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% greater 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% enhance 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 preferred vacation spot in Japan proper now.
Its 2 airports, Narita and Haneda, deal with virtually 50% of all worldwide flights into the nation.
Japan is my favourite vacation spot on the earth and the one place I’ll fortunately return to repeatedly.
Buzzing streets, cultural again alleys, wealthy historical past, and fashionable innovation—there’s a face of Tokyo for everybody.
A few of my highlights for common issues to do in Tokyo embrace 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 may get cheaper essential deck tickets for 1,200 yen ($8.20) however the views from the highest deck are far superior!
When you 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 completely different from Tokyo with a really completely 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 attempt Osaka’s well-known takoyaki (octopus balls) then that is the finest place to do it.
That is additionally the place you’ll be able to be part of each different vacationer in Japan and snap your picture with the well-known Osaka working 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 citadel or one in all my favourite lesser-known Japanese temples.
The Tuyunoten Shrine is 1,300 years outdated 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 stupendous 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, should you head off the overwhelmed monitor, you’ll discover dozens of smaller however equally fascinating temples which might be 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’ll discover the 1000’s of vermilion torii gates, that are an iconic image of town.
My high 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 shall be. By following each of the following pointers, we received sections of gates all to ourselves.
Nagoya
Nagoya was bombed closely throughout WWII, which implies that the overwhelming majority of town needed to be rebuilt, making it a smooth and fashionable metropolis.
That doesn’t imply it’s utterly devoid of historical past. Vacationers can go to Nagoya Fortress which is a partly reconstructed 1612 royal residence and an extremely spectacular constructing.
You may go inside and discover Edo-era artifacts displayed.
Nonetheless, 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 should you’re all for Japan’s technological improvement, then there’s no higher place to be. After all, 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 prematurely 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 rationale folks select to go to Fukuoka!
Fukuoka is a well-liked vacation spot as a result of it has a bit little bit of one thing for everybody. Suppose historical temples, stunning seashores and fashionable 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 residence to a 10m picket 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 value 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 fantastic 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 common. The 1972 Winter Olympics have been hosted in Sapporo, and most of the jumps and hills created for the occasion are nonetheless standing.
Visiting Sapporo within the winter remains to be on my bucketlist, to go to the well-known Sapporo Snow Pageant and see its unbelievable massive snow sculptures.
However should you’re extra of a metropolis slicker, then don’t fear: you’ll discover the entire sights that you simply’d anticipate from Japan’s bigger cities right here too.
Highlights of exploring Sapporo embrace 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 essential vacationer sights without having to take public transportation.
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Opinions expressed listed here are the creator’s alone, not these of any financial institution, bank card issuer, resort, airline, or different entity. This content material has not been reviewed, accredited or in any other case endorsed by any of the entities included throughout the publish.
