Journeying through Japan's most unique treasures

The Land of the Rising Sun is one of the most captivating countries in the world. The country is filled with one-of-a-kind attractions that are uniquely Japanese. This means that some of the best things to do in Japan are usually those that you won’t be able to find anywhere else.

Whether it's iconic landmarks like Mount Fuji, expansive national parks, traditional arts markets, or museums, Japan boasts a plethora of unmissable attractions waiting to be explored.

Stay in the oldest hotel in the world

What’s a more authentic and unique experience in Japan than staying in a ryokan (traditional Japanese inn) run by the same family for over 1,300 years? Nishiyama Onsen Keiunkan has housed various guests; from samurai and famed shoguns (army commanders) to politicians and tourists. To top it off, it’s both the world’s oldest hotel and longest-standing hot-spring inn.

Escape the hustle and bustle of Tokyo with a three-and-a-half-hour scenic drive, and treat yourself to an enchanting overnight stay in this majestic inn, where you can rejuvenate with a soothing onsen experience.

Board the breathtaking Hydrangea Train railway

You don’t have to confine yourself to just a unique place to visit in Japan. Expand your horizons beyond conventional tourist spots in Japan, and delve into the country's unique modes of transportation. Experience the breathtaking Hakone Tozan Railway, which ascends to an altitude of 750 meters, offering mesmerising views along the journey. Fondly referred to as the ‘Hydrangea Train’, this railway earned its nickname from the tens of thousands of vibrant native hydrangea plants that have been blooming along the tracks since the ’70s.

Climb Mount Fuji

Have you really visited Japan if you haven’t been to Mount Fuji — one of its three sacred mountains? The country’s tallest peak, Mount Fuji, is an active volcano. Though its last eruption was in 1707, the lava has formed countless caves among its slopes. Two notable caves — the Narusawa Hyoketsu Ice Cave and the Fuji Fugaku Wind Cave, are essential stops if you’re looking for unique things in Japan.

Walk on ceilings and along trails in Yoro Park

In Yoro Park’s Site of Reversible Destiny, objects are quite literally reversed. This expansive and peculiar theme park goes beyond the ordinary, boasting 148 twisting paths, mazes featuring furniture beneath the floor, a basin field shaped like a bowl, and buildings positioned on their sides. Gravity has no rules in this unique place in Japan as you run, skip, and jump through its different sections.

Amble through Fushimi Inari Shrine

Giving a new meaning to the word ‘countless’, the number of torii (symbolic structures marking sacred sites) gates in Kyoto’s Fushimi Inari Shrine increases every year. Some of these symbolic structures trace back to the eighth century and are donated by some famous figures, including Toyotomi Hideyoshi: One of the most famous samurai. With the current count surpassing 10,000 torii gates, they form a captivating four-kilometer pathway that meanders around Mount Inari. Embark on a unique Japanese experience by walking this trail, which served as a filming location for ‘Memoirs of a Geisha’.

Observe macaques soaking at Jigokudani Monkey Park

Don't miss out on the exceptional and endearing spectacle of macaques leisurely soaking in an onsen and interacting in large groups – a truly unique experience in Japan. Located in their natural habitat, Jigokudani Monkey Park is home to Japanese macaques, also known as snow monkeys.

— kushmita@khaleejtimes.com