From stunning natural landscapes to fascinating cultural landmarks, Japan is a destination that has it all. But with so much to see and do, it can be hard to know where to start. That’s why we’ve put together the ultimate travel checklist featuring the top 21 must-see attractions and experiences that you won’t want to miss.
The Japanese Empire consists of almost three thousand islands, the largest of which are the islands of Kyushu, Shikoku, Honshu, and Hokkaidon. This wonderful island country is located in the far east, and it is a mountainous country, as mountains cover 70% of its total area. The capital of the country is the world-famous city of Tokyo. Japan is one of the most important Asian countries because it is one of the most important economic powers in the world, as it exports industries and special technology to many countries. Japan is one of the countries that managed, in the midst of the great development that is taking place in the world, to preserve its civilization and traditions. You will find the population following many customs and traditions that have existed for ages, such as sitting on pillows when eating, bowing to greet, and others. Although customs and traditions are an essential thing in Japan, they were able to create more and add to those customs, so the culture of animation or what is called “anime” has become one of the most prominent things that bring foreign tourists to this country, as this animation that Japan created has become its own. It has a global reputation, and many festivals and events specialized in anime are held in the country, and are frequented by visitors from all over the world. Moreover, Japan is also distinguished by its amazing nature, which is different from any other place in the world.
Experience the best things to do that Japan has to offer with our expertly chosen list of top-rated destinations. Our team has scoured visitor reviews and evaluations to bring you only the best options for your next adventure.
TeamLab Borderless – TeamLab Borderless is one of the most famous art and digital museums in the world and in the city of Tokyo in particular, and it consists of a large collection of small artworks that together form an artistic painting out of the ordinary, as it combines art and technology in an amazing way, so that it is described as a “museum without a map”, and it is also distinguished by its vast area that covers 10,000 square meters, and tickets are required to be purchased online in order to be able to visit it.
Place address: Japan, 〒135-0064 Tokyo, Koto City, Aomi, 1-chōme−3−8 お台場パレットタウン2階
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Yonaha Beach – You cannot leave Okinawa without spending an enjoyable day with family or friends on the charming Yonaha Beach, which is characterized by its white sand and clear turquoise waters, and it is usually crowded with visitors from spring to autumn because it contains many seats and umbrellas that make it a place Suitable for spending a few hours on hot summer days, and there is a center for renting all kinds of water sports equipment.
Place address: Yonaha Beach, Yonaha-1199番 Shimoji, Miyakojima, Okinawa 906-0000, Japan
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Itsukushima Island – Itsukushima Island, which is also called “Miyajima”, is located in the south of Hiroshima, and can be reached by boat that operates throughout the day. Every year in August, a fireworks ceremony is held, so if you had the opportunity to attend this exciting event, do not miss it.
Place address: Itsukushima, Miyajimacho, Hatsukaichi, Hiroshima 739-0588, Japan
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Tokyo Disneyland – The charming amusement park Tokyo Disneyland is located in the city of Urayasu in Chiba Province, on the banks of the bay extending from the capital, Tokyo. It is one of the largest Disney entertainment cities in the world, which, according to statistics, attracts the largest number of visitors annually. The city includes multiple entertainment areas, which are Adventure Land, Western Land, Fantasy Land, Future Land, Animal Country, Mickey City, and finally the global market that is unique to Tokyo Disneyland.
Place address: 1-1 Maihama, Urayasu, Chiba 279-0031, Japan
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Ghibli Museum – The Ghibli Museum is located inside Inokashira Park in the town of Mitaka, west of Tokyo. The museum displays the works of the Ghibli Studio, which specializes in Japanese animation, and receives large numbers of visitors throughout the year. It is suitable for different age groups, as it combines being a museum of art and technology in addition to In addition to being suitable for children, it also has a café, library and garden, in addition to a theater dedicated to showing short films.
Place address: 1-chōme-1-83 Shimorenjaku, Mitaka, Tokyo 181-0013, Japan
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Tokyo DisneySea – Tokyo DisneySea is an amusement park located in the Tokyo Disney Resort located in Uraisu and is one of its most famous tourist attractions, which opened in 2001 AD. The park extends over a spacious area, and includes a number of distinctive buildings inspired by the world of Disney, in addition to a number of cartoon characters in it. The park annually attracts more than two million visitors!
Place address: 1-13 Maihama, Urayasu, Chiba 279-8511, Japan
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Sensoji Temple – Sensoji is the oldest Buddhist temple in the Japanese capital, Tokyo. It was previously associated with the Tendai Buddhist sect. Today, it is one of the most important landmarks and symbols of the city. It receives more than 30 million visitors annually. It is even said that it is the most visited spiritual landmark in the world. In a vital location that includes many archaeological and other tourist temples, including the Antiques and Souvenirs Street, which is usually crowded with visitors from all over the world.
Place address: 2-chōme-3-1 Asakusa, Taito City, Tokyo 111-0032, Japan
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Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium – Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium is the largest aquarium in Japan, and it is located in the north of the main island of Okinawa, and it is also one of the most famous tourist attractions in it, and it was opened in 2002, and it includes a huge number of marine creatures, including sharks and whales in addition to manta rays and others. A lot of amazing fish, and it includes exhibitions aimed at introducing people to the nature of the living creatures that exist in the vicinity of the Okinawa Islands in particular.
Place address: 424 Ishikawa, Motobu, Kunigami District, Okinawa 905-0206, Japan
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Itsukushima Shrine – Itsukushima Shrine is located in the city of Hiroshima and is considered one of its distinctive landmarks. It is a group of sacred buildings of dark red color, based on wooden pillars in the middle of the sea, opposite one of the most beautiful Japanese islands. The shrine attracts tourists from all over the world to see the architectural beauty represented in its building, specifically in the main gate that floats above the water!
Place address: 1-1 Miyajimachō, Hatsukaichi, Hiroshima 739-0588, Japan
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Showa Memorial Park – Showa National Government Memorial Park is located in the towns of Akishima and Tachikawa in Tokyo, due to its vast area covering 1,653,000 square meters, it is the largest park in the Tokyo region, and it was previously a Japanese military air base and in the post- The War was run by the US military, and was created in 1983 as part of a project to commemorate Emperor Showa’s golden jubilee.
Place address: 3173 Midorichō, 立川市 Tokyo 190-0014, Japan
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Kenroku-en – Kenroku Yen Garden is located in Kanazawa, Japan. It is a private archaeological garden. It was established between the 1820s and the 1840s by a clan called Maeda. It is one of the three largest gardens. In Japan, it receives visitors throughout the year except for the period between December 29 and January 3, and is characterized by its picturesque nature in all seasons, as it includes a large group of trees and flowering plants in addition to those that change color with the change of seasons.
Place address: 1 Kenrokumachi, Kanazawa, Ishikawa 920-0936, Japan
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Toyota Automobile Museum – The Toyota Car Museum differs from the Toyota Memorial Museum of Industry and Technology, as this museum focuses on the cars themselves and not on the history of the manufacturer. It was opened in 1989 and includes more than 120 cars dating back to the end of the nineteenth century when the first gasoline-powered car was built. And in 1999, another annex building was opened to celebrate the tenth anniversary of the Toyota Motor Museum, with an explanation of the impact of the car on the lives and cultures of peoples, and it is advised to book in advance.
Place address: 41-100 Yokomichi, Nagakute, Aichi 480-1118, Japan
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Inokashira Park – The Inokashira Garden covers an area of about 95 acres, and is located in the west of the Japanese city of Tokyo. It was founded in 1917 and has been a popular destination for both tourists and locals since then. It is recommended to visit it during the cherry blossom season, that is, at the end of March until the beginning of March. April of each year, when you will have the opportunity to take some amazing photos among a huge number of tall and flowering trees while going on a boat tour, and do not forget to check out the zoo inside it as well.
Place address: 1-chōme-18-31 Gotenyama, Musashino, Tokyo 180-0005, Japan
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Peace Memorial Park – The Peace Memorial Park is located on a beautiful plateau overlooking the Mabuni Hills in the city of Itoman in the southern part of Okinawa Island. Its establishment began as a local park in 1965 during the Ryukyu government era. A memorial garden for the Battle of Okinawa, and there is also a museum that displays pictures and relics of this battle, in addition to the “Peace Cornerstone” monument engraved with the names of all those who died in it.
Place address: 444 Mabuni, Itoman, Okinawa 901-0333, Japan
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Ueno Zoo – Ueno is also known as the “Tokyo Zoo”, and it is the oldest zoo in Japan, with an area of 14.3 hectares, and is located in the Ueno Park mountain area, and is distinguished by its huge ancient trees, and it includes a large number of animals, including giant pandas, gorillas, polar bears, seals and others. A lot, and due to its tourist and vital location, it attracts a large number of visitors throughout the year.
Place address: 9-83 Uenokōen, Taito City, Tokyo 110-8711, Japan
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Shurijo Castle – Shuri Castle is a royal palace and the most important landmark dating back to the period when Okinawa Prefecture was an independent state, and it was then called the Ryukyu Kingdom, and it became a prefecture in Japan in 1879, and this palace was rebuilt in the early nineties, and it was classified as a site A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the site is still one of the most visited tourist attractions in the city today.
Place address: 1 Chome-2 Shurikinjocho, Naha, Okinawa 903-0815, Japan
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Shikinaen – Shikinen are gardens located on a small hill in the south of the famous Shuri Castle in the town of Naha. It is also called the “Southern Gardens” or “Shishina no Udon”. The garden includes many buildings and monuments in addition to a beautiful lake surrounded by several types of trees and plants. Therefore, it is an ideal tourist destination for both nature lovers as well as lovers of antiquities and history.
Place address: 421-7 Maaji, Naha, Okinawa 902-0072, Japan
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National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation – The National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation is also called “Miraikan” or “Museum of the Future”. All of its activities and exhibits aim to interpret daily scenes and phenomena in a scientific way, starting from the simplest events and ending with the latest technologies, the global environment, space exploration and life sciences. The museum also includes many exhibits that It provides the opportunity for visitors to listen to interesting and fruitful conversations with experts and specialists.
Place address: 2-chōme-3-6 Aomi, Koto City, Tokyo 135-0064, Japan
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Cape Manzamo – Cape Manzamo is a rocky cliff located in an amazing tourist area overlooking the East China Sea, and is located near the village of Onna in the Kunigami region of Okinawa Prefecture, Japan. It is one of the most popular areas for both tourists and locals, especially photographers due to the shape of the rock formation that resembles an elephant’s trunk. There are many restaurants, cafes, shops and other attractions nearby.
Place address: Onna, Kunigami District, Okinawa 904-0411, Japan
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Osu Kannon – Osu Kannon is a Buddhist temple that was built in 1612. It was moved to its current location in the seventeenth century. It was rebuilt in the seventies of the last century. It is an ideal tourist destination for visitors, as it contains many statues and artifacts in addition to the presence A library of a number of important classic works, and in its outer yard there is a shopping center that includes many stores that sell souvenirs, household items, traditional crafts, and food.
Place address: 2-chōme-21-47 Ōsu, Naka Ward, Nagoya, Aichi 460-0011, Japan
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Nago Pineapple Park – Nago Pineapple Park is an amusement park ideal for children and is dedicated to exploring pineapple cultivation in Japan. It is filled with colorful statues and figures, which makes it an ideal location to spend some fun time with the family. It provides tours that allow visitors to explore and taste pineapples in its own farms. It also has Nice cafe and souvenir shop.
Place address: 1195 Biimata, Nago, Okinawa 905-0005, Japan
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We hope our guide has inspired you to explore the wonders of Japan. Whether you’re a local or a visitor, there’s always something new and exciting to discover in this amazing region. From stunning natural landscapes to rich cultural heritage, Japan has it all. So pack your bags, grab your camera, and get ready to embark on an unforgettable adventure. Don’t forget to share your experiences with us and tag us on social media using #ExploreJapan. We can’t wait to see where your journey takes you!