Hiroshima and the neighbouring island of Miyajima are both world famous but for very different reasons: one for the atomic bomb and its atrocities, and the other for its peaceful shrine amid the waves. 

Hiroshima and its region: between shrine and memorial

Nature has always played an important role in Japanese culture, and the tradition survives with the celebration of the arrival of spring by observing the cherry blossoms. Here is some advice about this festival, the hanami, and the best places to observe the trees in full blossom.

Go to see the cherry trees in Tokyo

Hokkaido is a hiker's paradise, thanks to its majestic, wild mountainous landscapes.
 Its national parks provide stunning views as well as a wealth of plant and animal life.
 Some are very isolated and difficult to access, but offer, nonetheless, a great sense of freedom.

Hiking in the stunning countryside of Hokkaido


Japan has numerous hidden treasures. Here are my top 10 most beautiful places to visit, but also the most interesting.

Top 10 places to visit in Japan

Tokyo

Tokyo Metropolitan Central Wholesale Market

Shiba-Shimbashi

Odaiba

To the south of the rest of Japan, an island with a strong local identity.

Asia

Japan

Okinawa

Europe

Central America

Africa

North America

South America

Middle East

Oceania

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Family holidays in Japan

travel-type

Japan self drive tours

activity-type

Hiking in Japan

environment-type

Islands in Japan

Cycling in Japan

<a href="/japan/">During my stay in Japan</a>, my experience on the island of Okinawa was quite particular because I was taken by surprise by torrential rains, ruining my plans! So I spent a lot of time walking in the main city of Naha, which I didn't find particularly stimulating. There isn't much to see and the castle of Shuri is of no great cultural interest. However, it does have the advantage of possessing an architecture that is very different from the big cities of <a href="/japan/">Japan</a>. What I preferred about the place: eating! In fact, that's all I did there, and whether it was on the market or in the micro-restaurants tucked away in the alleys, I was never disappointed! Okinawa cuisine is really second to none. So I toured the island by bus, discovering a variety of different landscapes and I was able to get off whenever and wherever I wanted. I discovered some lovely beaches on the west coast but the water was really too cold to swim.

Okinawa Holidays

Visit Okinawa

Okinawa: How to get there?

Okinawa: See when to go?

Okinawa: For how long?

Okinawa: What to see nearby?

Japan: our articles for your holidays