(Last Updated On: October 31, 2020)

Making a list of the best places to visit in Japan is a tricky thing to do, since Japan is one of my favourite countries to visit. I mean, that’s evident by the fact that I’ve been back four times in nine years. Each time I visit, I definitely see my old favourites, but I also try to go somewhere new or somewhere slightly away from the major stops on any Japanese itinerary like Tokyo and Kyoto. Over my four years visiting Japan, I’ve been to twelve different areas that all had something amazing to offer. There’s still more to see, of course, but this post comprises a list of my favourite discoveries in the land of the rising sun so far. 

My list of the best places to visit in Japan

Beppu

Beppu is the onsen centre of Japan located in Oita Prefecture with a huge number of natural hot springs. Onsen in Japan is traditionally done nude, so if you’re feeling a little self conscious, it might be recommended to try and get a hotel with a private onsen, rather than brave the crowds. I’ve done both, and whilst I didn’t mind the public onsen, I can tell you that when you’re a larger sized caucasian women surrounded by tiny Japanese ladies, the experience can be a little daunting at first. Beppu is also famous for the Jigoku (Hells) of Beppu which are a number of hot springs including a geyser, a bubbling pool of grey mud and a steaming aqua lagoon. Note, these hot springs are NOT for bathing – one even has crocodiles living in it. Beppu makes the list of the best places to visit in Japan for its amazing hot springs, but also its quirkiness. 

Hakone

A favourite spot for Japanese tourists, Hakone is famous for hot springs and a beautiful view across Lake Ashi to Mount Fuji. It’s not far from Tokyo, so could be done in a day trip, but it is a lovely area to relax and spend a night or two. Located in the Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park in Kanagawa Prefecture, this beautiful area is full of woodland and babbling brooks. I’d recommend a boat ride across Lake Ashi and then hopping on the Hakone Ropeway to see the sulfur pits in the active volcano valley of Owakudani, where you can also sample the famous black eggs. Hakone’s picturesque beauty makes it definitely one of the best places to visit in Japan. 

Hiroshima

A beautiful city with a tragic history, Hiroshima is one of my favourite places in Japan. No trip to Hiroshima would be complete without a visit to the Hiroshima Peace Park, which is a moving and poignant tribute to those who were devastatingly affected by the atomic bomb dropped by the USA on the city to end World War Two. The Peace Park contains the A-Bomb Dome, which is the shell of a building that miraculously remained standing when the bomb was dropped. Also featured in the park is the beautiful pool with the arched cenotaph inscribed with all the names of the victims runing over the top of it and the heartbreaking Children’s Monument which is usually covered with origami cranes. Also in the same complex is the Peace Museum which, amongst other things, contains a watch stopped at the exact time the bomb was dropped. I think it was this exhibit that really hit home for me. Despite its sadness, Hiroshima is now a thriving city again and one of the best places to visit in Japan.

Kamakura

Located only a short distance from Tokyo, Kamakura is a beautiful city in Kanagawa Prefecture. A trip to Kamakura will take about an hour and a half on the train from Tokyo, so it is possible to do as a day trip or an overnight. Kamakura is one of the best places to visit in Japan, particularly if you want an alternative city full of shinto shrines and temples to Kyoto. This region is particularly famous for its giant statue of the Amida Buddha, which used to be housed in a building that was washed away by a tsunami. The Buddha, however, remained put and has been a drawcard to the region ever since. The peacefulness of Kamakura and the beautiful scenery definitely makes this one of the best places to visit in Japan. 

Kyoto

A staple on the Japan tourist trail, this wonderful city is undoubtedly one of the best places to visit in Japan. Because of this, it can grow exceptionally crowded, however, particularly around Sakura (Cherry Blossom) and the Autumn foliage seasons. The good news is, though, that Kyoto is beautiful at any time of year, so it is absolutely possible to go during the low season in winter (to avoid New Year crowds, go after 3rd January) and still get amazing photos. Kyoto is quintessential traditional Japan.

Wooden sliding doors with paper windows and lanterns line the cobble stone streets and if you’re lucky, you might spot the famous Kyoto geisha scuttling to their appointments inside the tea houses. The Geisha districts where I’ve had the most luck spotting these icons are Gion Higashi and Ponto-Cho, though there are five districts in Kyoto in total. It’s worth reminding that whilst spotting Geisha is exciting, that these are women going about their jobs, so respect them and don’t get in their way.

Kyoto is famous for temples and shrines, but honestly there are so many temples and shrines in Kyoto to visit, so I put together a handy guide on the best ones to visit in a previous post. 

Matsuyama

Matsuyama is an absolute undiscovered gem in Japan that not a lot of international tourists have discovered yet. It’s the capital of Ehime Prefecture and is on the island of Shikoku, so flying or travelling by boat are your options to visit. Matsuyama does have an airport and with the rise of low-cost carriers in Japan, it’s pretty cheap to get there by plane. Matsuyama has an incredible castle, which I think is personally the best castle to visit in Japan. I found it more impressive than Nijo Castle in Kyoto or the iconic Osaka castle with a huge expansive area to walk around and discover.

Matsuyama is also home to Japan’s oldest indoor onsen, Dogo Onsen, which has been around since 1894. There are a number of traditional Japanese guest houses (ryokan) in Matsuyama to complete your stay. Fewer people speak English here than in main centres like Tokyo and Kyoto, so be prepared to learn a few Japanese phrases and hope for the best when ordering food! If you’re willing to brave it, though, you’ll discover one of the best places to visit in Japan.

Miyajima

The famous ‘floating’ torii gate of Itsukushima Shrine located on the small Miyajima island is a sight to behold at high tide. The shrine itself is also built over water and is UNESCO World Heritage Listed. It’s easily accessible in under an hour from Hiroshima and is well worth the ferry ride out.

Miyajima was listed back in 1643 in scholar Hayashi Gaho’s Three Views of Japan, which indicates the island temple’s significance and beauty in Japanese history. Miyajima is famous not only for the shrine itself, but for the wild deer that roam the tourist trails. They’re totally friendly, although they’ll definitely pester you for food. Not only is Miyajima one of the best places to visit in Japan, it’s also one of the most iconic. 

Nara

Nara is located on Japan’s main island, Honshu, in the Kansai region and was the original capital of Japan – before Kyoto. It’s accessible on a day trip from Osaka or Kyoto, or on a longer stay depending on time. I visited Nara specifically because I wanted to view the famous Big Buddha in Todai-Ji – the largest bronze Buddha statue in the entire world – but there’s lots more to enjoy in Nara.

Like Miyajima, Nara is full of wild deer who are used to being fed by tourists, so beware if you have food in your pockets! The ancient monuments of Nara are UNESCO World Heritage listed and are some of the oldest in Japan. They include Horyuji, which is the world’s oldest wooden building and the beautiful Kasuga Taisha. For me, playing with the deer, alone, makes this one of the best places to visit in Japan. 

Nikko

Nikko is located in the mountainous region of Tochigi in Japan, about two and a half hours on the train from Tokyo. It’s a beautiful, vast city with breathtaking natural sites and traditional architecture. By far and away, the most visited site in Nikko is the incredible Toshogu shrine, which is intricately carved and painted. In the Nikko National Park, there are cute wild monkeys (although be careful not to get bitten) and rushing rivers through beautiful gorges.

The perfect Instagram spot would have to be the sacred red Shinkyo bridge which leads to all the Nikko shrines – it’s truly picturesque and worthy of five minutes of reflection, I travelled to Nikko on a day trip, but it was a looooong day, so I’d recommend an overnight stay if you don’t feel up to five hours return train travel in a day. 

Osaka

Located in the Kansai region along with neighbouring cities Kyoto and Nara, Osaka has become a favourite with tourists doing a standard 10 day Japan itinerary: Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka. The city is located on a harbour and has a funky and fresh nightlife, particularly in the busy Dotonbori area. Undoubtedly, the most famous sight to visit in Osaka is the Osaka Castle and surrounding park, which really is stunning to look at.

Personally, I’m a massive fan of wandering the many markets, arcades and eateries in the Dotonbori area, which is a long stretch of pedestrian street featuring enormous moving crabs, street food vendors selling octopus balls (an Osaka special) and yakitori restaurants. If you’re happy doing day trips to Nara, Hiroshima and Kyoto, then basing yourself in Osaka is an option – although I’d strongly recommend staying several nights in Kyoto to experience the lantern-lit alleys in the dark. 

Sapporo

Northern Japan’s capital, Sapporo, is located on the island of Hokkaido, famous for its snow festival, snow monkeys and powder-like ski slopes. I visited in the beginning of the summer months, so while the rest of Japan was humid and sweltering, I was enjoying temperatures in the high teens – perfect for wandering around. I actually visited for a work trip, but had 24 hours to explore before kicking off the project I was working on.

The Sapporo Beer Museum is a great place to visit if you’re a beer fan and beer tastings are cheap following your visit to the museum. Odori Park is perfect on a sunny day to sit and relax. When the sun is out, street food and beer vendors come out to peddle their wares and it’s a wonderful feeling to sit amongst the sun and flowers with a beer in hand. For great views, a trip out to Mt Moiwa and the Mt Moiwa Ropeway is definitely worth the travel time and if you’re short on hours, then head to the JR Station building and visit the observation deck. 

Tokyo

Who could forget the jewel in Japan’s crown, the capital, Tokyo? Tokyo, to me, is the New York of Asia: the city never sleeps and it’s bustling, varied and vibrant. Each district in Tokyo is slightly different, from the traditional neighbourhood of Asakusa to the scramble crossing of Shibuya. I’ve been to Tokyo four times and I’m still yet to feel like I’ve seen it all.

It’s a huge urban city that truly has something for everyone. It’s an absolute must-visit for first timers to Japan in order to experience that traditional meets modern juxtaposition so evident in Japan. Because it’s just so hard to pinpoint a handful of activities to do in Tokyo, I created an Ultimate Tokyo Guide for the best things to do and see in the city. 

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Best Places to visit in Japan - Emma Jane Explores
Best Places to visit in Japan - Emma Jane Explores

The Best Temples and Shrines to Visit in Kyoto

Kyoto is the centre of Japan’s culture and history. At the heart of the city are the many UNESCO World Heritage listed temples and shrines – but which ones are worth visiting?

30 Comments

  1. Abbey

    Mijiyama sounds really cool! Strangely enough I loved Tokyo for it’s Italian food. The traditional Japanese restaurants are great as well though.

    Reply
    • Emma Jane

      Oh really?! haha I think I was too busy eating all the sushi in sight to even think about Italian food, but will check it out next time. And yeah, Miyajima is gorgeous and being up close to wild deer is amazing.

      Reply
  2. Jessica

    This is so great! I’m heading to Japan in a few months for the 1st time! I’m so excited but this is exactly what I needed to plan my trip!

    Reply
    • Emma Jane

      I’m so glad it was helpful – I’ve just come back so will be publishing a few posts that should help you out!! 🙂 Have a great trip!

      Reply
  3. Rasha

    So many gorgeous place, Nikko looks amazing! I would love to visit Japan one day, especially during cherry blossom season!

    Reply
  4. Arunima Dey

    Really helpful post Emma. My personal favourite has to be Hakone as there is so much to do, especially the thermal valley with the black eggs! Nara is definitely a second for me!

    Reply
  5. Richa

    Emma such a lovely and informative post this is 🙂 Japan is truly timeless, a place where ancient traditions are fused with modern life as if it were the most natural thing in the world. Look at the vibrant colors of Nikko!!

    Reply
  6. Sinjana Ghosh

    Japan is certainly on my bucket list after reading this. Such a beautiful country with beautiful landscapes.

    Reply
  7. Johnny

    I’ve always had Japan on my radar. I never fail to admire the way of life, the tradition they uphold but at the same time how they’re always progressing and advancing themselves. Hopefully one day I can see it all in person, esepcially Hiroshima, Tokyo and Osaka.

    Johnny | Johnny’s Traventures

    Reply
  8. Kemi

    All gorgeous! Never heard of Nikko but I love the nature in it. I’ve always wanted to experience an onsen but dunno about a public one. Cherry blossom sights in their original environment would be great to see.

    Reply
  9. Anna | theRunaway

    What a great guide for someone who never visited Japan, like myself. I wouldn’t know where to start, but after reading your post I know what to expect from particular regions and cities. Tokyo would probably my first destination, but I would love to see some nature and mountains too ?

    Reply
  10. Brett

    I am really excited for the natural hot springs when I visit and seeing Kyoto. I will definitely add a few other of your suggestions on my next trip too!

    Reply
  11. Ali Dunnell

    Japan is top of my list of places to visit. I knew a few of the places you mentioned, but some were new to me – so I so thanks for sharing this.

    Reply
  12. Emma Harris

    I’m desperate to visit Japan! Is Nara far from Tokyo? I know the kids would love to see the big Buddha! 🙂

    Reply
    • Emma Jane

      It’s about 4 hours on the train, but it’s also closer to Osaka and Kyoto if you’re planning on visiting there also!

      Reply
  13. Irina

    Wow! You can really tell that Japan is something else. I would love to visit someday, maybe even get to see the cherry trees, but I think I would most love to see Tokyo and Osaka!

    Reply
  14. Nina Out and About

    I’ve heard a lot of these names before but had never actually known about them. This post is so great for a newbie to Japan.

    Reply
  15. Yen

    This is so informative, and will definitely help me trip planning to Japan next year. I was thinking about whether I should include Nara in my bucket list. Bookmarked!

    Reply
  16. Nina Nichols

    Kyoto is undoubtedly the most famous and the best place to visit in Japan. I have never been there but I am so amazed by all the pictures that I see.

    Reply
    • Emma Jane

      So true – Kyoto is definitely quintessential Japan – but there’s lots of other awesome places too!

      Reply
  17. Janine Thomas

    I would love to visit and see the cherry blossoms. I can just imagine how awesome Tokyo must be. Japan is on my bucket list, but this year seems to have been filled up with travel plans already. Hopefully, I’ll get there next year! Great read. Thank you.

    Reply
    • Emma Jane

      Thanks Janine! Hope you manage to add it to your list for next year! 🙂

      Reply
  18. The Travel Bunny

    I haven’t been yet to Japan, but I’ve been fascinated by it ever since I can remember. My fiance visited once and he would like us to go together in a couple of years (we already planned those out :)) ). He said he regrets spending most of his time in Tokyo and would like to visit the rest more, too. I think your list has some truly great suggestions, thank you!

    Reply
    • Emma Jane

      You’re welcome! I hope you & your fiance make it there soon!

      Reply
  19. Thelittlelai: Beyond limits

    I haven’t been to Japan yet, but it has long been on my bucket list. My friends usually recommend Japan a lot. And reading your post about all the beautiful places to visit there made me more excited. I will surely have all these places in mind. Thank you for sharing this with us.

    Reply
    • Emma Jane

      I’m so glad it inspired you – Japan is a wonderful country full of surprises!

      Reply
  20. Yukti Agrawal

    I always wanted to visit Japan on hearing so many good things about it from my friends and family members. Thanks for sharing wonderful places to visit in Japan. Beppu looks interesting as it has many natural hot springs.

    Reply
    • Emma Jane

      I love Japan – definitely make sure you get there! Beppu is quirky and lots of fun!

      Reply
  21. Anjali Chawla

    This guide to the best places in Japan is quite helpful for me as we are heading to Japan by the end of this year. I have already added Hiroshima and Kyoto to my Japan itinerary. Bookmarked it for future reference.

    Reply
    • Emma Jane

      I’m so glad you found it helpful!

      Reply

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