24 Locations to Go to in Japan in 2024 - いろいろジャポン|無断複写・転載を禁じます。

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Strolling by means of Shinsekai in Osaka a couple of weeks in the past, I handed by one of many district’s well-known billiken photographs. I tripped over it, truly—I wouldn’t have observed it in any other case.

It was smaller than all of the others, and way more awkwardly positioned—I wouldn’t have tripped over it in any other case. It was standing simply exterior a dimly-lit sushi counter, one with a a lot more healthy queue than you’d anticipate for someplace with such yellow home windows, not to mention to this point off the primary drag.

Simply earlier than I began strolling once more, I noticed a message inscribed across the base of the statue: “The god of issues as they must be.” I’ll use this later, I laughed as I scrawled it down in my pocket book.

Actually, and at the least by way of touring to Japan, 2023 was as near the best way “issues out to be” as factor have been in a few years. 2023 was the primary full yr with out covid-related entry restrictions since 2019. Exploring the nation felt roughly because it had throughout the pre-pandemic years, particularly because the summer time cooled into autumn and now early winter.

The world, for its half, has gotten the message, with inbound tourism figures having fully rebounded. In consequence, most of the locations I’m about to advocate you go to in 2024 are off-the-beaten-path, whether or not which means they happen in much less standard seasons, or in components of the nation the place international vacationers have a tendency to not enterprise.

After all, regardless of the place you go in Japan subsequent yr, it’ll be an expertise not like every other. Dare I say, 2024 would be the finest yr—ever—to go to Japan?

The place to Go in Japan in 2024

1. Sapporo Snow Pageant

Enable me to be clear: The annual Snow Pageant itself isn’t the one motive to go to Sapporo throughout winter. Whether or not due to warming oden retailers or treasure-filled subterranean procuring malls, the town turns into its truest self when the climate is coldest, to say nothing of the truth that it’s a gateway to the remainder of Hokkaido.

When to Go to: The Sapporo Snow Pageant takes place February 4-11 yearly. You continue to have time to ebook a 2024 journey!

READ MORE: Sapporo’s Snowiest Spectacle

2. Satsuma Peninsula

The unhealthy information? I didn’t see a single tree bearing Lilliputian satsuma mandarins throughout my complete time on the Satsuma Peninsula, in Kagoshima prefecture on Kyushu island. The excellent news? From thermal sand baths, to charming Samurai villages, to sprawling tea fields, I didn’t miss the pop of citrus style for even a second.

When to Go to: The climate is wonderful throughout the “shoulder” journey interval between late October and early November.

READ MORE: Kagoshima Begins Right here

3. Motonosumi Inari Shrine

Love the concept of visiting Kyoto‘s Fushimi Inari Shrine, however hate the concept of pushing your approach by means of crowds to get the right selfie? Headed as an alternative to Motonosumi Inari Taisha in Yamaguchi prefecture, the place an added bonus is that the haunting gates are proper on the ocean.

When to Go to: Motonosumi Inari is gorgeous all yr spherical, although the ocean breeze might be bitterly chilly throughout the winter between about December and March.

READ MORE: Farewell to the Fox Spirit

4. Matsusaka

Kobe is essentially the most well-known place in Japan for wa-gyu beef, but it surely’s not the one one. As an alternative, board a prepare southward from Nagoya and get off at Matsusaka Station. Along with a spate of underrated beef eating places, you will get misplaced within the haunting quiet Matsusaka Service provider District, or soak up a panorama from the Matsusaka Citadel Ruins.

When to Go to: Matsusaka makes for an amazing cherry blossom vacation spot, with full bloom often round April 1. It’s comparatively unknown, even amongst Japanese, so it nearly by no means will get crowded.

READ MORE: Musings on Matsusaka

5. Horyu-ji

Horyu-ji is likely one of the most traditionally vital buildings in Nara prefecture, which is saying one thing, on condition that the town is known primarily for traditionally vital buildings. Even for those who don’t know the backstory of this Seventh-century temple, the sheer scale of it can amaze you.

When to Go to: Because you’re prone to go to Nara metropolis wherever, merely plan on stopping at Horyu-ji Station (situated alongside the JR Yamatoji Line, which connects Nara and Osaka) alongside your approach. It’s stunning twelve months per yr.

READ MORE: Nara Begins Right here

6. Ouchi-juku

Over a decade on from the Nice East Japan Earthquake, Fukushima is a phrase that also evokes detrimental emotions in most foreigners—don’t be one among them. Ouchi-juku village makes an amazing intro to the prefecture. A single stroll amid its picturesque farm homes will guarantee your first journey to Fukushima-ken isn’t your final.

When to Go to: The inland parts of Fukushima prefecture (which additionally embrace the town of Aizu-wakamatsu) are at their most attractive in early November, when the area’s autumn colours attain their peak.

7. Kenroku-en Backyard

Kenroku-en, the jewel of Kanazawa metropolis in Japan’s Hokuriku area, is my private favourite of Japan’s “three nice gardens.” When you’ll in fact wish to discover the remainder of what Kanazawa has to supply whenever you’re right here, belief me once I noticed that the backyard alone is well worth the go to, for those who occur to be on the fence.

When to Go to: A panorama backyard designed to highlight Japan’s seasons, Kenroku-en is a spot you’ll ideally go to at the least as soon as throughout all 4 of them.

8. Akan-Mashu Nationwide Park

The one factor extra miraculous than the truth that the red-crested crane (tancho) has been introduced again from close to extinction? The truth that dozens of the birds come to the identical park each morning, making them a dependable vacationer sights. Birds however, the trio of lakes—Akan, Mashu, Kussharo—that dots this huge wilderness in rural Hokkaido makes the journey greater than price it.

When to Go to: Whereas winter is the very best and most picturesque time of yr to {photograph} the tancho, I’m additionally keen on the attractive autumn season in eastern-central Hokkaido.

READ MORE: Hokkaido’s Wild East

9. Okinawa (Principal island)

Most vacationers are beneath the impression that Okinawa is a single island, reasonably than an archipelago, so congratulations for those who weren’t amongst them. Certainly, whereas I like discover the previous Ryukyu Kingdom as a area, the primary island (and Naha Metropolis) is my favourite place to start out. Get misplaced in Shikina-en backyard, eat taco rice alongside Kokusai-dori, watch the solar rise over Naminoue Shrine, or take day journeys to Ie and Tokashiki islands.

When to Go to: I like visiting Okinawa in summer season, though the later in summer time you go (so, after September) the upper propensity there’s for typhoons.

READ MORE: Is Okinawa Price Visiting?

10. Asahi Funakawa Spring Quartet

Cherry blossoms are Japan’s most well-known spring flowers, however they’re not the one ones—removed from it. When you can solely see 4 (at max) of those on the Asahi Funakawa Spring Quartet close to Toyama, the fantastic thing about the Japanese Alps rising behind the scene will make you’re feeling such as you’ve hit nature’s jackspot.

When to Go to: The cherry blossoms right here often attain full bloom someday throughout the first week of April.

READ MORE: The Reality About Toyama

11. Himeji Citadel

Arguably most stunning (and positively, the most-visited) of Japan’s 12 unique castles, Himeji Citadel can also be by far essentially the most mainstream entry on this listing of locations to go to in Japan in 2024. Nonetheless, due to each its magnificence and scale, in addition to how simple it’s to go to on a day journey from Kyoto or Osaka, I believe it’s price contending with any crowd to see.

When to Go to: Whereas Himeji Citadel is historically a spot folks go throughout sakura season, I’ve just lately discovered it to be stunning and charming throughout the autumn (round December 1).

READ MORE: Is Himeji Citadel Price Visiting?

12. Nagasaki

Nagasaki isn’t having a second, but it surely must be. Along with the truth that a Shinkansen route there simply opened up, Nagasaki is objectively one among Japan’s most stunning cities. Ascend Mt. Inasa to see its skyline glittering round Nagasaki Bay, or as an alternative discover its world heritage at floor stage, be that Dutch-colonial Dejima district, one among Japan’s most spectacular Chinatowns or a one-legged shrine that half-survived a nuclear blast.

When to Go to: Nagasaki is blessed with nice climate all yr spherical, so timing isn’t actually vital.

READ MORE: Nagasaki Begins Right here

13. Nachi Taisha Shrine

You probably have time, I’d wish to advocate you spend 3-5 days mountain climbing the Kumano Kodo, which for my cash is Japan’s most fulfilling pilgrimage route. In the event you don’t, then at a naked minimal make your method to Nachi-Katsuura Station, the place a brief bus journey will take you to Nachi Taisha shrine. Typically also called Japan’s “waterfall pagoda,” this place is one among my favourite scenic views in your complete nation.

When to Go to: Though the cherry blossoms listed here are stunning, I like the pureness of seeing the shrine surrounded by the brilliant inexperienced of summer time.

14. Aomori Nebuta Matsuri

In recent times, I’ve made a degree of attending as a lot of Japan’s well-known summer time festivals as I can. Whereas I haven’t but been to all of them, I can say that my favourite was the Aomori Nebuta Matsuri, which takes place in Aomori, the northernmost metropolis of Japan’s primary Honshu island and one of many anchors of the more and more standard Tohoku area.

When to Go to: The Aomori Nebuta Matsuri takes place between August 2-7 yearly. In the event you can’t come throughout this time, the Nebuta Museum WA RASSE is open your complete remainder of the yr.

READ MORE: Tohoku’s Marvelous Matsuri

15. Senjojiki Cirque Climbing Route

My Swiss finest buddy typically chides me for the truth that Japan has its personal “Alps,” given how a lot much less spectacular they’re (in her opinion) in comparison with Switzerland’s. One place that at all times shuts her up once I ship footage of it? The Senjojiki Cirque mountain climbing route, in Nagano prefecture close to the town of Matsumoto.

When to Go to: Whereas the primary viewpoint here’s a canvas for all of Japan’s seasons, a hike right here is particularly refreshing in July and August, when low-lying areas of Japan are scorching-hot.

16. Obuchi Sasaba Tea Plantation

The one factor higher than a verdant tea subject, for my part, is one among with Mt. Fuji rising above it. Fortunately, for those who go to Obuchi Sasaba tea plantation in Shizuoka prefecture simply south of the mountain, you possibly can see each on the identical time. Pair this with a go to to the flower fields simply south of Higashitagano-ura Station, the place you possibly can see Shinkansen trains racing previous the mountain.

When to Go to: I like visiting in April or Could, when the tea vegetation are brighter than they’re in winter, however when Fujisan nonetheless has a formidable snow cap.

READ MORE: Shizuoka Begins Right here

17. Urui River

Need to see sakura (reasonably than tea fields) framing Mt. Fuji, however don’t wish to cope with the complication of attending to Fuji 5 Lakes, the later blooming time or the insane crowds? As an alternative make your method to the Urui River, a tributary close to Shin-Fuji Station (which is served by Shinkansen), the place a delicate waterway flanked by cherry blossom bushes flows southward from the well-known mountain.

When to Go to: Full bloom right here takes place inside per week of when it happens in Tokyo, so often simply earlier than or simply after April 1.

READ MORE: The place to See Mt. Fuji

18. Setouchi Area

Though it’s more and more known as a single area, Setouchi (which, as its identify suggests, surrounds Japan’s Seto Inland Sea) is many locations in a single. From cities like Hiroshima, Okayama, Matsuyama and Takayama, to experiences just like the Shimanami Kaido biking route, to standalone locations just like the “floating” Itsukushima Shrine and historic Dogo Onsen, Setouchi will take you a lot journeys to discover.

When to Go to: Plan your journey to Setouchi primarily based on the locations you’ll go to. Cities are typically at their most stunning in late March or early December (amid sakura and autumn colours); pure actions are typically higher in “shoulder” months like Could and November. You’ll be able to take pleasure in scrumptious okonomiyaki and udon noodles all yr spherical!

READ MORE: The Greatest Setouchi Base

19. Gujo-hachiman

In Gujo-hachiman, nothing is what it appears. An incredible illustration of that is the city’s hilltop citadel, which removed from being an genuine medieval outpost is definitely Japan’s oldest such reconstruction. One other method to expertise this? After strolling alongside Igawa Lane (a drainage ditch so clear that koi swim in it), make your method to Iwasaki Pattern Village, which makes pretend, plastic meals for eating places throughout Japan.

When to Go to: With 4 very well-defined seasons on account of its excessive elevation, Gujo (to which locals usually shorten its identify) is attractive twelve months per yr.

READ MORE: The Secret of Gujo-hachiman

20. Hakodate

I’ve been singing the praises of Hokkaido‘s southernmost metropolis for years—2024 bears nothing new, in that regard. Positioned simply throughout the Tsugaru Strait from Japan’s primary island of Honshu, and on an isthmus between two bays, Hakodate blends tradition, delicacies and heritage sprawled over of Japan’s most unforgettable cityscapes.

When to Go to: Are available in late April to see the a whole bunch of cherry bushes planted inside star-shaped Goryokaku Fort colour the entire thing pink. For my cash, it’s Hokkaido’s finest hanami spot, particularly when seen from above atop Goryokaku Tower.

READ MORE: Hakodate Begins Right here

21. Kyotango (Kyoto by the Sea)

Who says a go to to Kyoto needs to be marred by crowds and cliché Instagram photographs? As an alternative, board an early morning prepare and make your approach towards the Sea of Japan, the place one other world awaits. Ascend the Amanohashidate viewpoint, sit down on the town for fresh-caught crab sashimi or expertise the attraction of Ine Fishing Village.

When to Go to: Like Kyoto itself, Kyotango has favorable climate year-round, but it surely’s particularly stunning amid winter snow, spring cherry blossoms or autumn’s colours—when the town itself is usually swamped with vacationers.

READ MORE: Kyoto’s Beautiful Seaside

22. Mt. Aso

Whereas Mt. Aso‘s silhouette—it’s a bowl-shaped caldera—isn’t almost as iconic as Mt. Fuji’s, it’s additionally approach bigger (which means there are extra issues to do there—mountain climbing is barely the start) and far much less crowded than its extra well-known cousin. Pair a day or two right here with nights within the cities of Kumamoto and Beppu, which sit simply to the west and east of Aso-san, respectively.

When to Go to: I like the Aso space in Could, when the inexperienced of spring is brilliant and new, and when there’s a excessive probability of having the ability to see a “sea of clouds” from Daikanbo Observatory.

READ MORE: Is Mt. Aso Price Visiting?

23. Sado Island

Niigata is one among Japan’s most underrated prefectures, full-stop, whether or not you tour sake breweries in Shibata, or go to an imperial metropolis surrounded by sand dunes in Niigata Metropolis. In my view, nonetheless, it’s simply offshore on Sado Island that that Niigata-ken casts its most dramatic spell on guests, whether or not you watch an outside Noh efficiency or just step right into a sea-swept panorama.

When to Go to: I like visiting in June, when a carpet of golden daylilies covers the western coast of the island.

READ MORE: Sado Begins Right here

24. Zao Onsen Snow Monsters

Let’s finish this listing the place we begin it: Amid a magical, wintry panorama. To make certain, the hunched-over evergreen bushes that tackle a monstrous expertise as soon as lined in ft of snow should not the one motive to go to Yamagata prefecture’s most charming mountain onsen city throughout winter. Nonetheless, they do add a way of place that’s laborious to get most different locations in Japan.

When to Go to: It often takes till late January or early February for the “monsters” to build up sufficient snow to tackle their abominable type.

READ MORE: King of the Snow Monsters

Rent Me to Plan Your 2024 Journey

The one factor higher than visiting Japan in 2024 is visiting one (or extra—or all) of the locations I’ve listed right here. The one factor higher than that? Exploring Japan with the arrogance of an professional! While you rent me to plan your 2024 journey to Japan, this—and a complete lot extra—is what you get. Be a part of the 100+ vacationers I suggested in 2023 and ebook your customized Japan journey at the moment!

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