Japan consists of 6,852 islands in the Pacific Ocean and has 43 different prefectures. There are many attractions and activities in Japan that you may not be able to do all the work in one visit. If you are planning to visit the “Rise of the Sun”, be sure to consider visiting these top 10 tourist attractions.
10. Hot Spring Hotels
If you want to have a relaxing vacation, you should consider booking a "hot spring hotel", which is a hot spring hotel. Japan's islands are located on the volcanic belt, so there are more than 27,000 hot springs and 3,085 hot spring huts nationwide. Japanese hot springs are famous for their therapeutic effects. Some even claim that water can remove the skin and reverse aging. Modern and traditional hot spring hotels are available to choose from, and you can find hot spring hotels nearby wherever you are in Japan.
Remember the tradition of being completely naked before you go to the hot springs, so only you really don't have the confidence to stand in front of strangers...or just pay an extra fee to book a private area.
9. Mt. Fuji
If you like outdoor activities, consider climbing 12,388 feet high Mount Fuji . The trail is only open between July and September as it becomes very cold on the top of the mountain. If you only stay there for one day, you can climb to stop 5, which is a 12-hour round trip hike.
If you are adventurous, you can book accommodation near the top of the mountain so you can watch the sunrise with other climbers. Remember, it takes a full 24 hours to climb to the top. If you are not ready to hike on the top of the mountain, you can still take pictures from far away. One of the most popular attractions: Mount Fuji is the Gotemba Peace Park in Gotemba Market, which is open all year round.
8. Tokyo DisneySea
Tokyo is one of many cities in the world that have their own Disneyland theme parks. In 2001, a brand new theme park was opened in Tokyo, called Tokyo Disneyland. As the name suggests, the park has a water theme and offers plenty of water rides, making it an ideal place for summer excursions. It contains many Disney water-themed movies like Little Mermaid, Finding Nemo and the 20,000 Undersea Alliance, as well as some remade collections like Tower of Horror.
also has an area dedicated to Aladdin called the "Arabian Coast", which will make you feel as if you are actually taking a walk in the city of Agrabah. Apart from the rides, the park's accommodation is very exquisite, such as The Miracosta, a recreational activity in the Mediterranean harbour. Many people call Tokyo Disney Ocean band "the best theme park in the world", but you just need to check it out for yourself.
7. Akihabara and Harajuku
If you spend a lot of time in Tokyo, Akihabara and Harajuku are the two top shopping areas in the city. Akihabara is a dream come true for anime fans. The streets are lined with a large number of shops filled with role-playing, anime, comics and electronics. It is completely normal to see fans walking in full cosplay. For those who aren't interested in anime, Harajuku is the fashion district, and it's the perfect place to buy clothes you can't find.
It is full of high-end brands and thrift stores selling second-hand clothing and accessories. In these two areas of Tokyo, there are many entertainment options such as live concerts and themed cafes. Most importantly, many stores allow you to shop duty-free.
6. Tokyo Tower and the SkyTree
One of the most famous tourist attractions in Japan is Tokyo Tower, which was built in the 1950s and is an antenna for television broadcasts. Its design is inspired by the Eiffel Tower in France, and it even lights up at night, just like the original one. Visitors climb up to the top of the tower to the observation deck every day. However, the Tokyo Tower is far from being the highest point in the city.
The tallest tower is called SkyTree. Both towers offer incredible bird's-eye view of Tokyo, and SkyTree even has its own shopping mall and aquarium. Remember, the tickets for these two buildings are expensive and the routes are very long.If you want to enjoy the beautiful views of Tokyo Tower without queuing, try visiting Shiba Park .
5. Matsumoto Castle
Shopping and amusement parks can be fun, but maybe some of you history lovers are eager for something more traditional. Matsumoto Castle is one of the last remaining castles in Japan. It was built in the 16th century and has 23 different feudal lords throughout its life.
Spring is one of the most popular times because the cherry blossoms are in full bloom around the manor. The interior of the castle has been converted into a museum to display weapons used in battles carried out on the castle grounds.
4. Cat Island
If you are a cat man, you should seriously consider taking the ferry to the island of Tashirojima in Japan. The island is only 1.2 miles long, and over the past few decades, the population has dropped from about 1,000 to 85. The dominant species living on the island are over 100 stray cats. Obviously, that's why it earned the nickname " Cat Island ".
Locals believe that cats bring good luck, and there is even a cat shrine. Everyone on the island has a collective responsibility to take care of cats, so it is no surprise that Tayoshima has a very strict prohibition and permission policy.
3. Seasonal Festivals
If you visit Tokyo in spring or summer, be sure to take a walk in Ueno Park. In April, more than 1,000 cherry trees were in full bloom for only about a week. Enjoying flowers is a tradition with a thousand years of history, known as "Hanami", where Japanese people go outside to smell cherry blossoms.
If you feel hungry after a long trek, there are many vendors selling food and drinks, or you can bring a picnic lunch. In the summer, you can find festivals that people wear casual Japanese kimonos called "Yaboo". There are games, live shows, souvenirs and plenty of food.
2. The Studio Ghibli Museum
If you grow up watching animated movies directed by Hayao Miyazaki , such as Chihiro or Totoro, you may want to visit the Studio Ghibli Museum. The museum is located in Tokyo's beautiful Inota Park. Miyazaki deliberately designed the museum to encourage tourists to interact with nature.
There are places for children to play inside and outside the museum, and adults will appreciate the behind-the-scenes footage of their growing up making movies. Remember, this museum is very popular and you need to purchase tickets at least one month in advance.
1. Fushimi Inari
Japan's most representative attractions are Fushimi Inari Shrine in southern Kyoto. In Shintoism, Inari is the god of rice, and it is said that he uses a fox as his messenger. The most amazing and iconic part of Fushimi Inari is the thousands of red archway gates leading visitors to the top of Mount Inari.
hiking on all the gates takes 2 to 3 hours, but there are plenty of places to stop and admire the various fox statues, or eat something along the way. If you walk all the way to the top of the mountain, you will get stunning views of Kyoto that you won't find anywhere else.
