Things I Wanna’ Tick Off My Japan Bucket List

Lately I’ve been missing Japan. A lot. It’s been over two years now since we travelled there and one of my biggest regrets was that I was really ill for almost half of our holiday there (due to not accounting for ‘rest’ days), and didn’t document it as much, including the time leading up to it. So today’s post is going to be a little different to my usual outfits as I’ve compiled my ultimate Japan bucket list – feel free to scroll to the bottom to see the simple checklist, or read on for more details…

Walk up the Thousand Torii Gates (Fushimi Inari-Taisha)

At the very top of my Japan bucket list is the Fushimi Inari-Taisha. Yes, I know that I’ve already ticked this off BUT I wasn’t able to walk all of the way to the top of the mountain due to a) the rain and b) my kimono, so I would love to venture up there in some (comfortable) gear and overlook the beautiful city of Kyoto!

Stay at a ryokan + bathe in an onsen

I haven’t decided where exactly to go for this, but I’d love to stay in a Ryokan (traditional Japanese inn) and go to an onsen although I am a bit unsure about baring all of my bits to random strangers! Maybe somewhere up in rural Japan…

Pretend I’m a princess in Osaka Castle

To be honest I would quite enjoy at least a day or two in Osaka. We went for a couple of hours to visit in the evening, here and there, and it was a vibrant city from what I saw. We just didn’t have enough time for it!

Hike up Mount Fuji

Gotta’ get that exercise in somehow (which my mother would be delighted to hear)! I can only imagine how beautiful it would be to go there during Springtime when all of the cherry blossoms are out.

Hang out with Hello Kitty + co. in Sanrio Puroland

Yeeeeep, another that I’ve already ticked off my list but due to illness I didn’t have the energy to go on the rides or fully enjoy myself there.

Go on all of the rides at Tokyo Disneysea

I haven’t been to Disneyland before, but I’d love to go to Disneysea as it’s unique to Japan, and there’s no point going to Disneyland seeing as we have one in Paris.

Greet the snow monkeys of Jigokudani Park

I’d love to see the famous snow monkeys of Japan and try to get a selfie with one! This could probably tie in to bathing in a hot spring as I’d love to be able to rent out a night or two at a ryokan where they have an onsen and then during the day go out to see the monkeys.

Watch my hubby gobble up fresh sushi at Tokyo’s Tsukiji Market

We went to the Tsukiji Market in Tokyo but we were too late – it was already closed by the time we got there! It was quite a big disappointment as it was a trek to get there, so I really hope we get the chance to do this next time.

Visit all of the themed cafes in Tokyo

There are so many cafes that I’d love to tick off in Tokyo (and Japan overall), including the Robot Cafe, Kawaii Monster Cafe, Alice in Wonderland cafe… And much more! These cafes don’t stick around for long, though, which is why I’ve left this point pretty vague as I’ll just visit whatever cafes are around when we next go.

Witness sumo wrestling

Sumo isn’t really my thing and I don’t know any of the rules, but it’s certainly an experience I want love to tick off! I heard that they do this in Osaka which means I could tick off doing this and vising Osaka castle at the same time.

Catch the sunrise at Itsukushima Shrine

Best known for the floating torii gate, it is said that there is beautiful views at Itsukushima Shrine in Hiroshima, and I would love to travel there super early to catch the sunrise over the ocean.

Sleep in a capsule hotel

I am not good with small spaces, but sleeping in a capsule hotel is definitely something I want to experience (plus I think it’s pretty cheap, too!) so I’ve included it on this list.

Get those views at Tokyo Tower

And try and beat those villians like a Sailor Scout! Haha but honestly, I’d love to see the whole of Tokyo whilst on the 45th floor of Tokyo Tower.

Take a trip to Hogwarts at Universal Studios

I can’t believe I didn’t find out about Universal Studios until after I returned from Japan, and I am so gutted because I am a huge Potterhead!

Walk around Sensoji-Temple

I can’t get enough of these beautiful temples, and Asakusa is THE place for them. Sensoji-temple is Tokyo’s oldest (and most famous) one.

Take a walking tour of Kyoto

Kyoto is one of the loveliest cities I’ve stayed in, and I’d love to do a walking tour around it (or at least spend more time walking around).

Walk across Shibuya Crossing to Shibuya109

I mean, how could I not shop at Shibuya109?! It is the most important destination for gyaru, and I’m intrigued to see how it has changed since I last went there. So yep this is definitely going on my Japan bucket list, again!

Try to win something at the arcades games of Akihabara

I didn’t win a single plushie in Akihabara. Not. A. Single. One. I am determined to win a big plushie there (preferably My Melody or Cinnamoroll) or spend all of my money on the gashapon machines (they’re machines where you put money in it, turn, and then you get a surprise gift in a ball).

Marvel at the Kinkaku-ji Temple

Also known as the Golden Pavillion. It’s such a beautiful place, and even though you can’t go in (I mean, it IS made out of gold) it’s a sight to behold!

Feed the deer in Nara

Feeding the deer in Nara was definitely an experience, and I want to do it again when I’m not feeling under the weather! I know now from experience that the deer can be quite, well, rough, so I’ve got to give them their food quick before they bite me in the butt (you can read all about that here).

Celebrate Hanami in Yoyogi Park

Yoyogi Park is beautiful, and even more so during cherry blossom season! I want to be more prepared next time and bring out a picnic blanket so that I can nibble on sandwiches under the cherry blossom trees.

Take billions of Purikura

We sadly don’t have any photo sticker booths in London anymore, so I want to take as many purikura as I can when I’m out in Tokyo! Especially because it’s so much cheaper (and cuter) over there. I was really happy to take some with my friends during the last few days of our stay.

Walk the streets of Osaka

Gosh, there are so many things I want to do in Osaka and one of them is to take my time walking through the streets and take in all of the lights. I had such an amazing time doing this in the hour-or-so that we spent there, and I want to be able to relive that moment.

And that’s all for this post! Phew, I’ve got a lot to tick off of my list… But I guess that means I’ll just either a) have to go multiple times or b) go on a reaaaaaally long holiday! Here’s a really quick rundown of what’s on my list (for those who wanna’ skip the ramblings and get straight to it):

1. Walk up the thousand Torii gates (Fushimi-Inari Taisha)
2. Pretend I’m a princess in Osaka Castle
3. Stay at a ryokan + bathe in an onsen
4. Hang out with Hello Kitty in Sanrio Puroland
5. Hike up to Mount Fuji
6. Go on all of the rides at Tokyo Disneysea
7. Greet the snow monkeys of Jigokudani Park
8. Watch my hubby gobble up fresh sushi at Tokyo’s Tsukiji Market
9. Witness sumo wrestling
10. Visit all of the themed cafes in Tokyo
11. Sleep in a capsule hotel
12. Take a trip to Hogwarts at Universal Studios
13. Get those views at Tokyo Tower
14. Walk around Sensoji-Temple
15. Marvel at the Kinkaku-ji Temple
16. Try to win something at the arcades games of Akihabara
17. Walk across Shibuya Crossing to Shibuya109
18. Celebrate Hanami in Yoyogi Park
19. Take a walking tour of Kyoto
20. Take billions of Purikura
21. Feed the deer in Nara
22. Walk the streets of Osaka
23. Catch the sunrise at Itsukushima Shrine

I’ve also done it as a lil’ graphic (oooh, fancy) for you to download or pin on Pinterest!

Are you planning on going to Japan soon? What’s on your bucket list?

Love,
Lizzie xx