Everyone need to check out Japan a minimum of as soon as in their life time. Japan has countless covert treasures as well as is a year-round location. You can see its ski hotels in winter months or the gorgeous shoreline in summer season. And, whatever the period, Japan’s cities are constantly prepared to invite you with remarkable destinations, tasty road food, as well as container tons of society.
The actual concern is, which of the cities in Japan should you check out? In an excellent globe, every one of them. However, this overview will certainly tighten it to the outright ideal cities.
Explore Japan: The Top Cities in Japan
Japan has some extraordinary cities. From Tokyo to Sapporo, these are the very best cities in Japan for your following journey. Let’s dive directly in.
1. Tokyo
When you consider cities in Japan, it’s secure to state that Tokyo will certainly remain in your leading 3. As the resources, Tokyo is among the significant Japanese cities as well as brings in numerous visitors a year. It is additionally the biggest city in Japan, with an approximated populace of around 14 million individuals.
Think active roads, hectic enjoyment, as well as blinking neon lights – Tokyo is busy however amazing. Tokyo is where to check out if you intend to be ideal in the thick of all the activity, with lots of galleries to excursion, going shopping to bag, as well as enjoyable to be had. The large dimension of the city is amazing by itself.
So, where do you start? What are the ideal points to do in Tokyo? Well, after seeing the city a couple of times we recommend beginning with Tokyo Tower. Tokyo Tower might look acquainted, as well as it ought to be. The tower was greatly influenced by the Eiffel Tower. In truth, the only distinction is that Tokyo Tower is 333 meters high as well as red as well as white.
Heading to the top of the tower, you can discover Tokyo’s building background en course, completed with an incredible sight of the gorgeous city listed below. Nearby, there’s additionally Tokyo Skytree which stands at an excessive 634 meters as well as is the highest tower worldwide – so be prepared to invest a minimum of a couple of hrs among the clouds.
To value Tokyo’s ambience on the ground, head to Golden Gai for a midtown ambiance or Shibuya Crossing for a CBD experience. Allow time to check out galleries like the Mori Art Museum, Japan Olympic Museum, as well as NHL Museum of Broadcasting.
2. Osaka
Osaka is an additional among Japan’s big cities. Osaka has a solid personality, as well as the port city has an industrial heart with whole lots taking place in any way hrs of night and day. There’s constantly road food to preference, a bar to jump to, as well as destinations to check out. Osaka is a terrific location to check out if you like a mix of partying, loosening up, as well as sightseeing and tour. The city has great deals of individuality as well as an equilibrium of whatever – like a concession without any sacrifice.
To value the background of Osaka, a journey to Osaka Castle ought to get on your plan. The 16th-century castle is bordered by cherry trees as well as a moat, as well as Osaka Castle is among the most beautiful areas to check out in the city. While, if you desire a day of light-hearted enjoyable, there’s Universal Studios Japan to check out. The amusement park has Hollywood-themed flights, as well as it’s comfortably situated simply outside the facility of Osaka.
Finally, Osaka is the well-known house of among Japan’s earliest Shinto temples. Sumiyoshi Taisha is a prominent Shinto temple to check out – on tourist or spiritual premises. We suggest seeing to completely experience Japan’s gorgeous spiritual society.
3. Kyoto
Tokyo may be the resources today, however Kyoto was as soon as the nation’s resources. In the facility of the Kansai area, Kyoto is among Japan’s most conventional cities. In Kyoto, you’ll locate timeless dark timber residences as well as lots of Buddhist holy places as well as Shinto temples. If you are chasing after society as well as practice, Kyoto is a terrific location to check out in Japan.
To experience the conventional roads lined by wood residences, head to Gion. You can roam in the morning for the quietest roads or during the night to see the patched roadways lit by paper lights. Visiting the lots of holy places of Kyoto is additionally a must-do on your journey, particularly the Golden Pavilion. You can appreciate the Golden Pavilion from throughout its fish pond, being wowed by the gold color that offers it its name as well as appeal.
Looking for attractive scenes? Head to the bamboo woodland of Arashiyama or the red columned sidewalks of the Fushimi Inari-Taisha Shrine. Kyoto has plenty of magnificent landscapes as well as mind-blowing social destinations. You can find out more in our overviews on the ideal areas as well as points to do in Kyoto.
4. Hiroshima
Hiroshima is a name very few neglect. Sadly, the factor behind Hiroshima being among one of the most well-known cities in Japan is the atomic battle that took place in 1945. The United States went down an atomic bomb on the big city, creating over 100,000 casualties. Visitors to the city can currently pay their aspects to the sufferers as well as damage at lots of unforgettable destinations, consisting of the Peace Park.
There is much to value around Hiroshima in its very own right, however. Food fans need to example the Japanese pancake, nicknamed Hiroshima-design okonomiyaki. There’s additionally Hiroshima Castle to visit as well as Shukkei-en breathtaking yard to walk. Hiroshima’s society as well as background have actually not been polluted by the unfortunate atomic bomb, as well as you’ll like the city’s selection of destinations.
5. Nagoya
Nagoya is recognized for production as well as delivery as well as is the resources of the Aichi Prefecture. Have you became aware of Honda? Toyota? Mitsubishi? All of these large automobile brand names were created in Nagoya. Nagoya has a cutting-edge, commercial ambience, suitable for those intending to experience business side of Japan.
Visitors need to visit the Toyota Exhibition Hall to obtain a far better concept of automobile manufacturing in Japan. Nagoya Castle is wonderful for a historic intro to Nagoya. There are additionally one-off occasions in Nagoya like the Nagoya Sumo Tournament in July, the Nagoya Matsuri event in October, as well as the World Cosplay Summit in July as well as August.
Nagoya has whole lots taking place, so don’t neglect to inspect the city’s routine. And, in your downtime, ensure to attempt some miso katsu – miso katsu is a local specialized.
6. Saitama
Looking to check out the actual side of Japan? Saitama is a largely household city, ideal for obtaining a quieter experience of Japan. One of the very best means to experience a nation is by leaving its major visitor locations. If you favor this design of traveling, Saitama is the location for you. Many locals utilize Saitama as a traveler community, taking a trip to Tokyo for job throughout the week.
So, what’s there to see in Saitama? Hitsujiiyama Park is a lovely location to check out as well as is renowned for its carpet-like development of pink moss. For those that such as sampling sessions, you can additionally take a purpose excursion around the city – tasting the conventional Japanese alcohol. Saitama is a gorgeous location to check out, not as well far from the various other significant cities however much sufficient away to leave the continuous buzz.
7. Fukuoka
Another of the significant cities in Japan is Fukuoka. Fukuoka is well-known for its gorgeous islands as well as rests on the shoreline, bordered by stunning coastlines ideal for a summertime vacation. The port city lies in Fukuoka Prefecture. The prefecture resources is prominent amongst young experts, pupils, as well as services.
The city’s piece de resistances are Fukuoka Castle, Kyushu National Museum, as well as Dazaifu Tenman-gu, a temple to the god of education and learning. Fukuoka is a certain metropolitan area. If you like an amazing city ambience packed with activity, vibrant food, as well as enjoyment, Fukuoka is ideal. It does not have the background of Kyoto as well as the appeal of Tokyo. Still, if you desire an enjoyable ‘second city’, you’ll have a wonderful time.
8. Nara
Nara is most well-known for its deer populace. If you’ve seen images of Nara online, opportunities are you’ve seen the ideal holy place scenes. The holy places are bordered by eco-friendly room as well as Bambi-look-a-likes – charming, we understand. Like Kyoto, Nara was additionally as soon as a funding city. However, currently, Nara is much better recognized for its tranquil ambience as well as stately background.
The leading points to do in Nara are to check out Nara Deer Park, Todai-Ji Temple, as well as Tamukeyama Hachimangu Shrine. You can conveniently invest an entire day temple-hopping however, as well as Nara has plenty of tranquil areas for site visitors to involve themselves in Japan’s gorgeous society.
Nara is additionally simple to incorporate with seeing various other cities in Japan. Traveling from Kyoto to Nara is simply a brief train flight, taking about 45 mins one means.
9. Nagasaki
Like Hiroshima, Nagasaki was sufferer to an atomic bomb in 1945. The destruction was heartbreaking, as well as site visitors can pay their aspects today at destinations like the Peace Park. Nagasaki has lots of various other elements that make it an instructional location though. Nagasaki is among the biggest port cities in Japan as well as has a lengthy background of trading with Europe.
The result is a combination of European as well as Japanese society as well as impact. You’ll locate Christian websites like Oura Cathedral among the collection of magnificent temples as well as holy places. To immerse on your own in the background of Japan’s global relationships, you actually can’t locate a far better location.
Then, when you’re ready, you can check out the Atomic Hypocenter Park as well as Peace Park to uncover the darker side of Nagasaki’s background. The city has whole lots for you to find out.
10. Sapporo
Do you acknowledge the name Sapporo? The city of Sapporo simply occurs to be the name (as well as birth place) of among Japan’s most well-known beer brand names. Sapporo is the resources of the Hokkaido Prefecture as well as is conveniently among the very best cities in Japan. Situated on Japan’s Northern Island, Sapporo is well-combined with a see to Tokyo.
Visitors can visit the Sapporo Beer Museum or ride as much as the top of the Sapporo TELEVISION Tower. There’s a wonderful blend of destinations in Sapporo. It has that city buzz, with great deals of big-city-style enjoyment as well as visitor framework.
If you can, synchronize your check out to Sapporo with the Snow Festival. The winter months event is among the very best worldwide, as well as the winter months heaven spreads out 1.5 kilometres – packed with ice sculptures, an ice skating rink, as well as sledding locations.
11. Kobe
Kobe is among Japan’s biggest port cities, starting to overflow with flashy high-rise buildings as well as contemporary living. This is not what obtained Kobe its location in this overview though; its food scene is what makes it differ from Japan’s various other ideal cities. Kobe is globe well-known for its Kobe beef as well as renowned for its fish and shellfish. If you check out Kobe, be prepared to spray out on day-to-day dining establishment dishes, as its food is as well alluring to go by.
We recommend discovering Kitano Village to see Kobe’s traditional style. Of training course, if you stroll by a steakhouse, make sure to appear as well as get a table for a preference of Kobe beef. Steak Aoyama is a little, family-run steakhouse with a superb credibility for tasty dishes as well as rather sensible rates. Finish your day with a walk around the harbor, with sights of the contemporary horizon brightening after dark.
Got a little additional time? Hike up Mount Rokko. Mount Rokko outweighes the city as a gorgeous however strong all-natural site. There are a series of course alternatives so have a look at which ideal fits your health and fitness as well as technological capabilities.
12. Nikko
Nikko is among the tiniest cities in Japan. Situated in the Tochigi Prefecture, Nikko is bordered by the Japanese Alps. It is among one of the most gorgeous areas to check out in the nation – not to mention simply among Japan’s ideal cities.
You can check out Nikko itself or utilize the city as a portal to Nikko National Park. You’ll locate holy places, apes, as well as all-natural landscapes galore. Nikko is ideal for fans of the outdoors. Visitors can conveniently stabilize treking days as well as outside tasks with sightseeing and tour in the Nikko town hall.
When it pertains to points to do in Nikko, the Shinko Bridge is a must. The renowned red bridge is the postcard photo of Nikko, as well as you need to include it to also the quickest of travel plans. We additionally suggest costs a minimum of a day holy place jumping. Outside of Nikko, Kegon Falls is wonderful to check out. And, if you obtain an opportunity, take a breathtaking watercraft excursion down the Kinugawa River.
Nikko is gorgeous. To leave the ruined track as well as border on your own with nature, look no more. Nikko has a tranquility that the significant cities in Japan simply can’t give. We remained in a conventional Ryokan in Nikko, as well as you can review our experience below.
13. Matsue
Matsue remains in the Shimane Prefecture on the southwest coastline of Japan. The big city is called ‘the water city’, many thanks to its area in between the sea as well as Lake Shinji. Mastue is much less prominent than significant cities like Tokyo, however those that stray off the beaten track will certainly be highly compensated. Matsue has plenty of feudal background, archaeological sites, as well as gorgeous landscapes.
The ideal points to do are to check out Matsue Castle, the Adachi Museum of Art, as well as among the temples. The Yaegaki as well as Miho temples are both well-known for their elegance. While, if you intend to accept the water tasks of ‘the water city’, you can take a sundown cruise ship on Lake Shinji.
Matsue has a stress-free ambience as well as is a superb summer season location. It is among the very best cities to take a break as well as find out on the exact same journey.
14. Beppu
Beppu isn’t constantly consisted of in listings of the very best cities in Japan. Sure, Beppu isn’t among Japan’s significant cities. However, it is among the nation’s most amazing areas to check out. Beppu is a rock hound’s joy as well as the very best location for thermal springs in Japan. If you desire a medical spa vacation or simply to experience the natural questions in Japan, Beppu deserves seeing.
Since Beppu has more than 2,000 thermal spring resources, you’ll have great deals of spa-related points to do in the city. You can pick warmed mineral springtimes or shower in nutrient-rich warmed mud or sand bathrooms. You can also heavy steam your very own food over the onsen heavy steam.
Want something absolutely various? Take a wire cars and truck flounder the Beppu Ropeway or check out the Harmonyland amusement park. Beppe is among the very best cities in Japan for a brief vacation as well as is most definitely worth a room on your plan.
Final Thoughts
There are a lot of impressive cities in Japan. The nation is a gold mine of remarkable metropolitan scenes, as well as you’ll locate a unique society, practices, as well as tasty food. Whether you desire the neon lights of Tokyo or heaven waters of the sea by Fukuoka, you’ll rapidly locate a city to match your demands as well as rate of interests. Besides, every one of these cities in Japan deserve seeing.
We really hope that you have a fantastic check out to Japan. The nation makes certain to influence a return check out, so prepare to drop in love.
