A Japanese Venture
AUTHOR : VEDA PALEKAR (2562)
ESTIMATED READ TIME : 3 mins
Travelling to a new location can be quite confusing; especially if it is as diverse as Japan is. Loaded with culture, technology, architecture and natural beauty, Japan ticks off all the boxes. Your visit to this colourful country will undoubtedly be one of the best trips you've taken. So to make your task a little easier, here are some locations in and about Japan that you must not miss. Popular sites and places off the beaten path, we got you covered!
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| rail at the fukuoka castle / japanrailpass.com.au |
FAVOURITE TOURIST DESTINATIONS IN JAPAN
TOKYO
The capital of Japan, Tokyo, is a perfect blend of culture, chaos and lights. Packed with diversity, the city is full of infinite possibilities as Tokyo has always found itself in the transitional phase with no intention of settling down. Art, music, robots, the city has it all. With skyscrapers that look like diamonds in the daylight transforming into a scene from a cyberpunk video game when the neon lights come alive in the night, everything is a sight to see in Tokyo.
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| tokyo cityscape / istock |
TOKYO SKYTREE : SUMIDA, TOKYO
Standing tall at 2080 ft is the tallest tower in Japan known as Tokyo Skytree. This high-rise building is actually a broadcasting, communication and observation tower. The colour of the tower is the lightest shade of indigo, called as ‘aijiro’ and represents “harmony with the surrounding scenery”. On clear days, the tower boasts amazing views of the country’s infrastructure and living wonders like Mount Fuji!
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| tokyo skytree illuminated / jw webmagazine |
2. MOUNT FUJI : HONSHU ISLAND, SOUTHWEST OF TOKYO
Think of lush greenery, pretty sakura, clear air, the chirping of birds and haze lifting up to a picturesque snowy crest. This pinnacle of beauty is none other than Mount Fuji, one of Japan’s most famous. Also called ‘Fuji-san’, Mt Fuji is an iconic tourist destination and a must visit.
This 100,000 year old wonder is regarded as sacred by the Japanese. Not to mention that Fuji-san is also considered as a place of artistic inspiration by many. Of course, who wouldn’t find themselves being inspired by solitude in a striking location like this. So if you’re seeking inspiration, Mt Fuji is the place to be!
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| the beautiful mount fuji / deposit photos |
3. GHIBLI MUSEUM : MITAKA, TOKYO
Filled with characters and other details from our favourite Ghibli movies and series, this museum is an ode to all things Studio Ghibli. The museum is designed by Hayao Miyazaki, the Studio Ghibli director himself. It features replicas of stills from the movies, life sized models of the characters and key spots from the films. Most interesting is a mock-up animation studio called “Where A Film Is Born” where visitors can see pictures of the creative processes involved in the making of the animations and illustrations, unreleased sketches and storyboards. Forget your devices because photography and recording is strictly prohibited inside the museum to stay true to its idea of being ‘a portal to a storybook’. Like the museum’s slogan “let’s get lost together”, the Ghibli Museum is a must visit for anime lovers and anyone who wishes to get lost in the magical worlds of Ghibli.
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| 'totoro' and 'kaonashi' replicas at the ghibli museum / pedestrian.tv |
OSAKA
If Tokyo is an arts graduate, Osaka has a culinary degree. Called the ‘Nation’s Kitchen’, Osaka offers all you can eat! The street foods here are globally famous and the city thus gets added to the ‘must-not-miss’ lists of everyone who visits Japan. With vibrant culture and equally vibrant local life, Osaka has something for everybody. Pop culture and entertainment galore, you will leave Osaka with your bellies and hearts full.
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| a peek at the beautiful dotonbori nightlife / flickr |
DOTONBORI : DOTONBORI, OSAKA
One of the most visited tourist destinations in Osaka is Dotonbori. Bustling with energy and lights, Dotonbori is especially famous for its food and nightlife. Lovers of lights and water should not miss the Tombori Riverwalk which is a scenic walk along the Dotonbori River. People also make sure to snap a picture in front of the Glico sign which is a famous billboard of a runner making it to the finish line. Dotonbori offers a wide range of food for whoever’s looking. Popular street food includes Okonomiyaki, Takoyaki, Gyozas, Taiyaki and Dangos. The expensive Kobe beef is also one of crowd favourites. Overall, Dotonbori is a lively location with much to offer to explorers. In the midst of the flashing lights and grand signboards, Dotonbori keeps being a crowd puller.
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| complete with grand signs, osaka is truly the food capital / GPSmyCity |
2. UMEDA SKY BUILDING : KITA-KU, OSAKA
The Umeda Sky Building is easily one of Osaka’s most recognised buildings. It’s unique architecture makes it stand out. The structure consists of two 40 storey buildings, connected at the uppermost stories. The inside of the building is adorned with stores, restaurants, cinema halls and cafes. Tourists frequent the ‘Floating Garden Observatory’ which offers 360 degree views of the city.
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| the umeda sky building with its circular observatory / livejapan |
3. NATIONAL MUSEUM OF ART IN OSAKA
A must visit for lovers of modern art is ‘NMOA’ or National Museum of Art in Osaka. Located between two rivers, this museum boasts a total of about 8000 works by Japanese and foreign artists. This collection is displayed under different themes throughout the year. The building structure itself is a work of art designed in a Neo-futuristic fashion. The art displayed inside is a feast to the eyes and a source of inspiration to other artists. A must visit for art connoisseurs and always a great spot for a super cute date!
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| futuristic exterior of the NMOA / osaka info |
JUMP INTO A SCENE FROM A MOVIE
FUKUOKA CASTLE : FUKUOKA
This scenic historic site will take your breath away. Fukuoka Castle, also known as Maizuru Castle, is straight out of a Ghibli movie. The castle is atop a hill and is surrounded by the Naka river. The castle grounds have since been converted into parks, dormitories and museums. Nestled by sakura trees and crystal clear waters, the palace is majestic through and through.
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| the fukuoka castle will transport you into a fairytale / wallpapers.com |
2. JIGOKUDANI MONKEY PARK : NAGANO
If you are an animal lover, this might be the place you absolutely should not miss. The Jigokudani Monkey Park is a park inhibited by Snow Monkeys or Japanese Macaques. Visitors will find these monkeys enjoying long baths in the natural hot springs in this park. The monkeys, in large numbers, are found all over the park and their interaction with one another makes for an amusing site. The beauty of the park only adds to the already unique experience.
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| furry customers relaxing in a hot spring / istock |
TAKING THE ROAD LESS TRAVELLED BY
1. AO ISLAND : EHIME PREFECTURE
If your perfect day involves the beach and felines, then you must absolutely visit Aoshima also called as ‘Cat Island’. The island is famous for, you guessed it, CATS! The island is inhabited by hundreds of cats and is a purrrfect place for you to make loads of furry friends. The ratio of cat to man at Aoshima is almost 36:1 Many people are eager to visit the island because let's be real, if there is anything cuter than 1 cat, it’s 100 cats!
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| many meowths to feed at Ao Island / japanguide.com |
2. MOUNT KOYA : KANSAI
Mount Koya is the largest religious centre of Buddhist study in Japan. Nestled among woods, Mount Koya is a culmination of Japanese Shintoism and Buddhism. You, however, don’t have to be religious to visit this beauty. One can go to see the culture, the history or simply the abundant greenery. When here, one can stay in a ‘shukubo’, a temple lodging or visit the Okunoin Cemetery. The Kongobuji Temple is also a famous spot. Mount Koya remains far from the metropolis and the chaos. The serenity and the sanctity of this place is unmatched.
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| mount koya exudes mystery and sanctity / japan cheapo |
3. SHIROHIGE CREAM PUFF FACTORY : TOKYO
Japan is a one stop for all things cute and if you are looking for something cute AND tasty, Shirohige Cream Puff Factory in Tokyo is a must-go! This bakery sells cream puffs, cookies and cakes in the shape of one of the most iconic Studio Ghibli characters, Totoro. Despite being a small building, the store is filled with figurines, pictures, posters and toys of Totoro (cuteness galore) The bestselling cream puffs are so popular that they are sold out within hours of the store opening and not available until the next day. The puffs are also available in seasonal flavours like sakura blossom, chestnut, peach and mango. The Shirohige Cream Puff Factory is definitely a great place to treat yourself!
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| these 'totoro' cream puffs are too adorable to eat / kirbie's cravings |
4. KINOSAKI ONSEN : HYOGO PREFECTURE
Kinosaki Onsen is one of the many onsen towns in Japan. It has seven public ‘onsens’ or hot springs. Resorts have been built around these onsens. Visitors can stay in traditional inns called ‘ryokans’ to get the full experience. Each onsen is a public bathing and relaxing spot. Taking a bath with strangers can be quite jarring or daunting, so, some ryokans offer private onsens. This place might not be for everyone but it often ends up being a blissful experience.
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| onsens are a great place to unwind / tripadvisor |
5. WISTERIA TUNNEL : KITAKYUSHU
There might not be a better place to listen to Taylor Swift’s album ‘Folklore’. The Wisteria Tunnel in Japan is straight out of a fairytale. The passageway is painted lavender and white by the many descending wisterias. During late April and early May, the tunnel is in full bloom and a feast for the eyes. A flower experience like no other, the Wisteria Tunnel is as magical as real life gets.
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| let the wisteria captivate you / harper's bazaar |
6. FUJI-Q HIGHLAND : FUJIYAMA
What better than rollercoasters to get your adrenaline rushing? Luckily, Fuji-Q has loads of those! Fuji-Q is an amusement park and a theme park near Mount Fuji. Filled with roller coasters and other attractions, Fuji-Q is the place to bring your inner child out. It has the world’s largest haunted attraction to give you the creeps as well as ‘Fujiyama’, one of Japan's tallest roller coasters. Fuji-Q is a great place to hang out with friends or go solo for the thrill of it.
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| let your hair down and your inner child out at fuji-q / shutterstock |
Japan certainly will keep you in awe for the entirety of it. Experiences galore, it is a county that keeps calling you back for more. Truly a treat for the souls who find joy in culture, is Japan.
References
https://in.hotels.com/go/japan/jp-best-tokyo-things-to-do
https://dailyhive.com/mapped/japan-wisteria-blooms
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Main_Page
https://www.tokyo-skytree.jp/en/
https://www.planetware.com/tourist-attractions/japan-jpn.htm
https://www.cityunscripted.com/
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