Touring Japan is one of the most fulfilling decisions that you’ll ever make. It is a country with rich history, pride, sites and a lovely people.
Here are some of the iconic spots that you must visit
1. The Meiji Jingu Shrine
Located at Shibuya-Ku in the capital Tokyo, the shrine is a masterpiece of Japan’s history. Though it was rebuilt in 1958 after the first one was destroyed during the Second World War, the shrine gives justice to the legend of Emperor Meiji and his wife, Empress Shoken. This architectural marvel also has magnificent gardens. The 175-acre garden is a natural marvel with over 120, 000 plant species.
2. The Golden Pavilion or Kinkaku-Ji
After 600 years of its existence, a young obsessed monk burnt the Kinkaku-Ji only for it to be commissioned again. It is not just a pavilion; it has a reliquary hall. Magnificent gardens, a reflective pond, and a great history surrounding it. It is one of the most popular spots in Kyoto and in Japan in general. It receives millions of tourists annually. Its serene gardens make it a perfect place to just go relax. Originally, it was built as a retirement villa.
3. Kiyomizu-Dera Temple
While in Kyoto, you can also visit this temple. The temple overlooks the mountains and other marvelous places to view. Its fully manicured gardens and heavy-shrubbery trees make it a marvel to watch.
4. Hiroshima and Nagasaki Peace Memorial Museums
The two museums give the visitor a time to reflect on what humanity can be without peace. The Nagasaki museum details the evolution of military technology. It details what some of the most lethal war tools have done and what they can do. They include nuclear arms and bomb technology. The Hiroshima museum is more of a relic ruin that shows the devastation that war begets to humanity.
5. Kaiyukan in Osaka City, Osaka
If you are a fan of aquariums, then this is the perfect spot to visit. The Kaiyukan features world’s best aquariums. In fact, some of the largest and the most magnificent. You will not find a more complementary aquarium in Asia especially in terms of how it recreates from the natural Pacific environment. Very many fish species to view too.
6. Sensoji Temple
If you want to get up close with the Buddha history, this is where to go. The Sensoji is the most complete Buddhist temple you’ll find in Japan. It is located at the heart of the Tokyo City in Asakusa. It is the most popular tourist spot in Japan; it is also the oldest temple dating several centuries ago. Its unique and traditional architecture speaks volumes about the number of decades it has whiled away while it retains its grandiose appeal.
7. Itsukushima Shrine in Hatsukaichi City, Hiroshima
This iconic shrine gets better and better. Its red Torii gate is a marvel to watch during high tides. Great photographs of the floating gate during high tide only tell a tale, visit to experience it. Its Heian period architecture is something that most tourists cannot resist. Further, it is a world cultural heritage site and because of the many visitors, people line up to take photographs during peak holidaying times. Apart from the shrine, there are many other attractions within the vicinity. The mountains, the islands, the gardens and other attractions make this destination worth every effort.
8. Nara Park home to Todai-Ji
Free-roaming deer, spectacular gardens, and a very serene environment are some of the good qualities of the park. However, the biggest attraction here is the great Buddha. This is perhaps the greatest Buddha. The giant Buddha inside Todai-Ji is a signature attraction inside the 1000 lantern temple. The sheer gigantism of the Buddhist temples is highlighted in this wooden temple. It is also a very wonderful and picturesque winter destination.
9. Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden in Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo
If you are a fan of the natural environment, then the Shinjuku gardens are your perfect spot. The garden is the Japan’s trademark center of the attractive natural environment. It is a perfect place to get lost or simply escape into the wild gardens. It is quiet, serene, and full of magnificent beauty. It is referred to as the lovely oasis in the middle of one of the busiest cities in the world, but inside the garden, the hustle and bustle of the city is a tale.
10. Mount Koya and the surrounding Budha pilgrimage in Wakayama
This place brings creepy memories because of its antiquated predisposition. The beautiful nature walks wander into small pathways where hundreds of thousands of tombs and century-old cedar trees surround you. The pilgrimage route is a fantastic idea if you like a spooky adventure.
11. Jigokudani (Hell’s Valley) Monkey Park
It is situated in the volcanic region of Nagano. The park is home to the Macaque monkeys that bathe and bask in the steamy waters. It is a nature’s marvel park.
12. Fushimi Inari-Taisha (Kyoto)
If you want to see what the head of over 30,000 Inari shrines looks like, this is the place to be. Its paths are anchored on giant red Torii gates. From a distance, the pathways arch like a snake and meander through the mountainside marvelously. It is not just a place where you go sightseeing, it is a place you toil somewhat to get to the very top.
You can always check out for more spots to view. Some websites such as this offer more detailed tour tips.
