14 Greatest Cities in Japan To Go to This 12 months

Everybody ought to discover Japan not less than as soon as of their lifetime. Japan has 1000’s 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 season. And, regardless of the season, Japan’s cities are at all times 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 an excellent world, all of them. Nonetheless, this information will slender 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 one of the best cities in Japan on your subsequent journey. Let’s dive straight in.

1. Tokyo

If you consider cities in Japan, it’s secure to say that Tokyo will probably be in your high three. Because the capital, Tokyo is among the main Japanese cities and attracts hundreds of thousands of vacationers a yr. It is usually 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, buying to bag, and enjoyable available. The sheer measurement of town is thrilling in itself.

So, the place do you start? What are the finest issues to do in Tokyo? Effectively, after visiting town a couple of occasions we advise beginning with Tokyo Tower. Tokyo Tower might look acquainted, and it needs to be. The tower was closely impressed by the Eiffel Tower. In truth, the one distinction is that Tokyo Tower is 333 meters tall and crimson and white.

Heading to the highest of the tower, you may 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 not 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 every of Japan’s massive cities. Osaka has a powerful character, and the port metropolis has a business soul with tons occurring in any respect hours of day and evening. There’s at all times avenue meals to style, a bar to hop to, and sights to go to. Osaka is a superb place to go to for those who love a combination of partying, enjoyable, and sightseeing. Town has a lot of character and a steadiness of every thing – like a compromise with no sacrifice.

To understand the historical past of Osaka, a visit to Osaka Fortress needs to 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, 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 dwelling of one in every of 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 totally expertise Japan’s lovely spiritual tradition.

3. Kyoto

Tokyo is likely to be the capital at this time, however Kyoto was as soon as the nation’s capital. Within the heart of the Kansai area, Kyoto is one in every 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 superb place to discover in Japan.

To expertise the standard streets lined by picket homes, head to Gion. You possibly can wander within the early morning for the quietest streets or at evening 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 identify and recognition.

Searching for picturesque scenes? Head to the bamboo forest of Arashiyama or the crimson columned walkways of the Fushimi Inari-Taisha Shrine. Kyoto is stuffed 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 neglect. Sadly, the explanation behind Hiroshima being one 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 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 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 town’s number of sights.

5. Nagoya

Nagoya is thought 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 ambiance, ideally suited 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 Fortress 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 tons occurring, so don’t neglect to test town’s schedule. And, in your downtime, be certain that to strive some miso katsu – miso katsu is a regional specialty.

6. Saitama

Trying to go to the actual facet 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 principal vacationer areas. In the event 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 through 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 individuals who like tasting periods, you may as well take a sake tour across the metropolis – sampling the standard Japanese alcohol. Saitama is a ravishing 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 foremost cities in Japan is Fukuoka. Fukuoka is known for its lovely islands and sits on the shoreline, surrounded by attractive seashores excellent for a summer season getaway. The port metropolis is situated in Fukuoka Prefecture. The prefecture capital is widespread amongst younger professionals, college students, and companies.

Town’s principal sights are Fukuoka Fortress, Kyushu Nationwide Museum, and Dazaifu Tenman-gu, a shrine to the god of training. Fukuoka is a particular metropolis. In the event 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 improbable time.

8. Nara

Nara is most well-known for its deer inhabitants. In the event 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 recognized 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 would simply spend an entire 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 brief 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 at this time at sights 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 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, if you’re prepared, you may 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 study.

10. Sapporo

Do you acknowledge the identify Sapporo? Town of Sapporo simply occurs to be the namesake (and birthplace) of one in every of Japan’s most well-known beer manufacturers. Sapporo is the capital of the Hokkaido Prefecture and is well top-of-the-line 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 sights in Sapporo. It has that metropolis buzz, with a lot of big-city-style leisure and vacationer infrastructure.

In the event you can, coincide your go to to Sapporo with the Snow Competition. The winter pageant 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 every of Japan’s largest port cities, starting to overflow with glitzy skyscrapers and trendy dwelling. This isn’t what acquired 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. In the event you go to Kobe, be ready to splash out on each day restaurant meals, as its delicacies is simply too tempting to cross by.

We advise exploring Kitano Village to see Kobe’s old-school structure. In fact, for those who stroll by a steakhouse, you should definitely pop in and seize a desk for a style of Kobe beef. Steak Aoyama is a small, family-run steakhouse with a wonderful status for scrumptious meals and fairly cheap 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 town as a ravishing however fierce pure landmark. There are a number of route choices so check out which most closely 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 lovely locations to go to within the nation – not to mention simply amongst Japan’s finest 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 nice outdoor. Guests can simply steadiness mountain climbing days and out of doors actions with sightseeing within the Nikko metropolis heart.

Relating to issues to do in Nikko, the Shinko Bridge is a should. The long-lasting crimson bridge is the postcard picture of Nikko, and you must add it to even the shortest of itineraries. We additionally advocate spending not less than a day temple hopping. Exterior of Nikko, Kegon Falls is improbable to go to. And, for those who get an opportunity, take a scenic boat tour down the Kinugawa River.

Nikko is gorgeous. To get off the overwhelmed monitor and encompass your self with nature, look no additional. Nikko has a serenity that the foremost 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 is known as ‘the water metropolis’, due to its location between the ocean and Lake Shinji. Mastue is much less widespread than main cities like Tokyo, however those that stray off the overwhelmed path will probably be richly rewarded. Matsue is stuffed with feudal historical past, historic websites, and exquisite surroundings.

One of the 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 may take a sundown cruise on Lake Shinji.

Matsue has a calming ambiance and is a wonderful summer season vacation spot. It is among the finest cities to unwind and study on the identical journey.

14. Beppu

Beppu isn’t at all times included in lists of one of the best cities in Japan. Positive, Beppu isn’t one in every of 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 value visiting.

Since Beppu has over 2,000 sizzling 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 would even steam your personal meals over the onsen steam.

Need one thing completely completely different? Take a cable automotive 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.

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 shortly discover a metropolis to fit your wants and pursuits. In addition to, all of those cities in Japan are value 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.