When planning a trip to Japan, it’s only natural that Tokyo is the first location that comes into your mind. However, Japan is home to many amazing cities, so don’t let tunnel vision distract you from that. To give you a helping hand, we’re going to discuss some of the most amazing cities to visit in Japan besides Tokyo.
Naha
Naha is the capital of Japan’s Okinawa Prefecture. The city has a humid subtropical climate and a population of approximately 300,000 people.
Not only is the city stunning, but it’s the gateway to Okinawa Island. One of the main attractions here is Shuri Castle, which used to be the royal palace of the Ryukyu Kingdom. It has since been rebuilt and restored.
Hiroshima
We’re sure you’ve heard of Hiroshima. You may have read about it in a few history books at school. It’s one of only two cities that have ever been hit with a nuclear bomb. There’s a lot of history and heartbreak in this city, but there’s also a great story of resilience too. You see how a city can bounce back from complete destruction. After all, it’s a thriving place today, which is home to more than one million people.
Hiroshima was founded as a castle town in 1589. However, it was transformed into a key industrial hub, hence why it was a target for a nuclear bomb.
When visiting Hiroshima today, you’ll be able to go to the Hiroshima Peace Memorial, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Listed Site. You can pay your respects to those who lost their lives and learn more about what happened in 1945.
Kanazawa
Kanazawa is another one of the incredible cities to visit in Japan, as it is a place of huge cultural significance in Japan. After all, it’s the city that served as the seat of Japan’s second most powerful feudal clan throughout the Edo period.
Furthermore, Kanazawa was the biggest largest city after Kyoto that managed to remain safe from the WW2 bombings. As a consequence, a lot of the old geisha and samurai districts, gardens, and castles have survived.
If that wasn’t enough, you’ll find the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art in this part of the country. This is an incredible museum where you can explore conventional crafts, including gold leaf production, ohi ware (tea ceremony bowls), and Kaga-yuzen (a silk-dying technique).
Takayama
Takayama is a breathtaking city to visit. It is an attractive ski destination, as the Japanese Alps surround it, as well as being home to bustling festivals and morning markets that date back to the 1600s. Furthermore, you can see genuine Japanese tradition flourish here with stunningly preserved villages.
The Sanmachi area of Takayama, specifically, is home to properties with preserved thatched roofs, from which artisans and antique dealers sell their wares. You’ll also find brewers and hidden cafes dishing out icy sake and hot coffees to visitors who can spot them. A real gem!
Beppu
If you want to enjoy some of Japan’s hot water springs, Beppu is a must-visit! After all, it’s home to the highest amount of gushing water from a hot spring in Japan, which also happens to be the second highest in the world. Thousands of hot springs gush out a cumulative 100,000 liters of water here per minute.
It’s not only the sheer number of hot springs that make Beppu Japan’s onsen city, but you’ll also find a number of boiling ponds here, known as Jigoku or hell. You’ll find a lot of locals cooking food at these Jigoku ponds. This has created Jigoku-Mushi, which is a culinary custom that is peculiar to Beppu and translates to hell-steaming.
Nara
When we think of the best place to visit to experience Buddhist temples and monasteries, our minds may automatically think of Kyoto. However, don’t discount Nara!
Formerly known as Heijo-Kyo, Nara used to be the capital city of Japan. Today, you’ll find three UNESCO World Heritage Sites here.
The first to be included on the list is the Horyuji Area of Nara, which includes a total of 48 Buddhist sites. All of these sites have huge significance in terms of Japanese religion and culture.
Also on the list are areas with a number of historical monuments and temples from ancient times when this part of the country was the capital, as well as sites and pilgrimage routes on the Kii Mountain (If you’re in the Kii Mountains, check out the Yunomine Onsen).
Hakodate
Next, we have Hakodate, which is located on the southern tip of Hokkaido. Hokkaido is an island region that’s adored for its volcanoes, ski mountains, and hot springs.
One of the best things to do here is hike Mount Hakodate where you can enjoy the most incredible views of the city, surrounded by the sea.
You can also head to the lakes of Onuma Park to take in the views of Mount Komagatake volcano, go down ski slopes, or relax by soaking in the hot springs.
Of course, we cannot mention Hakodate without talking about the food at this port city. As Hakodate is surrounded by the sea, it’s famous for its freshly-caught seafood. You simply cannot visit here without trying local seafood from the Hakodate Morning Market.
Yokohama
Last but not least on our list of the best cities to visit in Japan besides Tokyo, we have Yokohama, which is the second-biggest city in Japan. It was also the first city to have opened its ports to the world at the conclusion of the Edo Period.
The port city rapidly went from a little fishing village to a major city when new cultures were introduced as a result of foreign trade.
Because of this, Yokohama offers a brilliant contrast between the new and the old. You can visit traditional Japanese tea rooms and gardens, yet you’ll also see the Western influence on Japan here too.
Yokohama is home to one of the biggest Chinatowns in the country, giant Ferris wheels, and instant cup noodle and ramen museums.
Japan is more than just Tokyo
As you can see, there are lots of incredible cities to visit in Japan besides Tokyo. While Tokyo is an excellent place to visit, don’t let it distract you from all of the other amazing cities in this part of the world.
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