10 Reasons to Visit Japan

Tough times have befallen Japan. Weeks after the tsunami – the full impact of which is still being assessed – uncertainty still reigns about the amount of fallout coming from damaged nuclear reactors. For those intrigued by Japan's unique culture, architecture and landscapes, the unravelling drama has been especially difficult to watch.

No doubt, Japan will remain one of the most engrossing countries on the planet. A la England, despite its tiny island status, Japan punches well above its weight. Whether you want bullet trains or steam baths, Japan has just about everything. Here are 10 reasons to keep Japan on your travel itinerary.  

Japan Top 10

1. Himeji Castle (Himeji)

Reminiscent of a white heron poised over the plains, Himeji is Japan's most dazzling castle. Awash with moats, turrets, the UNESCO-listed site also features a maze of passages. It has survived near intact since feudal times.

2. Kinkaku-ji

Also called the Temple of the Golden Pavilion, Kinkaku-ji is Japan’s most famous landmark after Mount Fuji. The temple’s stunning gold-covered main hall floats like a ghost above the pond that laps its edges.

3. Saihoji

Commonly called the Moss Temple, Kyoto’s Saihoji hosts a spectacular moss garden that contains over 100 kinds of moss. Spread around a pond, they glow neon like a Shinjuku light show. Saihoji looks particularly bewitching after a rain shower.

Saihoji in autumn

4. Roppongi

Tokyo's hippest neighbourhood houses the new Tokyo Midtown complex, the National Arts Centre and the Mori Art Museum. If you like buzz, bustle and blinking lights, few places have more zing than Roppongi.

5. Dōgo

This onsen resort town contains Japan’s oldest and most famous public bath house. According to one legend, the springs that feed it came to light during the age of the gods when a heron stuck his injured leg into hot water streaming from a rock. The heron was miraculously healed.

6. Dotonbori

Dotonbori was earmarked as the entertainment district of Osaka way back in 1621. Now, it's one of Japan’s most enticing affordable dining hubs. If you're bold, try the fugu (blowfish) or takoyaki octopus balls. Good value.

7. Tokyo Tower

Tokyo Tower is one of Japan’s zaniest attractions: an orange Eiffel Tower knock-off that actively serves as a transmission hub and tourist magnet. When you tire of its sweeping views, you can duck inside and explore the wax museum.

8. Hiroshima Peace Memorial

Even before 1945, this art-nouveau Hiroshima building with the egg-shaped copper dome was a tourist draw. When the bomb dropped, the building got caught in the blast. At first, people wanted the resulting ruin knocked down. But then, as Hiroshima recovered, people saw what a striking memorial it would make.

9. Nagoya
The Port of Nagoya features a docked icebreaker ship used in expeditions to the Antarctica. In addition, Nagoya serves as the stage for a giant amusement park, a zoo and an aquarium among other diversions. Like the country itself, Nagoya packs a big cultural wallop in a compact space. Better yet, you can reach it by bullet train.

10. Yoshino

Set in Nara Prefecture, Yoshino teems with temples and shrines. Besides, it is one of Japan's most beautiful cherry blossom spots, quite a brag given that the nation is traditionally synonymous with this naturally-scented confetti.