What will you see in Japan?

Cities & Towns
Large city Old city & town
Traditonal Structures
Japanese castle Shinto shrine & Buddhist temple Japanese garden
Nature & Onsen
Sea & Islands Mountains, Rivers & Lakes Plants & Animals Onsen resorts
Various sightseeing objects
World Heritage Sites Major Festivals Japanese cuisine

Large cities

There are 12 large cities with over one million in population in Japan.

Tokyo is the capital of Japan and is overwhelming big.
It is the main entrance city to travel in Japan.

The other large cities are the center of each region in Japan, and they are the entrances of your travel in the region.

Guide to large cities in Japan

Old cities & towns

In the Middle Ages, many samurai warriors were dotted in all parts of Japan except Hokkaido and Okinawa islands and they reigned his territory as feudal lord.

They built the castle in the central area, and the samurais serving the lord lived around the castle.
After that, merchants and craftsmen gathered there, and castle towns were formed.

Many local cities in Japan have such histories and some cities preserve the historic atmosphere.

Guide to popular old cities & towns across Japan

Japanese castles

Japanese castles were originally military forts to battle for expanding the territory of local lord.
The castles were constructed in the 14th to 16th centuries.
It is said that the number is over 40,000 throughout Japan.

After long civil war period, Japan was unified as a nation and Edo (current Tokyo) Government was founded in 1603.

Since that, the main castles were changed to the governing base of each local area.
And many other forts were abandoned.
It is said that the number of remaining castles is 150 to 200.

The symbolic building of Japanese castle is Castle Tower.
It is the central building of the fortress, but it rather showed the power of the lord.

The castle site is mostly surrounded with earthen walls and stone walls, and some observation towers are set up on the walls.
And most castles have moats not to let the enemy get close.

The lord of the castle lived in a palace in the castle site and managed the governmental affairs there.

The samurai retainers of the lord were lived near the castle.
And merchants and common people gathered around the castle, so a castle town was formed.

That is how most main cities in Japan developed.

After the end of the feudal period by samurai, new modern government had demolished most castle towers and the additional buildings as unnecessary facilities in the 1870s.
Many of them became ruins that stone walls and moats remain.

Some castles were preserved luckily, but some of them were destroyed by air raids in the World War II, unfortunately.

Now only in 12 castles, the original castle towers are preserved.
And, some cities reconstructed the former castle tower as the symbol of the city since the 20th century.

In many castles, visitors are allowed to enter the castle tower as a tourist spot or a museum.

Guide to Japanese castles across Japan

Shinto shrines & Buddhist temples

"Shinto" originated as indigenous religion when ancient Japan was formed around the 6th century.
It is rooted deeply in the mind of Japanese people.

On the other hand, "Buddhism" was introduced from China in the 6th century.
It also has been believed widely in Japan.

Both religions are not opposed to each other, and most Japanese people accept both in everyday life.
(Therefore, Japanese people are relatively tolerant of the other religions such as Christianity, Islam.)

There are many Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples throughout Japan.
Visiting historical shrines and temples has been a style of travel to sacred place for Japanese people.

Guide to famous Shinto shrines across Japan Guide to famous Buddhist temples across Japan

Japanese gardens

Japanese gardens had been builted in castles, temples, and rich residences as a part of the buildings.

Chinese garden was roots of Japanese garden, but Japanese garden emphasizes natural beauty.

They are also the view point of the spots.

Guide to famous Japanese gardens across Japan

Nature & Onsen in Japan

Sea and Islands in Japan

Japan consists of over 14,000 islands.
The mainland consists of four large island, and they account for over 95% of the whole of Japan.

The other small islands are around the mainland and some of them are dotted on a line in the vast ocean.

The islands spread in wide area.
The territory reaches from subarctic zone to subtropical zone.
Because of such geographical features, various climates appear by region.

Sightseeing spots of Sea & Islands across Japan

Mountains, Rivers, Lakes in Japan

The mainland is mountainous and forests cover many areas.
The mountainous districts occupy 70% of the land, so Japanese people live in the narrow flat lands.

Rivers flowing out from the mountains are short.
The rapid streams, gorges and waterfalls are seen in many area.

Guide to Mountains & Lakes across Japan Guide to Rivers, Gorges & Waterfalls across Japan

Plants & Animals in Japan

In such land, there are various fields and forests and various plants and animals are seen.

Guide to Flower gardens, Fields & Forests across Japan Sightseeing spots of Animals across Japan

Onsen resorts in Japan

There are about 1,500 active volcanoes in the world, and 111 of them are in Japan.

As the benefit of them, there are many hot springs (Onsen in Japanese).
Visiting Onsen has been one of popular leisures of Japanese people since the old times.

Guide to popular Onsen resorts across Japan

Various sightseeing objects

World Heritage Site

World Heritage Sites are landmarks and areas with legal protection under an international treaty administered by UNESCO.

In Japan, 26 World Heritage Sites are designated and many of them are the popular sightseeing spots.

World Heritage Sites in Japan

Major festivals in Japan

In Japan, various festivals are held in many cities and towns.
Most festivals are for Shinto shrine, and have a long history.

The festivals in main cities are popular, and many tourists visit the city to see the festival.

Major festivals in Japan

Japanese cuisine

Japanese cuisine is popular with foreign tourists.

There may be Japanese restaurants in your country.
But it is natural that you can eat real Japanese foods in Japan.
Maybe, you will recognize that the tastes of the foods in Japan are different from Japanese foods in your country.

First, let's have knowledge of Japanese cuisine and the restaurant.

Outline of foods, beverages and meal in Japan

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