The best places to visit in Japan in 2026, beyond Tokyo, are Kyoto for temples, Osaka for food, Nara's deer and giant Buddha, Hiroshima and the floating torii of Miyajima, and Hakone and the Fuji Five Lakes for hot springs and Mt Fuji views. Kanazawa, Takayama and Shirakawa-go, Nikko, Kamakura and Hokkaido round out a first or second trip.
The classic first trip is Tokyo, Hakone or Mt Fuji, Kyoto, Nara and Osaka, linked by the Tokaido shinkansen. Add Hiroshima and Miyajima for a longer trip, or the Japan Alps (Kanazawa, Takayama) for something less traveled.
Temples, shrines and geisha districts.
Kyoto, Japan's capital for over a thousand years, has Fushimi Inari, Kiyomizu-dera, the Golden Pavilion and the lanes of Gion.
It is about 2 hours 15 minutes from Tokyo by shinkansen.
Good to know: Stay at least three nights.
Kyoto Station, Shimogyo Ward, Kyoto 600-8216
Japan's kitchen and nightlife capital.
Osaka is known for street food, Dotonbori's neon, Osaka Castle and Universal Studios Japan.
It is a short ride from Kyoto.
Good to know: Eat your way through Dotonbori.
Osaka Station, Kita Ward, Osaka 530-0001
Bowing deer and a giant bronze Buddha.
Nara Park's friendly deer roam among Todai-ji, home to a giant bronze Buddha, and the lantern-lined Kasuga Taisha.
It is an easy day trip from Kyoto or Osaka.
Good to know: Buy deer crackers and watch the deer bow.
Nara Park, Nara 630-8211
The Peace Memorial and the floating torii.
Hiroshima's Peace Memorial Park and Museum tell the story of the atomic bombing; nearby Miyajima's Itsukushima Shrine has the famous torii in the sea.
Combine both in one or two days.
Good to know: See the torii at high tide.
Peace Memorial Park, Naka Ward, Hiroshima 730-0811
Hot springs, Lake Ashi and Mt Fuji views.
Hakone has ryokan with hot springs, Lake Ashi, Owakudani's volcanic vents and views of Mt Fuji on clear days.
It is 90 minutes from Shinjuku.
Good to know: Stay a night in a ryokan.
Hakone-Yumoto Station, Hakone, Kanagawa 250-0311
The classic views of Japan's sacred mountain.
The Fuji Five Lakes area around Kawaguchiko has the best views of Mt Fuji, plus Chureito Pagoda and lakeside onsen.
Climbers tackle the summit in July and August.
Good to know: Stay overnight for the morning views.
Kawaguchiko Station, Fujikawaguchiko, Yamanashi 401-0301
Kenroku-en garden and geisha districts.
Kanazawa has Kenroku-en, one of Japan's three great gardens, preserved samurai and geisha districts and the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art.
It is about 2.5 hours from Tokyo by shinkansen.
Good to know: Visit Omicho Market for seafood.
Kanazawa Station, Kanazawa, Ishikawa 920-0858
An old merchant town and thatched farmhouses.
Takayama has a beautifully preserved old town and morning markets; nearby Shirakawa-go is a UNESCO village of steep thatched farmhouses.
Winter illuminations at Shirakawa-go are famous.
Good to know: Book buses to Shirakawa-go ahead in winter.
Takayama Station, Takayama, Gifu 506-0053
Gilded shrines in cedar forests.
Nikko's Toshogu shrine is lavishly decorated, set in cedar forests, with waterfalls and lakes up the mountain.
It is two hours from Tokyo.
Good to know: Go in October for autumn leaves.
Tobu-Nikko Station, Nikko, Tochigi 321-1406
The Great Buddha and Zen temples by the sea.
Kamakura has the Great Buddha, Zen temples, hiking trails and beaches, an hour from Tokyo.
It is an easy day trip.
Good to know: Ride the Enoden to Enoshima.
Kamakura Station, Kamakura, Kanagawa 248-0006
Powder snow, Sapporo and wide-open nature.
Hokkaido, Japan's northern island, is known for Niseko's powder snow, Sapporo's beer and Snow Festival, seafood and summer flower fields in Furano.
Fly from Tokyo in about 90 minutes.
Good to know: Visit the Sapporo Snow Festival in February.
Sapporo Station, Kita Ward, Sapporo, Hokkaido 060-0806
Subtropical beaches and Ryukyu culture.
Okinawa's islands have white-sand beaches, coral reefs, Ryukyu-era castles and a distinct food culture.
Flights from Tokyo take about 2.5 hours.
Good to know: Island-hop to the Kerama Islands for snorkeling.
Naha Airport, Naha, Okinawa 901-0142
Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka and Nara, plus Hakone or Mt Fuji, linked by the shinkansen.
Ten to fourteen days covers Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka and a couple of side trips comfortably.
After the 2023 price increase, it pays off mainly for long-distance trips; compare with individual tickets.
Spring (late March to April) for cherry blossoms and autumn (October to November) for leaves and mild weather.
Hokkaido, especially Niseko for skiing and Sapporo for the winter Snow Festival in February.