These Are the Most Beautiful Cities in Japan

Hida-Takayama is nicknamed ‘Little Kyoto’ for its abundance of shrines, temples and picturesque 18th-century buildings. The town, which is known for its excellent sake, is isolated by the surrounding Hida Mountains, which overlook a scene of riverside markets, traditional shops and Japanese-style inns. San-machi Suji street is the heart of the city’s Historic District, and home to many buildings that are accessible through blue noren (fabric) curtains.

Karuizawa is a charming resort town tucked beneath the imposing Mt. Asama, one of Honshū’s most active volcanoes. It’s a popular day trip from Tokyo – an hour away by high-speed train – for hiking and visiting hot springs and Yacho-no-mori (Wild Bird Forest), which is home to over 60 different bird species. Emperor Akihito met his future bride, Empress Michiko, in Karuizawa in 1957, and the town has since earned a reputation as a romantic retreat; visit in autumn for its fabulous colours.

Japan’s northernmost prefecture, Hokkaido, was colonised in the late 19th-century, and little Otaru became an important fishing port. Later, the terminal station of Hokkaido’s first railway line was built here. The town’s pretty canal is lined with old warehouses and, along with the rest of the prefecture, it’s one of the most famous places in Japan to enjoy fresh seafood. Although the canal area can get crowded with Japanese tourists, you’ll find quieter neighbourhoods dotted with stately herring mansions towards the centre of town. The town is particularly beautiful during the Otaru Snow Gleaming Festival in February, when the canal is lined with glowing snow lanterns.

Magome, a post town in the Kiso Valley, between Tokyo and Kyoto, once served as an important stop-over point for Edo-period travellers making the long journey along the Nakasendo Trail. Today, the main reason to visit Magome is to hike the Magome-Tsumago Trail, a 5-mi (8-km)section of the Nakasendo Trail; this trail winds through forests and farmland and passes waterfalls, before ending in the town of Tsumago. The trail is well-marked in English and a bus travels between the two villages for those who don’t feel like walking back to Magome after completing the hike. Meanwhile, the town’s main street, a wide stone walkway lined with beautifully restored old buildings, is closed to vehicular traffic.

Kanazawa was one of the largest cities in Japan to be spared bombing raids during World War II and, as a result, many parts of its old town remain intact today. Kanazawa’s narrow streets run through old samurai and geisha districts, passing Edo-period canals, beautiful temples and modern museums. The city is perhaps best known as the home of 17th-century Kenrokuen Garden, which is widely considered to be one of the most spectacular gardens in the country. Despite its many historic attractions, Kanazawa isn’t stuck in the past – it’s a vibrant, modern town that also offers excellent shopping and dining.

Located less than 100km (62mi) away from Tokyo, Hakone can be an excellent change of pace from the capital. Part of the Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park, Hakone offers a spectacular landscape of mountains, lakes and hiking trails. The highlight is Ashino-ko, a lake with fantastic views of nearby Mount Fuji and the torii gate of the Hakone-jinja, which rises from the water to create the perfect Japanese scene. The town is also known for its excellent onsen (hot springs), traditional Japanese inns and art museums. And although Hakone can be visited as a day trip from Tokyo, it’s worth spending the night.

With its warm climate, outgoing locals and lush vegetation, it’s easy to see why Kagoshima is a sister city to Naples. This city, which is the capital of Kagoshima Prefecture and one of Kyushu’s southernmost cities, boasts a bay looking onto Sakurajima, an active volcano that appears to rise from the waters off the coast. The view is particularly spectacular from July to August, when firework displays take place over the bay each evening. The volcano’s frequent eruptions often cover the town in a surreal coating of white ash.

Nara, less than an hour away from Kyoto and Osaka, is one of the country’s most culturally rich towns. It was Japan’s first permanent capital from 710 to 794CE and despite serving as the capital for just 70 years, much of the country’s art, literature and culture was developed in this time and is still associated with Japan today. This wonderfully compact town is home to eight Unesco World Heritage sites, including the Former Site of the Imperial Palace at Heijokyo and Todaiji Temple. Aside from temples, the park is known for its population of inquisitive, free-roaming deer.