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 road meals, and bucket a great deal of tradition.
The true query is, which of the cities in Japan must you go to? In an excellent world, all of them. Nevertheless, this information will slender it all the way down to the best possible cities.
Discover Japan: The Prime Cities in Japan
Japan has some unimaginable cities. From Tokyo to Sapporo, these are one of the best cities in Japan to 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 without doubt one of the main Japanese cities and attracts thousands and thousands of vacationers a yr. It is usually the most important metropolis in Japan, with an estimated inhabitants of round 14 million individuals.
Assume 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 measurement of town is thrilling in itself.
So, the place do you start? What are the greatest issues to do in Tokyo? Nicely, after visiting town a couple of occasions we propose beginning with Tokyo Tower. Tokyo Tower could look acquainted, and it ought to be. The tower was closely impressed by the Eiffel Tower. The truth is, the one distinction is that Tokyo Tower is 333 meters tall and purple and white.
Heading to the highest of the tower, you’ll be able to study Tokyo’s architectural historical past en route, ending with a spectacular view of the gorgeous metropolis beneath. 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 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 considered one of Japan’s giant cities. Osaka has a powerful character, and the port metropolis has a industrial soul with heaps occurring in any respect hours of day and night time. There’s all the time road meals to style, a bar to hop to, and sights to go to. Osaka is a good place to go to if you happen to love a combination of partying, enjoyable, and sightseeing. The town has plenty of persona and a stability of every thing – like a compromise with no sacrifice.
To understand the historical past of Osaka, a visit to Osaka Citadel ought to be in your itinerary. The Sixteenth-century fort is surrounded by cherry timber and a moat, and Osaka Citadel is without doubt one of the prettiest locations to go to within the metropolis. Whereas, if you need 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 dwelling of considered one of 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 lovely non secular tradition.
3. Kyoto
Tokyo may be the capital in the present day, however Kyoto was as soon as the nation’s capital. Within the heart of the Kansai area, Kyoto is considered one of Japan’s most conventional cities. In Kyoto, you’ll discover traditional darkish wooden homes and loads of Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines. If you’re chasing tradition and custom, Kyoto is a good place to discover in Japan.
To expertise the standard 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 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 provides it its title and recognition.
In search of 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 sights. You possibly can learn extra in our guides on the greatest locations and issues to do in Kyoto.
4. Hiroshima
Hiroshima is a reputation not many overlook. Sadly, the explanation behind Hiroshima being probably the most 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 town can now pay their respects to the victims and destruction at many memorable sights, together with the Peace Park.
There’s 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 Citadel 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 town’s number of sights.
5. Nagoya
Nagoya is understood for manufacturing and delivery and is the capital of the Aichi Prefecture. Have you ever heard of Honda? Toyota? Mitsubishi? All of those huge automotive manufacturers have been developed in Nagoya. Nagoya has an progressive, industrial environment, perfect for these desirous 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 Citadel is nice for a historic introduction to Nagoya. There are additionally one-off occasions in Nagoya just like the Nagoya Sumo Event in July, the Nagoya Matsuri pageant in October, and the World Cosplay Summit in July and August.
Nagoya has heaps occurring, so don’t overlook to examine town’s schedule. And, in your downtime, be sure that 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. The most effective methods to expertise a rustic is by escaping its fundamental vacationer areas. When 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 progress of pink moss. For many who like tasting classes, you may also take a sake tour across the metropolis – sampling the standard Japanese alcohol. Saitama is a wonderful place to go to, not too distant from the opposite main cities however far sufficient away to flee the fixed buzz.
7. Fukuoka
One other of the most important cities in Japan is Fukuoka. Fukuoka is known for its lovely islands and sits on the shoreline, surrounded by attractive seashores good for a summer time getaway. The port metropolis is positioned in Fukuoka Prefecture. The prefecture capital is common amongst younger professionals, college students, and companies.
The town’s fundamental sights are Fukuoka Citadel, Kyushu Nationwide Museum, and Dazaifu Tenman-gu, a shrine to the god of schooling. Fukuoka is a particular metropolis. When you love an thrilling metropolis environment filled with motion, daring delicacies, and leisure, Fukuoka is ideal. It lacks the historical past of Kyoto and the recognition of Tokyo. Nonetheless, if you need 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. Nevertheless, now, Nara is best recognized 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 possibly can simply spend a complete day temple-hopping although, and Nara is stuffed with peaceable locations for guests to immerse themselves in Japan’s lovely tradition.
Nara can be straightforward to mix with visiting different cities in Japan. Touring from Kyoto to Nara is only a quick prepare experience, 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 in the present day at sights just like the Peace Park. Nagasaki has many different features that make it an academic vacation spot although. Nagasaki is without doubt one of the largest port cities in Japan and has an extended 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, if you’re prepared, you’ll be able to go to the Atomic Hypocenter Park and Peace Park to find the darker facet of Nagasaki’s historical past. The town has heaps so that you can be taught.
10. Sapporo
Do you acknowledge the title Sapporo? The town of Sapporo simply occurs to be the namesake (and birthplace) of considered one of Japan’s most well-known beer manufacturers. Sapporo is the capital of the Hokkaido Prefecture and is definitely probably the greatest 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 experience 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 plenty of big-city-style leisure and vacationer infrastructure.
When you can, coincide your go to to Sapporo with the Snow Competition. The winter pageant is without doubt one of the greatest on the planet, and the winter wonderland spreads 1.5 km – filled with ice sculptures, an ice skating rink, and sledding areas.
11. Kobe
Kobe is considered one of Japan’s largest port cities, starting to overflow with glitzy skyscrapers and fashionable residing. This isn’t what acquired Kobe its place on this information although; its meals scene is what makes it stand aside from Japan’s different greatest 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 day by day restaurant meals, as its delicacies is simply too tempting to go by.
We recommend exploring Kitano Village to see Kobe’s old-school structure. After all, if you happen to stroll by a steakhouse, be sure you pop in and seize a desk for a style of Kobe beef. Steak Aoyama is a small, family-run steakhouse with a wonderful popularity for scrumptious meals and fairly cheap costs. End your day with a stroll across the harbor, with views of the fashionable skyline lighting up after darkish.
Received a bit of additional time? Hike up Mount Rokko. Mount Rokko overshadows town as a wonderful however fierce pure landmark. There are a number of route choices so check out which most accurately fits your health and technical talents.
12. Nikko
Nikko is without doubt one of the smallest cities in Japan. Located within the Tochigi Prefecture, Nikko is surrounded by the Japanese Alps. It is without doubt one of the most lovely locations to go to within the nation – not to mention simply amongst Japan’s greatest cities.
You possibly can discover Nikko itself or use 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 climbing days and outside actions with sightseeing within the Nikko metropolis heart.
In terms of issues to do in Nikko, the Shinko Bridge is a should. The enduring purple bridge is the postcard picture of Nikko, and you must add it to even the shortest of itineraries. We additionally advocate spending no less than a day temple hopping. Outdoors of Nikko, Kegon Falls is implausible to go to. And, if you happen to 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 most important cities in Japan simply can’t present. We stayed in a standard Ryokan in Nikko, and you may 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’, due to its location between the ocean and Lake Shinji. Mastue is much less common than main cities like Tokyo, however those that stray off the crushed path will likely be richly rewarded. Matsue is stuffed with feudal historical past, historic websites, and delightful surroundings.
One of the best issues to do are to go to Matsue Citadel, 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’ll be able to take a sundown cruise on Lake Shinji.
Matsue has a calming environment and is a wonderful summer time vacation spot. It is without doubt one of the greatest 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. Positive, Beppu isn’t considered one of Japan’s main cities. Nevertheless, it is without doubt one of the nation’s most fun locations to go to. Beppu is a geologist’s delight and one of the best vacation spot for decent springs in Japan. If you need a spa getaway or simply to expertise the pure wonders in Japan, Beppu is price visiting.
Since Beppu has over 2,000 sizzling spring sources, you’ll have plenty 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 possibly can even steam your personal 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 without doubt one of the greatest cities in Japan for a brief getaway and is unquestionably price an area in your itinerary.
Ultimate 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. In addition to, all of those cities in Japan are price visiting.
We hope that you’ve an exquisite go to to Japan. The nation is certain to encourage a return go to, so put together to fall in love.
