Tradition and modernity share space in this island nation where ancient shrines bump up against skyscrapers. Castles and palaces whisper of history, and bullet trains shuttle you through spectacular landscapes to cities packed with world-class restaurants and shopping. From Tokyo’s urban sprawl to the peacefulness of Kyoto, from boisterous Osaka nightlife to Hiroshima's contemplative spirit, Japan’s big attractions never fail to dazzle first-time visitors. What keeps people coming back is astoundingly delicious food, a unique culture, and warm hospitality.
Best of Japan: Tokyo Travel Guide
2019
2019 Fodor’s Go List Destination
All Destinations
Cities
- Abashiri
- Akita
- Aomori
- Asahikawa
- Biei and Furano
- Doro-kyo
- Fukui
- Fukuoka
- Gifu
- Hagi
- Hakodate
- Hakuba
- Hiraizumi
- Hirosaki
- Hiroshima
- Iga Ueno
- Inuyama
- Iriomote-jima
- Ise
- Ishigaki-jima
- Izumo Taisha
- Kagoshima
- Kakunodate
- Kamikochi
- Kanazawa
- Karuizawa
- Kashikojima
- Kiso Valley
- Kobe
- Kochi
- Kotohira
- Koya-san
- Kumamoto
- Kurashiki
- Kyoto
- Matsue
- Matsumoto
- Matsushima
- Matsuyama
- Miyajima
- Morioka
- Nachi
- Nagano and Environs
- Nagasaki
- Nagoya
- Naha
- Naoshima
- Nara
- Niigata
- Niseko
- Noto-hanto (Noto Peninsula)
- Okayama
- Osaka
- Otaru
- Sapporo
- Sendai
- Shingu
- Shirahama
- Shirakawa-go
- Takachiho
- Takamatsu
- Takayama
- Tazawa-ko
- Tazawa-ko and Kakunodate
- Tokushima
- Tokyo
- Toyama
- Tsuruoka and Dewa-Sanzan
- Tsuwano
- Uchiko
- Uwajima
- Yamadera
- Yamagata
- Yufuin
Regions
- Aso-san (Mt. Aso)
- Hokkaido
- Iya Valley and Oboke-Koboke Gorges
- Kerama Islands
- Kirishima-Yaku National Park
- Kyushu
- Miyako Islands
- Nagoya, Ise-Shima, and the Kii Peninsula
- Northern Okinawa
- Okinawa
- Shikoku
- Shimanami Kaido
- Side Trips from Tokyo
- South of Naha
- The Japan Alps and the North Chubu Coast
- The Kansai Region
- The Northern Cape and Islands
- Tohoku
- Western Honshu
Neighborhoods
- Akihabara
- Aoyama
- Aoyama, Harajuku, and Shibuya
- Arashiyama
- Asakusa
- Central Kyoto
- Eastern Kyoto
- Ginza
- Greater Tokyo
- Harajuku
- Imperial Palace District
- Kamakura
- Marunouchi
- Mt. Takao
- Nihombashi
- Nihombashi, Ginza, and Yuraku-cho
- Nikko
- Northern Kyoto
- Odaiba
- Roppongi
- Roppongi and Azabu Juban
- Shibuya
- Shinjuku
- Shiodome
- Southern Kyoto
- Tsukiji
- Tsukiji and Shiodome
- Ueno
- Western Kyoto
- Yanaka
- Yokohama
Islands
Parks
Gallery
Gallery
Japan Gallery
Perati Komson / Shutterstock
1/36KYOTO, JAPAN - APRIL 10 2012: Tourists wander a famous street, Sannen-Zaka, in Kyoto on April 10 2012. The street is located in the heart of Kyoto attractions. Many souvenir shops can be found here.
Sergii Rudiuk / Shutterstock
2/36Japanese zen garden with rocks and raked gravel (Tofuku-ji, Kyoto).
Sergii Rudiuk / Shutterstock
3/36Famous Heian Shrine in Kyoto.;
Kenneth Dedeu / Shutterstock
4/36Kinkakuji temple in Kyoto.
Sergii Rudiuk / Shutterstock
5/36Three geishas walking on a street of Gion (Kyoto, Japan).
Perati Komson / Shutterstock
6/36TOKYO - APRIL 28:Nightlife in Shinjuku April 28 2012. Shinjuku is one of Tokyo's business districts with many international corporate headquarters located here. It is also a famous entertainment area.
David Quixley / Shutterstock
7/36Osu Kannon , Nagoya , Japan.
Sergii Rudiuk
8/36Famous Ise Grand Shrine in Japan.
Sean Pavone / Shutterstock
9/36Fall foliage at in Nagoya, Japan.
Neale Cousland / Shutterstock
10/36Matsumoto Castle, Japan.
Norikazu / Shutterstock
11/36World Heritage, Light up of Shirakawago, Japan.
Sean Pavone / Shutterstock
12/36Springs in the small Town of Shubu, Nagano, Japan. The town is famed for its hot springs.
cowardlion / Shutterstock
13/36Uchihashi-tei Tea House/Kenrokuen/Kanazawa.
Sean Pavone / Shutterstock
14/36Springs in the small Town of Shubu, Nagano, Japan. The town is famed for its hot springs.
Sean Pavone / Shutterstock
15/36Matsuyama, Japan from Matsuyama Castle.
Ryszard Stelmachowicz / Shutterstock
16/36Japanese Garden in Takamatsu - Japan. View in autumn.
Paskee / Shutterstock
17/36Carved stone aligned at Kompira temple, Shikoku, Japan.
Sean Pavone / Shutterstock
18/36MATSUYAMA, JAPAN - DECEMBER 3: Dogo Onsen December 3, 2012 in Matsuyama, Japan. It is one of the oldest hot springs in the country.
Sean Pavone / Shutterstock
19/36Cofucius Shrine in Nagasaki, Japan.
stock_shot / Shutterstock
20/36FUKUOKA, JAPAN - JAN 2 : Christmas Illuminations at Hakata Station Square on January 2, 2012 in Fukuoka, Japan.The illuminations are placed at Hakata gate side square.
dk tazunoki / Shutterstock
21/36Waterfall deep forest at Aso of Japan.
Sam DCruz / Shutterstock
22/36Street Festival, Naha, Okinawa, Japan.
Sam DCruz / Shutterstock
23/36Floral Archway - Taketomi Island , Okinawa, Japan.
Sam DCruz / Shutterstock
24/36Tokashiki Island, Okinawa, Japan.
SeanPavonePhoto / Shutterstock
25/36The Great Buddha (Daibutsu) on the grounds of Kotokuin Temple in Kamakura, Japan.
Sean Pavone / Shutterstock
26/36View of Yokohama and Mt. Fuji in Japan.
Smokedsalmon / Shutterstock
27/36Walkway near Asahidake summit is Daisetsuzan national park, Hokkaido prefecture, Japan.
MOSCHEN / Shutterstock
28/36canal and crib.
stock_shot / Shutterstock
29/36Mt.Asahidake in Hokkaido, Japan.
Videowokart / Shutterstock
30/36Hokkaido winter landscape, Japan (Akan National Park, Hokkaido, Japan).
Sean Pavone / Shutterstock
31/36Goryokaku Park in Hakodate, Hokkaido, Japan was originally a star fort designed in 1855.
Javen / Shutterstock
32/36View of pier on the lake in Japan
Sean Pavone / Shutterstock
33/36Goryokaku Park in Hakodate, Hokkaido, Japan was originally a star fort designed in 1855.
Tupungato / Shutterstock
34/36Japan landscape with Mount Fuji - Lake Saiko fisherman and the famous volcano. Part of Fuji Five Lakes in Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park.
(c) Cowardlion | Dreamstime.com
35/36Stone lanterns in Toshogu Shrine at Nikko, Japan.
Sean Pavone / Shutterstock
36/36Springs in the small Town of Shubu, Nagano, Japan. The town is famed for its hot springs.
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