When it comes to our travel itinerary we always plan what are the places we need to cover and how to make things during the journey. In the same way visiting Japan is literally a unique thing to many backpackers who have already visited, but if you ask them what are the popular places you’re covered during your trip, surely they would say popular cities like Tokyo or Kyoto.
But Japan is not just limiting its breathtaking and tranquil beauty to these 2 cities, it’s beyond that. There are ample landmarks in Japan that are mostly unknown or less aware about, which are often known for their natural, historical and cultural richness. If you are a completely new traveller, wish to start your first travel journey from Japan or plan your next vacation, then below are 7 perfect places for you.
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If you are a New Traveler to Japan and Plan to Make a Trip, Then Below 7 Destinations for You.
1. Tokyo
It is always a better idea to start your journey in Japan through visiting the world famous Tokyo city. I know it is popular and already visited by most backpackers, but since you are a new traveler, exploring Tokyo city is a crucial thing especially while entering Japan.
Such a bustling city Tokyo always welcomes visitors from its tranquil ambiances and modern cutting edge technologies. Tokyo city always stands in the first place in the world to enjoy the opportunity of a perfect blend of modern architecture along with ancient or cultural values. We strongly recommend you to take a look at pop culture, visit modern buildings like Azabudai Hills Mori JP Tower, historic sites such as Senso-ji Temple, Ueno Park, and Meiji Jingu Shrine.
Apart from its iconic landmarks we also insist you to attend any city’s top attractions like Tokyo Tower, Imperial Palace of Tokyo, Shibuyan Crossing, travel in bullet trains and ancient Asakusa. If you try to spend more time in this city, surely you’ll enjoy futuristic technologies, restaurants, food courts, charming neighbourhoods, impressive art experiences and bustling city vibes.
2. Hiroshima
If you ask us what would you recommend as the second best destination in Japan after exploring Tokyo, without thinking too we can say Hiroshima. Despite its tragic past, Hiroshima is a place today home to many beautiful things like historic museums, gardens, beautiful neighbourhoods and ancient castles. Surely visitors learn both its past history along with modern and pleasant travel beauty.
As we know, both Hiroshima and Nagasaki cities were destroyed by the American Nuclear Bomb during 1945. After severe damages and loss, the country decides to build this city as a symbol of peace and the most futuristic one. So, if you are a history lover curious about what happened during the atomic bombing period in detail, then it is important to visit Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park.
During your memorial park tours, you’ll get to know about collections and displays of victim’s photos and belongings through movies and pictures. However, effects of bombs explode through original photography, artist’s impressions, lifelike models and descriptive explanations also available.
The second important place you need to focus on is Miyajima Island, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The island contains the iconic red “floating tori” gate in the water, considered as the most scenic and photographic sight in the island.
3. Kyoto
The place is often known as the Imperial Capital of Japan, Kyoto is another popular place that must be one of its 7 best places to visit in Japan. No such great place like Kyoto in the entire country where both traditional and natural landmarks exist in vast numbers. Even today most of the visitors throughout this world choose to visit Kyoto over Tokyo.
The city holds most of Japan’s traditional cultural landmarks and heritage, derived as the capital city of Japan from 794 to 1868. Even today the city is home of Emperors, ancient Japanese cultures and traditions making it one of the ideal places to watch Imperial legacy.
Things to do in Kyoto are mixed with both your natural and historical tours, since the place offers vast amounts of ancient buddhist shrines, temples, castles and natural attractions like gardens, bamboo forest and leisure paths. We recommend you to walk in the iconic Fushimi Inari Taisha, Philosophers Path and Arashiyama Bamboo Forest. If you love to visit any ancient destination in Kyoto, better to make plans to visit Kinkaku-ji, Nijo Castle, Dera Temple, and Gion District.
4. Nara
Nara is another spectacular city located near Kyoto city and holds much older history than Kyoto. Nara also served as Japan’s capital city before Kyoto, approximately between 710 and 794, making it equivalent to the heritages, history and legacy that Kyoto holds today. Since the city is small it is easy to explore and find the things in a very short period of time, especially temples and shrines located in walkable distances.
We urge every backpacker to make some free time to explore this breathtaking city, not just to find its historical attractions, more precisely renowned Nara Deer Park. Nara Park is a massive park located at the foot of Mount Wakakusa, home to popular tame deer where visitors are very fortunate to walk, feed and take pictures with deer’s.
Todai-ji Temple, which is the world’s largest wooden building with its giant Buddha statue located in the same Nara city. Visit Horyuji Temple, well known as the oldest temple in Japan (Japan’s first World Heritage Site). Indulge the beauty of the Nara city through cultural treasures, parklands and surrounding lush greeneries with urban touch.
5. Osaka
If you like to spend more time with bustlining nightlifes, enjoy mouth-watering street foods or impressive traditional architecture, then Osaka city is for you. There are the most beautiful places to visit in Osaka that exhibit different travel feelings and vibe to new backpackers. During your Osaka journey surely you will realise why this city is often called “Japan’s Kitchen”, due to vast numbers of restaurants, street food stalls and culinary options.
“Venice of the East”, Osaka is the second largest metropolitan city after Tokyo, where bustling modern buildings and other historical landmarks like Osaka Castle, and Shitenno Ji temple help to add more value to its richness.
Just because it is a hub of food, it is not a good idea to visit just for your culinary delights. Moreover, Osaka is a place that holds strong architectural symbols such as Osaka Castle, established in 1586, known for impressive architecture, scenic park views and historical significance.
Shitenno Ji Temple is another iconic evidence of Japan’s history, recognised as the oldest temple in Japan and primarily used for ceremonies and prayers every day during Shotoku time. It is a better idea to visit other iconic attractions like Universal Studio Japan, Hozenji, Kuromon Ichiba Market and Dontobori.
6. Hokkaido
Visiting Hokkaido is truly a different travel experience compared to any other destinations in Japan. Hokkaido is one of the main islands home to some of the spectacular mountainous wilderness, wildlife and dramatic landscapes. Since region filled by the most wilderness and scenic landscapes, surely visitors expect multiple outdoor activities like skiing and snowboarding during winter and fresh sea food options here.
If you are looking for what to do during our Hokkaido journey, we always urge you to enjoy its hot springs, forests, mountains and endless coastlines, which always offer a range of adventure opportunities. However, the island also contains the country’s best natural hot springs, volcanic lakes and indigenous Ainu people’s culture and traditions.
Besides its natural beauty, Hokkaido is famous for even Sapporo beer, Sapporo ramen and the popular Sapporo Snow Festival. Each of these activities try to exhibit the region’s rich history and natural backgrounds to visitors, do not miss to be part of that.
7. Hakone
If you are looking for a more beautiful and charming town near Tokyo city, then we strongly recommend you to head to Hakone. Hakone is a town with the country’s rich lush landscapes, museums, rich history, thermal hot springs and stunning views of Mount Fuji.
Hakone is a most popular mountainous area located between Tokyo and Kyoto city. Visiting Hakone could be an iconic journey where natural, arts and cultural, and ancient symbols exist. Hakone Shrine is an intrinsic thing known as torii gate located in Lake Ashi. Visiting Hakone Open Air Museum, contains numerous art collections regarding Rodin and Picasso.
