No doubt, Japan ranks among the top travel destinations in Asia. For us, coming to Japan has been a beautiful dream for the past two years. Now that Japan arranges to reopen the border for independent tourists, it is time to hunt for the top travel destinations in Japan and discover the must-visit cities in Japan to make your itinerary!

Well, it will be really hard to decide which one is the best city in Japan, the most beautiful one, the most refreshing one, and more. In fact, the cities in Japan have their own characteristics. The best nature city might go to Kyoto, but it doesn’t mean that other cities don’t have nature destinations. For a comprehensive overview, you can refer to a "Japan city travel guide" to explore the "iconic cities in Japan" and their unique attractions.

Although it will be easy to spot the best cities in Japan to visit. It goes to Tokyo, and following it is Osaka.

Here are some of the cities in Japan we recommend you visit on your next holiday!

Tokyo is the capital city of Japan and the most populous metropolitan area in the world. When visiting Japan, more often than not, you will land in Tokyo first. The capital city of Japan is home to two international airports, Narita and Haneda. Set your foot outside the door and plenty of interesting attractions awaits. For travellers exploring Japan travel, Tokyo is often the gateway to discovering some of the best cities Japan has to offer.

Tokyo offers a beautiful blend of history and culture, both traditional and modern. It houses a number of historical sites, from Asakusa Kannon, the oldest temple in Japan, to the Imperial Palace, where the emperor resides. On the modern side of the spectrum, you’ll find the popular Disneysea theme park, Shinjuku entertainment centre, and Ginza shopping district. It's no wonder Tokyo is among the top destinations and must-visit cities for travellers exploring Japan.

Tokyo is a paradise for food lovers, offering a diverse range of culinary experiences. From Michelin-starred restaurants to humble street food stalls, the city's food scene is vibrant and varied like Sukiyabashi Jiro, Ichiran, or Torikizoku. It's a must-visit for anyone exploring Japan, providing an essential Japan guide to the country's rich gastronomic delights.

Kyoto, considered by many as Japan’s most beautiful city, was the Japanese capital until the government was moved to Tokyo in 1868. Japan’s former capital, Kyoto, houses hundreds of Buddhist and Shinto shrines. Each shrine has an interesting history and, very important for young travellers nowadays, an Instagrammable look.

Located northwest of Kyoto, the Kinkaku-ji shrine was built above a reflective pool and has a gold-plated wall. You can also find Fushimi Inari Taisha, which has a row of red temple gates (Torii) you’ve most definitely seen on various websites and social media. Also, don’t miss the chance to visit Kiyomizudera Temple which is part of the UNESCO World Heritage list.

Kyoto, renowned for its traditional Japanese cuisine, offers a myriad of culinary delights. For an exquisite kaiseki experience, visit Kikunoi, a Michelin-starred restaurant known for its beautifully presented multi-course meals. Tempura lovers should not miss Tempura Matsu, where delicate tempura dishes are expertly crafted. Sushi enthusiasts will find Sushi Matsumoto a top choice, offering fresh and meticulously prepared sushi.

Osaka is Japan’s third-largest city and was the country’s first capital. As the second-largest metropolitan city after Tokyo, Osaka is the economic powerhouse and It is considered a vital economic centre in Japan.. Formerly known as Naniwa, Osaka houses one of the most important sites in Japan’s history, the Osaka Palace. The castle was built in the 16th century by Toyotomi Hideyoshi, the military leader who succeeded in uniting Japan.

Osaka is also home to Universal Studios Japan, a theme park from one of the major film studios in Hollywood. Another place that you should not miss while visiting Osaka is Shinsaibashi, which is an entertainment centre and a great place to buy souvenirs for your loved ones at home.

Osaka, known as Japan's culinary capital, boasts a vibrant food scene with numerous must-visit restaurants. For the best takoyaki (octopus balls), head to Creo-Ru in Dotonbori, where you can savour this iconic street food. Okonomiyaki (savoury pancakes) enthusiasts should not miss Ajinoya, renowned for its flavorful and hearty servings. For an authentic kushikatsu (deep-fried skewers) experience, visit Daruma, a popular eatery with a long-standing reputation.

Located south of Tokyo, Yokohama is the capital of Kanagawa Prefecture and the second-largest city in Japan by population. It houses an abundance of famous sightseeing sites like the seaside urban area Minato Mirai, the historic Red Brick Warehouse, and the Yokohama Chinatown.

Big fans of Japanese cuisine will get a kick out of their visit to Yokohama as the city has one of the most interesting museums around, the Ramen Museum. Aside from learning its history, you can eat, shop, and even try to make your own ramen there.

Yokohama offers an array of culinary delights that cater to various tastes. For an authentic Chinese dining experience, visit Shatenka, a well-loved restaurant in Yokohama's famous Chinatown, known for its delicious dim sum and Peking duck. If you're craving ramen, Ippudo Yokohama is a must-visit, offering rich and flavorful tonkotsu ramen.

You are probably familiar with Hiroshima because of its history. Hiroshima is said to be the first city in the world to be attacked by an atomic bomb. Right now, Hiroshima is one of people’s favourite destinations, making it one of the best cities in Japan to visit during the holiday.

When you visit Hiroshima, it wouldn’t be gloomy at all due to the history of it. Although, there are some places in Hiroshima that will remind people of the story of the bombing. The Atomic Bomb Dome or also known as Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park is one of them.

The more heartbreaking place related to the 1945 tragedy is the nearby Children’s Peace Monument. It will make you think about the children that died because of the bombing.

But, don’t worry, Hiroshima also has plenty of cheerful places. Get to know the culture more by visiting Itsukushima Shrine and enjoy its beauty. Get amazed by the castles in Hiroshima, like Hiroshima Castle and Fukuyama Castle.

Hiroshima also boasts an impressive culinary scene that offers both traditional and contemporary Japanese cuisine. Okonomimura is a must-visit for okonomiyaki, Hiroshima's famous savoury pancake, where you can find multiple stalls each offering their unique twist on this beloved dish.

The next best city to visit in Japan is Nara. Nara is close to Osaka and Kyoto. For those of you that love cultural trips, Nara is a must-visit city for you. It will greet you with their collections of temples.

Nara has plenty of temples! There are Todaiji Temple, Horyuji Temple, Kasuga Taisha, Toshodaiji Temple, and more. Of course each temple will have its own characteristic and story, so you can visit them one by one if you like.

Other than those temples, you can enjoy the outdoors hangout in Nara Park, where you can meet all the wild deers in it. A National Museum is available too in Nara, consisting of Buddhist arts. Well, Nara is one of the best cities in Japan that has a strong Buddhist background.

For a taste of traditional Japanese cuisine, visit Kakinoha Sushi Honten, renowned for its kakinoha-zushi, sushi wrapped in persimmon leaves. Edogawa Naramachi is a fantastic spot for enjoying unagi (grilled eel) dishes in a tranquil, historic setting.

Who likes visiting Japan during winter? Well, if you are one of them, then Sapporo is your next best city in Japan. Sapporo has so many attractions related to winter themes, such as skiing and visiting winter festivals. But surely, Sapporo is not only nice during winter. You can visit this best city in Japan anytime you want and enjoy all the fun things to do there!

The next thing you should do is check out Sapporo Beer, if you are a fan of beer. Expand your knowledge about Sapporo Beer by visiting the Sapporo Beer Museum. Other than that, you can choose other things to visit. More museums available: Hokkaido Museum that will explain to you the history of Hokkaido or Hokkaido Museum of Art for all the art lovers.

For a bowl of rich and flavorful miso ramen, head to Ramen Shingen. Nijo Market is a must-visit for seafood lovers, featuring fresh Hokkaido crab and uni (sea urchin) at Kaisen Donburi stalls. Experience the elegance of traditional kaiseki at Hanamaru, known for its exquisite sushi and seasonal dishes.

Japan is strongly related to hot springs, or what they call “onsen” in Japanese. So, if you are looking for the best city in Japan with plenty of choices of hot springs or onsen, Beppu is your answer.

The location is very strategic for Beppu to own plenty of onsen. They even call the geothermal hot spots in Beppu as “eight hells of Beppu”. Pretty scary, but it is actually not. Beppu is what you are looking for when you need some relaxing time while soaking and enjoying the natural hot water.

It is very easy to find the hot springs in Beppu. Just search for Hells of Beppu, Umi Jigoku, and more. Other than being number one for onsen, you can hike on Mount Tsurumi, shop at Kitakoka Shotengai Shopping street, ride the Beppu Ropeway for the greatest view of Beppu, and the most unique one, visiting Beppu beach and try bathing in the sand!

The food in Beppu is spectacular too. Trying the Chicken Tempura and Chicken Karaage in Beppu is a must!

In the island of Honshu, you will find another best city to visit in Japan that is Kobe. If you crave for a place with a beautiful view of the mountains or the harbour, you can come visit Kobe while you are in Japan.

The most known and famous in Kobe is its memorial of the earthquake tragedy back in 1995. There is a Kobe Earthquake Memorial Park to commemorate the incident. It was a big earthquake, one of the biggest earthquakes that happened in Japan. Related to the incident, there is also a statue of the robot that helps rebuild the city. The robot is called The Tetsujin 28.

Anyway, there is still more of Kobe that you can enjoy. This best city to visit in Japan has a variety of destinations, starting from the Oji Zoo that you can visit with your kids, the Ikuta Shrine for a more cultural destination, Mount Rokko for those of you that love to hike, and a tour to the sake brewery.

Start your gastronomic adventure at Kobe Plaisir, where you can savour the world-famous Kobe beef in a luxurious setting. For a traditional Japanese dining experience, visit Kobe Misono, the birthplace of teppanyaki.

Last but not least, the best city to visit in Japan is Kanazawa. When you spend your holiday in Japan, don’t forget to take a day or two to stay in Kanazawa and enjoy all the things you get to see and try here.

You will be confused when you arrange your own Kanazawa itinerary because there are too many interesting places to visit! You can find almost everything in Kanazawa: modern museums, onsen, parks and gardens, temples, and plenty of food to try. Even the Kanazawa station itself is very aesthetic. You can take some mandatory pictures there.

Kanazawa, celebrated for its rich cultural heritage and fresh seafood, offers a delightful culinary journey. Begin your exploration at Omicho Market, renowned for its array of fresh seafood and local delicacies. For a taste of traditional Kanazawa cuisine, visit Izakaya Uotomo, where you can enjoy regional dishes like Kaga cuisine and sake.

During late March to April, Kanazawa is the best city in Japan to enjoy the cherry blossoms as well. But, if you are not going on the time where it blossoms, you don’t need to worry as there are more things to see and do.

The Hakusan National Park, for example, will refresh your sights and be your company when you want to hike. There are still more gems for your eyes: Matsumoto Castle, Kamikochi, or the Kiso-Ontake Mountain Range.

Also, when you plan to go anytime soon, you can pick December as you can enjoy checking out the ski resorts in Nagano.

So, now you already have 10 best cities to visit in Japan for the holiday.

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With the good news coming to realisation in a very short time, go plan your Japan holiday itinerary and add your favourite best city to visit in Japan!