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There’s just one place that everybody is speaking about proper now, and it’s the land of the rising solar!
International guests to Japan reached a file excessive of 3.29 million in July, which is 10% greater than in the identical month of 2019.
What’s notably spectacular, although, is that greater than 1 / 4 of 1,000,000 of these vacationers had been guests from the U.S., which is a whopping 60.1% enhance in American customer quantitys in comparison with 2019.
But the place are all these guests going?
Tokyo
It ought to go with out saying that Tokyo is by far the most well-liked vacation spot in Japan proper now.
Its 2 airports, Narita and Haneda, deal with nearly 50% of all worldwide flights into the nation.
Japan is my favourite vacation spot on the planet and the one place I’ll fortunately return to many times.
Buzzing streets, cultural again alleys, wealthy historical past, and fashionable innovation—there’s a face of Tokyo for everybody.
Some of my highlights for common issues to do in Tokyo embrace procuring in Harajuku, visiting the Senso-ji temple, and having fun with the spectacular views from the highest of the Tokyo Tower.
Tickets for the Tokyo Tower are cheaper if you book them in advance, costing 2,800 yen ($20) to go to the highest deck. You can get cheaper primary deck tickets for 1,200 yen ($8.20) however the views from the highest deck are far superior!
If you want a sensory escape from Tokyo’s relentless neon jungle, then I additionally advocate visiting the Imperial Palace gardens.
A tranquil getaway within the coronary heart of the town, the gardens supply seasonal flowers and authentic moats, partitions, entrance gates. They are balanced, tranquil, and delightful!
Osaka
Osaka could be very totally different from Tokyo with a really totally different vibe.
It is the second largest metropolis after Tokyo, however way more laid again and with extra of a concentrate on enjoyable!
Japanese folks journey to Osaka to let their hair down, and that is mirrored throughout the town, which is finest identified for its nightlife and hearty road meals.
Head straight to the Dotonbori district close to Namba Station if its road meals you’re on the lookout for. This neon lit space will stimulate all of your senses, however particularly your style buds.
If you need to strive Osaka’s well-known takoyaki (octopus balls) then that is the finest place to do it.
This can also be the place you’ll be able to be part of each different vacationer in Japan and snap your photograph with the well-known Osaka operating man.
People typically dismiss Osaka as being all enjoyable and no substance, however that’s simply not true. You’ll discover fascinating historical past and tradition right here too.
Visit Osaka’s well-known fort or certainly one of my favourite lesser-known Japanese temples.
The Tuyunoten Shrine is 1,300 years outdated and tells the story of Japan’s Romeo and Juliet, the hero Tokubei and the heroin Ohatsu who commit double suicide to show their real love.
There had been only a few vacationers right here, however it was a fantastic shrine and the one place I’ve seen pink torii gates in Osaka.
Kyoto
If you need to embrace conventional Japan, then Kyoto is the best city to visit.
Kyoto has greater than 2000 temples and shrines unfold all through the town, and whereas a few of these may be crowded to the purpose of discomfort, should you head off the crushed monitor, you’ll discover dozens of smaller however equally fascinating temples which can be hardly ever visited by vacationers.
The Fushimi Inari shrine is essentially the most well-known in Kyoto and a must-visit spot, particularly for first-time guests to the town.
Here, you will see the 1000’s of vermilion torii gates, that are an iconic image of the town.
My prime ideas for seeing this with out the crowds are to reach early and put on your strolling sneakers!
The gates wind their method up the mountain, and the additional you stroll, the thinner the crowds will likely be. By following each of the following tips, we received sections of gates all to ourselves.
Nagoya
Nagoya was bombed closely throughout WWII, which implies that the overwhelming majority of the town needed to be rebuilt, making it a modern and fashionable metropolis.
That doesn’t imply it’s fully devoid of historical past. Travelers can go to Nagoya Castle which is a partly reconstructed 1612 royal house and an extremely spectacular constructing.
You can go inside and discover Edo-era artifacts displayed.
However, one of many very finest issues to do in Nagoya is to go to the Toyota Commemorative Museum of Industry and Technology.
History meets know-how right here, and should you’re considering Japan’s technological improvement, then there’s no higher place to be. Of course, because the identify suggests, the museum is devoted to all issues Toyota and the notorious Toyota ‘Partner Robot’ performs right here every day.
I like to recommend you e-book tickets upfront if you wish to go to the museum, which you should buy right here. Entrance costs 1,000 yen ($6.90) per person.
Fukuoka
Fukuoka sits on the northern shore of Japan’s Kyushu Island and is taken into account the ‘gateway’ to Japan as a result of it’s the closest metropolis to mainland Asia.
But that’s not the rationale folks select to go to Fukuoka!
Fukuoka is a well-liked vacation spot as a result of it has just a little little bit of one thing for everybody. Think historic temples, stunning seashores and fashionable procuring malls.
For historical past and tradition go to the Hakata district of the town. Here you’ll discover the Tōchō-ji Temple which is house to a 10m wood Buddha and regarded the cultural coronary heart of the town. Entrance is freed from cost.
In the identical district, you’ll additionally discover the Hakata Machiya Folk Museum. The museum is made up of of three buildings: the Exhibition Building, the Machiya Building, and the Souvenir Shop. All are value visiting!
As an added bonus, admission prices just 200 yen ($1.38) per person.
Sapporo
Sapporo sits on the island of Hokkaido, a mountainous island to the north of the nation. It is an excellent juxtaposition of city pleasure and calm, pure magnificence.
Many folks go to Sapporo for its mountains, particularly within the winter months, when snowboarding is wildly common. The 1972 Winter Olympics had been hosted in Sapporo, and most of the jumps and hills created for the occasion are nonetheless standing.
Visiting Sapporo within the winter remains to be on my bucketlist, to go to the well-known Sapporo Snow Festival and see its unimaginable giant snow sculptures.
But should you’re extra of a metropolis slicker, then don’t fear: you’ll discover all the points of interest that you just’d count on from Japan’s bigger cities right here too.
Highlights of exploring Sapporo embrace the Sapporo beer museum, Odori Park, and viewing the town from the JR Tower Observation Deck.
As an added bonus, Sapporo is a splendidly walkable metropolis. You can discover its primary vacationer points of interest while not having to take public transportation.
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Opinions expressed listed here are the creator’s alone, not these of any financial institution, bank card issuer, resort, airline, or different entity. This content material has not been reviewed, authorised or in any other case endorsed by any of the entities included inside the put up.
