Best places to visit in Japan

Japan’s capital city combines modern with ancient, from towering skyscrapers and streets glowing with neon lights to the traditional neighbourhood of Asakusa with its 1400-year-old Senso-ji Temple. Tokyo is an exciting city that offers something for everyone 24/7 with shopping districts, quirky street food and quiet temple gardens. Every neighbourhood, like Shibuya and Harajuku, has their own character and an adventure waiting to be discovered.

With more than 2000 temples, shrines and gardens, Kyoto is the cultural heart of Japan. It’s like stepping into the country’s past with its golden temples, bamboo forests, charming old streets and multiple UNESCO World Heritage sites, including the Fushimi Inari Shrine and Arashiyama Bamboo Grove. It’s very explorable on foot and bike and if you’re lucky, you might just spot a geisha or two.

Japan’s unofficial culinary capital, Osaka’s motto is ‘kuidaore’ – eat until you drop. And it’s very possible to do just that with its Kuromon Market’s 100 stalls, Dotonbori’s street food scene and conveyor belt sushi. Osaka promises plenty of Japanese culture and cuisine without the large crowds of the other big cities, and the entertainment district within Dotonbori’s neon lights will give you plenty to do when you get full.

Best known for its 17th century gardens, Kanazawa is full of samurai history and timeless beauty. You’ll find well preserved samurai and geisha districts, historic temples and markets, and the Kenroku-en garden, celebrated for its classical landscape designs that feature ponds and streams, promoting wellbeing, a clear mind and a connection to nature. Explore the garden, Kanazawa Castle Park and the Higashi Chaya district, where you can get lost among geisha and perhaps take part in a traditional tea ceremony at a local teahouse.

There’s plenty to do in Hiroshima, including visiting art museums and wandering the city’s parks, but it’s Hiroshima’s peace memorials that captivate travellers the most. From looking over the Cenotaph in the Peace Memorial Park and leaning about the aftermath of the destruction during WWII at the Peace Memorial Museum to taking in the eerie Atomic Bomb Dome, this city remains a symbol of peace and aims to educate visitors on a challenging part of our universal history.

Most people put Miyajima on the list for its Itsukushima Shrine – the giant torii gate which appears to float on the water's surface during high tide – but the island’s natural attractions rival that of its manmade ones. Just a short ferry ride from Hiroshima, you can wander peaceful paths, snack on local treats and watch the famous friendly deer graze in the distance. It’s calm, scenic and just the right kind of escape from the big cities.

Mt Fuji is one of those things you simply have to see (if you’re lucky on a clear day!) when you travel to Japan. Standing tall at over 3650 m, it boasts the title of Japan’s highest peak and a recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage site. This volcano is an impressive sight against the Shizuoka skyline and is at its most iconic when there’s a dusting of snow across its summit. But this mountain isn’t just stunning to look at, it’s also one-third of Japan’s Holy Mountains – a sacred collection of peaks that are all believed to have different powers.

This one’s not a city or town but rather Japan’s northernmost island, which is a treasure trove of natural scenery. It’s full of mountain landscapes, famous ski resorts and hot spring towns like Noroibetsu. Canoe across Lake Shikotsu, hop on the Asahidake Ropeway that climbs Mt Asahi, and if you visit from late June to early August, you’ll be rewarded with expansive lavender fields. With Japan’s reliable and efficient train system, you can easily get to Hakkaido from Tokyo and check all the bucket list items off in one trip.

Nestled in the Japanese Alps, Takayama exudes a mystical and traditional atmosphere thanks to its location among the clouds and is famous for its traditional inns, sake breweries and the Hida Folk Village. Its historic buildings in the classic Edo period architecture look like a picture book against the mountain setting. It’s worth a visit to the markets in Gifu prefecture, which have been held for over 600 years.

If you’re looking for a mix of relaxation and adventure, head to the town of Yamanouchi in Nagano Prefecture. Here, you can stay in a ryokan (traditional Japanese inn), relax in onsens (hot springs) that overlook rolling greens and mountain surroundings, and hike to Jigokudani Monkey Park – the only place in the world where monkeys bathe in hot springs. Check out the snow monkeys, then relax in an onsen for the perfect combination of excitment and relaxation. 

Hakone is a scenic hot spring town in the foothills of Mt Fuji with lots to do. Visit the iconic red gate that stands in the water of Lake Ashi, visit Hakone Shrine, wander through modern sculptures and gardens at the Hakone Open-Air Museum, and when it’s time to unwind, soak in one of the many scenic onsens. You can also stay in a ryokan here for a taste of traditional hospitality and if you’re lucky, your room might come with your own private onsen.  

Beppu is famous for its variety of hot springs and onsens, so you’ll notice the steam rising everywhere – because the whole city sits on top of geothermal activity. If you visit, head to Jigoku, where you can explore brightly coloured steaming pools, then head to a local onsen and unwind in the mineral-rich baths. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can try sand baths where you’re buried in warm sand or even mud baths and steam baths that feel like natural saunas. It’s the spot to slow down and experience Japan’s onsen culture at its most dramatic and diverse.  

Cherry blossoms, sun-filled festivals and snowy landscapes all shape the magic of a trip to Japan. Which month suits your adventure best?

What to pack for Japan depends on when you go and what you do, but there are some essentials to bring on every trip.  

Crisp autumn air, powdery winter snow and balmy summers all shape a trip to Japan depending on the season. Which one suits you best?