7 Great Reasons Why You Should Make Japan Your Next Holiday Destination

Japan beautifully intertwines the past with the present, featuring ancient capitals and historic shrines alongside high-speed trains and cutting-edge robotics. This Pacific archipelago offers more than just a contrast of history and modernity; it boasts unparalleled cuisine at every budget, unique traditional festivals, and countless ways to embrace your inner child. These captivating aspects make Japan an ideal choice for your next vacation destination.

Discover Historical Gems

Japan is a country rich in history, with thousands of years of human habitation shaping its islands. Despite the loss of many historic buildings to progress and natural disasters, numerous sites remain preserved, offering a glimpse into the past for future generations. Explore entire historic neighborhoods, temple towns, and castles in places like Kanazawa, Kyoto, and Matsumoto, where you can marvel at the charm and ingenuity of traditional Japanese architecture. The country is also home to a wealth of UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including Horyu-ji, a Buddhist temple in Nara that boasts the world's oldest wooden building—the five-story pagoda and sanctuary hall.

Experience a Unique Culture

The Japanese take great pride in their unique cultural traditions, from the elegance of the tea ceremony to the timeless beauty of the kimono. Visitors can immerse themselves in this culture not only through museums, art, and historic architecture but also by strolling through restored landscape gardens, trying their luck with omikuji (fortune slips) at shrines, or enjoying shochu (rice liquor) at local izakayas. Traditional Japanese culture is a living entity, experienced in various ways—from sampling seasonal wagashi (Japanese sweets) to watching a sumo match or participating in lessons on flower arrangement, calligraphy, or taiko (Japanese drumming).

Feel Religious Harmony

While the majority of Japanese people identify as non-religious, many practice a blend of the indigenous Shinto faith and Buddhism, particularly of the Pure Land sect. Historically, Shinto shrines served as community centers, hosting festivals, markets, and religious ceremonies, a tradition that continues today. The Shinto customs of purchasing omamori (amulets), paying a small fee for fortune telling (omikuji), and leaving prayers on ema (wish plaques) have also spread to Buddhist temples. Visiting both shrines and temples offers a fun and interactive experience, contrasting with the more solemn atmosphere often found in organized religions.

Ride the World's Busiest Trains

Japan's fast and efficient trains are renowned as some of the best in the world, boasting an extensive network of light, heavy, and high-speed rails, along with classic trams and monorails. Among them, Shinjuku Station in Tokyo holds the title for the busiest train station globally, serving the highest number of passengers. While Japan's shinkansen speed has been surpassed by the Shanghai Maglev, they remain a fast and effective means of travel, reducing carbon emissions and eliminating the need to journey to outer-city airports or endure long wait times.

Enjoy the Nostalgia of Manga, Anime and Gaming

Japanese manga (comics), anime (cartoons), and games have significantly impacted the global entertainment industry. One Piece, the world's best-selling comic, boasts a massive fanbase worldwide, while classics like Pokémon, Super Mario Bros., and Final Fantasy continue to attract new fans and shape their genres.

In Japan, manga and anime are woven into daily life, appearing in poster advertisements, commercials, and even snack packaging. You can discover the latest trends at the ever-popular Animate stores, collect figurines of your favorite characters from secondhand shops, or try your luck at winning nostalgic plushies from arcades.

Take Part in One-of-a-Kind Festivals

Experiencing one of Japan's many traditional festivals is one of the best ways to immerse yourself in local culture. Lively, noisy, and fun, festivals, or *matsuri*, offer a chance to savor local street foods, play classic games like goldfish scooping (*kingyo sukui*), and enjoy traditional music. At some festivals, visitors can even participate in summer Bon dances, volunteer to carry the palanquin during major shrine festivals, or watch live performances featuring music, dance, and sports like archery and sumo.

Japanese festivals vary widely, from the artfully designed lanterns and floats of the Nebuta Festival to the downright bizarre phallus parade of the Kanamara Festival, which celebrates fertility.

Dine in a Foodie's Paradise

With its capital city, Tokyo, boasting the most Michelin-starred restaurants in the world, Japan is a country that takes its food very seriously. While you can find internationally renowned dishes like sushi and ramen globally, local specialties such as monja (cabbage pancake), delicate handmade *wagashi* from family-owned shops, and authentic *kaiseki* (elevated traditional cuisine) are much harder to come by outside Japan's borders.

In Conclusion

With record-breaking numbers of tourists flocking to Japan's top cities in recent years, showcasing the country's many merits is a breeze. There's something for everyone here, from historic neighborhoods and ancient temples to ultra-modern transport systems and some of the finest cuisine the world has to offer. If you haven't yet discovered the reasons to add Japan to your travel bucket list, now's your chance to find out.