100 Reasons to Love and Travel in Japan

There are much more than 100 reasons to visit the Nippon land, to know and appreciate Japanese culture. Japan offers a diversity of infinite attractions, and in this article, we will mention the reasons to love and travel to Japan.

When you choose a place to travel, what do you look for? Landscapes? Culture? History? Technology? Shops? Cuisine? Something different? If that’s the case, in this article I will try to show you why Japan is the best destination for you!

Why get to know and travel to Japan?

Located about 18,000 kilometers away, Japan is not usually the target of travelers, especially for the first trip. Some believe that the distance, the language, and the investment are high compared to trips to Europe or America.

The reality is that going to the other side of the world can be cheaper and more fun than trying to go to a neighboring country or even traveling within some states of Brazil. I have encountered many people spending 10,000 reais to take a weeks-long trip within the country, but they think it’s expensive to visit Japan.

It is obvious that if a person looks for group travel packages of 7/15 days, they will end up finding exorbitant prices of 30,000 reais. However, Japan is such an easy country to get around that you can survive for 1 month with just 10,000 including the airfare.

If you are a carefree person with financial means and prefer to stay in a luxury hotel and rent cars, in Japan you will not spend more than in Brazil or another country. Now I just need to say why Japan should be your destination.

Japan is different from the Usual

When someone travels, they want to get away from the ordinary and de-stress, to know new things and to adventure. Personally, I see the USA and most European countries as a civilized Brazil. Even though each country has its highlights, I can’t see anything different and striking like Japan.

Japan breaks all the paradigms you are used to. A country where at every street corner you can be surprised by something new and never seen in your life. If you are looking for adventure and want to discover new things, without a doubt Japan is the best destination for your trip.

Every day I find some interesting topic about Japan that surprises the readers and audience on this site. I could spend my whole life writing and I would always come across some unique tourist spot, unknown food, oddities, culture, and styles. Just read a little of our site to want to know the wonders that Japan has to offer.

We are not saying that Japan has the best things in the world, just that in terms of quantity you will never tire of exploring the country in its entirety. Whether visiting castles, temples, islands, mountains, or simply walking through gardens, parks, towers, museums, and the streets of cities.

Japan is everything in one place

Some go to the USA just to visit parks like Disney or Universal, in Japan you can also visit these parks and the exclusive Disney water park. Some go to Paris to see the Eiffel Tower, the Tokyo Tower is similar and taller, not to mention the gigantic Sky Tree.

Some visit forests and zoos to see wild animals, in Japan you can visit places with foxes, deer, and monkeys walking freely among the population. Some go to the USA to shop, while in capitalist Japan you can find some things even cheaper and some unique items.

Some visit Italy to eat pasta, in Japan besides sushi you will encounter thousands of pasta, whether Italian or Japanese. In reality, Japan is a country of multiple cultures and options for you to get completely lost and deeply adventure in your trip.

Reasons why Japan is a great destination

I love making lists, so I thought of listing below some reasons that might make you choose Japan as your next travel destination:

Contrast between traditional and modern – Japan manages to be both technological and traditional at the same time, with nature present even in the gigantic Tokyo, which has been voted the best city in the world and the best destination by various annual rankings.

Traditional and historical places – Japan is full of historical and ancient monuments, castles, museums, thousands of Shinto shrines, and more than 1,600 Buddhist temples.

A country full of mountains and nature – Some question how a country that houses more than 126 million people can be so green and full of mountains. 80% of Japan is made up of mountains and nature. Not to mention the volcanoes that provide various natural hot springs.

The food is cheap and unique – With less than 30 reais you can eat in a fancy restaurant and sometimes even pay for a barbecue buffet. Whether in restaurants or convenience stores, you will be lost with the immense variety of foods that goes far beyond sushi.

Japan is a true contrast of people, subcultures, and completely different things living together in harmony. Despite mentioning some things, I will make that generic list of things you can do in Japan:

• Be moved visiting Hiroshima;
• Meet the Samurais, Ninjas, and Geishas;
• Appreciate Japanese gardens;
• Sleep in a Capsule Hotel;
• Ride the bullet train;
• Climb Mount Fuji and take pictures of it;
• Go to a hot spring bath naked;
• See fashion, cosplayers, lolitas, punks;
• Taste real Sake and Sushi;
• Use a technological toilet with a water jet;
• Observe the punctuality and organization of things and feel envious;
• Enjoy the cherry blossom;
• Have a feeling of personal safety;
• Visit places full of cats, monkeys, rabbits, and deer walking freely;
• Visit the famous island of Okinawa;

Traveling to Japan costs less and enjoys more

According to the website budgetyourtrip, we made a list of expenses in some countries, see that in Japan the expenses are much lower. Remembering that this is an American average, I myself spent much less and enjoyed a lot. I spent only about 150 reais per day and my trip was very grand. The table is in dollars!

Expenses	Japan	Australia	USA	France	Argentina
Average cost per day	124$	195$	226$	142$	109$
Accommodation	58$	107$	108$	84$	37$
Food	28$	34$	41$	29$	17$
Transport	20$	33$	36$	23$	18$
Entertainment	14$	40$	52$	24$	11$
Beverages	15$	12$	18$	10$	4$

Notice in the table that it is much more expensive to travel to the United States than to Japan. Without wanting to compare too much, let’s make a quick list of total expenses per day in each country below:

• Portugal – 90$;
• England – 111$;
• Mexico – 40$ | Cancun – 112$;
• Ireland – 100$;
• Thailand – 70$;
• Canada – 129$;
• Italy – 150$;
• Kenya – 1150$;
• Spain – 132$;
• New Zealand – 132$;

This is without mentioning the ease that Japan has for withdrawing money from ATMs located in convenience stores spread throughout Japan.

How I made my trip to Japan

In just 25 days I was able to visit 14 cities, 8 shops, 5 castles, 5 towers, an island full of rabbits, 2 aquariums, 4 parks, 3 gardens, 6 museums, 4 mountains, 2 cable cars, a city full of deer, hot springs, and thousands of restaurants. I still feel that I could have done more, besides having missed out on various other adventures for being alone.

Everything was done in a hurry, I got the visa, bought the ticket, and in less than a month I left for Japan to stay for a month and spent less than 10,000 reais. If I were to summarize the expenses I had, they would be:

• 4,000 reais for the ticket (via Emirates, you can find it for as low as 2,500 through the USA);
• 2,000 reais for accommodation (about a month in a hostel);
• 100 reais per day for food and transport (within the city);
• 1,400 reais for a 14-day JR Pass (useful for traveling from one end of the country to the other);

That’s right, a shy 21-year-old young man traveled alone for the first time without having practiced the language. Some are afraid to travel to places they don’t know, while I felt safe when I got on the plane and left Brazil. Some think that the language will be a difficulty, but everything is so easy there that I rarely had to deal with conversations.

Still not convinced that Japan is one of the best destinations? Want to plan your trip or don’t know how? To finish, let’s leave some useful articles for you to learn more about Japan and prepare your trip. I hope you liked it, we appreciate the comments and shares.

Reasons to know Japan

Festivals – Japan has many and the best festivals – More than 100,000 festivals take place each year in Japan.

Explore Urban Areas – Most visitors are fascinated by the cities and neighborhoods of Japan, Tokyo alone has more than 50 neighborhoods.

Hot Springs – It is one of the most popular activities in the country. Hot springs are considered a way to renew and connect with nature.

Nightlife – The Japanese people enjoy life. Restaurants, bars, inns, izakayas, and clubs are full every night of the week.

Ginza Shop – Ginza is the largest luxury shopping area in Asia. If you go to Tokyo – Ginza is a good choice.

Ryokan – These are traditional Japanese hotels. They have rooms in the Japanese style. Ryokan offers the charm of ancient Japan.

Kaiseki – are traditional Japanese meals with several courses. Kaiseki is an excellent culinary culture.

Karaoke – Karaoke is a fun experience for couples, friends, or large groups.

Japanese Villages – Japan is a highly urbanized society. However, the vast majority of Japan is rural. Japan has dozens of charming cities and villages that are well worth a visit. Consider including Nara, Hakone, Atami, Nikko, Furano, Hakodate, Mount Koya, Kamakura, or Shirakawa-go in your itinerary.

Sushi – There is a big difference between Western and Japanese sushi. Trying Japanese sushi is highly recommended. Keep in mind that there is a huge difference between cheap and expensive sushi.

Sake – It is possible to taste traditional Japanese rice wine (sake) in almost any restaurant and bar in Japan. It is even available in vending machines.

Arcade Games – There is no doubt about it – Japan has the best arcades in the world.

Harajuku on Sunday – This area is mainly known as a meeting point for teenagers, and is the location of the Laforet department store, which works with most famous young fashion brands. On Sunday, it becomes a completely different place, full of cosplay, unique fashion styles, karaoke, and some events.

Kabuki – It is traditional Japanese theater, which incorporates dance into performances. It is known for its elaborate costumes and makeup. All male and female roles are played by male actors.

Sumo – Sumo is an exclusively Japanese sport that I don’t even need to detail.

Snowboarding and Skiing – Japan has excellent snowboarding and skiing in winter.

Barbecue or picnic – It is a tradition of the Japanese summer to have barbecues by the rivers and picnics in parks.

Pachinko Parlor – Pachinko is a form of Japanese casino. There are pachinko parlors all over the country. Pachinko is a big business in Japan – the best part is that people do not bet money, they play only for fun or to exchange for prizes.

Temples and Shrines – Japan has about 85,000 temples and 95,000 shrines. Many have beautiful architecture, nature, and culture.

Shiatsu Massage – Massage is very popular in Japan – Japanese massage (Shiatsu). Massages like these are everywhere in Japan – hotels, department stores, shopping streets, and entertainment areas.

Photography – Japan is a photographer’s dream. It is among the most photogenic places in the world.

Concerts – Japanese cities are filled with busy concert halls, both large and small. Japan is a popular country for pop and classical music and is also home to artists from around the world. Japanese music is definitely worth checking out.

Izakaya – These are Japanese bars that offer food and drink in a social environment. They range from quiet places to the wildest. It’s worth visiting even if you don’t drink, for the social atmosphere and the food.

Shinkansen (bullet train) – It is the best way to travel in Japan. They are hassle-free, cheap, and fast compared to cars and planes. Japan’s train system is the most efficient in the world. Shinkansen rarely run late. When they do, the average delay is usually less than 20 seconds. Bullet trains have a history of 45 years in Japan.

Purikura – These are Japanese photo booths that use computer algorithms to change the appearance. Purikura are popular among teenagers in Japan. In some places, men can only enter accompanied by a girl.

Cooking your own food in a restaurant – Various types of Japanese restaurants involve cooking your own food at your table. These include okonomiyaki, monjayaki, yakiniku, nabe, and shabu-shabu. Cooking food in a group is considered a social and fun activity.

Baseball Games – Baseball games are quite popular in Japan and have a very fun atmosphere.

Driving in Japan – It is a unique experience, the traffic is completely clean and calm, some places allow you to adventure, especially on the country’s highways which can feel like a desert, and it’s a great adventure, just be careful not to get lost.

Ramen – They are cheap and tasty. Although ramen is cheap, there is a big difference in quality and flavor from one shop to another.

Music Festivals – Japan has several music festivals in the summer that are worth checking out. These include Summer Sonic and Fuji Rock.

Japanese Castles – Japan once had about 5,000 castles. Today, more than 100 remain in one state or another, and you can see their modern architecture and grandeur.

Tokyo Skyline – There are several towers in Tokyo where you can have beautiful views, including the second tallest tower in the world, the Skytree.

Christmas Lights – Christmas is not a holiday in Japan. Christmas is considered a romantic day. Couples go out for dinner or to exchange gifts. Even so, Japan is well lit and decorated, rivaling any other country in the world.

Japanese Garden – There are thousands of gardens spread throughout Japan, each with its appearance and history. Interesting gardens can be found in temples, parks, ryokan, and traditional Japanese restaurants.

Konbini – Convenience stores in Japan are among the most efficient businesses in the world. Every corner has a Japanese convenience store where you can find everything. The service is excellent. For example, employees stocking shelves will run to the front of the store if they notice a customer in line, to open an additional register. Convenience stores are a good example of Japanese efficiency and excellence in customer service.

Bunraku – It is a Japanese puppet theater. It has been performed in Japan since the 17th century. The best place to see a show is the National Bunraku Theatre in Osaka.

Otaku Things / Akihabara – Fans of Japanese pop culture and otaku will enjoy shopping in Akihabara, Tokyo.

Stay in a Pension – Japanese pensions offer unique accommodations (often at a fair price). And it’s a great way to start getting to know the locals.

Beaches – Japan is also full of excellent beaches. They are crowded in the summer. Some beaches are popular with families. Others are crowded with teenagers and surfers.

Geisha – They are Japanese women who study the ancient tradition of art, dance, and singing. The geisha of Japan perform various performances throughout the year, and you should get to know them.

Theme Parks – Japan loves theme parks. Japanese roller coasters are among the tallest, fastest, and steepest in the world. For example, the steepest roller coaster in the world is currently Takabisha at Fuji-Q Highland in Yamanashi Prefecture (near Tokyo), and don’t worry, they are made to withstand earthquakes, so there is no danger of falling.

Ninja Villages – Several Japanese cities, including Koka city in Shiga Prefecture, have Ninja houses. Ninja houses usually have passages, traps, mazes, training rooms, and Ninja artifacts. Recommended for history and Ninja fans.

Auto Shows – Japan is a paradise for car enthusiasts. Tokyo offers a large number of car showrooms that are open to the public. The city also hosts major car events, such as the Tokyo Motor Show and Tokyo Auto Salon, which attract car lovers, press, and members of the automotive industry.

Yukata – Japanese Yukata are cheap and easy to wear. Ryokan provide yukata for guests. If you watch a Japanese summer festival or fireworks, it is highly recommended to wear yukata.

Yakiniku – These are restaurants that offer customers raw meat, seafood, vegetables, and a table with a hot charcoal grill. It’s like having a barbecue party in a restaurant.

Japanese Tea Ceremony – it is a cultural activity rich in tradition and aesthetics. The tea with snacks is also excellent. The Tea Ceremony is a popular pastime in Japan. People take classes or participate in clubs at schools, temples, tea houses, and private homes to learn the correct way to perform the Tea Ceremony. Various festivals and events also offer the tea ceremony. Thus, you have the opportunity to see and talk with a Geisha and Maiko.

Japanese Supermarkets – Most Japanese supermarkets have thousands of items that are not available anywhere else in the world. It’s interesting to take a look.

Manga Cafe – Japanese cybercafés have large libraries of manga. As a result, cybercafés are called manga cafes in Japan. Most manga cafes have comfortable seating and free drinks. Other services include video games, DVDs, magazines, light snacks, showers, and massage chairs.

Yakitori – (literally: grilled chicken) These are restaurants that offer a wide variety of chicken and vegetables on skewers. These small places or stalls are often filled with drunk people.

Japanese Islands – Japan is full of islands, with more than 6,000 islands, like the most famous Okinawa and small islands full of cats and rabbits. (See the 7 small islands to visit.)

Yakatabune – These are Japanese boats designed with an interior resembling a traditional Japanese house with tatami, small tables, etc.

Museums – Japan has several museums, including peace memorial museums in Hiroshima, and many others.

Become a geisha – There are places specialized in Kyoto that transform tourists into Geishas or Maikos starting from 10,000 yen.

Wagashi – These are traditional Japanese desserts. They are available in convenience stores, family restaurants, department stores, supermarkets, and traditional Japanese restaurants.

Otaku Events – Japan has several cosplay, video game, and anime events for Otaku and fans of Japanese pop culture.

Electronics Store – Japanese electronics stores offer incredible varieties and prices.

Fast Food – Japan has thousands of unique fast food snacks that must be tried.

Shukubo – Japan is full of temples, and some of them have opened their doors and offer accommodation to tourists, it is a unique opportunity.

Bento – These are Japanese lunch boxes, a true culinary art.

100 yen shops – It’s like the 1.99 stores here in Brazil, but with a unique variety of products, there are endless quality items that will leave you completely lost.

Japanese Sweets – Japan has a unique variety of sweets and flavors, in addition to launching thousands of limited editions each year.

Capsule Hotels – Made to accommodate workers who miss the last train, a unique lodging experience.

Hiking and Trails – About 70 percent of Japan’s area is covered by mountains. Japan has hundreds of hiking trails and climbing locations.

Odaiba – An artificial island in Tokyo Bay filled with attractions and shops for entertainment and leisure.

Souvenir Shops – Every place in the world has souvenir shops, but in Japan, there are thousands in every location with endless varieties of products.

Beauty Salons – Getting your nails and hair done in Japan is among the best in the world, in addition to great service and a different experience.

Autumn Leaves – In autumn, Japan turns into a paradise, many of the temples, shrines, parks, gardens, and avenues in Japan have a unique appearance, full of colors.

Events – Japan has hundreds of festivals and events every month, it’s hard to visit Japan and not witness any event.

Hanabi – These are firework shows in Japan that usually involve a small outdoor party before the show. You can find people wearing yukata and some small snack stalls.

Animes and Mangas – Japan has a giant animation industry that is popular worldwide, one of the factors that attracts foreigners to know Japanese culture.

Japanese Language – The Japanese language is among the 10 most spoken languages in the world, and it has attracted many foreigners to learn it, there are many factors that make this language very interesting.

Gaming Industry – Japan is a major game manufacturer, there are also countless visual novels, and both Nintendo and Sony are located in Japan.

Technology – Japanese technology is known worldwide and attracts thousands of curious people.

Education – Japan is known worldwide for having a good education, not only in schools but in daily life.

Cleanliness – Japan is clean, has a great waste separation and recycling system, in addition to the population’s willingness to keep everything clean.

Kawaii – When you are in Japan, you will find the excess cuteness in everything strange.

There are thousands of other reasons, over time, we will update this huge list. Leave your comment about something that attracted you to the culture and Japan.