When we talk about Japan, many of you might already know how great and different the country really is. The country is known for its perfect combination of traditional and modern culture, which resonates with travelers worldwide. This is another perfect example of a country that has drastically contrasting lifestyles, yet, those can be infused into everyday life in perfect harmony. For instance, in cities, most people are quite busy on workdays, but they can still peacefully live with the Zen principles and their discipline in everything they do. Moreover, the land of a rising sun is also known as one of the most desirable tourist destinations, foods, and diverse cultures across the country, making Japan a country that needs revisits at least once or twice to complete the experience the country has to offer. It is no surprise that several readers might not only travel to this country for a single time. And, in this article, we are going to highlight the several landmarks that you do not want to miss during your time in Japan. So, let’s dive right in. Have you ever been to Tokyo? We believe that you might have already visited it at least once in your lifetime, and for good reasons. This city is one of the densest metropolitan areas in the world and the most densely populated city in Japan, with over 38 million people living in Tokyo alone! Because of that, Tokyo is among the most diverse cities in the world, with differences in culture, lifestyle, and places. From skyscrapers to shopping malls, from traditional places to modern cultural centers, or from busy metro stations to peaceful parks, Tokyo has it all. Starting with Shibuya, the shopping district in Tokyo, not only features staggering shopping destinations, but Shibuya also hosts the renowned Shibuya Intersection, one of the busiest intersections in the world. Sure, the intersection area is quite busy, but, somehow, it is still the most organized intersection in the world. This is just a glimpse of how impressive the intersection is. If you like Japan’s pop culture, like its animations, games, or Mangas, Akihabara is truly the place for you, especially if you are a gadget enthusiast. This location is a landmark for manga stores, spaces for cosplayers, and several shops for nerds, making Akihabara the home for otakus and gadget nerds.
If you are looking for a place where you can relax in Tokyo, Ueno Park is a place for you. Moreover, this park also has a rich history dating back to 1868, when Kaneji temple, located in the same place as the park, was demolished in the Boshin War. The aftermath of the war led to the creation of the Seigo Takamori statue as a memorial for his bravery in the war. In addition to the park, this place also hosts several museums and learning centers, including the Tokyo National Museum, National Western Art Museum, Tokyo Art Museum, and National Science Museum, as well as Ueno Zoo, where you can sightsee the diverse selection of animals. Most importantly, during spring, you can also see the cherry blossoms bloom across the park, making this one of the most romantic places in Tokyo. Another place that is worth sightseeing is Asahi Tower, located near the park. The tower has its unique golden sculpture representing the foam on top of the beer.
Speaking of the oldest temple in Japan, Senso-ji Temple is a place that might come to your attention. The temple is a great representation of their beliefs in Buddhism in Japan. The most striking part of it is its giant red lamp standing at the center of the temple, placed under a gate, namely Kaminari-mon, meaning “Thunder Gate” in English. The temple also hosted a prayer hall, as well as the Hozo-mon, a gate in front of the treasure room displayed large sculptures of its giant guard, alongside several artifacts spread throughout the place. Nearing the temple, there is also Nakamise-Dori, a shopping street where you can find traditional souvenirs, from food to goods. If you are in Tokyo, do not sleep on this one! Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo Disney Sea
Are you a fan of Disney’s titles? If so, Tokyo Disneyland is another place that you need to check out. Not only does it have the Disneyland theme park you know and love. It also hosts Tokyo Disney Sea, an underwater theme park that looks like nowhere else. Whether diving into the unique experience of Disney’s theme parks or the diverse lineups of its characters, Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo Disney Sea are the places to go. Tokyo is one of the most beautiful cities in Japan, and the place you can experience it in 360-degree is the Tokyo Skytree. This place was originally made for broadcasting radio signals across the Kanto region, but with the height of the building, it is now offering 2 observation decks from 2 different heights, which you can observe Tokyo in 360-degree. Our recommendation if you are interested in visiting this place is to purchase a ticket in advance, since it is cheaper than buying tickets on-site. Osaka is another city that is hugely popular among travelers as it offers famous neon signs shining bright at night. It also hosts several tourist attractions in the city. Listen up eaters like you! Dotonbori is the place you do not want to miss. Not only is it packed with several renowned street foods, but it is also the place for spectacular neon signs across the city. For the food selections, there are tremendous amounts of foods that you know and love. For instance, Takoyaki, the world’s famous ramen noodles, or even charcoal-grilled or gas-grilled yakitori, making your sightseeing experience even more enjoyable! If you are a huge fan of Hollywood movies, Universal Studios Japan is our pick just for you. This theme park hosted several rides from Universal Studios, including Minions from the Despicable Me series, along with other titles like Harry Potter and Super Mario Worlds from Nintendo, the first of its kind in the world. Experiencing your dream surrounded by your favorite characters at Universal Studios Japan, and you will be amazed at how good it really is. Speaking of a place where beautiful architecture and great nature can live together, Osaka Castle is a place you do not want to miss. Like several places in Japan, this place also has a rich history dating back to 1583 during the establishment of the unified Japan. The place passed through several maintenance and wars. This castle hosts several artifacts from many eras of Japan. There is also Nishimaru Park, where over 600 cherry blossom trees were planted, making this the perfect place for taking pictures. Whether you are taking stunning pictures, learning about Japanese history, or even walking across the park, this is the place for you. Winter is coming, and if you want to experience the coldest part of Japan, Hokkaido is the place for you. This north island in the country is known for its iced freezing weather and snowfalls. Every winter, the region hosts the Sapporo Snow Festival where you can find large piles of snow, as well as an ice sculpture competition attracting several competitors across the world, including Thais who have won prizes several times. Moreover, Boya Lake in Shikotsu-Toya National Park is another place you might not want to miss since it has a greatvista along with famous hot springs in the country. For eaters, Hokkaido is the place for eating Hokkaido crabs, sea urchins, as well as delicious Hokkaido milk ice cream that we want you to try. At this point, you might feel hungry or look for a flight to Japan. But, as always, there are several tips and tricks before you go to Japan. First of all, beware of criminals in Japan. Sure, the country is peaceful, but there are several places where Japanese gangsters (Yakuza) occupy, which may cause you harm. We highly recommend researching the areas to avoid before you plan to travel anywhere in Japan, especially in Tokyo. Another thing that you should do is to plan and purchase tickets in advance, especially if you plan to go to theme parks, for which we highly recommend you purchase a fast pass ticket. Normally, the ticket prices on location are much more expensive than the ones you purchase beforehand. Finally, lots of places in the country are not accepting credit cards, making your shopping experience a hassle, especially for shops on the street. So, we highly recommend you exchange the money for your convenience. But, if you do not have that much time to exchange money, we have a brilliant solution for you. With our X-One Delivery service, you do not need to go to the currency exchange center yourself. Just contact us via LINE, and we will deliver the best Japanese Yen exchange rate on the market straight to your doorstep. And, if you are interested in the service, be sure to check out the details in this blog post. For those of you who interested in exchange currency at the great rate, with our money delivery service, for the best value and the most convenience, be sure to check out our exchange rate at X-One Currency Exchange Center.
Tokyo: The Most Diverse Metropolitan Area
Shibuya and Its Famous Intersection
Akihabara: The Pop Culture Icon
Ueno Park: Natural Park with Rich History at the Heart of Tokyo
Senso-ji Temple: The Oldest Temple in Japan
360-degree of Tokyo Skyline at Tokyo Skytree
Osaka: City of Neon Lights Shining Bright at Night
Dotonbori: Street Foods Under Neon Signs
Universal Studios Japan
Osaka Castle
Experience the Coldest Region of Japan in Hokkaido
Tips and Tricks for Traveling to Japan with Confident