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

Seafood is a perennial favourite, and we have this thing for fish markets. It has become a norm that we would check out the fish markets whenever we travel, especially if they include dine-in options!

It may sound like an intimidating experience, but we will gladly allow the freshness and variety to win us over. Fortunately, Asia Pacific is home to several large-scale fish markets. From Taipei’s Addiction Aquatic Development Seafood Market, Sydney’s Fish Market to Tokyo’s world-famous Tsukiji Fish Market, here are 6 Best Fish Markets in Asia Pacific that all seafood lovers have to make a special trip to.

#1 ADDICTION AQUATIC DEVELOPMENT

Addiction Aquatic Development in Taipei is a massive market with 10 different concepts under its roof; it is like the other Tsukji Market you never knew about.

Upon entering, you will be greeted by the Live Aquamarine area. Proceed to browse through an exhaustive selection of abalone, king crabs, scallops and more. You can pick up fresh seafood and groceries, and bento sets and ready-to-eat seafood.

There are a few dining options within the compound, including a Sushi Bar and a Charcoal Grilled Seafood Restaurant. We swear a trip to Addiction Aquatic Development will be the highlight of your Taipei trip.

No. 18, Alley 2, Ln 410, Minzu E Rd
Tel: (02) 2508 1268
Daily: 6am – 12midnight

#2 CHAU DOC MARKET

Chau Doc Market in Vietnam is considered an off-the-radar destination when compared to the other fish markets in this post, but it certainly does not pale in comparison. After all, not many people have even heard of the Vietnamese city Chau Doc!

We were blown away by the variety of dried seafood piled atop each other. The localised market’s vendors here are extremely friendly.

QL91 – Tuyen tranh Chau Doc, tp.
Chau ?oc, An Giang, Vietnam
Tel: +84 91 828 31 81
Daily: 5.30am – 6pm

#3 SHINSEN FISH MARKET

In the City of Smiles where cafes and restaurants are aplenty, a fish market exists too and you definitely need to know about it.

Shinsen Fish Market is a seafood haven in Bangkok, and it is a new addition to Bangkok’s ever-happening food scene. Just a few months shy of its first birthday, Shinsen Fish Market is supposedly inspired by and modelled after Taipei’s Addiction Aquatic Developments.

 Shinsen Fish Market
163/6 Soi Sukhumvit 39, Bangkok
Tel: +66 2 260 6522
Nearest BTS: Phrom Phong

#4 SYDNEY FISH MARKET

Sydney Fish Market is more than just a tourist attraction. This market is where everyone— locals include—heads to for New South Wales’ best and freshest seafood.Visit the market for grocery shopping or partake in an interactive cooking class. Want to gain an in-depth understanding of your seafood? Sign up for a Behind the Scenes Tour (from A$35 per pax).

Visit the market for grocery shopping or enrol yourself in an interactive cooking class. Want to gain an in-depth understanding of your seafood? Sign up for a Behind the Scenes Tour (from A$35 per pax). Of course, do not leave without having a seafood meal.

Bank St & Pyrmont Bridge Road, Sydney NSW 2009, Australia
Tel: +61 2 9004 1100
Daily: 7am – 4.30pm

#5 TSUKIJI FISH MARKET

Tsukiji Fish Market is one of the world’s largest and oldest wholesale seafood markets, and needs no elaborate introduction. The world-famous destination is where Japan’s fish traders gather to barter for the best fishes. It is also a dream come true for avid foodies who would fly all the way here to Tokyo just to savour the freshest sashimi at Tsukiji Fish Market.

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
Tel: +81 3-3542-1111

#6 NORYANJIN FISHERY MARKET

Noryangjin Fisheries Wholesale Market is a must visit when in Seoul. The bustling market is a sight to behold on its own, and it is one trip that we will always take because the market simply comes alive with the many rows of stalls.

Watch as customers haggle for fresh sashimi, lobsters, crabs, prawns and live octopus etc. After purchasing seafood, go to the back of the market to find a restaurant to cook them for you in your preferred style(s).

It is a quintessential Seoul experience, and one that we will never forget.

674 Nodeul-ro, Dongjak-gu, South Korea
Tel: +82 2-2254-8000
Daily: 24 hours

Tsukiji Market is the world’s largest seafood market, and it is one of the must-see places when you are in Tokyo. While you might not need any convincing to go there when you are in the city, we still want to share five compelling reasons why you have to visit Tsukiji Market.

Visiting the tuna auction

One of the highlights of Tsukiji Market is definitely visiting the tuna auction. That is, if you can get up early (the queue starts before 5am), and if you are lucky enough to get in – the auction is limited to 120 guests a day.

Sushi Breakfast at Tsukiji Market

A trip to Tokyo will not be complete without having sushi breakfast at Tsukuji Market. Sushi Dai and Sushi Daiwa are the most popular sushi restaurants at the fish market. However, people wait in line from as early as 6am, and the queue is easily two to three hours. Honestly, I feel that the other sushi restaurants at Tsukiji Market are just as good.

One place you can consider is Ryu Sushi. We had the Kiku Sushi Set (¥2,100) which comes with 7 pieces of sushi, and 6 pieces of sushi rolls, and a beautiful Chirashi (¥3,100). We were blown away by the quality and freshness of the sushi and sashimi.

Ryu Sushi
5-2-1, Building 1
Chuo-ku, Tsukiji Market, Tokyo
Tel: 03 3541 9517

Plenty of things to see and buy at the outer market

The outer market has many stalls selling fresh produce, tea, kitchen utensils and kitchenware, pickles, and food like tamago and unagi.

Tempura at Tenfusa

Another reason to return to Tsukiji Market again and again is to have tempura at Tenfusa. If sushi for breakfast is not your thing, go to Tenfusa, which is located along the same stretch as Sushi Dai and Sushi Daiwa. The tempura is well-prepared, crisp and not oily. The Tendon (¥1,100), and assorted Tempura Set (¥1,200) are very affordable for the quality.

Tenfusa
5-2-1, Building 6
Chuo-ku, Tsukiji Market, Tokyo
Tel: 03 3547 6766

Tsukiji Market is moving

Tsukiji Market will be moving to Toyosu in March 2015 to make room for the 2020 Summer Olympic Games. So, if you have not been to the market before, you must make a trip there before it moves to the new location.

Tsukiji Market is closed on Sundays, holidays and certain Wednesdays. The nearest stations are Tsukiji and Tsukijishijo.

For more recommendations, read our Tokyo Food & Travel Guides.