If you’re planning a trip to Japan, one of the most important – and challenging – steps is deciding where to visit.
With so many amazing destinations to choose from, and so much information on the Internet, narrowing down your ideal destinations can seem daunting (whether it’s your first time, or a return visit).
The good news is that Japan has so many incredible places to visit, and bucket list-worthy Japan experiences, that you basically can’t go wrong.
The “bad” news is that there’s no such thing as a true “best places in Japan” list, since so much comes down to personal preferences and interests (this is why we specialize in custom trips to Japan).
But to help you navigate the possibilities and decide where to visit, we’ve put together our very own guide to Japan’s best destinations.
Our Favorite Places in Japan
This guide is based on years spent living in and traveling throughout Japan, for both business and pleasure. As Japan experts, this is our job!
It’s also based in great part on having designed and arranged custom trips to Japan for countless travelers from around the world, and includes not only our and our clients’ favorite places, but also some favorites of Japan and other travel experts we’ve come to know throughout the years.
So we hope it helps you decide where to go, whether you’re most interested in major highlights or off-the-beaten-path gems.
But first, a bit of important background!
Japan is Larger than it Looks
Next to an enormous country like China, Japan looks rather small on most maps, and in fact it’s not a huge country (though it’s larger than most people realize).
In terms of area, Japan is slightly smaller than the state of California. But in terms of remarkable places and experiences, Japan is as dense as Europe, where you can travel one or two hours in basically any direction and come to a wonderful city or town and unbelievably good food.
This density of incredible places and experiences is what makes Japan feel much larger than it otherwise might. Most travelers to Japan only fully realize this after a first visit, which often prompts a desire to return again as soon as possible to explore further.
Thus, despite its apparent size, we strongly recommend you “admit defeat” from the beginning, and accept that you won’t be able to “do” Japan in just one trip (whether you have 2 weeks or 2 months).
Trust me: I’ve spent years exploring Japan, and I am not remotely near finished!
Because of this, it’s essential to whittle down the virtually countless list of possibilities and try and determine your ideal destinations.
How Long Should You Spend in Japan?
One of the key factors in how many places you can visit is of course how much time you have available (not to mention your ideal travel pace).
People often ask us, “How many days should I spend in Japan?” There is no simple answer to this, but our usual answer is that you should spend as long as possible!
Apart from the fact that there is so much to see and do, it’s also worth devoting extra time (if you can) as it’s a relatively long journey for travelers from far-off parts of the world like the US, Europe, and Australia.
7-10 DAYS IN JAPAN
Typically, the minimum we recommend is about 7-10 days in Japan, which will give you a great starting point, and plenty of time for an introduction to the country.
Our 8-day sample trip featuring Tokyo, Kyoto, and Hakone is a great example of how much you can see and do with this amount of time.
10-14 DAYS IN JAPAN
With 10-14 days in Japan, you can add on additional destinations, or simply spend more time immersing yourself in each place you visit.
In addition to our Two Weeks in Japan: A Perfect Itinerary, our sample trips below provide vivid examples of how much you can see and do with about two weeks in Japan:
- Luxury Japan: Art, Culture & Cuisine
- Japan Cities, Mountains & Art
- Luxury Ryokans & the Japanese Countryside
3 WEEKS IN JAPAN
While less common among our travelers from places like the US, many of our Australian clients are fortunate enough to be able to devote 3 or more weeks to traveling around Japan.
With 3 or more weeks in Japan, you have time for a relatively comprehensive itinerary, including a variety of regions and a significant degree of immersion.
With this much time the possible itinerary permutations are almost limitless, so we hope our list of destinations below helps you narrow things down to your own personal wish list!
LESS THAN 1 WEEK IN JAPAN
If you’re thinking of visiting for less than a week, make sure to see our article on where to go if you have 5 days in Japan.
And if you’re lucky enough to live near Japan and can pop over for a long weekend, see our posts on what to do if you have 3 days in Kyoto, or one day in Tokyo.
Japan’s Best Destinations: Our Picks
Now that we’ve covered some key background details, it’s time for the fun part!
The destinations below are divided into two main sections:
- A brief overview of Japan’s must-visit destinations
- A list of other amazing places in Japan
- Enjoy!
“Must-Visit” Destinations in Japan: The Essentials
Of course, when it comes to something as subjective as travel, there is no such thing as a true “must-visit.” It comes down to personal preference, above all.
But based on our and our travelers’ collective experience, we consider the modern capital of Tokyo and the ancient capital of Kyoto to be essential destinations, especially if it’s your first trip to Japan.
To complement the two, we recommend at least a 1- or 2-night trip into the Japanese countryside (and a traditional ryokan experience) to round out your itinerary.
TOKYO
Tokyo needs little introduction.
One of the world’s most exciting and eclectic cities, Tokyo is full of amazing restaurants (with cuisine both high and “low”), beautiful gardens, cutting-edge architecture, charming backstreets, and a glittering neon-filled cityscape.
KYOTO
Kyoto could not be more different than Tokyo, but is equally enthralling.
One of the most culturally rich cities in the world, Kyoto is what many travelers dream of when envisioning Japan. You could easily spend weeks wandering its back streets, generations-old craft shops and restaurants, ancient temples and gardens.
Like Tokyo, Kyoto offers fantastic day-trip possibilities including Nara and Osaka (both featured below), along with Uji, Shigaraki, and many more.
A TRADITIONAL RYOKAN IN THE JAPANESE COUNTRYSIDE
A trip including Tokyo and Kyoto would be great, but to complement the two cities we often recommend at least an overnight trip to rural Japan.
In the countryside, stay at a beautiful ryokan and enjoy onsen (hot springs) and kaiseki cuisine.
Fortunately, this type of experience is available in countless areas throughout Japan, including the Izu Peninsula and Hakone (both featured below), along with many more (see our article on the best ryokans for a short visit).
A trip including these three elements – modern Tokyo, historic Kyoto, and stay at a traditional ryokan in the countryside – is the perfect recipe for a rich and rewarding Japan travel experience.
For a great example of this, see our 8-day Japan Essentials: Tokyo, Kyoto & Hakone sample trip.
More Amazing Destinations in Japan
Now that we’ve covered our recommended “must-visits”, we can get into our longer list of other amazing places throughout Japan.
We couldn’t include every single place we love in Japan, and please note that these are not listed in any particular order!
KANAZAWA
Kanazawa is a historical gem of a city, thanks in great part to having been spared during World War II. The main reason visitors flock to Kanazawa is Kenrokuen Garden, considered one of Japan’s Three Great Gardens.
Along with its garden, the city is renowned for its impeccably preserved geisha and samurai historical districts, traditional crafts, and its wonderful cuisine — including some of Japan’s best-quality seafood and sake.
Other Kanazawa highlights include the D.T. Suzuki Museum of Buddhist philosophy, the bustling Omicho Market, the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, and Myoryu-ji (the Ninja Temple).
NAOSHIMA
One of the best places in Japan for art lovers, the art island of Naoshima is home to a large collection of contemporary art museums, galleries, exhibits and installations.
Benesse House (also home to Naoshima’s most noteworthy hotel) features works by an impressive collection of artists, including Yayoi Kusama, Hiroshi Sugimoto, Gerhard Richter, Shinro Ohtake, Richard Long, David Hockney, and many more.
The gorgeous Chichu Art Museum was designed by Tadao Ando to let in an abundance of natural light, and features a small but impressive collection of works by artists including Claude Monet, James Turrell and Walter De Maria.
The Art House Project is a collection of abandoned houses and workshops – as well as a temple and a shrine – that have been converted into venues and art installations for artists from Japan and around the world.
Teshima
If you have time for a visit to Teshima while visiting Naoshima, it’s worth a visit! Located just 30 minutes away by ferry, Teshima is a tiny island with three notable art sites.
In addition to the Teshima Yokoo House and Christian Boltanski’s “Les Archives du Cœur,” the island’s highlight is the stunning Teshima Art Museum.
OSAKA
Just a half-hour from Kyoto, Osaka is a lively city famous for its food, and home to Japan’s most fun-loving citizens.
As anyone from either city would tell you, despite their proximity the two neighbors could not be more different from one another. Osaka’s food is what draws many culinary travelers to Osaka, and the people of Osaka are notorious for their obsession with eating and drinking.
Osaka has an eclectic culinary universe, with specialties ranging from casual favorites such as street-side takoyaki (fried bite-sized balls filled with octopus and other goodies) and okonomiyaki, to elegant establishments and Michelin-starred restaurants.
Osaka is less about sights and more about tastes, but its non-culinary highlights include the reconstructed Osaka-jo (Osaka Castle) and the world-famous Osaka Aquarium.
HIROSHIMA, MIYAJIMA & ONOMICHI
Located in Hiroshima Prefecture, the city of Hiroshima, Miyajima, and Onomichi are all very worthwhile stops.
Hiroshima
Hiroshima is most famous for being the site of one of two atomic bombs dropped on Japan at the end of the Second World War. The Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum is located in the Peace Park, adjacent to the sobering sight of the iconic A-Bomb Dome.
The powerful Peace Park and Museum are well worth exploration, but after reliving the horrors of 1945 you’ll see that Hiroshima’s present is much brighter.
Hiroshima’s people are friendly and outgoing, and in addition to the famous local specialty, okonomiyaki, Hiroshima is full of bars and restaurants offering local sake (and, in winter, the amazing local oysters).
Miyajima
appears to be floating in the waters of the Inland Sea. The scenery changes dramatically from high tide to low.
Onomichi
Onomichi is a quaint port town on the southern coast of Hiroshima Prefecture. In addition to its attractive surroundings and pleasant atmosphere, Onomichi is home to Onomichi U2, a renovated warehouse offering a unique collection of locally-oriented shopping and dining options.
For a small town, Onomichi also has an unusually high concentration of temples, 25 of which form the well-known Temple Walk. Art lovers will want to pay homage at the Onomichi City Art Museum, designed by world-famous architect Tadao Ando.
MOUNT KOYA
Mt. Koya is one of the best places in Japan to experience a stay in a Buddhist temple. Aside from the chance to stay in a shukubo (temple lodging), Koya-san’s most famous landmark is the otherworldly Okunoin Cemetery, one of Japan’s most sacred sites, and the location of Kobo Daishi’s mausoleum.
NARA
Located within easy reach of Kyoto, Nara preceded Kyoto as the ancient capital of Japan, and today is home to a treasure trove of Japanese history (including the UNESCO World Heritage historic monuments of ancient Nara).
Nara’s most well-known monument is the impressive 8th century Todaiji Temple, the world’s largest wooden building, which houses Japan’s largest Buddha, the Daibutsu. A nice walk from Todaiji – and also in Nara Park – is Nara’s most celebrated shrine, Kasuga Taisha.
Other highlights in Nara include the 7th century Horyuji Temple (Japan’s first UNESCO site), Yakushiji Temple, Chuguji Temple, Issuien Garden, and the charming Naramachi historical district.
KUMANO KODO PILGRIMAGE
The Kumano Kodo pilgrimage route is one of Japan’s most enchanting walks.
Deep in rural Wakayama Prefecture, but just a few hours south of Kyoto and Osaka, the UNESCO-recognized Kumano region is filled with spirituality and history, as well as beautiful landscapes, charming villages, hiking, and onsen.
Walks along the pilgrimage route range from day hikes all the way up to challenging multi-day walks for the more adventurous. Kumano Kodo is also part of a Dual Pilgrim program with its sister walk, Spain’s better-known Camino de Santiago (Way of St. James).
KISO VALLEY & NAKASENDO WAY
The Kiso Valley lies in the lovely countryside between the central city of Nagoya, and the alpine cities of Nagano and Matsumoto.
In the heart of the Kiso Valley you can experience a walk along the old Nakasendo Way, which once connected Kyoto and Tokyo. The most well-preserved stretch of the Nakasendo Highway lies between the villages of Tsumago and Magome.
Magome is a charming post town easily reached from Nagoya, and the perfect starting (or end) point for the walk.
The walk from Magome to Tsumago is about 8 km (3-4 hours) and culminates with your arrival in Tsumago, one of Japan’s loveliest villages.
Fewer Clients, Richer Experiences
We live and breathe Japan, and want you to experience the Japan we know and love. If you’re as obsessed with the details as we are, chances are we will be a good fit.
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