There’s More to Japan than Tokyo and Osaka. 10 Memorable Places All Tourists Should Visit to See More of Japan.
After living in both Osaka and Tokyo, my advice is always to spend time away from those cities.
They’re great cities with lots of things to do. But it’s easy for tourists to think that’s all there is to Japan. By focusing on those 2 places, you’ll miss out on so much.
Here is a list of places you can visit from Tokyo and Osaka.
Places around Tokyo
Get out to Kamakura for some sea air and history.
About an hour south of Tokyo by train, Kamakura used to be the capital of Japan. It has beautiful temples (my favorite is Hase temple with its hundreds of statues), a giant Buddha, and beaches. Some people call Kamakura the eastern Kyoto, but it has the bonus of the beach.
If you like history and the ocean, you can’t go wrong with Kamakura.
Next, visit Yokohama, a relaxed port city with some great Chinese food.
Go to Minato Mirai for shopping, a theme park, and great night views. Or you could walk around Japan’s biggest Chinatown. Yokohama is a relaxed city with a bit of everything.
If you like harbor views and Chinese food, you can’t go wrong with Yokohama.
More into mountains and forests — try Nikko.
Visit Nikko for one of Japan’s most beautiful shrines, Toshogu Shrine. Or find the wild monkeys and hot springs in the national park. Nikko is a stunning natural area.
If you like monkeys, hot springs, and ancient shrines, you can’t go wrong with Nikko.
Or go east for views of Mt Fuji and hot springs in Hakone.
See Mt Fuji across Lake Ashinoko. Then relax in the hot springs. Hakone is a beautiful place for a relaxing few days.
If you like relaxing in the mountains, you can’t go wrong with Hakone.
Hit Karuizawa to escape the summer heat in a stylish mountain resort.
Fine dining — check. Luxurious accommodation — check. Beautiful nature — check.
If you like stylish mountain resorts, you can’t go wrong with Karuizawa.
Places around Osaka
Temples, shrines, and traditional culture galore in Kyoto.
There is so much to see in Kyoto. And it’s all great. See the beautiful shrines and temples, walk on the nightingale floors in Nijo Castle, and watch the maiko in Gion.
If you like history and culture, you can’t go wrong with Kyoto.
Next, eat and shop by the harbor, or relax in the mountains of Kobe.
Hit the stylish shops and restaurants of Sannomiya and Motomachi before heading to Meriken Park for the harbor views. Or head up into the mountains for the hot springs in Arima. Or do both as it’s well connected.
If you like the sea and mountains, you can’t go wrong with Kobe.
See one of the biggest wooden buildings in the world, and the friendly deer in Nara Park.
Take a walk around Nara Park. Feed the deer. Then be amazed by Todaiji Temple and its giant Buddha statue.
If you like history and parks full of deer, you can’t go wrong with Nara.
Climb the narrow staircases of Himeji Castle for a memorable experience.
This 400-year-old castle is one of the biggest and best-preserved in Japan. Spend a day walking around its gardens. And climbing those stairs to the viewing platform.
If you like castles, you can’t go wrong with Himeji.
Finally, walk through the maple tree forest to Minoh waterfall.
OK, this is technically in Osaka but feels like a million miles away. Walk through the forest, take photos by the waterful. But be careful monkeys don’t steal your snacks.
If you like forest walks close to the city, you can’t go wrong with Minoh.
