Japan lover or travel lover, are you looking for which country is best to travel to in 2024 or which city or place is best to visit in Japan in 2024? Let’s talk about which places in Japan are best to visit. I’m occasionally asked which places in Japan people should visit. Travelers with no more than a week or two in the nation frequently ask this question. They are searching for suggestions to add one or two off-the-beaten-path sites to their itinerary, which usually already includes Tokyo and Kyoto.
Regretfully, I feel like I let most people down a lot, and I never feel like I can adequately respond to the really simple question of where to go in Japan. My failure is due to several factors. You can pretty much count on not being able to sue me if the place I choose doesn’t measure up to your expectations.
I was gently pushed to get out of my brain and write about a location in a way that a prospective first-time visitor might relate to, thanks to the travel writing tasks that I have been assigned. Three Favorite Cities in Japan and my Japan Travel Guide are safer choices for comparatively more helpful content.
Near Kyoto, Byodo-in Temple, a red temple reflected on a body of water. So here are some of my suggestions for designing your schedule for your trip to Japan. I first give a quick overview of why Tokyo and/or Kyoto should be on any travel itinerary to Japan before listing a few easily accessible locations from Kyoto and Tokyo.
Is Everyone We Know Who Loves Japan Going to Japan?
Pictures and videos of the well-liked location have been flooding our social media for months. A ramen bowl so delicious it makes you want to eat it every minute, a bullet train zooming past Mount Fuji the next, and last spring, our phones burst into a sugar pink explosion—not Barbie, but the breathtaking sight of blooming sakura, or Japanese cherry blossoms.
There was a list that included visiting the “art islands” of Japan. In October, Japan reopened its borders following two years of quarantine restrictions. Since then, the tourism industry has expanded quickly; according to the Japan National Tourism Organization, 20 million tourists will come to the country this year. However, because of the strength of the US dollar relative to the yen, travel to Japan is surprisingly affordable for Americans.
Japan is a Popular Choice for Designers
Naturally, Japan has consistently been a popular choice for nomadic designers. A traditional Japanese inn with tatami mats is the perfect place to spend the night after checking into a five-star luxury building designed by renowned architect Tadao Ando. Everything has been expertly and exquisitely made in Japan, regardless of your preference. As per your inquiry, here are a few of our top picks for travelers who enjoy exquisite cuisine, design, architecture, and style in Japan.
1) Kyoto: Amour
Suppose someone is visiting Japan for the first time. In that case, I would never—never—recommend that they exclude Kyoto from their itinerary—a suggestion that is more popular than you might imagine. Whether you have one week, two weeks, or a year to plan your trip, Kyoto is an amazing town that should be on any itinerary for your first trip to Japan.
2) Kyoto: Dining at Pontochio
One city that I consider to be “a classic destination” and one that will always be in style is Kyoto. Kyoto, the former capital of Japan, is incredibly rich in historical and cultural attractions, and I believe that seeing Kyoto is a must-do to ensure that all other places one sees in Japan are properly understood.
I just wrote a piece about the benefits of traveling to Kyoto. I shared a list of some of my favorite spots in Kyoto in a different post. To see some of Kyoto’s breathtaking attractions, I would suggest spending at least three (preferably four) full days there. You should also allow some additional time to wander the city’s winding alleyways and peruse the quaint little cafés and stores.
3) Tokyo
In Tokyo, where I currently reside, it comes down to personal taste. 2012 was my first trip to Japan, and I did not go to Tokyo. I just spent a single day in Tokyo during my second trip to the country. It’s orderly, handy, safe, and home to some of the greatest parks and gardens in all of Japan. As a destination, though, I could live without it.
It is, after all, a massive metropole in terms of both people and size. Well, it’s not your usual one. It might not be feasible to fully explore Tokyo’s many facets in a single short visit, though, to understand how it varies from other metropolises. When I first went to Tokyo, I was unable to recognize the unique qualities that set the city apart from other major cities. I felt that I should have spent my time elsewhere in Japan instead of wasting it here.
4) Ginko Trees in Tokyo
Don’t misunderstand me. Tokyo is without a doubt among the world’s and Japan’s most culturally rich cities. There is also a thriving nightlife in the city, according to reports (I arrived here when I was 40, so ask me about the early hours of the morning, not what goes on after dark). The city has a lot to offer if you plan your visit around particular museums, landmarks, restaurants, and urban activities.
5) Get a Noodle Dish from Tokyo’s Ramen Street
Many people imagine quiet temples and zen gardens when they think of Japan. Therefore, arriving in Tokyo and seeing that the atmosphere is anything but calm might be jarring. Tokyo is the world’s largest metropolitan hub, home to 37 million people, and its sheer size and congestion may be intimidating. It’s best to feel the energy and take in how well this megalopolis works.
Tokyo Station is a great place to start since it offers a glimpse of everything Japanese. From the Daimaru Tokyo department store, which has a food hall full of elegantly packed rice crackers and mochi, to “Ramen Street,” an indoor stretch of noodle eateries, and “Character Street,” a line of stores where whether your mascot is Totoro, Hello Kitty, or Miffy, you can stock up on them.
6) Stay in Tokyo at the New Bulgari Hotel
You should choose a hotel that will provide you with a break from the hectic metropolitan setting before you visit Shibuya Scramble Crossing, the busiest pedestrian crossing in the world. With the Olympics approaching a few years before the epidemic, Tokyo, along with the rest of Japan, was resolved to address its ongoing hotel room crisis. Numerous new establishments were conceived, and then opened to insects during the epidemic. That isn’t an issue anymore;, due to the surge in travel, the most well-liked hotels sell out quickly these days.
7) Kanazawa: A Star in the Area
One of my favorite cities in Japan is Kanazawa, which is accessible to both Tokyo (Shinkansen) and Kyoto (limited express) via direct rail service that takes a little over two hours. The moniker “Little Kyoto” seems a touch patronizing given everything that the city has to offer independently. With one of Japan’s best modern art museums, a bustling dining and drinking scene (that includes delicious Kaisei cuisine), and streets that retain the feel of the Edo period, mid-sized Kanazawa is a great urban choice for anyone wishing to experience the historical and contemporary aspects of one of the country’s most well-known (though still lesser-known) cities.
A few years ago, during a ten-day trip, I wrote about my proposals for Kanazawa. Nikko is a fantastic substitute for simple trekking and sightseeing. Nikko is a fantastic choice if you are on a tight schedule and want to spend a day or two away from Tokyo. It has both natural and cultural activities. You may have already seen that I adore Nikko, and in especially, Okunikko (also known as the inner Nikko), if you have been reading my blog.
8) Fall in Japan, beside Nikko’s Lake Yunoko
One of Japan’s most significant religious hubs is Nikko. One of the monuments is the Toshogu Shinto Shrine, which was constructed in the 17th century during the Edo Period. Tokugawa Ieyasu, the man who established the shogunate that controlled Japan for 250 years, is interred in the temple.
I go to Nikko frequently, albeit not always to see shrines. There is a network of (simple) hiking trails in Okunikko, the area that begins at the gorgeous Lake Chuzenji and finishes at Lake Yunoko. These paths lead hikers through an amazing range of scenic vistas. The fall foliage season, which begins in early October, is when the area is most picturesque.
9) Browse Aoyama’s Nezu Museum
In the trendy Aoyama neighborhood, the sleek glass and steel Nezu Museum showcases a collection of Japanese and East Asian art. It was rebuilt by Kengo Kuma in 2009. A cultural center with boutique stores and a café is housed in the Spiral building nearby, and Arts&Science provides well-chosen clothing and home decor. The Mori Art Museum in Roppongi Hills is home to modern art exhibitions housed in a Richard Gluckman-designed tower. “World Classroom,” the current exhibition, included artists such as Ai Weiwei and Joseph Beuys. For porcelain bowls in the Nagasaki style, visit the Hakusan Shop located in Aoyama. Savor a fusion of fashion, design, and art in these energetic Tokyo neighborhoods.
10) Matsumoto: History, Art, and Nature
Among Japan’s foreign inhabitants, Matsumoto is quite the hit. In September, my friends paid a visit to the city situated in Nagano Prefecture. In addition to its marvels, the city was an ideal base town for a three-day journey that included multiple site visits. It was a lengthy weekend vacation.
Reputable Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama was born and raised in Matsumoto, which is reachable from Tokyo in less than three hours by limited express. She kindly gave the Matsumoto City Museum of Art a sizable collection of her artwork, so you may probably admire Kusama’s work there without having to deal with as many people as you would elsewhere.
11) Japan’s Castle from the Exterior
One of the twelve original castles in Japan still standing is located in Matsumoto. Constructed in 1594, Matsumoto Castle is known as “Crow Castle” because of its dark exterior.
12) Kamikochi Nagano
In addition to offering more than enough attractions to occupy you for a minimum of two days, the city serves as a jumping-off point for Japan’s most stunning hiking area. Matsumoto is around an hour’s drive from Kamikochi. Numerous hiking paths can be found in the natural region, some of which ascend Japan’s highest peaks.
One of the most well-preserved cities along Japan’s historic postal route, the Nakasendo Route, which linked Kyoto and Tokyo during the Edo Period, is Nagiso, a worthwhile day trip from Matsumoto. Traditional Japanese-style residences may be seen throughout the town; these days, the majority of them are used as cafés, stores, and guest houses.
13) Indulge in a Japanese Thermal Bathing Experience
There are now more housing alternatives in Kyoto, such as the Mitsui Kyoto by Akira Kuryu, which features private onsen tubs, and the Shinmonzen Inn by Tadao Ando. In Japan, high tea is fashionable, and Fauchon L’Hôtel Kyoto has stylish accommodations and a well-liked tea salon. Experience tea with a seasonal melon theme at the Jean-Michel Gathy-designed Four Seasons Hotel Tokyo at Otemachi. For those looking for a classic Japanese thermal bath experience in Kyoto, these new establishments provide an opulent experience.
Conclusion
In this post blog, we discussed some areas of Japan 2024 to visit, if you are a Japanese lover and want to travel to Japan. Many restaurants, historical places, and cities are the best areas of Japan in 2024. We will discuss some other food and cultural history in other posts. I will write more for travelers to help them make travel easy in Japan. Make sure that, in case of any confusion, you may ask me. I’m always here to help you.
