Why to Visit Japan | Things to Discover 2024

Floating Torii Gate in Miyajima Island. Photo credit: Martin Abegglen at Flickr through Creative Commons licensing.

Japan, the land of the rising sun offers you endless discoveries with amazing things to do and experience. Many things here are totally different than what you have and see in your home country. For example, the traditional foods that locals eat in Japan everyday can’t be obtained easily in your country. Can you?

Your country’s culture and the Japanese culture have many differences for sure. So don’t you think you should visit Japan at least once in a life?

Japan: A country in East Asia, located in the Pacific Ocean
Capital City: Tokyo
Total Area: 377,972.28 km2
Japan Emperor: Akihoto

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A Geisha in Japan. Photo Credit: Nick Richards at Flickr.

Japan is home to the great warriors called Samurai who used to live in with pride. In modern Japan, there is no existence of samurai rules but still this nation has got samurai residences where samurai families used to live during the feudal Japan.

Geisha, the highly Japanese valued entertainers still believe in themselves that they could represent Japan showing their traditional dances and other entertaining performances to tourists.

Where do you think they live in Japan mostly? Is it Kyoto? Yes, head to Kyoto and meet real geisha and maiko (apprentice geisha) there.

Japan Prime Minister: Shinzō Abe
Japanese Currency: Yen
National Language: Japanese
Japan Population: 127.3 million

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Japanese Samurai in Kyoto. Photo credit: Japanexperterna.se at Flickr through Creative Commons licensing.

Maybe you have heard of some famous places in Japan, such as Mount Fuji, Floating Torii Gate on Miyajima Island, Hakuba, Lavender gardens in Hokkaido, Nara Park, Fushimi Inari Taisha, Great Buddha Statue in Kamakura, Lake Towada, Kawachi Fujien Wisteria Garden, Tokyo Skytree, Meiji Shrine, Himeji Castle, Shirakawa-go and Hiroshima Peace Park.

If hiking is in your blood then think of a trip to climb Mount Fuji in the summer months. This would be an epic adventure that you will remember for many years.

The one who likes to explore wildlife should head to Hokkaido. In fact, this will be a life time opportunity to see gorgeous natural beauty of Hokkaido’s wildlife. And those of you who want to explore historic temples and shrines, must visit Kyoto!

Total Number of Regions: 8 (eight)
Total Number of Prefectures: 47 (Forty Seven)
Japan country code: +81
Japan’s Major Cities: Tokyo, Sapporo, Osaka, Yokohama, Kyoto, Nagoya, Sendai, Hiroshima, and Fukuoka.

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Gion Matsuri in Kyoto. Photo Credit: Hideyuki KAMON at Flickr.

Japan is a country with many festivals to fascinate you, such as Flower festivals, Nebuta Matsuri, Sapporo Snow Festival, Gion Matsuri, Ume, Hanami, Hanabi and etc. You will never forget the beauty of cherry blossoms and autumn leaves colors once you experience them here in Japan.

Find out the list of the most popular summer festivals in Japan.

Head over to Kyoto, Hakone, Tohoku, Tokyo, Niigata, Nikko, Hokkaido, Nara and Osaka for viewing colored autumn leaves, as they are considered the most popular places to experience autumn foliage in the country.

Endless joys and unforgettable experience would make your trip a great adventure. All these places including participation in the autumn festivals should be in your Japan bucket list.

The oldest hotel in Japan: Hoshi Ryokan (World’s oldest hotel)
Japan’s most famous ski resort: Niseko, Hokkaido
Japan’s earliest sunrise city: Nemuro
Japan’s longest and largest river: Shinano River

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Bird on a Cherry Tree During Spring. Photo credit: Gabriel Rodríguez at Flickr through Creative Commons licensing.

Japanese people are very much friendly, helpful, polite and have good personality. They do respect elders and guests. Most of the people adore the nature and that’s for what they eagerly wait to see cherry blossoms in spring and maple leaves in fall.

To have a very good time with Japanese people you should know certain etiquette which will lead you to be a good friends of them.

Japan religion: Buddhism & Shinto
Japan’s National Animal: Raccoon Dog
Japan’s National Bird: Green pheasant, Red-crowned Crane
Japan’s National Sport: Sumo

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Red maple leaves in Kyoto. Photo Credit: Tetsuji Sakakibara at Flickr.

Traditional Japanese costume is worn on formal occasions. In summer, people (male & female including children) go out to see fireworks display wearing light Yukata. While on the other hand, women’s first formal dress is Kimono.

They wear it for celebrating special occasions such as wedding, anniversary, public events and etc. In modern Japan, styles of Japanese street fashion along with traditional costume ideas attract many fashion enthusiasts coming from different parts of the world.

Japan’s biggest winter festival: Sapporo Snow Festival
Japan’s longest suspension bridge: Akashi Kaikyō Bridge
Japan’s largest city by population: Yokohama
Japan’s largest island: Honshu

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Tokyo fashion! Photo Credit: René Mayorga at Flickr.

Japanese arts & crafts are widely popular. Each and every year, many visitors arrive in Japan to explore the traditional and modern architecture, Japanese traditional gardens, tea ceremony, origami, bonsai, contemporary arts, literature, yukata, kimono, ikebana, japan manga, anime, movies, calligraphy and etc.

Everything is just built and created by the original artists. Their arts works have fascinated millions of visitors hearts who really have an intention to discover them thoroughly.

Japan’s National Flower: Cherry Blossom (Sakura)
Japan’s National Dress: Kimono
Japan’s National Food: Japanese persimmon
Japan’s National Fish: Japanese Koi

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Beautiful garden at Ginkakuji, Kyoto. Photo Credit: Takuma Kimura at Flickr.

Traditional Japanese cuisine includes sushi, tempura, tofu, soba, green tea, rice, ramen, udon, yakitori, pickles, sashimi and various alcohols. When it comes to talking about Japanese food and table manners then first a very delicious mouthwatering food called sushi appears in your mind.

You would be nostalgic while having it at a Japanese restaurant in Japan if you ever have tasted before it in your country. At least you can compare the taste and price!

Japan’s most famous & tallest mountain: Mt. Fuji
Japan’s Deepest Lake: Lake Tazawa (423 meters)
Japan’s most windy city: Wakkanai
Japan’s most fastest Train: Maglev Bullet Train

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Delicious sushi. Photo Credit: cyclonebill at Flickr.

Japan has interesting history, arts, rich culture & tradition, variety of foods, beautiful landscape, amazing architecture (Shrine, Buddhist temple, Castles, Samurai residences), wildlife, and seasonal beauty.

At the time you visit Japan, make sure you buy the cutest (Kawaii) souvenirs from the shopping stores located all over Japan. You can visit convenience stores and shopping malls to find beautiful products to bring home. 

So now we assume you have got your answer why you should visit Japan in future?

If you really want to explore all these things in real life, you need to have a well organized travel plan, and just to help you out Kyuhoshi.com shares latest Japan travel guides that include finding the best hotel deals, featuring the best seasonal attractions/festivals, cherry blossom forecast and fall foliage forecast, and suggested itineraries.

See you in Japan soon!