! LAND OF THE RISING SUN !
Japan offers many top things to do. It is the country of hard work, politeness, punctuality, castles, shrines, sushi or weird fantasies. Japan is for me as well the cleanest and safest country in the world (and I am from Switzerland). There is nothing to say about the food, just delicious.
Top 9 things to do in Japan
Quick overview
- Tokyo
- Mt. Fuji & Hakone
- Hiroshima
- Miyajima Island
- Nagoya
- Kyoto
- Osaka
- Fukuoka-Hakata
- Kagoshima
Tokyo (5 days)
This bustling and busy mega city is a must for everybody. During the day full of business men and women and at night lightened up with millions of LED around the city. Shibuya with its famous “Shibuya crossing”, Roppongi as a more upscale district or Shinjuku as the game and red light district are the main areas to visit for tourists. Sightseeing places are Senso-ji Temple, Meiji-Shrine (Meiji-jingū), Sumida River, Ueno-Park, Ueno-Zoo, Yoyogi Park, Odaiba Island, Tokyo SkyTree and the free observation deck on the 25h floor from the “Bunkyo Civic Center”.
If you want to have good and special photo spots, go early to Nijubashi Station to take pictures of the famous bridge and the imperial palace in the background. In Asakusa the Senso-ji Temple is a good object to take pictures of after dark. Not many people are there anymore and it has beautiful lights. And of course from the Tokyo SkyTree you have an amazing view over the whole big city.
Mt. Fuji & Hakone (2 days)
Famous Mt. Fuji, Hakone Rope Way, Owakudani Hot Spring, take a hot bath in an “Onsen” and sleep in a traditional ryokan are the things to do in the Mt. Fuji area.
If you are short on time and just want to have a quick few to Mt. Fuji, hop on the all-station Tokaido Shinkansen train called “Kodama” and get off at Shinfuji station. It takes 60 minutes from Tokyo.
Hiroshima (2 days)
Hiroshima is a well-known city, unfortunately from the history because of World War II.
Peace Memorial Museum and Park, A-Bomb Dome and the Hiroshima Castle are the places to visit in Hiroshima.
Miyajima Island (1 day)
Visit the Itsukushima-Shrine and its famous big orange tori gate in front of Miyajima Island. Eat delicious eel-sushi.
Nagoya (2 days)
Take a look at the Nagoya Castle, Shinkansen (bullet train) museum and the Toyota History Museum.
Kyoto (2 days)
The Golden Pavilion (Kinkaku-ji Temple) and the Fushimi Inari Shrine (Torii Gates) are the two most visited attractions in Kyoto. Other places to see are the Red Tempel, Ryoan Tempel and the Gion District with the Geisha ladies.
Osaka (3 days)
Osaka Castle, Dotonbori district (with the running man advertisement) and the Umeda Sky Building are some of the highlights of Osaka.
Fukuoka-Hakata (4 days)
Best Ramen noodles in Japan (and the world)! Visit the Fukuoka Tower, Fukuoka ruins, walk around Ohori Lake or you can go even to the beach in Fukuoka. Furthermore you can make a day trip to Ishika Island or take a boat ride on the Yanagawa river.
Kagoshima (1 day)
Kagoshima is the most southern Major City in Japan. Visit the Kagoshima Dolphin Port or take a ride on the Ferris Wheel.
Transportation in Japan
The train is my favorite way to travel in Japan. Super-fast and always on time.
Japan Rail Pass
Who doesn’t want to ride with the Shinkansen (fast Bullet Train) in Japan?
In order to save money on train tickets I highly recommend to buy the Japan Rail Pass. It is available for 7, 14 or 21days. With the Japan Rail Pass you can ride the Shinkansen as often as you want within the given time of the pass.
The Japan Rail Pass needs to be bought outside of Japan, before your travel! You can find all the necessary information about prices, where to buy or how to activate the Japan Rail Pass on the Japan Rail Pass website.
Japan Rail Timetable – Hyperdia
Use the www.hyperdia.com website or their App to find the train schedules in whole Japan.
Best time to visit Japan
March until June and September until November is the best time to visit Japan.
- Check out other Destinations for information or to get inspired.
