14 Best Cities in Japan To Visit This Year

Everyone should explore Japan at least once in their lifetime. Japan has thousands of hidden gems and is a year-round destination. You can visit its ski resorts in winter or the beautiful coastline in summer. And, whatever the season, Japan’s cities are always ready to welcome you with fascinating attractions, delicious street food, and bucket loads of culture.

The real question is, which of the cities in Japan should you visit? In an ideal world, all of them. However, this guide will narrow it down to the absolute best cities.

Explore Japan: The Top Cities in Japan

Japan has some incredible cities. From Tokyo to Sapporo, these are the best cities in Japan for your next adventure. Let’s dive straight in.

1. Tokyo

When you think of cities in Japan, it’s safe to say that Tokyo will be in your top three. As the capital, Tokyo is one of the major Japanese cities and attracts millions of tourists a year. It is also the largest city in Japan, with an estimated population of around 14 million people.

Think busy streets, fast-paced entertainment, and flashing neon lights – Tokyo is hectic but exciting. Tokyo is where to visit if you want to be right in the thick of all the action, with plenty of museums to tour, shopping to bag, and fun to be had. The sheer size of the city is exciting in itself.

So, where do you begin? What are the best things to do in Tokyo? Well, after visiting the city a few times we suggest starting with Tokyo Tower. Tokyo Tower may look familiar, and it should be. The tower was heavily inspired by the Eiffel Tower. In fact, the only difference is that Tokyo Tower is 333 meters tall and red and white.

Heading to the top of the tower, you can learn about Tokyo’s architectural history en route, finishing with a spectacular view of the beautiful city below. Nearby, there’s also Tokyo Skytree which stands at a dizzying 634 meters and is the tallest tower in the world – so be prepared to spend at least a few hours amongst the clouds.

To appreciate Tokyo’s atmosphere on the ground, head to Golden Gai for a downtown vibe or Shibuya Crossing for a CBD experience. Allow time to visit museums like the Mori Art Museum, Japan Olympic Museum, and NHL Museum of Broadcasting.

2. Osaka

Osaka is another one of Japan’s large cities. Osaka has a strong character, and the port city has a commercial soul with lots going on at all hours of day and night. There’s always street food to taste, a bar to hop to, and attractions to…