10. Go to a Baseball Game

This may not sound so wild to you, but wait until you get to the stadium. I attended a few Hanshin Tigers’ games at the Hanshin stadium between Osaka and Kobe. It is a totally different experience than a North American baseball game.

For starters, all cheering is organized. The “cheerleaders” are men in uniforms, including white gloves. They are distributed around the stadium in front of the seating sections and lead the crowd in an orderly and efficient manner to recite well-practiced cheers.

For example, as each home-team batter steps up to the plate there is a personalized cheer for the player. The cheers include lyrics, clapping and some arm-movement choreography. It is all started, carried out and completed in unison.

There is not a stray “woo-hoo” or “go team” to be heard. After a home run, the crowd does not erupt into unstructured cheering and clapping. Everyone celebrates together with the cheer they are told to perform.

After the seventh inning, instead of a stretch, the entire crowd blows up long balloons and releases them – you guessed it – at the same time.

9. Stay the Night in a Love Hotel»
8. Eat Raw Horse
7. Rent a Dog
6. Karaoke with Locals
5. Watch Sumo Wrestling
4. Stalk Geishas and Maiko in Kyoto
3. See Snow Monkeys Bathe in Hot Springs
2. Get Naked with Strangers
1. Attend a Penis Festival