Although Japan seems tiny on a map, it is home to a number of world-class cities, beautiful sights, and natural wonders. Here’s a list of 11 cities in Japan you must visit before you die to help you choose your ideal vacation spot.
1. Nagasaki
Nagasaki is a city in Japan. It’s on the southwest coast of Kyushu, an island. Long ago, it was the only place in Japan where people could trade with the world. The Dutch and Portuguese, who traded a lot, influenced the city greatly.
Nagasaki was also the center of Catholic faith in Japan. You can find many old churches there. But Nagasaki has a sad history too. During World War II, an atomic bomb was dropped on it.
To remember those who lost their lives, the city built the Nagasaki Peace Park, Atomic Bomb Museum, and Peace Memorial Hall. These places honor the victims and teach about peace. Every year, many people visit these places. They come to learn and to remember. This makes Nagasaki a city of history, faith, and peace. It’s a place where the past meets the present, and where lessons of peace are shared with the world.
2. Naha
Naha is a city in Japan. It’s the capital of Okinawa Prefecture. Long ago, it was the capital of the Ryukyu Kingdom. This kingdom ruled the Okinawan islands for many years.
Today, you can see many historic places in Naha. One of them is Shuri Castle. This castle was where the Ryukyu kings lived. Naha is a great place for people who love the sun. It has a warm, tropical climate.
There’s a beach in the south part of the city called Naminoue Beach. Also, there are buses that can take you to bigger beaches. Some of these beaches are Mibaru and Manza. So, if you love history and the beach, Naha could be a great place for you to visit.
3. Matsuyama
Matsuyama is a city in Japan. It’s on Shikoku, the smallest island in Japan. Matsuyama is the capital of Ehime Prefecture. This city has a rich history.
One of the main attractions is Matsuyama Castle. This castle was built in 1603 and is still in good condition. You can get to the castle by a ropeway, which is like a cable car.
Another place to visit is Dogo Onsen. It’s one of the oldest hot springs in Japan. Even the Imperial Family, which is like the royal family, has visited it. Some people say that Dogo Onsen inspired the bathhouse in the movie “Spirited Away” by Studio Ghibli.
So, Matsuyama is a city with a lot of history. It has a castle, a famous hot spring, and a connection to a popular movie. It could be a fun place to visit if you’re interested in these things.
4. Nagoya
Nagoya is a big city in Japan. It’s the third biggest city there. Nagoya is known for its industry and manufacturing. But it’s also a city of culture. One place that shows this culture is the Tokugawa Art Museum. This museum has ten National Treasures. These are very important pieces of art in Japan.
There’s also a place called the Cultural Path. This path goes from Nagoya Castle to the Tokugawa Art Museum. Along this path, you can see many old buildings. These buildings are protected because they’re important to history.
So, Nagoya is a city of industry and culture. It has a big museum and a path full of history. If you like art and architecture, you might enjoy visiting Nagoya. It’s a city where the past and the present meet.
5. Nara
Nara is a city in the Kansai region of Japan. It’s famous for its sika deer. These deer are also called spotted deer. You can usually find them in Nara Park. But sometimes, you can see them in other parts of the city too. When you visit Nara, you should see the Historic Monuments of Ancient Nara. This is a World Heritage Site recognized by Unesco. It’s a place with many important landmarks.
Some of these landmarks are the Kasugayama Primeval Forest, Heijo Palace, and Kasuga Shrine. The forest is very old and beautiful. The palace and shrine are important places from the past.
So, Nara is a city with friendly deer and historic landmarks. It’s a place where you can see nature and history together. If you visit, you can learn a lot and have fun too.
6. Sapporo
Sapporo is the capital city of Hokkaido, an island in Japan. Every year, Sapporo hosts a big event called the Sapporo Snow Festival. During this festival, the city is filled with sculptures made of snow and ice. Sapporo is also known for winter sports. This is because it has cold winters and lots of snow. People come to Sapporo to ski, snowboard, and enjoy other winter activities.
But Sapporo isn’t just about snow and sports. It’s also a modern city with lots of trees. The city has many streets lined with trees. These streets look beautiful in any season, not just winter. So, Sapporo is a city with a fun festival, great winter sports, and beautiful streets. It’s a place where you can enjoy nature and city life at the same time. If you visit, you might find something you love in Sapporo.
7. Aomori
The Aomori Nebuta Matsuri is a big event in Japan. It happens in Aomori, a city known for its Float Festival. This festival is famous for its parade. The parade has bright floats and dancers who sing. They invite people walking by to watch. Aomori is also the main city in the Tohoku region. This region was hit hard by an earthquake in 2011.
But Aomori played a big role in helping the area recover. Today, the region is still getting back on its feet. If you want to visit the Tohoku region, Aomori is a great place to start. From there, you can explore the rest of the area. This makes Aomori not just a city of fun festivals, but also a place of resilience and recovery. So, if you’re planning a trip to Japan, consider starting in Aomori. You’ll get to enjoy a fantastic festival and see a region that’s bouncing back from a tough time. It’s a trip you won’t forget!
8. Hiroshima
The Peace Memorial Park in Hiroshima attracts visitors from all around the world. The memorial honors the victims of the 1945 bombs, which made it the first city in the world to be hit by atomic weapons. Hiroshima is now a bustling metropolis with a plethora of historical attractions, gardens, and parks. It is a fantastic city for live sports, and it is home to a number of national teams, such the Sanfrecce Hiroshima (football) and the Hiroshima Toyo Carp (basketball) (baseball). The Mazda Zoom-Zoom Stadium Hiroshima (yeah, really) and the Hiroshima Big Arch are the two primary stadiums.
9. Kyoto
Kyoto is a special city in Japan. It was the country’s capital for nearly 1,000 years. Today, it’s known as Japan’s cultural heart. There are about 2,000 Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines in Kyoto. This makes it a big spot for culture in Japan. One cool thing about Kyoto is its geisha culture. Geishas are called “geiko” in the Kansai region, where Kyoto is. Every spring, the city hosts dances performed by geishas.
This is a big attraction for many people. But that’s not all. Kyoto is also famous for its old buildings. It’s a great place to see traditional Japanese architecture. The city is known for kaiseki too. This is a fancy type of Japanese food. And let’s not forget about ryokan. These are traditional Japanese inns where you can stay.
10. Osaka
Osaka is a city in Japan known for its relaxed people. They’re famous for their delicious food and the way they talk, called Kansai speech. When the sun goes down, Osaka really shines. The city lights up with neon signs and cafes that stay open late. This makes the evening the best time to visit. Every year, lots of people come to Osaka to try the food. There’s even a saying in Osaka, “kuidaore,” which means “eat ’til you drop.”
One of the top places to visit in Osaka is Dotonbori. It’s right in the middle of the city. Dotonbori is a popular spot for tourists because it has lots of restaurants and shops. Plus, it’s full of bright neon signs. One of the most famous signs is the Glico Running Man.
11. Tokyo
Tokyo is the capital of Japan. It’s also the country’s top spot for tourists. Tokyo has a lot to offer. You can find old temples and shrines there. There are also beautiful gardens and historic estates. If you like shopping, Tokyo has some of the best stores in the world. The city also has a lively nightlife and great food. Tokyo is famous for its kabuki and sumo traditions. Kabuki is a type of Japanese theater.
Sumo is a Japanese wrestling sport. Tokyo also has some of the best sports teams in Japan. But what Tokyo is most known for is its shopping areas and modern buildings. These are some of the best in the world. So, if you’re planning a trip to Japan, make sure to visit Tokyo. You’ll get to see a mix of old and new, from ancient temples to modern architecture. It’s a city that has something for everyone.
