Good day, Readers! Are you a frequent traveler? Who enjoys traveling to new areas throughout the world. If you answered yes, Japan is a fantastic destination. We’ll talk about the best places to visit in Japan. So get started.
Many first-time visitors to Japan are often startled to hear that, in addition to being one of the world’s most advanced industrialized nations, this relatively small Asian country has a rich and intriguing history dating back thousands of years.
Indeed, even before many of Europe’s most stunning cathedrals were completed, Japan’s Shinto and Buddhist temples were already well-established, attracting pilgrims and patrons with their typically lavish designs and décor. At the same time, the country was refining the talents and trades that would lead it to wealth, from beautiful porcelain and ceramics to fabrics such as silk.
Despite wars and natural disasters, much of this rich culture has been kept (or restored), and a visit to Japan is a wonderful trip. A holiday in Japan is a terrific investment of time and money, with an unending number of top attractions, entertaining things to do, and points of interest to discover.
Table of Contents
11 Best Places to Visit in Japan
Discover the greatest locations to visit in Japan with our list of the top tourist attractions in Japan.
1. Mount Fuji
Mount Fuji (Fuji-san), Japan’s most famous landmark, is also the country’s largest mountain peak. country’s tallest mountain summit. This spectacular and fabled peak, which towers 3,776 meters over an otherwise mainly flat area to the south and east, can be seen from Tokyo, more than 100 kilometers distant.
Mount Fuji has been praised in art and literature for ages, and it is now regarded as such an essential emblem that UNESCO acknowledged its global cultural significance in 2013. Mount Fuji, which is part of the Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park, is a pilgrimage destination for over a million people each summer, culminating in a sunrise view from its peak.
While some climbers still start at the bottom, the bulk now starts beyond the halfway point, at the 5th Station, resulting in a more doable six-hour ascent. Those who do attempt the entire climb are recommended to leave in the afternoon, breaking up the journey with an overnight stop at one of the “Mountain Huts” created specifically for this purpose. An early start the next day gets you to the peak in time for the sunrise.
Of all, for many, simply seeing the peak from afar, or from the comfort of a speeding train, is enough to say “been there, done that.”
2. Imperial Tokyo
The Imperial Palace, with its gorgeous 17th-century lawns enclosed by walls and moats, is a must-see when visiting the nation’s capital. Don’t be put off by the fact that the majority of the palace is closed to the public (it is still in use by the Imperial family), since there is plenty to see merely by roaming the grounds.
Visitors are permitted inside the East Higashi-Gyoen Garden and other sections open to the public as part of an arranged tour, in addition to the many magnificent views of the palace from several points in the surrounding countryside. One of the most lovely vistas is of the famed Nijubashi Bridge, sometimes known as the “double bridge” because of its watery reflection.
The famous Ginza shopping district is also a must-see for tourists visiting Tokyo. This always-busy location is home to the Kabuki-za Theatre, which hosts Kabuki plays, as well as the Shimbashi Enbujo Theatre, which hosts traditional Azuma-Odori dances and Bunraku performances.
3. Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park
While little needs to be said about the horrors of Hiroshima’s atomic bombing in August 1945, much can be said about the remarkable efforts this lively city has taken to remember the numerous victims of the world’s first nuclear attack. Perhaps more crucially, Hiroshima has become a symbol of long-term peace.
Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park (Hiroshima Heiwa Kinen Ken) is visited by over a million people each year, many of whom come from outside. It is located in the epicentre of the atomic blast in what was once a lively portion of the city. There are a number of significant monuments, memorials, and museums here related to the events of that fatal day.
In addition to the grounds and gardens with their gorgeous cherry blossoms, the park is home to the Peace Memorial Museum, which has several exhibitions dealing with the problem of world peace. It also houses the Memorial Cenotaph and the Flame of Peace, as well as the Atom Bomb Dome, the ruins of an administrative building that was at the epicenter of the explosion.
4. Kyoto’s Historic Center
Kyoto, one of Japan’s most visited towns and one of the few cities in the country to have escaped the ravages of WWII, welcomes more than 10 million people each year. The majority of them have come to see Kyoto’s beautiful old streets and buildings, much of which has remained untouched since the Imperial dynasty moved here more than 1,000 years ago.
Even back then, the city was Japan’s most important cultural hub. This tradition, in fact, lives on today with the city’s several museums and art galleries, each brimming with significant sculptures, paintings, and other types of art.
Highlights of Kyoto’s Buddhist-influenced architecture include its numerous well-preserved temples, 30 of which are still in use, and significant constructions such as the 14th-century Golden Pavilion (Kinkaku-Ji), noted for its magnificent gold-leaf-clad facade.
Visit Nijo Castle, a 17th-century fortification with its original walls, towers, and moat. The castle’s gorgeous gates, as well as its palace with superb interior decoration, are also worth visiting.
The ancient Kyoto Imperial Palace is also worth a visit (Kyoto-Gosho). It was built in AD 794 and is one of the city’s most visited historic landmarks.
Finally, no trip to Kyoto is complete without visiting the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove. This lovely region of tall bamboo is only a few minutes walks from the town center.
5. Itsukushima’s Island Shrine
The island of Miyajima, known around the globe as Japan’s Shrine Island, is just a short ferry journey from mainland Hiroshima. Miyajima is most known as the location of the Itsukushima Shrine, a Shinto temple dedicated to the Princess daughters of the wind god Susanoo, and it covers 30 square kilometers in Hiroshima Bay.
The majority of the shrine’s buildings date from the eighth century and rise from the waters of a little bay supported only by piling. At high tide, several monuments, notably the famous Great Floating Gate (O-Torii), appear to float on water.
It’s a wonderful area to explore, especially the larger rooms, which are connected by walkways and bridges. The Honden (Main Hall), Offerings Hall (Heiden), Prayer Hall (Haiden), and Hall with a Thousand Mats are among them (Senjokaku).
The shrine’s stage, which hosts traditional dances and musical acts, is another prominent feature. The lovely grounds and gardens of the island, which are home to wild animals and numerous bird colonies, are well worth exploring.
Please keep in mind that substantial restorations to this historic landmark will cause some disruptions and inconvenience from now until 2022.
6. Nara Temple City
Nara, the magnificent unspoiled city that has been the center of Japanese culture for generations, is home to a great number of historic structures, as well as notable national treasures and pieces of art.
Aside from its numerous historic streets, the city is home to a number of significant old temples. The great seventh-century Kofuku-ji Temple, probably the best known of Nara’s Seven Great Temples, and the magnificent eighth-century Todai-ji (Great East Temple), notable for its massive bronze statue of the Great Buddha (Daibutsu), cast here in AD 749, are among them.
Todai-Great ji’s South Gate is also worth visiting (Nandaimon). This magnificent two-story edifice is supported by 18 columns and guards the temple entrance with two Nio statues standing eight meters tall. The Hall of the Great Buddha, the world’s largest timber structure, is also noteworthy here.
7. Osaka Castle
Osaka Castle (saka-j) was built in 1586 by Toyotomi Hideyoshi, a great Japanese warrior, and politician. It was the largest and most important castle in Japan at the time. Although it has been destroyed and rebuilt several times subsequently, the current structure, which was completed in 1931, is still authentic to the original.
The massive five-story, the 42-meter-tall main tower is a must-see during your stay. The tower, which stands 14 meters tall, houses a number of exhibits that chronicle the history of the castle and the city. Visit the top level for breathtaking views of Osaka, which are especially appealing as the sunsets.
The Hokoku Shrine is well worth a visit in Osaka Castle Park, and Shitenn-ji, Osaka’s most well-known temple, dates from AD 59. This gorgeous shrine contains a five-story pagoda as well as a number of other exquisitely decorated buildings and is notable as Japan’s earliest Buddhist temple. The Golden Pavilion (Kond), with its beautiful statues and paintings, the Lecture Hall (Kd), and a stunning covered hallway connecting three of the site’s gates are among them.
8. The Japanese Alps and Chubu-Sangaku National Park
Japan has a variety of remarkable natural beauty places, many of which are recognized as national parks or, in certain cases, UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Chubu-Sangaku National Park in Honshu is one of the most spectacular in the country. The Hida Mountains, often known as the Japanese Alps, are a series of mountains located in the park’s northern and central parts.
This region features some of the highest peaks in the country, including Hotaka (3,190 meters) and Yari (3,180 meters). The Japanese Alps, which are similar to the Alps of Central Europe in many ways, including the character of the scenery and the availability of snow in winter, draw a great number of walkers and climbers in the summer and skiers in the winter.
The park’s diverse flora and animals, notably the uncommon ptarmigan and mountain antelopes found at higher elevations, are particularly appealing. The park’s many hot springs also draw visitors, leading to the establishment of various spas and holiday resorts, the most well-known of which is Kamikchi.
9. Nagoya’s Atsuta Shrine
The Atsuta Shrine, located in the center of Nagoya, is Japan’s most prominent Shinto shrine, with over five million visits each year. This sacred monument, founded in the first century, is famed for its preserved Imperial symbol, the “grass-mowing sword” (Kusanagi-no-tsurugi), one of only three in Japan.
Also of note are its main shrine, Hongu, which is enclosed by an enclosing wall, and the treasury, which has countless items of art, including old and modern paintings, ceramics, jewelry, and traditional masks. Visit Nagoya Castle while you’re in town. This magnificent moated complex was built in 1612 and features a 48-meter-high main tower notable for its two gilded dolphins (shachi). It’s also popular for its museum, which houses art treasures from the previous palace, and for its stunning views of the city and the Nobi Plain.
10. Fukuoka Castle and the Ancient Festivals of the City
Fukuoka Castle (Fukuoka-j) is one of the few surviving examples of the once numerous and beautiful hilltop mansions chosen by Shoguns and city governors. This majestic castle, which was formerly part of a vast complex that encompassed an area of around 47,000 square meters, still amazes with its grandeur and position on a tall foundation overlooking the Naka River.
Fukuoka is also well-known for its numerous events and festivals. The most well-known of these is Hakata Gion Yamakasa, a famous two-week long, 700-year-old celebration celebrated each July that draws millions of visitors from all over the country to its colorful parades, traditional races, and costumes.
Modern attractions abound in the city. Canal City Hakata, a city-within-a-city with superb stores, hotels, restaurants, and a theatre, is the most notable.
11. Sapporo, Hokkaido
Sapporo, located on Japan’s northernmost island of Hokkaido, has a plethora of tourist attractions. As the island’s major city, it is a cultural hotspot, holding a plethora of fantastic events and festivals. It also features a distinct culinary flair, a strong theatrical past, and a plethora of museums, galleries, and parks.
The city’s lovely central region is the focal point here, with Odori Park, a vast swath of green that’s really delightful to explore, at its heart. You can also walk to the Sapporo TV Tower and the city’s famous aerial tramway from here. The Mount Moiwa Ropeway will eventually take you to the summit’s Upper Station, from which you may enjoy spectacular views of the city, especially at night.
Mount Moiwa Ski Resort is also located on the mountain, making it a famous winter destination, especially since the 1972 Winter Olympics were held in the city. If you’re visiting in the winter, don’t miss the Sapporo Snow Festival, which takes place here each February and attracts over two million visitors.
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