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10 Top Tourist Attractions in Japan

Last updated on October 1, 2020 in Japan 25 Comments

Japan is one of the most popular travel destinations in the world. It is a unique blend of traditional and modern, with many temples and buildings from the past co-existing with modern achievements in architecture and technology. Visitors can be immersed in Japanese history and culture one day and get a glimpse of the future through technological developments the next.

Almost all of the historical sites are still used for their original purposes while remaining open to the public. The natural beauty of Japan can be seen all year. In addition, Japan has one of the world’s lowest crime rates which makes it ideal for travelers. An overview of the top tourist attractions in Japan:

10. Hiroshima Peace Memorial

Hiroshima Peace Memorialflickr/scarletgreen

The Hiroshima Peace Memorial is a haunting tribute to the lives lost when the atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima on August 6, 1945. Set in a park, the memorial features Genbaku Dome, the only building left standing in the vicinity after the bomb dropped. This harsh reminder of a world at war reminds visitors of the importance of human life and honors the victims so they will never be forgotten.

9. Jigokudani Monkey Park

Jigokudani Monkey Park

Jigokudani Monkey Park is a famous hot spring area near Nagano,. The name Jigokudani (meaning “Hell’s Valley”), is due to steam and boiling water that bubbles out the frozen ground, surrounded by steep cliffs and formidably cold forests. It is famous for its large population of wild Snow Monkeys that go to the valley during the winter when snow covers the park. The monkeys descend from the steep cliffs and forest to sit in the warm hot springs, and return to the security of the forests in the evenings.

8. Kiyomizu-dera

Kiyomizu-dera

The Kiyomizu-dera Buddhist temple is located in Eastern Kyoto and can be traced back as far as the year 798. An indoor waterfall fed from the outside river keeps the temple in harmony with nature and not one nail was used in construction. While locals used to jump off the edge to have a wish granted (with a survival rate of 85.4%), modern visitors can enjoy the shrines and talismans and artwork on display without risking life and limb.

7. Himeji Castle

Himeji Castle

The Himeji Castle is considered the best existing example of Japanese castle architecture. It was fortified to defend against enemies during the feudal period, but it has been rebuilt many times throughout the centuries and reflects the different design periods. It survived the bombings of World War II and is frequently seen in domestic and foreign films, including the James Bond movie “You Only Live Twice”. The white exterior and design give the castle the appearance of a bird taking flight, earning the the castle the nickname ‘white egret castle’.

6. Great Buddha of Kamakura

Great Buddha of Kamakuraflickr/enggul

The Great Buddha of Kamakura is a colossal outdoor representation of Amida Buddha, one of Japan’s most celebrated Buddhist figures. Cast in bronze, the Great Buddha stands at over 13 meters (40 feet) high and weighs nearly 93 tons. The statue reportedly dates from 1252. Although it originally was housed in a small wooden temple, the Great Buddha now stands in the open air as the original temple was washed away in a tsunami in the 15th century.

5. Todaiji Temple

Todaiji Templeflickr/roybuloy

The Todaiji Temple in Nara is a feat of engineering. It is not only the world’s largest wooden building, it is home to the world’s largest bronze Buddha statue. Surrounded by beautiful gardens and wildlife, the Kegon school of Buddhism is centered here and the grounds hold many artifacts of Japanese and Buddhist history. Deer are allowed to freely roam the grounds as messengers of the Shinto gods.

4. Tokyo Tower

Tokyo Towerflickr/justinshu

The Tokyo Tower is a testament to the advancement of technology and modern life. Inspired by the Eiffel tower design, it is the second tallest man-made structure in Japan and functions as a communications and observation tower. Visitors can climb the tower for unparalleled views of Tokyo and the surrounding areas as well as visit shops and restaurants.

3. Tokyo Imperial Palace

Tokyo Imperial Palace

The Emperor of Japan makes his home at the Tokyo Imperial Palace. It also functions as an administration center and museum to showcase Japanese art and history. The palace is set on the ruins of older castles that were destroyed by fire or war, and architects have honored the past by incorporating design elements of the different eras into the modern palace. The new palace is surrounded by traditional Japanese gardens and has many reception and function rooms to receive guests and welcome the public.

2. Mount Fuji

Mount Fuji

Mount Fuji is the highest mountain in Japan at 3,776 meters (12,388 ft). The volcano’s exceptionally symmetrical cone is a well-known symbol of Japan and it is frequently depicted in art and photographs, as well as a popular tourist attraction for sightseers and climbers. An estimated 200,000 people climb Mount Fuji every year, 30% of whom are foreigners. The ascent can take anywhere between three and eight hours while the descent can take from two to five hours.

1. Golden Pavilion

#1 of Tourist Attractions In Japanflickr/rc!

Kinkaku-ji or the Temple of the Golden Pavilion is the most popular tourist attraction in Japan and Kyoto. The pavilion was originally built as a retirement villa for Shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu in the late 14th century. Unfortunately, the pavilion was burnt down in 1950 by a young monk who had become obsessed with it. Five years later, the temple was rebuilt as an exact copy of the original. Emphasis is placed on the building and surrounding gardens being in harmony with one another. The pavilion is covered in gold leaf which highlights the reflection of the pavilion in the pond and the pond’s reflection on the building.

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Comments

  1. Mr.Kakiata.Tonana says

    May 6, 2020

    I had been tour some famous places in Japan like Golden pavilion, Tokyo Imperial place , Tokyo tower, Todaiji Temple, and so on. I think Japan is a good place for tourism. Keep it on in the near future

  2. Bill Delaney says

    September 26, 2019

    Taking the Bullet Train to Sendai and that area is nice. So many Shrines and Temples in Japan make it a very enjoyable educational experience. Love the food!

  3. Angel says

    June 2, 2019

    There are a ton of other great places in Japan as well, Tokyo Tower can be kinda a tourist trap, the metropatilan building gives a better view and is free.

  4. christopher says

    April 24, 2019

    i so want to go to japan because of reading these comments, it sounds so nice

  5. Marlene M. Obedoza says

    April 2, 2019

    I love Japan, especially their clean and incomparable rest rooms, their kind of discipline is so amazing!

  6. Derek says

    April 21, 2017

    When I lived in Kyoto for 3 months, I fell in love with the country, Although I have to admit the Golden Pavilion I would not even put in my top 100 attractions even in the Kyoto area I hope people don’t go to it expecting much and get disappointment in Japan, my favorites were lot of the area around Uji, and Gion, or fushimi inari, or even some back allies are many times more beautiful than the Golden Pavilion in my opinion.

    Rest of this list is nice tho 🙂 needs more Osaka, The Sky Garden view is breathe taking at night.

  7. Bogumil says

    February 19, 2016

    Golden Pavillion , Kyoto, is very overvallued. You can see it from long distance. Entrance fees high. My tips: 1. Tokyo; 2. Fuji-Hakone; 3. KANSAI: Kyoto; Nara; Osaka (castle-alternat. Himeji); 4. Hiroshima and Miyajima. My last trip: Tokyo – Okinawa (ANA) – Kagoshima (JRPass) – Miyazaki/Aoshima – Kyoto – Osaka – Takushima (ferry)- Osaka – Nara – Tokyo.

  8. Ayanni says

    February 15, 2016

    So helpful and loved the monkeys

  9. Boris wood says

    December 11, 2015

    We have been to all of these during our 18 visits to Japan. We keep finding new places to go. In 2016, go to the Setouchi Triennale art festival on the islands of the inland sea. We went in 2013 and will return next year.

  10. Maharjan Rabi says

    February 5, 2015

    i loved Japan I have been 5 times in Japan

  11. Osei Homeda says

    January 30, 2015

    I love Japan and want to see the Tokyo imperial Palace,mount Fuji,Tokyo Tower,Golden Pavilion.

  12. Gerry says

    January 12, 2015

    I love Japan it is very safe. Especially the very kind and friendly people that I met there. Experience the 100 yen stores, shinkansen, yakiniku, onsen, asakusa temple, inari temple in kyoto, himeji castle, golden pavillion was definitely amazing.

  13. That Random guy says

    September 18, 2014

    You should put skytree there

  14. Jonny Duncan says

    August 4, 2014

    I love Japan. After around 70 countries visited it’s easily in the top 5 seen. There are many things to do there that could be in the top 10 attractions. I personally found the Golden Pavillion, although beautiful, definitely wouldn’t be number one on that list, with so many other better things to see and do.

  15. Rani says

    June 11, 2014

    This website is awesome thanks for this

  16. yeon aishteru says

    June 5, 2014

    the himeji castle was amazing;)

  17. Lindsay says

    May 1, 2014

    Thanks for this nice sharing i also have been visited Japan about a year ago with my friend. It offers a wide range of beautiful and attractive places for the tourist. A lot of places that i like there but one place that i like the most is “Golden Pavilion”. It is a beautiful and famous temple that is located in Kyoto.

  18. Angélie says

    April 29, 2014

    The monkeys are so cute! I was born in Japan but never knew such beautiful things were there. But, hey, where’s the SkyTree?

  19. Wilson Ng says

    February 23, 2014

    I have been to a few places in your list and they are remarkable. My favourite is still Kiyomizudera in Kyoto.

  20. Fatima Hosafra Aleen says

    August 28, 2013

    so nice places i just love them.

  21. Tourist says

    July 26, 2013

    I love Japan and specially want to see Fuji Mount.

  22. lala abbas says

    July 17, 2013

    the japan is a very nice place i love it

  23. Crystal Lee says

    June 16, 2013

    The monkeys were SO CUTE!!!!!

  24. anonymous says

    March 20, 2013

    Thankyou i found this page very interesting and helpful please produce more :):):):):)
    (the monkeys are very cute)

  25. Matthew Hutchins says

    June 20, 2012

    Hey you didn’t include anywhere in Osaka, there’s some great places to explore there, the arcades alone are enough of a reason to go to Osaka.

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