Too sleepy? Still worth it!
Last updated 2026-09-25 — When traveling abroad, your daily itinerary might already be jam-packed—but if you're heading to Tokyo, Sabah, Hua Hin, Angkor, or Gyeongju and still can't muster the willpower to leave your pillow and blankets behind, dreaming only of sleeping in until you naturally wake up...
By MOOK Travel & Lifestyle Network's Chen Guanxin | Source: Mook Editorial Team
When traveling abroad, your daily itinerary might already be jam-packed—but if you're heading to Tokyo, Sabah, Hua Hin, Angkor, or Gyeongju and still can't muster the willpower to leave your pillow and blankets behind, dreaming only of sleeping in until you naturally wake up, you could miss out on some amazing early-morning delicacies and sights that will leave you kicking yourself. Below, we’ll tell you about essential early-morning experiences you shouldn’t miss when visiting these destinations—so you can kickstart your day with awe and energy.
Traveling abroad? Don’t sleep in—wake up early and catch those rare early-morning experiences instead!
1. Start your day with sushi or fish rice breakfast at Tsukiji Market, Tokyo
When traveling in Tokyo, one popular morning activity is waking up early and heading to Tsukiji Market for a fresh sushi or fish rice breakfast. It’s already a must-do for many visitors. Known as the “Kitchen of Tokyo,” Tsukiji Market is the world’s largest fish market, handling an enormous volume of seafood every day. Aside from exploring the market itself, the small eateries catering originally to market workers around its edges offer super fresh and affordable food—beloved by tourists. Nearby Tsukishima is the birthplace of monjayaki (also called Tsukishima-style pancake), a type of savory batter dish. Though it’s a residential area, it’s packed with monjayaki restaurants where you can savor this nostalgic treat.
[Info]
Address: 4-10-16 Tsukiji, Chuo-ku, Tokyo
Transport: About 3 minutes on foot from Exit 1 of Tsukiji Station on the Tokyo Metro
Enjoy super fresh sushi or fish rice for breakfast at Tsukiji Market—it’s an unforgettable experience!
2. Take an ecological river cruise along the Kinabatangan River in Sabah
The Sukau area in Sabah is a must-visit destination for wildlife enthusiasts. It’s teeming with native wildlife, and you don’t need to search hard to spot monkeys, reptiles, birds, and other wild creatures going about their day. Sukau is located along the lower stretches of the Kinabatangan River, which stretches about 560 kilometers and is recognized as Malaysia’s largest wildlife river basin. One of the highlights here is taking a boat ride downstream at dawn—you’ll see animals gathering along the banks, especially the rare proboscis monkeys and colorful tropical birds.
[Info]
Address: Road from Sandakan to Sukau (2.5-hour drive), including 42 km of gravel road through palm oil plantations; approximately 350 km (6 hours) from Kota Kinabalu
Transport: Around 1.5-hour boat ride from Sandakan City; or take the bus from Sandakan to Kinabatangan, boarding at Labuk Station
Cruise along the river and witness the lively morning activities of wildlife, basking in the sunrise and the awakening of nature.
3. Explore local flavors at Damnoen Saduak Floating Market, Thailand
Floating markets formed in much the same way as traditional land-based markets. In Thailand, where waterways were historically the main mode of transport, what was once done by ox cart became done by boat. Boats were the fastest way to transport goods for trade. While Bangkok no longer has large traditional floating markets, the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market—about 80 km from Bangkok—is the most well-known. Although the market opens early in the morning, many vendors keep their opening hours tourist-friendly. To really experience the atmosphere, skip breakfast and arrive between 8:00 and 10:00 AM, when the market is bustling and all the stalls are open. Hop into a small boat and drift through the canals. Just call out, and boats will stop to let you shop or dine directly from passing vendors. Vendors even help pass items between boats. It’s a vibrant, immersive experience full of food, shopping, and fun.
[Info]
Address: Damnoen Saduak, Ratchaburi Province
Transport: About 1.5-hour drive from central Bangkok; take a bus from the Southern Bus Terminal to Damnoen Saduak
A floating market that opens at dawn is the best place to experience Thai cuisine and culture.
4. Watch the sunrise at Angkor Wat
Cambodian temples are massive stone structures, often grand in scale. However, the inner sanctums that actually house the statues tend to be small and dimly lit—not designed for mass worship like European cathedrals or Buddhist meditation halls, but rather as the actual dwellings of the gods. Among them, Angkor Wat, the best-preserved and one of the largest architectural ruins in the world, showcases astonishing construction techniques. For example, to create the illusion of a perfect mountain shape, the upper terrace is roughly twice as wide as the one below, yet covers only half the area—so when viewed from below, the lower terrace doesn’t block the view of the upper one. Also, to prevent the structure from appearing to lean forward, the upper levels are slightly shifted eastward compared to the center of the level below—making the temple appear taller when viewed from the main western entrance. These meticulously calculated designs represent the pinnacle of classical architecture in terms of balance and symmetry.
When visiting Cambodia, set aside one morning to watch the world-famous sunrise at Angkor Wat. Even before dawn, crowds gather by the reflecting pools. As the sun slowly rises behind the temple, the majestic dark spires of the 10th–12th century empire are bathed in soft morning light, casting a solemn and serene silhouette. Visitors are also able to bathe in the warm glow of the rising sun—an unforgettable experience.
[Info]
Address: Approximately 6 km north of Siem Reap
Transport: Take a tuk-tuk within Siem Reap or ask your hotel to arrange a car
As the warm sunlight rises behind Angkor Wat, the sharp, unique silhouette of its spires draws visitors from all over the world to capture this breathtaking moment.
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