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Japan has so many sights throughout that the country that when visiting for the first time, it can be overwhelming. This page will help you to find the most important sights in the Country of the Rising Sun. I did those sights in three and a half week, so it is possible that duration by using public transport. The country has many more things to see and do as I will show, but these are very important. Keep reading if you want to experience this fantastic country in its best way:

1. Explore the mighty capital Tokyo

Tokyo is the biggest city in the world, which you cannot miss on your travels through the country. It has so many different sights to discover, so you can stay here for a month and not see everything. The city is very modern, but it also has temples and traditional neighborhoods. The areas you should absolutely visit are Asakusa, Shinjuku, Yamata, and Shibuya, but there are many more. Do not forget just to stroll around and surprise yourself about this city, which can be overwhelming, especially when you visit the city as first after your arrival in Japan. 

Tourist occurrence: High, but because the city is so big, it feels medium

How to get here: Tokyo is easily reached by plain, car or public transport

How much time needed: 4-5 days

If you want to know more about Tokyo, check out:

2. Sleep in a traditional Ryokan

Sleeping in a ryokan is an absolute highlight in Japan. It is a local Japanese accommodation, which you should be experiencing in this country. You will sleep and eat on the ground, which is a real fun and interesting experience. Often there is an onsen (which is another highlight). Traditional food will be given, which many people would not have eaten in Japan. Note that there are some rules and habits, you should be aware of. For example, you cannot wear your shoes in certain areas. 

Tourist occurrence: Low, as ryokans are often small-scale accommodations. 

How to get here: There are ryokans in many places, but the most traditional ones are in rural areas.

How much time needed: I stayed 4 nights in 2 different ryokans and that was enough for me. 

3. Visit a sumo training session

A sumo training in a stall was one of my absolute highlights of Japan. If you are in Japan when there is no big sumo tournaments (there a six every year), you can visit a training session, which is a unique experience. First the fighters will be doing a pretty long warm up, and then they will fight/train against each other and that is fantastic. The experience felt way more authentic than I expected and this should be high on your list to do in Japan. This activity is in a couple of cities, but the best place to experience a training is in Tokyo. 

Price: Depending on where you book, but count on around ¥ 9,000

Tourist occurrence: Low, as you will be alone or with a maximum of 25 others.

How to get here: Depends on the stall and city you are in. 

How much time needed: It will take about 1.5-2 hours

4. Get relaxed in a onsen

As spoken at the ryokan, a onsen is often in those accommodations, but there are more places where you can relax in an onsen. Onsen are natural waters, where you can bath yourself. There are onsen inside and outside or a combination of both. There are certain rules to keep in mind, but that is explained locally (such as genders separated and that you have to be naked). Before and after bathing the onsen, you have to bath yourself by sitting and shower yourself with soap. The onsen are very warm and locals (and me) are often finished after 10 minutes, as it is more for bathing, but you can stay in as long as you want.

Tourist occurrence: Very low, as I was often by myself

How to get here: There are onsen in many places, but the most traditional ones are in rural areas.

How much time needed: It can be nice on a daily basis. 

5. Have a lovely day doing the Hakone Loop

The Hakone Loop is sometimes done as a day trip from Tokyo, but you can also stay in Hakone, which I recommend. If you are lucky you can see Mount Fuji the whole day or sometimes (not in my case). During the Hakone Loop you will take a scenic train, a ropeway, a gondola, a lovely hike, a scenic boat ride in a pirate ship, and a bus ride. You can have some several activities like a tea house, a temple and enjoying a black egg on the way.

Tourist occurrence: High

How to get here: 2 hours from Tokyo

How much time needed: 1 full day, but I recommend on sleeping in Hakone for 2 nights

If you want to know more about the Hakone Loop, check out:

6. Travel with the Shinkansen

Public transport in Japan is almost everywhere very easy and great. The trains are on time. However, the highlight of transportation is the Shinkansen, which can reach levels of 320 km/h (200 mph).  The trains are very comfortable and you can see the country in a very special and quick way. This is something you should do in Japan.

7. Admire the mighty Mount Fuji

Mount Fuji is one of the most iconic landmarks of the country. We did not find this mighty mountain in Hakone, because of the clouds, but I am very happy that we saw them during the train ride between Tokyo and Nagoya. That was spectacular,  but also the reason of the bad photo. The mountain is around 3,800 meters high and that makes it the highest point of Japan.

How to get here: Mount Fuji is around 100 kilometers west of Tokyo and there are several places to see it like Hakone, but you are never guaranteed.

How much time needed: As long as you want to enjoy the view and how many time is needed to spot it. 

8. Hike a part of the Nakasendo trail in Kiso Valley

The Nakasendo trail is a trail between Edo (former Tokyo) and Kyoto. One of the best locations is in the Kiso Valley. Walking between Magome and Tsumago was my personal highlight of Japan. The hike is around 8 kilometres and it goes through gorgeous forests and lovely villages. This is something you cannot miss in Japan. 

Price: Free

Tourist occurrence: Low

How to get here: Two hours by public transport from Nagoya

How much time needed: The hike is around 2.5-3 hours, but you can extend it with one more hour to Nakiso Station. Besides, you can spend some time in Magome and Tsumago. 

If you want to know more about this hiking trail in the Kiso Valley, check out:

9. Visit the gorgeous city of Takayama

Takayama is a fantastic city, where you have some very cool streets with very old building and sake breweries. There are some good hikes in the area, some interesting museums and lovely morning markets. This is a small place, where you can enjoy many sights, streets, and hikes. The density of things to do is very high.

Tourist occurrence: High

How to get here: Two and a half hours by public transport from Nagoya

How much time needed: 1-2 days

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10. Watch Koi in canals in Hida

Close to Takayama you can find the village of Hida, which is a very cute village. The absolute highlight are the small canals with koi in them. The canals are very scenic and the fish make it even better. The fish are not in the canals in winter. Other things to do in Hida are the very pretty Enkoji temple, the lovely Festival Square, Seiganji Temple, and almost communistic looking city hall. This village is not one of the biggest highlights if Japan, but a lovely three hour trip from Takayama. 

Tourist occurrence: Very low

How to get here: 15 minutes by train from Takayama, but check the train schedule on beforehand.

How much time needed: 2 hours

11. Admire the gorgeous houses in Shirakawago