Beyond the sushi and ramen everyone expects, some of our best food memories in Japan came from the experiences themselves, cooking classes, hands-on markets, and a few dishes we genuinely didn't see coming. Here's what's worth seeking out.

We learned the hard way that some of Japan's best experiences sell out before most people even start planning. This is our full list of what to book early, built directly from the one museum ticket we lost out on ourselves.

Learn all about goshuin and eki stamps, hand-stamped seals you can collect at temples, shrines, and train stations, and why it's genuinely one of the best souvenirs to bring kids to Japan for.