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Japan is the place temples share tales of historic historical past alongside neon-lit streets that buzz with the longer term. With tradition that dances between sleek traditions and vibrant fashionable life, and a historical past as deep and interesting as its breathtaking landscapes, Japan is a land the place the extraordinary is on a regular basis. From hovering mountains to serene gardens, the experiences listed below are not like the rest.
We’ve gathered 25 of our favourite the explanation why this unimaginable nation deserves a spot in your must-visit listing, and why we expect you’ll fall in love with it, similar to we have now.
1. Pristine Pure Surroundings
The primary motive to go to is clearly the pure magnificence that’s ample in Japan. Despite the fact that many individuals consider Japan as a extremely fashionable nation with flashy neon lights and superior know-how, purchasing malls and high-end shops, there are numerous methods wherein Japan is a nature lover’s paradise as nicely!
As quickly as you journey outdoors of the massive and fashionable cities you’ll uncover that the nation is dwelling to among the greatest pure surroundings on this planet. From the wilderness in Hokkaido to the white pristine seashores of Okinawa, Japan’s nature is extremely various. The rugged mountains, rocky coastlines, pristine white seashores, bamboo forests and among the world’s most stunning waterfalls are simply among the pure magnificence to be loved all yr spherical.
2. Mount Fuji
Mount Fuji is known everywhere in the world as a spot to go to throughout any season of the yr. However the majestic Fujisan isn’t ‘only a mountain’ because it takes a really particular, sacred place within the Japanese tradition. For the reason that seventh century it has been a sacred website for Shintoism, the Indigenous faith of Japan. Japanese individuals have all the time held Mount Fuji near their coronary heart and Mount Fuji is displayed in lots of inventive outings, together with (historic) pottery, calligraphy, ukiyo-e work and woodblock prints.
Climbing Mount Fuji is on the high of many individuals’s bucket listing and an estimated 400,000 individuals climb the volcano annually. The climbing season of the best peak (3,776 m) in Japan lasts from early July to early September. Although, even in case you are not eager on making your option to the summit, Mount Fuji is a sight to behold.
▼Guide our tour to the fifth station of Mt. Fuji!
Mt. Fuji Day Journey Bus Tour from Tokyo
Be part of us on a one-day Mt. Fuji tour from Tokyo to find the must-see highlights of Mt. Fuji. Expertise the breathtaki…
3. Security
Japan is amongst the most secure international locations on this planet, with a particularly low crime fee. That is one thing the Japanese are, understandably, fairly happy with. Japanese individuals typically depart their doorways unlocked, kids are completely protected touring on the subway by themselves, and guests are in a position to stroll across the cities at evening with out having to fret. Japan’s low crime fee is partly as a result of cultural perception in Japan the place they all the time prioritize the widespread good above their very own wants. You’ll seemingly come throughout some conditions that you simply would possibly consider as harmful or silly behaviour, however are completely regular in Japan. Japan is so protected, you may go to sleep on the practice in Tokyo, the world’s largest metropolis, and get up together with your pockets and telephone nonetheless in your possession. And even on the road, you would possibly see some salaryman handed out after 1 or 2 drinks too many however they gained’t be robbed of their valuables. Whenever you do overlook one thing in a restaurant or on the practice, all the time strive to return, it’s extremely seemingly that somebody stored it for you or introduced it to the police!
Nonetheless, that doesn’t imply try to be careless. Crime is uncommon however it does exist that means theft can occur and girls’s solely automobiles exist on many practice strains.
4. Unbelievable Meals
For a lot of guests, a visit to Japan offers the chance to bask in some genuine Kaiseki meals. Kaiseki is a conventional type of delicacies that has advanced over a interval of 1000’s of years, utilizing elements which are hardly present in another a part of the world. Any random, shady trying place makes the perfect sushi, ramen or tempura. Even the konbini meals is tasty and freshly ready each day. Tokyo is dwelling to tons of Michelin stars, too. Add to it quite a lot of conventional Japanese drinks and you’ve got an expertise of a lifetime ready for you!
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Tokyo Tsukiji Fish Market Meals and Tradition Strolling Tour
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5. Lovely Temples, Shrines and Zen Gardens
There are an estimated 80,000 temples and shrines in Japan of all sizes and a few are over 1,000 years previous! The Buddhist temples and zen gardens are extremely stunning and should you enter them you actually can expertise how peaceable and magical these locations truly are.
Inari Shrines are essentially the most acquainted Shinto shrines to Japanese individuals and they’re also called “o-inari-san”. 1000’s of them are unfold everywhere in the nation. One of the vital essential Inari Shrine is Fushimi Inari in Kyoto, which is devoted to Inari, the Shinto god of rice. It’s well-known for its 1000’s of vermilion Torii gates and undoubtedly one thing it’s a must to see with your personal eyes.
Even in case you are not visiting Kyoto, you should have the chance to go to shrines with rows of torii gates all through the nation, even within the centre of Tokyo!
6. Pleasant Individuals
Whenever you’re visiting Japan you’ll shortly discover out that Japanese habits is totally totally different to how individuals behave in Western international locations. Individuals in japan have the perspective to hassle the individuals of their setting as little as doable. You’ll discover it as quickly as you enter the practice as a result of it’s wonderful how silent it’s. Everyone seems to be as respectful as doable and likewise extremely useful. In case you have a query or appear to be confused about one thing you’ll all the time discover somebody who can assist you! The language barrier is troublesome at occasions, however with a pleasant disposition and a helpful translation app, Japanese individuals will attempt to assist any manner they will. It’s troublesome to explain a sense like this with phrases so you must undoubtedly expertise by yourself.
Really helpful article: Why You Ought to Be taught Japanese
7. Environment friendly Public Transportation
The general public transportation community in Japan is solely wonderful, particularly if you end up within the larger cities. With native trains departing each jiffy (through the day) it’s wonderful how briskly you may commute from one a part of the town to a different half inside a brief time period.
The well-known Shinkansen, also called the bullet practice, takes you to all components of the nation. The intensive high-speed practice community in Japan, connecting Hokkaido, Honshu and Kyushu, is extraordinarily dependable with frequent departures. The Tokaido Shinkansen line, connecting Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto, is Japan’s busiest and hottest line with 370 departures every day! As a vacationer it’s undoubtedly essentially the most handy, dependable, quickest manner of discovering Japan.
8. Thrilling Experiences
Journey tourism isn’t one thing that one would affiliate with Japan, however the reality is that yow will discover many thrilling experiences on this nation. Whether or not it’s snowboarding or snowboarding in Hokkaido or Nagano, or biking alongside the Seto Inland Sea, catching a glimpse of Mount Fuji from the rollercoasters of FujiQ Highlands or sand-boarding in Japan’s desert of Tottori, the choices for thrill-seekers are countless.
With about 75% of Japan coated in mountainous panorama you may embark on some wonderful multi-day hikes or stroll the steps of historic pilgrimage routes just like the Kumano Kodo Path or the Shikoku 88 Temples Pilgrimage and witness the proper combination of nature and tradition. At many vacationer spots like Arashiyama or Asakusa you may as well actively discover the realm whereas using a conventional Japanese rickshaw.
9. Festivals/Matsuri
At any time of the yr, Japan hosts a lot of occasions and matsuri for anybody to take pleasure in. Matsuri are conventional Japanese occasions the place typically floats, referred to as mikoshi, are carried round between temples and shrines. They typically happen in the summertime and entice 1000’s and even thousands and thousands of holiday makers with their energetic environment, and wonderful road meals actions for everybody to take pleasure in.
In wintertime you will see that some distinctive and nice festivals too, just like the Kamakura snow hut festivals which are held across the nation. There are additionally a number of illumination festivals with spectacular mild reveals and decorations, some solely over the Christmas interval the place others final nicely into spring. One other world well-known pageant is Sapporo’s Snow Competition that draws thousands and thousands of holiday makers annually with spectacular ice sculptures and comfortable winter scenes.
10. Clear Nation
One thing that you’ll quickly discover after your arrival; Japan is extraordinarily clear! Even within the metropole of Tokyo you’ll not typically see trash laying round, no cigarette butts on the curbs and streets odor good. The shortage of rubbish bins obtainable within the cities would possibly make you surprise how is that this even doable? The reply is straightforward, Japanese individuals respect their environment, clear up after themselves and take their trash dwelling. A cultural precept that’s extremely valued within the Japanese society is mottainai, which might be freely translated as nothing goes to waste. When one thing is damaged, it’s not instantly changed however typically repaired and re-used.
11. Shopper’s Paradise
Purchasing is one more reason why you must go to Japan, extra so for the native manufacturers than for the worldwide ones. Tokyo and different main cities have world-class purchasing facilities in addition to conventional markets the place you may store for native handicrafts and souvenirs. Usually cities, small or large, have their very own native purchasing road.
These purchasing streets stuffed with small stalls and native distributors are often known as a Shotengai. If you’re travelling to Tokyo, then you must go to the favored areas in Harajuku, Ginza and Akihabara. If you happen to go to Osaka, Umeda and Shinsaibashi are additionally well-liked purchasing locations. For gaming and anime lovers, purchasing in Tokyo will likely be an unforgettable expertise, Nakano could be the perfect vacation spot for you.
12. Bizarre Stuff
Sq. watermelons, washing bathrooms that blow-dry and play music, plastic meals menus, cartoon variations and mascottes of all the pieces, maid cafe and many others, Japan has all types of distinctive issues.
Stroll round in Harajuku to expertise the well-known Japanese kawaii tradition, it’s actually in every single place! Cute women, kawaii meals, mascottes, the kawaiiness in Japan is aware of no limits! One other distinctive well-liked tradition is Japan’s otaku or geek tradition. Otaku refers to popular culture followers who’re obsessive about manga or anime. Finest locations to expertise a few of Japan’s otaku tradition are Akihabara and Nakano in Tokyo, or Den Den City in Osaka.
13. Sakura (Cherry Blossoms)
No go to to Japan in spring is full with out sakura. For 2 weeks, everybody and all the pieces is obsessive about the spirit of the gorgeous flowers. Everybody needs to see the proper view and hanami (blossom viewing events) are in every single place. Japan may be very keen about picnicking below the cherry bushes in full blossom!
Sakura presents the arrival of spring, a time for renewal and optimism and due to the quick blooming season (about two weeks), the cherry blossoms additionally symbolize the transience of life, a significant theme in Buddhism. Throughout the sakura season you will notice restricted version sakura (flavoured) treats and souvenirs in every single place.
14. Ghibli
One of many largest contributors to Japan’s well-known anime tradition is the Ghibli motion pictures. Have you ever ever seen My Neighbor Totoro or Spirited Away? They’re among the world’s most well-known anime motion pictures produced by the famend Studio Ghibli, the animation and artwork producer based by Hayao Miyazaki. In Tokyo, you may go to the Ghibli Museum, dwelling to drawings of Studio Ghibli motion pictures, fashions of how animations are made, and a small theater displaying a particular quick movie. Additionally, Japan opened the Ghibli-themed park in Aichi prefecture in 2022. It’s a should go to in case you are a Ghibli fan!
If you would like one thing further, you could need to go to among the places which had been utilized in Ghibli motion pictures, too.
15. Onsen & Sento
When requested about their favorite factor in Japan, many individuals will reply onsen. An onsen is a sizzling spring crammed with mineral-rich spring water that’s heated by geothermal forces and incorporates a number of minerals useful to the physique. For sure, it’s a must-try exercise for vacationers as it’s utterly totally different from taking a shower in different international locations all over the world. It’s also a giant a part of the Japanese tradition and the last word exercise to calm down after a day crammed with discovering the character and tradition of Japan. There are a number of written and unwritten guidelines to respect when taking an onsen, a ritual that dates again to at the least the eighth century. Well-known onsen locations are Kusatsu Onsen, Hakone Onsen and Beppu Onsen.
Sento are communal bathtub homes the place individuals pay for his or her entrance. These bathtub homes had been historically utilized by households that didn’t have their very own bathtub and could possibly be present in large cities and small villages. At this time, the variety of sento is reducing because the variety of homes with bathing amenities is growing. Nonetheless, these are good locations to bask in Japanese bathing tradition and whereas the water could also be common faucet water, the baths will likely be heated to totally different temperatures and will even have bathtub salt added for varied well being advantages.
16. UNESCO World Heritage Websites
By now you must know Japan is dwelling to among the world’s most picturesque locations, a wealthy tradition and an extended historical past. Certainly, Japan is dwelling to 26 UNESCO World Heritage Websites; 19 Cultural Heritage Websites and 4 Pure Heritage Websites. Starting from traditionally essential shrines like Itsukushima Shinto Shrine on Miyajima to distinctive pure ecological treasures like Mount Fuji or Shiretoko Nationwide Park.
17. Japanese Castles
Within the historical past of Japan, a lot of castles had been constructed, lots of which had been destroyed through the many battles or pure disasters like earthquakes. However there are some stunning castles in Japan that also exist and might be visited, a few of that are additionally designated UNESCO websites. There are additionally 12 authentic castles that also stay in Japan, that means they’ve a fort tower (or important preserve) that was constructed through the Edo interval or earlier.
18. Sumo & Sport Occasions
One other kind of distinctive cultural occasion are the Grand Sumo Tournaments that happen at every odd-numbered month and final for 2 weeks. Sumo is Japan’s nationwide sport, however not only a sport. In act, sumo is filled with shinto rituals and watching a sumo match with a information will aid you to know this historic sport even higher. Watching a sumo recreation is certainly an expertise you must have at the least as soon as in your life!
Baseball is Japan’s hottest sport, first launched in 1872 by an American school professor. Whether or not you’re a baseball fan or not, watching a baseball recreation will likely be an thrilling expertise for anybody! It’s good enjoyable to affix the Japanese baseball spectators and cheer on the groups. The video games normally begin from 2pm or 6pm and final for about 3.5 hrs.
19. Conventional Arts and Crafts
Craft in Japan has an extended historical past and has performed an essential function within the Japanese tradition. From the extra well-known ones resembling knives, pottery, kimono, yukata, and tatami, to lesser-known ones resembling kokeshi dolls, fireworks, kendama, origami, daruma dolls, Woodblock Prints, Nambu Ironware, and rounded and folding followers, there’s a massive listing of conventional japanese crafts. Every area has its personal native specialties. Among the craft and artwork is extra precious in worth since they’re handmade by skilled craftsmen however all make for a fantastic memento to take dwelling! There are various locations that provide craft and artwork experiences like pottery workshops and tea ceremonies.
Buy your personal stunning Japanese crafts right here!
20. Distinctive Lodging
Japan is dwelling to a lot of Western-style accommodations, however one thing that you shouldn’t miss out on is staying on the conventional Japanese ryokan. A ryokan is a kind of Japanese inn that has been round because the eighth century. It typically options tatami-floor rooms, onsen, and different public areas the place guests put on yukata, the standard extra informal kimono. Usually an in a single day keep comes with a scrumptious, massive, Japanese dinner and breakfast produced from seasonal and domestically produced merchandise. Staying at a ryokan is a good place to take pleasure in onsen (privately) and expertise among the conventional components of Japanese tradition.
If you’re taken with experiencing the easy and conventional life-style of Buddhist monks, temple lodging often known as shukubo is a superb choice. Shukubo actually means “sleeping with the monks” and moreover a fantastic evening’s relaxation and scrumptious shojin-ryori, the Buddhist vegan delicacies, you may be a part of the monks for morning prayers.
Originating in Osaka, capsule accommodations have made their advance in Japan. These accommodations, normally discovered within the bigger cities, initially focused people searching for a less expensive different for single nights keep. Lately there are additionally extra luxurious alternate options of the pod resort which are extra snug, although not as low-cost as you would possibly assume.
21. Trendy Structure
Past the serene temples and majestic castles you may think, Japan is dwelling to many architectural marvels, the place the previous and future intertwine fantastically. You’ll be able to see glossy, design-forward accommodations, properties that really feel like artistic endeavors, and even whole islands devoted to creativity. From floating church buildings that appear to defy gravity to areas that redefine how we stay, Japan provides a really distinctive architectural journey. Exploring Japan’s fashionable structure is an absolute must-see for anybody who appreciates the great thing about design. You’ll end up always amazed by the way in which previous and new come collectively to create one thing really extraordinary.
Take a look at: 10 of essentially the most stunning spots in Japan to see structure!
22. EXPO2025
This yr, the world’s eyes are on Osaka! The Osaka Expo is gearing as much as be a spectacular celebration of all the pieces wonderful – from cutting-edge tech to breathtaking artwork and a deep dive of cultures from throughout the globe. Think about strolling by way of pavilions, every a little bit window into a special a part of the world, discovering new meals, concepts, and experiences. Osaka, a metropolis that completely blends its fascinating previous with a full of life, fashionable spirit, would be the good host. It’s like a large, joyful pageant of concepts, and also you gained’t need to miss it!
Official Web site: Osaka Expo 2025
23. Sake
If you happen to take pleasure in drink, put together to find a brand new world of taste in Japan: Sake, or because the locals lovingly name it, nihonshu. You’ll end up drawn to this fascinating beverage even should you’re not a seasoned connoisseur. For hundreds of years, Japan has perfected the artwork of Sake brewing, a practice stretching again an unimaginable 2,500 years! Nevertheless it’s greater than only a drink; it’s a sip of historical past, a style of tradition, and a testomony to meticulous craftsmanship. Like wine or beer, Sake has main selection, with every kind boasting distinctive notes and textures. You’ll be able to even take pleasure in it sizzling, chilly, or at room temperature. Better of all, you don’t have to go looking far! From the nook konbini to a comfortable native bar, or perhaps a fancy restaurant, you’ll discover Sake available, and able to be loved.
24. Animal Cafes
If you happen to’re craving a comfortable cup of espresso and adore furry mates, you’re all set to go to Japan! They’ve perfected the artwork of the animal cafe, particularly in Tokyo. Animal lovers can discover traditional cat and canine cafés, however that’s just the start. Dig a little bit bit deeper and you would be sipping a latte whereas surrounded by playful mini pigs, mild capybaras, lovely hedgehogs, and even wise-looking owls! Japan takes its animal cafes severely, and whether or not you’re cuddling a pug in Kyoto or watching an owl blink slowly in Tokyo, it’s an expertise you gained’t quickly overlook.
25. Anime, Manga, and Gaming Tradition
In case your coronary heart beats for anime, manga, or gaming tradition, you then KNOW Japan is the highest place to be. For many people, the dream of visiting Japan is about diving headfirst into the very world that introduced your favourite tales to life. Past the traditional temples and scrumptious meals, Japan’s vibrant popular culture is a large draw, and for good motive. Japan’s vibrant anime, manga, and gaming scene is a stupendous mix of wealthy historical past, unimaginable storytelling, and a world fan neighborhood bursting with ardour. Whether or not you’re an off-the-cuff fan or a full-fledged otaku, locations like Akihabara in Tokyo and Den-Den City in Osaka are absolute must-sees. Get able to be utterly immersed in a world you’ve solely dreamed of!
These are simply 25 the explanation why you must go to Japan, however the listing is countless. We haven’t even talked concerning the stunning autumn colours, the lovable deer, and love accommodations amongst different issues! Nowhere else on earth will you discover a nation like Japan. So plan your journey to Japan as quickly as doable, you might be in for a deal with!
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Japan Surprise Journey is a journey company that gives guided excursions all through Japan.
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