The TopTen Sights to See in Japan

By Dan Hope

Japan may be small when compared to other countries, but it has some big attractions. In fact, there’s so many great sights in Japan that it’s hard to know what to see first. Don’t despair; we’ve compiled a list of some of the best sights in Japan. You’ll get the best of Japanese history and culture with these destinations. The Japanese sights are organized by the major city they are near.

Tokyo

Tokyo is the capital city of Japan and the undisputed entertainment mecca of the nation. Tokyo has just about anything you could possibly want; museums, amusement parks, hotels, skyscrapers, amazing views and hundreds of other sights. If you don’t mind the big city, you could spend your whole vacation in Tokyo and never be bored. Here are some of the biggest attractions in Tokyo:

• Tokyo Tower – The Tokyo Tower is one of the most common places to visit in Tokyo because it gives a panoramic view of Tokyo. It’s modeled after the Eiffel Tower and is the tallest self-supporting steel structure in the world. At the base of the tower is a building called Foot Town that houses restaurants, museums and exhibits. The Tokyo Tower is available to visitors from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• Tokyo Dome City – This entertainment complex is an entire vacation in itself located in the center of Tokyo. The Tokyo Dome City contains a sports stadium, amusement park, spa and hotel, making it a popular destination to visit. Tokyo Dome City is open year-round, but the various facilities have different operating hours. The amusement park is open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. and the spa is open from 11 a.m. to 9 a.m. the next morning.
• Tokyo Disneyland – A favorite for children, Tokyo Disneyland offers all of the magic of the American theme park but with different attractions. Disney characters even dress in traditional Japanese clothing on special occasions. Besides amusement park rides, there are restaurants, shops, parades, musical performances, the DisneySea Park and more to entertain the whole family. Facilities are open from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m., although they can open as early as 8 a.m. during some parts of the year.
• Tokyo National Museum – The Tokyo National Museum is a popular destination because it has thousands of displays of Japanese culture and history. It also contains Chinese and Indian art, as well as 100 of Japan’s National Treasures. The Tokyo National Museum is open Tuesday through Sunday from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Kyoto

Kyoto was the former capital of Japan, and as a result it’s focused more on Japanese culture and history than the flashy urban jungle of Tokyo. Kyoto has become the center of culture in Japan, where you can see women dressed in authentic geisha costumes, samurai warrior costumes, traditional Japanese theater and many more relics of Japan’s rich culture. The following sights are popular for visitors to Japan:

• Kyoto Imperial Palace – The Kyoto Imperial Palace was built in 1855, when Kyoto was still the capital of Japan. It is renowned for its incredible buildings and beautiful grounds. The Kyoto Imperial Palace can only be viewed through guided tours given by the Imperial Household Agency. English tours are held at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. on weekdays and you must apply for a tour with the Imperial Housing Agency.
• Ryoan-ji Zen Garden – Recognized as one of the best Zen stone gardens in Japan, the Ryoan-ji Zen Garden is located in the Ryoan-ji Temple in northern Kyoto. The garden is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., although it opens a half hour later and closes a half hour earlier in the winter months.
• Temple of the Golden Pavilion – The Temple of the Golden Pavilion, or Kinkaku-ji, is one of the main attractions in Kyoto. The beautiful temple grounds contain a three-story building known as the Golden Pavilion because the top two stories are covered in gold leaf and contain Buddhist relics. The complex is open from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
• Temple of the Silver Pavilion – Known as Ginkaku-ji in Japanese, the Temple of the Silver Pavilion is closely related to the Temple of the Golden Pavilion, though it is not covered in silver. The temple grounds and gardens are beautiful and open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Hiroshima

Hiroshima has the infamous distinction of being the first city in the world to suffer a nuclear attack. Now Hiroshima is dedicated to the memory of the victims and most of the Japanese sights in Hiroshima are memorials or museums about the terrible effects of the nuclear attack.

• The Peace Park – The Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park is a monument to the people who lived in the first city in the world to experience a nuclear attack. It is located where the commercial and residential areas of Hiroshima used to be. The Peace Park contains several buildings and monuments. The A-Bomb Dome is the shattered remains of the former Industrial Promotions Hall. It is the closest building to the blast to remain standing. The Memorial Cenotaph is a monument containing all the names of the victims of the atomic bomb. The Peace Flame has been burning in memory of the victims since it was lit in 1964. There are many other museums and monuments dedicated to the tragedy at Hiroshima as well.

Miyajima

Miyajima is an island that is considered to be holy in the Shinto religion. There are many sights to see, including a few that have almost come to be icons of Japan.

• The Shrine of Itsukushima – The Itsukushima Shrine is a Shinto shrine on the island of Miyashima. It is a popular attraction because the torii, or gates, of the shrine are one of the most common images associated with Japan. The Itsukushima Shrine is open from 6:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

These are just the beginning to the amazing sights of Japan. So get ready to explore and discover more Japanese culture and entertainment. And stop by our review of Learn Japanese Software to find programs that will help you pick up some travel Japanese before you go. At TopTenREVIEWS, we do the research so you don’t have to.

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