Things to do in JB near the Causeway
Whenever there’s a long weekend, you can bet that we’re all making a beeline straight for JB. Whether it’s for a quick day trip or a couple of nights’ stay in one of the themed Airbnbs, we all know the best things to do in JB are just a short hop across the Causeway.
If your party isn’t keen on wandering too far off from the customs area, it doesn’t mean you have to be stuck circling convenience stores and the same old malls. Head out to the streets and look out for these things to do in JB that are within walking distance from the Causeway.
Check out our Singapore-Johor Bahru transport guide as well to help you prepare for your trip.
The current exchange rate is RM1 = ~S$0.30 as of 30th April 2025.
Table of Contents
1. Skyscape
Sky-high views of JB from the 34th floor
Located at the end of Jalan Wong Ah Fook, the 37-storey Menara JLand building isn’t only for white-collar workers to hustle in. Sitting high up on the 34th floor is Skyscape, which has been designed to host tourists and locals alike at its main attraction, the outdoor sky bridge.
The ticketed attraction (from RM38/adult, ~S$11.44) takes you to an observation deck where you’ll be treated to breathtaking views of JB and Singapore, just beyond the Causeway.
Portions of the flooring are transparent hard glass that you can see through to the roads below.
Even if you’re acrophobic, know that you’ll be perfectly safe as there are handlebars to hold onto while you walk around the deck. Try not to look down, though. For the rest of us, whip out your cams and take some gravity-defying photos with Singapore in the background.
Snap a swaggy pic at the LED Tunnel.
Image credit: Skyscape Johor Bahru via Facebook
Each ticket grants you 2 hours to explore Skyscape’s activities, which include an LED Tunnel for a neon photo op and VR games. Due to capacity limits, the skybridge has timed entries. Don’t worry if you miss your desired time slot, as there are multiple sessions throughout the day.
If, like me, you’re one of the faint-hearted, chill at the indoor Observation Deck where there are 2 powerful telescopes that go up to 75x magnification, giving you a close-up view of other buildings in the distance.
Tickets are available online and over the counter at Menara JLand.
Sign Up with TSL Connect
2. Pasar Karat
Late-night bazaar open till as late as 2am
Across the road from City Square Mall in JB are rows upon rows of shophouses. By day, they’re eateries and cafes. But when night falls, the entire street is transformed into Pasar Karat, which translates to “carat market,” as in the unit for gold and gemstones – aptly named for being one of the crowning jewels to visit when in JB.
Think of our usual pasar malams and multiply that by at least 2, because entire roads are closed for vendors to set up shop selling items like thrifted kicks, clothing, jewellery, perfume and makeup… the list goes on at this street market.
Most of the items are priced between RM15 and RM50 (~S$4.51-S$15.05) a piece. Brush up on your Bahasa Melayu and auntie skills, and you might even successfully haggle for a lower price.
Expect a whole lot more shopping than food stalls here. But if you are feeling peckish, there are food options sandwiched between the shopping stalls, cooking up snacks like takoyaki (from RM5/4 pieces, ~S$1.50) and BBQ skewers (from RM2, ~S$0.60).
After a night of walking around the pasar, quench your thirst with a refreshing Lime & Plum Juice (RM3, ~S$0.90).
Save for Fridays, you’ll be able to visit this pasar malam every day from 6pm onwards, where you’ll get to shop and eat till as late as 2am.
3. Bundlebosque
Cheap thrift store with items from RM5
The thrifting scene in JB is thriving, with big stores nearer to central Johor like King Outlet Bundle and Big Bundle accessible via cab rides. But that doesn’t mean we can’t pick up cheap clothing while saving up on Grab fares and sticking near the Causeway.
While exploring Pasar Karat, keep your eyes peeled for Bundlebosque. The majority of its offerings are shoes, but they’ve also got racks of tees set up outside of the main store that are priced from RM5 (~S$1.50). There are countless hangers of clothing to sift through, but it’s worth scouring through to find pieces for the thrifted aesthetic.
4. Jalan Dhoby & Tan Hiok Nee
Streets with numerous trendy cafes
When the streets of Jalan Dhoby and Jalan Tan Hiok Nee heritage street aren’t taken over by Pasar Karat, they’re a cafe trove where social media enthusiasts flock to get pics for the feed. Those familiar with JB would have frequented The Replacement Lodge & Kitchen, a must-visit when cafe-hopping.
Image adapted from: Ah Ma TeoChew Kuih & Jun Qi via Google Maps, @ahmateochewkuih via Instagram
Set in modern-meets-vintage decor, Ah Ma TeoChew Kuih is an old-school eatery serving Teochew cuisines like kueh and porridge for a hearty breakfast. The cafe is painted a calming sage green, with a refurbished food cart at the entrance and a cosy living room set that makes for cute photo ops to commemorate your visit.
Image adapted from: Jaws Lee, Jessie Lee & Restoran Hua Mui via Google Maps
From as early as 8.30am, grab your morning fuel of Kaya Butter Toast (RM3.50, ~S$1.05), Soft-Boiled Eggs (RM3.40/2 eggs, ~S$1.02), and a piping hot cup of Kopi O (from RM2.60, ~S$0.78) from Restoran Hua Mui. They also serve authentic Hainanese mains as well, should you be in the area during lunchtime.
Before the trip home, make a pit stop at Hiap Joo Bakery to stock up for the next day’s breakfast. This is where tourists like me have crossed the border just to queue for the bakery’s signature Banana Cakes (RM12/10 pieces, ~S$3.60), which are baked fresh daily.
5. Hookah District JB & District 2.0
Container-style night market
If your legs need a break from trawling the stalls of Pasar Karat, make your way to Hookah District JB and Hookah District 2.0, 2 container-style “bars” near Hiap Joo Bakery and The Replacement cafe, respectively.
It’s the epitome of chill vibes when the fairy lights are switched on and you’re greeted with a cool night breeze. True to its name, you’ll find hookahs here from RM10 (~S$3) a pipe. Choose your shisha flavour, like strawberry or apple, or try their house blends of Red Bull or white grape.
Hookah District also serves up food and drinks. A Family Set (RM75, ~S$22.54) comes with an omelette and fried squid to feed 4. Familiar coffee shop drinks like kopi and teh are available here as well, from RM2/cup (~S$0.60).
Commemorate the hippie experience with dope photo spots at the various graffiti found around the containers.
6. Komtar JBCC
Affordable clothing stores like F.O.S. & Brands Outlet
Image credit: S C via Google Photos
Post-immigration checkpoint, after a long walk on travelators and escalators, every visitor to JB will see 2 malls – City Square Mall JB and Komtar JBCC. While City Square Mall houses familiar and international names like Uniqlo, Cotton On, Din Tai Fung, and Baskin-Robbins – just to name a few – we’re taking a left and going into Komtar JBCC instead.
Image credit: Matthew Chia via Google Maps
After all, we left the country to suss out new and different things than what we’re used to in Singapore. Have a go at browsing through the clothing stores at Level 1 of Komtar JBCC.
Bundle deals for casual fits and basics are commonplace at Factory Outlet Store (F.O.S.) Similar promos are aplenty at Brands Outlet too. The clothing range there reminds us of Uniqlo and Cotton On, mashed together.
Komtar JBCC was also previously known for its Angry Birds activity park and Padini Concept Store, both of which have since closed.
7. R&F Mall
Mall with Korean restaurants
Image credit: R&F Mall
R&F Mall is easily accessible by travellers on foot, via a 650m link bridge straight from customs. Instead of the usual right turn after the convenience stores and SIM card shops, take a left towards the bridge that is plastered with signboards of the shops you can expect to see at the mall.
Those looking to play out their own romantic K-drama meal scene can head toward Level 1 to find DOMA Korean cuisine.
Image adapted from: DOMA BBQ
DOMA BBQ is a non-halal K-BBQ restaurant with their course meals reasonably priced at RM365/3pax (~S$110.19). These course sets come with side dishes like pajeon (Korean pancake), jjigae (Korean stew) and steamed egg as well.
You can also catch movies at Emperor Cinemas if you’re looking to relax post-lunch, after a possible food coma.
8. Hock Chiang Hin
Hole-in-the-wall dim sum store from RM1.80
Early birds entering JB for brekkie may find that several malls won’t be open till 10am. Fret not, as you will get to fill your tummies at one particular eatery that’s open from as early as 7.30am – Hock Chiang Hin. And it’s only a 15-minute walk from the JB customs.
Hock Chiang Hin is a non-Halal eatery.
This simple dim sum shop sells staples like fan choy and siew mai from only RM1.80 (~S$0.54). The rice and bun dishes come in large portions, where the fan choy in particular is big enough for 2 to share. Drinks like kopi and teh are also available here, and they’re served old-school tea bag style.
9. City Square Mall
7-storey mall within walking distance of JB customs
If you think that City Square Mall is basic, think again. Many of us tend to skip it in favour of flashier malls like Toppen Shopping Centre, but City Square has its fair share of gems too, like a movie theatre, where you can watch the latest movies for only RM20/pax (~S$5.99).
Or, if you’d like to indulge your inner child, head to Molly Fantasy – an arcade packed with all sorts of games, from co-op challenges to competitive showdowns. It costs around RM2 to RM3 (~S$0.60-S$0.90) a go, so it’s a pretty affordable activity that won’t drain your bank account.
There’s more to do, like pampering sessions at beauty salons and massage places, and even karaoke joints for you to belt your heart out.
Exploring JB on foot
Think of quick getaways into JB, and road trips immediately come to mind. Of course, the benefit lies in the comfort and convenience of remaining within the car while going through immigration. But at times, it’s when we’re in a vehicle and zipping by that we miss out on hidden gems around the streets and within walking distance.
Travelling out of Singapore doesn’t have to be limited to hopping on a flight or going on long road trips. Mark these spots on your next trip to JB for when you aren’t going by car and simply want to explore activities near the Causeway on foot.
Check out more things to do in Malaysia:
Photography by Ian Sim & Oh Qian Yi.
Original article published on 10th May 2022. Last updated by Khalisah Zulkarnain on 30th April 2025.
A portion of this content may contain referral links where The Smart Local may collect a commission. Our opinions remain our own.