Top Ten Places to Visit in Japan

National Diet, Tokyo.

Source: Author's photo.

Japan's finest castle - "The White Heron" in Himeji.

Source: Author's photo.

Ginza gets ready for the evening. Tokyo.

Source: Author's photo.

Castle, Matsumoto.
Source: Author's photo.

Approaching the massive Todai-ji Hall in Nara - the world's largest wooden building.
Source: Author's photo.

The famous "Floating Torii" of Miyajima.

Source: Author's photo.

Toshogu Shrine, Nikko.

Source: Author's photo.

Perhaps Japan's most iconic monument - the Daibutsu of Kamakura.

Source: Author's photo.

The Bomb Dome, Hiroshima.

Source: Author's photo.

Classic view of the Golden Temple, Kyoto.

Source: Author's photo.

Mount Fuji.
Source: Author's photo.

Gammangafuchi Abyss, Nikko.

Source: Author's photo.

The Castles of Japan

Introduction. Japans castles (, shiro) are the centerpiece of its historical monuments. Many
cities in Japan have these monuments to their samurai past when warlords and a strict code
of honor ruled...

Ten More Great Places to Visit in Japan

Ten More Great Places to Visit in Japan Asakusa, Tokyo. Sitting on the banks of the
Sumida River, Asakusa is a neat little cho in Tokyo best known for shopping, festivals,
entertainment, and its famous...

Ishigaki, Iriomote, Taketomi and Hateruma by ferry

Most visitors to Okinawa, Japans southernmost prefecture, dont go beyond the shores of
the namesake island. However, Okinawa prefecture is far flung and includes islands that
are strung out across...

Seoul, Korea: Space out on Space-A.

One of the fringe benefits of the military, or being a military dependent, is the privilege of
riding on the little-known network of air travel that circumnavigates the globe and
supports US military...

Hong Kong and Macau: Efficiently Confusing

Or confusingly efficient. Hong Kong is the perfect blend of organized chaos. A British
colony from 1841 to the 1997 until the turn over to China, the one-time territory-city-state
is an exciting and bustling...

Okinawa: A to Z
Okinawa: A to Z Araha Beach: Located close to various U.S. bases, namely Camp Foster
and Camp Lester, and the San-A department store. Araha beach is good for people
watching, walking, strolling, and jogging....

Mount Fuji. Japans highest mountain (3776 meters, 12,377) is unquestionably the countrys
most iconic natural landmark. Photographed in all seasons from all angles, its near perfect cone
is climbed by one quarter million people yearly, usually during the months of July and August.
Its high visibility and traffic is partially owed to its proximity to the Kanto, or the plain
surrounding Tokyo. However the best time to view the mountain is in the winter months when
visibility is best. Considered one of the three holy mountains in Japan, along with Tateyama and
Hakusan, there is understandably a collection of shrines on the crater rim. Since many people
climb the mountain hiking trails and facilities are well established and there is a considerable

amount of development on the mountain. The meteorological station marks the high point of the
mountain and the country. Popular hiking routes to the summit are Gotemba, Fujinomiya, and
Kawaguchiko. All of the trails have ten stations each, which are situated strategically to offer
refreshments, lodging, and facilities for the hikers and tourists alike. Most hikers start from the
5th station/s, which are located between 6,000 7,000 and have access by paved roads.
However, Mount Fuji lacks train access. If you are interested in climbing and dont have a POV
the best way to get there is by catching one of the many Fuji-bound buses departing from
Shinjuku Station in Tokyo during the months of July and August. Fuji, a strato-, or composite
volcano, last erupted in 1708 and is considered dormant.
Ginza, Tokyo. A UNESCO World Heritage Site it is not, but instead an unofficial shrine to
Japans industry, technology, and material culture, if there is one. Ginza epitomizes Tokyo, if not
Japan. Its ground zero for neon, shopping, and as close to what Tokyo calls center, or downtown,
for such a huge city. Within walking distance are the National Diet, the center of Japans
government, and the Imperial Palace, a vast complex of buildings, which houses Japans Head of
State, the Emperor of Japan and his administrative apparatus. Ginza is best experienced at night
so you can view the electronic fireworks. There are so many interesting places in Tokyo and this
is a logical place to orient yourself if you visit Japans largest city and capital.
Himeji Castle. Japans most famous castle and one of twelve that is in its original condition.
Known as the White Heron Castle, it is one of the three most famous in the country, and the
most visited. Its fame, not to mention its beauty, is perhaps why it was used as one of the
locations for shooting the 007 film, You Only Live Twice (1967) starring Sean Connery. Located
in Himeji, Hyogo prefecture, not far from Osaka, the castle is surrounded by pine and cheery
trees, which make it especially scenic in the spring. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, its original
construction was between 1333-1346 with other expansions occurring in 1601-1608, a wellknown period for castle building in Japan. Not without coincidence it was during this time period
when warlords fought for control of the country.
Bomb Dome, Hiroshima. The Bomb Dome has the dubious distinction of being almost directly
under Little Boy when it detonated over Hiroshima on August 6, 1945. The remains of the
Prefectural Industrial Promotion Hall have, ever since, come to be known as the Bomb Dome,
or Genbaku Domu. Designed in 1916 by a Czech architect named Jan Letzel, the structure
survived reasonably intact even though it was a mere 150 meters from the hypocenter. Today, its
the centerpiece of the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park and consequently attracts thousands of
people to the otherwise industrial city. It was made a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996
although both the United States and China strongly objected. The museum has some very graphic
photos of the aftereffects, which killed 70,000. Much debate continues today over the necessity
of the bomb. The FDR and Truman administrations expended an incredible amount of time,
money, and manpower into the development of the A-bomb, and some historians believe this
weighed heavily on the decision to use it on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The Battle
of Okinawagave further pause to the U.S. military and the planned land invasion of Japan
because of the tremendous loss of military and civilians estimated at 120,000.
Kamakura. The outdoor Daibustu is, alongside Miyajimas floating torii, the best known
monument in Japan. Kamakura is close to Tokyo, even closer to Yokohama, so day trips from the
Kanto are easy. Known as the Great Buddha it was once housed in a building that was destroyed
by a typhoon in the 15thcentury. For the curious, the statue is 13.35 meters (44 feet) high and

weighs 93 tons. The first mention of the bronze statue dates to 1252. Now hoards of tourists
come to get their photos taken in front of the Daibutsuand the many edible (and rotten) offerings
left at its foot. The city has a long history and perhaps thats why the Daibutsu stands. Although
theDaibutsu gives Kamakura its deserved recognition the citys historical record is long and rich.
It is no accident that a period in Japanese history is named the Kamakura period (1185-1333),
which marked the beginning of the shogunate established in the city. The city is also famous for
Nichiren Buddhism, found by the Japanese monk Nichiren (1222-1282) and sometimes
associated with radicalism. It is also recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Kinkaku-ji, Kyoto. It is best known as the Golden Pavilion and it said to be Japans most visited
site and its beauty, accented by surrounding pine trees and ponds, is remarkable. The Temple of
the Golden Pavilions history dates to 1397 and it is affiliated with Zen Buddhism. The one you
look at today dates to 1955 thanks to a radical Buddhist monk who burned it down in 1950.
Despite its relatively recent date, it still draws crowds of the camera-ready Japanese who become
frenzied with picture taking. Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is however only
one of many historic and cultural sites in Kyoto, Japans cultural capital. A trip to Kyoto would
not be complete without visiting Heian shrine, Kiyomizu-dera, Nijo castle, To-ji, and of course
the less spectacular Ginkaku-ji, or the Silver Temple Pavilion. Theres much more too as the city
has 17 places designated UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Most date from between the 10th and
19th centuries. The incidence of many prewar buildings in Kyoto is because the city was largely
sparred as a bombing target in WWII.
Matsumoto Castle. Construction started in 1504 and the castle eventually was nicknamed the
Crow Castle because of its resemblance of that bird with outstretched wings. It remains one of
twelve castles in Japan that have survived reasonably intact of any major structural damage other
than routine repair since the Meiji Restoration began in 1868. Its fame is further enhanced by the
well deserved designation as one of the three finest in Japan along with Himeji (see above), and
Kumamoto Castle. What makes it unique is the water-filled moat, something the other two do not
have. Following the Meiji Restoration the Castle was slated to be demolished but locals, led by a
school principal, managed to save it from destruction by land developers. Still the outer castle
was demolished and what remains is the beautiful keep. Some of the gates have been rebuilt as
have many other castles across Japan that once stood during the long period of shogunate, or
warlord, rule. The castle is considered a National Treasure of Japan and it does not belie such a
designation. Located away from the coastal area, Matsumoto is as far inland as you can get in
Japan and it remains a gateway to the Kita Alps. The Kaichi gakko(school) in Matsumoto is also
worth seeing and is located close to the castle. Modeled after western school buildings with a
central cupola adjoined by two wings, it looks out of place in Japan, yet it was built in the 1870s.
Miyajima. The floating torii is arguably Japans most iconic man-made landmark along with
Kamakuras Daibutsu. Often featured on JTB posters, this monument symbolizes Japan, but is
actually a small part of a complex of shrines on Miyajima, which translates to the Island of
Shrines for good reason. Located close to Hiroshima in the Inland Sea, the island is more
formally known as Itsukushima (StrictIsland) and, like Nara, has a population of resident deer
that are ready for handouts, too skittish to pet, and leave droppings everywhere. Of course many
come to photograph the torii (shrine gate) built in 1874, although one has stood in the water for
the last seven centuries. At low-tide it actually sits on a mud flat. Still, the island has played host
to other shrines as early as the 6th century since the island is a holy Shinto site. Take your time
and allow a day. Adjacent to the torii is the five story pagoda built in 1407 and Senjokaku Hall

(c. 1587). Although there is a ropeway to the top of Mount Misen (535 meters, 1755) hiking to
the top of this mountain along one of the paths is suggested because of the virgin timber stands.
The torii and shrine have been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Nikko. Nikko is a long day trip from Tokyo, but possible if you take theshinkansen, or highspeed rail, which stops in Utsunomiya 35 km to the east. Set in the mountains, the town has a
number of famous shrines and temples that make it well worth the visit. Against a backdrop of
mountains, beautiful forests, and rocky, wooded, ravines with fast flowing streams the temples
and shrines are perfectly set in their natural background. The town essentially developed around
the temples, the first said to have started in 766. Among the most famous are the Toshogu Shrine,
founded in 1617, with its ornamental gate and Three Wise Monkeys. The Shrine is set among
giant cryptomeria trees, a relative of the cedar. The Futarasan Shrine, founded in 767, is at the
base of Nantai-san, a sacred mountain popular with hikers. Nearby is the beautiful Sacred Bridge
which spans a brook. Finally there is the Rinno-ji, a complex of Buddhist temples, with its
beautiful ornamental wood work, established in 766. All three are UNESCO World Heritage
Sites. Besides the shrines and temples there is the nature of Nikko: Lake Chuzenji and Kegon
Falls, one of the three highest in Japan, which drains the aforementioned lake. The mountains are
breathtaking and rise abruptly from the town. Watch for the monkeys on the winding road that
leads up to the lake. The Japanese Macaque can often be seen foraging along the road.
Todai-ji Hall, Nara. Nara is not to be missed by any visitor to Japan. Its Japans oldest capital
and traditionally ranks as its first city. Founded in the 8th century, Naras best known monument
is Todai-ji Hall, the worlds largest wooden building. Its hard to get a sense of scale until you
stand beneath it. Inside are the giganticDaibutsu (Buddha) and other humungous statues. A
number of buildings have stood on the site and the latest dates from 1709; only two-thirds the
size of the building that preceded it, which was destroyed by fire. Todai-ji Hall incidentally is
also the center of Kegon Buddhism in Japan. There are other interesting sites in Nara as well and
some archaeological foundations of the ancient city. Also of interest are the skittish deer that
inhabit the city and wander the streets looking for handouts.
Related hubs jvhirniak:
Japan: Ten Places Off the Beaten Path
Kyoto, Japan Sightseeing: One, two and three day itineraries
Taiwan: Top Ten Destinations.
Ten More Great Places to Visit in Japan

Top Ten Places to Visit in Japan

Visit Kyotos Ancient Sites

Japans capital from 794 to 1868, Kyoto is bathed in history. The most iconic remnant of the citys imperial past is the outrageously gilded Kinkakuji, once a shoguns
retirement villa and now a Zen Buddhist temple. Perched on the bank of a serene pond, Kinkakuji casts a famed golden reflection in the water. Just as captivating are
Kyotos less ostentatious sites, such as the minimalist and cryptic dry landscape garden at Ryoanji.
In all, Kyoto boasts 17 World Heritage sites (Kinkakuji and Ryoanji included), but with some 2,000 temples and shrines across the city, not to mention numerous gardens,
they represent a fraction of Kyotos alluring heritage.

Overnight in a Temple
Mount Koya has been a place of pilgrimage since the monk Kobo Daishi was inspired to found the Shingon school of Buddhism amid its ancient cedars in the ninth
century. Among the highlights of a visitbesides wandering the eerie, almost primeval Okunoin cemetery and the multitude of temples built in Daishis honoris the
opportunity to stay with the monks at one of Koyas mountaintop temples.
Eko-in is one of nearly 50 such places open to guests, and it offers a typical Koya experiencea Spartan and tranquil tatami-mat room, a multi-course vegetarian dinner
exquisitely presented on lacquerware, and the chance to join the monks and pilgrims for early morning prayers.

Gallery Hop on "Art Island"

With three major galleries and many smaller art venues, picturesque Naoshimain the Seto Inland Sea is a standout on Japans contemporary art scene. The best of the
galleries is the Tadao Ando-designed Benesse House, a sleek hotel and gallery that hosts work by artists such as David Hockney, Bruce Nauman, and Frank Stella.
But art isnt restricted to conventional spaces on Naoshima. Nineteen dazzling outdoor installations dot Benesses beachfront grounds, while in the laidback fishing
village of Honmura, several of the old wooden buildings have been transformed into permanent art installations. Even the islands I Love Yu public baths have had a popart makeover. Naoshima has been dubbed Art Island for good reason.

Ski Niseko
This small ski resort town in Hokkaido boasts the finest powder in the country and three major ski resorts to match: Niseko Village, Niseko Annupuri, and the Grand
Hirafu/Hanazono.
Away from the resorts, the allure is prime backcountry powder and ample opportunities for ice climbing, telemark skiing, and boarding through virgin snow. Its not bad
in summer either, when winter activities give way to summer favorites like whitewater rafting, mountain biking, and kayaking. And Niseko also has a year-round draw
mineral-rich hot springs perfect for soaking away aches and pains from a day on the slopes.

Experience Traditional Accommodation

The gentle scent of tatami, the understated elegance of the interiors, the meticulous service, the outdoor hot spring baths, the multi-course meal of local seasonal
produce, the calming silenceall combine to make a night at a traditional Japanese inn, or ryokan, an unforgettable experience.
Unforgettable, but not cheap, with room and meals that can reach 100,000 per night. Fortunately, Japan has all bases coveredthe smaller and less formal minshuku,
which provide a similarly traditional though less luxurious experience, are usually less than 10,000 a night.

Soak in a Natural Hot Spring

There is something quintessentially Japanese about getting naked for a soak with strangers. In fact, the Japanese have been using communal onsen, or natural hot spring
waters, to relax and heal for centuriesthe earliest mention dating back 1,300 years to bathers in Dogo, Shikoku.
Dogo is still one of the countrys most renowned onsen resorts. The grand, three-storey Dogo Onsen Honkan at the center of the resort is a 19th-century architectural
gem complete with a bathing room (albeit unused nowadays) set aside for the imperial family.
Not that you need venture to Dogo for a good soakthere are thousands of public baths and ryokan with onsen across the country, all worth stripping off for.

Explore Tokyos Old East Side

Sensoji, a Buddhist temple in Asakusa, is about as touristy as it gets in Tokyo. Head a few blocks in any direction, however, and the tourists soon give way to a part of
the capital that has never strayed far from its pre-war status as the citys premier entertainment district.
Most representative of that is the tiny Hanayashiki Amusement Park, home to retro rides that include the countrys first (and possibly most sedate) rollercoaster. Nearby is
Rokku Broadway, where historic theaters like Engei Hall put on a bill packed with slapstick comedy and traditional comic storytelling. Not surprisingly, the area also
teems with good watering holeslike Kamiya Bar, where the local tipple is a legendary concoction of brandy, gin, and curaao aptly named Denki Bran (Electric
Bran[dy]), first mixed here in the 1880s.

Hike the Northern Alps

The breathtaking peaks of Japans Northern Alps are considered the countrys premier hiking grounds. And for good reasonfrom the small town of Kamikochi, the
gateway to the area, visitors have a choice of easy day hikes or week-long adventures that would challenge the fittest of hikers.

In the peak of summer, the most popular routes can crawl with weekend hikers, but come on a weekday or wait for autumn and visitors get to experience the Northern
Alps jagged, nearly 10,000-foot peaks and virgin forests as nature intendedunspoiled by crowds.

Tour Hiroshimas Peace Memorial Park and Museum

Dedicated to victims of the atomic bombing of August 6, 1945, the Peace Memorial Park and Museum are poignant and moving monuments to the horrors of nuclear
weapons.
The disfigured frame of the parks A-Bomb Dome, one of the few buildings in central Hiroshima to survive the blast, serves as a vivid reminder of the destruction that
befell the city. Other parts of the park are equally evocativenone more so than the Childrens Peace Monument. Built in memory of one of the many children who died
from leukemia as a result of the fallout, its always decorated with origami cranes of hope sent from children across Japan.

Sample the "B-Grade Gourmet"

Japan is known for fine cuisine like sushi, tempura, and kaiseki, but its low-cost culinary underbelly (B-grade gourmet, as the Japanese call it) is just as mouth watering.
The king of the B, ramen noodles, are ubiquitous, filling, and something of a national obsessionsome shops are revered enough to have people waiting in line for hours
just for a few minutes of ecstatic slurping.
Not that its all good. Some, like the vending machine hotdog or convenience store fried noodle sandwich, should probably be labeled "Z-grade."

Japan's 10 Most Popular Tourist Attractions

When foreigners go to Japan, Tokyo tops their list of places to see. Seven of the 10 most-visited destinations in the country
are in the capital, according to the Japan National Tourist Organization.
This makes it easy for visitors to check the top spots off their must-see lists without leaving Tokyo, a sprawling city
encompassing nearly every important aspect of Japanese life (except nature; man-made is the buzzword here). To get to
the other spots on the top-10 list, a quick shinkansen (bullet train) ride is all thats required, and thats an experience itself,
as the trains run at speeds of about 200 miles per hour.
Whether you choose to stay inside Tokyos city limits or leave them, however, the complete tourism experience in Japan
involves an equal mix of modern and traditionaleasy to accomplish in the city and beyond.
In Pictures: Japans 10 Most Popular Tourist Destinations

Wherever you go, you can expect the locals to be friendly due to a government tourism-promotion
campaign, Yokoso Japan (Welcome to Japan), through which the Japanese government is aiming to increase the number of
international visitors to 10 million by 2010 (the country had 6 million foreign tourists in 2007). The tourism agency has
spent the last five years trying to convince foreigners that the famously closed society is welcoming.
Tokyo Sights
The No. 1 place tourists visit is Shinjuku, a massive, crowded skyscraper district within Tokyo. Built beginning in the 70s,
Shinjuku keeps adding new and bigger towers, and its commuter rail station is the transit systems busiest, with nearly 2
million passengers a day.
Shinjuku has three main components: offices, shopping and nightlife. The shopping consists of a flotilla of chic department
stores, mainly branches of the stores youll find in Ginza or elsewhere. At night, many tourists head for Shinjukus Park
Hyatt, the hotel made famous in the film Lost in Translation, to have a drink at the penthouse New York Bar and take in the
city-wide views. The Kabukicho district is also a popular hangout, thanks to its many bars and lounges.

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Tokyos next most-visited area is the famous Ginza neighborhood, a shopping mecca thats
home to the fanciest stores, Japanese and foreign alike. Weighing in at No. 4 on the mostvisited list, Ginza is where youll find all the luxury brands from around the world, many in
custom-designed boutiques.

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Shoppers throng the streets as they meander from Chanel to Mikimoto (for world-renowned
pearls); youll also find them stopping for lunch in the department store cafs. When youre done at Fendi and Gucci, follow
their example and stop at the basement food halls in one of the department stores (every department store, all over town,
has one). Its fun to pick up a picnic lunch from the myriad prepared-food vendors, but remember, its considered rude to eat
standing up in Japan.
Also on the top-destination list, within Tokyo are Shibuya and Harajuku, the twin centers of teen culture and the places to
see what the hip kids are wearing these days. But there are also more traditional attractions that shouldnt be skipped, such
as the museums, zoo and Asakusa, an old-style temple district.
Beyond The Busy Capital
When tourists leave Tokyo, they tend to go for the traditional cities often found on the covers of the
guidebooks, Osaka and Kyoto, and with good reason. Former capital Kyoto, in particular, is known worldwide as one of the
most beautiful places in Japan, and its the place to absorb the maximum amount of architectural beauty, culture and history
in the shortest amount of time. Some visitors pick Kyoto over Tokyo entirely, spending their visit among the ancient temples
and serene Zen meditation gardens.
Osaka has its advantages as well, as its home to Osaka Castle, one of the countrys most famous attractions, rich in the
countrys history. About 40 minutes away is Himeji Castle, a World Heritage Site built from the 14th to 17th centuries. Also
check out nearby Kobe, location of the devastating 1995 earthquakeand also hometown of the famous beef.
A better bet, however, is to combine a visit to Kyoto and Osaka, as theyre only about an hour apart by train. That will give
you the best picture of urban Japan, both the old and the new.
In fact, thats the hallmark of any visit to Japan. Rich in history yet obsessed with the modern and the new, its key to absorb
equal amounts of both to fully experience Japanese culture. Its up to you whether or not to take that tourism plan beyond
Tokyobut you really dont have to if you dont want to.
In Pictures: Japans 10 Most Popular Tourist Destinations