Everyone ought to discover Japan no less than as soon as in their lifetime. Japan has 1000’s of hidden gems and is a year-round vacation spot. You can go to its ski resorts in winter or the attractive shoreline in summer time. And, regardless of the season, Japan’s cities are all the time able to welcome you with fascinating points of interest, scrumptious avenue meals, and bucket a great deal of tradition.

The actual query is, which of the cities in Japan must you go to? In a super world, all of them. However, this information will slender it right down to the best possible cities.

Explore Japan: The Top Cities in Japan

Japan has some unimaginable cities. From Tokyo to Sapporo, these are one of the best cities in Japan to your subsequent journey. Let’s dive straight in.

1. Tokyo

When you consider cities in Japan, it’s secure to say that Tokyo will probably be in your prime three. As the capital, Tokyo is without doubt one of the main Japanese cities and attracts hundreds of thousands of vacationers a 12 months. It can be the most important metropolis in Japan, with an estimated inhabitants of round 14 million individuals.

Think busy streets, fast-paced leisure, and flashing neon lights – Tokyo is hectic however thrilling. Tokyo is the place to go to if you wish to be proper in the thick of all of the motion, with loads of museums to tour, buying to bag, and enjoyable available. The sheer dimension of the town is thrilling in itself.

So, the place do you start? What are the finest issues to do in Tokyo? Well, after visiting the town just a few instances we propose beginning with Tokyo Tower. Tokyo Tower might look acquainted, and it must be. The tower was closely impressed by the Eiffel Tower. In truth, the one distinction is that Tokyo Tower is 333 meters tall and pink and white.

Heading to the highest of the tower, you’ll be able to study Tokyo’s architectural historical past en route, ending with a spectacular view of the attractive metropolis beneath. Nearby, there’s additionally Tokyo Skytree which stands at a dizzying 634 meters and is the tallest tower in the world – so be ready to spend no less than just a few hours amongst the clouds.

To respect Tokyo’s ambiance on the bottom, head to Golden Gai for a downtown vibe or Shibuya Crossing for a CBD expertise. Allow time to go to museums just like the Mori Art Museum, Japan Olympic Museum, and NHL Museum of Broadcasting.

2. Osaka

Osaka is one other certainly one of Japan’s massive cities. Osaka has a powerful character, and the port metropolis has a industrial soul with heaps happening in any respect hours of day and night time. There’s all the time avenue meals to style, a bar to hop to, and points of interest to go to. Osaka is a superb place to go to in case you love a mix of partying, enjoyable, and sightseeing. The metropolis has numerous character and a stability of all the pieces – like a compromise with no sacrifice.

To respect the historical past of Osaka, a visit to Osaka Castle must be in your itinerary. The Sixteenth-century fort is surrounded by cherry bushes and a moat, and Osaka Castle is without doubt one of the prettiest locations to go to in the town. While, if you’d like a day of light-hearted enjoyable, there’s Universal Studios Japan to discover. The theme park has Hollywood-themed rides, and it’s conveniently positioned simply outdoors the middle of Osaka.

Finally, Osaka is the well-known dwelling of certainly one of Japan’s oldest Shinto shrines. Sumiyoshi Taisha is a well-liked Shinto shrine to go to – on tourism or spiritual grounds. We suggest visiting to completely expertise Japan’s lovely spiritual tradition.

3. Kyoto

Tokyo may be the capital right now, however Kyoto was as soon as the nation’s capital. In the middle of the Kansai area, Kyoto is certainly one of Japan’s most conventional cities. In Kyoto, you’ll discover traditional darkish wooden homes and loads of Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines. If you’re chasing tradition and custom, Kyoto is a superb place to discover in Japan.

To expertise the normal streets lined by wood homes, head to Gion. You can wander in the early morning for the quietest streets or at night time to see the cobbled roads lit by paper lanterns. Visiting the numerous temples of Kyoto can be a must-do in your journey, particularly the Golden Pavilion. You can admire the Golden Pavilion from throughout its pond, being wowed by the golden tint that provides it its identify and recognition.

Looking for picturesque scenes? Head to the bamboo forest of Arashiyama or the pink columned walkways of the Fushimi Inari-Taisha Shrine. Kyoto is filled with beautiful surroundings and eye-opening cultural points of interest. You can learn extra in our guides on the finest locations and issues to do in Kyoto.

4. Hiroshima

Hiroshima is a reputation not many neglect. Sadly, the rationale behind Hiroshima being one of the crucial well-known cities in Japan is the atomic bombing that occurred in 1945. The US dropped an atomic bomb on the big metropolis, inflicting over 100,000 casualties. Visitors to the town can now pay their respects to the victims and destruction at many memorable points of interest, together with the Peace Park.

There is far to understand about Hiroshima in its personal proper, although. Food lovers ought to pattern the Japanese pancake, nicknamed Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki. There’s additionally Hiroshima Castle to tour and Shukkei-en scenic backyard to walk. Hiroshima’s tradition and historical past haven’t been tainted by the tragic atomic bomb, and also you’ll love the town’s number of points of interest.

5. Nagoya

Nagoya is thought for manufacturing and transport and is the capital of the Aichi Prefecture. Have you heard of Honda? Toyota? Mitsubishi? All of those large automotive manufacturers had been developed in Nagoya. Nagoya has an progressive, industrial ambiance, ultimate for these desirous to expertise the enterprise aspect of Japan.

Visitors ought to tour the Toyota Exhibition Hall to get a greater thought of automotive manufacturing in Japan. Nagoya Castle is nice for a historic introduction to Nagoya. There are additionally one-off occasions in Nagoya just like the Nagoya Sumo Tournament in July, the Nagoya Matsuri competition in October, and the World Cosplay Summit in July and August.

Nagoya has heaps happening, so don’t neglect to examine the town’s schedule. And, in your downtime, be certain that to strive some miso katsu – miso katsu is a regional specialty.

6. Saitama

Looking to go to the actual aspect of Japan? Saitama is a primarily residential metropolis, good for getting a quieter expertise of Japan. One of one of the best methods to expertise a rustic is by escaping its fundamental vacationer areas. If you favor this model of journey, Saitama is the place for you. Many residents use Saitama as a commuter city, touring to Tokyo for work through the week.

So, what’s there to see in Saitama? Hitsujiiyama Park is a beautiful place to go to and is famed for its carpet-like progress of pink moss. For those that like tasting periods, it’s also possible to take a sake tour across the metropolis – sampling the normal Japanese alcohol. Saitama is an attractive place to go to, not too far-off from the opposite main cities however far sufficient away to flee the fixed buzz.

7. Fukuoka

Another of the key cities in Japan is Fukuoka. Fukuoka is legendary for its lovely islands and sits on the shoreline, surrounded by beautiful seashores good for a summer time getaway. The port metropolis is positioned in Fukuoka Prefecture. The prefecture capital is common amongst younger professionals, college students, and companies.

The metropolis’s fundamental points of interest are Fukuoka Castle, Kyushu National Museum, and Dazaifu Tenman-gu, a shrine to the god of schooling. Fukuoka is a particular metropolis. If you’re keen on an thrilling metropolis ambiance filled with motion, daring delicacies, and leisure, Fukuoka is ideal. It lacks the historical past of Kyoto and the recognition of Tokyo. Still, if you’d like a enjoyable ‘second city’, you’ll have a improbable time.

8. Nara

Nara is most well-known for its deer inhabitants. If you’ve seen footage of Nara on-line, chances are high you’ve seen the idyllic temple scenes. The temples are surrounded by inexperienced area and Bambi-look-a-likes – cute, we all know. Like Kyoto, Nara was additionally as soon as a capital metropolis. However, now, Nara is best identified for its serene ambiance and regal historical past.

The prime issues to do in Nara are to go to Nara Deer Park, Todai-Ji Temple, and Tamukeyama Hachimangu Shrine. You might simply spend an entire day temple-hopping although, and Nara is filled with peaceable locations for guests to immerse themselves in Japan’s lovely tradition.

Nara can be simple to mix with visiting different cities in Japan. Traveling from Kyoto to Nara is only a quick prepare experience, taking round 45 minutes a technique.

9. Nagasaki

Like Hiroshima, Nagasaki was sufferer to an atomic bomb in 1945. The devastation was heartbreaking, and guests will pay their respects right now at points of interest just like the Peace Park. Nagasaki has many different facets that make it an academic vacation spot although. Nagasaki is without doubt one of the largest port cities in Japan and has an extended historical past of buying and selling with Europe.

The result’s a fusion of European and Japanese tradition and affect. You’ll discover Christian websites like Oura Cathedral amongst the gathering of beautiful shrines and temples. To immerse your self in the historical past of Japan’s worldwide relations, you actually can’t discover a higher place.

Then, if you’re prepared, you’ll be able to go to the Atomic Hypocenter Park and Peace Park to find the darker aspect of Nagasaki’s historical past. The metropolis has heaps so that you can study.

10. Sapporo

Do you acknowledge the identify Sapporo? The metropolis of Sapporo simply occurs to be the namesake (and birthplace) of certainly one of Japan’s most well-known beer manufacturers. Sapporo is the capital of the Hokkaido Prefecture and is definitely probably the greatest cities in Japan. Situated on Japan’s Northern Island, Sapporo is well-combined with a go to to Tokyo.

Visitors can tour the Sapporo Beer Museum or experience as much as the highest of the Sapporo TV Tower. There’s a improbable combination of points of interest in Sapporo. It has that metropolis buzz, with numerous big-city-style leisure and vacationer infrastructure.

If you’ll be able to, coincide your go to to Sapporo with the Snow Festival. The winter competition is without doubt one of the finest in the world, and the winter wonderland spreads 1.5 km – filled with ice sculptures, an ice skating rink, and sledding areas.

11. Kobe

Kobe is certainly one of Japan’s largest port cities, starting to overflow with glitzy skyscrapers and trendy residing. This just isn’t what obtained Kobe its place in this information although; its meals scene is what makes it stand aside from Japan’s different finest cities. Kobe is world well-known for its Kobe beef and famend for its seafood. If you go to Kobe, be ready to splash out on day by day restaurant meals, as its delicacies is just too tempting to move by.

We recommend exploring Kitano Village to see Kobe’s old-school structure. Of course, in case you stroll by a steakhouse, be sure you pop in and seize a desk for a style of Kobe beef. Steak Aoyama is a small, family-run steakhouse with a wonderful repute for scrumptious meals and fairly affordable costs. Finish your day with a stroll across the harbor, with views of the fashionable skyline lighting up after darkish.

Got a bit of additional time? Hike up Mount Rokko. Mount Rokko overshadows the town as an attractive however fierce pure landmark. There are a variety of route choices so check out which most closely fits your health and technical skills.

12. Nikko

Nikko is without doubt one of the smallest cities in Japan. Situated in the Tochigi Prefecture, Nikko is surrounded by the Japanese Alps. It is without doubt one of the most lovely locations to go to in the nation – not to mention simply amongst Japan’s finest cities.

You can discover Nikko itself or use the town as a gateway to Nikko National Park. You’ll discover temples, monkeys, and pure surroundings galore. Nikko is ideal for lovers of the good open air. Visitors can simply stability mountaineering days and outside actions with sightseeing in the Nikko metropolis middle.

When it involves issues to do in Nikko, the Shinko Bridge is a should. The iconic pink bridge is the postcard picture of Nikko, and you need to add it to even the shortest of itineraries. We additionally suggest spending no less than a day temple hopping. Outside of Nikko, Kegon Falls is improbable to go to. And, in case you get an opportunity, take a scenic boat tour down the Kinugawa River.

Nikko is gorgeous. To get off the crushed observe and encompass your self with nature, look no additional. Nikko has a serenity that the key cities in Japan simply can’t present. We stayed in a standard Ryokan in Nikko, and you’ll examine our expertise right here.

13. Matsue

Matsue is in the Shimane Prefecture on the southwest coast of Japan. The massive metropolis is known as ‘the water city’, because of its location between the ocean and Lake Shinji. Mastue is much less common than main cities like Tokyo, however those that stray off the crushed path will probably be richly rewarded. Matsue is filled with feudal historical past, historic websites, and exquisite surroundings.

The finest issues to do are to go to Matsue Castle, the Adachi Museum of Art, and one of many shrines. The Yaegaki and Miho shrines are each well-known for his or her magnificence. While, if you wish to embrace the water actions of ‘the water city’, you’ll be able to take a sundown cruise on Lake Shinji.

Matsue has a calming ambiance and is a wonderful summer time vacation spot. It is without doubt one of the finest cities to unwind and study on the identical journey.

14. Beppu

Beppu isn’t all the time included in lists of one of the best cities in Japan. Sure, Beppu isn’t certainly one of Japan’s main cities. However, it is without doubt one of the nation’s most enjoyable locations to go to. Beppu is a geologist’s delight and one of the best vacation spot for decent springs in Japan. If you desire a spa getaway or simply to expertise the pure wonders in Japan, Beppu is value visiting.

Since Beppu has over 2,000 sizzling spring sources, you’ll have numerous spa-related issues to do in the town. You can select heated mineral springs or bathe in nutrient-rich heated mud or sand baths. You might even steam your personal meals over the onsen steam.

Want one thing completely completely different? Take a cable automobile journey up the Beppu Ropeway or go to the Harmonyland theme park. Beppe is without doubt one of the finest cities in Japan for a brief getaway and is unquestionably value an area in your itinerary.

Final Thoughts

There are so many superb cities in Japan. The nation is a treasure trove of fascinating city scenes, and also you’ll discover a distinctive tradition, traditions, and scrumptious meals. Whether you need the neon lights of Tokyo or the blue waters of the ocean by Fukuoka, you’ll shortly discover a metropolis to fit your wants and pursuits. Besides, all of those cities in Japan are value visiting.

We hope that you’ve got an exquisite go to to Japan. The nation is bound to encourage a return go to, so put together to fall in love.