Its recommended to visit both cities to experience their unique cultures and decide which one you prefer.Personally, I prefer Tokyo over Osaka, and my husband agrees that he would rather visit Tokyo if he had to choose between the two. Visiting splendid gardens and ceremonial teahouses is part of the deep dive into history. Japan manages to both delight you instantly and have you come back to discover its slow secrets. Tokyo has a quirky delight around every corner ModernewWorld / Getty Images, 22 of the best experiences Japan has to offer. Numazuk is a fresh choice. Neighbourhoods. Japan has been on our travel bucket list for years now but already planning to visit next year so this gave me a good idea where to go apart from Tokyo and Osaka. Just walking around the city and experiencing its mind-boggling range of world-class restaurants and unique shopping areas is enough for many first-timers. So we suggest you have a loose plan of when you want to add a day trip to Hakone. The island offers different entertainment activities to make sure that the visitors never get bored out there. The Best Places to Visit in Japan 1) Tokyo 2) Osaka 3) Nara 4) Yokohama 5) Hakone 6) Sapporo 7) Nagoya 8) Kyoto 9) Hiroshima 10) Kobe 11) Otaru 12) Fukuoka 13) Kanazawa 14) Tohoku 15) Okinawa ANYTHING TO ADD TO THIS LIST OF GREAT PLACES IN JAPAN? Those who travel here know Tohoku for its spectacular coastlines, inviting natural hot springs and intricate cave systems. Otaru doesnt always make the list of places to visit in Japan. TheOki Islands are a natural seaside oasis of rock formations jutting up from the water, quiet sea coves, the highest sea cliffs in Japan, traditional fishing villages, and pristine waters all to yourself. Its located in the Namba area, within walking distance of popular tourist attractions such as the Dotonbori entertainment district and the Shinsaibashi shopping street. The Hotel Gracery Shinjuku is located in the vibrant Shinjuku neighborhood, which is known for its shopping, entertainment, and dining options. Akihabara in Tokyo is the promised land for anime otaku (fanatics). Much Aloha and Kokua for the insight. For casual eating for couples and groups, a cavernous izakaya is part bar, part restaurant, and great for a good-value meal of nabemono (hotpot dishes), sashimi and grilled fish. The finest gardens in Kyoto can show personality even through simplicity with subtle choices; a weathered bridge to represent the march of time or unique pebbles. But there are lots of unexpected things to do in Japan as well. I also enjoyed myself while I was visiting this kind of places. So I highly recommend you only give yourself a day or so in Osaka and then a few more days to enjoy some of the day trips. Dont travel to Japan without reading our ultimate travel guide! We were surprised by how many trains we had to take in order to get from our hotel to the various destinations. Experience old Japan in Kyoto. Fushimi Inari Shrine, Kyoto If you've ever seen photos of a seemingly endless procession of bright orange torii gates in Japan, Fushimi Inari is the place they depict. Capturing ingredients at the height of their freshness is the essence of a kaiseki meal. If you are looking for elegant cherry blossoms, peaceful Buddhist temples or the occasional Shinto shrine, then Nara is the ideal travel location for you. The hotel offers clean and comfortable accommodations at an affordable price, with each room equipped with all the necessary amenities. We can not wait. Happy planning. We would get up early and wonder around. DestinationsPhotographySustainable TourismAdventure Travel, Adventure ToursStart a BlogTravel TipsSitemap, 2023 NOMADasaurus | Peak Evolution Media, The 15 BEST Places to Visit in Japan (2023 Guide). The people there are so welcoming and helpful. Jolene gave up her teaching career in order to chase a life of a travel blogger. Discover 523 hidden attractions, cool sights, and unusual things to do in Japan from Ghibli Museum to Sanrio Puroland. Every course is a gasp-inducing journey through Japanese ceramics and presentation in a tatami-floored room. The world's most populous metropolis, Tokyo offers tradition and innovation . Im planning a trip to Japan and your blog has been very helpful so far! Thanks for sharing this information regarding travel and tour. I shared the blog. After four years of working in hospitality, volunteering abroad and travelling for fun, Gabby has developed a knack for budget travel and admiration for different cultures. About Us|Contact Us| Work with Us|Privacy Policy|Disclaimer. It is important, however, to not forget the little things you can visit and explore from simple and quiet parks to humble and interesting cafs or the occasional shrine or temple. To book a trip, contact us today! French-style maids tout you to enter a maid cafe. When visiting Kobe, on the island of Honshu, trying their world-famous beef is a must. Detour: Visit aNintendo-themed caf,Pokmon-themed caforTokyo Character Street for cartoon toys for kids. A wall of wooden tablets (ema) hangs at many shrines, where you can write down your wish or offering on an ema for the deities to read. Kanazawa Castle is the citys most notable feature and one of the best places to visit in the city. Japan darts into the future while keeping a quiet hold of its traditions. Memorializing a terrible event near the end of World War II, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is one of the more sacred places to visit in the city. The sizzle ofokonomiyaki seafood and cabbage "pancakes" on the hotplate. We rank the 17 Best Places to Visit in Japan. En route, you can compare and contrast high-tech Tokyo with cultural Kyoto, and discover the gardens of Kanazawa. Japan is full of exciting cities, national parks, stunning coastlines, museums, and more. Check rates and availability at The Ritz-Carlton. Lots of onsens and great hiking. If you are searching for a more scenic addition in Kobe, you must visit Mount Rokko. Snow poised on the eaves of temples. If your trip is short, two or three days may be enough to get a feel of the city and its major attractions. A ryokan is a traditional Japanese inn that, at its best, is fit for a feudal lord. A trip through this park can help relax you after a long day of exploring and visiting different streets and locations throughout the city. The Shurijo Castle is a must-see if you are visiting Okinawa. If youre a first-time traveler to Tokyo and looking for a budget hotel, I would suggest the APA Hotel Asakusa Tawaramachi Ekimae. The Kanda Matsuri festival was first celebrated in the 17th century. Test every button on the Japanese toilet, from angled sprays for men and women to a modesty button that plays the sounds of the ocean. The Kanda Matsuri Festival is a traditional festival held in the Kanda area of Tokyo. Just a short distance from either Kyoto or Osaka, Nara City is the capital of the Nara prefecture and is one of the most captivating and interesting places to visit in Japan. Osaka is a port-based city that is full of interesting museums, attractions, and a fascinating variety of activities for any visitor to Japan. Top 5 places to visit in Japan. Deriving its name from marsh of gold after legend claims a potato farmer dug up gold instead of potatoes in his field one year. Check rates and availability at Hotel Gracery. Hi Franca, glad you liked the post. In-season ingredients make up a formal kaiseki meal that might start with a course of sea urchin and horsehair crab, move on to a soup, and then a seasonal platter of cute dishes such as sushi and Kameoka beef. https://www.jrailpass.com/maps One of the most famous and joy-filled is the Yayoi KusamaYellow Pumpkin sculpture waiting for you at the end of a jetty. Hidden gems and beautiful palaces are scattered around the country, from tiny villages right up to the commercial areas in Japan, such as Hiroshima, Osaka or Tokyo. Overall, the Hotel Gracery Shinjuku is a great option for travelers who want a comfortable and convenient stay in a bustling neighborhood. The next stop on your itinerary should be Japans second-largest city, Osaka. Self-isolating to keep yourself and others safe from COVID-19? So lets look at the top 5 best places to visit whilst traveling to Japan as a first-timer. With views of Mt. Meguro River, Tokyo Getty Shirakawa-go Village Getty Kumano Nachi Taisha Shrine and Nachi Falls, Wakayama Prefecture Getty Shibuya Crossing, Tokyo Getty Blue Pond, Hokkaido Getty Himeji Castle Thank you so much David. Enjoy our list of the best things to do in Japan! Food, Places to stay, Sightseeing, cherry blossom, I am leaning on traveling April 4th 2022. After visiting the many wonderful fantasy worlds of Universal Studios Japan, you go go-karting around the streets. I think that some people might prefer Osakas laid-back atmosphere and delicious food, while others might prefer Tokyos modern and cosmopolitan vibe. The jewel-like blue water is warm year-round and sees very few visitors. Stay in Gion District if you go. And sort out the attractions you want to see by area within the city to minimize having to go across the city to see different sights. Your phones plans may charge you international roaming and this will be very expensive. This is where youll see squid being dried on spinning racks in the sun, eat the freshest sashimi, find wooden shopfronts of yesteryear and soak up the lazy rays. Perhaps the highlight of Nagoya and one of the best things to do is to tour the Nagoya TV Tower. This hotel is located in the Asakusa area, which is a popular tourist spot with lots of things to see and do, including the famous Sensoji Temple. Up there, you might be the only person taking in the spectacular views across the town and the green mountains. And if you have more time on your hands, dont forget about Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park, Fushimi Inari Shrine, and Miyajima Islandall must-see destinations that will leave an unforgettable impression. Even small restaurants often use vending machines to buy meal coupons, so staff never handle any cash. You can try them in many ryokan and in resort towns such as Kusatsu and Beppu, where budget options are available in public bathhouses. Lucky they cut it down but it was a wake up. Thank you for sharing this post with us. Sit cross-legged (theres enough room) and enjoy the plush mattress and feeling of being cocooned in comfort. While there is much to do on the island of Honshu, Kyoto is almost always at the top of the list of places to see in Japan. Given that Japan is well known for its dense population125 million living in a place roughly the size of Californiait might be hard to imagine it having many off-the-beaten-path places. I want to take her there as a gift to her, because her dream has not wavered, Problem is, I am limited on income and terrified to go to another country, where I know nothing of culture or the language, I understand it is very expensive. It packed of all the information required for the first time visitors and information mentioned above in the article are more than enough gain knowledge about Japan. Narukiyo in Tokyo is a favorite. Kyoto is one of the top Japan tourist spots, so try to visit the popular temples early in the morning as they do get crowded. We loved Kyoto for the culture. We spent 4 nights in Tokyo and another day could have been helpful to just slow down the pace a little. When ready, change into your yukata (traditional cotton robe) and head to the dining room for a multi-course kaiseki meal of the regions cuisine. However, if you really want to soak up the atmosphere and explore Tokyo in depth we suggest at least five full days there. It is also home to several large multinational electronic companies, like Panasonic. We visited Kabukich earlier in the night to avoid exposing our kids to a red light district and they loved staring at all the brightly colored lights surrounding them. If you have more time and you want to add on a few day trips from Osaka, three to four days is optimal. We have been to Tokyo and Kyoto before and did most all of the sites that one would, so the timing of this article was perfect as we were looking for more to explore outside of Tokyo and Kyoto next summer after the hustle and bustle during the Olympics. Nearby Miyajima Island is a fantastic place to spend a day and definitely worth a visit. Want some help? Character or animal cafs, vending machines offering a vast array of items, and aquariums showcasing rare and unique marine life are just a few of the best and most interesting things you can view while in Japan. Lake Ashi is surrounded by beautiful mountains, which help to compliment the glistening blue water. One thing to enjoy about this city is its versatile points of interest, and great opportunities for the Cherry Blossom season. The Shimanami Kaido is a place spun from the stuff of cyclists dreams. See our Japan two week itinerary for suggestions. Both Osaka and Kyoto are great places to visit in Japan, and which one to visit first really depends on your personal interests and travel plans.If you are interested in history, culture, and traditional Japanese architecture, then Kyoto might be the better choice to visit first. Tokyo. Get travel tips for Japan, including Kyoto's ancient sites, Art Island, Niseko, hot springs, Tokyo, and more. On one of many coastal walks, youll come across varied plant life and maybe even small grazing horses. But the existing castle still stands after being rebuilt. Because Tokyo can be pretty overwhelming to see by yourself, I also recommend you book a few tours in Tokyo as well (it will really help with the planning!). What we love about this hotel is that it is located in the heart of the city, making explorations really easy. On a clear winter day it is even possible to have views of Mount. When we visited Japan for the first time, we traveled with our three daughters. Nara Park is roughly an hour south of Osaka and is known for its lovely and playful deer. The giant red orb melts into the water with a silhouette of a torii gate on a distant shimmering island. Preparing fish and seafood is an art, and its fish markets are the life force of that tradition. READ MORE: Check out our complete guide to the best things to do in Otaru. Number one is Osaka. Happy travels. Fuji, Hakone is one of the best places to see and do it all. I am originally from country WA and know exactly what you mean. Without a doubt Japan's most recognizable landmark, majestic Mount Fuji (Fuji-san) is also the country's highest mountain peak. Staying in a ryokan room is easy and rewarding. Tokyo is the cool kid of Japans club scene. This is how to get the best out of Japan, both ancient and modern. There, the Children's Peace Monument is decorated with strings of thousands of paper cranes sent from schoolchildren around Japan and the world. It dates back over 1300 years and is one of the city's oldest and most famous temples. It can feel a bit touristy with travelers dressing up in their kimonos for a photoshoot, but the traditional areas are just stunning! Japan's efficient rail network makes it easy to travel right across the main island of Honshu. There are soft drinks and sugar-free green tea on every corner, but more novel choices include masks, sake, fresh popcorn, dashi stock, flowers, umbrellas, or hot corn soup. There is more than enough to see in Tokyo itself to fill up a short itinerary, and if you stay in the capital, there are plenty of exciting side trips you can undertake in a day. Thank you so much. It is apparent that Nara might truly be one of the most peaceful, down-to-earth cities in the world. 2023 The Arena Media Brands, LLC and respective content providers on this website. And from here it is just a short train ride to the famous city of Kyoto. Whether youre visiting Japan for a few days or even a couple of weeks, theres no shortage of amazing places to explore. Kobe is a city that is often overlooked by tourists when they are passing by on a bullet train, but it is worth dedicating a day to this place. ANYTHING TO ADD TO THIS LIST OF GREAT PLACES IN JAPAN? Other popular attractions in Osaka are the beautiful and grand Tempozan Ferris Wheel, the peaceful Expo Commemoration Park, and the educational and intriguing Osaka Museum of History. Happened to me in Ireland when I first travelled, costs nearly $1000. The natural settings let you really feel the delicious contrast of the hot waters against the pine-fresh open air. Top 5 worst places to visit in Japan. The train system is incredible and so comfortable. By ECLadines. https://www.nomadasaurus.com/travel-guides/travel-to-japan/, https://www.nomadasaurus.com/budget-travel-in-japan/. Felt like we were the only people there sometimes. The gardens in Mito have the countrys most spectacular plum blossoms. Put some maps on your phone or print out a map before you arrive. Jennifer Chan shows us how to get into LA's wellness scene in the best way. Different vendors and stores offering a vast array of Japanese goods paired with various restaurants help to make the canal a must-stop destination. It also offers stunning views of the city. There are many amazing places to visit in Japan, but in my opinion, there are three destinations that you should visit on your visit trip: Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto. My favorite day trips were to Nara, Kurashiki and Miyajima. We have an article that has a lot of information that may help you out but I will add a few more tips in. The 50 Best Places to Travel in 2023. . Or enjoy the Japanese art of coziness in izakaya (taverns) with winter comfort dishes like oden fishcakes in a dashi broth. Getting around cities I would recommend hopping on a city tour or do a free walking tour to get your bearings and ask advice from the guides. The capital city of Hokkaido, Japans northernmost island, is an absolute gem and one of the best cities on our list of Japanese tourist spots. Osaka is known for its delicious food, bustling shopping streets like Dotonbori, and attractions like Osaka Castle and Universal Studios Japan.Personally, I would visit Kyoto first. 1. When we got off the plane in Japan we went straight to Kyoto and we were so happy we did. You cant go wrong to add Kanazawa to your list of places to visit in Japan. Know the best places to visit in Japan to have the ultimate experience you can get. Places to visit. The Otaru Aquarium can help finish off your trip with some educational facts and a great view of various marine life. Credits to @arizonanara on Instagram. Do not miss Kyoto and Nara. As a family of 5, we also found that not only did it simplify things but it also worked out much cheaper in comparison to traveling without the pass. On weekends, fisher folk set up stalls selling bent of sashimi and cooked dishes of the local specialty, puffer fish (with the deadly parts removed, of course). Fuji in the distance! And your blog is very useful for us. 1. Also consider taking a day trip to see Mount Fuji, the iconic symbol of Japan. Japan is one of the most staggering spots on the planet. They are a perfect way to watch dancers and drummers in the traditional dress of each region, enjoy some street food and be dazzled by lanterns and fireworks. It's where the locals and tourists converge to eat and merry amidst neon lights set in 17th century Japan. Step into this neighborhood and see fans bringing characters to life in costume. With so many incredible sights to see, its easy to understand why Japan is one of the worlds most popular tourist destinations! Many Japanese people think of Okinawa as a tropical vacation point or a getaway from their busy daily lives. Japanese amusement park operators have issued new guidelines to ensure the safety of both guests and staff. The city of Tokyo has an area called Akihabara. While Tokyo can seem overwhelmingly fast paced at times, Yokohama's welcoming vibe is definitely more relaxed. Surrounded by beautiful beaches and crystal blue ocean water, Okinawa City is a paradise for people of all ages. If you are connected to the internet you can hover your camera over a menu and it will translate the writing to English. Originally from Poland, he is a devoted husband and father.
Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office Non Emergency Phone Number,
Washington Shores Elementary,
Articles T