13 New Things to Do in Japan 2023: Latest Attractions in Tokyo Disneyland, Gorgeous teamLab Museum, & More!

If you haven't already heard, Japan has announced its border reopening to international travellers - and we can finally head back to enjoy our favourite ramen, sushi and of course, beloved Universal Studios Japan from 11 October 2022 - Hooray! We know that your holiday itinerary is probably already filled with all your favourite must-dos, but you're definitely going to want to check out these new things to do in Japan too 😉

Booked your flight and ready to jet off? Make sure to familiarise yourself with the travel requirements first.

Calling all Harry Potter fans! This June 2023, you'll finally be able to step into iconic sets such as the Great Hall, Diagon Alley, and the Hogwarts Express on Platform 9 ¾ at the new Warner Bros. Studio Tour Tokyo – The Making of Harry Potter! 

Discover behind-the-scenes secrets of the Wizarding World and enjoy lots of fun activities including becoming a Hogwarts portrait and stepping into the crowd of a Quidditch match. To complete the experience, visitors can stop for a refreshing Butterbeer in the world’s biggest Butterbeer bar or even enjoy a Professor Umbridge-inspired Afternoon Tea. Building on the success of Warner Bros. Studio Tour London - the Making of Harry Potter, the new Warner Bros. Studio Tour Tokyo will also feature exclusive sets only available in this location. This will be the largest indoor Harry Potter attraction in the world and you can expect to spend around four hours exploring the only Warner Bros. Studio Tour to open in Asia.

Immerse yourself in an art experience like no other at teamLab Planets, an Instagram-worthy museum where boundaries between physical and digital dissolve, and where you can interact with the artworks and exhibits.

Wade through a rainbow-hued lake (with the brilliant help of visual projections on water), wander through gardens, and even become one with flowers as you explore a floor-to-ceiling installation filled with dangling orchids.

At teamLab Planets, guests are invited to enter barefoot, and immerse your body and senses with your surroundings - a refreshing museum experience that offers a fresh perspective on how we perceive the world around us.

This exhibition is only running till the end of 2023, so make this a priority!

Address: 6-chōme-1-16 Toyosu, Koto City, Tokyo 135-0061, Japan

Feel like you're on top of the world and savour sensational bird's eye views of Tokyo at Shibuya Sky, a 360° open-air observation deck at the rooftop of Shibuya Scramble Square. Enjoy sweeping cityscape views at Sky Edge, a corner that's perfect for a cool #ootd too!

In addition to breathtaking views, there's also Sky Stage which features hammocks for daydreaming and cloud watching. There's also an indoor gallery, Sky Gallery, an indoor section which incorporates dazzling digital art displays to encourage you to see the city in a different way.

On the 46th floor, there is Paradise Lounge, a café and bar where you can sit back and enjoy a drink while admiring the view.

Address: Shibuya Scramble Square 14F, 45F, 46F & rooftop, 2-24-12 Shibuya, Tokyo

Have your mind blown at Art Aquarium, a one-of-a-kind museum-cum-aquarium where space, light, life, and Japanese culture blend to create an unrealistic environment that will make you forget that you are in the heart of Tokyo.

Lustrous goldfish are illuminated by specially made aquariums and lightings, and the displays using cultural assets of historical value from around Japan stimulate all five senses. The best part? You get to see something new with each visit because the museum changes its displays each season to show the beauty of Japan.

Address: 4-6-16 Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 104-8212

While we've been away, one of the coolest mammoth malls opened up in Shibuya! Miyashita Park is a three-in-one facility, made up of a hotel, shopping centre and outdoor park. It's home to a wide variety of bustling cafes and restaurants, and there is even a Kit Kat Chocolatory where you can actually customise your own candy bar - sweet!

Check out the spacious rooftop park with sports facilities, including a skate park and rock climbing wall, as well as an open lawn area perfect for chilling.

Address: 6-20-10 Jingumae, Shibuya-kuTokyo

Tokyo Disneyland's Enchanted Tale of Beauty and the Beast opened 28 September 2020 during Covid, so while the ride itself is not super new, it will definitely be our first time getting a chance to enjoy it!

On this ride, guests board magical cups that “dance” to the well-known music from the animated film Beauty and the Beast and follow Belle on a romantic musical adventure inside the enchanted castle where she breaks the curse on the Beast.

Another attraction that opened in Tokyo Disneyland's Tomorrowland in September 2020 is The Happy Ride with Baymax, which will surely be a huge hit for all the Big Hero 6 fans out there!

Join the adorable Baymax on an exciting musical "whip ride" that will swing you round and round (think a teacups-type like ride but wayyyy cuter).

Inspired by the iconic Disney and Pixar Toy Story films, Tokyo Disneyland’s newest Toy Story Hotel will have you spending the night in Andy’s bedroom, which comes furnished with the iconic blue sky and white cloud wallpaper. The themed room includes an Etch-a-sketch television, Pixar lamp, and of course a poster of Buzz Lightyear too!

Other hotel facilities include Slinky Dog Park, a giant game board in front of the hotel entrance, Pizza Planet-themed gift shop, Gift Planet, selling hotel-exclusive merchandise and Lotso Garden Cafe where you can grab delicious Toy Story-themed eats.

Join Mario and the gang at Universal Studios Japan's newest attraction, Super Nintendo World! Meet up with Princess Peach, Toad and Luigi and head out on your adventures at attractions like Mario Kart: Koopa’s Challenge where you can launch turtle shells at your enemy while aiming to be the first to finish the race! There's also Yoshi’s Adventure, a cute family-friendly rollercoaster ride with Yoshi!

Feeling hungry? Grab a bite at Kinopio's Cafe, which serves up fun Mario-themed gourmet dishes crafted by the cheerful and hard-working Chef Toad. Cute dishes include Princess Peach's Cake, Mario Bacon Cheeseburger and Super Mushroom Pizza Bowl!

Jujutsu Kaisen fans - this is for you! Are you prepared to challenge the cursed spirits? Universal Studios Japan has a new Jujutsu Kaisen attraction that will be running from 16 September 2022 to 2 July 2023. There will be a Jujutsu Kaisen Real 4D show, an exclusive photo spot featuring a life-sized Satoru Gojo as well as a themed restaurant!

Fans of Studio Ghibli films, rejoice ✨ Here's another thing to add to your Japan itinerary - the world's first Studio Ghibli Theme Park!

The Studio Ghibli Theme Park will have five zones - Hill of Youth, Ghibli’s Large Warehouse, Mononoke’s Village, Valley of Witches and Dondoko Forest.

These areas are inspired by the films My Neighbor Totoro, Howl's Moving Castle, Laputa: Castle in the Sky, Princess Mononoke, Kiki's Delivery Service and more!

Address: Ibaragabasama, Nagakute, Aichi 480-1342, Japan

Step into the world of Gundam at the newest Gundam Park in Fukuoka! Sporting three areas, Gundam Park Fukuoka has VS Park with G (sports entertainment area where you can enjoy hands-on activities in collaboration with Gundam), Gundam Side-F (area that sells merch) and Namco (where you can play arcade games and claw machines!).

The highlight of this whole place has got to be the life-size RX-93ffν Gundam statue though - a perfect photo op for sure!

Address: 6 Chome-23-1 Naka, Hakata Ward, Fukuoka, 812-0893, Japan

Art lovers cannot miss the Setouchi Triennale, an international art festival that's held once every three years in the Setouchi area, which is near the Seto Inland Sea.

The 2022 festival is held over three seasons: Spring: April 14 to May 18 Summer: August 5 to September 4 Autumn: September 29 to November 6

Come explore the beauty of the islands as well as enjoy art by artists from all parts of Japan - marvel at inspiring contemporary pieces on display at multiple locations throughout the remote islands, from outdoors in the fields to along the coast and even in abandoned old homes in remote villages. What a unique way to explore and experience art, don't you think?

More info on their website here: https://setouchi-artfest.jp/en/