Last Updated on April 30, 2024 by Jawad Ali
The Japanese culture and customs are shrouded in mystery. The approach is the pinnacle of combining tried and true techniques with the efficiency and accuracy of current technologies. Japan has a rich history that dates back thousands of years, even though it is today one of the world’s most industrialized countries.
Shinto and Buddhist temples in Japan were well-established, drawing pilgrims and customers long before many of Europe’s most spectacular cathedrals were erected. In an identical vein, the country was polishing the skills and industries that would eventually bring success, such as producing high-quality ceramics and materials like silk.
Japan is a fantastic destination thanks to its many intriguing sights, thrilling adventures, and enlightening museums. Despite wars and natural disasters, much of Japan’s rich culture has been maintained (or restored), visiting the country a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. The best of Japan awaits you; get your permits immediately and be ready to be amazed.
Visit the most amazing places and experience most exciting activities with the help of our travel guide for Japan.
Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park
There’s no use in going over what happened at Hiroshima in August of 1945 when an atomic bomb was dropped on the city. Nonetheless, it is encouraging to see that this thriving metropolis has gone to such great pains to commemorate the victims of the world’s first nuclear assault. The significance of Hiroshima as a permanent emblem of global peace cannot be overstated.
The atomic bomb on Hiroshima destroyed the city’s commercial district, and the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park stands in its stead. This area is home to several memorials and museums dedicated to the victims of September 11 that you may visit in their honor.
The park’s beautiful cherry blossom gardens also house the Peace Memorial Museum, which has various displays devoted to international harmony. The Memorial Cenotaph, the Atom Bomb Dome, and the ruins of a government building may all be found close to the bomb’s epicenter.
Itsukushima Shrine on Miyajima Island
Miyajima, also known as Shrine Island, is a small island located about an hour’s boat ride from Hiroshima. Miyajima, a little island in Hiroshima Bay (roughly 30 square kilometers in total), maybe the site of Itsukushima Shrine, a Shinto temple dedicated to the daughters of the wind god Susanoo (approximately 30 square kilometers in total).
Many of the shrine’s buildings date back to the seventh century and are elevated on nothing but pilings from a shallow port. These structures, notably the Great Floating Gate (O-Torii), create an eerie impression during high tide since they appear floating on the water.
It’s exciting to discover new areas, particularly ones with passageways and bridges. The Honden (Main Hall), the Heiden (Offerings Hall), the Haiden (Prayer Hall), and the Hall with a Thousand Mats are among the most remarkable (Senjokaku).
There is a stage in front of the temple where guests may see cultural performances, including concerts and traditional dances. Many species of birds and other animals frequent the Island to enjoy the lush landscaping.
Fuji-san
Fuji-san, or Mount Fuji, the most famous mountain in Japan, is at its peak. This well-known peak may be seen from as far away as Tokyo, more than a hundred kilometers to the north, due to its elevation of 3,776 meters above the surrounding plains to the south and east.
In 2013, the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and National Organization formally recognized Mount Fuji’s historical and cultural value. Artists have been taking their cues from the mountain for thousands of years. More than a million tourists visit Japan’s Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park every summer, specifically to see the sunrise from the summit of Mount Fuji.
To shorten the journey to something more manageable than twelve hours, most hikers begin at the fifth Station, which is far over the halfway point. Start your ascent in the afternoon and stop for the night in one of the “Mountain Huts” spaced out along the trail. You’ll have to get up early the following day to catch the sunrise from the summit.
Visit the Fukuoka Castle Ruins
Somewhere in the middle of Maizuru Park lie the ruins of Fukuoka Castle (Fukuoka-j), which date back to the early 1600s. Substantial hilltop mansions like the one seen here were commonplace for the Shoguns and other major city rulers of old Japan. In the anti-feudal purges that followed the Meiji Restoration, it was unfortunately destroyed.
The park’s significant charms are its tree-lined paths and overlook of the Naka River. We can still make out the castle’s main entryway and one of its towers among the rubble. Beyond the ruins, the entire city is visible if you go to the peak. The garden is most beautiful when the cherry trees bloom in the spring.
Fukuoka has become well-known because of its abundance of festivals and other events. The Hakata Gion Yamakasa festival is one such event; it has been going strong for 700 years and features colorful parades, traditional races, and elaborate costumes.
The city features both historic and cutting-edge attractions. Canal City Hakata is a mini-town in the heart of the town that features upscale shops, hotels, restaurants, and even a theater—all connected by a canal.
Koyasan, or Okunoin’s Descendant
Perhaps a cemetery isn’t the first location you think of when you think of must-see tourist sites. Koyasan Okunoin of Japan, on the other hand, represents a radical deviation. Because it may be where Shingon Buddhism’s founder, Kobo Daishi, was laid to rest, this temple is considered one of Japan’s holiest shrines.
A key figure in the evolution of Japanese Buddhism, Daishi (sometimes spelled Kukai), was instrumental in the spread of the religion across Japan. He may be meditating, awaiting the arrival of the Future Buddha. Those who go to his grave may rest assured that they will spend eternity in heaven.
In most people’s cemetery tours, the Ichinohashi Bridge comes first. The approach to the tomb is paved with more than 200,000 tombstones. Rokusho Offering Hall is where you should go if you want to pray and provide an offering to your ancestors.
Read more: A Guide to Responsible Tourism in UK
A second bridge, the Gobyobashi Bridge, separates the cemetery’s holiest section from the remainder of the grounds. There is a massive structure in front of the tomb called Toronto Hall, which is probably where the Miroku Stone is stored. The grave is worth the trip if you get it through that Hall. Many lanterns provide adequate illumination.
You can’t help but be moved by the hundreds of pilgrims from across Japan to sing and pray in honor of Kobo Daishi, even if you don’t believe in him.
The Izu Peninsula
Located 82 kilometers southwest of Tokyo, this peninsula is the perfect place to relax and unwind. White sand beaches and relaxing hot springs are popular attractions for locals and tourists. You may find them, along with several museums and traditional inns, in the cities of Atami and Shimoda, located on the eastern coast of the Izu Peninsula (traditional Japanese inns). When spring arrives in Kawazu, it’s time to take in the city’s famous cherry blossoms. Beaches like Nagashima, which are rocky but attractive, may be found in the south and west of the Island.
