There is an air of mystery around Japanese customs. This method is the apex of fusing time-tested procedures with the speed and precision of modern technology. In spite of its reputation as one of the most industrialized countries in the world, Japan has a fascinating past that extends back thousands of years.
Several of Europe’s most stunning cathedrals were built after Japan’s Shinto and Buddhist temples had already become well-established and drawn pilgrims and consumers with their intricate architecture and décor. While this was happening, the country was honing the trades that would bring it future prosperity, such as making high-quality ceramics and materials like silk.
Much of this rich culture has been preserved (or rebuilt) despite battles and natural tragedies, making a trip to Japan an unforgettable experience. The country of Japan is a terrific vacation spot, complete with interesting landmarks, exciting activities, and informative museums. Get your tickets now and prepare to be blown away by Japan.
If you’re planning a trip to Japan, use our travel guide as your go-to resource for learning about everything the country has to offer.
1. Hiroshima Peace Monument
No need to revisit the August 1945 Hiroshima atomic bombing. Yet, it is comforting that this flourishing metropolis has gone to such great efforts to remember the victims of the first nuclear strike on humanity. Hiroshima’s symbolism of peace is incalculable.
The Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park was built on a commercial district damaged by the atomic bomb. This area has several 9/11 monuments, museums, and other landmarks.
The Peace Memorial Museum in the park has various foreign peace displays and a beautiful cherry blossom display. This location has the Memorial Cenotaph, Atom Bomb Dome, and government building ruins.
2. Miyajima Island’s Itsukushima Shrine
Hiroshima’s small Miyajima (Shrine Island) may be accessed by boat in an hour. Itsukushima Shrine is a Shinto temple on Miyajima, a little island in Hiroshima Bay, dedicated to the daughters of the wind god Susanoo (approximately 30 square kilometers in total).
The shrine’s seventh-century constructions were erected on pilings to escape the harbor’s shallow waters. These structures, notably the Great Floating Gate (O-Torii), seem eerie when the water is high.
Exploring larger spaces, especially ones connected by corridors and bridges, is fascinating. Beautiful halls include the Honden (Main Hall), Heiden (Offerings Hall), Haiden (Prayer Hall), and Hall with a Thousand Mats (Senjokaku).
The temple also features a platform where visitors may see cultural acts including traditional dances and musical concerts. Several different kinds of birds visit the Island because of the attractive landscaping there.
3. Fuji-san
Japan’s most recognizable landmark, Fuji-san (Mount Fujisummit. )’s This famous summit rises 3,776 meters above the surrounding plains to the south and east, making it visible from Tokyo, more than 100 kilometers to the north.
In 2013, Mount Fuji’s cultural and historical significance was officially acknowledged by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization. The mountain’s majestic presence has inspired artists for centuries. In the summer, more than a million people visit Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park in Japan to climb Mount Fuji and see the sunrise.
Most hikers opt to begin at the 5th Station, which is far over the halfway point and cuts the total hiking time to around 6 hours. Anyone interested in making the ascent should get a head start in the afternoon and stay in one of the “Mountain Huts” dotted across the terrain. If you want to see the sunrise from the peak the next day, you’ll need to have an early start.
4. Festivals and Fukuoka Castle Ruins
The early 1600s Fukuoka Castle (Fukuoka-j) is in ruins in the center of Maizuru Park. During the time of the Shoguns and other great city lords, it was typical for them to live in huge hilltop homes like the one seen here. It was tragically destroyed in the anti-feudal purges that followed the Meiji Restoration.
Despite the destruction, the castle’s main gate and one of its towers are still discernible among the debris. Once you make it to the top, you’ll be able to see the entire city beyond the ruins. The picturesque lookouts and green walkways with views of the Naka River are the primary draws. The park is also at its most beautiful in the spring when the cherry trees bloom.
The city of Fukuoka is also well-known for the abundance of festivals and other events that take place there. The Hakata Gion Yamakasa event in July lasts for two weeks and features traditional races, elaborate costumes, and colorful parades; it has a history dating back 700 years.
The city has both ancient and modern points of interest. Topping the list is Canal City Hakata, a mini-city with high-end stores, hotels, restaurants, and even a theater all linked together by a canal.
5. Koyasan Okunoin
When thinking about must-see tourist destinations, a cemetery probably isn’t the first place that comes to mind. Koyasan Okunoin of Japan, on the other hand, represents a major departure. The possible location of Kobo Daishi’s burial, the founder of Shingon Buddhism, makes this temple one of Japan’s holiest shrines.
Kukai, or Daishi, played a vital role in the development of Japanese Buddhism. One interpretation puts him in a contemplative state, waiting for the Future Buddha. People who visit his gravesite do so with the sure knowledge that they will be saved eternally.
Ichinohashi Bridge is the first bridge guests will see while arriving at the cemetery. More than two hundred thousand tombstones line the path to the tomb. You can also honor your ancestors with a prayer and an offering at Gokusho Offering Hall.
The holiest part of the cemetery is also separate from the rest of the grounds by the Gobyobashi Bridge. In front of the tomb, a large building called Toronto Hall can be seen; it is possible that here is where the Miroku Stone is kept. It’s possible the tomb lies beyond that Hall; if you find it, it’s an impressive sight. There is plenty of light from the many lanterns.
If you find yourself in the presence of hundreds of pilgrims from all over Japan who have traveled to Kobo Daishi to pray and sing in his honor, you can’t help but affect, even if you don’t believe in Kobo Daishi.
6. Peninsula of Izu
Peninsula located 62 miles southwest of Tokyo, perfect for a getaway. Attracting both locals and visitors are the area’s pristine beaches and soothing hot springs. They’re in Atami and Shimoda, two eastern Izu Peninsula cities with museums and traditional hotels (traditional Japanese inns). Kawazu’s spring cherry blossoms are popular. These are rocky yet gorgeous beaches like Nagashima and the Island’s southern and western white sands.
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