Have you planned a trip to Japan and are going there for the first time but have limited time? Then, you need to visit all the popular destinations and do sightseeing at the famous sites in a short time. From Mount Fuji to the stunning skyscrapers in Tokyo, you get to experience the magnificent landscapes of Japan. In this Japan tour guide, I have enlisted all the best places to see when you visit Japan in a limited time.
Visit Tokyo
Tokyo lies in the heart of Japan and is home to famous sites, and is a favorite destination for foreigners. If you like parties, then you must visit Shibuya, a town full of neon-themed restaurants, bars, and hotels. You can also go to Akihabara, which is home to Otaku culture. There, you can visit the amusement parks and arcade stores to play your favorite games.
If you love shopping and buying gifts, then you must visit Ginza, where you can also get original White Katana. The White Katana is a perfect souvenir to bring home. Jimbocho is an ideal place for book lovers as it houses hundreds of bookstores. One must-visit place is Robot Restaurant in Harajuku; Shinjuku, the entertainment district of Tokyo.
Furthermore, you can also go to Golden Gai and Ebisu, which house bars and restaurants. Visiting the Ueno and Sumida Park is a bonus if you go during the cherry blossom season.
If you have children with you, then you must go to Disneyland and DisneySea, located in Tokyo. DisneySea has amazing decoration and theme, due to which it was awarded the Thea Award. Enjoy the fantastic rides and exceptional themes of the amusement parks.
Lastly, you should definitely visit Tsukiji, the largest fish market in the world, and get the original sushi.
Visit Hakone
If you love spending time away from city life, then you must visit Hakone. It’s home to beautiful landscapes and a serene environment. Tourists go to Hakone to see Mount Fuji. You can reach Mount Fuji from Tokyo on a short train ride. The Shinkansen trains provide an ultra-fast commute that would save your trip and allow you to spend sufficient time at Mount Fuji.
In addition, you can also visit the Museum of the Little Prince and the Hakone Open Air Museum. It is a world-class sculpture park featuring the works of famous artists such as Picasso and Henry Moore.
You can also visit the Onsen Town of Hakone, which are hot water springs. You should definitely visit the Shibu Onsen, which is home to white monkeys.
If you love relaxing in nature, then you must visit Hakone, where you can also spot the magnificent Mount Fuji. You can also explore the beautiful Lake Kawaguchiko where you can go visit the amusement parks, go on hiking trails and visit the museum.
Lastly, you can visit Owakudani, the boiling Valley at the top of the volcanic mountain. You can purchase a black egg that is naturally boiled in hot water, which is thought to prolong your life.
Visit Nara
If you do not like the hustle and bustle of the city, then you can visit Nara. Nara was Japan’s first capital and housed beautiful shrines and temples. You can go hiking or visit the UNESCO World heritage Toshogu Shrine and the beautiful Nikko National Park.
You should also visit Tōdai-Ji, a temple that houses Daibutsu, a giant statue of Buddha. The temple is located in a national park filled with deer.
Visit Koya San
If you visit Nara, you should also visit Koya San, the center of Shingon Buddhism. Koya San is located at Mount Koya and houses hundreds of temples that offer accommodation too. In the morning, you can visit the graveyard which houses the mausoleum of Oku-no-in, the founder of Shingon Buddhism.
Visit Kyoto
If you like traditional Japanese culture, then you should visit the samurai Town of Kanazawa, located near Kyoto. The Kenrokuen Garden in Kanazawa is regarded as one of the top 3 landscape gardens in the country, so a must-see when you visit Japan. You can also do sightseeing in Kinkaku-Ji, also known as the Golden Pavilion; Kiyomizu-Dera, a temple with a balcony, overlooks the city and Fushimi Inari Shrine.
You can visit the Gion, a geisha, and the samurai district in Kanazawa. Both the districts are well-preserved and have ancient shrines and buildings. If you get up early in the morning, then do hike up to Fushimi Inari Tanisha, which is located at the top of Mount Inari and houses many red tori gates.
Visit Osaka
Osaka is Japan’s third-largest city and houses beautiful buildings. Once you leave the Shinkansen train station, you get to see the Umeda Sky Building. The Umeda Sky Building hosts the Floating Garden Observatory on its 39th floor. The floor provides you with a beautiful view of the entire city. You can also visit Osaka Castle houses a museum where you can learn about the castle’s history and how it helped unify Japan in the sixteenth century.
You should visit the Kuromon Market, where you can get to savor the delicious fish meals and Japanese delicacies. Lastly, you should visit Minami, a center of nightlife, street food, and entertainment. Here, you can spot the Glico Man, the Moving Crab, and the Hozenji Yokocho.
Visit Hiroshima
Hiroshima is the site of Japan’s history and how the atomic bomb damaged the entire city. You can visit the Atomic Bomb Dome, built on the first atomic bomb explosion.
You can also visit the Hiroshima Castle, which was destroyed during the atomic bomb explosion. The castle has been rebuilt and houses a museum where you can learn about the country’s history when you visit Japan.
Lastly, you can also visit the Peace Park, the city’s political center that was also destroyed. Now, it has been turned into a memorial.
Conclusion
Traveling to Japan is a fun and exciting experience. You get to experience the ancient shrines and the traditional Japanese culture, visit the national parks and see the magnificent Mount Fuji. When you visit Japan, you can visit these sites on public transport or through Shinkansen trains.
Mirela Letailleur is a Romanian travel blogger living in the South of France. She writes on The Travel Bunny travel blog about affordable travel in Europe. Creator of unique free travel guides and local travel expert. Problem solver. Wannabe coffee guru.
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