From the metropolitan megalopolis of the Taiheiyō Belt to mountain resorts and coastal retreats, explore eight of Japan’s most fascinating travel destinations here. The cities on this list span four of Japan’s five major islands, from Hokkaido to Kyūshū.
While most visitors to Japan will head to Tokyo, the nation has a vast number of less frequented, but equally fascinating cities. From historic Kyoto to the foodie paradise Osaka, we've compiled a list of the most entertaining, educational and exciting cities in the country outside the capital.
Further, find tips on the language, getting around and using the best eSIM for Japan to stay connected during your trip.
And if you are travelling to the capital, be sure to check out our in-depth guide to the best neighbourhoods in Tokyo.
The Best Cities to Visit in Japan
Osaka
Tokyo may have the most Michelin-starred restaurants in the world, but for the Japanese, Osaka is the undisputed culinary capital. The Dotonbori area is especially known for the number of vendors and the quality of the seafood. As the street food movement continues to gather steam across the globe and inspire imitations from multinational chains, Dotonbori is the real deal: some stalls have been plying their trade here for decades. Osaka’s prime location for seafood is reflected in the must-try local delicacy, Takoyaki, or fried octopus dumplings served to take away directly from the griddle.
For non-foodies, there’s still plenty to explore. Built above a network of natural hot springs, Osaka is home to several centuries-old onsens, or traditional Japanese spas. Visiting an onsen is a ritualistic experience, and guests are expected to adhere to a dress code and rules of conduct throughout. For history-lovers, Osaka castle, former seat of the Tokugawa Shogunate, is one of the largest feudal-era castles in the country.
Insider tip: The Shinsekai neighbourhood in Osaka’s entertainment district is a riot of neon lights, sound and colour. Bars, restaurants, shops and stalls remain open late into the night here.
Kyoto
The capital of Japan for over 1,000 years, Kyoto is packed with historical sites reflecting its former status as the heart of the Japanese Empire. These include the Kyoto Imperial Palace and the Kinkaku-ji Buddhist temple, two of the most-visited sites in Japan.
Among Kyoto’s many temples and castles, the Shrine of Fushimi Inari stands out. This 7th-century Shinto structure is one the most iconic historical landmarks in the country. Perhaps best known for its network of hiking trails lined by thousands of red gates, the shrine complex is dotted with small restaurants catering to pilgrims, hikers and tourists. Visitors should plan at least a day to take in the site’s main buildings, wooded trails and panoramic mountain views.
Insider tip: Go to Ichimonjiya Wasuke – this unassuming teahouse in Kyoto’s Kita district is one of the oldest continually operated businesses in the world. ‘Ichiwa’ has been in the same family for 25 generations, serving refreshments to travellers for over 1000 years.
Nara
Just west of Osaka lies another former Japanese capital, Nara. Nara is a smaller city that still draws thousands of visitors every year for its unique culture, tame deer population and wealth of Feudal-era buildings - a legacy from from the city’s tenure as the Japanese capital in the 8th century. Don’t miss the Kasuga-Taisha, one of the oldest Shinto shrines in the world.
Younger visitors (and older) will love Nara’s famous park, or Kouen Nara, and its resident herd of deer. The animals have been a symbol of Nara for centuries, closely associated with the local branch of Shintoism. Visit the park to watch them roam up close.
Insider tip: However tempting, visitors are recommended not to feed the deer – they require a grass-rich diet, and other foods, such as bread or crackers, can be harmful to their health.
Nagoya
Nagoya is a large bayside city that balances millennia of human history with its recent emergence as an industrial powerhouse. Nagoya port is the busiest in Japan, while the city is also home to the Nagoya Stock exchange and many of Japan’s largest corporations. It may not be as picturesque as Kyoto or Nara, but Nagoya's cosmopolitan atmosphere, great food and progressive nightlife make it a rewarding stop on any journey.
Despite its size, Nagoya is somewhat of an underrated travel destination for visitors to Japan. With far fewer tourists and a lower cost of living than the capital, Nagoya is an emerging alternative holiday spot to Tokyo. The busy fishing port means you’ll find some of the best sushi in the country here, while the city’s long history as a trading post has provided it with a rich mixture of cultural, culinary and architectural influences. The two must-see sights in Nagoya reflect its lengthy history: Atsuta, a 2000-year-old shrine and one of the most important sites in Shinto; and Nagoya Castle, a medieval hilltop castle and gardens.
Insider tip: Nagoya’s central location on the island of Honshu also makes it an ideal base camp for exploring nearby attractions, like the historic towns of Tokoname and Inuyama.
Fukuoka
The ‘Gateway to Japan’, Fukuoka is a bay city on Kyūshū Island, one of the southernmost of Japan’s major islands. This remote seaside location provides the city with some of the country’s best beaches, as well as a distinct local culture, dialect and cuisine that makes it a fascinating destination for visitors to Japan. Due to its famous beaches and spectacular bayside setting, Fukuoka has become a popular holiday spot for domestic and international tourists.
Fukuoka is located at the Western end of Japan’s Taiheiyō Belt – a continuously inhabited urban area of 75 million people that includes most of Japan’s major cities, connected by the Shinkansen, or bullet train. This makes Fukuoka easily reachable from Tokyo by public transport, despite its relative seclusion compared to Osaka or Kyoto.
Insider tip: Eat at one of Fukuoka’s Yatai, or outdoor restaurants. These stalls are built along the shore and allow diners to enjoy the local Kyūshū cuisine under the stars.
Hiroshima
With over a million residents, Hiroshima and its surroundings is one of Japan’s largest urbanised areas. This is a city that bears the marks of it’s tragic past: the Allied atom bomb attack in 1945 killed over 100,000 civilians and obliterated almost every building. Hiroshima has since been rebuilt and is once again a major city and an essential destination for visitors to Japan. Despite its size, Hiroshima maintains a small-town atmosphere, with a noticeably more laid-back character than the metropolises of Osaka or Tokyo.
The Hiroshima Peace Memorial is a Monument and park commemorating the tragedy. The UNESCO World Heritage Site houses the ruins of the only surviving building from the blast, landscaped gardens and an accompanying museum. The nearby Shukkeien Garden is a classic Japanese ornamental garden that provides a space for contemplation after the emotional intensity of the Peace Memorial.
Insider Tip: Visitors can also take a ferry from the port to the many inhabited islands in Hiroshima Bay. A highlight is Miyajima Island, famous for the ancient floating shrine of Itsukushima.
Sapporo
At the Northern end of Japan, Sapporo is a mountainside city with a climate, culture and way of life like nowhere else in Japan. Globally recognized as a leading snow sports resort, the city hosted the 1972 Winter Olympics. The major attraction, however, is the annual snow festival. The Sapporo Snow Festival is a citywide celebration of snow and ice sculpture that draws millions of visitors every year. If you’re visiting Japan in February, this is a must-see.
There’s plenty to do and see year-round as well. As the capital of the mountainous Hokkaido region, Sapporo has a distinct Northern culture. Discover this through local dishes like Jingisukan.
The city is also a magnet for contemporary art and architecture fans, housing two of Asia’s most acclaimed public art spaces: the Sapporo Art Park and the Noguchi-designed Moerenuma Park.
Insider tip: For a unique day trip in Hokkaido, travel to the Makomanai Takino Cemetery on the outskirts of Sapporo – this offbeat park features replicas of stone landmarks from around the world, including Stonehenge and Easter Island, for no discernible reason.
Kanazawa
Kanazawa is a historic city with a beautifully preserved Edo-period old town. A popular day-trip destination for residents of Osaka and Tokyo, Kanazawa is renowned for its concentration of medieval buildings, gardens and streets. The Namagachi neighbourhood, a former home for Samurai, and the Geisha teahouses of Higashi Chaya are must-sees. Kanazawa Castle is one of the most popular tourist sights outside Tokyo, known primarily for its outstanding ornamental garden, the Kenrokuen. Peak visiting times occur during cherry blossom (sakura) season
Insider tip: While visitors can easily spend several days exploring the historic districts, modern Kanazawa has a relaxed, friendly pace of life that is worth discovering. Visit the Omisho fish market and try a Kaga curry, the local specialty.
eSIM data plans for Japan and Asia-Pacific
Use an eSIM for Japan to stay connected
If you’re traveling to Japan, one of the first things you’ll need is a reliable mobile internet connection. From hailing a taxi at the airport to translating menus, searching for travel recommendations and sharing your holiday photos, mobile data has become an essential part of international travel. Using your regular phone provider in Japan can lead to spiraling international roaming fees, while replacing your SIM with local Japan SIM card means losing access to your messages, contacts and two-factor authentication services.
The easiest way to get online on your phone in Japan is with a Japanese travel eSIM. These combine the best of both worlds - they allow you to access high-speed mobile data abroad for a prepaid local rate and use your phone as you normally would. No swapping out SIM cards, and no international roaming fees. Just find the right data package for your Japan trip, download your Japan eSIM before you travel and get online the minute you land, for a fair price. If you're travelling with an tablet, you can also purchase iPad eSIM plans for Japan.
Do You Need to Learn Japanese before Visiting?
Written Japanese takes the form of 4 separate writing systems, often used simultaneously: Romaji, the Latin script; Kanji, a pictographic script adapted from written Chinese; Hiragana, a simplified writing system used in place of Kanji; and Katakana, a phonetic script used to write loanwords, proper nouns and other cases where Kanji is insufficient.
As a result, reading Japanese can be incredibly complex for non-Japanese speakers and visitors to the country. Fortunately, most public street signs, as well as shop signs and menus in major city centres and heavily-touristed areas will often be written in English as well.
A translation app like Google Translate or DeepL can be an indispensable tool when travelling in Japan. These apps allow you to ‘download’ a language and use it offline, or used in combination with a tourist SIM or Japanese eSIM to ensure you can always make yourself understood when needed.
Even with the help of a translator and a mobile data connection, it’s still highly useful to learn some Japanese before you go. Even a few basic phrases will make your journey smoother, make life easier for those around you and help you to truly immerse yourself in a new country and culture.
Mobile Data Plans for the APAC Region
For longer journeys across multiple countries in the Asia-Pacific region, consider downloading a regional APAC eSIM. These function just like a Japan eSIM, with the added benefit that they remain valid in an extra 13 countries, including China, Vietnam, Indonesia and South Korea. Find out more and buy and eSIM with our Asia-Pacific data packages.
