Japan is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. When planning to visit the country, you might be wondering what are the best cities in Japan for tourists? So, in this article, we will look at the best and most popular places to stay in Japan for first-time visitors.
Tokyo is perhaps the most famous city in all of Japan. Many visitors choose to visit Tokyo during their first trip to the country. It is the modern capital of Japan, with plenty of things to do from shopping, sightseeing, and enjoying the vibrant nightlife scene.
The second position in the list of the best places to visit in Japan is Kyoto, and the third position is Osaka. Kyoto is the ancient capital of Japan, packed with iconic temples, shrines, and cultural attractions. Osaka is known for its vibrant food and nightlife scene.
Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka are the top choices for all first-time visitors to Japan. Additionally, smaller cities like Hiroshima and Fukuoka are also worth visiting. Hiroshima is a must-see for those who are interested in the history of world war 2, while Fukuoka is known for its food, shopping and nightlife.
What types of accommodation are there in Japan?
Japan has all kinds of accommodations, featuring both Western style and Japanese style accommodations. There are luxury 5-star hotels, business hotels, ryokans (traditional Japanese guest houses), apartment rentals, and capsule hotels.
If you have a generous budget, you can choose to stay in 5-star brand hotels like The Ritz-Carlton, Park Hyatt, Imperial Hotel, Mandarin Oriental, The Conrad, and Shangri-La Hotel. These hotels have massive room sizes by Tokyo standard (32 m² and above).
If you are on a tight budget and don’t mind small rooms, business hotels are great options. They are a popular type of accommodations in Japan. Popular business hotel brands include APA, Dormy Inn, comfort inn, Toyoko Inn, Super Hotel, and Sunroute.
Most business hotels are in strategic locations close to train stations, and come with breakfast. Rooms are small and compact (only 11m²) but functional and have everything you need for your stay.
Other popular hotel chains are Daiwa Roynet and Mitsui Garden. These have bigger rooms and bathrooms. If you travel with family, consider staying in an apartment style hotel like the Daimaru Hotel chains or Oakwood Residences.
During your trips in Japan, I suggest staying a night or two in a ryokan to experience the traditional Japanese way of life. A ryokan often comes with onsen hot springs, futon bedding, tatami flooring, and kaiseki meal. Kyoto, Hakone, and Miyajima are great places to book a ryokan.
If you are budget backpackers, you can stay in a capsule hotel. It has dorm rooms, shared bathrooms and a toilet area. The room can be women only, male only, or mixed.
I suggest you book your accommodation well in advance, especially if you travel during the peak season like the cherry blossom in March/April and the Golden Week in May. I also suggest booking a place that has coin laundry machines, so you can do your washing.
When researching accommodations for my trips, I also found out that accommodations in Tokyo are the most expensive. For the same price, you can find better hotels in Kyoto and Osaka with more space. So, the rule of thumb is to book your hotel in advance to have a good deal.
I also advise paying close attention to the cancellation policy as sometimes you need to pay more if options for free cancellation are included, which is invaluable especially in uncertain times.
During our trip to Japan, we stayed at Hotel Gracery Shinjuku in Tokyo. It was a great 4-star hotel in central location of the nightlife district of Tokyo, just steps away from the action. The room is small but has a comfortble bed and amenities.
In Kyoto, we stayed in Downtown Kyoto at the Hotel Vista Premio Kyoto Kawaramachi St. It was also a nice hotel in quiet area in the heart of the city, easy walking distance from the restaurant area, shopping arcades, Gion historic district, and the river. We walked to almost everywhere from our hotel.
In Osaka, We stayed at the Dotonbori district at the 3-star Hotel Forza Osaka Namba. The hotel has all basic amenities and is right at heart of the nightlife area of Osaka. Lots of restaurants and street food stalls are just steps away from our hotel. Namba Train Station is also within walking distance away.
Where to stay in Japan for first-time tourists?
1. Tokyo
Tokyo is the top choice for first-time visitors to stay and visit in Japan. As the capital city, it is a must-see destination for all visitors, offering a vibrant metropolis with countless things to do and see.
Tokyo is a huge city, packed with lively neighborhoods. You can enjoy the nightlife at the Kabukicho red light district of Shinjuku; visit Shibuya for shopping and iconic sights like Shibuya Crossing and Hachiko Statue; explore Harajuku for quirky youth fashion, visit the electronic town of Akihabara, or enjoy luxury dining and shopping at Ginza.
Tokyo has so many skyscrapers where you can enjoy sweeping views of the city from observation decks. Popular buildings include the Tokyo Skytree, Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building, Tokyo Tower, and Shibuya Sky. The Government Building is free to enter, while other towers need to book the ticket in advance.
In addition to the modern atmosphere, Tokyo has several famous temples and shrines to explore. The Sensoji Temple is the oldest temple in Japan, located in the historic Asakusa district. Meiji Jingu Shrine, located in Shibuya, is a peaceful place to escape from the hustle and bustle of Tokyo.
Tokyo is also a foodie paradise. There are many michelin-starred restaurants as well as budget-friendly street food stalls. Be sure to check out Tsukiji Fish Market, or take a cooking class if you like cooking. The robot restaurants and maid cafes are also worth a visit!
The city has plenty of parks and green spaces to relax. Parks like Ueno Park, Shinjuku Gyoen, Kokyo Gaien National Garden, and Sumida Park are especially beautiful during the spring’s cherry blossom seasons in March and April. Don’t miss them during hanami season!
In terms of choosing a place to stay in Tokyo, I recommend booking your accommodation in popular neighborhoods like Shinjuku, Shibuya, Ginza, Asakusa, and Ueno. These areas are transportation hubs of Tokyo, offering easy access to the trains to explore the city on public transportation.
A note from me is that Tokyo has excellent public transportation infrastructure, you will easily get around on trains as long as your hotel is close to the Yamanote Line. This line circles all major sights of Tokyo.
2. Kyoto
Kyoto is my second top choice for the best places to stay in Japan for the first time, only after Tokyo. Kyoto is the cultural heart of the city and is home to many Unesco Heritage temples and shrines.
Must-see temples and shrines in Kyoto include the Kiyomizudera temple with its huge wooden viewing platform, the Fushimi Inari Shrine with a thousand torii gate, and the Kinkakuji golden pavilion.
Don’t miss out on the Arashiyama area in western part of Kyoto where you can explore the famous bamboo grove, and many other sights like The Togetsukyo Bridge, Tenryuji Temple, and Monkey Park Iwatayama. You can take a leisure boat ride along the river.
In Downtown Kyoto, you can go shopping at its many shopping streets and department stores like Takashimaya and Daimaru. There are many shops on the streets of Shijo and Kawaramachi, as well as Teramachi arcade.
For nightlife, Pontocho Alley Kiyamachi Restaurant Row along Kamo River is the place to go. These areas are packed with shops, restaurants, and bars. You can spot geisha on the way to work in early evening in Gion, attend a traditional tea ceremony, or watch a traditional performing arts at Gion Corner.
For first-time visitors, I suggest staying either in Downtown Kyoto and in Gion. Personally I found out that Downtown has cheaper choices of accommodations, and still having easy access to the major sights and public transit.
If you want to stay in the heart of a traditional part of the city, Gion is the place to go. And to experience a Japanese style inn with traditional meals, why not choose to stay in a ryokan in Kyoto?
If you stay in Kyoto, you can easily use it as the base to take day trips to Nara to see f wild deer and historic attractions, Hiroshima to learn about the bombing in WWII, Kobe for beef, and Osaka.
3. Osaka
Osaka is third on my list of the best places to visit in Japan for the first time. Osaka is the kitchen of Japan, famous for its food and nightlife. From here, you can take a day trip to Kyoto, Nara, Hiroshima, and Kobe. The city has two international airports, so it is easily accessible internationally.
In Osaka, you can explore the Osaka Castle, which is particularly beautiful during the sakura season. If you are traveling with kids, be sure to check out the Osaka Bay area with family-friendly attractions like the Aquarium Kaiyukan, Ferris Wheel, and Universal Studio Japan.
For shoppers, there are several department stores in the Kita district and shopping areas in Namba. In the northern part of Osaka, you can shop at the Grand Front Osaka, HEP FIVE, and Tenjinbashi-suji street. In the southern part of the city, head to Den Den Town, Kuromon Ichiba Market, Shinsaibashi-suji Shopping Arcade, and Amerikamura.
In terms of nightlife and food, no area can beat Dotonbori entertainment district of Osaka. It is located along the Dotonbori canal, and is packed with neon signs, izakaya, eateries, and bars. While in the area, I recommend visiting Ebisubashi Bridge, Glico Man, and Hozenji Yokocho Alley.
The city has several buildings that offer nice views over the city. Osaka’s tallest building, Abeno Harukas, located in the Tennoji area has an observation deck, offering sweeping views of the city. Other places for city views are the Tsūtenkaku Tower in the Shinsekai area, and the Umeda sky building in Umeda district.
Osaka has two major neighborhoods for first-time visitors. Umeda (Kita) and Dotonbori (Minami). They are the transportation hub of the city, so you’ll get around easily using trains and subways. If you want to be in the center of the nightlife, Dotonbori is the place to book your accommodation.
4. Hiroshima
Hiroshima is a must-see place in Japan, especially if you are interested in the history of the word war 2. You can combine a visit to Hiroshima with a day trip to the nearby Miyajima island known for its giant torii gate standing in the sea.
The city is best known for its tragic atomic bomb in WWII, which destroyed the city and killed many people. Additionally, it has great okonomiyaki pancakes.
The most popular attraction in Hiroshima is the Peace Memorial Park complex, where you can find the Peace Memorial Museum, Children’s Peace Monument, and Atomic Bomb Dome. Other places to visit are the Hiroshima Castle and the Shukkeien Garden.
At nightlife, you can explore shops, bars, pubs, along the Hondori shopping street. Head to the Okonomimura area to try Hiroshima’s famous pancake called okonomiyaki.
Miyajima can be explored in a day. It is easily accessible from Hiroshima Station by combination of train and ferry, or from The Peace Park’s port by direct ferry. The journey is around 1 hour.
On the island, you can go shopping at the Omotesando Arcade, browse some souvenirs or try some grilled oysters. Visit the famous Itsukushima Shrine and its floating torii gate. Check out some temples and parks, and do some hiking around Mt. Misen. You can also take a cable car to the top of the mountain.
Many visitors visit Hiroshima as a day trip from Tokyo and Osaka, but you can stay here a couple of nights to have a more relaxing exploration. Downtown Hiroshima and Hiroshima Station are where all the hotels are concentrated.
Maybe consider staying in Miyajima for a night to experience a peaceful atmosphere. Accommodations in Miyajima are often limited and more expensive compared to downtown Hiroshima though.
5. Fukuoka
Fukuoka is a popular tourist destination in Japan, located in Kyushu Island, very close to South Korea and China in mainland Asia. The city is known for its delicious food scene, great shopping, and nightlife. It is also a great base to explore the Kyushu region of Japan.
Fukuka has several cultural attractions that are located in Hakata district. They are Tochoji Temple and Kushida Shrine, which is the location of July’s Hakata Gion Yamakasa festival.
If you want to do some shopping, head to Canal City Hakata, Kawabata Shopping Arcade, and many department stores in Tenjin district. The Ohori Park and Fukuoka Castle ruins are not to be missed. For some views of the city, head to Fukuoka Tower at the Momochi Seaside area.
A visit to Fukuoka is not complete without visiting one of the many yatai street-food stalls lining the riverside to try Hakata style ramen, and many local foods. Nakasu red light district is a place to go for nightlife, it is one of the three most famous red light districts in Japan.
From Fukuoka, you can take day trips to nearby attractions like the Dazaifu Shrine, Nanzoin Temple, Yanagawa, and Nagasaki. These are only a short train ride from Fukuoka.
In terms of the neighborhood to stay in, I recommend booking your accommodations either in Hakata, Nakasu, or Tenjin. These are central parts of the city, and are packed with tourist amenities. Hakata is the public transportation hub, Nakasu is the nightlife hub, and Tenjin is the downtown hub of the city.
6. Nara
Nara is a popular day trip from Kyoto and Osaka as it is only less than an hour by train ride from either one of these cities. It was the first capital of Japan, so you’ll find many historic attractions here.
Here you can explore the Kofuku-ji UNESCO World Heritage Site, Nara Park, Todaiji, Nara Museum of Buddhist Art, and the Nara National Museum.
7. Hakone
Hakone is a popular day trip from Tokyo. It is located only a 1.5 hour train ride from Tokyo. The region is known for its stunning views of Mt Fuji and soothing onsen hot spring. You can do Hakone in a day and consider staying a night for a relaxing onsen experience.
The Hakone Loop is well-served by various public transportation options including Hakone Tozan train, bus, cable car, ropeway, and sightseeing cruise tour. There are many attractions along the Loop like the Open Air Museum, the Owakudani Viewpoint, and Hakone Shrine.
See more:
- 10 days in Japan Itinerary for first-timers
- 5 Best areas to stay in Tokyo
- 3 Best areas to stay in Kyoto
- 5 Best areas to stay in Osaka
- Best areas to stay in Hakone
- Best areas to stay in Fukuoka
- Best areas to stay in Hiroshima
There you have it, my recommendation on the 7 best cities to visit and stay in Japan during your first trip and even for the returning trip. There are plenty of things to do and see in this famous country.
So, which cities are the best in Japan? Have you visited any of those cities? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comment down below. I’d love to hear it.