There are many reasons why people choose to visit Japan. You may be planning a trip to this East Asian country to do business there. Or maybe you have had a fascination with the language or culture of Japan for a long time.
For someone staying in Japan for just a few days, you probably only want to go on excursions a short distance from your hotel. It’s very good, and if you’ve never been to Japan, you can certainly spend your time finding local attractions.
However, if you plan to stay in Japan for a week or more, you will probably want to fill your itinerary with fun things to do that may require a little more travel to famous landmarks. There are many cities and attractions in Japan to visit. Some sites reflect the innovation and dynamism of modern Japan, while others are very historical.
If you’re looking for sites in Japan to make your trip even more memorable, here are 5 cities and attractions to see in Japan:
1. Kamakura (near Tokyo):
From 1185 to 1333, the city of Kamakura was the place of Kamakura Bakufu or shogunate. It was the de facto capital of Japan and was once one of the most populous cities in the world. Today, Kamakura is a medium-sized city with around 175,000 inhabitants, just south of Tokyo. If you are in or near Tokyo and are interested in ancient Japan – including temples and shrines – you should enjoy visiting Kamakura. Given its proximity to Tokyo, it is easily a practical day trip.
2. Miyajima Shrine (near Hiroshima):
If your trip to Japan takes you to the Hiroshima region, consider visiting Miyajima Island. It is known for a famous torii gate, which belongs to Itsukushima Shrine. The lower part of the door is immersed in water at high tide, which gives the impression that it is floating on water. It is considered one of the three best views in Japan.
3. Ichinoboh Onsen (in Sendai):
North of Honshu (the main island of Japan) is a large city called Sendai. There you will find a wonderful example of Japanese onsen or hot spring. The Ichinoboh Onsen regularly receives very high ratings from Japanese and foreign tourists. If you can’t make it to Sendai during your visit, find one of the thousands of other onsens in Japan. Visiting an onsen will make your experience in Japan even more authentic.
4. Oriental Garden of the Tokyo Imperial Palace (in Tokyo):
Your trip to Japan will likely bring you to Tokyo. Then take a local train to Tokyo Station or Otemachi Station and walk to the oriental garden of the Imperial Palace in Tokyo. It is open to the public every day except Monday and Friday. The garden is beautifully maintained. It is particularly interesting to visit the palace during the cherry blossom season. Free entry.
5. National Bunraku Theater (in Osaka):
Bunraku is the Japanese word for a special traditional form of puppet theatre. These special puppet shows started in Osaka in 1684. During a performance, you will see elements of ancient Japan from the Edo period combined with modern theatre technology. For a taste of traditional Japan through a bunraku show, go to the National Bunraku Theater in Osaka.
The Gist Nation 