Cities of Japan Bucket List

Visit Tokyo, Japan's bustling capital. See the Shibuya Crossing (one of the world's busiest pedestrian intersections), explore the historic Senso-ji Temple (Tokyo's oldest temple with a vibrant Nakamise shopping street), and admire the Tokyo Skytree (the world's tallest tower at 634 meters).

Visit Kyoto, Japan's former imperial capital. Explore the Fushimi Inari Shrine (famous for its thousands of vermilion torii gates), see the golden Kinkaku-ji temple (a Zen Buddhist pavilion covered in gold leaf), stroll through the historic Gion district (known for geisha culture and traditional machiya houses), and admire the rock garden at Ryoan-ji (a UNESCO World Heritage site).

Visit Osaka, Japan's vibrant second city. Explore Osaka Castle (a reconstructed 16th-century fortress with museum exhibits and panoramic city views), sample street food like takoyaki (octopus balls) and okonomiyaki (savory pancakes) in Dotonbori (a bustling entertainment district with iconic neon signs), and experience the thrill of Universal Studios Japan (home to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter and Super Nintendo World).

Visit Hiroshima, a city of peace and resilience in western Japan. See the Atomic Bomb Dome (UNESCO World Heritage site preserved as a memorial), explore the Peace Memorial Museum (powerful exhibits on the 1945 atomic bombing and its aftermath), and take a ferry to Miyajima Island to see the iconic Itsukushima Shrine with its 'floating' torii gate. Also try local specialties like okonomiyaki (savory pancake) and oysters from the Seto Inland Sea.

Visit Fukushima, a prefecture in Japan known for its resilience and diverse attractions. Explore the historic Tsuruga Castle (reconstructed samurai fortress with panoramic views), see the stunning Bandai-Azuma Skyline (scenic mountain road through volcanic landscapes), and experience the traditional Aizu region with its lacquerware crafts and samurai heritage sites like Aizu-Wakamatsu.

Visit Sapporo, the capital of Hokkaido in northern Japan. Explore Odori Park (a 1.5 km long park hosting the famous Sapporo Snow Festival with massive ice sculptures), sample fresh seafood and miso ramen at Nijo Market (a historic market known for its morning auctions), and ride the ropeway up Mount Moiwa for panoramic city views and night illuminations.

Visit Nagoya, a major city in Japan known for its historic Nagoya Castle, modern architecture, and automotive industry.

Visit Yokohama, Japan's second-largest city. Explore the Minato Mirai 21 district with its iconic Landmark Tower (Japan's tallest building until 2014), stroll through the historic Yamate area (Western-style houses from the Meiji era), and sample ramen at the Shin-Yokohama Raumen Museum (a theme park dedicated to ramen with replicas of 1950s streets).

Visit Fukuoka, a vibrant city on Kyushu Island in Japan. Explore the historic Kushida Shrine (founded in 757 AD and home to the Hakata Gion Yamakasa festival), stroll through Ohori Park (a scenic Japanese garden with a large pond and walking paths), and sample local specialties like tonkotsu ramen (rich pork bone broth noodles) at a yatai (street food stall) in Nakasu.

Visit Kawasaki, a city in Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan. Explore the Kawasaki Daishi temple (a major Shingon Buddhist temple known for its grand architecture and New Year's Eve bell-ringing ceremony), see the Kawasaki City Museum (featuring exhibits on local history and industrial heritage), and enjoy the Kawasaki Marien (a waterfront park with views of Tokyo Bay and seasonal events).

Up to 3,000 people cross in every direction at once when the lights change — the world’s busiest pedestrian scramble.

Japan's first capital: the Great Buddha of Todai-ji and 1,200 bowing deer in the park around it.

Okinawa's capital: Shuri castle of the Ryukyu kings, Kokusai-dori and a food and drink culture of its own.

Kenroku-en, one of the three great gardens, a samurai district and geisha teahouses that escaped the war intact.

The black 'Crow Castle', the oldest surviving keep in Japan, at the gateway to the Northern Alps.

The Great Buddha sitting in the open air, Zen temples and a surf beach, an hour from Tokyo.

Hokkaido's southern port: the night view from Mount Hakodate, red-brick warehouses and the morning fish market.

The Peace Park and the hypocentre, plus Dejima, the island where Japan traded with the world for 200 years.

Hot springs, a ropeway over sulphur vents and Mount Fuji across Lake Ashi, ninety minutes from Tokyo.

The gilded Toshogu shrine of the Tokugawa shoguns in a cedar forest, with the Kegon waterfall above.

Edo-period merchant streets in the Japanese Alps, a morning market and the spring and autumn float festivals.

Kobe beef, a harbour between the mountains and the sea, and the night view from Mount Rokko.

The city of trees in Tohoku, Date Masamune's castle hill, the Tanabata festival and gyutan beef tongue.