日本 – Japan, Nippon, Nihon, the “land of the rising sun”; a country of supreme contrast, a micro cosmos harmoniously blending ancient history with borderline science fiction innovation.
Known for its immaculate natural beauty (Mount Fuji to autochthonous cherry blossom, i.e., sakura), avant-garde technology (bullet trains that could pull any toupée off without breaking a sweat, car industry), madcap inventions (vending machines, karaoke), anime, manga, and some of the Earth’s finest food (sushi, ramen), appreciating its potent heritage that exudes ultimate futurism is simply – a given.
Most importantly, the Japanese are well-respected for this supreme, genetically intrinsic virtue – cultural values, such as punctuality and politeness. The land of the samurai, active volcanoes, earthquakes, and high life expectancy. Japan is the place to be for those who enjoy immersing in extraordinary tales of a distant, foreign land. Here are the top seven cities in Japan for history lovers.
Quirky history recap
History-wise, Japan witnessed the rise and fall of emperors, isolation from the outside world, samurai rule, expansion, defeat, and rebirth, and its history began unraveling as early as 35,000 BC. So, yes, it has stories to tell and adventures to offer.
Now, for the quirky bit.
- for about 1,400 years, Japan’s diet was strictly vegetarian
- Japanese are both Buddhist and Shinto
- Japan started building robots in the 1600s
- Christianity was kept under the radar in ancient Japan
- the country developed color printing in 1765
- it once flaunted as many as 5,000 castles
- a woman invented Kabuki
- Kamakura was once (1185 to 1333) the fourth largest city in the world
- Samurai visited NYC in 1860
- Japan was closed to the world for exactly 217 years
– and the list goes on. Revealing too much, too soon?
1. Kobe
Yes, beef; that beef. But Kobe is so much more than marbled delicacies. Frequented by hikers, the city sits on Osaka Bay, surrounded by scenic mountain terrain. Besides being one of the largest and most famous cities, it’s also one of the oldest.
The Ikuta Shrine dates back to the 3rd century, and antique cable cars connecting Mt. Rokko with Kobe offer stunning panoramic views over the harbor. The Arima Onsen outdoor hot springs are a definite must-see, giving first-time visitors a fantastic opportunity to immerse themselves in Japan’s authentic, awe-inspiring culture.
2. Nara
A traditional Japanese treasure, the former capital of Japan is renowned for “Historic Monuments of Ancient Nara,” a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The ancient city boasts myriad ancient Buddhist artifacts and temples, with Kōfuku Temple (five-story pagoda) dating back to 710.
Other than its rich history, Nara is primarily known as THE wild deer territory (Shinto belief is that deer are messengers of the gods). So, witnessing free-roaming deer is anything but an underwhelming experience.
Other popular sites include:
- Todai-ji
- Kasuga Shrine
- Saidai-ji
- Heijo Palace (former imperial residence of Japan)
- Nara Park
- Yakushi-ji
3. Himeji
The city in Hyogo Prefecture is home to what is considered Japan’s finest castle, the sprawling white-clad, feudal-period architectural masterpiece that had successfully defied the laws of physics and remained immaculately intact, even throughout the World War II bombing spree on the city of Himeji, as well as the Great Hanshin earthquake in 1995.
Divine intervention or sheer luck, the castle is now a part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site family. Other popular sites include the Kōko-en garden, a traditional Japanese, Edo-style garden that hugs the castle’s outline, temple mountain Mt. Shosha, Japan Toy Museum, and Hiromine Shrine.
4. Nagasaki
One of the most important cities in Japan for history lovers, especially the dark side. Just like Hiroshima, Nagasaki, too, is synonymous with the nuclear attack during World War II. (1945) The Japanese city lying on the northwest coast of Kyushu island suffered great devastation.
Being one of the 20th-century key event hotspots, any history aficionado will be more than curious to learn more about one of the largest ports in Japan and, ultimately, pay their respects at attraction sites like Peace Park. Having a long, rich history of trading with European countries, the bi-continental fusion can, indeed, be felt and seen. Be sure to visit Atomic Hypocenter Park and Christian Oura Cathedral.
5. Kyoto
Once the capital of Japan, Kyoto is still widely known as the country’s cultural capital. Why? It is home to a mile-long list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites, with 2,000 shrines and temples, including Kinkaku-ji, Byodo-in, Ryoan-ji, Kiyomizudera Temple, and its most appreciated and famous – The Fushimi Inari Taisha. Classical Buddhist architecture, imperial palaces, gardens, and Shinto shrines make Kyoto a versatile cultural beast.
Gion district, or the “geisha district,” is yet another gem; geisha-spotting (Japanese: geiko), as they walk the cobbled streets, is one of the must-dos when in Kyoto. Relocation experts from Divine Moving and Storage report: “Kyoto is the number one location for moving overseas.” It’s a no-brainer.
6. Yokohama
From a quaint fishing village to the second-largest city in Japan (population-wise), Yokohama proudly stands as a wondrous thing of Japanese evolution. Being one of the first foreign trade ports (1859), the influence of the non-natives remains strong to this day. Yokohama is home to:
- the first Chinatown
- country’s first daily newspaper
- European-type sports venues
- gas-based street lamps
- Nissan company
- JVC Kenwood
Be sure to stop by the Sankei-en Garden and Cup Noodles Museum. You won’t be disappointed.
7. Tokyo
And, of course, Tokyo. The liveliest city in the world, a place that some 38 million people call home, holds numerous world records:
- number of Michelin-star restaurants
- the most active train station
- the busiest pedestrian crossing
- the oldest imperial family
- the highest number of vending machines
- the tallest-standing tower
- the largest fish market
The bustling capital masterfully combines the ultramodern and the traditional, from ancient shrines to neon-lit architectural wonders. For that perfect dose of urban delights, visit Tokyo Tower, Tokyo Skytree, Shibuya Crossing, Akihabara – tech mecca, and Harajuku and Ginza shopping districts. To satisfy any tradition and history-related hunger, there is Meiji Shrine, Kabuki-za Theater, The Imperial Palace, and the Senso-Ji Temple.
Bonus perk: making friends in Japan is easy.
Final thoughts
We hope you enjoyed our list of cities in Japan for history lovers. Before you go, be sure to acquaint yourself with Japan’s local customs and laws. The last thing any traveler wants and needs is to be called ignorant and disrespectful.
Copywriter: Jassica Mendez
