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[Nationwide ] If you're lost, here's where to go! 10 attractive and recommended tourist destinations in Japan

[Nationwide ] If you're lost, here's where to go! 10 attractive and recommended tourist destinations in Japan

2022-11-11

Japan has so many undiscovered attractions that there is really no end to the list of fascinating places to visit. Just thinking about where to visit on your next trip can be a fun, yet worrisome, process due to the sheer number of choices. In this issue, we have selected 10 of the most attractive tourist destinations in Japan to help you get oriented when choosing a travel destination. You may discover some unexpected highlights of these destinations.

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Sapporo (city)



When it comes time to plan a trip, Hokkaido is the first place that comes to mind when looking north. Sapporo, the prefectural capital, is the base city for sightseeing in Hokkaido, but there are also many sightseeing spots and attractions within Sapporo.

"I want to continue to live in "a large city in the north with many people



For people from south of Honshu, Sapporo may seem cold and inconvenient. In reality, however, the city's residents are supported by its excellent urban functions and ease of living, which overshadow such concerns. In addition, this northern metropolis is full of fresh seafood, mountain delicacies, historical buildings, and other attractions. After all, it is nice to visit a place where the residents seem to be happy.

Japan's new top three night scenes



Moiwa offers a 360-degree view of the city of Sapporo, the Ishikari Plain, and the majestic mountains all at once. Especially, the night view from the top of the 531-meter-high mountain has been selected three times since 2015 as one of the three best night views in Japan "" . Of course, the panoramic view during the daytime is also exceptional. It is recommended to take the ropeway up in the daylight and enjoy the night view after the sun sets.

Tokyo



Tokyo is a well-known world-class tourist attraction that attracts many tourists, both domestic and international. It is also a one-of-a-kind place that serves as a hub for Japan's economy, culture, and all other areas.

A mix of retro and modern



Tokyo has an interesting mix of a retro Showa-era atmosphere and a sophisticated near-future feel. The Tokyo Sky Tree towers over the neighborhoods of Asakusa and Ameyoko, two charming downtown areas, as if to symbolize a new era. It reminds us of the accumulation of history that has been constantly evolving.

Cities with character



Even within the same city of Tokyo, each town has its own unique character and never bores the visitor. The areas that visitors want to visit vary depending on their generation and tastes. For example, Ginza and Roppongi have a luxurious atmosphere and are preferred by the mature generation. On the other hand, there are areas such as Shibuya and Harajuku, which function as the center of youth culture. Even before you visit, you can enjoy the pleasure of planning your trip with a vast array of choices.

Nagano (city)



Nagano is a city located almost in the center of Honshu, surrounded by nature with views of 3000 meter mountains. The Hokuriku Shinkansen Line, which continues to be further extended, also runs through the city, making it an increasingly accessible tourist destination.

Many places of interest with a long history



The area is crowded with historic tourist attractions such as Zenkoji Temple, which has a history of approximately 1,400 years, and Togakushi Shrine, which is the setting of Japanese mythology. The area is full of natural spots where you can directly feel the changes of the four seasons.

Maximum appeal in any season.



No matter what time of year you visit, you can experience the maximum of its attractions. In spring, enjoy the colorful flowers; in summer, experience outdoor activities unique to the mountainous region. In winter, the abundant snowfall allows visitors to enjoy winter sports to their heart's content.

Kanazawa



Kanazawa has become much more accessible with the extension of the Hokuriku Shinkansen line in 2015. This city, which represents the Hokuriku area, reaffirms the charm of Japan's traditional culture and technology.

Traditional culture nurtured in Kaga Hyakumangoku



During the Edo period (1603-1867), the area flourished as the castle town of Kanazawa Castle, the residence of the Maeda family, lords of the Kaga domain. Because of this historical background, even today, the town still retains gardens reminiscent of those days "Kenrokuen Garden "and elegant streets. The town is also well-developed in crafts, such as gold leaf and Kutani ceramics, so it is a good place to bring back your favorite small items as souvenirs.

Abundant seafood from the Sea of Japan



When visiting Kanazawa, one should not forget the seafood caught in the cold, rough waves of the Sea of Japan. You can enjoy a wide variety of fish, shrimp, crab, salmon roe, and other fresh seafood to your heart's content.

Kyoto



Kyoto is a world-famous, leading tourist destination in Japan. As an ancient capital and longtime political center of Japan, Kyoto has a concentrated Japanese identity that has already been lost elsewhere in the country. The city is also famous for its large student population due to the concentration of educational institutions, and the fresh atmosphere of the younger generation characterizes the city.

You can only find it here: "Japaneseness "



For foreigners, Kyoto is such a special place that it has become a symbol of Japan, and some even cross the ocean just to visit. The cool traditional culture and scenery that has been passed down from generation to generation is well worth a closer look or a one-time experience. Traditional delicacies such as pickles, tea, and Japanese sweets are also unique to Kyoto.

A treasure trove of tourist attractions



Famous temples, shrines, and world heritage sites are everywhere. It is not uncommon to see historic buildings such as those mentioned in famous waka poems, and the extensive bus and train network allows visitors to explore any number of them. Another attraction is that the appearance of the gardens changes dramatically depending on the time of year you visit, such as the cherry blossoms and autumn leaves.

Osaka



Osaka is a vibrant city representing western Japan. Along with Tokyo, it is a metropolis that divides Japan into east and west, but each has a very different personality. Osaka's powerful and friendly people leave a particularly strong impression. A place where people love their city and are proud of it is still very attractive.

town of dissatisfaction with food



There are many inexpensive and tasty dishes, such as takoyaki and kushikatsu. The good thing is that you can enjoy more good food with the same budget. Our recommendation is to eat your way through Dotonbori and Shinsekai. You may discover new tastes you have never encountered in a town where various food cultures are fused together.

Great shopping at a great price!



Due to Osaka's historical background as a prosperous merchant town, people's sense of market prices seems to be particularly severe, even within Japan. In other words, the discerning eye of buyers encourages competition in the market, making it possible to buy good products at lower prices. "This is a fun area for shopping, from large commercial facilities such as Grand Front Osaka "to deep shopping streets in the downtown area.

Kobe (port city near Osaka)



Kobe is a city located in a relatively compact area between the mountains and the sea. A downtown area along the sea with a pleasant breeze blowing through it and hot springs bubbling up in the mountains exist in the same city. Thanks to its exquisite location, visitors can enjoy a rich variety of scenery and atmosphere with only a short trip.

Fashionable town with an exotic atmosphere



Although they are located close enough to Osaka that they can be reached in as little as 20 minutes, the atmosphere of these cities is quite different. Kobe has served as the gateway to Western culture in Japan since the opening of the port at the end of the Edo period. As a result, the streets have a somewhat exotic atmosphere and are very fashionable. In particular, the Ijinkan (foreigners' pavilion) in Kitano is a perfect spot for a stroll or a date.

Rokko, a classic night view spot



The view from Mt. Rokko and Mt. Maya, which divide Kobe City from north to south, covers a wide area from the Hanshin industrial area along Osaka Bay to as far as Wakayama. At night, visitors can enjoy the brilliant night views. "The spectacular view from the top of Mt. Rokko, reached by the Rokko Cable ( "), is truly romantic.

Fukuoka (cit



Fukuoka is a major city that flourishes as a representative of Kyushu. Various functions such as administration, culture, economy, and education in the Kyushu region are concentrated here, and the city is full of students and young people, making it a vibrant and energetic city. Its close proximity to South Korea has led to a thriving cultural exchange and the development of a unique culture that differs from that of other parts of Japan.

capital of food



There are many delicious foods in Fukuoka. The most famous are tonkotsu ramen, motsunabe, and mentaiko (cod roe). Yakitori and Hakata udon are also not to be missed. In fact, there is a theory that udon originated in Fukuoka. Fukuoka is also known for its yatai stalls. The yatai stalls that line Nakasu, Tenjin, and Nagahama streets add to the atmosphere of a trip just by passing by them at night.

Vibrant shopping districts abound



As if to reflect the large number of young people, there are many shopping complexes and other places to enjoy shopping, including JR Hakata Station and Canal City Hakata, which are so large that they have become huge tourist attractions in themselves.

Nagasaki



Nagasaki City, located in the northwestern part of Kyushu, is a city with a unique mortar-shaped topography, even by national standards. It is a tourist destination that is also attracting attention for its improved accessibility due to the opening of the West Kyushu Shinkansen bullet train line.

A city of hills and night views surrounded by mountains



Surrounded by mountains on three sides, Nagasaki is known for its extreme lack of plains. The nightscape created by this unique topography is "one of the three newest nightscapes in the world "and "one of the three most beautiful nightscapes in Japan ". The night view from Mt. Inasa is especially famous for its beauty.

Historic Cities



Nagasaki is also known for having been the setting for numerous historical events. For example, during the Edo period (1603-1867), when the country was closed to the outside world, Nagasaki was the only place where foreign exchange was permitted. This led to the mixing of Western culture introduced along with Christianity with traditional Japanese culture. As a remnant, distinctive buildings and cityscapes remain to this day. The city is also well known as a city that was exposed to nuclear weapons, and is one of the centers for communicating the importance of peace to the rest of the world.

Okinawa (prefecture)



The rich nature and ocean that Okinawa offers that mainland Japan does not have grabs the hearts of visitors and does not let go. The beautiful ocean is such a big attraction that many people have started to seriously consider moving to Okinawa after coming here for sightseeing. Okinawa is also a year-round tourist destination full of other attractions.

Unique Food Culture



Okinawa's unique food culture is one of the first things you should pay attention to when you visit. For example, there is a wide variety of Okinawan soba noodles, pork dishes such as rafti and soki, and sataa andagi. The ingredients and flavors of these local dishes are different from those of the mainland, and combined with Okinawa's mild climate, they make for a vivid travel experience.

Time flows in a way that is far removed from Japan.



Culturally, there are some distinctive differences between Okinawa and mainland Japan that make them attractive. It is said that many people in Okinawa have a generous nature that does not care about small things. The atmosphere brought about by such a disposition will gently relax the hearts of those who are tired of their busy daily lives. The slow flow of time peculiar to Okinawa is truly healing.

summary

These are the 10 recommended tourist destinations in Japan. Once again, we can see that Japan has developed distinctive climates, unique cultures, and food cultures in every corner of the country, east, west, south, and north. We hope you will consider the preferences of yourself and your travel companions as you plan your trip.

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