What to do and see in Japan, Japan: The Best Things to do

July 4, 2021 Roger Rusk

Coordinates: 35°N 136°E / 35°N 136°E / 35; 136
Restaurants in Japan

1. Yokohama Minato Mirai 21

Minatomirai, Nishi, Yokohama Kanagawa Prefecture +81 45-682-4403 http://minatomirai21.com/
Excellent
50%
Good
41%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 2,264 reviews

Yokohama Minato Mirai 21

When Japan emerged from centuries of isolation in the mid-19th century, Yokohama was a tiny seaside village, home to only 100 people or so. But as the tide of internationalization rose, a port was established and Yokohama began to grow as a gateway to Japan. Yokohama is now a leading international trading port, the second largest city in Japan after Tokyo. Situated just a short distance along the coast from the Japanese capital, and within easy reach of Haneda Airport, Yokohama is now a magnet for tourists not just from Japan but from every corner of the world; it's a place everyone wants to visit. Minato Mirai 21 is a modern urban development that was created, and continues to evolve, on 186ha of land. A shipbuilding facility that used to divide Yokohama's two main urban centers on Tokyo Bay was relocated, and additional land was reclaimed from the sea. In 1989 an exposition was held to mark the 100th anniversary of Yokohama's city status and the 130th anniversary of the opening of Yokohama Port. Following that event development gathered momentum, and now the area boasts office blocks, commercial facilities, hotels, amusement parks and convention facilities, as well as such cultural amenities as art museums and concert halls. This, the new face of Yokohama, offers an entire spectrum of urban functions and attracts more than 70 million visitors every year. Minato Mirai 21 is full of great experiences. The liberating expanse of Tokyo Bay and the dynamic appeal of the contemporary architecture contribute to the area's strikingly unusual beauty, which you can enjoy from the elegant surroundings of several first-class hotels. For the shopper, more than 600 stores offer an astonishingly broad selection of goods ranging from top fashion brands to animation character merchandise. Apart from excellent Japanese cuisine, delicious food from around the world is available at more than 200 restaurants. Theme parks offer exciting rides, parks a place to sit and enjoy the seascape. Packed with pleasure, Minato Mirai 21 is a fun place to visit with family and friends at any time of year, on any occasion, and for so many different reasons. If you move on to the area beyond Minato Mirai 21, you'll find intriguing glimpses of a fascinating history in the Kannai district, which developed quickly in the second half of the 19th century after the Port of Yokohama opened, and beyond Kannai you'll arrive at Japan's largest Chinatown. Yokohama offers points of interest that no other city can match. And just a day trip away are some of the best hot spring baths in Japan at Hakone, as well as the globally renowned beauty of Mt. Fuji. So after a day of fun in Minato Mirai 21, you can spend the night at one of the area's great hotels and then the next day you can be soaking in an onsen or admiring a view of Mt. Fuji. That is the special appeal of a relaxing holiday based in Japan's new leading tourism and leisure destination: Minato Mirai 21.

Reviewed By 19dwaynek - Yokohama, Japan

Minato Mirai is by many accounts one of the best places to visit in Yokohama. The area is conveniently located two train stops away from Yokohama station. Minato Mirai has several shopping centers within close proximity of each other, lots of cafes and shops, as well as a carnival style amusement park full of fun and exciting rides, plus a ferris wheel. The Yokohama Hard Rock Cafe is located in Minato Mirai. Minato Mirai also offers a beautiful view of the port and Yokohama Bay. There's places full of activities for families with children as well as romantic spots for couples. The historical Red Brick Warehouse of Yokohama is also in the area. The Red Brick Warehouse often has a lot of interesting events worth checking out. If you go to Yokohama without visiting Minato Mirai, then you are missing out.

2. Sankeien Gardens

58-1 Hommoku Sannotani, Naka-Ku, Yokohama 231-0824 Kanagawa Prefecture +81 45-621-0634 http://www.sankeien.or.jp/
Excellent
52%
Good
39%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1,141 reviews

Sankeien Gardens

A building having high value historically removed and rebuilt from Kyoto or Kamakura is located skillfully in the garden for 175,000m2. (ten important cultural properties, three Yokohama-shi designation tangible cultural properties), in the very large land which spread out in southeastern part, Honmoku of Yokohama that overlooked Tokyo Bay, creation was begun from the time in 1902 (Meiji 35) by a

Reviewed By lobobo - Remchingen, Germany

Not only the park is big and has a lot of different plants in it. Also you can see a lot of old house which were saved from beein scraped. This founders bought the house and brought them to this park. They preserve a part of the edo empire. You will understand more of japanese culture when you have see where it comes from.

3. The Hakone Open-Air Museum

1121 Ninotaira, Hakone-machi, Ashigarashimo-gun 250-0493 Kanagawa Prefecture +81 460-82-1161 http://www.hakone-oam.or.jp/
Excellent
65%
Good
28%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 2,729 reviews

The Hakone Open-Air Museum

Art blends with nature at this huge outdoor sculpture park, where works by both Japanese and Western artists are framed by trees, grass and mountains.

Reviewed By rodrigolaniado - Shanghai, China

It was truly amazing It was my first open air museum and won’t be the last The sculptures are incredible and go perfectly with the impecable gardens Also you have plenty Picasso art which gives a good contrast with the outside exposures

4. Toyota Commemorative Museum of Industry and Technology

4-1-35 Noritakeshinmachi, Nishi-Ku, Nagoya 451-0051 Aichi Prefecture +81 52-551-6115 [email protected] http://www.tcmit.org
Excellent
62%
Good
32%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1,517 reviews

Toyota Commemorative Museum of Industry and Technology

Reviewed By PeterthePauper - Ulsan, South Korea

Arriving in Nagoya mid-morning by train from Matsumoto, I thought I would abandon my luggage in a locker at Nagoya Station and head to the Toyota Museum before checking-in to my hotel for a 2-night stay. A short hop (1-stop) on a local Meitetsu train to the nearby Sako Station and a few minutes walk down the street brings you to the main entrance. Just entering the attraction, it immediately earned 5-stars for me when I discovered that the normal Y500 entrance fee is waived for Seniors (over 65's) like myself. Audio guides are available if required for Y200, but for me the informative leaflet in English was sufficient to find my way around. I was blissfully unaware of the Textile Machinery Pavilion and Toyota's history of spinning and weaving prior to visiting and found this part of the exhibit surprisingly interesting. Like most people, I had been drawn to the Museum by the "Cars" and the Automotive Pavilion contained a reasonable cross-section of models across the decades since Toyota's first passenger car (Model AA) was produced in 1936. As well as the cars, I particularly enjoyed the Production Line Reconstructions associated with the Model AA and the exhibit where robotic arms assemble a modern car chassis (.... press the button, stand back and video the balletic performance!). Before you leave, make sure you take in a performance of a Toyota robot playing the violin in the South Lobby (see leaflet for times). It's not only the "Cars" that are the "Stars"!

5. Mt. Moiwa

5-3-7 Fushimi, Chuo-ku, Sapporo 064-0942 Hokkaido
Excellent
44%
Good
43%
Satisfactory
10%
Poor
1%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1,437 reviews

Mt. Moiwa

Typical night view enjoyment spot in Sapporo authorized by "the Japanese new three big night view" in October, 2015. To the extent the night view which can look a ropeway and a MORISU car (mini cable car) around 360 deg from a mountain top observatory of the altitude 531m which takes and arrives is also called "northern jewelry box", that it shines, when I'm shining also it's fine for the daytime as well as the night view, a far place as well as Sapporo-shi district can even look Shokanbetsu chain of mountains and Ishikari bay around. It's possible to go up summertime by car in Moiwayama sightseeing motorway (charge) to the Mid station, and it's possible to enjoy about 3.5 kilometers of freeway (A winter season closes.) At the Mid station, Mt. MOIWA, there is a stand where I get a large selection of original products of the mascot character "MORISU", and a takeout section is also next to the planetarium, the casual French restaurant where you can have a meal while enjoying the scenery "THE JEWELS" and the restaurant at the mountain top station, and it's also enriched in the facilities. It's barrier free full equipment in order to have many people enjoy in the facilities again, and a guide announcement in a ropeway MORISU car stop is also doing correspondence of English, Chinese and Korean.

Reviewed By WengHerng - Kobe, Japan

Very nice observatory to appreciate the vast cityscape of Sapporo. Highly recommended to check the weather forecast to find out the sunset times during your trip, and go up around 20 to 30 minutes before sunset, so you can enjoy both the day view and night view on the same trip.

6. Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine

68 Fukakusa Yabunouchicho, Fushimi-ku, Kyoto 612-0882 Kyoto Prefecture +81 75-641-7331 http://inari.jp/
Excellent
67%
Good
27%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 24,494 reviews

Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine

This shrine is one of many located throughout Japan that was built to honor Inari, the Shinto god of rice.

Reviewed By Cholo_Juan - Nathalia, Australia

Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine is a must do for visitors to Kyoto to walk upward ever upward via the winding path through hundreds of Tori gates is an amazing experience, stopping along the way to take in the prayer stations some with dozens if not hundreds of small tori placed as votive offerings. We arrived late in the afternoon and had to almost sprint up the hill as the evening darkness closed in on us, but then the lights come on giving the pathway a surreal air as the light casts its shadows through the Tori Gates. It is an arduous walk so make sure you are fit and have good walking shoes but well worth the effort

7. Hamamatsu Air Park

Nishiyamacho, Nishi-ku, Hamamatsu 432-8551 Shizuoka Prefecture +81 53-472-1121 http://www.mod.go.jp/asdf/airpark/
Excellent
48%
Good
41%
Satisfactory
10%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 515 reviews

Hamamatsu Air Park

Reviewed By Tokugawa_Ieyasu - Fujieda, Japan

This facility is widely open for many people in free of charge. Both of kids and adults should have great times there. I bet those who are interested in aircraft, defensing activities can enjoy a lot. The exhibitions are great to see. Weapons such as missiles are displayed together with reasonable explanations. You can get into the cockpits of exhibited airplanes which had flied in the air before. This may bring you the memorial photos. Souvenir store offers great variety of air force goods, towels, shirts and so forth.

8. Meiji Jingu Shrine

1-1 Yoyogi-Kamizono-cho, Shibuya 151-8857 Tokyo Prefecture http://www.meijijingu.or.jp/english/index.html
Excellent
53%
Good
38%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 8,198 reviews

Meiji Jingu Shrine

Two, large gates frame the entrance to this Shinto shrine that was dedicated to Emperor and Empress Meiji. Completed in 1920, repairs were required after the shrine was damaged during World War II.

Reviewed By Bozeman-Dublin - Trim, Ireland

My favourite place in Tojyo, simple as that. When combined with its gardens this wonderful, beguiling shrine will keep you captivated for hours as it did me. The main shrine is stunning with is huge torii and beautiful colours I loved the row of burgundy wine barrels and sake barrels opposite, gifts for the consecration of the shrine.. There is a beautiful prayer wall too on the right as you look at the main shrine. They ive you a nice little guide going in and you starmp it yourself with a lovely old ink stamper. The pair of sacred Camphor trees in the forecourt are gorgeous. One was planted in memory of the Emperor who died in 1912, the other for the Empress who passed in 1920. They are two trees tended to look like one, a beautiful sentiment. Now, one main bit of advice. Don't limit yourself just to the main shrine. Wander around the grounds as there are some simply gorgeous smaller ones dotted about. Anyway, a wonderful, spiritual place, very moving and captivating. An absolute must do.

9. Uminonakamichi Seaside Park

18-25 Saitozaki, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka 811-0321 Fukuoka Prefecture +81 92-603-1111 http://uminaka-park.jp
Excellent
44%
Good
43%
Satisfactory
12%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 490 reviews

Uminonakamichi Seaside Park

Uminonakamichi Seaside Park is an extensive leisure park where you can enjoy seasonal flowers. Many events are held here in each season; Flower Picnic (spring), Rose Festival (early summer and autumn) and Cosmos Festival (autumn). Come to the Sunshine Pool in summer, the largest resort pool complex in the western Japan. You can also visit this urban resort park empty-handed and enjoy day camping with a rental barbecue outfits. Other features here at this large urban resort facility include Marine World, the aquarium with 350 kinds of fishes and The Luiganz, ocean view resort hotel. Inside the site, there is also an amusement park Wonder World, which has 23 kinds of attractions including a large Ferris wheel and a large trampoline, Kujiragumo Fuwanpoline.

Reviewed By ArsenalPC - Sydney, Australia

Wow. This park looked amazing on google maps, but when we went there it was even more spectacular. We went here for 3 hours in September. Took a ferry from Hakata port (a very nice 15 min ride, not too many waves and you get to see great distance view of hakata city) to Saitozaki ferry terminal. This park is enormous, best way to see everything without taking forever is to hire a bike. It's around 500Yen for 3-4 hours. There are designated bike paths in the park, however you can take the bike in certain areas where there is lot of foot traffic. There are lot of bike stops where you can park and have a walk through different attractions. There is a bit of everything at this seaside park, there is a zoo, bird area, picnic areas, lot of gardens and is very kid friendly too - such as kids pools, picnic benches etc. Great place to go to escape the city for a few hours, especially on a lovely sunny day, whether your a couple or a family, there's something to do for everyone. When we went, there wasn't too many flowers blooming. This place must be exploding with people during cherry blossom season.... If you go to Fukuoka, be sure to come check this place out, you won't regret it xD

10. Universal Studios Japan

2-1-33 Sakurajima, Konohana-Ku, Osaka 554-0031 Osaka Prefecture +81 6-6465-3000 http://www.usj.co.jp/
Excellent
47%
Good
35%
Satisfactory
12%
Poor
3%
Terrible
3%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 10,677 reviews

Universal Studios Japan

This extremely popular theme park is equivalent to the Universal Studios in Hollywood and Orlando, and features shows, rides and restaurants based on famous movie themes, like Jaws, Back to the Future and Terminator.

Reviewed By Damienofkent

If I was rating just the park I would of given a 4 star but due to the staff all being fantastic it’s gone up to a 5 The actual park is not the biggest and several rides are very dated now and need changing eg .... Back draft ride ... I’m 40 and even I don’t remember when that film came out or what’s it was about .... apart from fire lol Terminator 2 ride was very slow and dragged , jaws classic ride can’t fault it , Spider-Man great , The pterodactyl ride in Jurassic Park was amazing and Harry Potter world didn’t disappoint The late night parade was good and great effects We went on Feb on a week day and the Qs were only half hr max so no issues there Would recommend for a day out lots of fun and the staff were all fantastic

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