5 Funky Things to Do in Japan

Japan is renowned all around the world due to its range of appealing factors: stunning natural scenery, fascinating historical sights, innovative technological trends, and irresistible manga and anime series. Just soaking up the picturesque natural and diverse cultural sights will be enough for visitors to make memories that will last a lifetime. However, you may belong to the adventurous type of traveler and are hungry for novel experiences that will enhance your street credibility and boost your horizons. If so, do not give these five quirky and exciting activities a miss!

Travelers who are weary of the passivity of admiring Japan’s natural scenery through train or shinkansen windows will surely dig the idea of participating in Cycling Shimanami—Japan’s only cycling event on an expressway. Cycling along the Nishiseto expressway will enable you to travel all the way from Ehime in Shikoku Island to Hiroshima in Honshu Island, thus letting you take in a myriad of magnificent views. You may even be able to compare for yourself the similarities and differences in the scenery between both islands! Also, local food vendors will set up stalls along the route, so you can tuck into delicious local delicacies. Truly an immersive experience that provides a visual feast and fills up your tummy, it is bound to rejuvenate and recharge you!

Ever watched YouTube videos that showcase Japanese people’s synchronized dancing and gawked in awe at how they can move in cohesion with such precision? Why not feel for yourself this unique Japanese psyche by joining various odori (dance) festivals held during summer? For instance, you can shed your inhibitions and show off some funky moves during the Awa Odori Festival held during August in Tokushima. Said to be one of the most dynamic dance festivals, it enables you to dance energetically alongside the friendly locals to the tune of upbeat music! You will definitely receive truckloads of good vibes and be pumped up after the festival.

Sakura (cherry blossoms) are synonymous with spring in Japan, so having a picnic with friends to admire their resplendent beauty is a great way to mark the occasion. But do you know that spring time is also the time to harvest takenoko (young bamboo shoots)? Many rural farming communities will organize field trips to high forested areas, so be sure to go along for the ride. You must exercise a keen eye in order to notice the green tips of the tiny shoots poking through the soil, so the thrill of spotting takenoko can be rather adrenalin-pumping. Your excitement will be further enhanced when you use a sickle to cut these fresh shoots, after which you can use them in dishes like bamboo shoot rice. Nothing beats the tastiness of food that is made of ingredients which you find yourself!

Lugging books around on your travels can be a hassle but you may find your Kindle to be a poor substitute for the glorious physicality of books. Trust the Japanese to come to the rescue. In Ikebukuro, Tokyo, you can opt to stay at Book and Bed Tokyo, a hotel which consists of beds positioned right smack in the middle of bookshelves. Nothing beats taking a respite from the hustle and bustle of travelling than burying yourself in a great book, so why not stay in this hotel and see if you can come across any old gems or new masterpieces. With a collection of 1,700 English and Japanese language books, you will definitely find stuff that will appeal to you!

Yes, you read that right. Japan’s booming rental culture means that even relationships can be simulated and often manipulated to feel like the real thing. If your interests include watching Japanese dramas and anime and you are curious as to whether Japanese people really date in the same way as your favorite characters, you may just want to rent a boyfriend or girlfriend for a couple of hours just to satisfy your curiosity. Through websites like Rentaru Kareshi (Boyfriend Rental) and Rentaru Kanojo (Rental Girlfriend), you will be able to experience a typical Japanese date. Such websites do not condone any hanky panky, so put your mind at ease and hold hands or hug your pseudo-partner (for a fee, of course!)

The above five activities offer a good mix of indoor and outdoor activities and cater to a variety of interests. Why not incorporate one or even a few of them into your next trip? By venturing out of your comfort zone, you will be able to gain street cred and see Japan in a way that is refreshingly different from most tourists’ experiences!