PLACES YOU MUST VISIT IN JAPAN
Published on Nov 18, 2015
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PLACES YOU MUST VISIT IN JAPAN
CREATED BY: TASYA AYU SAFIRA
Japan has always been a popular holiday destination for foreign tourists, but last year saw a record number of tourists visit its shores. This can probably be attributed to a weaker yen and easing of visa requirements for travellers from some Asian countries, but I also think the quality of the attractions and sights on offer draws the tourists in as well.
The Japanese government has also made a concerted effort to increase the amount of visitors to Japan via various promotional campaigns. Boosting tourism has been one of the cornerstones of Prime Minister Abe’s growth strategy for Japan.
The following is a list of what I think are the top places to visit in Japan.
1. NIKKO
Photo by digital-dreams
Nikko is home to some of the most lavishly decorated temples and shrines in Japan and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Far from the tempered traditional Japanese architectural style, the buildings here are gilded and adorned in excess. It is a beautiful and unique sight.
Photo by arcreyes [-ratamahatta-]
The paths connecting the temples are framed by a forest of giant cedar trees, no less impressive than the man-made structures. The whole complex can be seen in approximately 3 hours, but it takes a 2-hour train ride to get here from Tokyo, so it is better to plan your day in advance and start early.
2. KAMAKURA
Photo by Yoshikazu TAKADA
Kamakura is the living image of ancient Japan. It is literally packed with beautiful Zen temples and Shinto shrines and though not a UNESCO World Heritage Site yet, chances are it will become someday. For the moment, it quietly awaits on the tentative list.
Photo by bryan...
Kamakura is about 1-hour ride from Tokyo by JR line and though most attractions line along (or not far) from the main road, it might require more than one day to explore it all. To make the most of your day trip to what was once the political center of Japan, I suggest you get there early in the morning, take the bus in one direction or the other and walk your way back, in an attempt to see as much as possible.
Kamakura is a quiet little residential town and strolling through its streets it's very pleasant. There aren't any tall buildings here and you might welcome this break from Tokyo's skyscrapers and crowds. The most famous sight in Kamakura is the Great Buddha (Daibutsu) at Kotoku-in, second largest bronze Buddha in Japan (the largest one is in Todaiji Temple from Nara).
Photo by Arian Zwegers
Also known as the 'Crow Castle' due to its elegant black exterior, this is the most breathtaking castle we've seen in Japan. The town of Matsumoto is reachable by JR line from Tokyo in about two and a half hours, and from the rail station you can walk to the castle in a quarter of an hour.
Photo by Nesient42
The castle might be the only important attraction in town, but it really has the 'wow' effect and it is well worth the trip. Surrounded by the Japanese Alps, Matsumoto Castle passed through different architectural stages over its long history. It is nowadays one of four castles designated as 'National Treasures of Japan' and the oldest castle donjon remaining in Japan.
Photo by shin--k
4. FUJIGOKO
Photo by Worlds In Focus
The Fuji Five Lake (Fujigoko) region lies at the northern base of Mount Fuji about 1000 meters above sea level around the lakes Kawaguchiko, Saiko, Yamanakako, Shojiko and Motosuko. It is one of the best places to view Mount Fuji from a close distance and a good base for climbing the mountain.
Photo by TANAKA Juuyoh (田中十洋)
Among the lakes, Lake Kawaguchiko is the easiest to access and offers the most things to see and do for the average foreign traveler. The four other lakes are less developed than Lake Kawaguchiko and are not as easy to access by public transportation.
Photo by *_*
Fujigoko is known as a lake resort area, where hiking, camping, fishing and snow sports are among the popular outdoor activities that can be enjoyed. There are also plenty of hot springs and museums found in the area, along with Fuji Q Highland, one of Japan's most popular amusement parks with record breaking roller coasters.
Photo by adam_gulkis
Mount Koya is the center of Shingon Buddhism, an important Buddhist sect which was introduced to Japan in 805 by Kobo Daishi (also known as Kukai), one of Japan's most significant religious figures. A small, secluded temple town has developed around the sect's headquarters that Kobo Daishi built on Koyasan's wooded mountaintop. It is also the site of Kobo Daishi's mausoleum and the start and end point of the Shikoku 88 Temple Pilgrimage.
Photo by Stéfan
Koya-san or Mount Koya is a complex of temples, monasteries and necropolis deep inside a mountainside forest. The area is one of Japan’s most pristine and sacred and is often called the “Shangri-la” of Japan. Koya-san is best experienced with an overnight stay at one of the town’s temple lodgings to catch a glimpse of Japanese spirituality and long-held religious traditions.
6. tsukiji market
Photo by blprnt_van
Tsukiji Market is a large wholesale market for fish, fruits and vegetables in central Tokyo. It is the most famous of over ten wholesale markets that handle the distribution of fish, meat, produce and flowers in Tokyo. Tsukiji Market is best known as one of the world's largest fish markets, handling over 2,000 tons of marine products per day. It is scheduled to move to a new site in Toyosu in November 2016.
Photo by Yohei Yamashita
The sight of the many kinds of fresh fish and other seafood and the busy atmosphere of scooters, trucks, sellers and buyers hurrying around, make Tsukiji Market a major tourist attractions. In fact, the numbers of visitors have increased so much over recent years, that they have become a problem to the course of business, as the aging market's infrastructure was not anticipated to serve as a tourist spot.
Photo by lepoSs
