30 Best Cities to Visit in Japan (New 2023)

What are the best cities to visit in Japan? How do you find the best places?

Well, since you have landed here, you are off to a good start.

Japan is a country full of culture and history. We know the Japanese people for their hospitality and respect. Japan is a country that is full of natural beauty and new things to explore. For cultural heritage, it doesn’t get any better than Japan. There are so many things to see and do. If you are looking for a new culture to explore and some beautiful scenery, then you have to go to Japan.

And add this list to your japan travel tips, or your japan rail pass itinerary to make the most out of your trip to Japan.

And if you have limited time in Japan, some of these best cities are so close to major cities, like Tokyo, that they can be a day trip.

Best Places and Cities to Visit In Japan 2022

Tokyo

Tokyo is one of the best cities in the world. And the largest city in Japan. Like a little of Japan all in one city, Tokyo is both new and old, and it has many exciting places to visit. Tokyo is one of the most exciting cities in the world. And known for its bright lights, vibrant neighborhoods, and great food culture.

It’s more than the political and economic center of Japan, it’s also a global economic powerhouse. It mixes tradition with modernity.

Tokyo is an enormous city that is full of excitement. As the center of Japan, it is packed with places to enjoy, such as wonderful shopping, beautiful parks, exciting sports, and interesting museums.

A few popular Tourist Attractions in Tokyo Include.

Tokyo Disneyland
Tokyo Tower
The Tokyo Bay
Tokyo Skytree
Shibuya Crossing
Contemporary Art Museum
Imperial Palace

Tohoku

The northeastern part of Japan is a rural wilderness. It is bound by mountains and rivers, and many visitors go to visit the hot springs there.

Ginzan Onsen has hot springs. Ginzan Onsen is near Tohoku. The hot springs are natural, and the water is clear. There are many possibilities for things to do in Tohoku, such as hiking and snowboarding.

Wakayama

Wakayama is a touristic place in Japan. Wakayama has great places to visit. Many people want to go to Wakayama because it has both temples and hot springs. And the town is near a big airport, so it’s easy to get there. You can see the best food and visit many hiking trails, or you can even go to an amusement park!

15 Amazing Cities to Visit in Japan Besides Tokyo

Kyoto

Kyoto is one of the country’s most famous cities. It has many gardens and historical buildings. There are a lot of museums there too. Kyoto is fun because you can visit temples and palaces there.

Kyoto is a city of temples, shrines, Buddhist statues, and gardens. It’s also home to some of Japan’s most famous tourist attractions.

But Kyoto has more to offer than just its historic attractions. The city has many other attractions that make it a worthwhile destination for both tourists and locals alike. It is easy to get to Kyoto Station by train. Making it a great place to visit with a rail pass.

Osaka

Osaka is famous for food and fun. It is like Tokyo, but smaller, so it doesn’t cost as much. Osaka Castle is one of Japan’s most famous buildings. There are lots of boats and Ferris wheels. There are also many temples and shrines to visit. Osaka is famous for its food and shopping. If you like ramen, there are lots of good places to eat it in Osaka.

Osaka also has Universal Studios Japan, which could be considered a day trip. Which will soon have its own Harry Potter World.

Sendai

Sendai is famous for its festivals, just like Chiang Mai is famous for its Ping Lantern festival in Thailand.. Lots of people from all over the country visit Sendai for its festivals.

Sendai also has a grand castle. Next to it there are beautiful gardens and around it, there are many hills where you can see Mt. Fuji.

Next to the city of Sendai, there are many hot springs, which makes it an even more popular place to visit.

One of the top tourist spots in Japan is the Tanabata Matsuri in Sendai. People from all over come to enjoy it together.

Sapporo

Sapporo is a city in Japan. We know it for the Sapporo beer museum, noodles, and skiing. One interesting thing about Sapporo is that there are lots of flowers in the summer. Another cool thing about Sapporo is the Sapporo snow festival every year. Sapporo is a friendly city that I would recommend to anyone. It has lots of cool things to do and see, and the people are friendly. It is an iconic Japanese city.

Yokohama

A nearby city named Yokohama is fun to visit because it has a beautiful waterfront and gardens, art museums, and cup noodles. The city is also famous for its Chinatown and has fun festivals like the cherry blossom festival. The city is close to Tokyo, so it’s easy to visit both cities on one trip. Or just experience Yokohama as a day trip from Tokyo.

Nagasaki

Nagasaki’s location overlooks the harbor, but it damaged many buildings in the war. Many tourists come to see the damage and to visit the memorial of that war. You have sites like the Nagasaki peace park. And peace memorial park commemorates the city’s tragic history.

Despite its tragic history. The city is beautiful and has become one of the best cities to visit in Japan.

Matsue

Matsue is a peaceful place with a beautiful castle. Lake Shinji is close by and fishermen use it. There are many museums there, and most visitors stay longer than they planned to because it’s so relaxing and quiet. There are many temples and shrines in Matsue. The castle is the most popular attraction, but some temples date back to the Edo period (1603-1867). There is also a beautiful garden at one temple called Kairakuen.

Hiroshima

Hiroshima is a city in Japan. The city was destroyed by an atomic bomb, but it has been rebuilt. Hiroshima is now full of life. The city has parks, temples, and museums. As well as the iconic Hiroshima Castle. There are also many restaurants and shops. Hiroshima is also a very modern city. There are many tall buildings and shopping centers. The people in Hiroshima are very friendly. And two of the most popular sites are the Hiroshima peace memorial park and the atomic bomb dome.

Toyama

Toyama is one of the most beautiful cities in Japan. It has mountains and oceans, so you can ski and hike at the same time. It is superb in fall when leaves are falling on the trees. Toyama is famous for its hot springs. It has many onsens, which are places where you can relax in hot water.

The best ones are at the top of Mt. Tateyama, a mountain with beautiful views of Toyama Bay and the city below. Toyama is a great place to visit because it’s not as busy as other cities in Japan. It also doesn’t have a lot of tourists, which makes it feel like home.

Nara

Nara is one of the oldest places in Japan. The ancient Japanese capital is like a museum. They have lots of old temples, including one that has an enormous Buddha statue. It’s very peaceful there because it’s located on the hills away from the city. From the old temple to the towering statue. This is one of the best cities in Japan.

Nara was very important to Japan in the past and has a lot of old buildings. Nara Park is also one of the most famous parks in the entire country. Known for its Nara Park deer.

Fukuoka

Fukuoka is a fun city in Japan. It’s not famous, but it has a lot to offer people who like traditional Japanese culture and modern amenities. The city features beach, water sports, hiking trails, and lots of delicious food.

Not very many people have heard of Fukuoka City, but it is a great place for travelers who want to experience Japanese life.

Kanazawa

Kanazawa is a nice place to visit, even if it’s not as famous as Tokyo. In Kanazawa, you can see everything from beautiful temples and shrines, and some of them are old. The crowning jewel is Kanazawa Castle. There are lots of samurai houses, too. It’s a fun place to walk around and learn about the history of Japan.

Many tourists like visiting Kanazawa. It has a lot of temples, shrines, and museums. They’re ancient and exquisite.

A famous city in Japan, we know Kanazawa for its wonderful gardens with castles and temples.

Himeji

If you love castles, you will love Himeji. Himeji Castle is one of the most popular in the country. And a UNESCO World Heritage Site. But not the only reason this is one of the best cities to visit in Japan.

There are even some samurai houses that have traditional Japanese gardens. But The major attraction in Himeji is the castle. It is a enormous castle with many floors. Other things to do in Himeji are see samurai houses, go to temples, and eating at restaurants.

Kobe

Kobe is a small city with a cool feel. It is near the water, and there are mountains behind it. If you live in Kobe, there are lots of mountains you can climb to get a better view of the city. People can take trains to explore other cities nearby, like Kyoto and Osaka.

Beppu

People go to Beppu, Japan to relax. And to soak in the hot water that is in the city. There are beautiful buildings in Beppu and lots of things to do that cost nothing. It is one of the best cities to visit in Japan.

Another perk of visiting Beppu is that many of the hotels have onsen (Japanese-style baths) from the hot springs. There are also many places to eat in Beppu, including teppanyaki restaurants, okonomiyaki shops, ramen shops, and more.

Best Places to Visit In Japan for First Timers

Of course, any of the above cities like Tokyo, Beppu, and Kyoto should be on the list. But since we have already discussed them, we will focus on alternative places.

Aomori

Aomori, which is near Sendai, is full of beautiful mountains and national parks. The city is lively and scenic. And the mountains in Aomori are beautiful and exciting. People come from all over the world to see them. There are also lakes, rivers and forests. Aomori is just like a postcard. It has mountains, rivers and lakes.

Kochi

Kochi has long stretches of the beautiful coast. This coast is popular with surfers and divers from all over Japan and the world. One very special place is Kashiwajima because it has amazing coral reefs.

On the southwestern coast of Kochi is a four-kilometer-long island that is warm and tropical. The waters are very blue, the coral is red and white, and there is much fish to see.

It has a beautiful castle, landscape, and rivers. And my favorite dish in Japan.

Saiko Iyashi-no-Sato Nemba (For Mt Fuji photos)

Saiko Iyashi-no-Sato Nemba is a village that is near Lake Saiko is a museum that looks like an old farming village. The museum is near the lake. The lake is one of the Fuji Five Lakes.

People love to take pictures of the nice, old buildings, which are surrounded by Mt Fuji. And is one of the most popular spots to take pictures of Mount Fuji.

Most Beautiful Places to Visit In Japan

Mount Rokko

There is a pretty mountain called Mount Rokko where you can see the complete city. We’ve made it easier to get to. It is the best place in the area to get a magnificent view of the area.

The highest point in the Rokko Mountains is a nice place to visit. You can see the cities of Kobe and Osaka when the sun is going down. There is a garden and sheep on top of the mountain.

Lake Ashinoko

Lake Ashinoko, also known as Lake Ashi, is an immense lake in the mountains outside of Tokyo, Japan. It’s really beautiful, and people go there to swim and sometimes to ride in boats that have views of Mount Fuji and the town around the lake. Lake Ashinoko is from a volcano that went off 3000 years ago. It is the symbol of Hakone, which means it is really beautiful.

Itsukushima Shrine

Itsukushima Shrine is famous for its Torii Gate. The Miyajima Shrine is beautiful and popular because it has a gate that floats in the water and not on land. Thousands of people visit Itsukushima every year.

The Itsukushima Shrine is more famous than Miyajima Island.

Shirakawa-go

A great place to visit is Gassho-zukuriminka en, near Mt. Haku san. It’s a silent village in the Japanese Alps, surrounded by many ice fields, with a river running through it. If you go there in the summer, you can go to a festival where they make a kind of beer called doburoku. That festival is called Doburoku Fest.

Mount Koya

In Japan, many people visit a place called Mount Koya.

In Japan, there are two important Buddhist temples. One of them is on the side of a mountain. There are hundreds of small temples around it.

Here, visitors can see many temples. The most important temple is Kongobuji. Daishi-sama is buried there in an enormous coffin.

List of Popular Historical Sites in Japan

Nagoya Castle – A historic castle located in Nagoya city, Aichi Prefecture, known for its unique architecture and significance in Japanese history.
Nikko National Park – A national park located in Tochigi Prefecture, famous for its ancient temples, shrines, and scenic natural beauty.
Kyoto – The ancient capital of Japan, renowned for its rich history and cultural heritage, with numerous historic sites such as the Fushimi Inari Shrine and the Kiyomizu-dera temple.
Himeji Castle – An original castle located in Himeji city, Hyogo Prefecture, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Japan’s most iconic castles.
Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park – A national park located in Yamanashi, Shizuoka, and Kanagawa prefectures, famous for its scenic beauty, hot springs, and panoramic views of Mount Fuji.
Hokkaido – The northernmost island of Japan, renowned for its natural beauty, cultural heritage, and historic sites such as the Sapporo Clock Tower and the Hakodate Historic District.
Hiroshima – A historic city known for its tragic history, symbolized by the Atomic Bomb Dome and the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park.
Todai-ji Temple – An ancient temple located in Nara city, Nara Prefecture, famous for its giant Buddha statue and its status as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Kanazawa – A historic city located in Ishikawa Prefecture, renowned for its traditional architecture, gardens, and historic sites such as the Kenroku-en Garden and the Nagamachi Samurai District.
Yokohama – A port city located in Kanagawa Prefecture, renowned for its international flavor, historic sites such as the Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse and the Sankeien Garden, and its proximity to Tokyo.

Best Places to Visit In Japan In April

Mountains of Yoshino

The Yoshino mountains in Nara are a popular destination to see the cherry blossom trees that cover the hillsides. The Yoshino mountains have the highest concentration of cherry blossom trees, with around 30,000 trees on the hills. It is easy to see how Yoshino has inspired Japanese waka poetry and songs for over a thousand years.

Shimanami Kaido

Shimanami Kaido is a popular cycling route that connects the southern island of Shikoku to the main island of Honshu. The 37-mile-long bike ride connects several small islands that are barely out of the water. Keep in mind that the weather in April is perfect for this bike ride.

Yamanashi’s Fuji Motosuko Resort

Yamanashi’s Fuji Motosuko Resort is a breathtaking, surreal landscape, with pink moss, sweeping hills, and stunning views. In Yamanashi Prefecture, Japan – this is a great place in Japan to visit in April. One of the major draws is the Moss Phlox Shibazakura Festival, which runs from mid-April too late May. This is the perfect time to get out and explore this resort.

Hitachi Seaside Park

Hitachi Seaside Park, in the country-filled prefecture of Ibaraki, is a large public park in Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan. We know the park for its vast flower fields, which change with the seasons. Visitors can enjoy flower viewing throughout the year, with fresh flowers blooming at different times.

We can find the most famous flowers on Miharashi Hill. This is where the blue nemophila, a baby blue flower, covers the rolling hills.

Don’t forget to check out the amusement park as well. That has a 300ft high Ferris wheel. And over 20 attractions and rides.

Kawazu, Izu Peninsula

Each year, the Japanese people celebrate cherry blossom season with the hope of a new start. April marks the time of the year when many of the cherry blossom trees on the side of the river blossom.

But Kawazu is the perfect place to visit for those looking for an early way to enjoy the blossoming cherry blossoms.

This small town is home to over 800 cherry blossom trees that line its riverbanks. These are home to Kawazuzakura, the specific type of cherry blossom that begins blooming in early February.

These trees are owned by locals who care for them diligently and take great care to make sure that the trees continue to thrive.

Whether you are coming from New York City, the middle east, or South America. Japan is a county worth visiting. It is a country of amazing landscapes, wild areas, and great food. I am looking at you, Ramen.

These are the best cities to visit in Japan. And some of the best places to visit in the country. Adding any of these best cities to a japan itinerary will add to your trip! As far as the top tourist attraction. And the best cities to visit in Japan for you. That is something you need to find outside for yourself.