1)Take a hike along the Kumano Kodo Trail. 

Yes, much of Japan is densely populated. There is, however, a large part of the land where you may discover quiet, tranquility, and, yes, solitude. This is JUST the thing to put on your radar if you enjoy wildlife, hiking, and out-of-the-ordinary activities. The Kumano Kodo is a historic pilgrimage road that winds its way through rural mountains and small communities, with traditional guesthouses along the way. 

2)Take a bath in an Onsen 

Visiting an izakaya (a small, casual bar with food) and ordering a drink and several small plates is one of our favorite ways to feel like you're experiencing local life.

3)Explore the teamLab Borderless Museum's

Lasers, crystal "rain," floating lanterns, and moving flowers... Isn't it a little like Willy Wonka? This was, without a doubt, the craziest museum travelers visit, and it's difficult to put into words. 

4) Go Izakaya Sightseeing 

Visiting an izakaya (a small, casual bar with food) and ordering a drink and several small plates is one of our favorite ways to feel like you're experiencing local life.

5)Take a Food Tour. 

We were intrigued with culinary trips after discovering them a few years ago. You'll not only get to eat at some of the city's best hidden jewels, but you'll also learn stuff that most other tourists are unaware of. Oh, and you'll be served more than one delectable lunch. Is there anything else we can say? 

Arigato took us on two cuisine tours, one in Osaka and the other in Tokyo. While they were both excellent, we particularly enjoyed the tour through Osaka's Shinsekai area. 

6) Take a Bullet Train Ride 

Put on your headphones, relax, and gaze out the windows at the passing towns and people. Any path that takes you through the mountains or along the coast is particularly lovely.

7)Reserve a room at a capsule hotel. 

Spending the night in a small area may seem a little... coffin-like. But I'm here to tell you that it's not nearly as scary (or claustrophobic!) as it appears. With so many people and so little room, it's no surprise that capsule hotels have become so popular in Japan. 

8)Indulge in Kawaii Culture 

The Japanese word kawaii means "cute," and it won't take long to discover how widespread the kawaii culture is. It should come as no surprise that Hello Kitty and other similarly adorable characters originated in Japan.

9)Go on a Geisha hunt. 

Geisha, which means "lady of art," are trained in dance, singing, ancient arts, and the extremely difficult art of communication. They appear in ryotei (traditional restaurants) and ochaya (teahouses) feasts, where they entertain guests who pay a premium price to be in the company of these highly skilled women. 

10)Try a Sake 

Sake is commonly referred to as "rice wine," which makes sense given that it is manufactured by fermenting rice, but it is more closely related to beer than wine. But, technicalities aside, sake is an important aspect of Japanese culture and should be sampled throughout your visit.