The purpose of this section is to give quick recommendations for places to see if you’re visiting a major city and just want to know a few of the top places to visit. Many of these places will be very touristy, but I believe these locations are important to seeing some of the more traditional facets of Japanese society. I will update this list as I visit new places.
Tokyo: The capital city has a great many places to visit, but it’s far more popular for its modern attractions than its cultural background. I recommend the sites below but encourage experiencing the more modern activities.
Zôjôji: the Tokugawa family’s mortuary temple next to Tokyo Tower.
Meiji Jingû: the most prominant shrine in the city dedicated to the Meiji Emperor who modernized Japanese society in the 19th century.
Sensôji: the most popular site in the city, the streets are full of shops selling everything from chopsticks to kimono.
Nezu Jinja: my favorite hidden shrine with beautiful architecture and landscaping. If you need a break from crowds, this is one of my favorites.
As a side note: if you do find yourself with some free time and want to see some more historical attractions in a day trip, I highly recommend taking the Odakyu Line south from Shinjuku station to Enoshima and Kamakura. The JR Line to Kamakura is also recommended because it goes to the city’s center, I just prefer the Odakyu Line because of the transfer to the adorable local line over the mountains into the city.
Kyoto: To visit Kyoto is to visit old buildings like temples and shrines. Of course there are modern activities in Kyoto, but the overwhelming focus is on the cultural heritage of the nation. As the home of the emperor for more than a thousand years and largely untouched by the Pacific War, the sites here are more lavish and much older than many other places I have written about. For that reason, the more time you can allocate to spending in Kyoto, the more you will be able to see. Below are my recommended sites, but know that there are a great deal more to suggest than I have time to write.
Kinkakuji: the Golden Pavilion is as grand as the name suggests, and just as popular. A must see for everyone, but large crowds are to be expected at all times of the day.
Fushimi Inari Taisha: the shrine with ten thousand torii is considered the most popular site in Japan. Crowds will be present any day at any time but most stay near the first few gates. If you can make the climb up the mountain, you will often be rewarded with more peace and quiet.
Kenninji: the first Zen temple in Kyoto, this is a temple I visit almost everytime I’m in the Gion District. Enjoy the paintings, spacing, and gardens.
Sanjusangen-dô: 1,001 human-sized gilt statues of Kannon Bosatsu should entice almost anyone.
Ryôanji: famed for its rock garden, can you find the spot to see all 15 stones?
Nijô-jô: a castle built by the Tokugawa to keep an eye on the emperor, but with a palace exceedingly lavish to flaunt the wealth and power of the samurai government.
Ginkakuji: though not covered in silver, the Silver Pavilion is my favorite between the two and I will recommend this one over its sibling any day.
Byôdô-in: this temple is so famous it’s on the back of the 10 yen coin. Also, don’t forget to have some tea.
Tenryûji: the Temple of the Heavenly Dragon is dedicated to the memory of Emperor Go-Daigo, it’s known for its gardens and its proximity to the bamboo forests of Arashiyama.
Kiyomizu-dera: standing tall above eastern Kyoto, its main hall is considered a national treasure. Super small streets leading to the temple are always bustling with tourists and the shops sell all sorts of souveniers.
Suzumushi-dera: is probably one of the best temples to visit if you have no interest in Japanese art or history. This temple has 10,000 bell crickets year-round.
Nara: As the first Imperial Capital of Japan, the structures of this city date back further than most others.
Tôdaiji: the largest wooden structure in the world is still only a fraction of its original size. Expect massive crowds and greedy deer.
Kasuga Taisha: the shrine of three thousand lanterns is both a lovely walk and a lush experience. Visit during New Years or Obon to see the lanterns lit.
Hôryûji: though not in Nara Park like the others, this temple has the oldest wooden structures in the world dating back to the 5th century C.E.
Heijo-kyô Ruins and Reconstruction: my personal favorite to get a glimpse of what the ancient capital looked like.
Hiroshima: This famed city has two must sees and a personal favorite of mine.
Hiroshima Peace Park: was there any doubt that this would be number one? Behold one of the most painful scars of the 20th century.
Miyajima/Itsukushima Jinja: the most famous water shrine in Japan, a trip to Hiroshima without a visit to Miyajima is no trip at all.
Mitaki-dera: my personal favorite location for its beauty and serenity. I have yet to see a “crowd” at this location.
Osaka: To some this city is like the little sibling of Tokyo, it is very similar is most ways but slightly different in style. Like Tokyo, the city is very modern and lacks the major cultural attractions of other cities.
Osaka-jô: this castle is the most prominant historical artery of the city and is typically buzzing with tourists.
Shitennôji: this temple was founded by Prince Shotoku as one of the first government funded temples in Japan.
Isshinji: while Shitennôji is the more upstanding traditional temple complex, Isshinji is the temple that represents the people of Osaka.
As a side note, there’s not much to see in Osaka. Most people travel to Nara or Kyoto for their cultural sightseeing, but on the off chance you have done that already and are looking for places to explore, I recommend traveling to Kobe or Himeji by train. Castles, temples, shrines, it’s all there for you to enjoy.