12 Best Places You Must Visit in Japan

Japan is one of the most popular travel destinations in the world. It is a unique blend of traditional and modern, with many temples and buildings from the past co-existing with modern achievements in architecture and technology. The natural beauty of Japan can be seen all year. An overview of the Top attractions in Japan :-

1. Tokyo :

Tokyo is the capital of Japan. The Tokyo National Museum holds the largest collection of Japanese art in the world. Sensoji Temple is is the oldest in this city. The Imperial Palace shouldn’t be missed, and the Edo-Tokyo Museum details the city’s history.

2. Kyoto :

Kyoto is often called “Japan’s heartland”, and it is said that it is impossible to know the real Japan without knowing Kyoto. Natural scenery, temples, shrines, towns and homes intermingle with a poignant historical beauty. Whether it is the Gion Festival, the Tea Ceremony or Japanese flower arrangement or Nishijin-brocade, so many aspects of characteristic Japanese culture continue to thrive in Kyoto.

3. Okinawa :

Okinawa has long been famous for its longevity. Okinawa is Japan’s southernmost resort island. Rich nature, world-class diving, unique exotic culture and UNESCO World Heritages, the islands of Okinawa have so much to offer! Here, we met people who ate a modest, mostly vegetarian diet and stayed active well into old age. But their real secret to longevity lies in their dedication to friends and family and in having a strong sense of meaning in life.

4. Nikko :

Nikko is one of Japan’s major attractions. The drawback is that plenty of other people have discovered it too; high season (summer and autumn) and weekends can be extremely crowded where the spirituality of the area can feel a little lost. Ancient moss clinging to a stone wall, rows of perfectly aligned stone lanterns, vermilion gates and towering cedars, this is only a pathway in Nikko, a sanctuary that enshrines the glories of the Edo period (1600–1868). Scattered among hilly woodlands.

5. Nara :

The first permanent capital of Japan, Nara is one of the most rewarding destinations in the country. Indeed, with eight Unesco World Heritage Sites, Nara is second only to Kyoto as a repository of Japan’s cultural legacy. The centrepiece is, of course, the Daibutsu, or Great Buddha. The Great Buddha is housed in Todai-ji, a soaring temple that presides over Nara-koen, a park filled with other fascinating sights that lends itself to relaxed strolling amid the greenery and tame deer.

6. Kanagawa :

Kanagawa Prefecture is the nearest sightseeing area to Tokyo. Its great variety of historical, cultural, and natural sightseeing spots attracts many visitors throughout the year. The port city of Yokohama represents the foundation of the cultural enlightenment era in the 19th century. Enjoy the rich international flavor of the Minato Mirai area and Chinatown, the historical atmosphere of Kamakura and Odawara, the excitement of the Shonan Beach area including Enoshima and Fujisawa, spectacular marine attractions at the Miura Peninsula, and the healing qualities of famous Onsen (Spa) resorts in Hakone and Yugawara.

7. Osaka :

Osaka is famous for good eating. Osaka’s highlights include Osaka-jo and its surrounding park, Osaka Aquarium, the Blade Runner nightscapes of the Dotombori area, and the wonderful Open-Air Museum of Old Japanese Farmhouses. But Osaka has more to offer than its specific sights, and casual strolls are likely to be as rewarding as structured sightseeing tours.

8. Kamakura :

Kamakura is famous for its many seasonal flowers whose colours paint the city in a kaleidoscope of natural beauty. Kamakura also has many attractions and features other than shrines and temples. Being surrounded with small mountains on the three sides, Kamakura faces the Pacific Ocean on the south side, so tourists can enjoy walking through mountain trails and swimming or surf riding in the clean fresh air at the beach.

9. Bomb Dome, Hiroshima :

World-renowned because of the atomic bomb, Hiroshima today is known as the global peace center. The Peace Memorial Museum, located right next to the dome that was the only structure to survive at ground zero (and a UNESCO World Heritage Site), is a must-see for visitors here.

      10.  Mount Fuji :

Mount Fuji, Japan, is one of the most famous mountains in the world. Mount Fuji is a composite cone, or stratovolcano. Composite cones, formed by violent eruptions, have layers of rock, ash, and lava.

       11.  Hemji Castle :

Himeji Castle is widely considered Japan’s most spectacular castle. Unlike many other Japanese castles, Himeji Castle was never destroyed in wars, earthquakes or fires and survives in its original form. It is both a national treasure and a UNESCO world heritage site.

       12.  Miyajima :

Miyajima is one of the crown jewels of Japan, and certainly one of its finest views. Located off the coast of Hiroshima, the serene beauty of the island is an essential coda to that city.

– Pratiksha Trivedi