Japan is somewhere I think everyone should visit. From futuristic skyscrapers to tranquil bamboo forests and neon arcades to serene temples, it’s like nowhere else on the planet.
The food is incredible, the people are ultra polite, and it has one of the most efficient public transport systems in the world. We love the combination of ease of travel and glorious bewilderment.
Japan has so much to offer but where should you start? These are our picks for the 10 best places to visit in Japan, perfect for your first or second trip to the country (plus extra suggestions for the repeat visits that are likely to happen!).
I’ve included our favourite things to do in each place, how long to spend there, and where we stayed.
At the end of the post, you’ll find a map of all these Japan destinations to start planning your route.
I recommend mixing a few of the popular cities (most people won’t want to miss Tokyo and Kyoto) with some quieter, more rural places in Japan to see a different side of the country and take a break from the ever-increasing crowds.
Top Places to Visit in Japan
1) Kyoto
If you only have time for one Japan destination, make it Kyoto.
This is traditional Japan as you imagined it—geisha in brightly coloured kimonos emerging from wooden teahouses, forests of bamboo, temples and shrines in gold and silver and scarlet, raked gravel Zen gardens, intricate feasts served on lacquered plates, graceful tea ceremonies, and markets full of intriguing but unidentifiable ingredients.
The concrete high-rises of downtown Kyoto can be disappointing, so head out towards the mountains to the surrounding neighbourhoods where you’ll find narrow stone streets, old wooden houses, monks in flowing robes, and the sounds of chanting and gongs from the many temples and shrines.
Gion is the place to spot geisha, Higashiyama has many beautiful temples to explore, and Arashiyama, up in the western hills, is one of the most traditional neighbourhoods and home to bamboo groves, quirky temples, and monkeys.
Kyoto is one of the top Japan tourist spots, so try to visit the popular temples early in the morning as they do get crowded.
In Kyoto don’t miss:
- Wandering through the red torii gates of Fushimi Inari shrine.
- Drinking matcha in a traditional tea ceremony. We loved Tea Ceremony Ju-An at Jotokuji Temple.
- Learning to cook traditional Japanese cuisine in a Kyoto cooking class.
- Taking the train to the village of Kibune and walking across the valley to the beautiful Kurama-dera temple.
- Retreating from the busy streets of Gion to the magical Yasaka-jinja at night.
- Strolling the Philosopher’s Path (bonus if you can score a reservation at Monk Kyoto).
- Experiencing Zen Buddhist cuisine at the Tenryu-ji temple.
- Getting off the beaten track at the quirky Otagi Nenbutsuji temple.
- Exploring these magical Kyoto cherry blossom spots if you visit in late-March or early-April.
- Enjoying the magnificent autumn colours if you visit in mid to late-November (Eikando and Enkoji are our two of our favourite places to see autumn leaves in Kyoto).
- The new TeamLab Biovortex digital art museum for a break from temples.
How Long to Spend: 3 nights minimum but 5 nights would be better. We’ve spent over three months in Kyoto and still haven’t done everything! A longer stay also allows you to avoid the crowds more easily (you have more early mornings available) and take some of these wonderful day trips from Kyoto.
Read: Our post on the many amazing things to do in Kyoto (and how to avoid the crowds) and our guide to Kyoto’s temples and shrines and the best vegetarian restaurants in Kyoto
Where to stay in Kyoto: For a traditional ryokan, we loved our huge suite with private bath overlooking the garden at Ryokan Yachiyo near Nanzenji temple.
At central Sora Niwa Terrace we enjoyed the amazing view from its onsen and rooftop bar. Or in a quiet part of Gion, Hotel The Celestine is stylish and close to temples.
See our guide to where to stay in Kyoto for detailed hotel reviews and neighbourhood tips.
2) Tokyo
If Kyoto is the heart of traditional Japan, Tokyo is its ultramodern counterpart.
It’s here you’ll find the skyscrapers, noisy arcades, busy pedestrian crossings, quirky youth fashions, and many many incredibly delicious restaurants.
If all you do in Tokyo is eat, you’ll have an amazing time—even as vegetarians we ate so well.
Tokyo is also home to some of the weirdest activities we’ve ever done. From themed cafes (cats, owls, maids, robots, goats—you name it, Tokyo has it) to sensory-overload shows and arcades to cos-play go-karting.
On my first trip to Tokyo I was overwhelmed by the sprawling city and couldn’t help comparing it unfavourably to Kyoto.
On repeat visits I’ve grown to love the city (the food certainly helps) and while it isn’t as attractive as Kyoto, there is so much to do that you won’t want to skip it.
In Tokyo don’t miss:
- Driving a go-kart on the real roads while dressed as your favourite character. Insanity but so much fun!
- Eating in a tiny restaurant on atmospheric Memory Lane in Shinjuku.
- Gazing at the 360º skyline from the Shibuya Sky observatory (go at sunset for day and night views)
- Walking across the famous Shibuya Crossing.
- Gawping at the outrageous outfits on Takeshita Street in Harajuku.
- Visiting the brilliant DisneySea (our favourite Disney park in the world!) or neighbouring Tokyo Disneyland (or both if you have two days spare).
- Immersing yourself in the colourful digital art museums, TeamLab Planets (and don’t miss Uzu vegan ramen afterwards) or TeamLab Borderless. See our TeamLab Planets tips.
- Watching sumo wrestlers train— we did this morning sumo stable visit and it felt such an honour to see these impressive athletes close up.
- Drinking green tea at the relaxing Sakurai Japanese Tea Experience (the tea course is worth it).
- Exploring the cool neighbourhood of Shimokitazawa for cafes, vintage clothes, and record stores.
How Long to Spend: 3 – 5 nights or longer if you want to take day trips (such as to Nikko, Kawaguchiko or Hakone (for Mt Fuji), and Kamakura). We’ve spent about 2 months here on various trips and still find new things to do. If time is limited, I would allocate more time to Kyoto than Tokyo.
Read: 26 cool things to do in Tokyo and the best vegetarian restaurants in Tokyo.
Where to stay in Tokyo: Read why I think Shinjuku is the best area to stay in Tokyo for first timers. My top pick is Hotel Century Southern Tower next to Shinjuku Station—our panoramic king room had an incredible view and was more spacious than most Tokyo hotel rooms.
On the other side of Tokyo (near Ginza and Tokyo Station), we also loved The Blossom Hibiya for its convenient transport links, comfortable (if compact) rooms, city views, and lounge with free drinks.
Search for hotels in Tokyo here.
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3) Takayama
Takayama is an utterly gorgeous small town on the edge of the Japan Alps and one of the best less-visited places to go in Japan.
I loved wandering the historic centre full of traditional wooden houses, colourful shrines, neatly shaped trees, and bright red bridges over the river.
In Takayama don’t miss:
- Wandering the old town in the early morning before the crowds arrive.
- Buying delicious fruit from the morning markets.
- Snacking on mitarashi-dango (rice balls grilled in soy) from a street stall.
- Seeing the extravagant floats at the Festival Floats Exhibition Hall.
- Visiting the Hida Folk Village to see traditional thatched houses.
- Cycling through the countryside with Satoyama Experience.
How Long to Spend: 2-3 nights. We had 2 nights and wished we’d had longer because there’s lots to do in the surrounding countryside. With a longer stay you could take day trips to the traditional thatched roof houses of Shirakawa-go and go hiking in Kamikochi in the Japan Alps.
Read: 56 Best Things to do in Japan for an Unforgettable Trip
Where to stay in Takayama: We stayed at Super Hotel Hida Takayama, a good mid-range business hotel near the train station. Next time I want to stay at Oyado Koto No Yume, a ryokan with onsen which gets excellent reviews. Find more hotels in Takayama here.
Another option, if you need a relaxing break, is to stay in the hot spring resort, Gero Onsen, 45 minutes from Takayama on the train. We did nothing but soak in our private bath and eat delicious food at historic Yunoshimakan Ryokan, and it was just what we needed on a busy trip. You could visit Takayama on a day trip or stay here afterwards.
Top tip: See our Japan 2 week itinerary for more details on combining these top places in Japan for an amazing trip.
4) Hakone
Mount Fuji is on most people’s lists of places to visit in Japan, but this must-see Japan landmark can be rather elusive and is often hidden by clouds.
There are a number of places you can see the mountain from (Kawaguchiko is another great option), but Hakone is easy to reach from Tokyo and there are lots of other things to do in the area in case you are out of luck with a sighting.
Despite visiting on a cloudy, drizzly day, we were lucky that Mount Fuji emerged from the clouds above Lake Ashi and it was magical!
Hakone is also fun to visit because you can do a loop of the sights on different modes of transport—train, bus, pirate boat (yes, really!), and cable car.
In Hakone don’t miss:
- Buying a Hakone Free Pass so you can hop on and off all the transport options on the Hakone Loop.
- Seeing Mount Fuji from the lake or cable car.
- Eating a black egg cooked in the hot sulphur springs at volcanic Owakudani (not really, we skipped this, but the Japanese love them).
- Soaking in an onsen.
- Staying in a tatami room in a ryokan (traditional inn) and enjoying an elaborate dinner.
- Wandering the outdoor sculpture gallery at Hakone Open Air Museum.
How Long to Spend: You could visit on a day trip from Tokyo but I recommend 1-2 nights to experience a ryokan and onsen. We had one night and did part of the loop in the afternoon we arrived and the rest in the morning. While it was just enough for the main sights, we wished we’d had longer to enjoy our ryokan.
Where to stay in Hakone: I recommend staying in Moto Hakone by Lake Ashi for Mt Fuji views. A ryokan with an onsen and meals included is the perfect way to experience the area. Our ryokan has closed but Yoshimatsu looks like a beautiful alternative. Find more hotels in Hakone here.
5) Kanazawa
Kanazawa is one of the best cities to visit in Japan, but few foreign tourists make it here.
Consider Kanazawa as a quieter alternative to Kyoto to experience geisha districts with preserved wooden buildings.
There is also one of the most beautiful gardens in the country, a stunning castle, and many art museums to explore.
In Kanazawa don’t miss:
- Wandering Kenroku-en Garden, one of the top three gardens in Japan.
- Exploring the wooden teahouses of the geisha districts Higashi Chaya and the quieter Kazuemachi and Nishi Chaya.
- Experiencing a traditional tea ceremony at the exquisite Gyokusen-en Gardens.
How Long to Spend: 2 nights.
Where to stay in Kanazawa: We stayed in a standard business hotel in the centre—there are lots of budget options. Find hotels in Kanazawa here.
6) Nikko
Nikko is a temple town and UNESCO world heritage site in the mountains a few hours north of Tokyo and makes a cool retreat from the city. The area is famous for its vibrant autumn colours.
The temples and shrines with their vermillion gates and moss-covered stone lanterns are scattered on the wooded hillside.
The main attraction is Toshogu Shrine, a stunning complex with more than a dozen lavishly decorated red and gold buildings amongst huge, ancient cedar trees. The crowds can be overwhelming, so afterwards head to one of the quieter shrines.
In Nikko don’t miss:
- Visiting Toshogu Shrine early to avoid the crowds.
- Playing games at atmospheric Futarasan-jinja.
- Exploring Taiyuinbyo.
- Hiking up the mountain to the peaceful Takino shrine.
- Photographing the bright red Shinkyo bridge.
- Munching on dango (grilled rice balls on a stick) from a street stall.
- Eating sushi at Komekichi Kozushi (with vegan options!).
How Long to Spend: You could visit Nikko as a day trip from Tokyo, but it’s worth spending a night or two to explore one of the most beautiful places in Japan including hiking trails, lakes, waterfalls, and hot springs.
We had one night and wished we’d had two so that we could have visited Toshogu Shrine early on the second day.
Where to stay in Nikko: We stayed at Nikko Park Lodge Tobu Station, a decent budget option conveniently located close to the train stations. For more character, you could stay in a traditional ryokan with views and outdoor onsen baths such as Nikko Hoshino Yado. Find more hotels in Nikko here.
7) Koya-San
Koya-san (Mount Koya) is one of the most interesting places in Japan to experience the traditional side of the country.
This secluded and sacred temple town is located in the forest-covered mountains of Kansai and is one of the best places to get a taste of life as a monk by staying in a shukubo or temple lodging.
After wandering around the otherworldly Okunoin forest cemetery, we checked into our simple tatami room at the temple, soaked in the communal onsen bath, and enjoyed a delicious shojin ryori vegetarian Buddhist meal.
In the morning we were up early for the chanting and meditation ceremony with the monks.
A temple stay at Koya-san is a fascinating experience and well worth the detour from Osaka or Kyoto.
How Long to Spend: 1 night.
Read: Sleeping with Monks: A Night in a Japanese Temple in Koya-San
Where to stay in Koya-san: We stayed in Haryo-in, the cheapest temple accommodation, but it’s quite basic and I’d recommend paying more to stay at one of the more traditional temples like 1000-year-old Eko-in which gets superb reviews. Find more temple lodgings here.
8) Tsumago
Tsumago is a picture-perfect traditional mountain village in the Kiso Valley.
It is one of the best-preserved post towns in Japan and you feel like you’ve stepped back in time on the traffic-less streets of beautifully restored wooden inns.
During the Edo period 300 years ago, Tsumago was a stop on the Nakasendo Way between Kyoto and Edo (now Tokyo).
You can hike part of this trail from Tsumago to Magome village in about two to three hours. Unfortunately, a typhoon prevented us doing this, but it’s supposed to be a scenic and easy walk.
How Long to Spend: 1-2 nights. If you can arrive early enough on the first day to hike the Nakasendo Way in the afternoon, then 1 night is enough as it’s a tiny village.
Where to stay in Tsumago: In keeping with the Edo-era atmosphere, stay in a traditional ryokan or minshuku (a simpler family-run inn). We stayed at the very basic Minshuku Shimosagaya. Neighbouring Magome has more choice including the budget Chaya Hotel or historic Tajimaya.
9) Nara
Nara was Japan’s first permanent capital and is full of historic treasures including many UNESCO world heritage sites.
It’s one of the top Japan attractions and makes a rewarding day trip from Kyoto to visit the temples and wild deer in Nara Park.
The Daibutsu-den (Hall of the Great Buddha) at Todaiji is the main sight—it’s the largest wooden building in the world and nothing prepares you for the immense sight.
Inside is the 15-metre tall gold and bronze statue of Buddha that dates back to 751.
We also love the forest shrine complex Kasuga Taisha.
How Long to Spend: Most people visit as a day trip from Kyoto or Osaka. You can see the highlights in half a day but a full day is better.
Where to stay in Nara: The advantages of staying overnight in Nara are avoiding the crowds with an early start and experiencing our favourite ryokan in Japan. Tsukihitei is a small traditional inn with a magical forest setting and delicious meals. It’s only a 15-minute walk to the Nara temples.
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10) Hiroshima and Miyajima
Come to pay your respects to the victims of the atomic bombing at Hiroshima’s moving Peace Memorial Museum and Park and stay to explore the modern city that was almost entirely rebuilt after World War II.
Hiroshima is usually combined with a visit to the famous floating torii gate at Itsukushima shrine on nearby Miyajima Island.
You’ll also want to try the delicious local speciality okonomiyaki, a thick pancake of batter, vegetables and noodles.
How Long to Spend: 1-2 nights is enough to visit the Peace Memorial Museum and Miyajima Island or you could visit as a long day trip from Kyoto, Osaka or Okayama. We spent 1 night in Hiroshima then 1 night on Miyajima.
Read: 15 Best Day Trips from Kyoto.
Where to stay in Hiroshima: The Sheraton Grand Hiroshima was the most spacious Western-style hotel we stayed in in Japan. We really appreciated the king size bed after a few weeks of small Japanese hotels. It’s right next to the station too. Find more hotels in Hiroshima here.
Where to stay in Miyajima: While you could visit the island on a day trip, we loved seeing the top sights without the crowds at night and early in the morning. Iwaso Ryokan has the perfect location (secluded but central), beautiful meals, and our room had a view of the torii gate.
More Amazing Japan Destinations
There are so many incredible places to explore in Japan. Here are some more destinations that we absolutely loved (and it was hard to leave them off the top 10 list!).
If any of these appeal to you more than the ones above (or fit into your itinerary better), then they will be just as enjoyable.
11) Osaka
Osaka is a Japan must-see for many visitors. We love the neon craziness of Dotonburi, the amazing food (for vegetarians too), friendly people, affordable prices, and the brilliant Harry Potter and Super Nintendo worlds at Universal Studios Japan.
But, if you have limited time on your first trip to Japan, I would probably say choose Osaka or Tokyo as they are both sprawling modern cities.
If you are flying into or out of Kansai airport then it makes sense to spend a night or two in Osaka. You could also visit as a day trip from Kyoto.
In Osaka, we loved staying in Shinsaibashi. The location is ideal—quiet but close to lots of cool shops and restaurants and within walking distance of Dotonburi.
12) Kamakura
Kamakura is a popular day trip from Tokyo (an hour on the train), but I think it deserves longer.
It’s a more relaxed alternative to Kyoto with lots of temples and shrines to explore, forests to hike in, and delicious vegan food to enjoy.
There’s also a beach, so it’s great for relaxing and swimming in the warmer months. Our apartment Ocean Side Shell was close to the beach and several temples.
It’s a green and compact city that’s easy to get around.
Just avoid visiting on weekends as it gets very crowded.
See my Kamakura travel guide for our favourite activities, food, and coffee (which is excellent!).
13) Kinosaki Onsen
On our first Japan trip, we were terrified of getting naked in onsens, but we’re braver now and even loved spending a few nights in an onsen town.
Onsen hopping dressed in a kimono in a traditional hot spring resort is a classic Japanese experience. Kinosaki Onsen is a great place to experience it.
It’s only a few hours from Kyoto or Osaka and the canal-side town is very pretty, especially in cherry blossom season.
We stayed in a traditional tatami mat room at Morizuya Ryokan. It’s ideal for first-timers as they speak English and are very friendly, walking you through everything you need to know. The epic meals served in your room are delicious too.
Read our Kinosaki Onsen guide for all the details including onsen etiquette and how to get over your fears.
14) Naoshima Island
Contemporary art fans will love Naoshima, a sleepy island in the Seto Inland Sea known for its art galleries and outdoor sculptures.
We visited on a day trip from Okayama and had a wonderful day cycling around and combining art with beautiful sea views and tiny fishing villages.
Read our Naoshima Island guide for a recommended one day itinerary.
15) Okayama
If you are interested in getting off-the-beaten-track, Okayama is a great place to visit in Japan.
This modern city is home to one of the best gardens in the country and is especially beautiful in sakura season when you can enjoy the cherry blossoms without the crowds of Kyoto or Tokyo.
As it’s on a bullet train line, it’s a convenient and affordable base for exploring the area including the historic Kurashiki, Naoshima Island, Himeji Castle, and Hiroshima.
We also did a fantastic bike trip on the Kibiji Bike Trail through rice fields to untouristy temples.
Our post on the best things to do in Okayama has all our tips.
16) Himeji Castle
Himeji Castle is one of the few original castles in Japan (most were destroyed at some point and rebuilt). It’s well worth a visit, especially in cherry blossom season.
You can easily visit in half a day from Osaka, Kyoto, Okayama (as we did) or on the way to Hiroshima.
17) Kawaguchiko
For the best views of Mount Fuji, head to Lake Kawaguchiko. It’s especially lovely in cherry blossom or autumn leaf seasons.
You can enjoy the views by walking or cycling around the lake or taking a trip on a cable car or boat (we hired a panda pedal boat!).
The lake is also home to one of my favourite museums and tea houses in Japan.
Kawaguchiko Lakeside Hotel is an excellent affordable option here. Unusually for Japan, our room was huge, and it’s close to the lake with Mt Fuji views from some rooms.
See my Lake Kawaguchiko guide for more tips.
18) Izu Peninsula
If you want a break from the crowds, I highly recommend the Izu Peninsula. It’s only 100km southwest of Tokyo, but it’s usually overlooked by foreign visitors.
We spent a wonderful week there, hiking the rugged coastline, relaxing on sandy beaches, waterfall-hopping in the forest, and soaking in hot springs.
It’s a stunning place, and we were amazed by how quiet most of it was in late October (and the sea was still surprisingly warm!).
You can visit some places by public transport (such as Shuzenji, a cute onsen town by the river—we stayed at the classic Arai Ryokan), but renting a car gives you more flexibility.
We spent most of our time near Shimoda on the southern tip, where you’ll find the best beaches, and used it as a base to explore. After a day exploring, we relaxed in our private onsen with sea views on the balcony of our room at quirky Hiromi Spa Hotel.
19) Hokkaido
Hokkaido is another excellent place to escape Japan’s overtourism (and the summer heat), although you’ll need to take a short flight from Tokyo to get there.
This northernmost island is perfect for outdoor activities—especially skiing in winter and hiking in summer.
It feels so different from Honshu (Japan’s largest island where the destinations above are located) with wide open spaces and empty roads.
On our 10-day Hokkaido summer road trip, we strolled through lavender fields, hiked up volcanoes, swam in pristine lakes, warmed up in wild hot springs, and canoed down rivers.
A highlight was Akan Mashu National Park, an unspoilt wilderness of lakes and volcanoes. We did one of the best hikes of our lives and had it mostly to ourselves.
Credit: neverendingvoyage
