Japan is certainly one of the countries on every traveler’s list of countries to visit. It is an island country situated on the west coast of the Pacific Ocean. The country is comprised of 4 main islands (Onshu, Shikoku, Kyushu, and Hokkaido) and over 800 small islands.
Japan is known for its innovative technology worldwide, but it is also a tourist hub with a lot of places to explore. If you are planning to visit Japan, you may get confused, especially if it’s your first time, which are the top must-visit attractions.
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You need not worry, as we have compiled a list of the top 10 must-visit attractions in Japan. These are places that will expose you to the Japanese culture and also give you a memorable first-time trip to Japan.
Kyoto
Also referred to as the “millennium ancient capital,” Kyoto is top on the list of must-visit places in Japan. This historical city is located in western Japan. Tourists visit this city to explore historical monuments and get exposed to the Japanese culture, Japanese aesthetics, and art.
Among the historical places to visit in Kyoto are shrines, Buddhist pavilions, and temples like Kiyomizu Temple and Fushimi Inari Taisya. Kyoto is also a modern city where you can go shopping in the large supermarkets and commercial streets.
Tokyo
You can visit Japan and fail to explore Tokyo. It is the country’s capital city and famous worldwide. Tokyo’s development started during the Tokugawa shogunate era, becoming Japan’s economic and political hub.
Tokyo is the city to visit in Japan to explore the modern part of this beautiful country. The city is divided into 6 districts, also called “Tuxin Six Districts.” Tourists visit this city to visit tourist attractions such as the Japanese Imperial Palace and Meiji Shrine. Other places to visit include theme parks, Shibuya Scramble Square, Odaiba, and several others across the city.
Fuji
If you are a hiker, you definitely love the hiking experience as you try to get to the high peak in Japan. Located in Honshu Island’s south-central part, Mount Fuji is another tourist attraction that you should explore in Japan. The mountain stands 3775.63 meters high with 125 kilometers of circumference.
This mountain has an active volcano, and in the foothills of this mountain, numerous tunnels of varying sizes have been created by the crater’s eruption. The walls of these caves are also coated in icicles that resemble crystals. These various icicle formations combine to create a unique sight.
No matter the season you visit this mountain, you will get to enjoy stunning, unique scenery. During spring, Sakura is in full bloom; in summer, the mountain breeze blows gently; in autumn, the mountains are covered with red leaves; and in winter, it is snowy.
When the weather is pleasant for the outdoor activities and you are an experienced climber, you can try to climb to the peak. If you get to make it to the peak, you will enjoy the beautiful natural scenery of Mount Fuji. At the top of this mountain there are holy temples, Kusushi Shrine and Asama Shrine, which you should not miss exploring.
Osaka Castle
Situated in one of the 3 famous cities, Osaka Central District, in Osaka Castle Park, Osaka Castle is a historical site you should visit in Japan. This castle was built during the Warring States Period by Toyotomi Hideyoshi. The castle has a steep wall 20 meters high built using boulders and stones that are carved with different ancient engravings, and it has
The museum inside showcases celebrity relics and precious historical relic’s collections meant to highlight to the visitors Japan’s wonderful history. Osaka Castle is now planned to be an open park, providing a beautiful environment for people to relax and have fun.
Nara
Known as one of the ancient Japanese culture birthplaces, Nara is one of the cities in Japan that attracts international tourists to explore the historical sites, such as ancient temple shrines. The city is also respected for being religious from ancient times.
Even though Nara is not a huge city like Tokyo, there are many historical sites to explore and the best place to learn about Japanese cultural value. Its three world-class cultural heritages also earn it a place among the world’s most recognized ancient cities.
Himeji
Situated close to the Seto Inland Sea in western Japan, Himeji is a scenic coastal city. Tourists visit this city to enjoy the sea scenery and try different seafood dishes. Other tourists visit the city to explore its history by visiting historical sites like Himeji Castle.
The reason why Himeji Castle is one of the top tourist attractions in Himeji is all about its unique architecture. It is even named Egret City. It is colored white and looks like an egret with wings to fly. There are many castles in Japan, but this castle is the largest and was built during ancient times. It is recognized as a national treasure of Japan because of its exquisite and simple architectural design. Himeji Castle has an extremely rigid and beautiful structure because it was built originally for military defense.
Hiroshima
Situated in southwest Japan Hiroshima is a coastal city. The city was damaged by the atomic bomb dropped by the US during World War II. The city was rebuilt in 1958, and it is a prospering city to date.
When you visit this city, you will get to see high-rise buildings, clean streets, and modern shops across the city. When walking across the streets in the city, you will feel its vitality.
For a permanent peace after the atomic bombing, the Japanese government built the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park where the bomb was dropped. It is one of the places you can’t miss to visit in Hiroshima.
Other tourist attractions in Hiroshima include the Peace Memorial Museum in the park and the famous Hiroshima Atomic Bomb Dome House.
Hot Springs, Hakone
The hot springs, which are located in Hakone, are famous worldwide because the water in the spring is believed to have trace elements beneficial to the human body. The formation of the springs was a result of a volcano eruption that occurred a thousand years ago.
The combination of magma from the volcano and rainfall led to the formation of a gushing hot spring. These springs are famously referred to as “The Seven Soup” in reference to seven local hot springs that were formed and also regarded as health resorts.
The water in these springs is hot, but the pool all day is covered with white fog. The pools are located halfway up the mountain. The tourists visit these springs to soak in the pools for relaxation in the tranquil atmosphere.
Besides soaking in the hot springs, you should also not miss the visit to Lake Ashi. It is a volcanic lake covering an area of approximately 7 square kilometers. On a sunny day, guests visiting the lake by boat can see the famously stunning backdrop of Mount Fuji. When the snowy Mount Fuji is reflected in the pristine lake, the view is breathtaking.
Kamakura
Situated in Kanagawa Prefecture, Kamakura is one of the oldest cities in Japan, dating a thousand years ago. It is an ancient capital with natural beauty and a vibrant cultural environment because of its many historical sites and modern buildings. Kamakura is a Leisure City and tourist destination for relaxation. It is not a crowded city; hence people are never in a hurry here.
One of the historical sites that you should not miss visiting in Kamakura, famous for Buddhist carvings, is Hasedera Temple. It is devoted to the tallest wooden Buddha statue in Japan, as well as a nine-meter-tall Japanese wooden Guanyin statue with eleven faces. At Hasedera Temple, flowers bloom all year long. The June hydrangea is one of the most well-known varieties.
Kobe
Known as the birthplace of the famous Kobe beef, Kobe is another top must-visit attraction in Japan and is situated in western Japan. This coastal city was the first city to open ports for business. Hence, Kobe’s architecture, food, and culture have evolved over time as a result of economic and cultural exchanges with other cities.
One of the main reasons why tourists visit Kobe is to enjoy the Kobe beef. It is famous beef and not easy to come across. The reason why this meat is scarce is because it is tender, fresh, and has a top-notch taste.
Also, the number of cattle that can meet the quality of this meat is only around 3000 every year. Hence, tourists visit this city to taste Kobe beef because it is served in more restaurants here than anywhere else.
Other tourists’s attractions in Kobe include the Rokko Mountains. It is a famous tourist destination because of the plateau leisure resort and a unique museum that collects the largest automatic organ in the world, as well as a range of vintage eight-tone boxes and automatic instruments.
Rokko Mountains is also a great spot to take in the Kobe Port night views. Tourists that ascend to this location at night can enjoy the breathtaking view of Kobe’s illuminated cityscape.
