10 Best Japan Tourist Attractions

Which tourist attraction in Japan is the most popular today?? Let’s countdown the latest ranking of 10 best tourist spots in Japan chosen by international travellers according to the world’s biggest travel website, Tripadvisor “top 30 attractions in Japan”!!

10. Koyasan Okunoin (Wakayama)

Koyasan (Mt.Koya) was introduced by Kobo Daishi, Kukai as the sanctuary of Shingon Buddhism about 1,200 years ago. Okunoin is the site of the cemetery of Kukai and other 200 thousands of samurai, and serves as one of the most sacred places in Japan as well as a popular pilgrimage route. (official website: http://www.koyasan.or.jp/en/)

9. Himeji Castle (Himeji)

Himeji Castle, a.k.a. White Egret Castle is the only Japanese castle which is designated to UNESCO World Heritage site.The castle is highly praised for the design and construction method. The castle has completed the major renovation in 2015, and now it appears with even better new look.

More info ▶ Himeji Castle: The only UNESCO World Heritage castle in Japan

8. Dolls Museum (Kanazawa City, Ishikawa)

Dolls Museum in Kanazawa City is a private museum that exhibits over 600 traditional Japanese dolls with a guided tour. Through beautiful dolls, guests can learn the history and culture of Japan. Besides the exhibition, a hands-on doll painting experience and a museum cafe are also available.

Official Website: https://www.dollsmuseum.jp/en/

7. Nikko Toshogu Shrine (Nikko, Tochigi)

Nikko Toshogu Shrine is a Shinto shrine that was built in 1617 to enshrine Ieyasu Tokugawa, the first shogun leader of Edo period. The lavishly decorated shrine complex is highly renowned and was designated to UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999 together with 103 buildings, structures and natural setting around.

More info ▶ Nikko Best Things to Do

6. Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden (Tokyo)

Although Shinjuku area is better known for its outrageous neon lights and chaoticness, Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden manages to keep the peaceful and pleasant atmosphere with the beautiful nature. At the garden, various flowers and trees such as cherry blossoms, maple and ginkgo trees represent four beautiful seasons of Japan.

More info ▶ Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden: the Most Popular Park in Tokyo

5. Kenrokuen Garden (Kanazawa, Ishikawa)

Kenrokuen Garden is a traditional Japanese landscape garden founded during Edo period. It’s counted as one of three greatest gardens in Japan together with Kairakuen (Ibaraki) and Korakuen (Okayama). The picturesque garden can be appreciated throughout the year, displaying amazing scenery in each season.

4. Todai-ji Temple (Nara)

Founded originally in the 8th century, Todaiji Temple is one of the oldest buildings existing in Japan today. The temple is best known for the world’s largest Buddha statue.

More info ▶ Todaiji Temple: Meet the World’s Largest Buddha

3. The Hakone Open-Air Museum (Kanagawa)

Hakone Open-Air Museum is located in the popular Onsen town, Hakone City. The museum is home to numbers of unique and impressive artworks by famous artists including Picasso, Henry Moore, Taro Okamoto and Yasuo Mizui, which are displayed in outdoor and indoor spaces.

More info ▶ Hakone Open-Air Museum: World Masterpieces in Nature

2. Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine (Kyoto)

After keeping the number one position for 6 consecutive years, Fushimi Inari Taisha marked the second place of the ranking this year gloriously. Kyoto has numbers of popular tourist attractions, but Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine fascinates the tourists most by the gorgeous numerous vermilion torii gates. It’s definitely worth visiting once in your lifetime.

More info ▶ Fushimi Inari Taisha: Kyoto’s Most Visited Shrine by Foreign Visitors!

1. Hiroshima Peace Memorial (Hiroshima)

Hiroshima Peace Memorial (including park, museum and Atomic Bomb Dome) is one of top visited tourist sites which is dedicated to the first city in the world to suffer from nuclear attack and to memories of victims for the history not to repeat. It’s one of most important historical monuments in the world.

More info ▶ Hiroshima Peace Memorial: “Must Never Fade” Memory

What did you think about the top 10 ranking?? It looks like the western Japan dominates the chart this time while only one spot in Tokyo has been ranked on top 10!! In case you are wondering which tourist attractions are from no. 30–11, here is the full list of the latest Top 30 Attractions in Japan by International Travelers.

1. Hiroshima Peace Memorial (Hiroshima City, Hiroshima)

2. Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine (Kyoto City, Kyoto)

3. The Hakone Open-Air Museum (Hakone Town, Kanagawa)

4. Todai-ji Temple (Nara City, Nara)

5. Kenrokuen Garden (Kanazawa City, Ishikawa)

6. Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden (Shinjuku Ward, Tokyo)

7. Nikko Toshogu Shrine (Nikko, Tochigi)

8. Dolls Museum (Kanazawa, Ishikawa)

9. Himeji Castle (Himeji City, Hyogo)

10. Koyasan Okunoin (Koya Town, Wakayama)

11. Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building Observation Decks

12. Eikando Zenrinji Temple (Kyoto City, Kyoto)

13. Shukkeien Garden (Hiroshima)

14. Kinkakuji Temple (Kyoto City, Kyoto)

15. Otagi Nenbutsuji Temple (Kyoto City, Kyoto)

16. Daisho-in Temple (Hatsukaichi City, Hiroshima)

17. Itchiku Kubota Art Museum (Yamanashi)

18. Miyajima (Itsukushima Shrine) (Hatsukaichi City, Hiroshima)

19. Jugokudani Snow Monkey Park (Nagano)

20. Nezu Museum (Tokyo)

21. Nara Park (Nara City, Nara)

22. Sanjusangendo Temple (Kyoto City, Kyoto)

23. Sensoji Temple (Asakusa, Tokyo)

24. Kyoto Railway Museum (Kyoto)

25. Chureito Pagoda (Fuji Yoshida City, Yamanashi)

26. Hase-dera Temple (Kamakura City, Kanagawa

27. Ritsurin Garden (Kagawa)

28. Nakasendo Magome-juku (Gifu)

29. Oirase Mountain Stream (Aomori)

30. Mt. Misen (Hiroshima)

For more trendy and popular tourist info in Japan, please check out these articles, too!

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