The 8 most beautiful cities in Japan

Japan It is a magical country that many western tourists come to wanting to soak up their culture, which as you know has nothing to do with that of Spain, France or Portugal. There one lives in a totally different way and that is something that is appreciated in every corner.

If you are considering the possibility of carrying out a route through the Japanese country, in addition to reading our tips for visiting it I recommend that you do not lose detail of what I tell you next, since I mention the ones that for me are the 8 most beautiful cities from Japan. Shall we start?

Tokyo

Tokyo is the capital of Japan and the most populous city in the world. Strolling through its streets is an experience that for some may be overwhelming due to the large number of people who concentrate at peak times. In its metropolitan area there are more than 38 million inhabitants, which to give us an approximate idea is only 8 million less than in all of Spain. Brutal.

In Tokyo you can stroll through the electronic neighborhood (Akihabara), visit the Sensoji Temple, go to one of the viewpoints in the city, shop at the world's largest fish market (Tsukiji), move around the beautiful Shibuya neighborhood or walk along the Takeshita-dori pedestrian street, which is the most spectacular and famous in Tokyo.

Hiroshima

Hiroshima is a city that unfortunately is famous for being the setting chosen to launch the first atomic bomb in history. It happened on August 6, 1945, during World War II. Many people died instantly and others from radiation. In fact, there is talk of about 140,000 without counting until December 31, 1945, but if we extend that date to relate more deaths we can go above the 300,000 deceased easily.

Fortunately, there is no longer radiation that can affect people living or visiting Hiroshima. Now it is a beautiful city in which, logically, it is impossible to forget what happened, since there is a cenotaph commemorating the victims, a Museum of Peace, the Genbaku dome (the only building near the epicenter of the explosion that survived on foot) and even visits to the place considered to be ground zero (Naka-ku Street).

Kyoto

On the island of Honshu we find this beautiful city where approximately 1,500,000 people live. There is consensus when it comes to saying that it is one of the most beautiful in Japan and it cannot be denied that it is a piece of living history. That is why you will need at least 3 or 4 days to soak up the beauty of temples such as the Fushimi Inari-taisha or the Kinkaku-ji, two essentials that you will have seen more than once in photographs.

It is also highly recommended to stroll through the Gion neighborhood (that of the geishas), through the Arashiyama bamboo forest (prepare the camera) or through the Path of Philosophy, which leaves you with your mouth open in spring, since that is when the cherry blossoms are in bloom. On the other hand, it doesn't hurt to go to Ryoan-ji, a Zen temple that attracts attention for its relaxing dry garden.

Osaka

In Osaka you will find a mix of the most traditional and the most modern, so it is one of the essential visits in Japan. It is a city that preserves the thousand-year-old Japanese culture, but at the same time infects you with that fever for technology that has spread throughout the country. You will need several days to see everything important, since it is the third largest city and that means that you do not visit it in two days.

I recommend going to the Dotonbori neighborhood, especially if you are looking for an atmosphere. More relaxed is the visit to Osaka Castle, which is spectacular in spring thanks to the flowering of its more than 600 cherry trees (see the photograph in this section). You can also stroll through the peculiar Shinsekai neighborhood Or let yourself be carried away by the charm of manga and electronics in the neighborhood of Nipponbashi. On the other hand, you can also climb the Umeda Sky Building, a 173-meter-high skyscraper from which you will enjoy privileged views.

Sapporo

To speak of Sapporo is to speak of cold. It is on the island of Hokkaidō, in the north of the country, and is characterized by a climate in which snowfall occurs in winter, which explains why a Winter Olympics was held there in 1972.

Its humid continental climate is not a problem if it is warm. You can go to Sapporo Botanical Gardens, to the Clock Tower (Tokedai), to the Shiroi Koibito Park or to the Beer Museum. It is also not a bad plan to enjoy the views from the T38 Observation Deck on the 38th floor of the JR Tower or stroll through Susukino, which is the most atmospheric neighborhood in the city.

Nara

I am convinced that more than once you will have heard that in Japan there is a city where many deer live and you can feed them (you had better). There are more than 1,000 and they receive the name of sika deer, being considered as messengers of the gods according to Shintoism.

In addition to many deer, in Nara there are also temples and gardens that deserve to have the camera ready. Quite close to Nara Park you can visit the Todaiji Temple, which stands out for a statue of the Great Buddha and for the Nandai-mon gate. In this temple, by the way, the Omizutori festival is celebrated in March, a spectacle worth contemplating that has been held for more than 1,250 years.

Sendai

Sendai is a city with more than a million inhabitants famous for its festivals and for the delicious grilled beef tongue (Gyutan) that is cooked in some of its restaurants. There you can also go shopping for Ichibancho, visit the Daikannon statue (it is huge and next to a golf course in the suburbs), party in Kokubuncho or breathe fresh air along Jozenji-dori Avenue, which is full of trees and gives meaning to what Sendai means : The City of Trees.

Yokohama

I finish this list talking about a city that could not be left out. With almost 4 million inhabitants, Yokohama is one of those places that tourists who decide to travel to Japan usually visit, since it is only half an hour from Tokyo. Until 1859 it was a fishing village without major significance, but thanks to its port it has become a city in continuous evolution that can boast of being the second largest in the country.

If you go with children, you cannot miss the opportunity to visit the cosmo world amusement park, which surprises anyone thanks to its spectacular Ferris wheel. It's also not a bad idea to rejoice in the view from the Landmark Tower observatory or learn more about Yokohama's fishing history by accessing the Nippon Maru, a museum ship that was formerly a training ship.

In Yokohama Chinatown you can also have a good time (especially when they celebrate Chinese New Year) and you can't miss out on the opportunity to go through Yamashita Park which is a beautiful promenade.

Recommended article: 10 amazing places in Japan

Top 10 Best Cities To Live In Japan (April 2024)