Places to Visit in Japan

Since I often get asked for recommendations for places to visit in Japan, here are some of my favorite places.

I’ve found Japan Guide to be one of the most useful web sites for lists of interesting places to visit, along with practical information on how to get there.

Hyperdia is a useful site for checking train connections (especially if you have a rail pass and can’t use Nozomi).

If you only have a week in Japan, the most common thing to do is to spend a few days in Tokyo and a few days in Kyoto.

Depending on what time of year you go it is also worth checking out cherry blossoms, red leaves and festivals.

Other activities include staying at a ryokan (traditional Japanese inn) or a capsule hotel and visiting onsen (hot springs). And of course sampling the food. Airbnb Experiences offers lots of interesting classes and tours such as going kayaking to the Tokyo Sky Tree or making fake sushi.

Tokyo

One of the world’s great cities. Highlights include:
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2164.html

Shibuya
It’s fun wandering around this neighborhood, marvelling at all the neon. The Shibuya scramble crossing (world’s busiest pedestrian crossing) is fun to watch as well.
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3007.html

Harajuku & Meiji Shrine
Worth visiting on a Sunday to see the cosplayers dressed up near Meiji Shrine. And you can try all manner of interesting sweets.
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3006.html
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3002.html

Shinjuku
Home to the world’s busiest train station and Blade Runner-like night skies.
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3011.html

Akihabara
Tokyo’s electronic district.
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3003.html

Tokyo Skytree
New observation tower that gives a great view of one of the biggest cities in the world. You can go kayaking to the tower at night.
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3064.html

Sensoji Temple
One of Tokyo’s most popular temples.
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3001.html

Robot Restaurant
Giant robots! If Michelin awarded stars for robotics, this would be the world’s greatest restaurant.
http://www.shinjuku-robot.com/pc/system.php?lng=en

Ninja Restaurant
Food always tastes better when it is prepared by ninjas.
http://www.ninjaakasaka.com/

Ghibli Museum
Giant Totoro! Worth a look if you’re a fan of the Ghibli movies.
http://www.ghibli-museum.jp/en/ticket-information/
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3041.html

Meguro Parasite Museum
Giant tapeworms! Creepy fun.
http://www.kiseichu.org/Pages/einfo.aspx

Mari Car
Racing around the streets of Tokyo in a go-kart while dressed as Mario is soooo much fun.
http://maricar.com/

TeamLab Borderless
An amazing digital art museum.
https://borderless.teamlab.art/

Hedgehog Cafe
Meet cute hedgehogs.
http://www.harinezumi-cafe.com/en/

Owl Cafe
Meet owls.
http://akiba2960.com/

Tokyo Day Trips

Nikko
Home to a shrine dedicated to Tokugawa Ieyasu and the carving of the 3 wise monkeys.
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3800.html

Kamakura
One of Japan’s old capitals. Lots of shrines and temples.
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2166.html

Hakone
Views of Mt. Fuji (weather permitting) and hot springs.
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e5200.html

Nokogiriyama
A bit difficult to get to, but a great hike with stunning views.
http://www.japan-guide.com/community/mfedley/report-1444

Kyoto

Shrines! Temples! Shrines! Temples!
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2158.html

Fushimi Inari
You’ve probably seen photos of Fushimi Inari’s thousands of red gates.
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3915.html

Kiyomizudera
A temple with a beautiful wooden platform.
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3901.html

Kinkakuji (Golden Pavilion)
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2158.html

Nijo Castle
More of a palace than a castle – but has the cool nightingale floors.
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3918.html

Sanjusangendo
Temple with 1001 statues.
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3900.html

Arashiyama
Monkey park and bamboo forests.
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3912.html

Philosopher’s Path
A walk along a canal. Spectacular in cherry blossom season.
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3906.html

Osaka

I lived in Osaka for 4 years. It’s one of my favorite places in Japan, but it doesn’t have as many tourist attractions as Tokyo or Kyoto. Wandering along Dotombori is fun and if you like spas, then Spa World is worth a visit. Osaka serves as a good base for day excursions to lots of places.
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2157.html

Mt. Koya
Home to one of the world’s biggest cemeteries (corporate graves!). Staying overnight in one of the temples is a great experience.
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e4900.html

Kinosaki

Kinosaki is a good hot spring town to stay in a ryokan, eat lots of seafood and go to lots of hot springs.
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3525.html

Hiroshima

Worth visiting for the Peace Park (atomic bomb site memorial) and nearby Miyajima (famous red gate floating in the water).
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2160.html

Jigokudani Monkey Hot Springs

Monkeys! Hot springs! Best visited in winter for the snow, but still awesome the rest of the year.
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e6028.html

Yakushima

One of the most beautiful places in Japan. Islands south of Kagoshima. Has lots of beautiful forest walks.
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e4650.html

Okinawa Islands

Scuba diving and beaches.
http://www.japan-guide.com/list/e1247.html

Naoshima Art Island

Island that has lots of art installations and museums. Some great exhibits from Yayoi Kusama.
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e5475.html

Nagasaki (And Battleship Island)

Bomb site memorial. And you can now visit Gunkanjima (Battleship Island), deserted island that used to be one of the most densely populated places on earth.
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2162.html

Hokkaido

Japan’s northernmost island is a popular place to visit in winter for skiing. In summer there are some great hikes. Shiretoko in the north of Hokkaido is especially beautiful (and the setting for my story Hokkaido Green).
http://www.japan-guide.com/list/e1101.html