Top Non-Touristy Things To Do In Tokyo
From its food to its gigantic, sleek or traditional architecture, Tokyo unveils itself in a whole new way. Below find a list of some of the top non-touristy things to do while visiting Tokyo.
Tokyo's Hidden Red-Gate Shrine
While not as famous as a similar shrine in Kyoto called Fushimi Inari Shrine, Hie Shrine touts an impressive tunnel with 90 bright red torii gates.
Temple of Thousands of Foxes: Toyokawa Inari
You won't find a temple as uniquely decorated as the Toyokawa Inari Betsuin Temple. The temple is adorned with thousands of fox statues and bright red banners. With such an impactful imagery, you'll feel like you've been whisked away to Kyoto.
List Of Temples Which Let You Stay Inside
Temple Lodging Temples & Shrines
Japan’s rich history and natural beauty have made it one of the most endearing tourist hotspots. Read on to find the list of temples which let you stay inside and explore the appeal of Japan temple lodgings.
Monks Are Praying for Coronavirus Eradication
Buddhist monks are praying for the eradication of epidemics, including the novel coronavirus outbreak spreading around the world.
Retro Street Food at Asakusa Denbouin Street
After visiting Asakusa's Sensoji Shrine, enjoy a leisurely afternoon eating traditional street food and finding hidden thieves on the nearby Denbouin Street.
Toshogu Shrine: Lavish Tomb of Tokugawa Ieyasu
Nikko's top attraction, UNESCO World Heritage Site Toshogu Shrine, also serves as the extravagantly embellished tomb of historical shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu, ruler of Japan for over 250 years.
Exploring Japan's Three-Star Road
Japan's Three-Star Road is home to a host of Michelin-recognized sites and wonders, comprising a compact area that covers four prefectures. With the new Three-Star Ticket option, exploring this stretch of Japan is easier than ever before.
Yutenji Temple: 300-Year World War Survivor
Yutenji Temple was founded in 1723 near Shibuya and miraculously managed to escape the world wars without much damage. As a result, you can witness the history of the original Buddhist temple as it was 300 years ago.
Conquer Tokyo in One Day with the SKY BUS
SKY BUS TOKYO offers guided and hop-on tours all around Tokyo via their open-top double-decker buses. For those that have limited time, you can see all of Tokyo's must-visit landmarks quickly and efficiently—leaving your schedule open for more activities.
Giant Rice Cake Specially Made for the Gods
Farmers in central Japan were busy pounding giant rice cakes for Atsuta Shrine at the end of the year.
Going to Gotokuji, The Lucky Cat Temple
If you are obsessed with cats, then if there is one temple you should visit: Gotokuji Temple—the temple adorned with hundreds of maneki neko, or lucky beckoning cat statues.
Japan's Most Sacred Shrine
Ise Jingu, considered to be one of Japan's most sacred shrines, is surrounded by fun and unique foods and activities to try.
Top 10 Day Trips From Hiroshima
No trip to Japan is complete without a visit to Hiroshima! Not only is it full of must-see shrines, museums and more, but it's also the perfect base to plan some day trips to explore a little further afield.
Kyoto Ducklings' Annual Temple to River Trip
Ducklings born at a temple in Kyoto move to a nearby river in what has become an annual event. The move has become an annual event since a pair of ducks came to the temple and had babies in a pond 15 years ago.
Sake Brewing in Saku
Ever tried sake brewing? Learn how an ancient beverage can give you a glimpse into some of Japan's most enduring cultural traditions in the city of Saku, in Nagano.
Coastal Culture & Living History
A secluded paradise of maritime folklore, history, and adventure awaits just three hours by train from Tokyo Station (or just an hour and a half from Nagoya Station): Ise-Shima National Park.
Year-end Cleaning at Naritasan Shinshoji
Buddhist monks spruce up Naritasan Shinshoji Temple for the annual end-of-year cleaning.
Japan Tourism Increase for Sacred Anime Sites
More foreign tourists are coming to Japan than ever before, with about 32 million visiting in 2019. And many of them are coming just to see the sights represented in their favorite anime series.
A Mountainous Trove of Nature and Culture
Among all of Japan's national parks, it's hard to match the accessibility of Nikko National Park.
