What are the two best cities in Japan?

Question

I am going to japan for a week and wanted to know where are the best places to go.

Answer 1

Nara and Kyoto....if you can only pick two.

Answer 2

Only one week? Skip Tokyo altogether. Anything you might find there you can find in Osaka. In fact, I'd make Osaka your base and from there go to Kyoto for a couple of days at least. You absolutely MUST go to Kyoto. It is the heart and soul of Japan. In fact, the allies didn't bomb it in WWII because it was too culturally important. In Kyoto you can see traditional Japan from women wearing kimono as Maiko (apprentice Geisha), a family holding a shinto wedding ceremony in a shrine, a traditional tea ceremony, get a taste of Noh, Kabuki, Bunraku or whatever you fancy, shop for antiques and souvenirs, see beautiful temples covered in gold and silver, zen gardens, etc. You can also go to Nara, but if you're pressed for time, you may want to try something else. To do something a little bit off the beaten track, spend a day in some of the smaller places around there that can be done in a day trip (if you leave early in the morning and get back late at night): Or try staying in Okayama or Fukuyama, which are only a couple of hours from Osaka by train and can offer you a more authentic Japan (I live in Okayama and I think this area is one of the best places to visit.). The hotels will also be slightly cheaper and not as crowded with tourists as Kyoto. From here you can go to Himeji to see one of the most famous and beautiful castles in Japan. In Okayama you can visit Korakuen garden, built by a Shogun, and named one of the three most beautiful gardens in Japan and just a couple of train stops down -- go to Kurashiki, which is an old warehouse town full of traditional Japan. If art is your style, go to Bizen and make some pottery for a day.. Depending on your nationality and your tastes, try a trip to Hiroshima. It is something you will never forget and something everyone should do if in this area. When I have friends come for a week these are the trips I recommend and no one has been sorry. I know you will love your trip here. Just be open minded. The first time I came on a cultural exchage with another student, our mantra was, "It's all part of the experience." Your flight from Osaka gets cancelled because of heavy fog -- all part of the experience. Someone shows up at your house with the fixings for sukiyaki adn wants to have a party? All part of the experience. You find out you have to eat fish with a head on it or not get lunch that day? Part of the experience. Keep an open mind and you will be pleasantly surprised. I came to visit here for six months and stayed for six years. After going back to the U.S. for 5 years, I find myself back here. You will love it.

Answer 3

For only a week. I guess the best place to start would be Tokyo and Osaka. That is if you are in the partying mood. If you are coming to learn about culture and the Japanese people, Kyoto and Nara would be a nice place. If I knew your purpose, I could give more detail.

Enjoy!

Answer 4

Tokyo and Hokkaido are the best, but since you only have one week, then i suggest that you stay in Tokyo only.
Tokyo cannot be fully visited in just 1 week. So if you're going to 2 cities, then you don't have time to visit all attractions in Tokyo.
I think you should go to Tokyo 1st since you only have 1 week.

Answer 5

What do you want to see?????????????????

Tokyo has something for everyone, high-tech temples, shopping in particular Yokohama which is a city is cool
Osaka - people (definetly number 1) and food
Kyoto and Nara - Temples and stacks of tourists

A friend recently came to visit me here and had the best time in Nagasaki said it was very laid back.
http://thejapaneseeye.blogspot.com/

Answer 6

Tokyo and Kyoto, Kyoto is very traditional and if u wanna see women in kimonos and all the different kinds of Japanese culture its the place top go

Answer 7

Kyoto and Osaka .

Answer 8

You name is Cheese? Why not try some rat's hangout!