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As far as vacation destinations go, Japan is one of the best places to visit on Earth.
It has everything you could ask for: cultural heritage, delightful cuisine, beautiful landscapes, clock-work efficiency, minimalist aesthetics and best of all, a welcoming population.
All of this makes Japan one of the easiest and most desirable countries to travel in the world.
The sights in Japan take you back-and-forth in time, between its glorious and sometimes horrific past, and into an AI-run world.
In a 24hrs period, you can:
- visit a centuries-old temple,
- stroll past women dressed in yukatas (casual version of kimonos),
- lunch at a Michelin-rated restaurant,
- ride a people-manned rickshaw in Asakusa,
- shop for cosplay outfits in Harajuku,
- use a toilet that will does all the cleaning work for you,
- take a bullet train,
- order your sushi from a robot,
- sleep on a tatami floor or capsule hotel.
The best places to visit in Japan offer all that and more. Here are some cities, sights and experiences you must have on your next trip.
Where to go in Japan for one or two weeks
Most visitors only spend one or two weeks in Japan visiting Tokyo and Kyoto. In their own right, these cities have a lot to offer.
If it’s your first time in Japan, spending your time between these two destinations is definitely the way to go.
Day trips can be done using one of the most efficient rail systems in the world!
Tokyo
Tokyo, Japan’s capital city is the best place to visit in Japan if you love the hustle and bustle of city life. It has the:
- busiest intersection crossing in the world – Shibuya
- most Michelin rated restaurants in the world (230 as of 2019)
- most populous city in the world (38 million people)
Tokyo offers a little of everything: culture, food, lodging, entertainment, shopping, nightlife, safety and cutting edge technology. And it accommodates every budget- from backpackers to ultra luxury.
You can spend an entire 2 weeks vacation in Tokyo and not run out of things to do. You can plan a solo trip or a family vacation. There is something for everyone in every season of the year!
If you only have a few days in Tokyo, don’t forget to check out: Harajuku, Senso-ji Temple, Tokyo Disneyland, Meiji-Jingu Shrine, Ueno Park, a sumo stable and the Tsukiji Outer Market.
If you visit in the Spring, you can’t pass up on a picnic under the Cherry Blossoms!
And if you are traveling during summer, make sure to include one of the many summer festivals that take place all over Japan into your itinerary. These events will immerse you into Japanese culture, food and dance.
If you have extra time, Tokyo is a great home base for some day-trips thanks to the fast speed rail system and efficient bus routes that leave from the main stations in Tokyo.
Here are a few destinations to visit during a day-trip : Nikko, Kamakura, Yokohama, Takaragawa and Mashiko.
For the ultimate adventure side trip from Tokyo, book a tour to climb Mt. Fuji! It will be an amazing experience you will be talking about for years. For more details on how to book it and what to pack for Mt. Fuji, read my 10 tips to prepare you for this adventure!
Kyoto
One of my favorite cities in the world, Kyoto is all about culture and food.
From the moment that you step out the train station, there is a much more relaxed vibe than Tokyo.
If you spend some time strolling the side streets of Gion, you might get lucky and spot a Geisha or Maiko in their traditional kimonos.
Don’t forget to visit Nishiki market for food, Kiyomizudera Temple for views, Gion Corner for a cultural show and stroll Potoncho at night for drinks.
If you want to collect experiences in Kyoto, take a cooking class, attend a cultural show, stay in a Ryokan, and take part in a tea ceremony.
If you have a week or more, these day-trips from Kyoto should be on your itinerary: Arashiyama, Kinkaku-ji Temple, Fushimi Inari-Taisha Temple, Himeji Castle.
Best sights to see in Japan for culture and history
If you want to explore the culture and history a little deeper, then these are the best sights to see in Japan:
Hiroshima
If you are a history buff or have some interest in the bombing of Hiroshima, I highly recommend that you attend the annual peace ceremony to honor and remember the victims of the atomic bomb.
It’s a wonderful experience to put yourself in someone else’s shoes.
I visited Japan, South Korea and China during the 70th anniversary of the war, which made me understand that living history is much more than places and dates.
When visiting Hiroshima, take a side trip to Miyajima and don’t forget to eat Okonomiyaki!!!
Himeji Castle and Matsumoto Castle
If you have a interest in architecture or Japan’s history of feudal and imperial times, then there are two sights you can’t miss during your trip.
The first is Himeji Castle or white castle and the other is Matsumoto Castle or the black castle.
Both have some amazing history and architecture and will get you daydreaming about the age of samurais! Need I say more?
It was fascinating to learn about hidden floors, armors, classes of samurai and that even women were able to fight for feudal lords. I can’t wait until my boys are a little older to experience these castles through their eyes!
Matsumoto
Matsumoto is home to the Matsumoto castle which you should not miss.
But it is also a home base if you plan to visit the Japanese Alps.
Matsumoto is not as popular with tourists from the US as Tokyo and Kyoto, but it’s popular with domestic and Asian tourists. Because of that, it might be harder to find many people who speak English, but it’s a wonderful place to visit a multi-generation miso brewery or stay in a Ryokan.
After you hike or camp in the Japanese Alps, Matsumoto provides some luxurious relaxing experiences like onsens with mountain views! I stayed in this Ryokan which had several communal onsens and even some private ones.
Some other options are: Hotel Shoho Matsumoto, Shinshu Matsumoto Utsukushigahara Onsen, Onsen Hotel Omoto
Aomori
One of the best places to visit in Japan if you are traveling during summer is Aomori! All over Japan, there are summer festivals happening in July and August, but if you can only attend one, the Nebuta Matsuri is it!
Huge floats made of paper are constructed by teams and lit from inside and then carried out onto the streets of Aomori. Drummers and other musicians provide the beat that festival-goers can dance and chant to. You can even participate by buying a costume and joining one of the floats for the parade!
If you are not in Japan during the summer, you can still see the floats at the Nebuta Museum.
Most beautiful place in Japan
Japan is not very well known for its natural beauty. But it if you love being outdoors, you can head to Japan’s countryside, beautiful beaches or into the Japanese Alps.
As long as you are willing to do a little research, and travel where English-speaking foreigners hardly ever go, you can find hidden gems.
There is really no shortage of places to go or things to do in Japan.
Japanese Alps
I bet you have never heard of the Japanese alps! If you have heard of Kamikochi, or even better, if you have been there, consider yourself lucky!
Kamikochi is one of the most beautiful places in Japan!
This mountainous area is very popular with Japanese tourists looking for outdoor adventures and less popular with foreign tourists. Mainly because it’s not part of the Tokyo-Kyoto tourist route.
But if you love the outdoors and have some extra time, Kamikochi is a place in Japan worth visiting.
To help you prepare for your visit to Kamikochi, read my post on what to pack.
Miyajima
Miyajima is located right across from Hiroshima.
Take a quick ferry ride to the island, photograph the famous torii gate that sits on water at Itsukushima Shrine, and see the wild deer roaming the streets.
Mt.Fuji
There is perhaps no better way to adventure in Japan than to climb Mt. Fuji – the second most visited mountain in the world and one of the best places to visit in Japan. It takes preparation, but if you are willing, it’s an experience of a lifetime.
Snow Monkey Park(Jigokudani Yaen Koen)
One of the best experiences is to watch monkeys bathing in hot springs in the Snow Monkey Park, if you are in Japan during the colder months.
These famous Japanese macaques are the only monkeys to live in such a cold climate.
You can get to the Snow Monkey Park by rail from Tokyo (4 hrs) or Matsumoto (3hrs), however an overnight in town is advisable.
Onsens
You can’t visit Japan without bathing in an onsen – hot springs or communal bath. It’s a little uncomfortable at first, but once you get the hang of it, it’s an amazing experience.
There are onsens all over Japan – from cheap, neighborhood places, to more luxurious and private open baths in ryokans or resorts.
Here are a few that will have you changing your mind about onsens:
- Takaragawa Onsen – river onsen, a day trip from Tokyo
- Fuji Kawaguchiko Onsen – at lake Kawaguchiko with a view of Mt. Fuji
- Yufuin Onsen – surrounded by mountains, this open-air onsen provides breathtaking views of nature
- Kusatsu Onsen – free of charge and said to cure all ills
Just remember that tattoos are not permitted and that there is an etiquette that you must follow while bathing in an onsen – most will have picture instructions.
Best places to visit in Japan – destinations off the beaten path
The best places to visit in Japan for a second or third visit are the destinations off the beaten path.
You can relax in nature or have more meaningful interactions with the Japanese people.
Going off the beaten path can be scary for sure, but I’ve found Japan to be safe everywhere.
Visiting a place in Japan where you might not find anyone that speaks English might put you out of your comfort zone, but these are the travel moments that make for the best stories!
Like the time I end it up in a luxury hotel’s Izakaya, eating next to a group of drunk salarymen (which were really funny)- all because of a misunderstanding in communication.
It ended up being one of the highlights of my trip to Matsumoto!
Hokkaido
Japan has 6,852 islands, but most people only visit the main island of Honshu. However, if you are looking for experiences off the beaten path, try going further North to the island of Hokkaido.
Hokkaido offers world-class skiing, several national parks and unspoiled nature.
Southern Islands
One island that I am sure you heard about is Okinawa, but have you heard of the island of Ishigaki?
It is located near Taiwan, and it has some of the prettiest beaches that you can find in Japan! Hands down the most beautiful place in Japan!
Visitors can snorkel, dive, and lay on the beach.
This website contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate and participant in other programs, I may earn a small commission from qualifying purchases.
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