Travel Japan to See Culture, Beauty, History, and Modernity

Travel Japan and you will see why Japan is a unique place to visit. It is a humble mixture of ancient temples and modern skyscrapers, indigenous culture and technological advancement. All of this makes Japan a must place to visit.

Situated in East Asia, Japan is called Nihon or Nippon in Japanese. It is also popularly termed as “The Land of the Rising Sun”. When you travel to Japan, you will encounter several contrasts and contradictions.

At the same time, you will see high-tech buildings and wooden shacks built side by side. On your way to the city center, you might encounter a skyscraper with a sliding wooden door inside it that houses a traditional chamber with tatami mats, calligraphy, and tea ceremony. Yet, the place is full of beautiful temples and gardens, and there are several places to visit in Japan for everyone. If you are planning to travel Japan, then this short Japan travel guide will help you plan an exciting and enjoyable journey to one of the most beautiful places in the world.


Travel Japan Video - Places to Visit in Japan

Japan History

Like the country itself, Japan has a rich history that has been deeply influenced by its culture and geographical location. The earliest records of Japanese history are found from the 5th century, although evidence suggests settlements dating back some 50,000 years.

Emperor Jimmu, a mythical ruler, is often regarded as the founder of the present day Imperial line, however, archeologists trace the line to the Kofun Period when Japan was part of China and Korea. During the Asuka Period, Japan was separated and adopted many aspects of Chinese culture such as Mahayana Buddhism and Confucianism that you will still encounter on your Japan travel.

Most people travel to Japan to experience its unique culture. Japanese are very hospitable people, and their culture is deeply rooted in their traditional values and norms. It still has some influences of the Chinese culture, but mostly consists of native Japanese customs.

Japan Cities

Japan has thousands of cities, spread across many islands. Chief among them include Tokyo, which is the capital and main financial hub of Japan. Hiroshima and Nagasaki are other important places to visit while you travel to Japan, especially in the context of the Second World War when both these cities were bombarded with atomic bombs. You can also visit Kyoto, which is considered to be the cultural capital of Japan and has many Buddhist temples and gardens. Other cities worth checking out are Kanazawa, Sapporo, Sendai, Nara, Nagoya, and Osaka.

UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Japan
  • Buddhist Monuments in the Horyu-ji Area
  • Himeji-jo
  • Shirakami-Sanchi
  • Yakushima
  • Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto (Kyoto, Uji and Otsu Cities)
  • Historic Villages of Shirakawa-go and Gokayama
  • Hiroshima Peace Memorial (Genbaku Dome)
  • Itsukushima Shinto Shrine
  • Historic Monuments of Ancient Nara
  • Shrines and Temples of Nikko
  • Gusuku Sites and Related Properties of the Kingdom of Ryukyu
  • Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range
  • Shiretoko
  • Iwami Ginzan Silver Mine and its Cultural Landscape
  • There are lot of things to do in Japan such as enjoying Japanese cuisine, shopping, visiting spiritual sites, World War II memorials, and amusement parks. If you travel Japan in the spring, you will be able to see beautiful cherry blossoms on trees across the country. You can contact the official tourism ministry of Japan to get more Japan travel info about visa requirements, recent Japan updates, festivals, Japan travel tips and much more.

    With all this, Japan is a place waiting to be explored by people who appreciate culture, beauty, history, and modernity. No wonder, Japan has rightly been termed as an “absolute wonderland”.

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