The Land of the Rising Sun offers everything from high-tech cities to ancient temples and time-honoured traditions. Want to get inspired for your next trip? These are our top 40 experiences you shouldn’t miss in this beautiful country. 

The volcanic islands of Japan are dotted with mineral-rich hot springs and bathing in them has been elevated to an art form. Even at the humblest neighbourhood bath, you'll need to observe strict rules of etiquette – wash thoroughly before entering the pools, keep your hair out of the water and, of course, don't wear a swimsuit (it's a strictly no-clothes situation). At the fanciest onsen there'll be several pools, the best often the rotenburo (outdoor bath), from where you can view spring blossoms or autumn leaves, or watch the winter snow melting in the steam above you.

In the early 20th century there were 80,000 geisha practising in Japan. Today it's closer to 600, with many of them in Kyoto. If all you're hoping for is a sighting of a white-faced maiko (apprentice) gliding past on her way to an appointment, head to Gion or Pontocho in the evening and you may get a glimpse. For a performance, your best bet is one of the five annual dances, or a dinner show at Gion Hatanaka. Otherwise, you're looking at the rarefied world of private dinners – an incredible experience, but as you'd expect, not a cheap one.

There are about a dozen islands in Japan where cats outnumber humans and unsurprisingly, they're essential stops for any feline fans. Tashirojima is a good option if you're visiting Tohoku, close to the beautiful bay of Matsushima. Its cat population is descended from the furry helpers residents brought along to protect their silk worms from mice. In the south of Japan, head for Aoshima (where there are roughly 10 cats to every human) and laidback Manabeshima, both in the Seto Inland Sea.

From March the cherry blossoms sweep up Japan in a wave of delicate pink and white. If you visit in spring, you won't be able to avoid the crowds of excited families, friends and couples out for a hanami (blossom-viewing) party – so you may as well join them. Grab a blanket, pack a picnic and stake your claim on some prime sakura (cherry blossom) real estate. Among the best spots are Tokyo's Meguro canal, Hanamiyama in Fukushima and Mount Yoshino in Nara, but there'll be a party wherever the trees are in bloom.

Love this? Follow us on Facebook for more travel inspiration

When you see Sado Island looming on the horizon off the bustling city of Niigata, it's easy to imagine that for almost one thousand years it was a place of exile. Among the outcasts sent here were writers, musicians and artists, so over time a strong creative tradition developed. In 1981 the Kodo drummers emerged from this history, combining taiko drumming with theatre, folk songs and athleticism and becoming a global phenomenon. Still, there's nothing like seeing them perform to a home crowd.

As the home of Zen Buddhism, Japan is the perfect place for a spiritual retreat, with many temples offering shukubo (temple stays). Some simply provide food, a bed and optional meditation sessions, while others require you to follow a strict schedule of zazen (Zen meditation) and work service (such as cleaning), sometimes in complete silence. At Eiheiji in Fukui, you can do either – follow the full experience at the main temple (Daihonzan), or just dip your toe in at the Zen village (Hakujukan).

Each winter, snow monsters appear in the frozen north of Japan. Well, they're actually pine trees, but the wind whips their snow- and ice-covered forms into bizarre shapes which lend themselves to imaginative interpretations. These juhyo (snow monsters) are a major draw at the ski resort of Zao Onsen in Yamagata prefecture, where you can survey hundreds of them from the ropeway, but they're found in a few other spots in northern Japan too.

Discover more reasons to visit northern Japan here

On 15 November every year things get very, very cute in Japan – and it's nothing to do with an adorable animated character. Instead, it's the Shichi-Go-San festival, where kids aged seven ('shichi' in Japanese), five ('go') and three ('san') are brought to Shinto shrines as a traditional rite of passage, all dressed in traditional kimono. Shrine precincts fill up with proud families accompanying their kids, and it's a hard-hearted visitor who isn't charmed by all the smiles (especially when the children get their chitose ame, or 'thousand-year candy').

In the small fishing community of Ine, (basically one road winding around a bay near Kyoto) you can see something found nowhere else in the world – funaya, or boat houses. These small wooden buildings are two storeys high, with the lower floor open to the water so the family fishing boat can glide straight in. Many funaya have been converted into B&Bs, offering stunning views onto the water, where you might spot dolphins or even tiny bioluminescent crustaceans. And naturally, you'll never have a fresher fish dinner.

With over five million throughout the country, Japan has the highest density of jidohanbaiki (vending machines) in the world. In fact, there is one vending machine for every 23 people, with the widest range to be found in Tokyo. While most dispense a fairly standard range of drinks – Coca-Cola, Pocari Sweat, Boss coffee – plenty sell food too. You'll find cup noodle jidohanbaiki, machines selling oden (a light stew), corn soup, even canned bread (Inokashira Park) and natto (slimy, fermented beans; near Ikejiri-Ohashi station). Pick up some fresh bananas (Shibuya station), apple slices (Kasumigaseki station) or ice cream for dessert.

Located just a 15-minute ferry ride from Honshu, Okunoshima is heaven on earth for bunny lovers. There are over one thousand rabbits on the small island and as their human co-residents are happy to share their land, most of them are completely unafraid of people. No one's sure how the rabbits ended up here, but it's likely that they were test subjects for chemical weapons in the 1920s. Today they live a more peaceful existence, though make sure to observe a few basic dos and don'ts if you visit them.

While plenty of countries have a high-speed rail service, Japan's iconic bullet train is something special. Sleekly designed, on time to the second and with delicious ekiben (train lunchboxes) on offer, they can be a bit of a shock to the system for travellers used to less impressive rail services. The fastest type of shinkansen, the Nozomi, can whisk you from Tokyo to Kyoto in just over two hours; be sure to ask for a yamagawa (mountain side) seat on that route, for a glorious view of Fuji in clear weather.

Now check out the world's best high-speed trains

At Osorezan, you step into an earthly version of Buddhist hell. The ground is a lifeless white, occasionally stained yellow by sulphur, the scent of which lingers around steam-billowing vents. This bleak scene is broken up by a perfect, poisonous blue lake, which shimmers strangely when you look closely. But this eerie landscape is also holy and is one of Japan's three most sacred sites. Every July, blind mediums called itako convene here, to speak with the spirits of the dead who pass through on their way to paradise.

The beautiful Tancho Crane, a symbol of Japan, was thought to be extinct before a tiny population was discovered in the Kushiro marshland in 1926. Systems were set up to protect them and encourage breeding and today their numbers have increased to over 1,000. Visitors to the reserve might see the elegant birds feeding in groups, or in spring perhaps they might spot some fluffy chicks. A lucky few might even witness the graceful dance of courting pairs in winter, a sight which not long ago was in danger of disappearing from Japan altogether.

Two wrestlers stand inside a straw circle surrounded by fine sand. They stare intently at each other, occasionally raising a foot high and stamping, hitting their stomachs with a resonant slap, or throwing purifying salt. Eventually, they lunge forwards, each trying to push the other out of the ring – not easy when your opponent is likely to be at least six feet (1.8m) tall and 20-plus stone (>127kg). Finally, one wrestler steps out of the ring, or is thrown, and the match ends. The combination of athleticism and tradition is truly unique and an experience that no visitor to Japan should miss. There are plenty of places to see the tradition, but the Ryogoku district of Tokyo, which is widely considered the home of the sport, has lots of 'sumo stables' that tourists can visit.

Though they might be a student staple now, instant noodles were originally invented as a quick, cheap and nutritious answer to postwar food shortages. The inventor, Taiwanese-Japanese Momofuku Ando, apparently ate instant noodles every day – and he lived to 96. Today, the average person eats around 47 packets of instant noodles a year, and every conbini (convenience store) stocks dozens of varieties, some by Michelin-starred restaurants. The ultimate noodle pilgrimage is to Yokohama's CUPNOODLES MUSEUM, where you can create a bespoke batch of your own.

In the 17th century, a woman named Izumo no Okuni began performing a new type of theatre, singing and dancing on the dry riverbed of the Kamo in Kyoto. This popular form of entertainment developed into kabuki, a dramatic and often funny style of drama characterised by elaborate make-up and costumes and stylised movements. Kyoto's Minamiza Kabuki Theatre remains one of the best places in Japan to watch this bright, bawdy and brilliant art – even if you don't understand a word, the visuals will leave you in awe.

Wandering the parks of Nara or the shoreline in Miyajima, you can't fail to notice the deer. These are sacred animals, allowed to roam freely through the shrine and temple precincts, and they're not shy about soliciting snacks from tourists. If you want to feed them (you may lose a finger or two in the process), simply buy some deer senbei (rice crackers) and decide who looks the hungriest. Try bowing before you hand over the goods, as many of them will bow back – before unceremoniously gobbling the whole cracker from your hand.

Most cultures have some version of the bogeyman, and on the Oga peninsula, there's a whole festival dedicated to theirs: the Namahage. Every New Year's Eve, terrifying monsters with straw-covered bodies and grimacing, sharp-toothed faces do the rounds of local houses. They ask each household in a booming voice, 'waruiko wa inee ka?' – 'are there any naughty children here?' Everyone assures the fearsome oni (demon) that all the kids there are well behaved and hardworking, then gives him a mochi (rice cake) to thank him for stopping by, and on he goes to the next house.

People of all ages have been enraptured by the films of Studio Ghibli, and in a quiet suburb of Tokyo, there's a museum where you can step right into them. In this bright and whimsical building you can explore the fascinating details of director Hayao Miyazaki's studio, sit quietly with the mournful robots of Laputa, or take a trip in the furry catbus. In November 2022, a Ghibli theme park (hopefully less spooky than the one in anime movie Spirited Away) is set to open near Nagoya, which will include a range of rides and attractions based on Miyazaki's famous films.

There are about 1,500 sake breweries in Japan, many of which offer tours and sake tastings. Though many of them are impressively venerable, Sudo Honke is the oldest of the lot, operating continuously for over 880 years or 55 generations. What better place to learn more about the national drink? The brewery tour takes you through the whole process of making this light and flavourful tipple, from rice selection to fermentation to bottling – and, of course, tasting. Kanpai to that!

The Tono valley may look like an ordinary corner of rural Japan, but dig a little deeper and you'll find a whole supernatural world. In 1912, folklorist Yanagita Kunio published Tales of Tono, introducing the world to the area's treasure trove of tall tales. Locals were careful near water lest a kappa (a mischievous amphibian creature) jumped out, and hoped to spot a childlike zashiki-warashi spirit, thought to bring good luck. Whether you believe the stories or not, it's a lot of fun to cycle through the beautiful countryside, eyes peeled for a kappa darting back underwater.

Honed over centuries, the tea ceremony is an elegant social ritual aimed at creating a sublime aesthetic experience. It might feel like a lot of fuss over what is, after all, just a cup of tea, but when done properly it's truly beautiful. No one is more influential in the development of chado ('the way of tea') than 16th-century tea master Sen no Rikyu; the three schools which follow his tradition still exist, all based in Kyoto, making it possibly the best place in the world to experience the tea ceremony.

Matsumoto-jo, also known as Crow Castle, is a must-visit for anyone interested in Japanese castles. It's the most complete original castle in the country – most of them are reconstructions, made with modern materials. Here, you can see thick wooden beams from the 17th century, precariously steep staircases which somehow had to be navigated in full armour, and examples of original swords and ornately decorated muskets. It's also a beautiful building, surrounded in spring by frothy pink cherry blossoms and lit up at night to reflect in the koi-filled moat.

Though they're one of the great symbols of Japan, katana – the light, gently curved swords used by samurai – are rarely made now. But Japanese blades are still among the very best in the world, with chefs in professional kitchens around the globe swearing by them. At the Seki Swordsmith Museum you can see how this tradition has been passed down in its demonstration forge, overseen by a 26th-generation swordsmith. You can even step into the forge yourself, to feel first-hand the hard work that goes into the effortlessly elegant blades.

A constellation of lamps floating around you in a mirrored room; a flowing river of light running across the floor; a crowd of huge, soft glowing balloons you can walk through. The teamLab Borderless Digital Art Museum is like no exhibition you've been to before. The enormous space is in futuristic Odaiba on Tokyo Bay, and it's all interactive – touch a flower bud on the wall and it might bloom, or burst into stars. Tip: wear white clothes when you visit, so you're a blank canvas for the projections.

Today, Togakushi is a quiet and beautiful area in the mountains, but in times gone by it was a training centre for ninjas. This fascinating legacy is explored at Togakushi Minzoku-kan, where you can learn the history of ninjutsu, see examples of weapons and try to escape the Ninja House (ostensibly for kids, but fun for anyone). The area has excellent walks, including the 1.2-mile-long (2km) cedar avenue leading to Togakushi shrine, but after a visit to the museum you'll be on high alert for cracking twigs and rustling leaves – a ninja could be hiding anywhere...

In the early 11th century a court noblewoman, whose name we don't know, wrote what might well be the first novel. We remember her only by her pen name, Murasaki Shikibu (Lady Violet), but her work The Tale of Genji went on to become influential around the world. It tells the story of Genji, the Shining Prince, following him through the political plays and romances of Heian-era court life. The finale is set in Uji, a small city south of Kyoto famous for its tea, and today there is a very engaging museum dedicated to the novel.

When browsing the shops in Tokyo, you may meet Pepper, a cute customer service robot – but that's far from the only robot you're likely to spot. At Henn na Hotel near Nagasaki, the friendly check-in staff are not human (or even all humanoid). Tokyo's Miraikan (Museum of Emerging Science) has exhibits about how Japan is integrating robotic tech into everyday life, featuring Honda's famous ASIMO. And at Kyoto's Kodaiji, an Android Kannon recites Buddhist sutras and offers advice to visitors.

Many visitors expect Hiroshima to be a bleak, depressing place and are surprised to discover instead a bright, modern city full of friendly people. The Genbaku Dome is a poignant reminder of the violence the city suffered, and the Peace Memorial Museum is heartrending, but – as its name implies – the people of Hiroshima choose to focus on the dream of peace. In the Peace Memorial Park, a flame has been burning since 1964, and will remain lit until all nuclear weapons have disappeared from the earth.

Crisscrossing the Kii peninsula is an atmospheric network of trails: the UNESCO-listed Kumano Kodo pilgrimage routes, which have been in use for over 1,000 years. The area is dense with Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples, and the natural splendour of its coastline, mountains and ancient forests appeals as much to hikers as to pilgrims. Of the three key shrines Kumano Nachi Taisha is possibly the most magnificent, set by Japan's tallest waterfall Nachi no Taki, which tumbles 436 feet (133m) down a sheer cliff.

Even the most casual Hello Kitty fan will enjoy a visit to Sanrio Puroland's 500,000 square metres of 'kawaii' (cuteness). As well as some gentle rides, there are plenty of Instagrammable foods and locations, themed purikura (like a photo booth), adorable shows and parades, and, of course an endless amount of merchandise. Though Hello Kitty is the big draw, you'll have plenty of chances to get to know other characters like Cinnamoroll and Keroppi. Gudetama the depressed egg is also there, adding a sardonic note to the otherwise sugary-sweet Puroland.

Don't miss reading about Japan's dedicated Moomin theme park too

Under the innermost sanctum of Zenkoji is a pitch-black passageway. Devotees walk down a steep staircase into the darkness, finding their way through by touch alone; if they manage to find the 'key to paradise', located near the end of the tunnel directly beneath the sacred image, it is said they'll be granted salvation. As you shuffle through the darkness, hearing monks chanting above you, it's a genuine thrill to find the key and emerge into the light reborn (and probably squinting).

Now discover the best weekend trips from Tokyo

Japanese festivals are known for good food, fun outfits, music and dancing, but one type is particularly enthralling: fire festivals. The big three are Taimatsu Akashi (Fukushima, November), Oniyo Hi Matsuri (Fukuoka, January) and Nachi no Ogi Matsuri (Wakayama, July), but there are plenty of other standouts. Giant torches are paraded around town in Kurama Hi no Matsuri, near Kyoto (October); a long-nosed deity walks through fire at Tengu No Hiwatari Matsuri in Furubira, Hokkaido (July and September); and townspeople battle with flaming bamboo poles in Rokugo's Takeuchi Matsuri, Akita (February).

One of Japan's more unusual sights can be found deep in the woods near Nagano, at Jigokudani Yaen-koen. Here, Japanese macaques wander down from the mountains for food and to relax in the steaming hot springs. The monkeys are truly charming, especially the young ones who tumble around play fighting, and most visitors leave with dozens of photos and a big grin. It gets very crowded, but stay locally and you can come near opening or closing time when it's quieter; there's even a tattoo-friendly onsen hotel which the monkeys occasionally frequent.

Go back to nature and discover the amazing animal encounters in every US state

Matsuo Basho's Oku-no-Hosomichi (Narrow Road to the Deep North) is one of the most influential travelogues ever written, a poem-filled account of a 156-day journey in northern Japan. Though it was written over 300 years ago, many of the sights he saw are still there. You can visit the island-studded bay of Matsushima, which he found so beautiful he couldn't even write a haiku (poem) about; the ancient (even in Basho's time) capital of Hiraizumi, where he wrote "Summer grass – all that remains of warriors' dreams"; and atmospheric Yamadera, where there's now a statue of the famous poet.

While parts of Tokyo look like they're straight out of a futuristic manga, in Golden Gai, you step back into an older version of the city. In these few tiny alleys are more than 200 bars, most seating just a handful of patrons. Wildly different bars sit happily next to (or on top of) each other – while one blares out hard rock, the next might have modern jazz, or a karaoke machine, or just an inexplicable array of medical equipment. Wander about, poke your head around a few doors and decide where to start – it's going to be a good night.

Until about 30 years ago, Naoshima was just another quiet Inland Sea island with a slowly declining population, but then Benesse Holdings decided this was the place to display its collection of contemporary art. Museums were opened and site-specific installations like Geogre Ricky's Three Vertical Squares Diagonal, James Turrell's Open Field and Yayoi Kusama's iconic Yellow Pumpkin were commissioned – although this was tragically swept away during a typhoon in August 2021. Despite weather-related disasters, the project has been broadly successful and has even spread to nearby islands of Inujima and Teshima.

You might associate Tokyo with hustle and bustle, but step a little further out and the city has a sensitive side too. Find out what we mean by visiting one of its tranquil bamboo groves, where you can wander among these vertiginous plants and indulge in some shinrin-yoku (the ancient practice of forest bathing). Worth a visit are Rikugien Gardens, complete with cute red bridges and ponds, Higashikurumeshi Chikurin Park, where you’ll find a bubbling natural spring and Roka Koshun-en Garden, a gorgeous and historic estate. 

Mount Fuji is an icon of Japan, so it's no surprise that thousands of people climb it each year, most of them walking overnight to see the goraiko: sunrise from the mountaintop. And since Japan has only just re-opened to visitors it might be the best time to dodge some of those crowds. Will it be tiring? Yes. But will it be the most beautiful, well-earned sunrise you've ever seen? Quite possibly.

Here are more of the world's most stunning sunrises