Top Places to Visit in Japan
Out of all the places to visit in the world, Japan is becoming an increasingly popular vacation destination. One of the more modern Asian countries, Japan offers a wide variety of things to see and do — depending, of course, on which part of Japan you choose to visit. No matter what time of year you visit, there are a number of sights to see and things to experience that you shouldn’t miss during your time there.
1. Shibuya Crossing
Granted, you probably won’t be spending a whole lot of time here. But it is worth stopping by, even for just a few minutes, to see a large mass of people cross the street in different directions all at once. You may choose to join the throng and experience crossing the street along with everyone else, or you could find a spot to observe the crossing from high above. Either way, you are sure to be awed by the sheer number of people crossing the street all at once.
2. Disney Sea
If you’re a Disney lover and you’ve enjoyed Disney World or Disney Land in the states (or even in other countries), Disney Sea could be a worthwhile option. A 176-acre theme park in Urayasu, Disney Sea is made up of seven themed ports: Mediterranean Harbor, Mystery Island, Mermaid Lagoon, Arabian Coast, Lost River Delta, Port Discovery, and American Waterfront. Tickets are a bit on the pricey side, with a one-day adult ticket costing 7,400 yen (74 US dollars), but if you want to experience the magic of Disney in Japan, it’s certainly a worthwhile option.
3. Asakusa
Located in Tokyo, Asakusa (pronounced Ah-sock-sa) is a nice place to visit if you enjoy strolling around and taking in the neighborhood around you, without all the glitz and glam. A particularly well-known part of Asakusa includes the Nakamise shopping street, which consists of several streets lined with stalls selling a wide variety of things, from snacks to dessert to little touristy trinkets to clothing. This particular area can get very packed during the day, so keep that in mind — but on the other hand, it’s a very exciting and exhilarating place to be if you enjoy the energy of crowds. Besides this one particular section, the rest of Asakusa is a relatively calm place to stroll around, either at night or during the day. Also a major attraction in Asakusa is the Buddhist Senso-ji Temple, so make sure to stop by there if you want to visit one of Japan’s most colorful and popular temples.
4. Ginza
A bustling downtown area of Tokyo, Ginza is probably what most people envision when they think of the city part of Japan, and could be likened to Times Square. Ginza is a great place to go if you enjoy exploring upscale stores and restaurants (in other words, it’s one of the more bougie places you’ll visit in Japan). It’s definitely a great place to window shop, try out a nice restaurant or two, and simply drink in the Japanese city vibe.
5. Tokyo Digital Art Museum
Located in Odaiba, an entertainment hub on a man-made island in Tokyo Bay, the Digital Art Museum by teamLab Borderless is a must-see. Even if you don’t particularly enjoy traditional art museums, this digital museum is sure to impress at least on some level. Visitors are able to wander in and through various rooms of the 10,000 square meter space, surrounded by holographic, entrancing, and colorfully vivid projections of various patterns and designs.
6. Hakone
If you’re looking for a place to visit outside of Tokyo, Hakone is a beautiful area of Japan that will give you a taste of the nature that awaits you. Lake Ashi in Hakone is a particularly great place to go if you want to see Mount Fuji. Hakone itself is also a fairly convenient location, as it is easily accessible from Tokyo and has many transportation options with a Hakone Free Pass.
7. Kyoto
Kyoto is becoming an increasingly popular place to visit in Japan for its cultural influences, with many of its major attractions in eastern Kyoto. A couple places you might want to consider visiting include Kiyomizu-dera Temple and the Fushimi Inari Shrine.
8. Roppongi
The Roppongi District is another great place to visit if you enjoy indulging in Tokyo nightlife, from bars to restaurants to other venues of entertainment, as it’s an area of Japan frequented by Japanese college students. In addition to nightlife, Roppongi also has many cultural offerings, such as “Art Triangle Roppongi,” which includes Japan’s largest museums: the National Art Center, the Morio Art Museum, and Suntory Museum of Art.
Planning a trip to Japan can be a lot of work, but with so many options to choose from, you’re sure to never run out of things to do during your visit. Happy and safe traveling!