Top 7 places to visit in Japan

Japan is a real feast for tourists, serving up bustling megacities, sleepy beach-lined islands, and Onsen (hot spring) villages on the slopes of mountains. Even though you could probably spend your entire life discovering all that Japan has to offer, there are a few cities and places that are a must-see on any trip there. Here’s our pick of the 7 top places to visit in Japan.

Tokyo

Tokyo is Japan’s capital city and the world’s largest city. It’s a metropolis bustling with life during all hours of the day, so if you’re looking for peace, Tokyo isn’t for you! But if you want to experience an incredible mix of modernity, traditional culture, food, nature, and more—this is it!

Tokyo offers endless possibilities for sightseeing. The city has over 100 museums (including one dedicated entirely to Pokémon!) and several temples and shrines rich with history. There are many parks where you can relax or play sports like baseball or kendo; there’s even a theme park called Tokyo Disneyland which will transport you into another world filled with fairytales and fun rides.

Kyoto

Kyoto is the former capital of Japan. It is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the country, and for good reason. Kyoto’s historic sites are well preserved, including beautiful gardens and temples that have been around for centuries. The city is also home to several museums, which display pieces from some of these ancient structures.

Geisha are frequent at tea ceremonies or cultural events in Kyoto. If you’re lucky enough to see them, they’ll alter your trip forever. If you love history and culture, then we highly recommend visiting this beautiful city!

Mt Fuji

Mt Fuji is perhaps the most famous mountain in Japan. It is a dormant volcano, and at 3776 meters, it’s the highest mountain in Japan. Since July 7, 1927, Mt. Fuji has had a national park designation. It is located halfway between Tokyo and Shizuoka Prefecture and is part of the Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park.

You can enjoy hiking around Mt Fuji if you want to be active while visiting this place. The best time to climb up from Kawaguchiko 5th Station to the summit is around late July or early August, warmer than other seasons because there are fewer clouds during these months.

Yakushima

This is one of the most beautiful places to visit in Japan. Yakushima is a small island south of Kyushu, one of the four main islands that make up Japan. It’s popular with tourists for its beautiful scenery and abundance of nature and wildlife. Since the island is relatively small (just over 1000 square kilometers), it’s easy to explore on foot or by bicycle if you’re so inclined. Hiking trails lead through forests and volcanic craters where you can see monkeys, shelducks, wild boars and many more native species in their natural habitat.

Koya-san

Japan’s Wakayama Prefecture is home to the small town of Koya-san. It is a significant location for the Shingon Buddhist sect, built in 816 AD by Kukai (also known as Kobo Daishi). Koya-san. It holds many temples and shrines, including Mitate-ji Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Koyasan is known worldwide for its beautiful surroundings as well as high mountains such as Yoshino-zaka (Yoshino Mountain Pass), Myojinyama (Myojin Mountain), and Yudono-dake surrounding it (Yudono Peak). These locations are ideal for you if you want to enjoy hiking or mountain climbing while you are in the area.

Okinawa and the Southern Islands

Okinawa is the largest island in the Ryukyu archipelago, about 600 miles from Tokyo. It’s famous for its subtropical climate and beaches and is home to numerous World War II sites. Okinawa is also an important location for military bases and training grounds for U.S. troops stationed in Japan. Suppose you’re looking for a tropical getaway not far from Tokyo. In that case, it’s worth visiting Okinawa or one of its many southern islands like Miyakojima or Amami Oshima, both known primarily for their coral reefs and beaches—some say that they rival those found on actual tropical islands.

Osaka

Osaka is Japan’s third largest city, but it’s also the largest in the Kansai region of western Honshu. It’s famous for its food (Osaka is known as “the kitchen of Japan”), culture, and history.

The city has endured some difficult times; in 1615, an earthquake nearly destroyed it, and fire almost decimated the town in World War II. Nevertheless, Osaka was meticulously rebuilt after every disaster and is still one of the most exciting cities in Japan to visit today.

Key takeaways

• Japan is a safe and beautiful country that has a rich culture. There are many things to do in Japan, such as visiting the famous cities of Tokyo and Kyoto.
• Japan has many temples and shrines, so this might be the ideal location for you if you want to visit them.
• Japan has many places to visit outside of the cities with beautiful views and nature trails where they grow rice fields during most seasons throughout the year except wintertime when everything gets covered with snow.
• Japan is a country that offers so much to see, do and experience. Whether you are looking for traditional culture or want to experience the latest trends in fashion and technology, Japan has something for everyone. 

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FAQs

Q1. Where should I go for the first time in Japan?

Ans. When visiting Japan for the first time, you should unquestionably go to the major tourist destinations like Tokyo, Kyoto, and/or Osaka. You can also travel to some remote areas, including some stunning islands like Hokkaido and Okinawa!

Q2. Is it expensive to visit Japan?

Ans. In general, visitors to Japan will spend between 12,000 and 15,000 yen, or roughly $110 and 140, per day. It’s very simple to spend money here if your budget is flexible, but even on a tighter budget, you can still have a great time.

Q3. Why is Japan a popular travel destination?

Ans. One of the oldest civilizations, Japan has a stunning and interesting history. The breathtaking, diverse landscape, which the Japanese love for its mountains and breathtaking views, offers so many different experiences that draw travelers from all over the world.

WRITTEN BY

Aastha

Sr. Content Writer

Aastha Arya is a Senior Content Writer at iSchoolConnect who writes about topics covering study abroad trends, exclusive news updates and prolific college courses. She has a 4-year of experience in this field and also likes to keep tabs on recent events, visa policy changes, and many other concerns that affect international students.

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