked so more buildings have survived compared to any other castle in Japan.
You can also go all the way up to the top of the main keep for an incredible view of the land below. The main keep was believed to be an armoury instead of actual residences. And pictures are allowed!
Top Things To Do In Japan: Play Crane Games & Gachas… Don’t!
This one is hard, but I believe in you! One of the important things not to do in Japan is to get lost in crane games and gachas.
I’m not saying to never play a crane game, or a couple gachas, because they are fun. But at the end of the day, they’re a form of gambling, and can be VERY addictive.
You have to also realize that crane games are rigged so that you can never win on your first, or even second try. They’re meant to take most of your money, even if they seem doable at first!
We noticed that most people actually winning a crane game had asked an employee for help. The employee would open the box and re-adjust the toy to be in a winning position. I saw someone do this several times until they won the toy!
This is a good thing to do on your last night in Japan if you have a few Yen to burn. But you can also…
Spend Your Money On Useful Souvenirs In Japan
There is SO MUCH to buy in Japan it’s not even funny. Instead of wasting money on losing at crane games, buy an actual souvenir in Japan you can’t get back home.
Even better, use the extra cash to buy gifts for your friends and family they’ll be sure to love!
See some of my suggestions for practical Japanese souvenirs.
What NOT To Do In Japan: Go To A Full Kabuki Performance
Kabuki is a must do thing in Japan, but only when done properly.
Kabuki is a traditional theater performance in Japan. It’s incredible! From the costumes, makeup and wigs, to the music, dances and performances. It’s unlike any theater performance you’ve ever seen.
Because of that, it’s worth seeing live, and experiencing it first hand.
The problem? Kabuki performances are only in Japanese (with no translation), AND it’s a 4 hour ordeal.
It’s not 4 hours straight, there are breaks in-between acts but that’s still a lot longer than you’ll probably be able to handle. Kabuki is definitely something you don’t want to overdo.
P.S. During the break, we saw audience members unpack their pre-packaged lunch to enjoy during acts… that’s how long the full show is!
Instead, Buy Tickets For A Single Act
Instead of sitting through 4 hours of Kabuki, not understanding anything, you can buy tickets for a single act of the performance.
The way the performances are set up, there are several acts ranging from 15 minutes to over an hour long.
This way, you can spend your day doing something else, and then hit up a small bit of Kabuki to get that experience.
And 15 minutes is all you really need. We went for an hour and a half and that was way too long – we saw people legit falling asleep around us!
The catch is that you can only book single act tickets in Tokyo the day of the performance. You can either go to the Kabuki-za Theater in Tokyo, or try booking single act tickets online here (online didn’t work for us, we had better luck buying them at the theater).
Need A Place Stay In Tokyo?
We stayed at the Mitsui Garden Hotel Ginza Premier. We chose it because it was slightly larger than most hotels in Tokyo, and it was the same price. It isn’t in any major neighbourhood, but it was a quick walk to either the JR line or the subway. Check it out on Booking.com.
Alternatively, if you’re looking at staying in one of the happening neighbourhoods, we had booked the Hotel Gracery in Shinjuku originally based on my cousins recommendation. You’re really in the heart of Shinjuku at this hotel. Check it out on Booking.com.
Don’t Go To Snow Monkey Park
Ever since seeing that photo of a monkey using a phone in an onsen, I’ve wanted to go to Japan.
So I made an entire itinerary around going to Snow Monkey Park… big mistake! That’s because Snow Monkey park is completely out of the way… It’s over 4 hours to get to from Tokyo, which includes a 40 minute walk just to get to the actual park… that can’t be avoided!
I never made it there, because on our way we found out it was temporarily closed due to a COVID outbreak… but I think that was actually a blessing in disguise.
There’s no way we would have made it to the park in the summer, it’s just too hot to do such a long walk. And apparently even though the monkeys are there, they don’t go in the water either way, it’s too hot for them!
So the answer is to go back in the winter. And apparently, it’s over crowded in the winter, so I’m not sure if that’s even the best time either. I also wouldn’t want to do a 40 minute walk in the winter.
All this to say, there’s a much simpler alternative…
Go To Arashiyama Monkey Park Iwatayama Instead
Snow Monkey Park is the perfect example of what not to do in Japan.
Instead of going to Snow Monkey Park, just go to Arashiyama Monkey Park Iwatayama in Kyoto.
It will take you a quarter of the time to get there from Kyoto (if not less), and there’s half the amount of walking involved. It’s a 20 minute uphill walk instead of 40 minutes.
You will not only see the same monkeys as in Snow Monkey Park, but get an INCREDIBLE view of Kyoto and the mountains at the same time!
Need A Place To Stay In Kyoto?
We booked the Rinn Gion Yasaka, in Gion of course. It was the perfect mix of modern and Japanese style hotel.
The location was a hit or miss though. Being so close to Gion, we were able to enjoy it without any tourists in the mornings and evenings.
But, staying in Gion also meant that we weren’t directly on a train or subway line. There were a few bus stops near our hotel though.
Don’t Go To Tokyo Disneyland
When people found out I was going to Japan, one of the first things they asked were “are you going to Disney”. And I flat out said absolutely not.
If you’re a HUGE Disney, then maybe it’s worth it for you to go to Tokyo Disneyland. But for most people visiting Japan, it probably makes more sense for you to pick a Disney theme park closer to where you live.
This is the perfect example of things not to do in Japan because you can do it in many other places in the world. It’s not at all specific to Japan, so don’t waste your precious time.
Go To Universal Studios Or Disney On Your Home Continent Instead
If you’re looking for an amusement park in Japan, at least go to Universal Studios in Osaka. It’s a tad more worthwhile than Disney, because they just opened a Super Nintendo World, which is very relevant to Japan.
And for Disney, just go to one that’s closer to you.
Even though there may be slight differences between them, they’re all the same characters at the end of the day. If you live in North America, go to Orlando’s DisneyWorld. From Europe? Go to Disneyland Paris!
Being from Canada, I’m not exactly close to Orlando’s Disney, but if I’m going to go to Disney I’ll go to Florida! I would rather make another trip out of going to Disney in Florida than waste my time in Japan.
Related
Not-Your-Typical One Day Osaka Itinerary For The Ultimate Experience
Don’t Go To Either Ghibli Museum Or Ghibli Park
I like Ghibli movies. I binged them all again before going to Japan. I stayed up and waited over an hour in a virtual cue to get tickets for the Ghibli Museum. Then I found out there was a new Ghibli Park, so I got tickets for that too. Big regrets!
Of course, neither the Ghibli Museum or Ghibli Park are centrally located, so I made an itinerary around visiting them… all for NOTHING!
Neither of these Ghibli attractions are worth going to. It’s just not what I wanted from either one, and both took an entire day in Japan (if not more).
The Ghibli Museum is quite small, all in Japanese, and you aren’t allowed to take pictures inside.
Ghibli park is quite large on the other hand, but in the middle of nowhere, and it was really just waiting in lines the whole day to take pictures. And again, it was all in Japanese.
Don’t Believe Me? Read About My Experiences Here…
I Don’t Have A Better Alternative, Just Don’t Go!
There isn’t really anything better Ghibli themed that I found in Japan. Every once in a while it seemed like there was a pop up exhibit, so you can see if there’s anything in Japan when you’re visiting.
Otherwise I would recommend just checking out the Ghibli shops. There are at least two in Kyoto and a few around Tokyo.
Don’t Go To Yokohama
Yokohama is not one of the best places to visit in Japan for first timers.
Even though Yokohama is the second largest city in Japan, after Tokyo, there’s no real point in visiting.
I was in Yokohama for a few days while my partner was at a conference. So I had my fair share of time to explore the area and see what it had to offer, which unfortunately isn’t much!
There just isn’t that much unique to Yokohama that’s worth traveling here for (especially not for foreigners!).
Instead, Stay In Tokyo Or Go To Kamakura
Instead of traveling to Yokohama, stay and explore Tokyo. Tokyo is so big that I’m sure there’s a neighborhood or area that you haven’t even discovered yet.
Or, if you want to get out of Tokyo for a day, go even further past Yokohama to Kamakura. Here, you’ll see a MASSIVE Buddha and some pretty unique shrines.
Plus there’s an awesome outdoor market for shopping and delicious eats (there’s even a Ghibli store here!).
Organized Tours Around Kamakura
Kamakura Half Day Walking Tour →
See more Viator organized tours in Kamakura
Planning a trip to Japan can be… overwhelming to say the least! I’ve put together the best two week itinerary in Japan for first timers. I’ve focused on the main attractions, with some hidden gems along the way. And if you need more help planning, check out my travel planner on Etsy to stay organized. P.S. Afternoon Tea Readers get an extra discount if you use my code ATRLOVE!
My Japan Amazon Essentials
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Last update on 2024-12-10 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API