There are so many attractions in Japan and most of these wonderful places are actually interestingly situated out of its capital, Tokyo. How does feeding the friendly deers at Nara Park, visiting the Japanese macaques at Jigokudani Monkey Park and exploring the compound of UNESCO World Heritage-listed Himeji Castle sound?

From the enchanting Arashiyama Bamboo Grove to historic Fushimi Inari Shrine, here are the 9 Best Attractions In Japan That Travellers Should Not Miss.

#1 ARASHIYAMA BAMBOO GROVE

Chances are, you must have seen Arashiyama Bamboo Grove on travel websites or your instagram feed at any one point in time. The magical forest – also known as Kyoto Bamboo Forest – is exceptionally tranquil and is characterised by two rows of towering bamboos.

Ukyo Ward, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture, Japan

#2 FUSHIMI INARI SHRINE

Fushimi Inari Shrine is one of Kyoto’s most famous landmarks and boasts a history of more than 1,300 years. Located in the south of Kyoto, this shrine is dedicated to the shinto God of rice. There are actually two trails of Senbon Torii gates but these pathways eventually merge into one.

68 Fukakusa Yabunouchicho, Fushimi Ward, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture 612-0882, Japan

#3 HARAJUKU

When in Harajuku, make a trip to the 400-meter long Takeshita Dori for the quintessential Harajuku expereience. Over here, you will come across boutique stores, dessert kiosks and many Japanese cosplayers.

1 Chome Jingumae, Tokyo 150-0001, Japan

Read: 9 Things You Need To Eat & Do When In Takeshita Dori, Harajuku.

Source: Alpha Coders

#4 HIMEJI CASTLE

UNESCO World Heritage-listed Himeji Castle is a fine surviving Japanese castle complex – this national treasure consists of 80 over buildings! The Himeji is also a very popular cherry blossom spot.

68 Honmachi, Himeji, Hyogo Prefecture 670-0012, Japan

Source: The Travel Mentor

#5 JIGOKUDANI MONKEY PARK

The Jigokudani Monkey Park is quite an unconventional tourist attraction. This unique hot spring is filled with wild snow monkeys and you can see these 150 primates every day throughout the year. Admission tickets are price at ¥500 per adult and ¥250 per child.

Yudanaka-Shibu Onsen, Yamanouchi town, Nagano prefecture, Japan

Source: Robert OToole

#6 MOUNT FUJI

Standing at 3,776 metres, Mount Fuji is Japan’s highest elevation. The active volcano is located about 100 kilometres away from Tokyo. It is officially open to climbers in the months of July and August.

Source: The Globe and Mail

#7 NARA PARK

Nara Park is one of the oldest parks in Japan and is home to hundreds of free-roaming deers. Some of these docile deers have learnt to bow and you can even purchase crackers from the park to feed them.

Nara, Nara Prefecture, Japan

#8 NATIONAL ART CENTRE TOKYO

Tokyo National Art Center’s visually stunning architecture should not be missed; check out the splendid undulating glass facade and the three spectacular conical volumes within. Admission to the museum’s main atrium is free of charge but charges do apply for entrance to the gallery’s exhibits.

Kokuritsu Shin-Bijutsukan
The National Art Center, Tokyo
7-22-2 Roppongi Minato-ku Tokyo 106-8558 Japan

#9 TSUKIJI FISH MARKET

Tsukiji Fish Market is one of the world’s biggest and oldest wholesale seafood markets. The world-famous destination is where you can eat the freshest sashimi and watch the iconic tuna auction. It is also where Japan’s fish traders gather to barter for the best fishes.

Note that Tsukiji Fish Market might be moving soon, but the verdict has yet to be confirmed. Read more about it here.

5 Chome-2-1 Tsukiji, Chuo, Tokyo 104-0045, Japan

Sitting snuggly on the western outskirts of Kyoto surrounded by mountains, Arashiyama is perfect for a day-trip transition from crowded city life to scenic mother nature. The efficiency of the Japanese transport system allows you to visit this picturesque landscape within the hour, making Arashiyama the perfect place for a day trip from Kyoto.

The area is serviced by several buses as well as three large train stations on either side, Keifuku Arashiyama Station, Hankyu Arashiyama Station and JR Saga-Sarashiyama Station both of which are within walking distance of the central area. It’s a beautifully expansive area so here’s a run down of the most unmissable things to cover off in your 24 hours in Arashiyama.

If you alight from Hankyu Arashiyama Station, you’ll first encounter the Togetsu-kyo Bridge, which was named during the Heian period by Emperor Kameyama because of the way the moon appeared to cross over it, reflecting off the surface of the Oi River.

The structure is a favourite (and romantic) viewing platform for visitors to admire the landscape views of the surrounding mountains as well as the cherry blossoms. If you’re lucky, the stretch leading up to the bridge has some local stores set-up selling okonomiyaki (Japanese-styled pizza), yakisoba (fried noodles) and takoyaki (octopus balls) which will have you geared up for exploration!

Before you cross the bridge, head towards Mount Arashiyama where you can climb up around 150 steps to reach the Iwatayama Monkey Park. The 30 minute ascent brings you closer to almost 130 of our furry cousins up close, letting you feed them but the real treat is the unrivalled panoramic views of Kyoto’s city sprawl.

Make your way across the bridge and along the main road flanked on either side by shops, which sell a variety of local sweets and snacks as well as handicraft. Most places offer sample tasting before you buy which is great if you need a few souvenirs for those not as lucky as yourselves.

But don’t stop yet. You’ll have time to explore the street while you wait for a table for lunch, which usually takes upwards of 30 minutes on a quiet day. Head further down until you see Hirokawa, a restaurant into a two-storey traditional wooden house which specialises in freshly sourced eel from farms all over Japan, offering a selection of set lunches and a la carte dishes that will make your wait well worth it.

After a delectable lunch, cross the street and enter the UNESCO heritage site and iconic temple Tenryu-ji. The temple itself and its buildings has since been rebuilt and restored multiple times since it was first erected originally as a palace in 1339 but the Zen garden still retains much of its former magnificence.

If you skipped the Iwatayama Monkey Park earlier, you can still spot a few monkeys on the way up to Kameyama Park, which sits behind Tenryu-ji. Up here, you’ll see Zhou Enlai’s “Arashiyama in the Rain” stone monument as well as a bronze statue further along of Tsuzaki Muraok-no-Tsubone, a court lady-in-waiting. Continue upwards for a breathtaking view of the Hozugawa River, which flows into the Oi River.

Otherwise, head further up north along the main road where you’ll reach the path leading to Arashiyama’s famous bamboo groves. The winding path is a 200-metre stretch of green serenity and the perfect way to slow down and feel embraced by nature away from the rest of the world.

You’ll be charmed by the elegance of Arashiyama but make sure you don’t overwhelm yourself with a jam packed itinerary – take your time and breathe in your tranquil surroundings.

For more recommendations, read our guide to 10 things that we love about Kyoto.

About the writer: 
It’s all about travel, photography and food in Andy Yeo’s life. Born in Hong Kong and raised in Australia, Andy has returned to his hometown to capture the best that Asia has to offer. What good are weekends if not for short trips overseas to get your taste buds excited and memories well documented? Read more at www.misteryeo.com.