Japan for teens: top 10 things to do in Japan with teenagers

For families planning international travel, a key part of the planning process is determining whether a potential trip is suitable for the ages of their children. We recently traveled to Japan with two teens (ages 16 and 18) and can confirm that this is a great age to visit Japan. The combination of ancient tradition and modern technology that Japan offers is perfect for teens. Keep reading to learn our recommendations for Japan for teens as we list the top 10 things we found to do in Japan with teenagers.

Conveyor belt sushi

Sushi and Japan go hand in hand. Dining on sushi is a great way to kick off your trip to Japan. If you’re traveling with teens, they will get a kick out of visiting a conveyor belt sushi restaurant (these are also often called revolving sushi restaurants). You’ll be seated at a table next to one or more conveyor belts that deliver the sushi directly to your table – no wait staff required. At the restaurant we visited, we could pull pre-prepared plates from one conveyor belt, or custom-order plates from a tablet at our table. These were delivered to us on a separate belt. The belts use a weight mechanism to determine which plates you have removed, so your bill is totaled automatically.

Dining at a conveyor belt sushi restaurant combines a meal and an activity into a single experience. We had a lot of fun using the tablet to guess which types of prepared sushi were whizzing by our table, and ordering a few custom dishes, too. Because each plate only holds a piece or two of sushi, it’s possible to sample a wide variety of what’s available. Then you’ll know more specifically what to order should you visit another sushi restaurant later on your trip. And of course, eating sushi is a great way to hone your chopstick handling skills. After all, you’ll be using them a lot in the coming days! Looking back, our conveyor belt sushi restaurant trip was one of our best memories of things we did in Japan for teens.

Visit historic shrines and temples

The traditional architecture of Japan is so unique that it’s a lot of fun to explore, even for teens who might not otherwise be into architecture. Pagodas, zen gardens, and torii gates are all instantly recognizable symbols of Japan. There are thousands of different shrines and temples in Japan, celebrating the Shinto and Buddhist faiths. If your teen has taken a world religions class, it will be even more meaningful to visit them.

In addition to being beautiful to look at and very photogenic, shrines and temples are associated with many rituals that are a lot of fun to learn about. Walk through the torii gate at the entrance that separates the secular and spiritual worlds. Purify your hands and mouth at the water pavilion inside. Watch how the locals perform a ritual of bell ringing, bowing, clapping and praying at the main altar. Toss a coin into an offering box, purchase some incense to purify yourself, and draw a fortune or purchase an amulet for good luck.

Collect stamps

Another fun aspect of Japanese culture is the affinity toward collecting stamps. In almost every public tourist location such as parks, temples, or free-access towers there will be a stamp at the entrance. Train stations and airports also offer stamps. They are free to collect; all you will need to do is bring a small notebook, and watch your collection grow as you make your way around the country. This is a fun souvenir from Japan for teens.

A twist on this is collecting goshuin. Goshuin are handmade designs created by monks using a combination of stamps and calligraphy brushes. Available at temples and shrines, they serve as a kind of proof that you have visited those sites. Japanese people collect goshuin in a book called a goshuincho. Together, the stamps represent a person’s religious pilgrimage. You don’t need to be Japanese (or religious) to start collecting goshuin. Simply purchase a goshuincho at the first temple or shrine that you visit. Then, remember to take it with you to subsequent sites in order to grow your collection. Each goshuin usually costs between 300-500 yen.

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Marvel at the city lights

For a complete change of pace from Japan’s shrines and temples, visit a vibrant neighbourhood in Tokyo or Osaka. We recommend Shibuya or Shinjuku in Tokyo, or Dotonbori in Osaka. Go at night, when the neon signs and street lights will rival anything you’ve seen in Times Square. These neighbourhoods are full of arcades, karaoke bars, maid cafes, and all kinds of other entertainment options. While your teens might be too young to partake of these establishments – (we were turned away from a karaoke bar whose minimum age requirement was 18) – it’s still fun to see what’s out there. Dotonbori is also famous for its street food stalls where you can try takoyaki (octopus balls), okonomoyaki (savoury pancakes), and yakitori (grilled meat skewers).

Rent a kimono

There are myriad places where you can rent a kimono for the day in Japan. Rentals in Kyoto and Nara are especially popular. You need not worry that this will be seen as a sign of cultural appropriation. Instead, the Japanese see the wearing of kimonos by foreigners as a sign of cultural appreciation – so long as you do it respectfully. And the rental shop staff will see to it that you are dressed properly.

Many Japanese will wear kimonos when they visit historical sites. You will see lots of people wearing kimonos when you visit temples and shrines. Shops that rent kimonos to visitors will sometimes offer accompanying hair and makeup packages. They will also offer a photo shoot add-on so that you can have a professional keepsake from the experience. Having some gorgeous photos to share on Snapchat, TikTok or Instagram will be a great memory of Japan for teens.

Visit a vending machine

There are more than 5 million vending machines in Japan – that’s one for every 23 people! They are ubiquitous, and they sell everything imaginable. You can buy hot drinks in winter, cold drinks in summer, farm-fresh eggs, slices of pizza, cake slices, cans of soup, underwear… the possibilities are endless.

Japanese people are familiar and comfortable with automation in every area of life. This is partly due to necessity. The Japanese population is aging, and there is a lack of labourers. The nation has turned to automation to compensate.

It’s fun to check out what’s on offer at different machines – especially when you find banks with tons of machines side-by-side. You can find a complete guide to vending machines in Japan here.

Ride in a rickshaw

Think of city streets in Japan, and you might think of the bustling freeways of Tokyo. But there are also plenty of small alleyways in Japan. They are inaccessible to cars, but clustered around some of the country’s most impressive historical sites. Rickshaw tours have been popular in Japan for decades now. Many of them offer fixed routes around tourist hotspots in Kyoto, Nara, and Tokyo. Riding in a rickshaw is a popular activity to do after renting a kimono for the day. The traditional rickshaw complements the traditional attire. It’s also a nice way to relax and take a break after a long day of sightseeing. Put your feet up and let someone else do the work!

Go Monkey Karting

This one is an option for older teens, but if your teen has a driver’s license and is able to get an International Driving Permit – it’s a fun one. Monkey Karting is driving a go kart through the streets of Tokyo, Japan. You can even choose to wear a wild costume while you drive. (We visited in August, when the heat of the day precluded any additional layers!) Multiple routes are available, depending on your interests, taking you through the streets of Shibuya, Shinjuku, Asakusa or Shinagawa.

If you have younger teens who aren’t able to drive, you can request a tandem tricycle that will carry a driver plus one additional passenger on the back. It’s especially fun to take an evening tour, when the ride will take you through the city when it’s lit up at night. This unique spin on go-karting will be a highlight of visiting Japan for teens.

Eat at one of Japan’s famous themed cafes

Exotic pets. Ninjas. Robots. Maids. There are all kinds of quirky themed cafes in Japan. Food services range from offering snacks and drinks to full-fledged meals that follow the theme. The Pokemon Cafe, for example, serves a Pikachu curry featuring a smiling Pikachu face made from rice. The DAWN Avatar Robot Cafe features food served by robot waiters that are remotely controlled by humans working from remote locations. Exotic pet cafes will let you pet, feed, and interact with animals ranging from puppies and kittens to hedgehogs, teacup pigs, owls, chinchillas – the sky is truly the limit.

Spend a day at a theme park

Theme parks in Japan offer next-level technology and a clientele that wholeheartedly embraces the experience. Spend a day at Tokyo DisneySea, the Disney park that the fandom refers to as the best Disney park in the world. Ride attractions you can’t find anywhere else, like Journey to the Center of the Earth. Feast on snacks that are decidedly Asian – Soy Sauce and Butter-flavoured popcorn, anyone? Leave plenty of time to wander the park, paying attention to the theming that is meticulously detailed, and the crowds of fans dressed up to pay homage to their favourite characters.

If you’re more of a Universal Studios fan, the Japanese version is home to the first Super Nintendo World expansion in the world. Though Universal is in the process of building 3 more Super Nintendo World expansions around the globe, each one has unique food, merchandise, and ride details, making them one-of-a-kind.

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In conclusion…

Japan is chock full of things to see and do, no matter your age. But we think it’s an especially fun destination for families with teens. We could write a much longer list of fun things that your teens will like about Japan (maybe this article will need a Part 2!) If you’re looking for a great family vacation opportunity, consider putting Japan on your list, and including some of these activities that make Japan for teens a lot of fun. Over to you – have you visited Japan with teenage kids? What were the highlights of your trip? Let us know in the comments below.