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Japan is a country in East Asia which is made up of 4 main islands,
- Hokkaido.
- Honshu (this is the largest of the islands and this is where Tokyo is located)
- Shikoku.
- Kyushu
It is very much on many peoples ‘must visit’ list as it has a unique culture and plenty for the tourist to see and experience. There are temples to visit, water gardens, palaces, spas, parks, and museums, there really is something for everyone. Parts of Japan are very mountainous, making it also very scenic and a place not only for sightseeing but for walking and hiking too.
INCREDIBLE Places to Visit in Japan [March 2019 • Insider Guide!]
Japan’s Top 10 must visit places
Tokyo
Tokyo is the capital of Japan and you will find everything that you can imagine you would find in a large capital city. Bars, restaurants offering varied cuisine, shopping experiences, nightlife, and an amazingly cosmopolitan experience. Tokyo is a busy, moving city with its own cultural diversities. It is an efficiently run city combining modern with traditional and well worth a visit. Don’t forget to have a visit to Ueno Park which is located in the Taitō district of Tokyo.
Mount Fuji
Mount Fuji is an active volcano located around 100km from Tokyo. From July through September, it is possible to climb Mount Fuji and there are also buses which run to take the less ambitious climber part way up, allowing for a shorter walk to the summit. The scenery can be spectacular.
Kyoto
Kyoto once had its place as the capital of Japan. It is known for its Buddhist temples, tea ceremonies, and palaces.
Osaka
Osaka has some wonderful architecture and some excellent food options. It is also lively and a go-to place for nightlife in Japan.
Sapporo
Sapporo is famous for the snow festival which takes place in February. The winter Olympic games were held here in 1972.
Nara
Nara houses some of Japan’s oldest and most treasured temples. It is around a one hour drive from Kyoto and Osaka.
Ishigaki
Here you will find some of Japan’s best beaches. Ishigaki has plenty of nightlife and it is a destination that is popular with the family market.
Hokkaido
Hokkaido is to the north of Japan and it is well known for its snowfall and below zero weather conditions. It attracts those looking for snow sports in the cold season, it can be a paradise for skiers and snowboarders and it attracts walkers and cyclists outwith the cold season. It remains cooler all year round compared with other parts of Japan.
Yakushima
Famous for its hot springs, cedar trees, and hiking, Yakushima is unspoiled and offers the traveler a very unique experience, a world away from the hustle and bustle of many of Japan’s thriving, larger cities. It has been designated a Unesco world heritage site and it received that status during the early ‘90s.
Yokohama
Yokohama is Japan’s second large city. There are numerous shopping malls and it is within a 30-minute commute of Tokyo.