Japan has so much to offer but where should you start? These are our top recommendations for the greatest locations to see in Japan, great for your first or second visit.
1. Tokyo
Tokyo is likely best described as “animated.” Japan’s megacity, which is obsessed with anime, is continuously buzzing with activity as automobiles speed along streets, subway trains hum below ground, and ships sail in and out. Despite this, flashing lights and obnoxious signs ask you to stop what you’re doing for just a moment and pay at the altar of consumption. This is a city that thrives on activity and development.
But if you do decide to stop in Tokyo, the city will undoubtedly make the trip worthwhile. The urban parks and monuments may be often passed by the tech-savvy inhabitants (apart from around cherry blossom season when everyone swarms to the green space), but we promise you that the museums and historical sites are of the highest caliber. Here, there are plenty of photo opportunities, sushi restaurants, and shopping opportunities. So why are you still waiting? You’d best get going.
2. Kyoto
A pair of finely dressed geisha darting between wooden tea houses, cherry blossom petals caught in the breeze, the burble of a water fountain filling the quiet of a serene rock garden… Kyoto represents the Japan of the past and Japan in your head. From A.D. 794 until 1868, Kyoto served as the capital of Japan, and it has since become a thriving center for Japanese culture, art, and education. It’s hardly surprising that millions of tourists go to Kyoto every year to get a glimpse of imperial Japan given the city’s respect for its past.
But wherever you aim your camera, contemporary Japan will undoubtedly appear in the shot. In the same city as the corporate headquarters of firms like Nintendo and electronics giant Kyocera are centuries-old Shinto temples and pagodas. Kyoto is a dynamic city that is definitely not stuck in the past because of its combination of the old and modern.
3. Osaka
This port city, which is located around 35 miles southwest of Kyoto, is worth a trip just for the food. The delicious okonomiyaki, which translates from the Japanese to “grilled how you want it” and is one of the city’s most well-known delicacies, is cooked with batter, cabbage, and your choice of meat and other toppings. Once you’ve had your fill of the mouthwatering regional fare, tour the glitzy Dotonbori district, see the 16th-century Osaka Castle, or visit more modern attractions like Universal Studios Japan and the Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan.
4. Hiroshima
Since Hiroshima was the site of the first atomic bomb explosion in history in 1945, the city is associated by many people with wartime memories. But now, Hiroshima is a city of peace, with memorials and monuments including the Atomic Bomb Dome, the Children’s Peace Monument, and the Peace Memorial Park, all of which have received UNESCO recognition. Additionally, it is a really beautiful city. Visitors may explore the exhibitions at the Hiroshima City Museum of Contemporary Art, take a leisurely stroll around Shukkeien Garden, or visit Sandankyo Gorge to trek or boat through its stunning waterfalls, caves, and coves.
5. Mountain Fuji
The tallest peak in the nation and one of its most recognizable icons is a well-liked spot for outdoor activities. Japanese poets and painters have drawn inspiration from Mount Fuji’s almost spherical shape for ages. For the tens of thousands of climbers who come each year, the Fuji Five Lakes region at the base of this UNESCO World Heritage Site forms a superb base. During the warmer months, visit the museums and amusement parks in the vicinity. Alternately, go in the winter to ski Mount Fuji’s slopes and relax in the hot springs.
6. Okinawa
Okinawa, a popular snorkeling and diving destination, is made up of more than 160 islands. The Japanese prefecture has accessibility from stunning beaches like those located on Okinawa’s Kerama Islands to several coral reefs rich with fish, manta rays, and hammerhead sharks. Between January and March, these twenty or more islands are excellent spots to watch whales on their migratory route. Back on the main island, travelers may explore one of the biggest aquariums in the world, a number of castle ruins, and a museum dedicated to Okinawa’s distinct history and culture. Adventurers may also climb to breathtaking waterfalls on Iriomote Island.
7. Furano
The hills and the flowers of Furano are the town’s two main draws. The town’s 24 ski routes, which are made to accommodate skiers of all skill levels, are covered in around 30 feet of powder during the winter. Furano’s lavender fields, meanwhile, are at their most vibrant in the summer. Farm Tomita, where you can visit lavender fields in an open-air tractor carriage and indulge in lavender-flavored snacks like tea and ice cream, is one of the greatest sites to observe the fragrant blossoms.
8. Nara
The first permanent capital of Japan, Nara, is brimming with historical riches, including many UNESCO world heritage sites. A delightful day trip from Kyoto to see the temples and wild animals in Nara Park is one of the best things to do in Japan.
The major attraction is the Daibutsu-den (Hall of the Great Buddha) in Todaiji, which is the world’s largest wooden structure and for which nothing can adequately prepare you. The Buddha statue inside is 15 meters tall and was made of gold and bronze in the year 751.
9. Nikko
For opulent buildings surrounded by nature, visit Nikko. To get a close-up view at traditional buildings placed beside mountains, lakes, waterfalls, and hot springs, visit Nikko National Park, one of Japan’s oldest national parks. The park is especially lovely in the fall when the trees’ vibrant tones of yellow, red, and orange are on show. In all, Nikko is home to 103 temples and shrines that have been inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, including well-known locations like Toshogu Shrine and Rinnoji Temple.
10. Niseko
The most well-known ski resort in Japan has many resorts and around 2,000 acres of skiable land. Skiers from all over the globe come to Niseko to shred powder since it is such a well-known destination for the sport. However, there is more to do here than just ski. Visitors may unwind in one of the town’s many hot springs, enjoy snowshoeing, or ride a snowmobile around Mount Niseko-Annupuri. Niseko has golf courses, and possibilities for mountain biking, fishing, and paddleboarding for visitors that arrive in the summer.
