City: Japan
Top Things to do in Japan
Top Hotels in Japan
- 1. Hotel Universal Port Vita
- 2. Hotel Universal Port
- 3. Hotel Nikko Osaka
- 4. Millennium Mitsui Garden Hotel Tokyo
- 5. Hotel Nikko Alivila Yomitan Resort Okinawa
- 6. Mitsui Garden Hotel Kyoto Shinmachi Bettei
- 7. Mitsui Garden Hotel Prana Tokyo Bay
- 8. Shibuya Excel Hotel Tokyu
- 9. The Park Front Hotel at Universal Studios Japan
- 10. The Royal Park Hotel Tokyo Haneda
Things to do in Japan, Japan: The Best Islands
Coordinates: 35°N 136°E / 35°N 136°E / 35; 136
Restaurants in Japan
1. Shiraishi Island
2. Miyajima
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 4,815 reviews
Scenic site that includes the Itsukushima Shrine, Otorii Gate and visit to Mt. Misen.
Reviewed By iluv2eatntravel - San Diego, United States
It is nearly impossible to humanly describe the magnitude of what fascinating Miyajima island can offer - one has to experience it first hand. Definitely should be at the top of the list of any visit to Hiroshima. Please plan ahead as you would need a minimum of at least half a day as it should be enjoyed in a unhurried manner. It just seems that time slowed down on the island. If you can, go early and stay late. The island itself is amazingly explorable. Wear comfortable walking or hiking shoes. The buildings, especially the Itsukushima Shine with its gigantic ‘floating’ torii gate and nearby temples and pagodas have beautiful architectures that blends into the natural surroundings of sea, lush forests, and the misty Mount Misen. Wild and friendly deers roam its street freely. The residents of Miyajima were super friendly. Miyajima’s quaint town is filled with rustic buildings of shops and restaurants. Seafood served in the restaurants were delicious especially the grilled oysters freshly harvested in local waters. There are also some very scenic (potentially challenging) hiking trails up Mt Misen. If time is of the essence, and you are not able to hike the entire elevation of Mt Misen, take the ropeway up to near the top and then hike the rest of the way to the summit for some spell binding views at 1755 feet.
3. Iriomote Island
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 494 reviews
Reviewed By CaptainJWCourtney - Severn, United States
If you are adventurous and want to really explore a beautiful place that is remote and yet a place with so many tings to do, then you really must visit Iriomote. I was there on an cultural anthropology visit with about 12 other people that was being lead by Dr. Barbara Golden. When our boat landed, the first thing I thought of was the island in the original King Kong movie, it was so remote, pristine and it was a real South Pacific / South China Sea island. We were met by a bus with several Catholic nuns in it and were taken to the other side of the island where they has several places for us to stay (boys place and the other was the girls place). We watche them make paper out of a native plant that when soaked in water for a few days in the hot sun kind of boiled the plant. Then 3 days in the sun and it was a very fiberous plant with long fibers that could be woven and beat into a very expensive paper. We also went to the beach to look for the smallest seashells in the world, we found about 10 pounds of them! Then we had several field briefings on the native plants, some were considered as extinct over 2.5 million years ago, they are a cross between a fern and a Ginko Biloba tree. they also have a cat on the island called the "Yama necko" or mountain cat. Every night we were free to walk around and visit before we had our traditional Iriomote evening meal. Iriomote is by far the one of the most beautiful and interesting Ryukyuan islands. The island north of Iriomote each have unique adventures that will await you, from an ox cart ride to seeing a "Turtle Back" Ocean floor. If you want to explore and have a very memorable time, visit this part of Japan, and please go to Iriomote as your dessert!
4. Aoshima Island
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 686 reviews
Reviewed By BuccaneerDave - Nanaimo, Canada
Saw this is a guidebook and decided we must go. So happy we did. The whole community has a great laid back surfer vibe. The gardens in the town are beautiful. Countless people came up to us to have a quick chat. Wish we had stayed a night there. The washboard is fantastic. Such a unique and interesting formation that carries on down the coast for miles. This is the easiest spot to stop and have a look at. As others have done, we timed our visit for low tide to get the best effect. Daytrip from Miyazaki-shi. The temple on the island has a very lovely garden area tucked into the centre. Very interesting. Really enjoyed our day there.
5. Tomogashima Island
6. Enoshima Island
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,093 reviews
Reviewed By DevelopmentTraveller - Tokyo, Japan
Easily done in a day if you’re based in Tokyo. Enoshima Island is fun and easy to get to on the Odakyu Line/Romance Car. The island sports a series of interesting shrines that are nestled in the serene beauty of the wooded island. There is a lot of walking involved on this island, though you can opt to take an escalator to the top shrine on the island for a few (¥370). Regardless, expect to walk. A lot.
7. Hatenohama
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 412 reviews
Reviewed By letsgolabjp - Osaka, Japan
We visited a couple of months ago this stunning island, Hate no Hama! ???????? is an uninhabited island located approximately 5 km away from Kumejima, Okinawa ???? Hate no Hama Is made up of 3 Islands: ????“Menuhama” ????”Nakanuhama” ????”Hatinuhama” Is so beautiful that has appeared several times in commercials and even in Google! It’s a place that I consider you should put on your bucket list ☺️❤️???????? Access: You can visit Hate no Hama by taking a tour from Kumejima, it will take you about 30 mins by boat ❤️ (the hotel will help you arrange the tour so no worries ????) You’ll LOVE it! ????❤️ We will do a review of different hotels in Kumejima soon so don’t miss it! Don’t forget to subscribe to our YouTube channel so you don’t miss any of our adventures! ❤️
8. Shimojiiima Island
9. Kudakajima Island
10. Zamamijima Island
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 398 reviews
Reviewed By Excursion739114
Fab sea kayaking with Zamami's Kerama Kayaking. Great boats, equipment, and excellent service from Miami, who prepared the boats, supervised, taught, helped, cooked Okinawan lunch on remote beaches, and helped us to snorkel the corals. Her English helped a lot, with my limited Japanese.. Did 3 day tours, each stunning and great kayaking. Zamami is tiny, 600 people, village atmosphere, buzzing in summer I heard, but beautifully peaceful in January. Enough nice restaurants, bars, izakayas. Good e-bike rental to tour the very hilly landscape.
