JAPAN

Japan

Many first-time visitors to Japan are often surprised to learn that, as one of the world's most advanced industrialized nations, this relatively small Asian country also boasts a rich and fascinating history that dates back thousands of years. Indeed, long before many of Europe's most spectacular cathedrals were built, Japan's Shinto and Buddhist temples were already well-established and drawing pilgrims and patrons for their often elaborate designs and décor. At the same time, the country was already perfecting the skills and trades that would set it on the path to riches, from fine porcelains and ceramics to textiles such as silk. Much of this rich tradition has, despite wars and natural devastation, been preserved (or rebuilt), and a visit to Japan is a memorable adventure. Boasting an endless list of top attractions, things to see and do, and points of interest to explore, a vacation in Japan is certainly a great investment of time and money. Discover the best places to visit in the country with our list of the top-rated tourist attractions in Japan.

1 Mount Fuji

Without a doubt Japan's most recognizable landmark, majestic Mount Fuji (Fuji-san) is also the country's highest mountain peak, towering 3,776 meters over an otherwise largely flat landscape to the south and east, and tall enough to be seen from Tokyo more than 100 kilometers away. Mount Fuji has for centuries been celebrated in art and literature and is now considered so important an icon that UNESCO recognized its world cultural significance in 2013. Part of the Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park, Mount Fuji is climbed by more than a million people each summer as an act of pilgrimage, which culminates in watching the sunrise from its summit. While some still choose to begin their climb from the base, the majority of climbers now start from above the halfway mark, at the 5th Station, resulting in a more manageable six or so hour ascent. Of course, for many, simply viewing the mountain from the distance, or from the comfort of a speeding train, is enough to say "been there, done that."

2 Imperial Tokyo

Tokyo's most famous landmark, the Imperial Palace with its beautiful 17th-century parks surrounded by walls and moats, is a must-see when visiting the nation's capital. Don't be put off by the fact that the majority of the palace is closed to the public (it's still in use by the Imperial family), as there is still enough to see simply by strolling the grounds. In addition to the many fine views of the palace from numerous points in the surrounding parkland - including the famous Nijubashi Bridge, or "double bridge," so named for its watery reflection - visitors are permitted into the East Higashi-Gyoen Gardenand other areas that are opened to the public as part of an organized tour. Another must-see for tourists visiting Tokyo is the famous Ginzashopping district, home to the Kabuki-za Theatre with its Kabuki performances, as well as the Shimbashi Enbujo Theatre with its traditional Azuma-odori dances and Bunraku performances.

3 Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park

While little need be said here of the horrors of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima in August 1945, much can be said of the incredible efforts this vibrant city has made to commemorate the many victims of the world's first nuclear attack, and perhaps even more importantly, the symbol of lasting peace Hiroshima has since become. Visited by more than a million people each year, many from overseas, Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park (Hiroshima Heiwa Kinen Kōen) lies at the epicenter of the atomic blast in what was once a bustling part of the city and includes a number of important monuments, memorials, and museums relating to the events of that fateful day. In addition to the grounds and gardens with their colorful cherry blossoms, the park's highlights include the Peace Memorial Museum with its numerous exhibits dealing with the issue of world peace, and the Memorial Cenotaph and the Flame of Peace, as well as the Atom Bomb Dome, the ruins of an administrative building that lay at the center of the explosion.

4 Historic Kyoto

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 to explore its fine old streets and architecture, much of it unchanged since the Imperial family took up residence here more than 1,000 years ago. Even then, the city was Japan's most important cultural center, a legacy that continues 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; its beautiful gates; and its palace with fine interior décor. Also worth a visit is the original Kyoto Imperial Palace (Kyoto-gosho), built in AD 794 and one of the city's most visited historic sites. Finally, no visit to Kyoto is complete without spending time exploring the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, a beautiful area of tall bamboo just a few minutes' walk from the town centre.

5 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 such as the exquisite Honden (Main Hall), the Offerings Hall (Heiden), the Prayer Hall (Haiden), and the Hall of a Thousand Mats (Senjokaku). 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.

6 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, including 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 749. Also of interest in Todai-ji are its Great South Gate (Nandaimon), a two-story structure borne on 18 columns with two Nio statues standing eight meters tall and guarding the temple entrance, and the Hall of the Great Buddha, the world's largest timber building.

7 Osaka Castle

Built in 1586 by famous Japanese warrior and politician Toyotomi Hideyoshi, Osaka Castle (Ōsaka-jō) was at the time the largest and most important fortress in the country. Although destroyed and rebuilt a number of times since, the present structure, built in 1931, remains true to the original. Highlights of a visit include the huge five-story, 42-meter-tall main tower built on an imposing 14-meter-tall stone base and home to a number of displays detailing the history of the castle and the city; be sure to visit the top floor for its superb views over Osaka, an especially attractive sight as the sun sets. Also of interest in Osaka Castle Park is the Hokoku Shrine, while Osaka's best-known temple, Shitennō-ji, is also worth visiting and dates back to AD 59. Notable as Japan's first Buddhist temple, this lovely shrine features a five-story pagoda along with a number of other exquisitely decorated buildings including the Golden Pavilion(Kondō) with its fine statues and paintings, the Lecture Hall (Kōdō), and a lovely covered corridor linking three of the site's gates.

8 Chūbu-Sangaku National Park and the Japanese Alps

Japan boasts a number of outstanding areas of natural beauty, many of them designated as national parks or, in some cases, UNESCO World Heritage Sites. One of the country's most spectacular parks is Chūbu-Sangaku National Park in the center of Honshu, incorporating in its northern and central regions the group of mountains collectively referred to as the Hida Mountains, or Japanese Alps. The region contains some of the highest peaks in the country, including Hotaka at 3,190 meters, and Yari at 3,180 meters. Similar in many ways to the Alps of Central Europe - both in the character of the landscape and in its abundance of snow in winter - the Japanese Alps attract large numbers of walkers and climbers in summer and skiers in winter. Of particular interest is the park's abundance of flora and fauna, including the rare ptarmigan and mountain antelopes found at higher altitudes. The park's many hot springs also draw visitors and led to the development of various spas and holiday resorts, the best known being Kamikōchi.

9 The Atsuta Shrine, Nagoya

The Atsuta Shrine, in the heart of the city of Nagoya, is the most important Shinto shrine in Japan, and attracts more than five million visitors each year. Established in the first century, this religious site is famous for its preserved Imperial insignia, the "grass-mowing sword" (kusanagi-no-tsurugi), one of only three in the country. Also of interest are its principal shrine, Hongu, surrounded by an enclosing wall, and the treasury with its numerous works of art, including old and modern paintings, ceramics, jewelry, and traditional masks. While in Nagoya, be sure to also visit Nagoya Castle, a splendid moated complex built in 1612 boasting a 48-meter-high main tower that is famous for its two gilded dolphins (shachi), its museum containing art treasures from the former palace, and its spectacular views over the city and the Nobi Plain.

10 Fukuoka Castle and the City's Ancient Festivals

One of the few surviving examples of the once prolific and majestic hilltop homes preferred by Shoguns and city rulers, Fukuoka Castle (Fukuoka-jō) is one of the highlights of a visit to Fukuoka. Once part of a massive complex that covered an area of some 47,000 square meters, this beautiful castle still impresses with its size and its position on a tall foundation overlooking the Naka River. Fukuoka is also well known for its many events and festivals, in particular the Hakata Gion Yamakasa, a famous two-week long, 700-year-old celebration held each July that draws millions of visitors from across the country to its colorful parades, as well as its traditional races and costumes. The city is not without its modern attractions, too, including Canal City Hakata, a-city-within-the-city complete with a canal running through the complex along with great shops, hotels, restaurants, and a theater.

11 Sapporo, Hokkaido

Located on Japan's northernmost island, Hokkaido, the city of Sapporo offers many things to see and do for tourists. As the island's largest city, it's a hub of cultural activity, hosting many excellent events and festivals; a distinctive culinary style; a rich theatrical history; and plenty of museums, galleries, and parks. The focal point here is very much the city's attractive downtown area, the center of which is Odori Park, a large swath of green that's very pleasant to explore. From here, you can also access points of interest such as the Sapporo TV Tower, as well as the city's famous aerial tramway, an easy walk away. The Mount Moiwa Ropeway will eventually get you to the summit's Upper Station, from where you can enjoy incredible views over the city, a real treat at night. The mountain is also the location of the Mount Moiwa Ski Resort, a popular winter destination, especially since the 1972 Winter Olympics were held in the city. And if you're arriving in winter, be sure to visit the Sapporo Snow Festival, held here each February and drawing in excess of two million revelers.

Japanese food

Japan is a food lover’s paradise offering an overwhelming number of choices to try! There is so much more to Japanese cuisine than just sushi and ramen. Japan provides both outstanding Michelin star restaurants, street food and everything in between that you easily could spend years touring Japan to try all the different regional dishes.

Just like France or Italy which are famous tourist destinations for foodies, Japan is a must-visit spot for culinary travel. In 2013 Japanese cuisine (known as washoku) was recognized by UNESCO for being an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Washoku translates to Japanese food but can also mean the harmony of food which is a core concept of Japanese cuisine. In Japan, chefs aim to showcase the individual ingredients and have a beautiful presentation of the food.

Because of the fantastic culinary scene, it is no surprise that when people visit Japan trying a wide variety of food is an essential part of their travel plans. While experiencing fresh sushi in Japan is vital, there are a variety of other delicious dishes you need to try too. If you are visiting Japan for only a short visit, it can be a challenge to figure out what to eat, as there are so many options and not enough days. With that in mind, here are the 20 dishes you need to try when you are in Japan.

20 RAMEN

Ramen is one of Japan’s best-known and most popular dishes that you can find absolutely everywhere in Japan. It is the perfect meal for budget travelers as it is very filling and relatively inexpensive. Ramen consists of a soup broth filled with noodles, and there are four major types, shio (salt-based broth), miso (soybean paste-based broth), tonkotsu (pork bone-based broth), and shio (soy sauce-based broth). While it is possible to find these flavors anywhere in Japan, each area of Japan has their regional versions.

In addition to picking the broth type, at some ramen shops you can further customize your order by selecting the type of noodle you want (thin, regular or thick) and how cooked you want the noodles (regular or firm). Typical ramen toppings include seaweed, kamaboko (a steamed fish cake), green onions, pork belly, and a soft boiled egg but this highly varies depending on the region.

19 OKONOMIYAKI

Is it a pancake? Or is it a pizza? Okonomiyaki is a savory pancake, often referred to as ‘Japanese pizza’ containing a variety of different ingredients. The dish is very popular in Osaka and Hiroshima with both region having their unique style of okonomiyaki. The Osaka-style version is flour, eggs, grated yam, dashi and shredded cabbage cooked into a pancake. The pancake is then topped with strips of bacon, sauce, seaweed flakes, and Japanese mayonnaise. The Hiroshima-style is layered on top of each other instead of mixed. It starts with a noodle base, topped with layers of cabbage, bacon, egg, the okonomiyaki pancake batter, sauce, green onions and pickled ginger.

18 TAKOYAKi

Takoyaki is a fried octopus ball and is one of Osaka's most famous dishes. It is a straightforward dish, just a piece of octopus covered in a dough batter and cooked into a ball shape. The cooked takoyaki is then covered with a sweet sauce (often okonomiyaki sauce), bonito flakes (dried fish), and Japanese mayonnaise.

The dish can be found all over Osaka in both restaurants and as street food. For a classic Takoyaki experience, head to Dotonbori in Osaka and look out for the large red octopus sign where you will be able to see from the street people making takoyaki.

17 TEMPURA

Tempura is pieces of battered and deep-fried seafood or vegetables such as shrimp, eggplant, mushroom, pumpkin, sweet potato, lotus root or shiso leaves. It can be found all over Japan and can be served as a main dish, a side dish, or as a topping over udon or soba noodles. While tempura is available at many restaurants as a side dish or in bento boxes, tempura-ya are restaurants that specialize in serving tempura.

To eat tempura either you can dip it into the dipping sauce or sprinkle some of the salt over the tempura before eating.

16 YAKITORI

Yakitori is grilled chicken skewers that are cooked over a charcoal fire. It is a very inexpensive dish that costs around 100-200 yen per stick. This dish is popularly enjoyed with a glass of beer at a Japanese pub (izakaya), but it is also a favorite street food during summer festivals.

When ordering yakitori, it is common to order a few sticks at a time, as they are served hot off the grill, and to order more food later if you are still hungry. To eat yakitori, eat the chicken directly off the bamboo skewers.

15 JAPANESE CURRY

Unlike Thai or Indian curries Japanese curry also known as curry rice is much milder, with a thicker sauce that is slightly sweeter. It is a very popular dish that is served with rice. Typical ingredients in the curry are potatoes, carrots, onions, and meat. The two most popular types of meat added to a Japanese curry is thin slices of beef or deep-fried pork cutlets (this dish is called katsu kare). Japanese curry is to be eaten with a spoon and can be topped with pickled lotus, daikon, eggplant, and cucumber that have a salty and sweet flavor and are sometimes dyed bright red with shiso.

14 MOCHI

Mochi is a chewy Japanese rice cake that is traditionally made by pounding rice. There is a vast variety of mochi with some only available seasonally.

Sakura-mochi is cherry blossom mochi that is filled with red bean paste and wrapped with a pickled cherry leaf. The texture varies across Japan, with Osaka having a coarse grain, and Tokyo offering a smoother consistency.

Daifuku is round mochi stuffed with fillings such as sweet bean paste and lightly dusted to potato starch to keep them from sticking together. Other popular varieties include strawberry daifuku which has a whole strawberry and sweet red bean inside, mochi ice cream (mochi with ice cream inside).

13 SOBA

Soba is long and thing buckwheat flour noodles. In the winter it is best enjoyed in a bowl of hot soy and dashi broth. Meanwhile, in the summer, soba noodles are served cold with a dipping sauce.

It is worth noting that another popular dish in Japan, yakisoba, which literally means "fried buckwheat", isn’t made with buckwheat noodles but ramen-style wheat noodles. It is stir-fried noodles with pork, vegetables, and topped with yakisoba sauce, fish flakes, pickled ginger, seaweed powder and Japanese mayonnaise and delicious too.

12 TONKATSU

Tonkatsu is slices of pork that are breaded and deep fried similar to a German schnitzel. When ordering you can select if you rather the lean pork tenderloin or filet or juicier 'rosu' which uses pork with more fat. It typically served as a set meal with miso soup, shredded cabbage, and rice. The cabbage which has a juice over it provides a nice contrast to the rich tonkatsu which has a sauce of Worcestershire sauce and mustard. Tonkatsu can also be enjoyed in a variety of Japanese dishes including katsudon (Japanese curry with tonkatsu pieces), katsu sandwich (a tonkatsu sandwich), and tonkatsu ramen.

11 DANGO

Dango is a chewy steamed dumpling with three to five sweetened rice flour balls skewered on a stick. Similar to mochi, dango is made with rice flour, but the dough isn't pounded like done in mochi. This delicious sweet is enjoyed year round with different flavors being available depending on the season or region. Popular varieties include shoyu dango (sweet soy sauce dipped), yaki dango (grilled dango) and hanami dango. Hanami dango is so iconic it even has an emoji, which is the pink, white and green dango balls on a stick which are available during cherry blossom season.

10 TAIYAKI

Taiyaki is a fish-shaped cake that is a favorite dessert during street festivals, but you can find it sold throughout the year too. The pancake-like batter is poured over a fish-shaped mold and cooked until the mixture is lightly crispy on the outside and soft and fluffy on the inside. In Japan it is traditionally filled with sweet red bean paste you can now find varieties filled with custard or chocolate. This dessert is best enjoyed fresh while it is still hot.

9 DONBURI

Donburi is a Japanese rice bowl, and it is the perfect convenient, affordable and filling dish. You won’t have to look far too far find donburi in Japan, as there are fast food chains everywhere selling donburi.

The name, donburi means rice bowl, so dishes that have 'don' in the name indicate they are a rice bowl. There is a variety of different donburi types, each with a different name, but some of the popular varieties of rice bowls include: gyudon (thinly sliced beef and onions), unadon (grilled eel), oyakodon (chicken and egg), katsudon (deep-fried pork cutlets), tendon (tempura), and tamagodon (scrambled egg).

8 NABE

Nabe is Japanese hot pot that is made in the winter to warm up. In a pot of hot broth, a variety of ingredients are added such as noodles, vegetables, tofu, and meat. The dish is meant to be enjoyed family-style, so each person would pick out what they want to eat from the pot of hot soup.

One of the most popular dishes is sukiyaki where sliced beef, vegetables simmered in a sweet and salty sauce. Another common nabe dish is shabu-shabu you cook the vegetables and meat in a kombu based sauce. Shabu-shabu means 'swish swish' and that is the motion you are to make when cooking.

7 OMURICE

Omurice, short for omelet rice is a strange combination of savory chicken rice wrapped in a paper-thin egg omelet and is garnished with ketchup. If you are someone who enjoys ketchup on your scrambled eggs omurice is a dish you need to try. In recent years some restaurants are ditching the thin egg omelet, and instead laying soft and fluffy scrambled eggs over the bed of fried rice and topping everything with a generous dollop of ketchup.

6 UDON

There are so many types of Japanese noodles you need to try while in Japan, and udon is one of them! Compared to soba and ramen noodles the noodles are thicker and chewier wheat flour noodles. In the colder months, a bowl of udon in a hot broth made of dashi, soy sauce, and mirin is the perfect way to warm up. While in the summer udon noodles are best enjoyed cold with a soy-sauce dipping sauce.In the hot udon bowls, the flavor of the broth and the toppings vary from region to region, with eastern Japan having a much darker broth compared to western Japan.

5 ONIGIRI

Onigiri is flavored balls of rice that are perfect for an inexpensive snack or quick meal. The dish is sold everywhere in Japan so you can get it at convenience stores or even restaurants.

The most simple onigiri is rice molded into triangular shape and wrapped in seaweed. The simple dish can also be flavored with a variety of fillings like tunamayo (tuna and mayonnaise), umeboshi (pickled Japanese plum), salmon, or kaka (bonito flakes with soy sauce). For extra flavor, it might also have a salty seasoning topping sprinkled over the rice with commonly sold flavors being pickled plum, dried fish, shiso or egg. It is the perfect snack for when you’re on the go.

4 YAKINIKU

Yakiniku, or grilled meat, is a must-try social dining experience you need to try in Japan! At Yakiniku restaurants you sit at a table with a BBQ in the middle of the table and cook your meat and vegetables. Unlike Western BBQ, in Japan, the meat is cut into bite-sized pieces and is served raw as you get to cook it yourself.

If you are hungry Yakiniku restaurants are a great choice as they offer all you can eat menus where you will be given unlimited food to cook for a set time limit such as 2 hour.

3 SOFT SERVE ICE CREAM

In Japan soft serve ice cream is the perfect refreshing treat. Every region in Japan has own signature flavor, and you could easily travel around Japan just sampling the ice cream. Each prefecture has ice cream based upon their specialty fruit or dishes, for example, Okayama Prefecture that grows white peaches make an excellent white peach soft serve ice cream.

When ordering ice cream in Japan, you'll also find a bunch of unique flavors that you'll only see in Japan such as wasabi, miso, soy sauce, soba noodles, squid ink, bitter melon, and cherry blossoms.

2 GYOZA

Crispy and gold brown on the outside, gyoza are dumplings filled with vegetables and meat and wrapped in thin dough. Based upon Chinese pot stickers gyoza has a thinner wrapper to allow for a crispier texture. Compared to potstickers Japanese gyoza are usually smaller and designed to be enjoyed in one to two bites. The dipping sauce for the gyoza is typically vinegar, sesame oil, and spices, but sometimes ponzu is added for a citrus flavor too. Curious to try this delicious dish? You can commonly find gyoza as a side dish at ramen shops or izakayas (pubs).

1 SUSHI

Sushi is typically the first food that comes to mind when people think about Japanese food, and it is indeed a dish you will want to experience in Japan. One of the best ways to experience sushi is at a conveyor belt sushi restaurant where you can pick plates of sushi off they conveyor that catch your eye. This is an easy way to order sushi for tourist, as you won’t need Japanese to order. Here the plates are prices based upon the color of the plate.

Some common varieties of sushi you’ll want to eat are classic maki rolls you might be familiar with, nigiri sushi (a piece of raw fish over rice), sashimi (a piece of fresh fish), inarizushi (rice inside Aburaage tofu pouches).