Everybody ought to discover Japan a minimum of as soon as of their lifetime. Japan has hundreds of hidden gems and is a year-round vacation spot. You may go to its ski resorts in winter or the gorgeous shoreline in summer season. And, regardless of the season, Japan’s cities are at all times able to welcome you with fascinating points of interest, scrumptious avenue meals, and bucket a great deal of tradition.
The true query is, which of the cities in Japan do you have to go to? In a super world, all of them. Nevertheless, this information will slim it all the way down to the best possible cities.
Discover Japan: The High Cities in Japan
Japan has some unimaginable cities. From Tokyo to Sapporo, these are the perfect cities in Japan on your subsequent journey. Let’s dive straight in.
1. Tokyo
Once you consider cities in Japan, it’s secure to say that Tokyo will likely be in your high three. Because the capital, Tokyo is among the main Japanese cities and attracts tens of millions of vacationers a 12 months. Additionally it is the biggest metropolis in Japan, with an estimated inhabitants of round 14 million folks.
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, procuring 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 recommend beginning with Tokyo Tower. Tokyo Tower could look acquainted, and it must be. The tower was closely impressed by the Eiffel Tower. Actually, the one distinction is that Tokyo Tower is 333 meters tall and purple and white.
Heading to the highest of the tower, you possibly can find out about 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 earth – so be ready to spend a minimum of a couple of hours amongst the clouds.
To understand Tokyo’s environment on the bottom, head to Golden Gai for a downtown vibe or Shibuya Crossing for a CBD expertise. Enable 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 powerful character, and the port metropolis has a industrial soul with heaps happening in any respect hours of day and night time. There’s at all times avenue meals to style, a bar to hop to, and points of interest to go to. Osaka is a superb place to go to when you love a mix of partying, enjoyable, and sightseeing. The town has numerous character and a stability of all the things – like a compromise with no sacrifice.
To understand the historical past of Osaka, a visit to Osaka Fortress must be in your itinerary. The Sixteenth-century fortress is surrounded by cherry bushes and a moat, and Osaka Fortress is among the prettiest locations to go to within the metropolis. Whereas, if you would like a day of light-hearted enjoyable, there’s Common Studios Japan to discover. The theme park has Hollywood-themed rides, and it’s conveniently positioned simply exterior 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 non secular grounds. We advocate visiting to totally expertise Japan’s stunning non secular tradition.
3. Kyoto
Tokyo may be the capital right this moment, 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 basic darkish wooden homes and loads of Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines. If you’re 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 may wander within the early morning for the quietest streets or at night time to see the cobbled roads lit by paper lanterns. Visiting the numerous temples of Kyoto can also be a must-do in your journey, particularly the Golden Pavilion. You may admire the Golden Pavilion from throughout its pond, being wowed by the golden tint that offers it its identify and recognition.
On the lookout for picturesque scenes? Head to the bamboo forest of Arashiyama or the purple columned walkways of the Fushimi Inari-Taisha Shrine. Kyoto is stuffed with gorgeous surroundings and eye-opening cultural points of interest. You may 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 explanation behind Hiroshima being some of the well-known cities in Japan is the atomic bombing that occurred in 1945. The US dropped an atomic bomb on the big metropolis, inflicting over 100,000 casualties. Guests to the town can now pay their respects to the victims and destruction at many memorable points of interest, 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 Fortress 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 points of interest.
5. Nagoya
Nagoya is thought 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 modern, industrial environment, ultimate for these eager to expertise the enterprise aspect of Japan.
Guests ought to tour the Toyota Exhibition Corridor to get a greater concept of automotive manufacturing in Japan. Nagoya Fortress 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 heaps happening, so don’t overlook to verify the town’s schedule. And, in your downtime, be certain to attempt some miso katsu – miso katsu is a regional specialty.
6. Saitama
Seeking to go to the actual aspect of Japan? Saitama is a primarily residential metropolis, excellent for getting a quieter expertise of Japan. Probably the greatest methods to expertise a rustic is by escaping its primary vacationer areas. Should you choose this model of journey, Saitama is the place for you. Many residents use Saitama as a commuter city, touring to Tokyo for work in the course of 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 may also take a sake tour across the metropolis – sampling the normal Japanese alcohol. Saitama is a phenomenal 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 key cities in Japan is Fukuoka. Fukuoka is legendary for its stunning islands and sits on the shoreline, surrounded by beautiful seashores excellent for a summer season getaway. The port metropolis is positioned in Fukuoka Prefecture. The prefecture capital is standard amongst younger professionals, college students, and companies.
The town’s primary points of interest are Fukuoka Fortress, Kyushu Nationwide Museum, and Dazaifu Tenman-gu, a shrine to the god of training. Fukuoka is a particular metropolis. Should you love an thrilling metropolis environment stuffed with motion, daring delicacies, and leisure, Fukuoka is ideal. It lacks the historical past of Kyoto and the recognition of Tokyo. Nonetheless, if you would like a enjoyable ‘second metropolis’, you’ll have a improbable time.
8. Nara
Nara is most well-known for its deer inhabitants. Should you’ve seen footage of Nara on-line, likelihood is 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. Nevertheless, now, Nara is healthier identified for its serene environment 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 would simply spend an entire day temple-hopping although, and Nara is stuffed with peaceable locations for guests to immerse themselves in Japan’s stunning tradition.
Nara can also be simple to mix with visiting different cities in Japan. Touring from Kyoto to Nara is only a quick practice trip, taking round 45 minutes a technique.
9. Nagasaki
Like Hiroshima, Nagasaki was sufferer to an atomic bomb in 1945. The devastation was heartbreaking, and guests will pay their respects right this moment at points of interest just like the Peace Park. Nagasaki has many different elements 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 gorgeous 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 aspect of Nagasaki’s historical past. The town has heaps so that you can be taught.
10. Sapporo
Do you acknowledge the identify Sapporo? The 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 the most effective 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 trip as much as the highest of the Sapporo TV Tower. There’s a improbable combination of points of interest in Sapporo. It has that metropolis buzz, with numerous big-city-style leisure and vacationer infrastructure.
Should you can, coincide your go to to Sapporo with the Snow Pageant. The winter competition is among the finest on the earth, 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 dwelling. This isn’t what bought Kobe its place on this information although; its meals scene is what makes it stand aside from Japan’s different finest cities. Kobe is world well-known for its Kobe beef and famend for its seafood. Should you go to Kobe, be ready to splash out on every day restaurant meals, as its delicacies is simply too tempting to go by.
We advise exploring Kitano Village to see Kobe’s old-school structure. In fact, when you stroll by a steakhouse, remember to pop in and seize a desk for a style of Kobe beef. Steak Aoyama is a small, family-run steakhouse with a superb repute for scrumptious meals and fairly affordable costs. End your day with a stroll across the harbor, with views of the fashionable skyline lighting up after darkish.
Acquired a bit of additional time? Hike up Mount Rokko. Mount Rokko overshadows the town as a phenomenal 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 may 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 good outdoor. Guests can simply stability mountaineering days and outside actions with sightseeing within the Nikko metropolis middle.
In relation to issues to do in Nikko, the Shinko Bridge is a should. The long-lasting purple bridge is the postcard picture of Nikko, and you need to add it to even the shortest of itineraries. We additionally advocate spending a minimum of a day temple hopping. Exterior of Nikko, Kegon Falls is improbable to go to. And, when you get an opportunity, take a scenic boat tour down the Kinugawa River.
Nikko is gorgeous. To get off the overwhelmed observe and encompass your self with nature, look no additional. Nikko has a serenity that the key 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 big metropolis known as ‘the water metropolis’, because of its location between the ocean and Lake Shinji. Mastue is much less standard than main cities like Tokyo, however those that stray off the overwhelmed path will likely be richly rewarded. Matsue is stuffed with feudal historical past, historic websites, and delightful surroundings.
The very best issues to do are to go to Matsue Fortress, 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 environment and is a superb summer season vacation spot. It is among the finest cities to unwind and be taught on the identical journey.
14. Beppu
Beppu isn’t at all times included in lists of the perfect cities in Japan. Positive, Beppu isn’t one in all Japan’s main cities. Nevertheless, it is among the nation’s most fun locations to go to. Beppu is a geologist’s delight and the perfect vacation spot for decent springs in Japan. In order for you a spa getaway or simply to expertise the pure wonders in Japan, Beppu is value visiting.
Since Beppu has over 2,000 sizzling spring sources, you’ll have numerous spa-related issues to do within the metropolis. You may select heated mineral springs or bathe in nutrient-rich heated mud or sand baths. You would even steam your personal meals over the onsen steam.
Need one thing completely totally 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 value an area in your itinerary.
Last Ideas
There are such a lot of wonderful 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 shortly discover a metropolis to fit your wants and pursuits. Moreover, all of those cities in Japan are value visiting.
We hope that you’ve a beautiful go to to Japan. The nation is bound to encourage a return go to, so put together to fall in love.