Places to discover

Best places to visit in Japan

If you choose Japan as your next holiday destination, you're opting for a complete change, geographically as well as culturally, a rare, slightly unsettling feeling in such a developed country, even while homogenous America-centric culture seems to have firmly taken root among the Japanese population. This cultural shock can be a little scary, but don't worry: one of the aspects of Japan's 'exoticism' is the extreme politeness of the people there.

It can take months to properly discover the country. But if you only have a few days or weeks there, begin with one of the unmissable points of contact. VisitingTokyo, the capital, the largest city in the world (the urban area contains around 40 million citizens), is a trip in and of itself. Its ultra-modern feel and its general cleanliness will make you see Paris, London or New York in a new light. Following on, Kyōto is a must-see, with its breathtaking beauty and its numerous places to visit (Fushimi Inari-taisha, Kinkaku-ji, Ryōan-ji, just to mention a few). Ōsaka offers the charms of a slightly smaller city, one which is also younger and more Westernised.

But don't be fooled into thinking that all Japan has to offer is staggeringly big metropolises. Fans of nature should visit Nagano, with its forests, or head to Hokkaidō island and the beautiful Sapporo (its capital) for winter sports. Are you a fan of mountains? Then don't miss out an ascent up Mount Fuji from your holiday itinerary! And if you prefer relaxation to exercise, why not head to Okinawa for a spot of sunbathing on its idyllic beaches?

A stay in Japan is an unforgettable experience, no matter which places you visit and what's on your itinerary. You're sure to find activities that suit you perfectly amongst the huge range of available options here.

Japan's capital, Tokyo is one of the world's biggest metropolises and will unavoidably constitute an important stopping place for any traveller visiting the country.
Tsukiji is the name given to the largest fish and seafood market in the world, located in Tokyo. A visit to this market will be a high point ofyour stay in Japan.
Shimbashi, or Shinbashi, is a district situated between Ginza and Shidome, to the east of the Tsuki-ji fish market.
An artificial island in Tokyo Bay, Odaiba is like a theme park with its Ferris wheel, beach, museums and shopping centres.
Shinjuku is home to one of the busiest stations in the world! In the evening, this district of Tokyo remains lively and colourful.
Akihabara is the area most known for its manga, anime and electronic shops...
The imperial capital of Japan for more than 10 centuries, Kyōto is one of the largest cities of the country with more than 1.4 million inhabitants.
About 45 minutes by train from Kyoto, Nara is a city which possesses important historic monuments that have been placed on the UNESCO World Heritage list and which certainly deserves a visit during a tour of Japan.
Miyajima is the name of this island in the heart of the Seto Sea, opposite the city of Hiroshima, which presents a certain interest for any person making a trip to Japan.
With its sad legacy, Hiroshima is a city located in the southern part of the main island of Honshu and which is a highly interesting destination for any person making a trip to Japan.
A town that blends the old with the new. The old part of town will give you an insight into traditional Japanese life, but without the hordes of tourists that you'll find in Kyoto.
A Japanese alpine town, overlooked by a castle.
Naoshima is an island located on the Inland Sea, with many museums and works of art in the open air.
Shikoku's most southern city, in southwest Japan.
Hakone is renowned for its beautiful lake, the view it offers on Mount Fuji, as well as for its onsens, the natural hot springs that are caused by the volcanic activity of the region.
An emblematic symbol of Japan, Mount Fuji is a mountain which, with its peak at 3,776 metres, amazes everyone with its majesty.
The third largest city of Japan, Osaka is located approximately 1 hour by train from Tokyo and may be an interesting place to visit during your trip to Japan.
Nikkois an excursion that can be done from Tokyo in one or two days and is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
One of the major Buddhists centres of Japan, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site, many Japanese go to Koya-san in pilgrimage.
Kurashiki is renowned for its very well-preserved historic district, the Bikan, a shopping district dating to the Edo period.
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