20 best places to visit in Japan
These are best places for visitor to Japan.
Take these into your concern when you are coming to Japan. You may not have time to visit them all, but try going at least some if you could spare some time.
20. Kaiyukan in Osaka
One of the largest aquarium in Japan. Exhibit for whale shark, sea otter, seal, and so many is available. Normally crowded with domestic and foreign tourists. They offer combination ticket for transportation and its entry.
Category: Aquarium
Entry fee: ¥2,300 ($20) adults, ¥1,200 children ($10)
Location: 1-1-10 Kaigandori, Minato-ku, Osaka city, 552-0022
Open for: 10:00 to 20:00
Closed: Check with their official web.
Discount: www.kaiyukan.com/language/eng/kaiyu.html
19. Kinkakuji (Golden Pavilion) in Kyoto
Formal name is Rokuonji. This is where EVERYONE goes in Kyoto. Reflection on pond is fascinating. The place conveys different expressions in accordance to the season. I recommend to visit in autumn and winter.
Category: Temple
Entry fee: ¥400 ($3.5) adults, ¥300 children ($2.5)
Location: 1 Kinkakuji-cho, Kita-ku, Kyoto city, 603-8361
Open for: 9:00 to 17:00
Access: Take a bus from Kyoto station.
Find B2 in Bus terminal and ride
"101, Nijo castle, Kitano-tenmangu, Kinkakuji"
> Drop off at 13th stop, "Kinkakuji-michi"
or Find B3 in Bus terminal and ride
"205, Kinkakuji, Kitaoji bus terminal"
> Drop off at 21st stop, "Kinkakuji-michi"
18. Arashiyama monkey park in Kyoto
Located at hills where you can look down Kyoto city. There are more than 130 monkeys live in the park and caretakers are able to distinguish every monkeys.
Category: Natural Park
Entry fee: ¥550 ($5) adults, ¥250 children ($2)
Location: Arashiyama, Nishikyo-ku, Kyoto city
Open for: 9:00 to 17:00 (closed at 16:00 in winter)
Closed: when heavy rain or snow
Access: 5 min walk from Hanshin Arashiyama station or Keifuku Arashiyama station
17. Todaiji in Nara
Formal name is "Kinkomyoushitennougokokunotera". Forget about formality because it's just too long. Todaiji is well used nowadays. The temple was registered as world heritage in 1998. There is a huge statue of Buddha, which is one of the biggest in Japan. You can also find wild deer at the location.
Category: Temple
Entry fee: ¥500 ($4.5) adults, ¥300 children ($2.5)
Location: 406-1, Zoshicho, Nara city, 630-8211
Open for: 8:00 to 16:30
Closed: check with their official web.
Access: 15 min walk from JR Nara station, or take a bus from JR Nara station or Kintetsu Nara station.
JR Nara station: Exit at East and find bus stand "2", take "Nara city bus - Sotomawari (Counterclockwise)" and drop off at "Daibutsu, Kasugataisha".
Kintetsu Nara station: Exit at "5" and find bus stand "1" and take the same "Nara city bus - Sotomawari (Counterclockwise)"
16. Fujisan (Mt. Fuji)
Fujisan (Mt. Fuji), as famous symbol of the nation, is also famous among both domestic and foreign tourists. In 2013, the mountain was registeted for world heritage and making its name to the world. More people are putting this volcano onto their must-go list.
Their golden route is (1)Tokyo - (2)Mt. Fuji - (3)Kyoto.
Go and watch sun rise would be something you'd never forget.
Category: Mountain
Access:
Fuji-Kyuko line: "Kawaguchi-ko", "Fujikyu-highland", and "Fuji Yoshida" staions are where you get off.
JR: "Gotenba", and "Fujinomiya" staions.
At each stations, you will see all the information you need to get to the mountain.
If your first choice is shinkansen, check my post about "Japan Rail Pass" and "JR train and shinkansen discounts". On the other hand, your choise being local trains, refer to "Private railway companies in Japan". You'd find so many information about ticket discounts!
15. Meiji-jingu in Tokyo
Over 73 ha. and the most number of Japanese visit this shrine for "Hatsumode". This shrine is located in Shibuya, right in the middle of the city, but you get to see racoons, various wild birds, and other wild lives. Access to this place is fairly easy, so why not going?
There are annual events such as "ginkgo festival" in November, "JIngu fireworks festival" in August, "Beer festival" from May to September, and other events too.
Category: Shrine
Entry fee: ¥500 ($4.5) for its garden, entry for shrine is free
Location: 1-1, Yoyogi-Kamizonocho, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 151-8557
Open for: 9:00 to 16:00 (Depending on the season, closed at 18:00)
Access:
JR: 1 min walk from "Harajuku". 5 min walk from "Yoyogi".
Tokyo Metro: 1 min walk from "Meiji-jingumae".
Odakyu rail: 5 min walk from "Sangu-bashi".
14. Shinjuku-gyoen in Tokyo
Garden across Shinjuku and Shibuya, where bloom colorful flowers in its extensive grounds. This is also one of the best place to see sakura blossoms in April.
Category: Park
Entry fee: ¥200 ($2) adults, ¥50 children ($0.5)
Location: 11 Naitocho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-0014
Open for: 9:00 to 16:00
Closed: Monday and from 29th Dec to 3rd Jan.
*Ministry of Environment web
Access to "Shinjuku Gate":
JR: 10 min walk from "Shinjuku" station south exit.
Seibu Shinjuku line: 15 min walk from "Seibu Shinjuku" station.
Tokyo Metro: 5 min walk from "Shinjuku-gyoenmae" exit 1 and "Shinjuku-sanchome" exit E5.
Toei Shinjuku line: 5 min walk from "Shinjuku-sanchome" exit C1 and C5.
Access to "Okido Gate":
Tokyo Metro: 5 min walk from "Shinjuku-gyoenmae" exit 2.
Access to "Sendagaya Gate":
JR: 5 min walk from "Sendagaya".
Tokyo Metro: 10 min walk from "Kitasando" exit 1.
Toei Oedo line: 5 min walk from "Kokutiru-Kyogijo" exit A5.
13. Kiyomizudera (Kiyomizu temple) in Kyoto
The temple was build in 778. Since then, it has has been welcoming thousands of monks and millions of tourists. As you can see in the picture, "Stage of the Kiyomizu" hight of 12m (approx. 50 ft) is the most famous sightseeing area.
Category: Temple
Entry fee: ¥300 ($2.5) adults, ¥200 children ($1.5) at daytime
Entry fee: ¥400 ($2.5) adults, ¥200 children ($1.5) at evening
Location: 294-1 Kiyomizu, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto city 605-0862 京都府京都市東山区清水１丁目２９４
Open for: 6:00 to 18:00
Closed: Check here under "OPEN HOURS".
12. Himeji-jo (Himeji castle) in Hyogo
Himeji castle is Japan's first world heritage registered in 1993. It's also known as "Shirasagi-jo". The reason why of its other name is because castle wall is painted with white plaster and group of castle towers looked like a bird called "shirasagi". This place has quite extensive field, but really fun to just wonder around.
Category: Castle
Entry fee: ¥1,000 ($9) adults, ¥300 children ($2.5)
Location: 68 Honmachi, Himeji city, 670-0012
Open for: 9:00 to 16:00 (Gates closed at 17:00)
Closed: 29th and 30th December.
Access: Take a bus at "Himeji" station north exit, get off at "Otemonmae" and 5 min walk, or 20 min walk from "Himeji" station.
11. Senso-ji (Asakuradera) in Tokyo
Maybe this place is typical stereotype when people mention "Tokyo". The huge lantern says "Kaminari-mon" in front, and says "Furaijin-mon" in back. 2 statues at the gate is "Fu-jin" (God of wind) on the left, "Rai-jin" (God of thunder) on the right.
Category: Temple
Entry fee: Free
Location: 2-3-1 Asaakusa, Taito-ku, 111-0032
Open for: 6:00 to 17:00 (Apr to Sep), 6:30~17:00 (Oct to Mar
Access:
Tobu: 5 min walk from "Asakusa" station.
Tokyo Metro: 5 min walk from "Asakusa" station.
Tsukuba Express: 5 min walk from "Asakusa" station.
Toei subway: 7 min walk from exit A4 of "Asakusa" station.
10. Sanjusangen-do in Kyoto
There are 1000 statues of "Thousand Armed Avalokiteshwara", would be burnt into your memory.
Category: Temple
Entry fee: ¥600 ($5.5) adults, ¥300 children ($2.5)
Location: 657 Sanjusangendo-mawarimachi, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto city, 605-0941
Open for: 8:00 to 17:00, (9:00 to 16:00 16th Nov to Mar)
Web (Japanese): http://sanjusangendo.jp/index.html
Access: Prefer on foot! (7 min walk from "Nanajo" station.)
City bus: take No. "100", "206", and "208" and get off at "Hakubusukan, Sanjusangen-domae".
9. Roppongi-Hills in Tokyo
One of the symbolic building in Tokyo. Nothing cultural may not be found at this place but there are movie theater, art museum, restaurants, and observation platform at 52F and open air "Sky-deck" at its roof.
Category: composite facilities
Entry fee: ¥500 ($4.5) adults, ¥300 children ($2.5)
Entry fee: ¥1,800 ($16) to enter "Sky-deck".
Location: 6-11-1 Roppongi, Minato-ku, 106-6108
Open for: 11:00 to 20:00 (It varies depending on each facilities.)
Access:
Tokyo Metro: "Roppongi" station exit 1C, 8 min walk from "Juban" station exit 4, 10 min walk from "Nogizaka" station exit 5.
Toei subway: 4 min walk from "Roppongi" station exit 3, 5 min walk from "Azabu Juban" station exit 7.
8. Kenrokuen in Ishikawa
As new shinkansen (bullet train) station has been build in Kanazawa, this garden is becoming more and more known among tourists. If you are planning to visit north Japan, this is must-go.
Category: Japanese garden
Entry fee: ¥310 ($2.5) adults, ¥100 children ($0.9)
Location: 1 Kenrokumachi, Kanazawa city, 920-0936
Open for: 7:00 to 18:00 (1st Mar to 15th Oct), 8:00 to 17:00 (16th Oct to end of Feb)
Access:
From Tokyo: use Hokuriku shinkansen.
From Kansai: use Tokkyu (limited express) Thunderbird.
From Tokai: use Tokkyu (limited express) Shirasagi.
From Kanazawa station: use "Kenrokuen shuttle" bus at stand 6.
7. Jigokudani-Yaen-Koen in Nagano
AKA "Snow Monkey Mountain". This park protect and observe wild snow monkeys. Wild monkeys bathing in onsen (hot springs) must be uncommon view for anybody, which you get to see only in winter.
Even if you bought rail pass, make sure to buy express ticket of Nagano Dentetsu Express at Nagano Station which cost ¥100.
Oh, and one more thing, "be prepared to walk".
Category: Natural park/ Mountain
Entry fee: ¥800 ($7) adults, ¥400 children ($3.5)
Location: 6845 Hirao, Yamanouchimachi, Shimotakai-gun, 381-0401
Open for: 8:30 to 17:00 (Apr to Dec), 9:00 to 16:00 (Nov to Mar)
Brochure: online pdf
Access: "Kanbayashi onsen bus stop" is your destination.
Train from Nagano: Take "Nagano Dentetsu Express" to "Yudanaka" staion, 15 min bus ride from the station, get off at "Kanbayashi onsen".
Bus from Nagano: Take ”Shigakogen Express bus" and get off at "Snow Monkey Park".
6. Fushimiinari-taisha in Kyoto
This shrine was founded in 711, becoming head shrine of Inari. The obvious and oddest characteristic is numerousness of these gates. These gates are called "Torii", which are believed to sacred entrance and protect from evil spirits. Normally, you'd find a few gates at most of shrines in Japan. Believe it or not, there are more than 3000 torii in Fushimiinai-taisha, and increasing every year by donation.
Category: Shrine
Entry fee: Free
Location: 68 Fukakusa-Yabunouchicho, Fushimi-ku, Kyoto city 612-0882
Open for: 8:30 to 16:30
Web: http://inari.jp/en/
Access:
JR Nara: get off at "Inasi" station. (right next to it)
Keihan Honsen: 5 min walk from "Fushimiinari" station.
5. Churaumi-suizokukan in Okinawa
"Churaumi" is Okinawa dialect for "pure sea", and "suizokukan" means "aquarium". There is nothing comparable aquarium to this one. Second world biggest 7,500 cubic meter water tank, 77 exhibitions, and 740 different kinds of fish including whale shark, bull shark, and tiger shark.
Category: Aquarium
Entry fee: ¥1,850 ($16) for adults, ¥610 ($5.5) for children
*The entry fee is discounted for entries after 16:00
Location: 424 Ishikawa, Motobucho, Kunigami-gun 905-0206
Open for: 8:30 to 18:30 (Oct to Feb), 8:30 to 20:00 (Mar to Sep)
Access: 2, 3 hours from the airport.
From Naha airport: use "Yanbaru express" bus which costs ¥2,000
or, check here to book package short tour ¥4000 including entry fee and bus tickets. (RADO tour: www.rado-okinawa.com/tour/churaumi.html)
4. Tokyo Disney Sea in Chiba
There are 2 Disney theme park in Japan; "Tokyo Disney land" and "Tokyo Disney sea". Many says "the land for family" and "the sea for adults".
Why? It's alcohol. You can't buy or bring alcohol to "the land".
Category: Theme park
Entry fee: ¥7,400 ($70) for adults, ¥4,800 ($45) for children (2017)
*The entry fee is discounted for late entries.
Location: 1-13 Maihama, Urayasu city 279-0031
Open for: Check their operation calendar in their website.
Access:
JR: 10 min walk from "Maihama" station.
3. Matsumoto-jo (Matsumoto castle) in Nagano
Its main tower was burnt down in 1727 but recovered and maintained. There are only 2 castles remain in Japan that has five-tiered tower; Himeji and Matsumoto. Oppose to Himeji; white castle, this one is often referred as "Karasu-jo" (Raven castle).
Category: Castle
Entry fee: ¥610 ($5.5) for adults, ¥300 ($2.5) for children
Location: 4-1 Marunouchi, Matumoto city 390-0873
Open for: 8:30 to 17:00
Closed: 29th to 31st Dec
Access:
JR: 15 min walk from "Matsumoto" station.
2. Hiroshima Heiwa Kinenkan (Hiroshima peace memorial museum) in Hiroshima
This museum stores and records terrific history of atomic bomb and the war. There are may mementos including "Stone etched with human shadow". May be too horrific to bring your kids but would be a good lesson to teach them importance of life. Your choice.
Category: museum
Entry fee: ¥200 ($1.6) for adults, ¥100 ($0.8) for children
Location: 1-2 Nakajimacho, Naka-ku, Hiroshima city 730-0811
Open for: 8:30 to 18:00 (Depends on the seasons)
Closed: 30th and 31st Dec
Access:
Bus from Hiroshima staion: take "Hiroshima bus for Yoshijima" and get off at "Heiwa Kinen Koen".
Streetcar: take a train bound for "Hiroshima-ko" and get off at "Chuden-mae", or take a train for "Miyajimako, Enami" and get off at "Genbaku Dome-mae".
1. Itsukushima-Jinja (Itsukushima shrine) in Hiroshima
"Itsukushima", AKA "Miyajima". Registered as world heritage in 1996. 16m (52 ft) hight of Torii, looking almost floating on the sea when tide is high. There are approximately 500 "Itsukushima" shrines and this one is their head shrine.
Category: Shrine
Entry fee: ¥500 ($4.5) for adults, ¥150 ($1) for children
Location: 1-1 Miyajimacho, Hatshukaichi city 739-0588
Open for: 6:30 to 17:30 (Depends on the seasons)
Access:
JR: get off at "Miyajima-guchi" station and take a ferry at "Miyajima-guchi Sanbashi" to "Miyajima Sanbashi".
Streetcar: get off at "Hiroshima Miyajima-guchi" and take the ferry.
That'll be all for now!
Hope you enjoy!
Comments