1. Tokyo
Japan’s bustling capital city is one of the world’s most unique places to visit, offering a range of activities and attractions that are second to none. If you are a first time visitor, it can all be rather daunting trying to decide what to see and what to leave out. There is an amazing variety of tours available to suit all interests, from city highlights to hopping on the famous bullet train for a day-trip to Mount Fuji. Within the city you will find a mix of ultramodern and ancient architecture virtually side by side, and there are museums to please everyone from classical art at the Tokyo National Museum to a replica of a kabuki theater in the Edo-Tokyo Museum. Highlights of your visit could include watching a sumo wrestling tournament or visiting the impressive Imperial Palace.
2. Kyoto
A sacred city with iconic temples, shrines, palaces, gardens, and bamboo forests, Kyoto often tops the list of people’s favorite Japanese cities for good reason. In Kyoto, traditional culture is rich and vibrant, seen weaved in the citizen’s daily life. Though it would take months to visit every site that Kyoto has to see, you’ll feel at ease in at the temples of Kinkaku-ji, Kyyomiza-dera, Ginkaku-ji, and the bamboo forest of Arashiyama.
3. Beppu
Set against the backdrop of a string of volcanoes in the central part of Oita, Beppu holds the distinction of having the greatest concentration of “gushers”, or thermal hot springs, anywhere in Japan. The popular Hell Tour will show you some of the eight amazing hot springs, each of which has a different mineral composition, leading to a variety of colors. At Umi Jigoku you can see a superb pool of boiling cobalt blue water, while Chinoike Jigoku (Blood Hell) features a cauldron of bright red water. These hot springs are definitely not for bathing, but you can relax at one of several spa resorts that are fed by the Beppu springs. Other activities in Beppu include visiting the traditional bamboo craft centers and an historic samurai residence.
4. Himeji
Himeji is a city in the Kansai region of Japan. It’s known for the sprawling, centuries-old, white Himeji Castle, one of the few original castles from Japan’s feudal period. The top floor of the 6-story main keep offers views over the extensive castle grounds. The Nishi-no-Maru section of the complex contains royal residential quarters. Next to the castle, Kōko-en is a traditional Edo-style garden.
5. Hakone
Nestled in the heart of Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park, the mountainous town of Hakone is famous for its hot spring resorts and brilliant views of Mount Fuji. Besides enjoying the restorative properties of the hot water springs, you can visit several interesting attractions in the area, including the Hakusan Shinto Shrine, the Hakone Botanical Gardens and Wetlands, the Hakone Aquarium, and the Hakone Venetian Glass Museum – plan to stay overnight to get the most out of your visit. Within the national park you can go walking and hiking along several trails, take a boat trip on Lake Ashi, and take the cable car to the summit of Mount Komagatake for remarkable views of Mount Fuji.
6. Hakuba
Located in the northern Japanese Alps, Hakuba is a paradise for all winter sport fanatics who come to enjoy nine ski resorts, 135 ski lifts, and over 200 ski runs. You can ski and snow-board to your hearts’ content as well as trying snowmobiling, Nordic skiing, heli-skiing, and snowshoeing. After a busy day in the snow you can soak your aching muscles in mineral-rich natural hot spring waters. When you need a break from the slopes you can sample traditional Japanese culture by learning origami and soba-noodle making or donning a kimono and attending a traditional Japanese tea ceremony. Don’t miss the chance to visit the Jigokudani Monkey Park to see the amazing snow monkeys relaxing in the natural hot springs.
8. Hiroshima
Although most visitors to the city of Hiroshima go there to see the UNESCO World Heritage Site A-bomb Dome and its surrounding Peace Memorial Park, the city and its surrounding countryside have a great deal more to offer. A tour of Peace Memorial Park and the site where the atomic bomb was dropped is essential viewing for everyone to gain an understanding of the horrendous implications of war and the need for world peace. Once you have visited this poignant site, you can move on to see the city’s second World Heritage Site at the very beautiful Itsukushima Shrine, which guards the mythical home of the gods. You can also escape the city to go hiking, cycling, or walking along beautiful trails or visit one of the hot springs for a spa treatment.
9. Ishigaki
Beach lovers are somewhat spoilt for choice in the beautiful Yaeyama Islands, which surrounds Ishigaki Island in Japan’s Okinawa Prefecture. Both Ishigaki and its neighboring islands are surrounded by beautiful stretches of beach, some of which are net-protected for safe swimming, and many offer easily accessible coral reefs for snorkeling. Favorite activities in Ishigaki include island-hopping, glass-bottomed boat excursions in Kabira Bay, swimming, snorkeling, kayaking, cycling, and sightseeing. If you have a car or bicycle, you can easily tour the island in a few hours to see lighthouses and bays and find your favorite piece of heaven. There are plenty of restaurants, and the island boasts a lively nightlife.
10. Kamakura
Escape the chaos of big-city life in Kamakura, a peaceful city with dozens of Buddhist temples, Shinto shrines, and a gargantuan Buddha statue to greet visitors at the Kotoku-in Temple. In between temples are lush hiking trails leading through bamboo forests and over calm hills. For a fun break from walking, hop on the Enoden, an electric train that weaves between the stations of Fujisawa and Kamakura. It’s loud, rickety, and slow, but a fun experience nonetheless. Kamakura is also known for its beaches, where surfers can catch a wave at Yuigahama Beach.
11. Kanazawa
The capital of Ishikawa Prefecture on Honshu Island, the city of Kanazawa was once a prominent castle town and is known for beautiful gardens, good museums, historical buildings, and a good helping of traditional Japanese culture. The best way to learn all about Kanazawa is to set off on one of several walking tours that will introduce you to the history and culture of the town. The Samurai Walk includes visits to the Myoryuji Temple, a typical samurai house, and the beautiful Kenrokuen Garden, while the Traditional Kanazawa Walk includes a traditional tea ceremony and wearing a kimono. Other walks you could try are the Art and Architecture Walk, the Zen Walk, and the Foodie Walk.
12. Kobe
Kobe is located on the harbor with incredible vistas of the nearby mountains with a variety of activities, adventures, shops, and restaurants to explore. For a well-rounded itinerary, include activities like relaxing at the Arima Onsen, a hot spring resort in the middle of Kobe, riding above the city on the Kobe Ropeway, learn about planet at the Earthquake Museum, and enjoying the oasis known as the Sorakuen Garden. Trekkers should walk up Mount Rokko for a panoramic sight of Kobe and neighboring Osaka. Foodies, especially those with carnivorous cravings will love the city’s gastronomy scene. Kobe beef is king of nearly every menu and you can order warm sake at one of the many breweries in the Nada district.
13. Matsumoto
The castle city of Matsumoto is located on the main island of Honshu, nestling between the Utsukushigahara Heights and the Japanese Alps. There is plenty to see in this pretty town, including the beautiful 400-year-old Matsumoto Castle, which offers wonderful views of the Japanese Alps from its three turrets, and an interesting adjoining museum. The Utsukushigahara Plateau and Central Mountains National Park offer a variety of hiking and trekking trails, while climbing and mountaineering are available in scenic Kamikoche. In winter the area transforms into a beautiful winter sport center and there are several hot springs where you can relax and unwind.
14. Miyajima
Long considered to be one of the most scenic places in Japan, Miyajima Island is located on the Seto inland sea and is often referred to as the Island of the Gods due to its great beauty. One of the must-see attractions on Miyajima Island is the great torii, a spiritual gateway between the human and spirit worlds. The torii is actually built about 200m offshore, but at high tide it appears to float above the water. You can take a boat trip beneath the gateway or even go kayaking around it at high tide. You can ascend lovely Mount Misen by cable-car for amazing views of the island and the sea. History lovers will enjoy taking a stroll along Machiya-Dori, an old street lined with traditional Machiya-styled buildings that now house galleries, restaurants, and shops.
15. Nagasaki
Nagasaki lies nestled between the mountains and the sea at the southern tip of Japan, where it offers tourists a wide range of attractions and activities for all tastes. Outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy soaking up the sun on the beach, hiking in the mountains, or exploring by bicycle. No visit to Nagasaki would be complete without seeing the Atomic Bomb Museum and Peace Park, and at Dijima you can trace the history and the culture of the city as you tour two fascinating exhibits. To see how western culture has impacted on the city, you can visit Glover Garden, where some of the first western residences on the island can be toured. For majestic views you can take the Nagasaki Ropeway (cable-car) to the top of Mount Inasa.
16. Nagoya
Centrally located on the main island of Honshu, the city of Nagoya masterfully combines old and new. The city dates back to around 1614, when Nagoya Castle was built, and today you can take a walk along the Cultural Path (the area between Nagoya Castle and Tokugawa) to see several well-preserved historic buildings, before heading off to see some modern innovation, industry, arts, and crafts. You can also take some time out to visit lovely Higashiyama Park, which is home to a huge zoo and botanical garden. There are several shrines and temples to visit and foodies will enjoy the vibrant food culture – you can learn how to make sushi or join a guided food and wine tour.
17. Nara
Captivating and peaceful, Nara is a city in Japan with a devoted Buddhist population who find peace inside the Nara’s many temples daily. Nara houses artwork and cultural pieces dating all the way back to the 8th century, making it one most culturally significant cities in the country. Beloved sites include the Todai-ji with its gargantuan Buddha, the Kasuga-taisha shring, and the Nara Park where you can browse through temples, the museum, and spot wildlife. If looking for a peaceful, interesting, and not as heavily visited city in Japan with temples galore, then Nara is the perfect spot.
18. Nikko
The small city of Nikko is located in a mountainous area north of Tokyo that was once the home of the Tokugawa Shoguns, whose wealth and power is reflected in the extremely elaborate temples and shrines in the area, many of which are World Heritage Sites. At the top of your viewing list, the Toshogu Shrine was constructed using various architectural styles and rich decoration and contains many extremely valuable sculptures. Other must-see attractions include the Nikko Tamozawa Imperial Villa Memorial Park, the Kanmangafuchi Abyss, and the amazing day-lilies along the hiking trails on the Kirifuri-kogen Highlands. Foodies will have fun sampling several very local specialties such as soba noodles, yokan, and nikko-yuba.
19. Osaka
Not your average port city, Osaka has a range of fun things to do for visitors. Osaka hosts Universal Studios Japan, the Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan, and Osaka Castle Park. The heart of the city, Dotonbori, is a place filled with flashy billboards, scrumptious dining options ranging from fine restaurants to foot carts, and shops. Families should check out Kids Plaza, where children can let their imaginations run wild with dress-up areas, hands-on science experiments, and plenty of room to run around.
20. Sapporo
Sapporo is a large city situated at the northernmost tip of Japan and is home to approximately one fifth of the country’s total population. One of the best ways to navigate such a large city without missing many of the highlights is to join a one-day bus tour – several itineraries are available so you can choose one that best suits your interests. Outdoor enthusiasts can escape the busy city and spend some time walking and hiking in several city parks or go a little further afield to beautiful Lake Shikotsu, where you can visit a bird sanctuary or relax in a hot spring pool. The city has much to offer art lovers, who can visit several galleries and sculpture gardens, and is famous for its cuisine using fresh regional ingredients.
22. Shirakawa-Go
Shirakawa-Go is a historic mountain village located in Gifu Prefecture, roughly in the center of Japan. What makes this remote village really special is that you can not only enjoy remarkable natural beauty, but also learn about the unique gassho-style of building, which has endured for centuries. The local tourist office will supply you with walking maps and recommendations for visiting the Ogi-machi UNESCO World Heritage Center, where you can see several of the famous gassho-style buildings dating back to the 1800s. Just 15 minutes away you can visit the Hirase hot spring area, where you can sample the Oshirakawa springs, which are rumored to restore youthful vitality to the skin. In addition, you can visit various interesting museums, temples, and beautiful outdoor areas for walking and hiking.
23. Tateyama
Located just 80 minutes south of Tokyo, Tateyama has a mild climate and attracts visitors all year around to see some of Japan’s best flowers and beaches. In winter a simple drive through the region will reward you with the sight of fields of blooming poppies and rape, but the best season is spring, when the landscape is alive with cherry blossom, azaleas, camellias, and many more. The beaches are wonderful for soaking up the sun and you can enjoy a variety of watersports, including swimming, surfing, snorkeling, and diving around the beautiful offshore coral reefs. History and culture seekers will find more than enough lovely old temples and shrines to keep them busy.
24. Yamanashi
Located near the center of Honshu Island, Yamanashi Prefecture encompasses large areas of unspoiled nature, including three national parks and abundant farmlands. People come to Yamanashi primarily to escape the city and outdoor activities are very popular. You can go hiking, walking, and cycling through several extremely scenic areas and then relax your aching muscles with a good soak in one of the many onsen (natural hot springs). For unrivalled views of iconic Mount Fuji, you can ride the Mount Kachikachi Ropeway (cable car) and take a boat trip on one of the Five Lakes. The entire region is known for its crafts and you will be able to see silk, crystal, and paper crafting as well as sampling fine regional wines and the local specialty of hoto – thick noodles and vegetables in a satisfying miso broth.
25. Yokohama
You’ll find the modern port city of Yokohama on the Pacific coast of central Japan, where it is the official gateway to the country. Yokohama prides itself on being a center of culture and art where theatre lovers can enjoy exploring the Yokohama Noh Theater (to see traditional Japanese masked musical drama), or see Japanese comedy at Yokohama Nigiwai-za. History lovers can visit Sankeien Garden, where they can see a collection of historic buildings set in a very beautiful classic Japanese garden. To get a great overview of the city, you can head to the Sky Garden observation platform at the Yokohama Landmark Tower and then explore all the tourist attractions in the Minato Mirai area. Foodies can seize the chance to taste dozens of different noodles at the Cup Noodle Museum, while children will love the Yokohama Anpanman Children’s Museum.
Source: Vacation Idea; The Crazy Tourist
Sponsorship
Comments
Post a Comment