Which Cities to Visit in Japan, www.JapanGuidance.com – Are you planning to visit Japan on your next holiday but still unsure about the places you should visit? Relax, here we list five of the must-see cities in Japan, and we’ll tell you which places you should visit in those cities.
Best Cities to Visit in Japan – Which Cities to Visit in Japan
Tokyo
First place for which cities to visit in Japan is Tokyo. the capital of modern Japan obviously has so much to see and experience, but one place you totally must visit when you can only spend one day is Ikebukuro, the popular entertainment and commercial district in Tokyo.
Ikebukuro has everything you could possibly want. From electronics to Otaku stuff, you can find them all there. The restaurants there are fantastic too. However, the best thing about Ikebukuro is the vibe. Just chill, relax, and enjoy everything it has to offer. You don’t have to spend money to enjoy Ikebukuro.
Make sure you have your camera ready. There are far too many interesting places and people there. You’ll be doing yourself a great injustice if you don’t immortalize them with your camera.
Which Cities to Visit in Japan
Kyoto
How’s a gold-leaf-covered temple basking in the dim light of sunset sounds? If that’s not Instagram-worthy, then nothing is. As one of UNESCO World Heritage Sites, the Golden Pavillion or Kinkaku-Ji is just too gorgeous to pass up. You’re not allowed to go near it, but you’re free to move about the garden so that you can take pictures of the temple from different angles.
Kyoto has 16 more UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and visiting Kyoto right after Tokyo is like traveling back in time. One moment you’re in an animated modern city, and the next day you’re walking among the endless rows of Torii gates of Fushimi Inari-Taisha Shrine, going through the tranquil Arashiyama bamboo grove, and immersing yourself in the history street of Gion. Kyoto is truly a magical place.
Osaka
Spend your early morning in Osaka exploring the Osaka Castle for its history and then go to Dotonbori for the evening for its famous crab restaurants – that’s the basic of having a good time in Osaka.
During the day go to the Takoyaki and instant ramen museums. You’re not going to find those two anywhere else in the world. The Osaka Kaiyukan Aquarium is also a worthy place to visit especially if you’re traveling with your kids.
One thing you should not forget to do in Osaka is to try the local dishes. There are plenty of restaurants selling delicious Takoyaki, Okonomiyaki, Negiyaki, Taiko-Manju and Kitsune Udon all throughout Osaka.
Which Cities to Visit in Japan
Nara
Visiting Todai-ji is a given when you go to Nara. It’s a huge Buddhist Temple complex with a huge Buddha statue in it known as Daibutsu. If you love photography, there are so many ways to frame the various impressive objects in and around the temple. You’ll really enjoy it.
Watching deer roaming freely in Nara Park and temples is definitely something you should add to your bucket list. Get some deer crackers from vendors in the park. The deer are friendly and will bow down when you feed them crackers.
Be sure to visit Kasuga Taisha in the east of Nara Park too. Strolling around the main complex as well as the botanical garden is a relaxing experience. If you visit Kasuga Taisha in early February or mid-August, you can see hundreds of bronze lanterns lit along with the stone ones.
Yokohama
The Chinatown in Yokohama is a sight to see. It’s the largest in Japan, and The Chinese restaurants here are undeniably some of the best in the country. Heichinro Yokohama Honten with its Peking duck, Saiko Shinkan with its Cantonese cuisine, and Machinro Honten with its reasonably-priced dim sum are just three among the myriad of excellent Chinese restaurants there are.
When your stomach is full, head south to the Hakkeijima Sea Paradise. The aquarium there is impressive, but Pleasure Land with its amusement rides is where the most fun is at. Have a go at the Blue Fall, Surf Coaster, and Merry-go-round. You won’t regret it.
Kobe
To get the best of Kobe, you should go to the mountains. Start by hiking Mount Rokko then indulge yourself in Arima Onsen situated right behind the mountain.
Though hot springs are definitely the main charming point here, Arima Onsen is actually a complete package of accommodation, food, and activities. The ryokans (Japanese inns) are a bit on the expensive side, but each one has its own unique beauty and quirks.
Cafes and restaurants are plentiful, so you’ll never run out of dishes to satisfy your palate. You also have plenty to do other than enjoying the hot baths – fishing for rainbow trout is one of them.
Nagano
Nagano is a winter town, and it’s famous for its ski slopes. That means going there during winter will be quite hectic. Don’t want to go skiing? That’s okay. Nagano has more than just ski slopes. The Jigokudani Monkey Park is must-see for foreigners.
You can see snow monkeys in Onsen (hot baths) spread around Nagano. Taking a hot bath with snow monkeys is definitely one of the coolest things you can tell your future grandchildren.
Nagano has many other worthy places to visit. If you love old-school Japan, then you shouldn’t miss the Matsumoto Castle, Tsumago Juku, Zenko-Ji Temple, and Narai-Juku.
Best Way to Visit Japan Cities – Which Cities to Visit in Japan
Japan’s railway is well-connected. Spend some time planning your trip around the train routes and schedules. You’ll spend less time going from places to places and have more to explore the cities and what they have to offer.
Get a Japan Rail (JR) pass, and you can travel between cities quickly and comfortably. A 7-days JR pass for two only costs less than $300. No matter how many round trips you make, you won’t have to spend extra.
If you want to spend more than a day in Osaka, consider getting a Kansai Thru Pass. Combined with the JR Pass, you’ll be able to use every public transport available there.
There you go, our answer to the question of which cities to visit in Japan. If you have the time, you should visit all of those places. Remember, there’s more to Japan than the must-sees. Explore places a bit more off the beaten path and enjoy Japan the way you want to.
Be sure to spend at least a day in each city. Rushing and jumping from one place to the next makes traveling more tiresome than fun. Have fun with this which cities to visit in Japan article. if you like it, please share it. Arigato!
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