Final Up to date
There’s just one place that everybody is speaking about proper now, and it’s the land of the rising solar!
Worldwide guests to Japan reached a report excessive of 3.29 million in July, which is 10% increased than in the identical month of 2019.
What’s significantly spectacular, although, is that greater than 1 / 4 of 1,000,000 of these vacationers have been guests from the U.S., which is a whopping 60.1% improve in American customer quantitys in comparison with 2019.
However the place are all these guests going?
Tokyo
It ought to go with out saying that Tokyo is by far the most well-liked vacation spot in Japan proper now.
Its 2 airports, Narita and Haneda, deal with nearly 50% of all worldwide flights into the nation.
Japan is my favourite vacation spot on the planet and the one place I’ll fortunately return to time and again.
Buzzing streets, cultural again alleys, wealthy historical past, and trendy innovation—there’s a face of Tokyo for everybody.
A few of my highlights for widespread issues to do in Tokyo embody buying in Harajuku, visiting the Senso-ji temple, and having fun with the spectacular views from the highest of the Tokyo Tower.
Tickets for the Tokyo Tower are cheaper if you book them in advance, costing 2,800 yen ($20) to go to the highest deck. You will get cheaper important deck tickets for 1,200 yen ($8.20) however the views from the highest deck are far superior!
If you happen to want a sensory escape from Tokyo’s relentless neon jungle, then I additionally advocate visiting the Imperial Palace gardens.
A tranquil getaway within the coronary heart of town, the gardens supply seasonal flowers and authentic moats, partitions, entrance gates. They’re balanced, tranquil, and delightful!
Osaka
Osaka may be very totally different from Tokyo with a really totally different vibe.
It’s the second largest metropolis after Tokyo, however far more laid again and with extra of a give attention to enjoyable!
Japanese folks journey to Osaka to let their hair down, and that is mirrored throughout town, which is finest recognized for its nightlife and hearty avenue meals.
Head straight to the Dotonbori district close to Namba Station if its avenue meals you’re on the lookout for. This neon lit space will stimulate all of your senses, however particularly your style buds.
If you wish to strive Osaka’s well-known takoyaki (octopus balls) then that is the finest place to do it.
That is additionally the place you may be part of each different vacationer in Japan and snap your picture with the well-known Osaka operating man.
Individuals usually dismiss Osaka as being all enjoyable and no substance, however that’s simply not true. You’ll discover fascinating historical past and tradition right here too.
Go to Osaka’s well-known fortress or one in every of my favourite lesser-known Japanese temples.
The Tuyunoten Shrine is 1,300 years previous and tells the story of Japan’s Romeo and Juliet, the hero Tokubei and the heroin Ohatsu who commit double suicide to show their real love.
There have been only a few vacationers right here, however it was a ravishing shrine and the one place I’ve seen pink torii gates in Osaka.
Kyoto
If you wish to embrace conventional Japan, then Kyoto is the best city to visit.
Kyoto has greater than 2000 temples and shrines unfold all through town, and whereas a few of these could be crowded to the purpose of discomfort, for those who head off the overwhelmed observe, you’ll discover dozens of smaller however equally fascinating temples which are not often visited by vacationers.
The Fushimi Inari shrine is essentially the most well-known in Kyoto and a must-visit spot, particularly for first-time guests to town.
Right here, you can find the hundreds of vermilion torii gates, that are an iconic image of town.
My prime ideas for seeing this with out the crowds are to reach early and put on your strolling footwear!
The gates wind their method up the mountain, and the additional you stroll, the thinner the crowds will likely be. By following each of the following pointers, we acquired sections of gates all to ourselves.
Nagoya
Nagoya was bombed closely throughout WWII, which signifies that the overwhelming majority of town needed to be rebuilt, making it a smooth and trendy metropolis.
That doesn’t imply it’s utterly devoid of historical past. Vacationers can go to Nagoya Fort which is a partly reconstructed 1612 royal house and an extremely spectacular constructing.
You may go inside and discover Edo-era artifacts displayed.
Nevertheless, one of many very finest issues to do in Nagoya is to go to the Toyota Commemorative Museum of Trade and Expertise.
Historical past meets know-how right here, and for those who’re fascinated by Japan’s technological improvement, then there’s no higher place to be. In fact, because the identify suggests, the museum is devoted to all issues Toyota and the notorious Toyota ‘Companion Robotic’ performs right here each day.
I like to recommend you e-book tickets upfront if you wish to go to the museum, which you should purchase right here. Entrance costs 1,000 yen ($6.90) per person.
Fukuoka
Fukuoka sits on the northern shore of Japan’s Kyushu Island and is taken into account the ‘gateway’ to Japan as a result of it’s the closest metropolis to mainland Asia.
However that’s not the explanation folks select to go to Fukuoka!
Fukuoka is a well-liked vacation spot as a result of it has somewhat little bit of one thing for everybody. Suppose historic temples, lovely seashores and trendy buying malls.
For historical past and tradition go to the Hakata district of town. Right here you’ll discover the Tōchō-ji Temple which is house to a 10m wood Buddha and regarded the cultural coronary heart of town. Entrance is freed from cost.
In the identical district, you’ll additionally discover the Hakata Machiya People Museum. The museum is made up of of three buildings: the Exhibition Constructing, the Machiya Constructing, and the Memento Store. All are price visiting!
As an added bonus, admission prices just 200 yen ($1.38) per person.
Sapporo
Sapporo sits on the island of Hokkaido, a mountainous island to the north of the nation. It’s a great juxtaposition of city pleasure and calm, pure magnificence.
Many individuals go to Sapporo for its mountains, particularly within the winter months, when snowboarding is wildly widespread. The 1972 Winter Olympics have been hosted in Sapporo, and lots of the jumps and hills created for the occasion are nonetheless standing.
Visiting Sapporo within the winter continues to be on my bucketlist, to go to the well-known Sapporo Snow Pageant and see its unbelievable massive snow sculptures.
However for those who’re extra of a metropolis slicker, then don’t fear: you’ll discover all the sights that you simply’d anticipate from Japan’s bigger cities right here too.
Highlights of exploring Sapporo embody the Sapporo beer museum, Odori Park, and viewing town from the JR Tower Commentary Deck.
As an added bonus, Sapporo is a splendidly walkable metropolis. You may discover its important vacationer sights without having to take public transportation.
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Opinions expressed listed below are the writer’s alone, not these of any financial institution, bank card issuer, resort, airline, or different entity. This content material has not been reviewed, permitted or in any other case endorsed by any of the entities included throughout the publish.