Japan is a country like no other. For someone who hasn’t been to Japan before, the country can be a bit of an enigma. With tourism booming in the country, it’s clear to see that the world is exploring Japan at a pace like never before.
If you’re heading to Japan for the first time, or looking to explore what the country has to offer, then look no further. In this quick guide, we will highlight some of our favourite aspects of travelling Japan, and help share some key insights to help you explore and understand Japan.
Quick Facts
- 🗼Tokyo is the most populous city in the world, with over 37 million people in the metropolitan area.🎌
- 💻Japan is beloved for its futuristic technology and ancient tradition, and both clash during day-to-day life.👘
- 🚃Japan has the world’s busiest train station, Shinjuku Station, which serves over 3.5 million passengers daily.🚅
- ☕Vending machines are everywhere, with over 4 million selling everything from cold drinks to fresh eggs.🍳
- 🌋Japan has more than 100 active volcanoes, including the iconic Mount Fuji.🗻
- 🌍The country experiences around 1,500 earthquakes per year, though most are small tremors.🫨
- 🌸Cherry blossoms (sakura) are a national obsession, and people hold hanami (flower-viewing) parties every spring.🫖
- 🍜Slurping noodles is considered polite, as it shows you’re enjoying your meal.😁
Tokyo Feels Like the Future
Tokyo isn’t just a city—it’s an experience. Towering skyscrapers, streets lined with giant digital billboards, robot-run restaurants, and arcades that make you feel like you’ve stepped into a video game. Whether you’re exploring the wild fashion of Harajuku, hitting up the anime and gaming mecca of Akihabara, or partying in the all-night clubs of Shibuya. Tokyo never seems to sleep.
Despite this, Tokyo also has some stunning sightseeing locations, iconic landmarks, sacred temples that transport you to a different time, and tranquil gardens. Whatever your passion is, the World’s largest city awaits.
Ancient and Serene Shrines and Temples
Japan’s futuristic cities are incredible, but nothing hits quite like walking through a thousand-year-old temple, surrounded by towering trees and the scent of burning incense. Whether you’re into history, spirituality, or just want to see some of the most stunning architecture in the world, Japan’s temples and shrines are next level. Here are the ones you absolutely can’t miss
- Kiyomizu-dera – Built over 1,200 years ago, Kiyomizu-dera is famous for its huge wooden stage, which sticks out from the mountainside and offers insane panoramic views of Kyoto.
- Todai-ji Temple – Todai-ji isn’t just another temple—it’s one of the largest wooden buildings in the world, and inside it sits a 15-meter-tall Great Buddha (Daibutsu) that’s 1,200 years old.
- Ise Grand Shrine – Ise Grand Shrine (Ise Jingu) is the holiest place in Shintoism, dedicated to Amaterasu, the sun goddess. Every 20 years, the shrine is completely rebuilt from scratch, following a 1,300-year-old tradition.
- Kinkaku-ji – Famously known as the Golden Temple, this iconic temple is one of the most visited temples in Japan. With the temple’s origins dating back to the 1300’s, this is one of the more sacred temples in Kyoto.
Food That’s Cheap, Delicious, and Unlike Anything You’ve Had Before
Forget overpriced tourist food—Japan serves up next-level eats at every budget. Japanese food is unlike anything else out there, and each part of the country claims a local speciality food, offering limitless variety
- Ramen joints – Slurp up a giant bowl of noodles, thick juicy slabs of pork, in a rich creamy broth at 3 AM after a night out.
- Sushi trains – Grab fresh sushi straight off a conveyor belt, and enjoy until your hearts content.
- Konbini food – Yes, Japan’s convenience stores have insanely good meals, from onigiri (rice balls) to fried chicken.
- Street food – Try Osaka’s famous takoyaki (octopus balls) or Kyoto’s matcha sweets. Festivals are great places to explore different kinds of street food and local treats.
- Vending Machines – Okay, maybe the vending machines don’t have the best food out there, but they do have a wide variety of cold AND hot drinks, from ice cold water, to hot to the touch coffee, and some strange ones in the mix too…A hot can of corn soup hits different after a day exploring the frozen hills of Hokkaido.
Want to explore more of Japan’s delicious treats? Read more…
It’s an Instagram Dream
Every corner of Japan is picture-perfect. Whether you’re flexing on Instagram or just want to soak up the views, you won’t run out of places to snap the perfect shot:
- TeamLab Borderless – A trippy digital art museum in Tokyo where you literally walk through glowing light installations, funky interactive displays and explore a creative world unlike anywhere else in the world.
- Shibuya Crossing – The busiest pedestrian crossing in the world—an iconic shot for your Japan album.
- Fushimi Inari Shrine – Walk through thousands of bright red torii gates in Kyoto at one of the country’s most famous shrines.
- Dotonbori – Discover Osaka’s vibrant neon-lit canal, reminicent to Time Square.
- Mt Fuji… Need we say more?
Insane Pop Culture and Gaming Scene
Love anime, manga, or gaming? Japan is heaven for pop culture fans of all kinds. Whether you want to find exclusive merchandise, or re-create some of your favourite anime moments, Japan has a wide range of places to explore that immerse you in the pop culture scene.
- Akihabara (Tokyo) – Game arcades, anime stores, themed cafés (yes, even maid cafés).
- Super Nintendo World (Osaka) – Live your Mario Kart dreams in real life.
- Ghibli Museum – A must-visit if you love Spirited Away and My Neighbor Totoro.
- Ikebukuro (Tokyo) – A hotspot for otaku culture, featuring the massive Pokémon Center Mega Tokyo, the immersive VR Zone, and Sunshine City Mall packed with anime-themed attractions.
The Best Views in Japan That Will Blow Your Mind
Japan isn’t just about city lights and ancient temples—it’s also home to some of the most jaw-dropping views on the planet. Whether you’re into skyline panoramas, epic mountain scenery, or ocean sunsets, Japan has spots that will make your Instagram explode. Here are some of the absolute best:
- Tokyo Skytree – View the world’s largest city, from Japan’s tallest tower at 634m high, offering up one of the best views of the metropolis.
- Arakurayama Sengen Park – If you’ve ever seen a postcard of Japan, there’s a good chance it was taken here. The Chureito Pagoda offers one of the most iconic views of Mt. Fuji, framed by cherry blossoms in spring or fiery red leaves in autumn.
- Itsukushima Shrine – Found on Miyajima Island, the torii gate of Itsukushima Shrine looks like it’s hovering on the water during high tide. At sunset, the whole scene turns golden-orange, creating one of the most beautiful views in the country
The Trains Are Straight-Up Magic
Public transport in Japan is so good, it feels fake. The bullet train (Shinkansen) gets you across the country at 320 km/h (200 mph), and local trains are always on time. Grab a Japan Rail Pass and you’ll be hopping between Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka in no time.
Discover Japan with the JR Pass
Discover Japan like never before with the Japan Rail Pass (JR Pass), your ticket to seamless travel across the Japan. Unlock the full potential of Japan’s extensive rail network, renowned for its punctuality, comfort, and convenience.
Discover Japan like never before with the Japan Rail Pass (JR Pass), your ticket to seamless travel across the Japan. Unlock the full potential of Japan’s extensive rail network, renowned for its punctuality, comfort, and convenience. Read More…
Forget the hassle of purchasing individual tickets for every journey. The JR Pass offers exceptional value for money, available in flexible durations ranging from 7 to 21 days, allowing you to tailor your travel experience to suit your itinerary. Read More…
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