For such a small island nation, Japan has a HUGE variety of places to visit from top to bottom. Check out my top 5 picks below!
1. Sapporo (Winter Wonderland)
Home to the annual Sapporo Snow Festival, calling this city the “winter wonderland” of Japan is not an exaggeration. During the winter, it is easily the best place to be! Pure white snow covers the city and dazzling Christmas lights can be seen on every corner. Sapporo is truly one of the most underrated destinations of Japan, and quite frankly deserves as much love as the likes of Kyoto and Tokyo (which are coming up next!).
2. Kyoto (Land of Samurai)
The ancient capital of Japan, Kyoto, still retains its traditional vibes. Abundant in temples, shrines, and kimono-style attire, it’s the closest that one can feel to the Edo Period in the modern age. While it may no longer be the main capital, it is regarded as the cultural capital of Japan, and let’s be honest, Japanese culture is why we visit Japan! It’s no wonder Kyoto remains the most popular prefecture for tourists right alongside Tokyo, delivering the type of culturally rich experience we all long for.
3. Tokyo (Concrete Jungle)
Putting Tokyo on the list is never a bad idea, no matter how oversaturated or repetitive it gets. If you visit Japan and don’t see Tokyo, I can’t say you’ve seen Japan at all! The capital city is the true definition of a concrete jungle, and while that may be a claustrophobic turn-off, the brilliant architectural integrity of the Japanese allows the city to flourish in a harmonious manner. Must-see cities in Tokyo include Shibuya, Akihabara, and Asakusa!
4. Fukuoka (Seaside Sensation)
Fukuoka is located on Japan’s southern island of Kyushu and acts as a connecting port to South Korea’s Busan, a popular ferry route. An absolutely stunning seaside city, there are many parts of Kyushu that will give you that tropical island vibe of ocean and mountain. Fukuoka is also home to beautiful landmarks like Kokura Castle, ChaCha Town, and one of my all-time favorite hikes, Mt. Komonji!
5. Ginzan (Onsen Paradise)
Last but not least is a lesser-known town known as Ginzan. This place is an onsen paradise nestled deep in the mountainous farmlands of Yamagata prefecture. Here, you can enjoy the ultimate onsen hot spring experience and pamper yourself at one of the traditional Japanese inns known as ryokan. Ginzan is a pure bliss for the senses, from delicious food to awesome natural scenery and hot exfoliating spring water baths, you’ll feel like a new man (or woman) coming out of this hidden gem!
To learn more about life in Japan, check out my book: The Japanese Pursuit of Perfection. This book features my most profound observations of Japanese culture and society as a foreign resident. Available in e-book, paperback, and hardcover. Grab your copy today!