Summary

  • Osaka: Experience incredible nightlife and outstanding cuisine in this seaside city known for its energetic atmosphere and delicious food.
  • Naoshima: Discover the art island with its galleries, sculptures, and installations, and enjoy the tranquil atmosphere and sea views.
  • Himeji: Visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site Himeji-jo castle and explore the picturesque Mount Shosha and Kokoen garden for a diverse cultural experience.

As Japan finally opens its borders to eager travelers after one of the strictest lockdowns that the world has seen, most itineraries focus on the shopping districts of Tokyo and the Buddhist temples of Kyoto. Occasionally, the street food of Osaka might make it to the list.

Few consider venturing beyond the big cities of Tokyo and Kyoto, but for those who dare try, thrilling adventures await in Japan's best cities. From former homes of samurai warriors and current cities of geishas, hot springs spas, traditional architecture, and ski mountains — these cities deserve a spot on everyone’s Japanese bucket list.

UPDATE: 2023/10/09 19:32 EST BY MARIA BOU INK

16 Japanese Cities To Visit Besides Tokyo And Kyoto

Japan's beauty is not limited to Tokyo and Kyoto. The country is a hub of wonderful towns that are worth a trip. Therefore, this list was updated to include two of the best cities to visit in Japan besides Tokyo and Kyoto.

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16 Osaka

Splendid Shitennoji Temple in Osaka, Japan
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Splendid Shitennoji Temple in Osaka, Japan

If tourists want to sample some of the greatest cuisine and beverages Japan has to offer, they should head over to Osaka, a seaside city famed for its incredible nightlife and outstanding cuisine. Tokyo's big-city energy is also present here but on a little lesser scale. This way, tourists can visit cities in Japan other than Tokyo and Kyoto while having the same vibes and escaping the crowds. Tourists are recommended to visit the Osaka Castle and Park in between all of their eating and exploring. It is one of the most well-known sights in Japan and is definitely worth visiting.

  • Some attractions: Tempozan Ferris Wheel, Universal Studio Japan, Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan, etc.

15 Naoshima

Kusama Yayoi's yellow pumpkin at Naoshima Island
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Kusama Yayoi's yellow pumpkin at Naoshima Island

The island of Naoshima, which is reachable via ferry, is a wonderful location. The area is referred to as the art island, and tourists may find galleries, sculptures, and installations everywhere they go, especially if they stay at the upscale Benesse House, which serves as both a hotel and a museum of modern art. On the island, there are two towns, both of which include charming stores and little restaurants. There are also sea views everywhere, which enhances the tranquil atmosphere.

  • Some attractions: The Yellow Pumpkin, Chichu Art Museum, Naoshima Public Bath I Love Yu, etc.

14 Himeji

City view of Himeji, Hyogo, Japan 
Photo by Parya Tavakoli Tehrani on Unsplash
City view of Himeji, Hyogo, Japan 

Home to a UNESCO World Heritage Site castle, Himeji is worth a special trip for the Himeji-jo castle alone. Widely considered to be the finest example of 17th-century feudal-era Japanese architecture that still survives, Himeji-jo may be the reason tourists visit this city in Japan, but Himeji gives them several reasons to stay. On the outskirts of the city is the picturesque Mount Shosha, with a Buddhist temple at its peak. And if a hike isn’t someone’s cup of tea, tourists can spend a day at the Kokoen garden, which is made of nine walled gardens connected by a network of streams, waterfalls, and ponds and sits on the former feudal lord’s residence.

  • Some attractions: Himeji Castle, Engyoji, Himeji Central Park, etc.
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13 Matsue

Beautiful Matsue Castle, Shimane, Japan
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Beautiful Matsue Castle, Shimane, Japan

Matsue’s location on a peninsula by the Sea of Japan with Lake Shinji on its west and Lake Nakaumi on the east has given the city another name: The City of Water. While the water bodies that surround it have given Matsue its second name, there are also water bodies within the city. Canals with boat tours for tourists flow through the city, old samurai houses flank its streets, and Matsue is home to one of only twelve medieval castles that are preserved in their original state in Japan. But that’s not all: the city has long attracted curious travelers with its rich myths and legends related to Matsue being the place where Japanese gods descend.

  • Some attractions: Matsue-jō Castle, Yuushien, Yaegaki Shrine, etc.

12 Yokohama

Yokohama City, Japan
Photo by Finn on Unsplash
Aerial view of Yokohama City in Japan

Yokohama is the second-largest Japanese city and the first to have opened its ports to the world at the end of the Edo Period. The port city quickly transformed from a small fishing village to a major city when foreign trade introduced new cultures to the old Japanese traditions of the village. As a result, Yokohama offers a contrast between old and new, and travelers can explore the streets of Yokohama to see the Western influence on the Japanese way of life everywhere. Tourists can visit traditional Japanese gardens and tea rooms, ramen and instant cup noodle museums, giant ferry wheels reminiscent of the London Eye, and one of the largest Chinatowns in the whole country.

  • Some attractions: Shin Yokohama Ramen Museum, Yokohama Chinatown, Yokohama Cosmoworld, etc.

11 Fukuoka

Pagoda in Ohori Park Fukuoka, Japan
Photo by kim hyo woon on Unsplash
Pagoda in Ohori Park Fukuoka, Japan

For those who like the crowds of Tokyo but wish for a city just a tad more quite than the Japanese capital, Fukuoka’s contemporary attractions make it the ideal city. Fukuoka is Japan’s eighth most populous city and balances urban life with the natural beauty that is synonymous with Japan. The port city is filled with hot springs, hike trails, tea plantations, and sake breweries. But the best part, perhaps, is the fact that Fukuoka happens to be the city that invented tonkatsu ramen, so for those who’d like to slurp their way through Japan via its ramen, Fukuoka has to be the starting place.

  • Some attractions: Ohori Park, Marine World, Uminonakamichi Seaside Park, etc.

10 Hakodate

Ariel view of Fukuoka, Japan
Via: Unsplash
Ariel view of Fukuoka, Japan

Hokkaido is an island region of Japan that is known for its hot springs, ski mountains, and volcanoes. Hakodate — located on the island’s southern tip — is one of the largest cities in Hokkaido and was voted Japan’s most attractive city in 2015. Visitors can hike to Mount Hakodate and enjoy spectacular views of the city surrounded by the sea, soak in the hot springs, go down ski slopes, or take in the views of the Mount Komagatake volcano from the lakes of Onuma Park. The best part of the port city, however, is its food. Surrounded by the sea, Hakodate is famous for its freshly-caught seafood, and the Hakodate Morning Market is the best place to enjoy it.

  • Some attractions: Goryokaku, Goryokaku Tower, Old Public Hall of Hakodate Ward, etc.
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9 Nara

Abandoned place Japan Nara Dreamland
Image by Jordy Meow from Pixabay 
An aerial view of Nara Dreamland in Japan

Kyoto isn’t the only city in Japan famous for its Buddhist monasteries and temples. Formerly known as Heijo-Kyo, Nara was once Japan’s capital city and is now home to three UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The Horyuji Area of Nara was the first to be on the list and includes 48 Buddhist sites, all of which are of immense importance to the Japanese culture and religion. Also on the list are areas with several temples and historical monuments from ancient times when Nara was still the capital, as well as pilgrimage routes and sites on the Kii Mountain. Tourists can end their tour of the temples and spiritual sites of Nara with a friendly visit to greet the deers at the Nara Park or stroll through Imaicho — a merchant town preserved from the Edo period that will take everyone back in time.

  • Some attractions: Today-ji, Nara Park, Kasuga Taisha Shrine, etc.

8 Nagasaki

An aerial view of Sasebo in Nagasaki
Photo from Shutterstock
An aerial view of Sasebo in Nagasaki

Nagasaki is most often associated with the atomic bomb and the tragedy that followed. Still, the city has a lot more to offer beyond the Atomic Bomb Museum and the Nagasaki Peace Park, which attract most tourists. Not only is the city home to several stunning islands off its coast, but Nagasaki has consistently ranked on top of the list of places with the best night views in Japan. Travelers can hop onto a ropeway to the peak of Mount Inasa and enjoy spectacular views of Nagasaki as it lights up after sunset. More surprisingly, however, Japan’s first and oldest Chinatown happens to be in Nagasaki, and it has continued to serve Japanese-Chinese fusion foods since the 17th century.

  • Some attractions: Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum, Peace Park, Glover Garden, etc.

7 Beppu

A hot spring onsen in Beppu, Japan
Via: Unsplash
A hot spring onsen in Beppu, Japan

For those whose idea of a holiday in Japan includes spending hours soaking in hot water springs, Beppu is the place to be. Beppu’s gushes of hot spring water rank second highest in the world and the highest in Japan, gushing more than 100,000 liters of water each minute through thousands of hot springs. Not only does the abundance of hot springs make Beppu the Onsen City of Japan, but Beppu also has several boiling ponds known as Jigoku or hell. Locals use these Jigoku ponds for cooking food as well, giving rise to a culinary custom known as Jigoku-Mushi, or hell-steaming, that is peculiar to Beppu.

  • Some attractions: Kannawa Hot Springs, Beppu Ropeway, Shidaka Lake, etc.

6 Takayama

Bridge in Takayama, Gifu, Japan in Cherry Blossom Season 
Photo by Vladimir Haltakov on Unsplash
Bridge in Takayama, Gifu, Japan in Cherry Blossom Season 

Takayama is several things: A city surrounded by the Japanese Alps, Japan’s ski destination, home to bustling morning markets and festivals dating back to the 1600s, and a place where Japanese tradition flourishes through some of the country’s most beautifully preserved villages. Takayama’s Sanmachi area, in particular, houses preserved thatched-roof houses from which antique dealers and artisans sell their wares, and hidden cafes and brewers dish out hot coffees and icy sake to any visitors who manage to spot them.

  • Some attractions: Takayama Jinya, Hida Folk Village, Shinhotaka Ropeway, etc.

5 Kanazawa

Cherry blossom view at the famous Kenrokuen Garden, Kanazawa
Photo 53453433 Haotian | Dreamstime.com
Cherry blossom view at the famous Kenrokuen Garden, Kanazawa

The city that served as the seat of the second most powerful feudal clan in Japan during the Edo period, Kanazawa has always been a place of great cultural significance in Japan. More importantly, Kanazawa was the second largest city after Kyoto, which managed to remain safe from the bombings of World War II. As a result, most of the city’s old castles, gardens, samurai, and geisha districts have survived the test of time. That being said, Kanazawa also houses the iconic 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art and is the city where traditional teahouses and crafts, including Kaga-yuzen (a silk dying technique), ohi ware (tea ceremony bowls), and gold leaf production continue to prosper.

  • Some attractions: Kenroku-en, Higashi Chaya District, Myouryouji, etc.
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4 Shirakawa-go

World Heritage Site Shirakawago village, Japan
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World Heritage Site Shirakawago village, Japan

Shirakawa-go is not a city but a traditional Japanese alpine village stuck in time. It is part of a national park and is a great place to visit to see the way things used to be in Japan. Here (and its sister village Gokayama), visitors may feel like they are living in the world of the 2003 movie, The Last Samurai starring Tom Cruise (although it was actually filmed in New Zealand).

These traditional villages are UNESCO World Heritage Listed and are a great example of how Japan works to preserve its heritage.

  • Some attractions: Wada House, Gassho-zukuri Minkaen, Myozenji, etc.

3 Hiroshima

Sakura cherry blossom trees around Hiroshima Castle, Japan
Photo by Kenshi Kingami on Unsplash
Sakura cherry blossom trees around Hiroshima Castle, Japan

Hiroshima is one of only two cities to ever be hit with a nuclear bomb. It is also a testament to how cities can bounce back from destruction, being today a thriving city of over one million people. It was founded in 1589 as a castle town but transformed into a major industrial hub (which made it a target for nuclear bombing).

Today visitors can see the UNESCO World Heritage Listed Hiroshima Peace Memorial and commemorate the bombing wishing for such destruction to never again return to this planet.

  • Some attractions: Peace Memorial Park, Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum, Atomic Bomb Dome, etc.

2 Sapporo

Sapporo TV Tower at Odori Park, in Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan
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Sapporo TV Tower at Odori Park, in Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan

Sapporo is the capital of Japan's northern island of Hokkaido. It is the largest city north of Tokyo and is considered the cultural and economic center of Hokkaido. The city hosted the 1972 Winter Olympics and is one of the best places in Japan to enjoy the winter season. Come in early February and attend the Sapporo Snow Festival. The festival draws over 2 million visitors from far and wide. Additionally, Sapporo is home to the only beer museum in Japan - the Sapporo Beer Museum.

  • Some attractions: Hokkaido Jingu, Moerenuma Park, Sapporo Beer Museum, etc.

1 Naha

Naha, Okinawa
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Naha, Okinawa, Japan downtown skyline at night

Naha is the capital of the Okinawa Prefecture of Japan (Okinawa is Japan's fifth major island). The city has a population of around 300,000 and enjoys a humid subtropical climate (quite the opposite of Hokkaido's Sapporo). It is a stunning city and the gateway to Okinawa Island (which Americans may recall from the costly American invasion of the islands in World War Two). One of the top attractions in the city is the restored and rebuilt Shuri Castle (a former royal palace of the Ryukyu Kingdom).

  • Some attractions: Shuri Castle, Naminoue Shrine, Okinawa Prefectural Museum & Art Museum, etc.