Japan is a large and beautiful nation with numerous top tourist sites. Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto are three main cities that showcase Japan and are worth visiting for tourist attractions ranging from history, culture, environment, and commerce.
Japanese cuisine, which ranges from tempura and yakitori to ramen and sushi, is famous for its distinctive flavours and display.
The vast variety and wealth of tourist destinations in Japan can make planning a journey to Japan with a working holiday visa extremely challenging. This is why we’ve compiled a list of the Top 10 Destinations to Visit in Japan that will give you some ideas for where to go in the “land of the rising sun.”
- Art Island of Naoshima
The Art Island of Naoshima is one of Japan’s best tourism destinations. For starters, it has a stunning setting on a tiny island with a captivating view of the Seto Inland Sea.
It also contains some of the most amazing modern art exhibits, galleries, and museums you could ever hope to see. The Chichu Art Museum, the Lee Ufan Museum, and the Art House Project are among them. All of which are stretching the boundaries with their exhibits. If you enjoy painting, you’ll enjoy what’s on display here.
Aside from these cultural sites, there are also gorgeous beaches to explore. You can also try some of the trekking paths that wind their way around the island. Take a visit to the island while you are working or travelling in Japan.
- Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium
The Churaumi Suizokukan iis generally regarded as Japan’s finest aquarium. It is the primary feature of the Ocean Expo Park, which is located on the old grounds of the 1975 International Ocean Expo in Honto, northern Okinawa. In 2002, the aquarium was fully renovated and reopened.
If you’re a fan of aquatic life, then Churaumi Aquarium has one of the world’s biggest aquatic tanks. The reservoir gets its name from the warm Kuroshio current, which plays an important role in the aquatic life of Okinawa. The aquarium houses one of the world’s biggest pools. If you enjoy watching aquatic life, you’ll enjoy what’s on exhibit here. Its primary tank, the Kuroshio Sea, is one of the world’s biggest. It is home to whale sharks, manta rays, and massive groupers that will enthral you.
It also has a variety of other interesting displays. These include a coral reef aquarium, a dolphin lagoon, and a marine turtle display.
- Takachiho Gorge
If you are looking for a country that is rich in folklore and tradition, Japan is the perfect place to consider when looking to work abroad. There are numerous locations where you can do so. The Takachiho Gorge is a good location to start if you want to learn more about this legend.
The gorge was where the solar deity Amaterasu was concealed in a cave, according to Japanese legend. As a result, the planet has fallen into gloom. It’s also where the deity Susanoo slayed the eight-headed snake Orochi, according to legend.
The Gokase Gorge, formed over thousands of years by the Gokase River, is a natural scenery marvel in Miyazaki Prefecture. It’s famous for its soaring mountains, cascading cascades, and emerald-green water. These are best seen on foot via trekking paths or by rowing down the river in a hired rowboat, which is a lot of fun, trust us.
- Hiroshima Peace Memorial
The Hiroshima Peace Memorial is one of the most thought-provoking locations in the world to explore. It made us reflect on the sad loss of human life. As well as how the event altered the course of history.
It is a potent symbol of peace and a sombre memory of the destruction wrought by the Hiroshima bombing.
The monument is built from the ruins of the Genbaku Dome. This is one of the city’s few structures that survived the bombardment. It also depicts the nearby Peace Park.
The neighbouring park is a nice place to walk around and contains a number of monuments and sculptures devoted to peace. One of these is the Children’s Peace Monument, which was inspired by Sadako Sasaki, a young girl who perished of leukaemia caused by radioactivity from the explosion.
- Mount Fuji
Mount Fuji is one of Japan’s most busy locations, but if you go, keep in mind that it is an active stratovolcano.
It is the tallest mountain in Japan, rising to a height of 3,776 metres on Honshu Island. Although it is a famous hiking and tourist destination, it is also regarded a sacred place in Japanese society.
This is best done between early July and mid-September. There are several paths that will take you to the top. Just make sure you’re sporting appropriate footwear.
A beautiful national forest surrounds the peak. On the journey up, you will have the finest view of the landscape.
- Himeji Castle
Himeji Castle has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for good cause.
It is one of the most magnificent castles we’ve ever seen. It is known as the ‘White Heron Castle’ because of its white exterior and the way it mimics a bird in flight.
It is also one of the few original fortresses still standing in Japan, as most were devastated during battles or by earthquakes.
A lovely garden with cherry blossom trees and a moat surrounds the palace. It also has a plethora of defensive features, such as walls, gates, and turrets, which can be examined on a guided walk.
Its ornate interior décor includes beautifully painted screens, detailed wood sculptures, and other works of art that are truly remarkable.
- Todaiji Temple
Todaiji Temple is a location where you can see a huge monument of Buddha.
This magnificent Buddhist shrine in Nara is famous for its 52-foot-high, 1.1-million-pound massive copper statue of the remarkable being.
The shrine, which is situated in Nara, was built in the eighth century. It has been demolished and reconstructed several times over the years. However, its primary hall, the Daibutsuden, is still one of the world’s largest wooden buildings.
As a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it also houses thousands of valuable art items. You can also stroll around its lovely park, which has cherry blossom trees and roving animals.
- Tokyo Imperial Palace
It is the Emperor of Japan’s main residence, located in the centre of Tokyo. The palace, which dates back to 1457, is encircled by beautiful grounds and is a famous visitor draw. We suggest that you arrive early to escape the crowds.
You can enjoy a guided walk of the palace gardens once you arrive. This encompasses the royal gardens as well as the palace complex’s outer regions.
The palace also contains a museum with displays on the Japanese imperial family’s history and culture. This allows visitors to learn about the royal family’s traditions and practises. A selection of imperial jewels and unique artefacts is also on display.
- Golden Pavilion, Kyoto
It’s easy to see why the Golden Pavilion is one of Japan’s most famous tourism sites.
This Zen Buddhist monastery, also known as Kinkaku-ji, is located in Kyoto. It is well-known for its beautiful design. The upper two levels of this pavilion are elaborately decorated in gold foil.
It was originally constructed in the 14th century as a retirement house for a samurai. The sanctuary is surrounded by lush woodland and is fronted by a lovely park and lake.
Both of these are beautiful locations to stroll through; we particularly enjoyed the lake. The flora surrounding it was exquisitely organised and perfectly mirrored on the water. We paused here for about five minutes to take in the scenery.
We also liked gazing at the other structures, which included a shrine centre and a tea house. This is another popular destination.
- Kiyomizu-deru, Kyoto
The Kiyomizu-dera is another UNESCO World Heritage location in Japan that is worth viewing.
This ancient Buddhist monastery is located in the eastern part of Kyoto. Its main chamber is impressively constructed on a steep incline and sustained by wooden pillars.
Because of the Otowa Waterfall, the sanctuary is known as the “Pure Water Temple.” Visitors can imbibe from one of three water sources here. Each of them is thought to have unique restorative qualities.
If you can visit in the spring, Kiyomizu-dera is especially lovely when the cherry blooms are in abundance. It’s also beautiful in the autumn when the trees change colour.
Regardless of the season, you can appreciate panoramic views of the city from the temple’s spacious veranda in addition to imbibing the water.