10 Most Overrated Places in Japan (Analyzed from 500+ Reddit Comments)

Overrated places in Japan?
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Planning your Japan adventure?

While Japan is an amazing destination, some famous spots leave travelers feeling disappointed.

After analyzing over 500 Reddit comments, here are the top 10 most overrated places—and how you can avoid wasting your precious travel time.


Arashiyama Bamboo Grove (53 mentions)

Why it’s overrated:
Small, crowded, and overhyped—the path takes just 10–15 minutes and the atmosphere is often ruined by crowds.

Why travelers make the mistake:
Instagram and travel guides show it as a serene forest, but reality doesn’t match the photos.

Representative comments:

  • “It’s tiny and jam-packed with tourists.
  • “Photos online are super misleading.”
  • “More like a bamboo alley than a forest.”
Flo

Right? Those dreamy Instagram shots never show the crowds shoulder to shoulder.

How to avoid disappointment:

Go early—before 7 a.m. or on a weekday—to avoid tour bus crowds.

For a more peaceful bamboo stroll, try the quieter sections of Sagano or bamboo groves near Fushimi Inari Shrine, which offer a similar atmosphere without the chaos.


Takeshita Street, Harajuku (48 mentions)

Why it’s overrated:
Overrun with tourists, overpriced novelty shops, and lost its original quirky charm.

Why travelers make the mistake:
Guidebooks hype it as the center of youth fashion, but it’s mostly chain stores now.

Representative comments:

  • “Packed with tourists lining up for overpriced junk.”
  • “I went twice and regretted it both times.”
  • “Just a tourist trap now.”
Flo

Haha, once is enough—twice is a lesson learned the hard way.

How to avoid disappointment:
Skip the main tourist-packed strip and wander into nearby Cat Street or Ura-Harajuku.

These areas are filled with indie boutiques, unique vintage shops, and cozy cafes, giving you a more authentic Harajuku vibe.


Osaka Castle (44 mentions)

Why it’s overrated:
The castle looks impressive outside but inside feels like a modern museum without historical atmosphere.

Why travelers make the mistake:
It’s an iconic landmark and easy to access, but doesn’t deliver an authentic castle experience.

Representative comments:

  • “It’s just a museum inside.”
  • “Himeji is a much better experience.”
  • “Expected ancient interiors, got modern displays.”
Flo

Totally—Himeji feels like stepping into history, Osaka Castle’s more like a samurai-themed mall.

How to avoid disappointment:
Enjoy the castle’s exterior, beautiful moat, and expansive park without paying for the modernized interior.

For a better historic experience, visit Himeji or Matsumoto Castle, which have original structures and let you feel the history inside and out.


Tsukiji Outer Market (38 mentions)

Why it’s overrated:
Since the fish auctions moved to Toyosu, Tsukiji is mostly a tourist trap with long lines and pricey food.

Why travelers make the mistake:
Older guides still list it as Tokyo’s must-visit food market.

Representative comments:

  • “Food was average, but lines were insane.”
  • “All hype, better markets elsewhere.”
  • “Super crowded and overpriced.”
Flo

Exactly—save yourself the wait and head to a local depachika instead.

How to avoid disappointment:
Instead of lining up for overpriced sushi, head to Toyosu for the new market experience or explore local depachikas—department store food halls with incredible variety and fresher, better-value seafood options.


Skytree & Observation Towers (31 mentions)

Why it’s overrated:
Long waits, expensive tickets, and glass reflections ruin photos.

Why travelers make the mistake:
Heavily promoted as Tokyo’s top viewpoint.

Representative comments:

  • “Lined up for hours just for a so-so view.”
  • “Windows reflect everything—bad for photos.”
  • “Not worth the ticket price.”
Flo

Right? Tokyo skyline selfies shouldn’t include your own face twice.

How to avoid disappointment:
Choose free or cheaper alternatives like the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building observatory, or relax with a drink at a hotel sky bar where you can enjoy city views in comfort and skip the lines altogether.


Ichiran Ramen (29 mentions)

Why it’s overrated:
It’s decent but overrated chain ramen with long waits, and there are much better bowls elsewhere.

Why travelers make the mistake:
Massive social media hype makes it seem like a must-try.

Representative comments:

  • “So average. Why the hype?”
  • “Queues for basic ramen.”
  • “Hundreds of better ramen spots.”
Flo

Exactly—ramen this bland shouldn’t come with a 40-minute wait.

How to avoid disappointment:
Look beyond big chains and try small neighborhood ramen shops—often family-run with richer broths and fresher noodles.

If you see locals lining up, that’s usually the real deal worth your time.

Flo’s Comment:
Ichiran’s fine at 3 a.m., but there’s way better ramen literally everywhere.


Kyoto’s Most Famous Temples (27 mentions)

Why it’s overrated:
Stunning architecture ruined by dense crowds and a theme-park atmosphere.

Why travelers make the mistake:
They’re on every Kyoto must-see list.

Representative comments:

  • “Kiyomizu-dera felt like a crowded amusement park.”
  • “Beautiful but impossible to enjoy.”
  • “Go at sunrise or skip.”
Flo

Nailed it—more like Zen Disneyland at peak hours.

How to avoid disappointment:
Visit famous temples like Kinkaku-ji or Kiyomizu-dera early in the morning or near closing time to avoid peak crowds, and mix in lesser-known temples like Honen-in or Gio-ji for a more peaceful Kyoto experience.


Shibuya Crossing (23 mentions)

Why it’s overrated:
It’s just a busy intersection—nothing mind-blowing once you’ve crossed it.

Why travelers make the mistake:
Famous from movies and social media.

Representative comments:

  • “I crossed it twice and realized—nothing special.”
  • “Just a crowded intersection.”
  • “More stressful than fun.”
Flo

Totally—great for bragging rights, but don’t build your whole itinerary around it.

How to avoid disappointment:
Snap a quick photo, but don’t linger—explore the surrounding Shibuya backstreets, Nonbei Yokocho, or Daikanyama for more interesting shops, bars, and a deeper feel of Tokyo’s urban energy.


TeamLabs (21 mentions)

Why it’s overrated:
Overpriced, crowded, and more about selfies than substance.

Why travelers make the mistake:
Online photos set unrealistic expectations.

Representative comments:

  • “Just a giant Instagram trap.”
  • “Feet smell was awful.”
  • “Cool in photos, but boring in reality.”
Flo

Yup—smelly floors are not the immersive art experience people imagine.

How to avoid disappointment:
If you’re set on going, book the first time slot of the day to avoid lines and big crowds.

Remember it’s more of an interactive light show than a traditional museum, so go in expecting a fun sensory experience rather than deep art.


Golden Gai & Piss Alley (17 mentions)

Why it’s overrated:
Tourist-heavy, expensive cover charges, and many bars cater more to visitors than locals.

Why travelers make the mistake:
They’re promoted as must-see “hidden gems.”

Representative comments:

  • “Way overpriced and full of tourists.”
  • “Not the hidden gem guidebooks claim.”
  • “Felt like a tourist-only zone.”
Flo

Golden Gai’s fun once, but other neighborhoods feel way more chill (and cheaper).

How to avoid disappointment:
Instead of focusing only on these famous alleys, check out Ebisu, Nakameguro, or Koenji for izakayas frequented by locals, more reasonable prices, and a laid-back vibe without touristy cover charges.


Most Upvoted Reddit Comments About Overrated Places in Japan

Thinking of ticking off Japan’s famous spots?

Before you set your itinerary in stone, check out these top upvoted Reddit comments on places travelers found most overrated—and what you should know to avoid the same mistakes.


Arashiyama Bamboo Grove (812 upvotes)

Comment:
“Arashiyama Bamboo Grove is so small and packed, it felt like a bamboo-themed rush hour.”

Flo

Totally—everyone’s stopping every two steps for selfies, it’s like bumper cars in a bamboo tunnel.


Takeshita Street (703 upvotes)

Comment:
“Takeshita Street is just overpriced shops and tourists everywhere. Lost all its original charm.”

Flo

Yup—if you want real Harajuku style, hit the backstreets. Takeshita’s just a crepe queue now.


Ichiran Ramen (652 upvotes)

Comment:
“I waited 40 minutes for Ichiran ramen and thought, ‘This is what everyone is raving about?’”

Flo

Exactly—Ichiran’s fine, but not 40-minutes-in-line fine.

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Funny Reddit Comments About Overrated Places

Looking for the lighter side of Japan travel mishaps? Here are three memorable Reddit comments—and Flo’s honest reactions.


Comment:

“Why does the Wi-Fi work perfectly in a random rice field but crawl in a Tokyo hotel?”

Flo

Haha, so true—some countryside cafés have better speeds than city hotels charging 20,000 yen a night.


Comment:

“If I see another plastic-wrapped banana, I might lose it.”

Flo

Welcome to Japan, where every fruit gets its own outfit.


Comment:

“Skytree is just an expensive way to see the same city you can see from any tall building.”

Flo

Exactly—grab a drink at a hotel bar instead, it’s cheaper and way more relaxing.

Final Thoughts

Japan’s famous spots can be breathtaking, but hype and expectations sometimes clash with reality. From crowded bamboo groves to overpriced themed cafes, many travelers found that not every must-see lived up to its reputation. By knowing what others found overrated—and learning smarter ways to experience Japan—you can make the most of your trip, skip the disappointments, and spend your time discovering what truly makes this country special.

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Author

Shinnosuke is a 33-year-old Japanese writer dedicated to sharing the charm and depth of Japan with a global audience. He covers local culture, traditions, and modern life from a native perspective.

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