Plan a Vacation to Japan

Here is a shortcut to your perfect Tokyo vacation. Make sure you visit these top 10 places In Japan as rated by visitors like you.

Be sure to visit the Spectacle bridge near Nagasaki. This gorgeous ancient stone bridge resembles a pair of glasses when viewed with the reflection of water flowing under the bridge and is a popular tourist stop. Visiting the beautiful red and yellow shrine known as Confucius Shrine and Museum of Natural History near Nagasaki can provide you with glimpses of Chinese treasures on loan form Beijing. Chinatown dates back to the seventeenth century and can be a haven for food lovers visiting Japan. Dejima is an artificial island once used to confine Dutch workers and now houses a museum and many historical buildings.

On August 9, 1945, an atomic bomb was dropped on Nagasaki. Be sure to visit the museum dedicated to this tragedy when visiting Nagasaki as well as Nagasaki Peace Park. Glover Gardens is an open air museum featuring nine western style homes including Glover Mansion. Nishizaka Hill located in Nagasaki is the site of a religious monument to the twenty six martyrs who were crucified on this spot for practicing Christianity in the 1600's.

Tokyo

Tsukiji Fish Market in Tokyo is an interesting tourist stop and is a sushi lovers paradise. It is the largest wholesale market in Japan. Asakusa in Tokyo is a popular neighborhood filled with shops and restaurants along with the famous Senso Temple. The East Gardens are located near the outside of the Imperial Palace and are open to the public. Yasukun jinja is the site of a large, torii gate that stands at the entrance to this shrine built in memory of those who lost their lives defending Japan. Many officials still come and offer prayer annually on August 15, anniversary of Japan's defeat in World War.

The Kabuki Theater hosts traditional Japanese Kabuki performances and is located in the Ginza district. The Edo Tokyo Museum displays artifacts and architecture depicting Tokyo's history. Exhibits include replicas of an ancient Kabuki theater and the original Edo Castle. The Hama Rikyo park is located next to Tokyo Bay and is one of the most beautiful gardens in the city. The Tokyo National Museum is a must see with the largest collection of Japanese artifacts and artworks in the world. It features over 100,000 pieces and room to display only 4,000 so exhibits are rotated constantly. The Mori Art Museum is located in Roppong Hills, is one of Asia's, largest collections of contemporary art.

Hiroshima

While visiting Hiroshima, be sure to see the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum. This park commemorates the explosion of the first atomic bomb. It houses the Peace Memorial Museum. The Hiroshima Castle and the Atomic Dome are also must see sites when visiting Hiroshima.