Top 5 Must See Places in Japan for 2024
Cherry blossoms swaying in the breeze, the flash of a bullet train flying past and the comforting warmth of an onsen hot spring were just a few of the things that tourists missed about Japan during the pandemic. Japan is once again open for travel with many people putting the Land of the Rising Sun on the top of their travel bucket lists for 2024. Don’t miss these 5 must see places in Japan for 2024 on your next trip.
Japan welcomed 2.79 million visitors in February 2024, a record for the month and the most for any month since the COVID-19 pandemic began according to data from the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO). Traditional tourist hot spots such as the neon-lit streets of Tokyo and the temples and shrines of Kyoto are still extremely popular, but more visitors are venturing off the beaten path to explore the hidden gems of Japan. Here are our picks of some of the must-see places in Japan for 2024.
5. Kumano Kodo
Where: Wakayama Prefecture in the Kansai area
Get off the beaten track by visiting the Kumano Kodo in the spiritual heartland of Japan. Located on the Kii Peninsula in Wakayama Prefecture on Japan’s main island of Honshu, this series of ancient pilgrimage routes connects visitors to some of Japan’s most sacred sites. For over 1,000 years, pilgrims from all levels of society have made the journey to Kumano using a network of trails, now called the Kumano Kodo, that stretch across the mountainous Kii Peninsula. This mythical part of the country is thought to be “holy ground where the gods dwell.” The routes developed as a way for people to move between the various sacred sites in the area. At the center of this religious area are three shrines known as the Kumano Sanzen (Hongu Taisha, Hayatama Taisha and Nachi Taisha.)
Don’t Miss: Kumano Nachi Taisha Shrine – one of the most picturesque places to visit in all of Japan. The brilliant red Shinto shrine is simple stunning against the backdrop of 133m-high Nachi Waterfall.
Why you should visit in 2024
The 1,000-year-old pilgrimage network will be celebrating its 20th anniversary as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2024, making it the ideal time to trek the ancient pilgrimage trails.
Website: Tanabe City Kumano Tourism Bureau
Caption: Trekking the Kumano Kodo by Mathias Erhart
4. Fukushima Prefecture
Where: Tohoku Region
Fukushima in the Tohoku region of northern Japan is an off the beaten track destination just over an hour by Shinkansen north of Tokyo. The third largest prefecture in Japan is home to dramatic natural landscapes with Pacific Ocean coastline and pristine mountains that can rival any destination in Japan as a nature paradise. Stunning in winter with heavy snow and white covered backdrops, and famous for its changing autumn leaves in fall and cherry blossoms in spring.
Don’t Miss: Aizu-Wakamatsu – one of the few places remaining in Japan that still embodies the samurai spirit. This ancient castle town is famous for its samurai tradition and epic castle, which was one of the final battle grounds in the Boshin War (1868-1869), a civil war between those still loyal to the Tokugawa Shogunate and those who wished to return power to the emperor and the Imperial Court.
Why you should visit in 2024
This year marks 60 years since the launch of the Shinkansen. Japan’s first bullet train between Tokyo and Osaka was launched just in time for the 1964 Tokyo Summer Olympics. A new service called JR East’s sightseeing service will launch this spring around the cherry blossom and castle-rich landscapes of the Tohoku region, operating in Fukushima, Miyagi, and Yamagata.
Website: Fukushima Official Website
Caption: Aizu-Wakamatsu Castle by ?64
3. Yamaguchi City
Where: Yamaguchi Prefecture in the Chugoku Region
Located on the southwest tip of the main island of Honshu, this amazing part of Japan offers visitors a fascinating mix of enchanting ancient temples, samurai history, serene natural landscapes, and vibrant modern attractions. This compact and easy to explore city is quiet and rural but packs a punch with many interesting sites with great historical and cultural significance.
Don’t Miss: Historic Hagi – this Edo-period castle town is one of the most beautifully preserved in Japan and is known for its unique style of local pottery. Nearby is Motonosumi Inari Shrine, one of the most iconic shrines in all of Japan. It is a great alternative to Kyoto’s crowded Fushimi Inari Shrine to experience the magnificent tunnel of torii shrine gates.
Why you should visit in 2024
Yamaguchi City was chosen by the New York Times as one of its 52 Places to Visit in 2024. Nicknamed the “Kyoto of the West,” it offers an interesting alternative to Japan’s ancient capital without the tourism pollution, making it one of our must-see places in Japan for 2024.
Website: Yamaguchi Travel Guide
Caption: Motonosumi Inari Shrine by Akira Takiguchi
2. Kyushu
Where: Kyushu
Kyushu is the third largest island in Japan and is located southwest of the main island of Honshu. It is home to a wide range of unique attractions including natural hot springs, dynamic landscapes, cool regional cuisine such as creamy tonkotsu ramen, rich local culture, and historic treasures. Japan’s southern island is best explored at a leisurely pace to fully enjoy all its pleasures.
Don’t Miss: Picturesque Takachiho Gorge in Miyazaki Prefecture – one of the most incredible natural attractions in Kyushu. Known as a power spot, it is a place that is steeped in Japanese mythology. Its spiritually and natural beauty will take your trip to Japan to the next level.
Why you should visit in 2024
Kyushu featured in the Wall Street Journal’s list of “The 10 Best Places to Visit in 2024”. New Shinkansen bullet train routes which opened in late 2022 and 2023 make it easier than ever to access Kyushu’s hidden gems. Kyushu Railway also recently started a new luxury sightseeing train that takes visitors around the island to experience the charms of Kyushu. The train with its traditional tatami straw mat floors and compartments furnished with sofas and tables is a relaxing way to explore all the area has to offer.
Website: Visit Kyushu
Caption: Autumn colours at Takachiho Gorge by Hiroaki Kaneko
1. Tsuruga
Where: Fukui Prefecture in the Chubu Region
Tsuruga a port town in southern Fukui Prefecture, has a prosperous history as a transportation hub. It is filled with ancient temples and beautiful, serene gardens to entice any keen traveler. If that is not enough, it is also home to some of the best seafood in all of Japan with its prime position on the coast of the Sea of Japan.
Don’t Miss: Kehi Jingu Shrine – the chief guardian shrine of the Hokuriku Region. This attractive shrine is only a short walk from Tsuruga Station and is known for its large wooden torii shrine gate. The 11-meter high torii gate is officially ranked as one of the three great wooden torii gates of Japan, alongside those of Kasuga Shrine in Nara and Itsukushima Shrine on Miyajima in Hiroshima.
Why you should visit in 2024
Not that you need another reason to ride the rails of Japan’s legendary Shinkansen. A new extension on the bullet train Hokuriku Shinkansen railway line from the tourist hotspot of Kanazawa to Tsuruga just opened on March 16, 2024, making it a fantastic add on to explore this culture rich part of Japan. From Tokyo, visitors can now reach the picturesque Tsuruga in just over three hours.
Website: Tsuruga Guide
Caption: Kehi Jingu Shrine by 663 highland
John Asano is a blogger, travel writer and travel advisor living in Gifu, Japan. Originally from Melbourne, Australia, he has lived in Japan now for over 15 years. John loves nothing better than picking up his camera and exploring all the amazing sights and attractions that Japan has to offer. He writes about the must see sights and attractions in Japan at Japan Travel Advice, as well as about Japanese culture and modern life on his blog Japan Australia. You can read more of his work at http://japan-australia.blogspot.com/
