Japan Travel Guide

The “Land of the Rising Sun” is home to amazing scenery, food and culture. Here’s a Japan travel blog post that tells you all about travelling in Japan. We’ve a travel Japan itinerary for your download in PDF too! Visit Japan for world-class hiking in Hokkaido and the Japanese alps. Go on a food adventure in Japan, from slurplicious ramen noodles to fresh seafood. If you’re culture vulture, Japan has a lot to offer. It’s a country that’s modern yet full of history, it’s where the present meets the past. There’s something for everyone in Japan, whether you enjoy eating, the outdoors, culture or history. You’ll definitely enjoy your holiday in Japan!

Where to Visit in Japan?

Japan is divided into nine regions that can be very different from each other. If you’ve only a week to spend in Japan it can be quite over The northern-most island, Hokkaido sees snow during the cold winter season. On the other hand, Okinawa the southern island that’s close to Taiwan, enjoys a semi-tropical climate. What’s more, Okinawa is formerly an independent Ryukyu Kingdom, whose traditions and customs are very different from the rest of Japan.

Don’t know where to visit in Japan? Watch this fantastic travel blog (video) of the various places to visit in Japan and get inspired.

Places to Visit in Japan:

Tokyo

Visit the vibrant city of Tokyo and marvel at its neon-lit skyscrapers. The metropolis of Tokyo is diverse and each district of this city vary so much. Step into the buzzing district of Akihabara and you’ll find maid cafes, electronic shops and tall buildings. Visit Chiyoda and you’ll discover peaceful Imperial gardens and shrines. Not forgetting Shibuya, the famous Tokyo district that’s famous for being the culture mecca of Japanese youth culture. Tokyo is definitely a must-visit for every visitor to Japan. If you’re looking for hotels in Tokyo check out HotelsCombined.

Osaka

Osaka is the third largest city in Japan and the most important city in Japan after Tokyo. It’s a huge city that’s divided into 24 wards. Get into Osaka via a direct overnight train that operates daily. Some fun places to see in Osaka includes Momofuku Ando Instant Ramen Museum. As well as Shinsaibashi, a shopping district that’s famous for Japanese youth fashion trends. Osaka is also the perfect base for daytrips to Kyoto, which is just 30 minutes from Osaka. Also, you can visit Kobe which is 20 minutes away and Nara, a 40 minutes trainride from Osaka.

Kyoto

Kyoto used to be the capital of Japan and the residence of the Emperor for at least a millennium, until the Meiji Restoration in 1868. After which the capital was moved to Tokyo. There’s 17 historic UNESCO’s World Heritage sites in Kyoto, known collectively as the ‘Monuments of Ancient Kyoto’. The temples are worth a visit. Also, check out the bath houses, known as ‘onsen’. The oldest public bath house in the city is Funaoka Onsen, the building’s classic bath house architecture is beautiful, so be sure to visit it. Kyoto is also known as the best place in Japan to see the cherry blossoms. Take a walk along the Philosopher’s Path from Nanzen-ji to Ginkaku-ji. It’s lined with cherry trees, temples and shrines. It’ll definately be one of the highlights of your Japan trip.

Hokkaido

Hokkaido is located in Japan’s northern extremity and is known for its national parks, volcanoes, geothermal springs and ski resorts. The best national parks in Hokkaido include Daisetsuza and Shikotsu-Tōya park. Other than volcanoes and springs, you can also hike, camp, fish and cycle in the summer. The winters in Hokkiado are harsh, with temperatures falling below zero and lots of snowfall. If you don’t like the cold, visit during the summer months from June to September. However if you do visit Hokkaido in winter you’ll get to experience many of Hokkaido’s dazzling winter festivals. Sapporo’s Snow Festival is the largest winter festival in Hokkaido. Don’t forget to visit Asahikawa Winter Festival too, which happens around the same time as the Sapporo Snow Festival in early February. Another winter festival to visit is the Otaru Snow Light Path Festival, where the city is decorated in pretty lights and snow statues.

Okinawa

Okinawa comprises of 150 islands situated close to Taiwan. It’s climate is tropical and the islands are beautiful – white sand and aqua waters. It’s home to coral reefs and World War II sites too. Okinawa has close historic trade ties to China and the island draw influences from Korea and the US too. Get into Naha, the capital of Okinawa and make your way to the islands. Do visit Gahi-jima and Agenashiku-jima if you want to relax and get away from it all. They’re uninhabited islets with no facilities and little shade. Also, visit Yoron-tō and visit one of it’s beaches named Yurigahama, home to a sandbar which appears only at low tide.

Japan Itinerary

One of my best friends generously allowed me to share her Japan itinerary, she visited Japan recently. You can download the Tokyo & Kyoto, 9 days Japan itinerary. It’s a superb guide especially if you’re visiting Tokyo and Kyoto as it’s very comprehensive Japan itinerary and filled with practical information.

Author Bio: Kathy Bulk is a content writer,she formerly worked out of OBSERV.Find her on blog.