The Top 10 Places You Have to Visit in Japan
First time visiting Japan? Then you’re in for quite the treat! There are plenty of sights to see and activities to take part in, and whether you’re looking to visit Tokyo or someplace else, you should definitely check out these top 10 places you have to visit in Japan!
1) Tokyo (Visit in Japan)
Tokyo is the most populous city on earth, with over 13 million people living there. Tokyo is a fascinating mix of old and new, with traditional temples and shrines standing alongside neon-lit skyscrapers. It’s one of the best places to experience traditional Japanese culture like ikebana, tea ceremonies, and rock gardens. There are also plenty of shopping opportunities: Harajuku, Shibuya, Shinjuku and Ginza are all great areas for souvenirs or electronics. There’s something for everyone in Tokyo!
2) Kyoto
Kyoto is a city known for its old temples, beautiful gardens, and shopping. One of the best places to visit is Fushimi Inari Taisha (Fushimi Inari Shrine) which is dedicated to the Shinto god Inari. It’s a five-minute walk from JR Fushimi-Inari Station and it offers free admission. The shrine has two trails, a short trail that loops around the shrine and an upper trail that has over 10,000 torii gates and takes about one hour to complete. The shrine has been destroyed twice by fire but still stands today as one of Kyoto’s most popular destinations.
3) Osaka
No list of places to visit in Japan would be complete without a mention of Osaka. From its vibrant neighbourhoods, such as Amerika-mura, Dotonbori, and Shinsaibashi, to the more traditional places like Shitennoji Temple and the Expo ’70 Commemorative Park, there is always something new to see and do. In the evenings, head to nearby Universal Studios for a thrill-seeking adventure with rides based on blockbuster movies like The Fast and Furious: Supercharged
and Harry Potter’s Diagon Alley.
Journey down into the darkness of Universal Studio’s haunted house maze featuring terrifying monsters from popular horror films such as A Quiet Place
and Child’s Play 2: Chucky’s Revenge.
4) Nagoya
Nagoya is a charming city that has it all: historic temples, lively street markets, and exciting nightlife. Here are five places that you can’t miss when visiting Nagoya:
1) Nagoya Castle
2) Nagoya Port Tower
3) Nagoya Expressway Bus Terminal
4) Tsurumai Park – the largest park in the downtown area of Nagoya City.
5) Sapporo (Visit in Japan)
Sapporo is the fifth largest city in Japan, with a population of just over two million people. Located on Hokkaido Island, it’s known for its rich history and culture, as well as its cold winters. The city hosts many events throughout the year such as the Sapporo Snow Festival and the Marimo Moss Ball Festival.
It’s not only rich in culture but also boasts fantastic skiing conditions and breathtaking views of Mount Yotei.
6) Yokohama
Yokohama is one of the largest cities in Japan and has a lot of different things for tourists to do. The city also has a lot of shops and restaurants for visitors, too. For example, there are many beaches that tourists can visit including Totsuka Beach, which is one of the most popular beaches in Yokohama. There are also many beautiful temples and shrines within Yokohama, too, like Negishi Temple or Sankeien Garden.
7) Fukuoka
Fukuoka is the city that was chosen for the 2020 Olympics, so if you want a taste of what it was like before then, now’s your chance. There are many famous temples and shrines in Fukuoka, but one of my favourites is Matsuo Taisha Shrine. It’s one of the oldest Shinto shrines in all of Japan, dating back to the 6th century.
8) Hiroshima
Hiroshima is a city located on the island of Honshu. It has the distinction of being one of the only two cities that have ever been hit by an atomic bomb and is still inhabited, the other being Nagasaki. The city was founded by samurai Minamoto no Yoritomo who chose to establish it as his new capital after he conquered this region during the Kamakura Period.
9) Nara
Nara is a city of temples and deer, home to the world’s oldest wooden buildings and some of the most revered shrines. Nara is also only an hour by train from Osaka, making it a perfect day trip for those looking for a bit more culture on their travels.
It boasts over 100 Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines, many of which are scattered throughout the city.
10) Sendai (Visit in Japan)
Sendai is a city located in the northern part of Honshu, the main island of Japan. It was also known as Miyagi Prefecture’s capital until 1868. Sendai is most famous for its Aoba-Yama, which was an old Japanese castle and is now a park with cherry blossoms that bloom every spring. There are also many temples and shrines scattered throughout the city for tourists to enjoy such as the Sendai Daibutsu.
