Japan combines traditional customs, modern buildings, delicious cuisine, and pretty landscapes. Traveling to any of the great cities will allow you to see something new every time, whether you desire busy shopping malls, quiet gardens, historic districts, or food native to its regions.
Whether you are considering Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, Kanazawa, or others, you have an endless list of places to visit in Japan.
Any guide to the cities of Japan will show that it can be difficult to decide where to visit, as there is something special in each major city. Some are known for their history and tradition, while others excel when it comes to food, shopping, or nightlife.
A Japan city guide, like this one, should suggest new and exciting places for you based on your interests instead of simply highlighting the most famous tourist spots. Traveling between the huge cities and less visited spots is a nice option for balanced itineraries.
As the capital, it is hard to find an ideal city in Japan that offers so much to visitors. You can experience history by visiting a temple, then, spend your afternoon having lunch in trendy spots or exploring fashion and souvenir shops. If you have planned your schedule well, by evening time you could even take in some lively nightlife in entertainment districts.
There are so many parks, temples, shrines, museums, markets, and places to eat, making Tokyo the ultimate first-time destination in Japan.
Kyoto is an itinerary must-have when traveling to Japan for visitors who desire to experience the classic culture of Japan. This historic city offers countless shrines, temples, and peaceful gardens, as well as some of the more traditional shops in Kyoto travel.
The top spots to visit when you're traveling to Kyoto are shrines such as Fushimi Inari, Kinkakuji, and Kiyomizudera; it's recommended you plan out more than one and a half days to truly enjoy seeing these amazing places when traveling to Japan, and if you can extend that to 2 or 3 days, that's even better!
Osaka is one of the best cities in Japan for travelers who want more of a laidback experience compared to Tokyo. Osaka city is considered the food capital of Japan and has a great dining scene. While in Japan, you definitely want to try a few local foods such as takoyaki and okonomiyaki, both of which were invented in Osaka.
This city is also excellent for nightlife and allows for an easy commute when planning Kyoto travel or Nara for the day.
Kanazawa is a great choice for visitors interested in traditional Japan with less of a crowd. Its gardens, crafts, and traditional districts are beautifully preserved, and visitors can stop by the markets or experience authentic local cuisine. Known by many as a "mini Kyoto," this city is one of the best cities in Japan for those traveling between Tokyo and the cities in western Japan for an added boost of tradition when sightseeing.
Located between Osaka and Kyoto, Nara is one of the cities that is easiest to visit when traveling within Japan for tourists who are hoping for a day trip from the cities above, or if there is simply somewhere specific in Japan you are dying to see. Home to Japan's Great Buddha, Nara Park is also a central spot where visitors can admire and interact with hundreds of sacred deer.
Adding an experience in Hiroshima is an essential addition to your trip to Japan for history and culture lovers alike. There are many memorials and the city's unique past that have molded it into the vibrant and modern city it is today, and if you have some extra time on your hands, it's convenient to get to nearby Miyajima for spectacular views of shrines and forests that rise out of the water.
Kobe is an incredible blend of modern and historic, offering stunning views, delicious food, and excellent shopping. This cosmopolitan city has both the traditional side of Japan that you're looking for when you decide where to visit in Japan for sightseeing and opportunities to shop until you drop or dine on famously delectable Kobe beef.
For those who venture farther north in Japan, Sapporo offers a drastically different landscape than what the country is otherwise known for. While most travelers visit in the winter for the snow festival or summer for the vast landscape of parks and green spaces, it is an excellent choice for travelers interested in Japan who wish to try something a bit off the beaten path.
Decide what your top priorities are, and then choose a city. Tokyo is a good choice for visitors of many types, while Kyoto is excellent if you want a traditional Japanese experience. Those who love food and nightlife should visit Osaka for food exploration and nightlife fun. For extended trips, travel between nearby cities to maximize your time there.
Combining Kyoto with Osaka, Nara, and Kobe can be done easily, and Kobe and Osaka can go together perfectly. Adding Kanazawa or Hiroshima to your Japan journey can incorporate extra culture without the overstimulation that a large metropolis like Tokyo offers.
Plan your city hopping in Japan a little in advance for the best trip. The tips below will make city hopping easier!
The top cities in Japan have much to see beyond the monuments that made them famous. Tokyo provides all of modern excitement, while Kyoto highlights traditional culture. Food lovers or those who crave the city lifestyle will not be disappointed in Osaka.
Pick and choose the cities that work best for your journey; in Japan, you can have it all!
If you are going for Tokyo, you get more of the variety, the sheer quantity, and the diversity of late-night bars, clubs, entertainment options, and late-night dining. Osaka generally has a more easygoing nightlife, more focused on food, casual bars, and the action of entertainment districts.
In many minds, Kyoto pops up in this scenario, with its many picturesque gardens, temples, historic streets, romantic walks, and more secluded/intimate dining options.
Without doubt, the most diverse range of options is in Tokyo. Shibuya & Harajuku for the trendsetting/youth fashion boutiques. Ginza for all things premium & upscale. Then your endless Dept. & specialty stores of Shinjuku.
The 2 cities are actually fairly well located next to each other to experience both. This is common, and you can use it as a home base in either city and daytrip. You also could split days between staying several nights in each of these cities.
Kanazawa will offer a more traditional & more sedate experience than that of its larger counterparts without the sheer scale & number of sites in Tokyo or even the crowds of busier centres within Japan.
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