Japan is an enigmatic country of captivating contrasts. With a unique culture and intriguing mix of ancient and modern, this is a land where proud traditions sit alongside mind-boggling technical innovation. From bustling, pristine cities to the most extraordinary natural wonders, Japan is a breathtaking country with so much to offer. If you’re planning your dream holiday to Japan, here are the best things to see and do in Tokyo, Kyoto, Hiroshima, Mount Fuji, Nara, Miyajima and beyond.
Best things to do in Tokyo
Shunkaen Bonsai Museum
Set up by the famous Bonsai Master Kkunio Kobayashi, this quaint museum is home to over a thousand beautiful bonsai trees, including a magnificent 1,000-year-old pine tree taking centre stage at the front of the house.
Imperial Palace East Garden
Offering a tranquil oasis away from the busy streets of Tokyo, the city’s famous historical garden is a scenic place to while away an afternoon. Built on the grounds of Edo Castle, giant ancient stones used to build the castle walls sit in the gardens, as do the ruins of one of the main keeps. Highlights include the picturesque Ninomaru Grove, a peaceful wooded area with a babbling brook running through it.
Shinto Meiji Shrine
From the moment you step through the towering Torii gate into the beautifully serene Meiji Jingu’s forest, you’ll be enchanted by Tokyo’s iconic Meiji Shrine. Dedicated to the memory of a past emperor, the original 1920s shrine was destroyed during World War II and was reconstructed in 1958 in the traditional austere Shinto architectural style. It’s a hugely popular spot for visitors – and a favoured venue for Shinto weddings – so if you really want to experience the Meiji Shrine at its quietest, aim to visit early morning.
Shibuya Scramble Crossing
This busy Tokyo intersection is an iconic symbol of the city – and one you’re likely familiar with from countless films and photographs. Here seven crossroads meet together with the lights all turning red at the same time, sending upwards of 1,000 people crossing all at once, in all directions. It’s a spectacular display of organised chaos, that needs to be seen to be believed.
Tokyo National Museum
If you’re keen to discover more about Japan’s history and heritage, the Tokyo National Museum is a must-visit. Housing a vast collection of art and artifacts – around 120,000 pieces – there’s everything from antique Buddhist statues and samurai swords to beautiful Japanese artwork and intricate kimonos. The gardens open briefly to the public from mid-March to mid-April and again from late October to early December, so if you get the chance to visit during this time make sure you explore the usually off-limits grounds.
Harajuku
The buzzing district of Harajuku is a vibrant neighbourhood showcasing Tokyo youth culture in all its offbeat glory. This is the home of the city’s streetwear and Kawaii (‘cute’) culture and it’s absolutely brimming with teenagers showcasing their unique fashion, alongside quirky restaurants and shops.
Asakusa
Centred around the ornate Sensoji Temple, this waterfront district is immersed in tradition and a celebration of ‘old’ Tokyo. Pass through the Kaminarimon – the Thunder Gate – adorned with a giant red lantern, and wander through the lively shopping streets, perfect for picking up an authentic souvenir. While you’re there, catch one of the traditional Japanese rakugo storytelling performances or visit the retro theme park, Asakusa Hanayashiki.
Other experiences in Tokyo
- Sakurai Tea Experience, conceptual teahouse experience, Tokyo
- Hama-rikyu Gardens, public park, Tokyo
- Akihabara Electronic Town, shopping district famous for electronics and anime, Tokyo
- Ginza, upscale shopping district, Tokyo
- Omotesando Street, luxury shopping district, Tokyo
Best things to do in Kyoto
Golden Pavilion
Instantly recognisable and utterly enchanting, Kyoto’s Kinkakuji Temple is one of the city’s most familiar sights. The mesmerising Golden Pavilion serves as the centrepiece of the temple grounds – an elegant three-tiered pavilion covered in gold leaf, that positively glows in the morning sun. Surrounded by verdant forests and overlooking Kyoko-chi Pond, it’s an idyllic setting that dazzles all year round.
Ryōan-ji
Ryōan-ji Temple is the site of Japan’s most famous Zen Garden. This flat, oblong garden features an enigmatic arrangement of 15 stones surrounded by pristine white gravel, which is immaculately raked each day by the Buddhist monks who live nearby. While the meaning of the garden is unclear, it’s a fascinating place to visit. However, Ryōan-ji can get very busy, so if you want some space to contemplate the composition in peace, try to visit early morning during the week.
Arashiyama Bamboo Forest
You can’t visit Kyoto without exploring this famous grove. Wander the walkways through this seemingly endless forest of towering bamboo and soak up the magic as the sun streams through the swaying columns, giving the grove an ethereal quality. It’s a mesmerising and atmospheric experience you’ll never forget.
Nijo Castle
Built in 1603 as the Kyoto residence of the Tokugawa shogun, Ieyasu, Nijo Castle is an ornate and ostentatious show of power and prestige. Inside the imposing castle walls and past the elaborate Kara-mon Gate, lies Ninomaru Palace and its exquisite gardens. The palace is a complex of several buildings, all connected by corridors with aptly named ‘nightingale floors’, which squeak when stepped on – perfect for alerting the residents to any intruders. As well as the traditional Japanese gardens, cherry trees fill the castle grounds – visit from late March through April to see these in full bloom.
Gion District
Kyoto’s Gion district is where visions of classic Japan come to life. Stroll through the whimsical streets of Shirakawa and Shinbashi Dori, where picture-perfect traditional homes line the pretty streets filled with cherry blossom trees, and cross the wooden Tatsumi Bridge, made famous on the big screen in the film Memoirs of a Geisha. Of course, it’s the geishas which the area is famed for. This is the city’s main geisha district and many historic teahouses (Ochaya) line the enchanting streets, where you can enjoy a traditional tea ceremony under the expert guidance of a geisha.
Fushimi Inari-Taisha Shrine
This vast shrine complex features a dazzling array of thousands of vermilion-coloured Torii (shrine gates) creating a tunnel-effect as you make your way through the mountain forest. It’s a dazzling display of respect to the gods of rice and sake.
Other experiences in Kyoto
- Sogenchi Garden, Zen temple garden, Kyoto
- Pontocho Alley, historic street known for fine dining and entertainment, Kyoto
- Okayama Korukuen Garden, large Japanese landscaped garden, Okayama (200km from Kyoto)
Best things to do in Hiroshima
Atomic Bomb Dome
A haunting symbol of the city and a stark reminder of the destruction of Hiroshima during WWII, the Atomic Bomb Dome (or Genbaku Dome) also serves as a symbol of hope for permanent world peace. The building was one of very few left standing near the epicentre of the first atomic bomb, and the shell has been purposely preserved in that exact state as a memorial. Now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it provides a sobering place for reflection and remembering.
Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park
This large leafy park features a collection of memorials to remember the lives lost in the atomic bomb. The curved concrete monument is engraved with the names of all the known victims of the bomb, and in the centre of the park’s lake is the beautiful Flame of peace monument, featuring a pair of hands cupping a burning flame that will only be extinguished when “nuclear weapons disappear from earth.” The deeply moving Children’s Peace Monument, surrounded by thousands of colourful paper cranes sent over by schoolchildren from around the world, commemorates the thousands of children who died in the bombing.
Other experiences in Hiroshima
- Hiroshima Castle, reconstructed castle, Hiroshima
- Shukkeien Garden, historic Japanese garden, Hiroshima
- Downtown Hiroshima, bustling pedestrianised district, Hiroshima
Best things to do in Mt. Fuji
Hakone National Park
Wrapped around the banks of glistening Lake Ashinoko, in the shadow of Japan’s formidable Mount Fuji, Hanoke feels a million miles away from the polished skyscrapers and crowds of Tokyo, despite being less than an hour and a half’s drive. This is where the country’s spectacular natural beauty really wows, with dramatic vistas of dense green forests, colour-pop azaleas and hydrangeas, and vast lakes, with the dramatic sight of snow-capped Mount Fuji at the centre of it all. Hakone is a picturesque town with a lot to offer visitors, from natural hot springs to a world-class open air sculpture museum. It’s popular with Tokyo residents though, so aim for a mid-week visit to avoid the masses.
Lake Yamanaka
The largest of the five lakes surrounding Fuji, Lake Yamanaka offers stellar views of the mountain all year round. It’s also a popular spot for water sports, with many locals taking to the water to wind surf, fish and even water ski.
Kachi Kachi Ropeway
For arguably the best view of Mount Fuji, head to Mount Tenjo on Lake Kawaguchiko. Of course, you could hike the 45-minute walk to the summit, but for the best views enroute hop aboard the popular cable car which climbs the 220m to the observation point in three-minutes, providing majestic panoramic views of the lake and mountains as you ascend. On a clear day there’s no better place to take in the awe-inspiring sight of Japan’s Mount Fuji.
Other experiences near Mt. Fuji
- Ichiku Kubota Museum, Kimono museum, Yamanashi
Best things to do in Nara
Todai-ji Temple
Nara’s Todai-ji is one of the country’s most famous and historically significant temples. Impressive in size and architectural detail, the main hall – Daibutsuden – is one of the largest wooden buildings in the world, despite this reconstruction being only two thirds the size of the original, built in 752. The temple is famed for the gigantic bronze Buddha on display inside the main hall, which stands at over 15m tall. It’s also well known for the dozens of friendly deer who wander around the entrance, gently bowing heads to entice rice crackers out of visitors. Pick up a bag of shika senbei from one of the local vendors if you’re keen to feed the deer.
Sake tasting
No trip to Japan would be complete without sampling sake, and there’s no better place to do it than in Nara, the birthplace of modern sake. Visit one of the local breweries to try the best sake Japan has to offer – and pick up a bottle or two to take home.
Best things to do in Miyajima
Itsukushima Shrine
The small island of Miyajima is a real gem with plenty to discover. While it’s famous for its giant orange Torri gate, which appears to float on the water at high tide, make sure you explore the rest of Itsukushima Shrine too. With parts dating as far back at the late 6th century, this attractive pier-like construction is surrounded by the island’s forest-covered hills. It’s a tranquil setting, even if you have to share it with other holidaymakers.
Other experiences in Miyajima
- Mount Misen, mountain, Miyajima
- Daisho-in Temple, historic temple complex, Miyajima
Other things to do in Japan
Experience the Bullet Train
Riding the bullet train is a must-do Japanese experience. These impossibly fast, incredibly sleek trains – called shinkansen – operate at speeds of up to 320km an hour and are a familiar sight blurring through the Japanese countryside. Connecting Tokyo with most major cities in the country, it’s a stylish, comfortable, convenient, and unforgettable way to explore Japan.
Experience Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route
Known as the ‘Roof of Japan’ the country’s Northern Alps are defined by spectacular alpine scenery, which changes throughout the seasons from colourful summer blooms to golden autumn hues and thick winter snow. The Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route is the best way to take in the magnificent beauty of this stretch of the Northern Japan Alps – whether that’s by car, train or even – in parts – cable cars. The highest point of the route, Mount Tateyama, sits at an incredibly high altitude of 3,015m, and here you’ll be rewarded with breath-taking views across the lush woodland, emerald-green lakes and craggy mountain ranges.
Kurobe Gorge is another must-see. Carpeted by a beautiful forest, with the Kurobe River carving a winding route through the centre, the ravine is one of the deepest in the county and an extraordinary natural wonder to behold.
Holidays to Japan
