--- title: 10 Wonderfully Weird Things To Do in Japan description: "We have an avalanche of reasons why Japan is a must-visit for every traveler. We know of the givens: delicious cuisine, distinct culture, cherry blossoms, and the famous Shibuya crossing." --- [Maya Stories ](https://www.maya.ph/maya) # [10 Wonderfully Weird Things To Do in Japan](https://www.maya.ph/maya/10-wonderfully-weird-things-to-do-in-japan) Written by [Karmel](https://www.maya.ph/maya/author/karmel) | 4/6/17 1:00 AM We have an avalanche of reasons why Japan is a must-visit for every traveler. We know of the givens: delicious cuisine, distinct culture, cherry blossoms, and the famous Shibuya crossing. Still, there are several places in this wonderland that are not known to many. Here are ten of them: # **1. Take Ninja Classes** Find your inner Ninja by taking lessons from a real professional in Tokyo! The [Jidai Academy](https://musashi.ninja/) introduces ninja traditions with roots that can be traced back more than 420 years.                                             via japan-guide.com # **2. Visit the Studio Ghibli Museum** Find yourself in awe at the [Ghibli Museum](http://www.ghibli-museum.jp/en/), which uses the studio’s characters and designs as motif. Their exhibitions take visitors into the creative thoughts that inspired masterpieces like “Spirited Away”, “My Neighbor Totoro”, and “Castle in the Sky”.                                                 via jpninfo.com # **3. Watch Sumo Wrestling Practice** Experience Japan’s national sport up close. You can join a [tour](https://www.govoyagin.com/activities/japan-osaka-watch-sumo-wrestlers-during-their-morning-practice-in-osaka/3082) to a sumo stable to learn about its history and see these impressive athletes at their rigorous training.                                             via bucketlistjourney.net # **4. Take a trip to the Cat Island** In the island of Tashirojima, cats outnumber people and have become the island’s primary residents. Cat people can take delight in more than a hundred of these furry friends, curling up in abandoned houses and walking about in this quiet village.                                                    via The Atlantic # **5. Stay in a capsule hotel** It may not be your first choice for accommodation but if you can, give a capsule hotel a try. Each comfy pod is packed with a bed and lights, and sometimes also a TV and a window with a view. Cool!                                             via kotaku.com # **6. Go to the Robot Restaurant** Anthony Bourdain’s show “Parts Unknown” raved about the legendary Robot Restaurant in 2013.  Who wouldn’t be amazed at this futuristic show with its giant robots, spectacular lights, all-lady marching band and more?                                                      via wired.com # **7. Have a samurai experience at Nikko Edomura** Travel back in time in [Nikko Edomura](http://edowonderland.net/en/), a cultural theme park that gives visitors a taste of the samurai era. Its streets, structures, and offered food replicate that of Japan 400 years ago. Visitors can even dress up as samurai, townsfolk, or a geisha.                                           via The Japan Times # **8. Visit the Instant Ramen Museum** A food shortage following World War II led to the creation of instant noodles, making ramen easily available to the Japanese anytime and anywhere. In the Ramen Museum, visitors not only learn about cup noodles’ colorful history and production process, they can also choose among flavors and toppings to design their own cup!                                                    via japantravel.com # **9. Try a Zen Calligraphy Class** Try your hand at an ancient art with Zen Calligraphy Lessons. Classes hosted by [Ayuko](https://www.airbnb.com/users/show/91426421) teaches the foundations of Shodo or Japanese calligraphy. Once you get the hang of it, you can try painting your name in kanji. Shodo is not only an art, but also an introduction to Zen philosophy.                                            via Gohitsu Shodo Studio # **10. Learn the art of bonsai with a master** Bonsai master and cultural ambassador to bonsai Masashi Hirao shares his expertise in a [2-day arts immersion](https://www.airbnb.com/experiences/106?source=pdpother) that teaches students the basics of this art form and Japanese treasure.                                                        via esjapon.com ** ** # **Last chance to win a trip to Japan in the PayMaya Travel Blowout promo!** It’s not yet too late to join PayMaya’s Travel Blowout! This month, a free trip for four to Japan is up for grabs, along with P50,000 pocket money. Keep using your PayMaya to collect raffle entries until April 30. ([Read the full promo mechanics here](https://stories.paymaya.com/travel-blowout-promo-paymaya/)) **NEED A BOOST?**  As a special treat on the promo’s final month, you can now **earn five entries** with every single-receipt purchase using PayMaya worth at least P1,000. Happy shopping and travel, #NowNation!  #travelgoals   ##### *“Castle in the Sky” robot photo courtesy of Focx, Flickr.com* # **No PayMaya yet? Download the free app here:** [View full post](https://www.maya.ph/maya/10-wonderfully-weird-things-to-do-in-japan) ```json { "@context" : "http://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Karmel" }, "dateModified" : "2024-04-19T01:06:18.578Z", "datePublished" : "2017-04-06T01:00:00Z", "headline" : "10 Wonderfully Weird Things To Do in Japan", "image" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "height" : 125, "url" : "https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/3055020/PayMaya%20Stories%20Images/2017/april/Banner%204.jpg", "width" : 400 }, "mainEntityOfPage" : "https://www.maya.ph/maya/10-wonderfully-weird-things-to-do-in-japan", "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "height" : 60, "url" : "/hs/hsstatic/content_shared_assets/static-1.4092/img/default-amp-logo.png", "width" : 60 }, "name" : "Stories" } } ```