Japan Beyond Tokyo: 10 Cities You Need on Your Travel List

Tokyo often becomes the main stop for tourists from various countries. Its futuristic landscape, the beauty of the city at night, and the diverse tourist destinations make everyone want to explore this capital city of Japan.

 

 

However, there are many other cities in the Land of the Rising Sun that are also interesting to visit. The charm of traditional culture and the stunning natural beauty in each city offer a unique experience that will make your holiday more memorable.

 

 

Which cities should you visit? Here is the list.

 

 

1. Kyoto

One of the famous cities in Japan besides Tokyo is Kyoto. As the former capital of Japan, Kyoto displays a strong charm of culture and history. In this city, you can visit various temples that are legendary in Japan, such as the magnificent Kiyomizu-dera, or the Fushimi Inari Taisha which is so famous for its red torii gates.

 

 

There is also the Arashiyama Area which offers a calming green view of the bamboo forest. For those of you who want to 'heal' in Japan, this city is the right choice. If you are lucky, you might see cherry blossoms blooming in this city.

 

 

2. Osaka

As the third-largest city in Japan, Osaka is also included in the 10 largest cities in Japan that have an attraction in terms of art. Therefore, it's not surprising that there are always music and cultural festivals in this city.

 

 

Known as a culinary destination, this city also has many restaurants and cafes that serve authentic Japanese food, the taste of which is undeniable.

 

 

Osaka is also famous for its beautiful river views, suitable for a relaxed walk. Not only that, but the local people of Osaka are also known to be friendlier than the people of other Japanese metropolitan cities.

 

 

3. Sapporo

Sapporo is one of the most beautiful cities in Japan. In this city, you can enjoy interesting nature tourism in Japan, such as onsen (hot springs), waterfalls, flower parks, and other attractive places.

 

 

In winter, this city always holds the Sapporo Snow Festival, displaying amazing giant ice and snow sculptures. So, don't forget to include this city on your must-visit list.

 

 

4. Fukuoka

Fukuoka is a modern port city on the island of Kyushu that has a traditional touch. For those who want to study history, this city is the right destination. In this city, there are many historical museums and unique and beautiful parks.

 

 

In addition, this city also has unique dining spots. One of the famous ones is yatai, which are street food stalls that serve local dishes, such as tonkotsu ramen. In Fukuoka, you can also taste the best quality mentaiko (preserved and seasoned pollock or cod roe), a Japanese specialty.

 

 

5. Hiroshima

Hearing the word Hiroshima, our memory floats to 1945, when the American atomic bomb fell and destroyed the city. The Peace Memorial Park and Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum provide information and insight into the event while conveying a message of peace.

 

 

Besides navigating the dark memory of the past, this city also offers interesting activities such as a relaxed walk in Shukkeien Garden and visiting exhibitions at the Hiroshima City Museum of Contemporary Art.

 

 

6. Yokohama

Yokohama, as the capital of Kanagawa Prefecture, offers a variety of tourist attractions. Its location not far from Tokyo makes this city easy to visit. Some interesting places to visit include Minato Mirai, a waterfront area with skyscrapers, shopping centers, and an amusement park.

 

 

The city also houses the Ramen Museum, a must-visit destination for food lovers, where you can learn more about the history of this specialty dish. You can even make your own ramen here.

 

 

7. Nagoya

This city is known as a port city that has its own uniqueness. One of its attractions is Nagoya Port, where you can enjoy various tourist attractions, including a giant aquarium.

 

 

In Nagoya, you can also find the historical Nagoya Castle, various museums, amusement parks, delicious culinary delights, as well as modern shopping and entertainment centers. The city is famous as an industrial city, but it also offers many interesting places for cultural tourism, including sites related to important historical figures like Oda Nobunaga.

 

 

8. Nara

Nara is one of the safest cities in Japan. In this city, you can go around visiting various interesting places, one of which is Todai-Ji Temple, where you can see a giant Buddha statue that is 15 meters tall.

 

 

One of the famous places in this city is Nara Park, a large park that is home to hundreds of tame sika deer that are considered messengers of the gods. You can even interact and feed the deer with special crackers. Inside this park, you will also find Kofuku-ji Temple.

 

 

There are many more interesting destinations such as Kasuga Taisha Shrine, Mount Wakakusa, Higashimuki Shopping Street (a busy street with various shops and restaurants), Naramachi (an area containing traditional houses and a strong historical atmosphere), and Koriyama Castle which offers a view of Japanese military history.

 

 

9. Niseko

An abundance of soft fresh snow, stunning scenery with hills surrounded by snowy mountains, a hot spring (onsen) paradise, and a plethora of delicious Hokkaido gourmet restaurant options – these are some of the factors that make Niseko famous. For those of you planning a vacation to Japan in winter, you must visit this city.

 

 

Don't want to ski? Relax, there are many interesting nature attractions in this city, one of which is Fukidashi Park, a nature park in the Niseko region, known for its beautiful scenery and unique natural landscape. Besides that, there are several other interesting places such as Mount Yotei, Takahashi Farm Milk Kobo, and of course, onsen or hot springs.

 

 

10. Beppu

The last city you must visit is Beppu. A city that offers extraordinary hot spring (onsen) tourism. Beppu is famous for its eight characteristic hot springs and various ryokan (traditional Japanese inns). In addition, you can also visit the Hells of Beppu (Jigoku), a series of unique hot spring pools like Chinoike Jigoku (red pool) and Umi Jigoku (blue pool), and take the Beppu Ropeway for a panoramic view from Mount Tsurumi.

 

 

Well now, it's time for you to create your Japan holiday itinerary, and put the cities above on your must-visit list. Happy Holidays!