Japan was Asia’s most-visited country in 2024 — 36.9 million international arrivals, up more than 47% year-on-year on a weak yen and full border reopening, per UN Tourism. Most of that traffic still funnels through Tokyo and Kyoto; here’s what’s worth the extra leg.
- Osaka — A short hop from Kyoto by train; trades temples for food and nightlife, centered on the neon canal-side district of Dotonbori.
- Hiroshima & Miyajima Island — The Peace Memorial Park, paired with a roughly one-hour train-and-ferry trip to Miyajima, where Itsukushima Shrine’s vermilion torii — with roots to 593 CE — appears to float at high tide.
- Himeji — Home to Himeji Castle, Japan’s largest and best-preserved original castle, an easy Shinkansen day trip from Kyoto, Osaka, or Hiroshima.
- Nara — Nara Park’s free-roaming sika deer and a walkable historic center; sits between Tokyo and Kyoto.
- Kanazawa — A less-crowded historic city with a history rivaling Kyoto’s: geisha districts, the Kenrokuen Garden, and the Ninja Temple’s hidden passages.
- Hakone — About 90 minutes from Tokyo via the Romancecar train; the closest reliable Mount Fuji viewing base, with hot springs and Lake Ashi cruises.
- Mount Fuji & the Fuji Five Lakes — Hiking season runs summer only; the surrounding lake region works as a base year-round for views without the climb.
- Sapporo & Hokkaido — Japan’s winter-sports region, plus the Sapporo Snow Festival and a distinct culinary scene built around ramen and seafood.
- Okinawa — Subtropical islands with Ryukyuan culture distinct from mainland Japan, plus historic castle sites.
- Fukuoka — A less-visited base for an off-the-beaten-path southern route through Beppu, Nagasaki, and Yakushima.
Planning note
Japan’s rail network makes ambitious-looking itineraries deceptive: a “quick” Tokyo-to-Hiroshima trip is over four hours each way by Shinkansen. Travel guides consistently make the same point — three unhurried days in one city produces a better trip than rushing through seven in the same window. Build slack into the schedule rather than maximizing the stop count.
Sources
- Japan Highlights — Top 10 Cities in Japan to Visit
- Never Ending Voyage — 19 Unmissable Places to Visit in Japan
- UN Tourism World Tourism Barometer, January 2025
Read the Top 10 Countries to Visit in 2026 roundup for how Japan compares globally.