If you've been following me for a while, you know that I was away on honeymoon for 3 weeks in Japan this past July and after I ran a poll on Instagram to see which subjects would interest you more, more than 75% of you have asked for a list of places to visit, so here it is! This is going to be a long post that's been in the making for quite some time as I wanted to make sure to get in as much detail as possible. So, get comfy and read through!
Japan is an island nation made up of 5 main islands - Kyushu, Shikoku, Honshu, Hokkaido and Okinawa and a number of smaller islands. We spent three weeks on the largest of them, Honshu and we stayed at Kyoto, Osaka and Tokyo and also visited Kobe, Nara and Odaiba (part of Tokyo).
In this first post of two, I will be sharing with you the historical places and nature spots we visited and which are totally worth visiting if you're going to Japan. But, by no means is this an exhaustive list of all you can see and do in this marvellous country.
Japan is blessed with lush greenery all year round and especially during summer when it is very rainy and humid. Consequently, there are a lot of hiking trails you can take as well as pleasant walks in rural areas. Kyoto and Osaka, although they are both very big cities, are completely different from the metropolis that is Tokyo and they are still neighboured by very lush forests and ambiences.
- Arashiyama Bamboo Forest
Admission: Free
This is a must-visit when in Kyoto. It's only 30 minutes away from Kyoto station and I would advise you to go early to avoid the crowds and get some good pictures taken, you know, for the gram 😜. Walking to the forest is a pleasure and it's nice to see the area gradually come to life as the day rolls by. There are some parks nearby where you can take a walk and just generally breathe in pure air and take in the peaceful surroundings.
- Iwatayama Monkey Park
Just a 15-minute walk from Arashiyama will take you to Iwatayama Monkey Park, a park inhabited by some 170 Japanese macaque monkeys. Be sure to wear comfortable clothing and a good pair of shoes when visiting as the walk uphill is quite steep. The view from the top (Mt. Arashiyama) and the monkeys make it all worthwhile though! You cannot touch the monkeys but you can feed them from behind a cage with food purchased on site.
- Fushimi Inari Taisha
Also close to Kyoto is Fushimi Inari Taisha, a popular Shinto shrine, instantly recognizable from the thousands of vermilion coloured Torii gates. Again it is advisable to go early to avoid the crowds and wear good walking shoes as you are going to walk a lot to get to the very top. Unfortunately, when we visited, it was really rainy and we decided to stop halfway as we wouldn't have seen much of the view the place has to offer because of the fog and rain which were getting in the way.
- Hakone
A day trip to Hakone from Tokyo is a must. On a clear day (definitely not in summer, when it's really foggy and humid), you will get spectacular views of Mount Fuji, the highest point in Japan but this area can be enjoyed all year round with various places to visit including Hakone Shrine, Hakone Open Air Museum, and the Hakone cable car.
- Nara park
This is one of the cutest places we have visited on our trip to Osaka. It's only an hour away via underground and as soon as you come out of the station, you will see deer on the pavement leading up to the shrine and you can feed them crackers which you buy just outside of the shrine. Be careful though, if you're not quick enough to feed them, they bite! On the other hand, if you don't have any crackers, they will leave you alone and you can pet them too, just always be careful as at the end of the day they are still wild animals. While there, be sure to pay a visit to the nearby temple and shrine.
- Osaka aquarium
One of Osaka's highlights is the Osaka Aquarium. I don't usually visit such places where animals are essentially held in captivity, but this place was recommended a lot when I was researching places to visit on our trip and thus we just had to go. The giant tank that houses the sharks and stingrays is definitely the main attraction but the other areas hosting the otters, penguins, puffins and all sorts of creatures are equally enchanting. You can also pet some fish and mantas on your way out! It definitely didn't disappoint and was totally worth our time!
Japan is steeped in history and this is very much palpable all throughout the country - from the various shrines and temples to the majestic castles, these are our top recommendations, with the majority of them being in Kyoto, the old capital of Japan.
- Nijo Castle
Admission:￥1000 each adult for castle and gardens
This castle is one of the oldest in Japan and it is totally worth visiting for it is a splendid example of Japanese architecture and the gardens are a sight to behold. Make sure to go into the castle and experience the nightingale corridors and appreciate the paintings inside.
- Kinkakuji Golden Pavilion
Another landmark that's not to be missed, Kinkaku-ji, the awe-inducing Golden Pavilion. Nestled among lush greenery, this is one of the most beautiful sites to visit on your trip to Kyoto. Take your time to visit the surrounding gardens and immerse yourself in the peace of mind this place provides.
- Kyoto Imperial Palace
This palace was home to the Imperial Family of Japan in olden times and you can visit it and enjoy a stroll in the lush gardens surrounding the palaces. Best thing about it? Admission is free! The Imperial Palace in Tokyo, on the other hand, is the current seat of the Imperial family and thus you can only go in the outer gardens.
- Kiyomizu Dera Temple
Admission:￥300 each adult + additional fees if you want to go further to other temples and areas
You might get a feeling of being a bit templed out when in Japan but there are a few that you just don't want to miss, with Kiyomizu Dera being one of them. You can explore different temples within the grounds and try the handwashing ritual yourself while admiring the 5 storey pagoda. Don't forget to touch the Buddha stone for good luck while you're too!
- Ninenzaka & Gion including a tea ceremony
Just a short walk from Kiyomizu Dera temple is the Gion district and Ninenzaka which are famous for Geishas and tea ceremonies respectively. Be sure to book a tea ceremony and allow yourself to immerse all your senses in a once in a lifetime experience. We booked at Nagomi Tea House and we thoroughly enjoyed the experience with Lisa, our host.
- Osaka Castle
Admission:￥600 each adult
Your first stop in the city of Osaka should be Osaka Castle - a majestic castle adorned with gold figures which was once the home of samurai. While there you will get the chance to get to know more about samurai and even try on a costume and have your picture taken!
- Samurai Museum
Admission:￥1500 each adult
The Samurai Museum in Tokyo is another enriching experience if you want to learn more about samurai. We even watched a samurai sword fight show here and even had the opportunity to have our picture taken with katanas and the samurai.
- Meiji Shrine
Admission: Free
- Asakusa, Senso-ji Temple & kimono rental
This is one of the spots you can't miss in Tokyo and the best way to explore the area is while wearing a kimono. It does get hot in summer but it's worth even just for the pictures! Renting a kimono is easy, you just have to book beforehand and they will take care of the rest. We opted for Yae Kimono Rental as they are closest to Senso-ji and we even booked a 20-minute rickshaw ride through them.
So those are our top recommendations with regards history and nature. Stay tuned for Part 2 where I'll be sharing with you some miscellaneous places that are totally worth the splurge!
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