Best Places to Visit in Japan

Japan is a country that’s got a little bit of everything, from the neon lights of Tokyo and ancient temples to stunning nature and jaw-dropping views. If you’re not sure where to start, don’t worry. Whether you’re interested in exploring vibrant cities, stepping back in time through historic landmarks, or immersing yourself in the country’s stunning landscapes, this guide to the best places to visit in Japan has something for everyone.

Must-visit cities in Japan

1. Tokyo: The Heart of Modern Japan

Tokyo is the beating heart of Japan, a sprawling metropolis where towering skyscrapers meet ancient shrines, neon-lit streets pulse with life, and every district offers a completely different experience. If it’s your first time, Tokyo is an absolute must-visit in Japan.

Shibuya Crossing

Shibuya Crossing is often called the busiest pedestrian crossing in the world. This spot is iconic. Watching the organized chaos of people moving in all directions is mesmerizing, especially from an elevated viewpoint like the Starbucks across the street.

📍 Best time to visit: Evening or nighttime, when the neon lights create a dazzling effect.

Asakusa and Senso-ji Temple

Asakusa is one of Tokyo’s most charming and historic neighborhoods, where the city’s old-world charm blends seamlessly with modern life. It’s best known for Senso-ji Temple, Tokyo’s oldest temple. Walk through Kaminarimon Gate, and explore the traditional souvenir shops along Nakamise Street, lined with stalls selling traditional snacks like freshly made senbei (rice crackers) and ningyo-yaki (sweet filled cakes).

📍 Best time to visit: Early morning or evening to avoid crowds. The temple looks especially magical at night when the temple and pagoda are beautifully lit up. It is open 24/7.

💡 Tip: Shops are open from around 9 AM to 5 PM. After closing, you can enjoy the street art, Asakusa Emaki, on the shutters of the closed shops.

🎟 Entrance fee: Free

Golden Gai & Omoide Yokocho

If you want to experience Tokyo’s nightlife with an old-school twist, head to these alleyway bar districts in Shinjuku. Golden Gai is a collection of charming tiny bars, each with its own theme and personality, while Omoide Yokocho (or “Memory Lane”) is the perfect place to try yakitori (grilled chicken skewers) and other local delights in a cozy, lantern-lit setting.

📍 Best time to visit: In the evening, when the atmosphere is lively and bars are open.

Tsukiji Fish Market

Tsukiji Fish Market, once the world’s largest seafood market, remains a must-visit destination in Tokyo. While the inner wholesale market moved to Toyosu, the outer market still thrives with fresh seafood, sushi restaurants, and street food stalls. You can savor melt-in-your-mouth tuna, fresh oysters, grilled scallops, and tamagoyaki (sweet omelet) while soaking in the vibrant atmosphere. Arrive early to experience the bustling energy and taste some of the freshest seafood Japan has to offer.

📍 Best time to visit: Tsukiji Fish Market opens around 5AM, and operates until around 2AM, though some shops may close earlier. It’s best to visit in the morning for the freshest seafood and the most lively atmosphere.

💡 Tip: Most shops and stalls accept cash only, so be sure to bring some cash.

2. Osaka: A City That Never Sleeps

Osaka is famous for its vibrant street life, incredible shopping, street food and the warmest people you’ll meet. This neon-lit entertainment district of Dotonbori is the best place to try Osaka’s famous street food like takoyaki (octopus balls) and okonomiyaki (savory pancakes).

📍 Best time to visit: Evening, when the neon signs and Glico Running Man sign are at their brightest.

Best Places to Visit in Japan for History Lovers

3. Kyoto: The Cultural Capital of Japan

Next, we’re heading to Kyoto. This place is the heart of Japan’s traditional culture, with stunning temples, peaceful gardens, and geisha districts. If you’re looking for an authentic cultural experience, Kyoto is no doubt one of the best places to visit in Japan.

Fushimi Inari Taisha

Fushimi Inari Taisha is one of Kyoto’s most iconic spots, famous for its endless tunnels of torii gates. Dedicated to Inari, the Shinto god of rice and prosperity, this shrine has been around since the 8th century. Walking through the gates feels almost magical, especially as you climb Mount Inari and discover hidden shrines along the way. The views of Kyoto from the top are a nice bonus!

📍 Best time to visit: It’s best to visit early in the morning or in the evening to avoid crowds and really soak in the peaceful, almost otherworldly atmosphere.

🎟 Entrance fee: Free

Gion and Pontocho

Gion is Kyoto’s most famous geisha district, where historic wooden teahouses and lantern-lit alleys create a timeless atmosphere. The area is home to ochaya (teahouses) where geisha and maiko entertain guests with traditional music, dance, and conversation. While most of these establishments are invitation-only, you can still soak in the district’s unique charm by strolling along its streets.

Shirakawa-dori, with its willow-lined canal, offers a quieter, equally picturesque experience. If you’re lucky, you might even spot a geisha or a maiko gracefully making their way to an appointment in the evening.

Pontocho is one of Kyoto’s most atmospheric dining and entertainment alleyways. It is a narrow, lantern-lit alley lined with traditional wooden buildings. Here, you’ll find a mix of restaurants serving everything from casual yakitori to elegant kaiseki cuisine, making it a perfect place to experience Kyoto’s culinary scene.

For the best experience, visit after sunset and consider making a reservation if you plan to dine at one of the more exclusive restaurants. Like in Gion, you might also catch a glimpse of a geisha or maiko heading to an engagement. Be respectful and avoid taking close-up photos of geisha.

📍 Best time to visit: Evening for the best atmosphere.

💡 Tip: For a more immersive experience, consider renting a kimono while exploring Gion and Pontocho. Walking through these historic districts in traditional attire adds to the charm and lets you truly embrace Kyoto’s atmosphere and snap some amazing photos. We booked our kimono rental through Klook, and it was absolutely worth it. You can choose from a very wide choice of kimono prints and colors. Most rental shops provide a full outfit, including a kimono, traditional sandals (zōri or geta), split-toe socks (tabi), a small handbag, and even hairstyling to complete the look. The staff are super helpful and will dress you in the kimono properly, so you don’t have to worry about a thing.

Please also note that in the hottest summer months, July and August, you can only rent yukatas, kimono rentals are not available during this time.

If you plan to dine at one of the more exclusive restaurants in Pontocho, for the best experience, consider making a reservation in advance.

Kinkaku-ji Temple

Kinkaku-ji, or the Golden Pavilion, is one of Japan’s most stunning and iconic temples, making it a must-visit in Kyoto. Covered in brilliant gold leaf, it reflects beautifully on the surrounding pond, creating a breathtaking sight in any season. Originally built as a shogun’s retirement villa, it was later converted into a Zen temple.

📍 Best time to visit: The temple is very popular with tourists. Best time to visit is morning or just before closing for the best light and fewer people. The temple is open from 9AM to 5PM.

🎟 Entrance fee: 500 yen

4. Himeji Castle: A Masterpiece of Feudal Japan

Himeji Castle is often referred to as Japan’s most spectacular and best-preserved feudal castle. This castle has never been destroyed by war, earthquakes, or fire, making it one of Japan’s twelve original castles and a must-visit historical landmark. Built in the early 17th century, it stands as the largest and most visited castle in the country. In 1993 Himeji Castle was registered in 1993 as one of the first UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Japan.

You can enter Himeji Castle via Otemon Gate into the admission-free area, which is a big cherry tree lined lawn. To get further to the castle grounds, you need to buy a ticket (currently 1,000 yen).

📍 Tips on visiting: Open from 9AM to 4PM or 6PM (depending on season), admission ends 30 minutes before closure. You can check details here.

🎟 Entrance fee: 1,000 yen (plans to increase to 2,000–3,000 yen).

5. Shirakawa-go: A UNESCO World Heritage Village

Shirakawa-go, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is Japan’s most famous gassho-zukuri village, known for its steep thatched-roof farmhouses. These unique structures are designed to withstand heavy snowfall, and the village is especially stunning in winter when the houses are covered in snow. Nestled in the mountains of Gifu Prefecture, it offers a glimpse into Japan’s rural past with homes that have stood for centuries.

You can explore historic houses, stay in a traditional inn, and experience a slower pace of life. While Shirakawa-go is most famous for its winter snow-covered scenery, summer brings a completely different charm. The village is surrounded by lush green mountains and rice fields. Whether is it winter or summer its picturesque scenery and cultural significance make Shirakawa-go one of the best places to visit in Japan.

📍 Best time to visit: Winter for snow covered houses and the light-up events, summer for lush green views, and autumn for beautiful foliage. Special lit-up events are on selected Sunday evenings in January and February.

💡 Tip: Make sure you go up to the Shiroyama Viewpoint for a stunning panoramic view of Shirakawa-go. You can either walk there which is about 15 minutes, or take a shuttle bus.

🎟 Entrance fee: Shirakawa-go is free to explore, but some houses charge 300-600 yen.

6. Hida no Sato: A Glimpse into Japan’s Past

Located in Takayama, Hida no Sato (Hida Folk Village) is different from Shirakawa-go, it is not an existing village, but an open-air museum that showcases the traditional houses and lifestyles of the Hida region. The village features thatched-roof homes and historical structures that give visitors insight into rural life in Japan centuries ago.

All the buildings were relocated from different villages of Hida region, and are over 100 to 500 years old. You can enter most of the houses where you can see old furniture, irori (sunken hearths), farming tools, and handicrafts used in daily life. Some still have fireplaces burning, adding to the authentic feel. It’s a fantastic place to experience Japan’s rural history up close, with far fewer crowds than Shirakawa-go!

📍 Best time to visit: Winter: December – Christmas illumination, January-February for Winter illumination, or autumn for beautiful foliage.

🎟 Entrance fee: 700 yen, parking 300 yen.

7. Tsumago-juku: A Step Back in Time

Located along the Nakasendo trail, Tsumago-juku is one of Japan’s most well-preserved post towns. The area has maintained its traditional Edo-era appearance, with wooden buildings lining the car-free streets. Visitors can walk the ancient Nakasendo trail from here to Magome-juku, another charming post town, experiencing Japan as it was centuries ago. The trail is about 8 km and takes about 2-3 hours to complete.

There were originally 69 post towns along the along the Nakasendo Trail, which connected Edo (Tokyo) and Kyoto during the Edo period. These post towns served as resting spots for travelers, offering lodging, food, and stables. Some of the most well-preserved and famous post towns today include: Tsumago-juku, Magome-juku, Narai-juku.

If you have time for only one of the post towns, please keep in mind that Tsumago-juku is often preferred by those looking for a more authentic experience. Magome-juku was rebuilt after a big fire in 1915. It also has more restaurants, souvenir shops, and teahouses, making it feel livelier and more commercialized.

📍 Best time to visit: Early mornings or late afternoon, when the town is quieter and the lighting is great for photography. Shops are open from about 10AM to 4PM.

🎟 Entrance fee: Free

Best Places to Visit in Japan for Nature Lovers

If you love the outdoors, my list of best places to visit in Japan includes these must-visit natural wonders.

8. Mount Fuji: Japan’s Iconic Mountain

No trip to Japan would be complete without visiting Mount Fuji, one of the top destinations in Japan. Being the country’s most sacred mountain, it has been a place of pilgrimage, with many climbers still seeing the ascent as a spiritual journey. Whether hiking to its summit or admiring its beauty from a distance, Fuji remains one of Japan’s most meaningful destinations. With its towering presence, there are countless spots offering breathtaking views, including Chureito Pagoda, Lake Kawaguchi, Hakone, Fujiyoshida and many more, and each of them provides a unique perspective of this iconic peak.

For more information and photos on best views of Mount Fuji, you can read my post on Mount Fuji Best Views.

9. Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park

In the mountains of Nagano Prefecture, Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park is home to Japan’s famous hot spring-loving monkeys. The monkeys bathe in the park’s hot springs, making for one of Japan’s most unique animal experiences. In winter, the sight of the snow-covered landscape and monkeys bathing in hot springs is a magical experience.

📍 Best time to visit: January to March, when there’s snow. In winter there are more chances to see monkeys enjoying the hot springs. I visited Jigokudani twice: first time at the end of December, and second time at the end of January. In December there was no snow, and the park did not look very attractive without green or autumn foliage. However, in January, there was a lot of snow, and it looked amazing.

💡 Tip: There is a traditional ryokan Jigokudani Hot Spring Korakukan next to the monkey park. You can also just come for day use onsen (from 12PM to 3.30PM). Price is 1500 yen per person. There are male and female indoor baths, as well as mixed-gender outdoor bath, they are quite basic, but such an authentic experience. Also don’t be surprised that monkeys are coming to the outdoor bath, they are literally hanging out next to you. They were too shy to get into onsen and they were chilling out on the edge of onsen.

🎟 Entrance fee: 800 yen

For more details, please read my post about visiting Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park.

10. Takachiho Gorge

Takachiho Gorge in Miyazaki Prefecture is a stunning location where steep cliffs, lush green forest, and cascading Manai Falls create an enchanting landscape. You can enjoy the gorge and the waterfall from two angles: from above – there is a walking path that runs along the gorge or from below – you need to rent a boat to enjoy a close-up view of the waterfall and the gorge.

💡 Tip: Boats can be rented year round from 8.30AM to 4.30AM. Rental cost is 5,000 yen for 30 minutes. Takachiho Gorge is one of the top attractions in Japan, so during peak season, it is better to make an online reservation as early as possible, the reservations open 14 days in advance.

📍 Best time to visit: Morning for fewer crowds and better light.

🎟 Entrance fee: Free; boat rental costs 5,000 yen per boat.

11. Nara Park: Friendly Deers and Sacred Sites

Despite its rich historical and cultural significance, Nara is most famous for one thing in particular: its deer. Nara Park, one of Japan’s oldest parks, is home to hundreds of free-roaming deer considered sacred. These deer are friendly and accustomed to visitors, and you can buy special crackers to feed them. Be prepared, though—they can be quite eager! Interestingly, the deer in Nara have learned to bow as a form of greeting. They often bow to visitors in exchange for food, a behavior believed to have developed after the deer observed humans bowing to show respect. This charming interaction has made them even more endearing to visitors.

📍 Best time to visit: While the deer are present year-round, spring and autumn offer the best weather and scenic beauty (cherry blossoms in spring and autumn foilage in autumn). If you prefer fewer crowds, consider visiting in the early morning or late afternoon.

🎟 Entrance fee: Free

12. Nachi Waterfall & Seiganto-ji Temple: A Sacred Natural Site

Nachi Waterfall is Japan’s tallest waterfall, plunging nearly 133 meters (430 feet) into the lush forest below. The waterfall is part of the Kumano Kodo pilgrimage route and is closely associated with the Seiganto-ji Temple. The red pagoda of Seiganto-ji frames the waterfall, creating a striking visual contrast that makes this spot one of Japan’s most scenic locations.

🎟 Entrance fee: Free

13. Mount Aso Crater: Japan’s Active Volcano

Although Mount Aso is not well known to international visitors, it deserves its place on the list of the Best places to visit in Japan. Located in Kumamoto Prefecture, Mount Aso is the largest active volcano in Japan and one of the largest active volcanoes in the world. It has seven craters, including one active crater. You can see all of them from the viewing area (Zone B), however, please note that depending on the weather and the amount of sulphuric gases, some of the viewing areas can be closed. The surrounding Aso caldera boasts spectacular volcanic landscapes and incredible hiking opportunities.

14. Sakurajima Volcano: A Majestic Active Volcano

Sakurajima, located in Kagoshima Prefecture, is one of Japan’s most active volcanoes. The volcano smokes constantly, with minor eruptions occurring several times a day.

You can get to Sakurajima by ferry from Kagoshima City. Ferry ride takes about 15 minutes and costs 250 yen. Sakurajima Island View bus is a tourist loop bus operating every 30 minutes 15 times per day from the ferry terminal to Yunohira observation deck. The first tour bus of departs at 9:00. 1-day pass costs 500 yen. Yunohira Observation Point is the closest to to the crater. I highly recommend visiting it.

To get to Kurokami Shrine Gate and Kurokami Observation Point you can take a local Northern Route bus from the ferry terminal bus stop #1, there is 1-2 bus per 2 hours(day pass costs 600 yen). To get to Aimura Observation Point you can take a local Southern Route bus from the ferry terminal bus stop #4, there is 1 bus per hour (day pass costs 370 yen).

15. Beppu: Japan’s Hot Spring Capital

Beppu, located in Oita Prefecture, is Japan’s hot spring capital, known for its fascinating geothermal wonders called the Hells of Beppu (Jigoku Meguri). They are a collection of seven stunning and otherworldly hot springs formed over a thousand years ago due to volcanic activity. Unlike regular onsen, these geothermal wonders are too hot for bathing, reaching temperatures from 90°C to 105°C (194°F to 221°F ).

Each “hell” has its own unique characteristics, from the striking cobalt-blue waters of Umi Jigoku (Sea Hell) to the blood-red pool of Chinoike Jigoku (Blood Pond Hell). Tatsumaki Jigoku (Tornado Hell) features a geyser that erupts every 30–40 minutes, while Oniishibozu Jigoku (Monk’s Head Hell) is known for its boiling, mud-filled pools that resemble the shaved heads.

📍 Opening hours: 8AM to 5PM.

🎟 Entrance fee: 2,400 yen for 7 “Hells” or 500 yen for each “Hell” individually.

💡 Parking: Parking near “Hells” is free. The largest parking lots are near Sea Hell (230 cars) and Blood Pond Hell (130 cars). We parked at Sea Hell, and then walked to other 4 hells. Chinoike Jigoku and Tatsumaki Jigoku are located about 2.8 km from other 5 hells. You can either drive or take a bus.

Whether you’re into city adventures, cultural immersion, or nature exploration, Japan has something for everyone. If you’re planning a trip, these are truly some of the best places to visit in Japan—from iconic landmarks to hidden gems. No matter your travel style, you’ll find breathtaking scenery, rich history, and unforgettable experiences. Hopefully, this list helps you plan an amazing journey and gets you excited to explore everything Japan has to offer.

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