Photo courtesy of Hiroaki Kaneko, Under licensed by Creative Commons
Japan is a country known for its biodiversity - five climates (autumn, spring, summer, winter and subtropical in Okinawa), and mesmerizing parks during the sakura season (cherry blossom). The country is long and straddles from the northernmost part (Hokkaido) up to the Hateruma island (near Taiwan and the Philippines). Its cities constitute a blend of modern and traditional buildings and structures. If you’re heading to Japan for vacation or long stay, these places are the best places to spend your vacation or for city hopping.
Miyazaki
Takachiho Gorge photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons and Max Smith
Known for its water sports tourist spots beaches, Miyazaki is the capital city of Miyazaki prefecture or province in Kyushu island. You’ll find a number of iconic landmarks, and attractions in the city.
-
Takachiho Gorge
-
Mukoyama, Takachiho, Nishiuski District, Miyazaki
Takachiho town features a beautiful gorge that resembles that mythological gorge featured in the lord of the rings movie. The gorge follows the Gokase river near the Manai falls. The surrounding trees that line up the starting point of the gorge, the Manai falls that turns into a fine mist upon falling into the water, and a bridge that connects the divided rocky walls - makes Takachiho a spectacular view and experience. On top of that, during autumn the gorge becomes akin to those places seen in fantasy movies.
- Miyazaki Prefectural Museum of Nature and History
- 2 Chome-4-4 Jingū, Miyazaki-shi, Miyazaki-ken 880-0053, Japan
- miyazaki-archive.jp/museum/
This museum exhibits artifacts, archaeology and preserved houses and farmhouses that date back to 200 years ago.
-
Florante Miyazaki
-
414-16 Hamayama, Yamazaki
Florante Miyazaki is a botanical floral garden and park where you can appreciate the beauty of greeneries and flowers of different sizes and species. If you have an inkling for gardening, hen you can learn some gardening lessons.
Okinawa islands
Photo courtesy of Pixabay and Mindlessfudge
Okinawa forms the largest island in the chain of islands that stretch from Kyushu island to Taiwan. If you want a subtropical experience, then Okinawa should be in your bucket list. Here you can see one of the world’s largest aquarium - the Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium that contains more than a million gallons of water. The gigantic 77 water tanks contain a vast number of flora and fauna such as rays, fishes, corals and sharks. Churaumi means Chura (beautiful) and Umi (sea) in Okinawan dialect. Here is a guide for the facility - Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium.
The island is also known for its supercentenarian people. Meet most of the oldest living folks in the Ogimi village where many of the elders live over the age of 100. You’ll also learn what makes them outlive other Japanese and nationalities around the world. One of the famous supercentenarian is Jiroemon Kimura - aged 116.
Because the island is also close to the US military base, you’ll find a little piece of America in the island such as American inspired restaurants, foods and streets.
Also, the island comprises some of the best diving spots where you can find diverse corals, tropical fishes, whale sharks and manta rays.
Kyoto
The former capital of Japan, Kyoto, comprises numerous tourists attractions. The city is close to the cities of Osaka and Kobe. Kyoto contains one of the traditional sites such as temples, shrines, gardens and castles that date back to the 19th and 16th centuries. First is the Ryoan-ji rock garden where you can see the raked gravel and sand landscape that simulates the rippling water. Second, the Gion area where you watch live performances of Geisha (a Japanese woman trained to entertain with song, dance and conversation).
If you’re into ghosts and monsters and anything occult, head on to Yokai street. This area has many shops that sell monster, ghost and supernatural creatures or apparition (yokai) themed statutes and dolls that came from Shinto religion. Have you ever heard of Nukekubi? Nukekubi looks like a human, except they can stretch their heads or come off and fly freely. Nukekubis are scary as their heads fly to search for human blood.
Ryoanji
Address: 13, Ryoanji Goryonoshitacho, Ukyo-ku Kyoto-shi, Kyoto, 616-8001, Japan
Website: http://www.ryoanji.jp/smph/eng/
Gion area
Address: 605-0074 Yasaka Hall, 570-2 Gionmachi Minamigawa, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto
Website: http://www.kyoto-gioncorner.com/global/en.html
Yokai or monster street
Address: Taishogun Community Hall 1F, 2-chome Okamino cho 75, Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto Japan
Website: http://kyoto-taisyogun.com/en/
Sapporo
Photo courtesy Pixabay and jackmac34
Sapporo lies in the island of Hokkaido, northern Japan. Sapporo is known for its winter activities, man-made and natural tourist spots. Here is the list of top-rated tourist spots:
-
Odori Park
Odori Park is located in Chuo Ward in the heart of the city and divided into “Chomes” (blocks) or sections in Japanese. It features statues, fauna, fountains and sculpture and hosts to the events such as the Sapporo Snow Festival and Sapporo Lilac Festival.
-
Aerial ropeway in Mount Moiwa
Mount Moiwa is at 7 km south of the city center and stands at 1,742 feet or 531 meters. There’s an aerial lift where a cable car hanging from a ropeway will allow having a birdseye view near the mountain’s base and the cityscape.
-
Maruyama Park
Maruyama park brings the beauty of cherry blossom, bridges and ponds surrounded by the multicolored leaves of maples. Here you can also spend a night viewing cherry blossom and the special weeping cherry tree (aged 88 years and stands at 12 meters) while drinking and eating with friends.
Aside from the above attractions, Sapporo also has these spots - the Hokkaido Shrine, Jozankei Onsen Hot Spring, Moerenuma Park, and Shikotsu-Toya National Park.
Nagasaki
Photo courtesy of Pixabay and Hruruk
Nagasaki is a city in the northwest coast of Kyushu island in southern mainland Japan. The city is known for its wartime bombing area or ground zero during world war II, a number of western style buildings, gardens, natural spots and man-made structures.
-
Nagasaki peace park
-
9 Matsuyamamachi, Nagasaki
The Nagasaki peace park memorializes those victims during the atomic bombing raid of the city. Around this park stands a number of cherry blossom trees, the majestic peace statue that symbolizes the eternal peace, the hypocenter park that marks the bombing epicenter and the Nagasaki atomic bomb museum.
-
Glover garden
-
8-1 Minamiyamatemachi
Glover garden is a park built for the Scottish merchant Thomas Blake Glover who contributed to Japan’s modernization efforts during the 19th century. You can tour the garden’s western style-house and the panoramic view of Nagasaki harbor.
-
Mt. Inasa
-
Fuchimachi, Nagasaki
If you love romantic city night views, then you should visit Mt. Inasa. The mountain’s summit that is 333 meters above sea level offers a beautiful nighttime view. It lets you see the lights of road, buildings and squares and their light reflections in the harbor. There are an observation deck and a transport run by the Nagasaki ropeway.
Tosashimizu
Photo courtesy of Flickr and Sekido
Tosashimizu is a city in the Kochi prefecture known for its breathtaking cape and harbor views and parks. Here is a must to visit in this city:
-
Kochi prefectural Ashizuri aquarium
This aquarium contains sea diversity found in their natural state. It opened in 1972 and then became the fourth marine life observatory in the country. You can see marine life in their natural environments such as groupers, puffer fish, cute little boxfish, sharks, rays and groupers.
-
Cape Ashizuri
This cape, situated at the end of Ashizuri peninsula, offers an overlooking view of the Pacific Ocean. There’s a Tengu lighthouse where you can get the best view.
-
Usubae in Ashizuri-Uwakai National Park
Usubae is another cape where to enjoy the scenic shoreline beauty. The place forms a part of the Ashizuri-Uwakai National Park. Unlike other Japan’s national park, Ashizuri-Uwakai National Park has no entrance fees, no permits and no opening or closing hours.
Hamamatsu
Photo courtesy of Flickr and Kasadera
Located in Honshu, Japan’s main island, Hamamatsu is a coastal city dotted with attractions that can fulfil your adventurous journey. To the west of the city is Nagoya and the east is Shizuoka.
-
Hamamatsu Castle park
-
Motoshirocho, Naka Ward
This castle features scenery where cherry trees line up the castle sides. The castle’s observation deck lets you view the peak of Mt. Fuji, the iconic spot of Japan. Its grounds also have attractions and resting areas such as live events and tea house.
-
Nakatajima Sand Dunes
-
1313 Nakajimacho, Minami Ward
Thinking about the middle east for its sand dunes, you can find them in Japan too. Nakatajima dunes cover a 4 km area from west to east. Tourists and locals rush to this area to fly kites, ride bicycles or enjoy family time. The wind constantly changes the shape of the sand dunes
-
Lake Hamana
-
Western Hamamatsu city
Lake Hamana is Japan’s 10th largest lake connected to the Pacific Ocean. This place is an ideal spot for kayaking, fishing, boating, skiing and windsurfing. If you love seafood like oysters and eel, you can find seafood shacks in this area. Another nearby attraction is the Kanzanji-onsen or hot spring surrounded by mountains and lakes. You can visit a museum, botanical garden and zoo in this area.
Japan has hundreds to thousands of places where you can satisfy your adventure goals. The list above is just a few of those sites. The country’s hospitable locality, the blend of modern and traditional attractions, and multi-climate geography make Japan one of the best countries to visit for a change this 2019.
Login with Google