Japan is not the first place that comes to mind when most people think of beaches in Asia. The whole Okinawan archipelago is full of gorgeous little islands, but for one of the most unique experiences Japan has to offer, the remote Yaeyama Islands have no equal.
Geographically closer to Taiwan than to mainland Japan, the Yaeyama Islands feature not only picturesque beaches and lush jungles, but a rich Ryukyu heritage and culture, not to mention Okinawan food. It is made up of narrow river gorges and steep mountain peaks, covered in thick vegetation. Although now more accessible than in centuries past, the Iya Valley remains a fantastic place to experience rural and traditional Japan.
One of the most common Japan travel questions we hear is, How many days should I plan to spend in Japan? Before we elaborate, the simple answer is: as long as possible! Purely in terms of area, Japan is slightly smaller than the state of California.
But in terms of places and experiences, Japan is as dense as Europe, where you can travel an hour or two in any direction and arrive at a remarkable destination. This density of incredible places is what makes Japan feel larger than it otherwise might. Most travelers only fully grasp this after a first visit, which often prompts a desire to return again as soon as possible to explore further. This being said, here are some basic guidelines to give you an idea of the possibilities depending on how long your Japan trip will be:.
This is typically the minimum timeframe we recommend. With 1 week to 10 days in Japan, you will have time for a well-rounded introduction to the country.
With a little extra time, you can include additional destinations, or simply spend more time immersing yourself in each place you visit. Our sample trips below provide some examples of how much you can see and do with about two weeks in Japan:.
With 2 to 3 weeks or longer in Japan, you begin to have more flexibility to visit a wider variety of regions, while also enjoying a significant degree of cultural immersion. While less common among our travelers from the US and UK, many of our Australian clients are fortunate enough to be able to devote 3 or more weeks to traveling around Japan.
With this much time, the possibilities are virtually endless, so we hope our list helps you narrow things down to your own personal wish list! At Boutique Japan, our specialty is crafting completely customized trips for travelers seeking unique, authentic experiences.
If you are interested in learning more about working with us, please feel free to explore our trip planning process. Wondering when Japan will reopen for tourism? This is the most common question we get from travelers,…. Matsuri, festivals in Japan, are often spectacular, filled with color, exuberance, and tradition. Japan has perhaps more unique festivals than…. At Boutique Japan, our specialty is helping travelers who believe that travel is about unique experiences, not just sightseeing or….
Skip to content 30 Best Destinations in Japan. Tokyo Tokyo needs little introduction, and while we typically recommend people spend at least nights here, you can get a sense for how much there is to see and do in our mini guide to One Day in Tokyo.
Kyoto Kyoto could not be more different than Tokyo, but is equally enthralling. Overlooking the beautiful Yasaka no to Pagoda in Kyoto 3. See what locals say about their favorite hot springs and what rules you should keep in mind. Traveling the country via train is one of the coolest things to do in Japan!
Locals note that you should buy a Japanese Rail JR Pass before your trip—these deeply discounted tickets are for tourists only. Simply magical. For you adventurous eaters, locals recommend trying the kani miso sushi , made from crab innards. Don't miss out on insider tips— work with one of our locals to plan your trip to Japan. Locals tell us conveyor belt sushi is a fun and delicious way to keep to your budget.
They can provide some suggestions for great cheap eats. Turn your world upside-down in the wisteria tunnels of Kitakyushu, where the brilliant purple-, pink-, and lavender-colored flowers drift lazily from the ceiling. This garden seriously looks like a creation straight from the pages of Alice in Wonderland. Locals say to purchase tickets beforehand from a or FamilyMart and grab a bento box from while you're at it.
Access more local knowledge by working with a local to build a customized trip. Here's another must-do for anyone who loves travel—check out the Yesterday in Travel podcast, sponsored by ViaHero.
The show covers moments in travel history—like how the Tokyo Olympics revolutionized travel to Japan:. They say to keep an eye out for inoshishi wild boar ramen. Le Midi ramen bar in Takayama is well known for this specialty. If you're hoping to consume a lot of ramen a delicious mission we heartily endorse—eating is one of the best things to do in Japan get tips from a local about where to go. One of our Japanese locals suggests checking out "ramen alley' in Sapporo, especially a place called Teshikaga.
Home to hundreds of bamboo groves and dozens of temples and shrines built within the bamboo maze to ward off evil , the serene Sagano Bamboo Forest is a far cry from the bustle of urban Kyoto. One of our Japanese locals called the museum "where Ghibli films come alive.
Although this Kyoto market is only about as long as two city blocks, the jam-packed stalls offer all the ingredients you could possibly need for perfect washoku Japanese cuisine. Locals recommend keeping an eye out for Japanese sweets, pickles, dried seafood, and of course sushi. A great way to save money in big cities like Tokyo , your personal pod has a bed, lights Besides being famed for its scenery, the city boasts a wealth of important Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples and is located in Tochigi Prefecture.
Impressively, Nikko is home to two mausoleums of Tokugawa Shoguns; these can be found at the extensive and extravagant Tosho-gu complex. Surrounded by towering cedars, the site showcases wonderful Edo-era architecture, with countless shrines, temples, and pagodas. In addition to this, many people visit Nikko for the lovely nature and scenery surrounding it. Tucked away among its endless mountains and forests, you can find sparkling waterfalls and lakes, as well as bubbling streams and boiling hot springs.
Nestled away among the northern Japanese Alps of Central Honshu, the small city of Takayama is a very picturesque place. Shrines, temples and museums abound in Takayama, while numerous morning markets can be found near to the river. At the Hida Folk Village, you can watch artisans make local handicrafts and wander around a recreated mountain village, full of traditional thatched-roof farmhouses. Due to its isolated setting, Takayama developed its own rich culture and traditions, as evidenced by the two famous festivals of Sanno Matsuri and Yahata Matsuri.
During the festivities, large and lavishly decorated floats parade through the city, which is magically lit up by lanterns. Many people visit during the festivals for the lively ambience and atmosphere. Boasting beautiful mountain scenery, relaxing hot springs, and a number of world-class art museums, Hakone is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Japan.
Located just a short train ride to the southwest of Tokyo, the town lies on the shores of tranquil Lake Ashi, with iconic Mount Fuji rising in the distance. A pleasant and picturesque place, Hakone is home to many lonsens and ryokans, so visiting one of the bathhouses and staying in a traditional inn is a must when in town.
In addition, exquisite sculptures and artworks can be found in its numerous galleries and museums, while small shops and boutiques sell locally made handicrafts. One of the most popular things to do is take a boat ride on one of the pirate ships that sail around Lake Ashi. While Hakone can get quite crowded, especially during weekends and holidays, Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park has loads of peaceful hiking trails for you to explore if you want to escape the crowds.
Nara, once known as Heijo, was the first permanent capital of Japan, established in The capital was moved to Nagaoka in when the government was threatened by powerful Buddhist monasteries. Located less than an hour from Kyoto , the city boasts a plethora of important and impressive historic sights, with countless temples and shrines.
The highlight, however, is Todai-ji Temple with its awe-inspiring architecture and enormous Great Buddha. Besides its plethora of well-preserved historic buildings, Nara has a couple of excellent museums for visitors to check out, as well as the charming old merchant district of Naramachi.
With so much history, art, and architecture on show, the former capital is certainly not to be missed out on. Kyoto today is the capital only of Kyoto prefecture, but it once served as the imperial capital of Japan for more than 1, years. Because of its historical significance, this city was largely spared much of the destructive bombing that occurred throughout the rest of Japan during World War II.
Located on central Honshu Island, this city of 1. One of Japan's most visited cities, lovely Kyoto - one of the few cities in the country to be spared the devastation of WWII - attracts more than 10 million visitors annually. Most of them are here to explore Kyoto's fine old streets and architecture, much of it unchanged since the Imperial family took up residence here more than 1, years ago. Even then, the city was Japan's most important cultural center.
This legacy, in fact, continues to this day with its many museums and art galleries, each bursting with important sculptures, paintings, and other art forms. Highlights of Kyoto's Buddhist-influenced architecture include its many well-preserved temples, 30 of which are still in use, and important structures such as the 14th-century Golden Pavilion Kinkaku-ji , famous for its exquisite gold-leaf-clad exterior.
Be sure to also visit Nijo Castle , a 17th-century fortress that has retained its original walls, towers, and moat. Another landmark to visit is the original Kyoto Imperial Palace Kyoto-gosho. Built in AD , it's one of the city's most visited historic sites. Finally, no visit to Kyoto is complete without spending time exploring the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove.
This beautiful area of tall bamboo is just a few minutes' walk from the town center. Accommodation: Where to Stay in Kyoto. The Island Shrine of Itsukushima. Just a short ferry ride from mainland Hiroshima is the island of Miyajima , famous the world over as Japan's Shrine Island.
Covering an area of 30 square kilometers in Hiroshima Bay, Miyajima is best known as the home of the Itsukushima Shrine, a Shinto temple dedicated to the Princess daughters of the wind god Susanoo. Dating from the eighth century, the majority of the shrine's buildings rise out of the waters of a small bay supported only by piles.
The effect at high tide is simply stunning, making these structures - including the famous Great Floating Gate O-Torii - appear as if they're floating on water. Linked together by walkways and bridges, it's a fascinating place to explore, in particular its larger halls.
Another notable feature is the shrine's stage, where visitors are entertained with traditional dances and musical performances. Also worth exploring are the island's exquisite grounds and gardens, home to wild deer and numerous bird colonies. Please note: You can expect some interruptions and inconvenience from now until due to major renovations taking place at this historic site.
Temple City: Historic Nara. For centuries the hub of Japanese culture, the lovely unspoiled city of Nara is home to a large number of historic buildings, along with important national treasures and works of art. In addition to its many historic streets, the city boasts numerous important old temples. These includ the magnificent seventh-century Kofuku-ji Temple , perhaps the best known of the Seven Great Temples of Nara; and the splendid eighth-century Todai-ji Great East Temple , famous for its huge bronze statue of the Great Buddha Daibutsu , cast here in AD This spectacular two-story structure is borne on 18 columns, with two Nio statues standing eight meters tall, and it guards the temple entrance.
Also of note here is the Hall of the Great Buddha, the world's largest timber building. Accommodation: Where to Stay in Nara. Osaka Castle with autumn leaves. Although destroyed and rebuilt a number of times since, the present structure, built in , remains true to the original.
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