10 Must-Visit Places in Japan That Will Leave You in Awe

Liputan6.com, Jakarta Japan is a country that surprises everyone who visits it. Old temples stand next to modern skyscrapers. Quiet gardens exist in busy cities. Traditional culture meets new technology every day. This amazing mix makes Japan special and different from any other place in the world.

The country offers something for every type of traveler. Food lovers can enjoy fresh sushi and warm ramen. Nature lovers can see beautiful mountains and peaceful beaches. History fans can explore old castles and holy shrines. Art and culture seekers will find museums, theaters, and festivals throughout the year. There are many interesting places and things to explore in the Land of the Rising Sun.

If you are planning for a trip to Japan, here are ten must-visit places you must add to your bucket list:

Tokyo might seem like an obvious choice, but there's a good reason why millions of people visit every year. This huge city perfectly balances old and new Japan in ways that will surprise you every day. You can start your morning at the old Senso-ji Temple, which is Tokyo's oldest temple with beautiful red gates and traditional buildings.

The very modern Shibuya district offers incredible shopping and the famous crossing where thousands of people walk together. Tsukiji Fish Market provides the freshest seafood and real Japanese breakfast experiences. Tokyo Tower stands 333 meters tall and gives you amazing views of the entire city, especially beautiful at sunset.

Kyoto served as Japan's capital for over 1,000 years, and you can feel this rich history everywhere you walk. The city has more than 2,000 temples and shrines, each telling a different story about Japanese culture and religion. The golden Kinkaku-ji Temple is covered in real gold leaf and shows beautifully in its surrounding pond like a mirror. Don't forget to visit the famous Fushimi Inari Taisha, which has thousands of bright orange torii gates that create tunnels up the mountainside.

The bamboo forest in Arashiyama creates natural tunnels of green light that filter through thousands of tall bamboo stalks. Gion district is the most famous geisha area where you might spot real geishas in colorful kimonos walking to their evening appointments at traditional tea houses.

Japan's most famous mountain stands 3,776 meters tall and can be seen from Tokyo on clear days. Mount Fuji is holy to many Japanese people and attracts climbers from around the world during summer months from July to September. The climbing season is short because snow covers the mountain most of the year.

If you prefer not to climb, the Fuji Five Lakes area provides excellent viewing spots and relaxing hot spring resorts. Lake Kawaguchi offers particularly stunning views of the mountain on calm mornings, creating perfect photos. The area also has cable cars that take you up smaller mountains for better views of Fuji's perfect cone shape.

Osaka is Japan's third most populous city and offers a perfect mix of history and modern entertainment. Osaka Castle stands proudly in the city center, surrounded by beautiful cherry blossom trees that bloom pink in spring. The castle offers great views of the modern city from its top floors. Dotonbori district is the heart of the city's nightlife, where bright neon signs light up the night and create a festival atmosphere along the canal.

Osaka is also known as Japan's kitchen because the food here is simply incredible and locals are passionate about eating. You must try takoyaki, which are round balls filled with pieces of octopus and topped with special sauce and dancing bonito flakes. Okonomiyaki is another local favorite. This tasty pancake is filled with cabbage, meat, and seafood that's cooked right in front of you at street stalls and restaurants.

Okinawa has tropical islands far south of mainland Japan, offering a completely different experience from the rest of the country. Very clear waters surround white sand beaches that are perfect for swimming, diving, and relaxing under palm trees. The water stays warm year round, making it ideal for water activities in any season.

The islands have their own unique culture, history, and even language that's different from mainland Japan. Coral reefs provide excellent snorkeling opportunities where you can see colorful tropical fish, sea turtles, and other marine life. Traditional Ryukyu Kingdom buildings include beautiful buildings with red tiles and stone lion statues that guard entrances.

Nikko combines natural beauty with important religious sites just two hours from Tokyo by train. The detailed Toshogu Shrine honors Japan's most famous shogun with incredibly detailed wood carvings covered in real gold. The shrine complex includes over 5,000 decorative carvings and is considered one of Japan's most beautiful buildings.

Nikko National Park surrounds the town with waterfalls, lakes, and hiking trails through old cedar forests. Lake Chuzenji sits in the mountains and offers boat rides with stunning scenery. Kegon Falls drops 97 meters into a deep valley and becomes especially beautiful during autumn when leaves change to bright red and orange colors that show in the water.

Nara was Japan's first permanent capital and remains an important cultural center today with many old temples and traditions. The city's main attraction is Nara Park, where over 1,000 friendly deer roam freely among visitors throughout the day. These holy deer are considered messengers of the gods and will actually bow to you when you offer them special crackers called shika senbei.

Todai-ji Temple houses one of Japan's largest bronze Buddha statues, which weighs 500 tons and sits 15 meters tall. The statue sits inside a huge wooden hall that was built without using a single nail. The building is so large that you feel very small when you walk inside and look up at the giant Buddha's peaceful face.

Hakone is Japan's most popular hot spring resort area, located in the hills southwest of Tokyo in a volcanic region. Natural hot springs called onsen provide relaxation after busy city sightseeing, and many hotels offer private outdoor baths with mountain views. The healthy waters are believed to have healing properties for tired muscles and stress.

Lake Ashi offers boat cruises with possible Mount Fuji views on clear days, and pirate ship replicas make the journey more fun. The Hakone Open Air Museum displays modern sculptures against a beautiful mountain backdrop. Cable cars and mountain railways provide scenic ways to travel between different areas, taking you through forests and over valleys with amazing views at every turn.

Sapporo, located on Japan's northern island of Hokkaido, offers fresh seafood and world famous beer in a city known for its clean air and wide streets. The city transforms into a winter wonderland during snow season, hosting the annual Snow Festival in February with incredible ice sculptures that look like fairy tale castles and famous buildings.

Susukino district provides excellent restaurants serving Hokkaido crab, which is sweet and tender, and other local specialties like fresh uni (sea urchin) and ramen with miso broth. During summer, colorful flower fields bloom across the countryside outside the city. Sapporo serves as a perfect base for exploring Hokkaido's national parks and wilderness areas where you might see brown bears and other wildlife.

Hiroshima carries deep historical importance while showing Japan's recovery and peace efforts after the atomic bombing in 1945. The Peace Memorial Park and Museum provide important lessons about history and hope for the future, with the famous A Bomb Dome standing as a powerful reminder of the past. The museum displays personal stories and objects that help visitors understand what happened.

Just a short 10 minute ferry ride away, Miyajima Island features the famous floating torii gate of Itsukushima Shrine. This bright orange gate appears to float on water during high tide and stands on the beach during low tide when you can walk up to it. The island is also home to friendly deer and hiking trails that lead to mountain viewpoints overlooking the Seto Inland Sea.