When planning a trip to Japan, you are no doubt faced with a large range of choices about how to spend your time once there. In addition to the many local sites you will no doubt visit near your hotel, there are some must-see popular places to see and things to do while in Japan.

Looking for popular places to see in Japan? Here are 5 places to see:

1. Hakkejima Sea Paradise in Yokohama:

If you have the chance to visit Yokohama while you are in Japan, do so. You will enjoy this great city by the bay. And one of the most fun attractions in Yokohama is an aquarium and amusement park complex called Hakkejima Sea Paradise. This 24 ha park is 18 times bigger than the Tokyo Dome. The aquarium contains Japan’s largest collection of marine animals, with over 500 varieties of fish. You can enter the park for free; tickets to the aquarium are under U.S. $50.

2. Hike part of the way up Mt. Fuji:

Most Japanese consider Mt. Fuji to be a highly spiritual place. Others love it for the views and outdoor hiking opportunities. One of the most popular things to do here is to watch the sunrise from atop the mountain’s summit. You can view Mt. Fuji from Tokyo on a clear day year-round. However, to visit you will need to take a bus from Tokyo or another nearby city. The best months to visit are July and August, when all stations are open to visitors.

3. Go see the annual Kodo Drum Festival & Earth Celebration:

One of Japan’s most famous traditions is the Kodo Drum Festival on Sado-ga-Shima island. The annual festival is three days in length and takes place in August. You will be treated to the famous drum troupe as well as a new annual guest band (usually Western). A must-see if you have the time.

4. Visit Nara for a taste of old Japan:

Kyoto is one of the most famous destinations in Japan to see traditional temples and shrines – and for good reason. However, not far from Kyoto is the city of Nara. Also located in Western Japan (the Kansai region), Nara takes a lower profile among tourists than does Kyoto. Still, its temples and shrines are world-class and make this city very much worth visiting if you love learning about old Japan.

5. Take a ride on the bullet train:

Japan’s network of bullet trains – called the shinkansen (new trunk line) reach across the main island of Honshu. You can travel to just about any major city on Honshu, including Tokyo and Osaka. If you are staying in Osaka or Tokyo, even if you do not have the need to leave the city, you may want to consider taking a ride on the bullet train just for fun. You will be riding one of the world’s fastest and most-efficient train systems, while seeing the countryside in a whole new way.