The world’s most populous nation, Japan is a land of ancient traditions, breathtaking beauty, and cosmopolitan cities. From the pulsating metropolis of Tokyo to the sacred temples of Kyoto and Nara, there’s something for everyone. Here are our top picks for experiencing Japan in all its glory:
Arashiyama Bamboo Grove
Arashiyama Bamboo Grove is a beautiful place to visit if you want to get lost in the woods. It’s also a great place to enjoy the beauty of nature.
The Arashiyama Bamboo Grove is a popular tourist attraction in Kyoto, Japan, and is worth visiting for its breathtaking gardens, beautiful scenery, and relaxing atmosphere.
Takayama Old Town
Takayama is a small city in the Nōbi Plain in Gifu Prefecture, Japan. Takayama’s most famous attraction is the old town, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Old Town has an impressive layout of streets with many traditional shops, restaurants, and inns for visitors to enjoy.
The best way to experience Takayama’s history and culture is by walking through its streets on your own feet. If you want to see all of the sites in one day, then start by visiting some museums, such as Komachi-Dori Museum of Traditional Crafts or Gasshō-zukuri House Museum, while enjoying lunch at one of their many restaurants along the way, before heading back towards the town center, where there will be even more shopping opportunities available at stores like Susugiya Nakamachi Shopping Street or Miyagawa Paper Goods Shop where you can purchase souvenirs made out the paper.
Akihabara
Akihabara (秋葉原) is a district in Tokyo, Japan. People know it as “Akiba” (アキバ), and it’s one of the otaku cultural centers of Japan. If you’re into electronics, Akihabara is where you’ll want to go for all things gadget-related: cell phones, computers, cameras—you name it! The street has many shops selling manga, anime, video games, and other collectibles like figurines. This is also a great place to stop by if you’re hungry or thirsty since there are plenty of restaurants and cafes around Akiba station where you can grab lunch before heading out on your next adventure in Tokyo.
Kinkaku-ji Temple
Kinkaku-ji Temple is a Buddhist temple in the eastern part of Kyoto. It was built in 1397 and is famous for its garden and pavilion, which is covered with gold leaf and stands out on the skyline as a symbol of Kyoto. The pavilion is called the Golden Pavilion.
Yoro Park, Gifu Prefecture
Yoro Park is a beautiful park located in the city of Yoro in Gifu Prefecture, Japan. The park is famous for its cherry blossoms, which are in full bloom from late March to early April.
Shibuya Crossing, Tokyo
The Shibuya Crossing is a major intersection in Japan and one of the busiest pedestrian crossings in the world. It’s featured in the song “Walking on Sunshine” by Katrina and The Waves, released in 1984.
In addition to being an important crossroads, it is also a popular tourist destination due to its many shops, restaurants, and subways. Thousands of people pass through every hour during peak hours.
Himeji Castle, Himeji City, Hyogo Prefecture
Himeji Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is one of the most famous castles in Japan and one of the eight things to do in Himeji City. Built in the 16th century by Kuroda Yoshitaka and later renovated by Ikeda Terumasa, Himeji Castle was once considered one of Japan’s three most beautiful castles. It was also designated as a National Treasure in 1931. This makes it one of only three castles with this designation (alongside Matsumoto Castle and Kumamoto Castle).
It’s not hard to see why people consider Himeji Castle so beautiful. It has four white turreted walls that extend into an iconic central tower that rises 40 meters high. The stone walls are covered with intricate carvings depicting flowers, trees, and animals such as lions and dragons. These carvings were added during its reconstruction after being destroyed by fire during World War II. If there’s time between sightseeing trips to nearby cities like Osaka or Kyoto, don’t miss out on spending some time exploring this iconic piece of Japanese history for yourself!
Asakusa Senso-ji Temple in Tokyo
Asakusa Senso-ji Temple is a Buddhist temple in Tokyo, Japan. It is located in Asakusa, Taito Ward, Tokyo. This temple is one of Tokyo’s most popular tourist attractions. It has a long history and many cultural events that visitors can enjoy.
Two brothers from the Kanto region built Senso-ji Temple on May 3rd AD, 628, by two brothers from the Kanto region. They wanted to bring Buddhism to Japan from China. They donated land for this purpose and built a small temple called “Konpon Daimon” (Main Hall). The word Konpon means “primary” or “head”. In contrast, Daimon means deity or god. Hence, it literally translates into something like “Primary Deity” or “Main Deity,”. This was the original name given to Senso-ji due to its importance at the time when they first started building it over two millennia ago!
Conclusion
We hope you’ve enjoyed this list of things to do in Japan. We encourage you to check out the links for more information about each place, and make sure to visit one or two of these incredible destinations when you go!