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Everybody ought to discover Japan no less than as soon as of their lifetime. Japan has hundreds of hidden gems and is a year-round vacation spot. You possibly can go to its ski resorts in winter or the gorgeous shoreline in summer time. And, regardless of the season, Japan’s cities are all the time able to welcome you with fascinating sights, scrumptious avenue meals, and bucket a great deal of tradition.
The actual query is, which of the cities in Japan do you have to go to? In a perfect world, all of them. Nonetheless, this information will slender it right down to the very best cities.
Discover Japan: The Prime Cities in Japan
Japan has some unbelievable cities. From Tokyo to Sapporo, these are one of the best cities in Japan on your subsequent journey. Let’s dive straight in.
1. Tokyo
Whenever you consider cities in Japan, it’s secure to say that Tokyo might be in your prime three. Because the capital, Tokyo is among the main Japanese cities and attracts tens of millions of vacationers a 12 months. It’s also the most important metropolis in Japan, with an estimated inhabitants of round 14 million individuals.
Suppose busy streets, fast-paced leisure, and flashing neon lights – Tokyo is hectic however thrilling. Tokyo is the place to go to if you wish to be proper within the thick of all of the motion, with loads of museums to tour, purchasing to bag, and enjoyable available. The sheer dimension of the town is thrilling in itself.
So, the place do you start? What are the finest issues to do in Tokyo? Nicely, after visiting the town a couple of occasions we propose beginning with Tokyo Tower. Tokyo Tower could look acquainted, and it needs to be. The tower was closely impressed by the Eiffel Tower. Actually, the one distinction is that Tokyo Tower is 333 meters tall and pink and white.
Heading to the highest of the tower, you possibly can study Tokyo’s architectural historical past en route, ending with a spectacular view of the gorgeous metropolis under. Close by, there’s additionally Tokyo Skytree which stands at a dizzying 634 meters and is the tallest tower on the planet – so be ready to spend no less than a couple of hours amongst the clouds.
To understand Tokyo’s ambiance on the bottom, head to Golden Gai for a downtown vibe or Shibuya Crossing for a CBD expertise. Permit time to go to museums just like the Mori Artwork Museum, Japan Olympic Museum, and NHL Museum of Broadcasting.
2. Osaka
Osaka is one other one in all Japan’s giant cities. Osaka has a robust character, and the port metropolis has a business soul with tons happening in any respect hours of day and night time. There’s all the time avenue meals to style, a bar to hop to, and sights to go to. Osaka is a superb place to go to in the event you love a combination of partying, enjoyable, and sightseeing. Town has a lot of character and a stability of every thing – like a compromise with no sacrifice.
To understand the historical past of Osaka, a visit to Osaka Fort needs to be in your itinerary. The Sixteenth-century fort is surrounded by cherry timber and a moat, and Osaka Fort is among the prettiest locations to go to within the metropolis. Whereas, in order for you a day of light-hearted enjoyable, there’s Common Studios Japan to discover. The theme park has Hollywood-themed rides, and it’s conveniently situated simply outdoors the middle of Osaka.
Lastly, Osaka is the well-known residence of one in all Japan’s oldest Shinto shrines. Sumiyoshi Taisha is a well-liked Shinto shrine to go to – on tourism or spiritual grounds. We advocate visiting to completely expertise Japan’s stunning spiritual tradition.
3. Kyoto
Tokyo is likely to be the capital as we speak, however Kyoto was as soon as the nation’s capital. Within the middle of the Kansai area, Kyoto is one in all Japan’s most conventional cities. In Kyoto, you’ll discover traditional darkish wooden homes and loads of Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines. In case you are chasing tradition and custom, Kyoto is a superb place to discover in Japan.
To expertise the normal streets lined by wood homes, head to Gion. You possibly can wander within the early morning for the quietest streets or at night time to see the cobbled roads lit by paper lanterns. Visiting the various temples of Kyoto can also be a must-do in your journey, particularly the Golden Pavilion. You possibly can admire the Golden Pavilion from throughout its pond, being wowed by the golden tint that offers it its identify and recognition.
In search of picturesque scenes? Head to the bamboo forest of Arashiyama or the pink columned walkways of the Fushimi Inari-Taisha Shrine. Kyoto is filled with beautiful surroundings and eye-opening cultural sights. You possibly can learn extra in our guides on the finest locations and issues to do in Kyoto.
4. Hiroshima
Hiroshima is a reputation not many overlook. Sadly, the rationale behind Hiroshima being one of the crucial well-known cities in Japan is the atomic bombing that occurred in 1945. The US dropped an atomic bomb on the massive metropolis, inflicting over 100,000 casualties. Guests to the town can now pay their respects to the victims and destruction at many memorable sights, together with the Peace Park.
There may be a lot to understand about Hiroshima in its personal proper, although. Meals lovers ought to pattern the Japanese pancake, nicknamed Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki. There’s additionally Hiroshima Fort to tour and Shukkei-en scenic backyard to walk. Hiroshima’s tradition and historical past haven’t been tainted by the tragic atomic bomb, and also you’ll love the town’s number of sights.
5. Nagoya
Nagoya is understood for manufacturing and transport and is the capital of the Aichi Prefecture. Have you ever heard of Honda? Toyota? Mitsubishi? All of those large automotive manufacturers had been developed in Nagoya. Nagoya has an progressive, industrial ambiance, ultimate for these eager to expertise the enterprise facet of Japan.
Guests ought to tour the Toyota Exhibition Corridor to get a greater thought of automotive manufacturing in Japan. Nagoya Fort is nice for a historic introduction to Nagoya. There are additionally one-off occasions in Nagoya just like the Nagoya Sumo Match in July, the Nagoya Matsuri competition in October, and the World Cosplay Summit in July and August.
Nagoya has tons happening, so don’t overlook to examine the town’s schedule. And, in your downtime, ensure to strive some miso katsu – miso katsu is a regional specialty.
6. Saitama
Seeking to go to the actual facet of Japan? Saitama is a primarily residential metropolis, good for getting a quieter expertise of Japan. Probably the greatest methods to expertise a rustic is by escaping its foremost vacationer areas. When you favor this fashion of journey, Saitama is the place for you. Many residents use Saitama as a commuter city, touring to Tokyo for work throughout the week.
So, what’s there to see in Saitama? Hitsujiiyama Park is a beautiful place to go to and is famed for its carpet-like development of pink moss. For individuals who like tasting periods, you too can take a sake tour across the metropolis – sampling the normal Japanese alcohol. Saitama is a wonderful place to go to, not too far-off from the opposite main cities however far sufficient away to flee the fixed buzz.
7. Fukuoka
One other of the main cities in Japan is Fukuoka. Fukuoka is known for its stunning islands and sits on the shoreline, surrounded by beautiful seashores good for a summer time getaway. The port metropolis is situated in Fukuoka Prefecture. The prefecture capital is well-liked amongst younger professionals, college students, and companies.
Town’s foremost sights are Fukuoka Fort, Kyushu Nationwide Museum, and Dazaifu Tenman-gu, a shrine to the god of training. Fukuoka is a particular metropolis. When you love an thrilling metropolis ambiance stuffed with motion, daring delicacies, and leisure, Fukuoka is ideal. It lacks the historical past of Kyoto and the recognition of Tokyo. Nonetheless, in order for you a enjoyable ‘second metropolis’, you’ll have a implausible time.
8. Nara
Nara is most well-known for its deer inhabitants. When you’ve seen footage of Nara on-line, chances are high you’ve seen the idyllic temple scenes. The temples are surrounded by inexperienced house and Bambi-look-a-likes – cute, we all know. Like Kyoto, Nara was additionally as soon as a capital metropolis. Nonetheless, now, Nara is healthier identified for its serene ambiance and regal historical past.
The highest issues to do in Nara are to go to Nara Deer Park, Todai-Ji Temple, and Tamukeyama Hachimangu Shrine. You can simply spend an entire day temple-hopping although, and Nara is filled with peaceable locations for guests to immerse themselves in Japan’s stunning tradition.
Nara can also be straightforward to mix with visiting different cities in Japan. Touring from Kyoto to Nara is only a quick prepare journey, taking round 45 minutes a method.
9. Nagasaki
Like Hiroshima, Nagasaki was sufferer to an atomic bomb in 1945. The devastation was heartbreaking, and guests will pay their respects as we speak at sights just like the Peace Park. Nagasaki has many different facets that make it an academic vacation spot although. Nagasaki is among the largest port cities in Japan and has a protracted historical past of buying and selling with Europe.
The result’s a fusion of European and Japanese tradition and affect. You’ll discover Christian websites like Oura Cathedral amongst the gathering of beautiful shrines and temples. To immerse your self within the historical past of Japan’s worldwide relations, you actually can’t discover a higher place.
Then, whenever you’re prepared, you possibly can go to the Atomic Hypocenter Park and Peace Park to find the darker facet of Nagasaki’s historical past. Town has tons so that you can be taught.
10. Sapporo
Do you acknowledge the identify Sapporo? Town of Sapporo simply occurs to be the namesake (and birthplace) of one in all Japan’s most well-known beer manufacturers. Sapporo is the capital of the Hokkaido Prefecture and is definitely among the finest cities in Japan. Located on Japan’s Northern Island, Sapporo is well-combined with a go to to Tokyo.
Guests can tour the Sapporo Beer Museum or journey as much as the highest of the Sapporo TV Tower. There’s a implausible combination of sights in Sapporo. It has that metropolis buzz, with a lot of big-city-style leisure and vacationer infrastructure.
When you can, coincide your go to to Sapporo with the Snow Competition. The winter competition is among the finest on the planet, and the winter wonderland spreads 1.5 km – stuffed with ice sculptures, an ice skating rink, and sledding areas.
11. Kobe
Kobe is one in all Japan’s largest port cities, starting to overflow with glitzy skyscrapers and trendy residing. This isn’t what obtained Kobe its place on this information although; its meals scene is what makes it stand other than Japan’s different finest cities. Kobe is world well-known for its Kobe beef and famend for its seafood. When you go to Kobe, be ready to splash out on each day restaurant meals, as its delicacies is just too tempting to move by.
We recommend exploring Kitano Village to see Kobe’s old-school structure. After all, in the event you stroll by a steakhouse, make sure to pop in and seize a desk for a style of Kobe beef. Steak Aoyama is a small, family-run steakhouse with a superb status for scrumptious meals and fairly affordable costs. End your day with a stroll across the harbor, with views of the trendy skyline lighting up after darkish.
Bought a bit of additional time? Hike up Mount Rokko. Mount Rokko overshadows the town as a wonderful however fierce pure landmark. There are a selection of route choices so check out which most accurately fits your health and technical talents.
12. Nikko
Nikko is among the smallest cities in Japan. Located within the Tochigi Prefecture, Nikko is surrounded by the Japanese Alps. It is among the most stunning locations to go to within the nation – not to mention simply amongst Japan’s finest cities.
You possibly can discover Nikko itself or use the town as a gateway to Nikko Nationwide Park. You’ll discover temples, monkeys, and pure surroundings galore. Nikko is ideal for lovers of the nice outdoor. Guests can simply stability mountain climbing days and outside actions with sightseeing within the Nikko metropolis middle.
In the case of issues to do in Nikko, the Shinko Bridge is a should. The long-lasting pink bridge is the postcard picture of Nikko, and you need to add it to even the shortest of itineraries. We additionally advocate spending no less than a day temple hopping. Exterior of Nikko, Kegon Falls is implausible to go to. And, in the event you get an opportunity, take a scenic boat tour down the Kinugawa River.
Nikko is gorgeous. To get off the crushed observe and encompass your self with nature, look no additional. Nikko has a serenity that the main cities in Japan simply can’t present. We stayed in a standard Ryokan in Nikko, and you’ll examine our expertise right here.
13. Matsue
Matsue is within the Shimane Prefecture on the southwest coast of Japan. The massive metropolis is named ‘the water metropolis’, because of its location between the ocean and Lake Shinji. Mastue is much less well-liked than main cities like Tokyo, however those that stray off the crushed path might be richly rewarded. Matsue is filled with feudal historical past, historic websites, and delightful surroundings.
The very best issues to do are to go to Matsue Fort, the Adachi Museum of Artwork, and one of many shrines. The Yaegaki and Miho shrines are each well-known for his or her magnificence. Whereas, if you wish to embrace the water actions of ‘the water metropolis’, you possibly can take a sundown cruise on Lake Shinji.
Matsue has a soothing ambiance and is a wonderful summer time vacation spot. It is among the finest cities to unwind and be taught on the identical journey.
14. Beppu
Beppu isn’t all the time included in lists of one of the best cities in Japan. Certain, Beppu isn’t one in all Japan’s main cities. Nonetheless, it is among the nation’s most fun locations to go to. Beppu is a geologist’s delight and one of the best vacation spot for warm springs in Japan. If you’d like a spa getaway or simply to expertise the pure wonders in Japan, Beppu is price visiting.
Since Beppu has over 2,000 scorching spring sources, you’ll have a lot of spa-related issues to do within the metropolis. You possibly can select heated mineral springs or bathe in nutrient-rich heated mud or sand baths. You can even steam your individual meals over the onsen steam.
Need one thing completely completely different? Take a cable automobile journey up the Beppu Ropeway or go to the Harmonyland theme park. Beppe is among the finest cities in Japan for a brief getaway and is unquestionably price an area in your itinerary.
Last Ideas
There are such a lot of superb cities in Japan. The nation is a treasure trove of fascinating city scenes, and also you’ll discover a distinctive tradition, traditions, and scrumptious meals. Whether or not you need the neon lights of Tokyo or the blue waters of the ocean by Fukuoka, you’ll rapidly discover a metropolis to fit your wants and pursuits. Moreover, all of those cities in Japan are price visiting.
We hope that you’ve got a beautiful go to to Japan. The nation is certain to encourage a return go to, so put together to fall in love.
Plan Your Subsequent Journey to Japan With These Assets:
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