Japan Things to Do

Tokyo gets all the attention for its big city feel and Kyoto for its ancient culture, but the city of Osaka shouldn’t be overlooked when planning your Japan itinerary. Known for its laid-back attitude and tasty cuisine, what the city lacks in history and charm it makes up for in the dining scene alone.

Less than an hour from Kyoto and Osaka lies Japan’s first permanent capital Nara. Home to the country’s oldest and largest temples, Nara is bursting with ancient monasteries, Zen gardens and shrines. Here is our guide to the sights you won’t want to miss.

Kyoto has so many fabulous sights that deciding what to see can be quite overwhelming! While there are many wonderful temples, you’ll quickly become ‘templed-out’ if you try to see too many of them in too short a time. Here’s a hit list of my favorite sights.