Japan is a country that carefully and carefully preserves and cherishes its traditions and culture. Thousands of tourists come to see Japanese historical and architectural values. There is something magical about this calm, balanced culture. Take only the tea ceremony beloved by travelers. But not all of Japan is in it.
Japanese technology will surprise any European. Tall skyscrapers and TV towers are being built in cities. The Tokyo Television Tower is the tallest in the world. The Toyota Museum finds a lot of fans not only among motorists. And Tokyo Disneyland is ranked among the best parks in the world.
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What to see in Japan?
The most interesting and beautiful places, photos and a short description.
Fujiyama
Fujiyama is Japan's calling card. Its height is 3776 meters. For the Japanese, this place is sacred, and for tourists it is incredibly attractive. The volcano has a surprisingly symmetrical cone. The most beautiful view of it in winter or early spring. There are 5 volcanic lakes near Fujiyama. Climbing the mountain is carried out in the summer. Guides and developed infrastructure help to conquer Fujiyama.
Todai-ji Temple
This is the most sacred place in Japan. Three million visitors come here every year. Todai-ji Temple was reduced in size after the fires, but is still the largest wooden structure in the world. It was built in 745. In the middle of the temple there is a 15-meter statue of Buddha. Almost all reserves of bronze were spent for its manufacture. Deer, loved by tourists, also live on the territory of the temple.
Arashiyama bamboo grove
The grove was created by the monk Muso Soseki. It is located in the Kyoto area. Everything in the park has deep connotations. No wonder they say that here you can understand the meaning of life. Paths run through Arashiyama. You can walk around the park in 15 minutes, but you want to walk there for hours. Bamboo stems make special sounds. This is incredible forest music. The height of the trees reaches 40 meters.
Himeji Castle
Himeji is called the White Heron's castle. Its walls are snow-white, and the lines and features are graceful, like a bird. During its existence, the castle did not suffer from fires or enemy raids. And if anyone tried to capture the castle, he would be entangled in the maze of gardens and rooms. The whole complex is 83 buildings. Sakura blossoms around them, which makes the castle even more beautiful. Not surprisingly, he has been featured in films on numerous occasions.
Shibuya area
It is one of the 23 special wards in Tokyo. Once it was a village, then a small town. It is now part of the capital and the center of nightlife, entertainment, fashion and shopping. There are also some of the tallest skyscrapers in the city, Microsoft and Coca-Cola offices. The center of the region is considered to be the Hachiko monument. In addition to boutiques and entertainment centers, there are museums and temples.
Koya-san mountain
It is a mountain in Wakayama Prefecture with many Shingon temples and Buddhist schools. The first temple was founded in 819. Today, the temples receive tourists. The mountain is very picturesque and the place is peaceful. Travelers can feel like a part of the monastic life. There is also a beautiful cemetery on the mountain, which is illuminated at night. You can climb the mountain by tram.
Kumano Nachi Taisha
This is one of the Kumano shrines. It is located near the thermal spring Katsuura. Numerous paths lead to the temple. They are surrounded by huge trees and stretch for 600 meters. One of the main beauties of Kumano Nachi Taisha is the tallest waterfall in Japan. Its height is 113 meters and for the Japanese it has a religious significance. Its power and beauty amazes even seasoned travelers.
Ishigaki Island
It is the main island of the Yaeyama Islands. On it is Mount Omote-dake, whose height is 526 meters. Ishigaki is famous for its coral reefs. You can swim in the sea near the island all year round, the water is warm there. Diving is very popular here. There are also very beautiful Hirakubo and Ugan caves. Tourists are taken by boats to neighboring islands.
Kotoku-in
Kotoku-in is a temple famous for its bronze Buddha statue. Its height is 13.5 meters, and it is more than eight centuries old. In the original version, the statue was made of wood and reached 24 meters in height. But it was destroyed by a storm in 1247. Then in 1252 a new statue began to be erected. After 12 years, a creation appeared that resisted all the elements and survived the temple in which it stood.
Hiroshima Peace Memorial
Until 8:15 am on August 6, 1945, the Gembaku Dome was the Hiroshima Exhibition Center. After the explosion of an atomic bomb that hit the building, all visitors were killed. The dome was located 160 meters from the epicenter of the explosion. It burned out, but survived. It was strengthened, and it became the main exhibit demonstrating the consequences of an atomic explosion and the inadmissibility of the use of atomic weapons.
Happo-en garden
Happo-en Garden is a green island in the middle of a paved city. Its beauty was noted by the government, and tourists are increasingly adding it to their itinerary. In the garden you can get to the real tea ceremony. After that, you can walk along the trail that runs through the valley and is surrounded by bonsai, admire the fish in the pond, or visit the temple. There are two of them and weddings are regularly held in them.
Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park
The park is located on the island of Honshu and lies in the Yokoyu Valley at an altitude of 850 meters. It attracts tourists by the fact that about 160 macaques live in it. Snow lies on the territory of the park for a third of the year. But the favorite place of monkeys is the waters of thermal springs. In whole groups they bask in warm water. Monkeys have their own rules and hierarchy. Someone is warming up, someone is carrying food. They feed on plants.
Kiyomizu-dera
The temple is located on Mount Otova in Kyoto. It is considered a gem among the shrines of the area. It was built in 798. According to legend, the monk Entin noticed the stream and, wanting to find its beginning, climbed the mountains. At the top, he found a clearing with an amazing waterfall. After a prophetic dream, the monk founded a temple. Over time, a temple complex was built here. The water here is considered sacred, and the view from the temple to Kyoto is stunning.
Tokyo Tower
Tokyo Sky Tree is the tallest television tower in the world. Located in Tokyo, in the Sumida area. Its height is 634 meters. The only building in the world that is higher is the Burj Khalifa. The tower has cafes and souvenir shops, two observation decks and a restaurant with breathtaking views of the city. At the base of the tower there is a shopping and entertainment center.
Kinkaku-ji Golden Pavilion
It is a structure covered in sheets of gold. The pavilion was built by Yoshimitsu in 1397 when he got tired of the reign. There is a beautiful lake and garden near the sanctuary, which is considered one of the most beautiful in the country. There are many paths, streams and ponds in it. On the first floor of the pavilion, guests are received, on the second there is an exhibition of paintings. On the third, religious ceremonies are held.
Itsukushima shrine
The shrine is located on Miyajima Island. The torii gate, which is located on its territory, is considered one of the symbols of Japan. The view on them belongs to the "Three Famous Landscapes of Japan". Their height is 16 meters. They were built on piles in the water. You can reach the gate only during low tide. Having reached them, you need to shove a coin into the crack in the tree and make a wish.
Shirakawa-go and Gokayama
These are very picturesque villages that have been perfectly preserved and demonstrate the history and life of the Japanese. The climate and geographical position are harsh. The villages are located in a mountainous area on the island of Honshu. In winter, the island was often completely cut off from civilization. This formed a special way of life for the inhabitants. A special architectural style has been developed here, which is designed to protect houses from snow.
Osaka castle
The famous military leader built this castle in the 16th century. Its area is a square kilometer. It has five overground floors and three underground. The walls of the castle are decorated with gold leaf. The building itself is located on a stone embankment to protect against enemies. Some boulders are six meters high. The observation deck of the main tower of the castle offers an amazing view of the city.
Tubu Sangaku National Park
The national park is located in the central part of the island of Honshu. It is over 50 years old, and its area is 17.4 thousand hectares. Maple and coniferous forests and bamboo grow in it. This area is called the Japanese Alps. There are meadows, amazing mountain lakes and even an active volcano. The inhabitants of the park are typical inhabitants of Japanese forests.
Atsuta shrine in Nagoya
The temple was founded about 1900 years ago, making it one of the oldest in Japan. It contains one of the three sacred imperial relics - the sword of Kusanagi no Mitsurugi. In the halls of the temple there are about 3000 historical values. Every June, Atsuta Shrine hosts a Japanese martial arts competition. 8 million people come here to honor the sun goddess Amaterasu.
Tokyo Imperial Palace
It is the seat of the Emperor and the Imperial Palace. It is located in the heart of Tokyo. The total area of the palace complex is 7.5 sq. km. During its existence, the palace burned and was destroyed. It now consists of one underground and two aboveground floors. At any time, tourists can only get into the East Park. You can get to the palace only twice a year.
Kegon Falls
The waterfall is located in Nikko National Park. Its height is 101 meters. It is considered one of the most beautiful in Japan. There is a tea house and a lift at its foot. 12 more streams flow on the sides of the waterfall. You can view the waterfall from different angles. The national park itself has combined pristine nature and modern comfort.
Toyota Mega Web Exhibition Center
The Palette Town Entertainment Center houses Japan's main automobile museum. This is an amazing place where high-tech shows are held and the most interesting cars are presented. In six halls, both ever produced cars are shown, as well as projects for future ones. Among them there are both rare cars and cars that look like lunar rovers. In the Ride One hall, you can take a test drive of any car, provided that you have a license.
Disneyland in Tokyo
Tokyo Disneyland is located in the city of Urayasu. This is the first Disney park built outside the United States. It is part of the whole Disney resort. It opened on April 15, 1938. The territory of the park is 465,000 m². It is divided into 7 thematic zones. There are 47 attractions in the park. There are also shops, cafes, hotels. Disneyland operates all year round and is the third most popular park in the world.
Hanami
Hanami is a cherry blossom festival when people admire flowers. It takes place in the spring. Then the whole country is transformed. Parks, temples and castles attract even more tourists. For the Japanese themselves, this is an amazing phenomenon, pacifying and joyful. In the evenings, the trees are beautifully illuminated, so they are admired not only during the day. A very popular activity is to have picnics under the cherry blossoms.
