Japan is the place to visit to see how a world can be blend in both history and nature with modern technologies, trends and styles. Boasting 17 UNESCO World Heritages sites, and dotted with temples, Shinto shrines, monuments and other modern wonders of technology, Japan is a country one have to marvel with. But with so many tourist attractions to choose from in cities, towns or even islands, one can get a bit overwhelmed by the choices.
So here is our take for you on Top 10 Must Visit Places in Japan:
Golden Temple Kinkakuji, Kyoto, Japan
Tokyo
Shinjuku street, Tokyo, Japan
Kyoto
Mention Japan and Kyoto will come to mind to many people, dreamy yet modern, this previous capital of Japan for thousand of years is embedded with rich history and legacy. You will find temples, palaces and gardens that are grand and the epitome of Japan’s rich traditional culture, arts and style and its most refined cuisine. Kyoto was the main backbone during the majestic imperial times and now stand as a testament to Japan’s grandeur, with more than 2 000 temples and shrines, numerous beautiful gardens and other form of heritage. The most iconic building here is the Kinkakuji that is perched at the bank of a serene pond that reflects it in the golden sunlight. Kinkakuji used to be a shogun’s retirement villa but now used as a Zen Buddhist temple. While the famous Shinto symbol here is the Fushimi Inari-taisha, where you would pass thousands of torii from the foot of the hill to the shrine.
Yasaka Pagoda, Osaka, Japan
Osaka
Just an hour train away from Kyoto, Osaka is the almost like a blend of both Tokyo and Kyoto. The famous Osaka Castle is here which is a product of Japan’s rich history again. Just about 40 minutes away is another famous tourist attractions – Himeji Castle, another Japan UNESCO World Heritage Site. Else on another nearby location to visit is Kobe with the remnants of the devastating 1995 earthquake but the true reason most travelers come here is for the famous Kobe beef.
Himeji Castle, Osaka, Japan
Mount Fuji
As the highest mountain in Japan at 3,776 m, Mount Fuji is a volcanic mountain that is fame for its natural symmetrical cone which had became a symbol of Japan. It is located on Honshu Island, southwest of Tokyo. This picturesque mountain is well loved among artists, poets and photographers. Thus it had been listed as part of UNESCO World Heritage’s Cultural site for inspiring many artists for centuries. It is one of Japan’s Three Holy Mountains together with Mount Tate and Mount Haku. Scaling the peak of this long-dormant volcano is tough yet rewarding. It is estimated that 200,000 people climb Mount Fuji every year with 30% of it is foreigners.
Mount Fuji, Japan
Nara
Another ancient former capital of Japan in the Kansai region, Nara boasts many remnants of the past glamor as well, with eight temples, shrines and ruins around the city. Sometimes it is overshadowed by its famous neighbor Kyoto therefore leaving this places less touristic but still provides many secrets and wonders to be admired. Famous tourist attractions are the Todai-ji Temples, Kofuku-ji pagoda in the center of Nara, Kasuga Shrine, Heikokyu Palace, Nara Park for its mercenary deers, Isui-en garden and many others.
Sakura trees over a bridge, Nara, Japan
Naoshima
Naoshima is an island town at Kagawa district, located in the Seto Inland Sea. Many travelers come here to experience the beauty and tranquility of an island. Unlike the usual beach that comes to mind, this island actually excels in contemporary art museums, public sculptures and installations. One famous art museum is the Chichu Art museum that houses installations from famous artists such as James Turrell and Claude Monet. This museum, designed by Tadao Ando, is located at the highest point of the island over a dramatic panoramic view. Another famous art museum is the Benesse Museum. Besides that of course the island allows many island activities like lying in the sun on the beach, swimming in the sea and also trekking and biking around the island.
Art Museum perch at the sea and beach, Naoshima, Japan
Hokkaido
Hokkaido, located at the north of Japan, is Japan’s answer to untamed wilderness with its great national parks. Travelers says that the place resembles the landscape of northern Europe with vast rice paddy fields, green forests surrounding clear blue lakes with snow capped mountains at the background in the winter and rolling rainbow colored fields of flower and tall rushing waterfalls in summer. Hokkaido is the place to go for nature lovers and for those who seek adventures like trekking and hiking and exploring the wilderness. There are also many hot-springs resorts dotted across the place for you to soak your weary muscles after a long hike.
Car at fields and sea, Hokkaido, Japan
Hiroshima
Miyajima floating Torii, located in Hiroshima, is one of Japan’s most iconic man-made landmark as an epitome of shrines in Japan which is a symbol of their spiritual side. The torii, a shrine gate, in Miyajima standing out in the water for seven centuries as if floating in the middle of nowhere (but at low tide you will see it standing on mud) had fascinated many travelers. This torii dates back to 6th century and had been a holy Shinto site and also as one of Japan’s UNESCO World Heritage Site. At the same time, visit Hiroshima’s bomb dome to pay respect to the victim’s at Peace memorial Park that was reborn from the ashes of World War 2.
Miyajima floating torii, Hiroshima, Japan
Kamakura
Just an hour train ride from Tokyo, this quiet little town is another popular tourist destination. It is famous for its sight of the Great Buddha (Daibutsu) at Kotoku-in, the second largest bronze Buddha in Japan. There are also many temples and Shinto shrine around this town to be visited one by one and therefore a whole day trip would be required. In comparison to the cities mentioned above, Kamakura is quiet and peaceful and would be a welcome respite after a few days hustling in the cities.
Great Buddha Daibutsu, Kamakura, Japan
Yakushima
Yakushima is one of the Osumi Islands in Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan and have a population of around 13,000 people. Most travelers come here to wander the forests of thousand-year old cedar trees in Kirishima-Yaku National Park, another UNESCO World Heritage Site. This is probably the only place that made it to this list which is not that well-known out of Japan but in Japan, it is one of their top tourist destination. This place is a uniquely different site from the rest of the must visit places and would be worth to go to commune with the ancient trees and humble yourself with the immensity of age.
Ancient cedar trees, Yakushima, Japan
There you have it, the top 10 must visit places in Japan, but by no means a complete list of the tourist attractions or wonders of Japan. A thorough visit of Japan would take an extensive amount of time but well worth it if your budget allows as we know it can be quite costly to travel here. If these top 10 destinations have not convince you to come to Japan.......
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