Japan is the most amazing tourist destination and it offers many unique

experiences that you cannot find in any other part of the world. The culture of
this country is an interesting blend of Eastern traditions and Western modernity
that can be seen everywhere. Japan is one of the oldest civilizations and has a
beautiful and diverse history. The stunning, diverse scenery with mountains and
breathtaking views, which are much appreciated by the Japanese, offers so many
different experiences that attract tourists from all corners of the world. In this
article we give you our best reasons to make a trip to this amazing country at
least once in your lifetime.

1. Pristine natural scenery

The first thing is obviously the natural beauty of the country. Even though many
people think of Japan as a highly modern country with flashy neon lights and
advanced technology, shopping malls and high-end stores, there are many ways in
which Japan is a nature lover’s paradise! As soon as you travel outside of the big and
modern cities you will discover that the country is home to some of the best natural
scenery in the world. From the wilderness in Hokkaido to the white pristine beaches
of Okinawa, Japan’s nature  is incredibly diverse. The rugged mountains, rocky
coastlines, pristine white beaches, bamboo forests and some of the world’s most
beautiful waterfalls are just some of the natural beauty to be enjoyed all year round. 
2. Mount Fuji 
Mount Fuji is famous all over the world as a place to visit during any season of the
year. But the majestic Fujisan is not ‘just a mountain’ as it takes a very special, sacred
place in the Japanese culture. Since the 7th century it has been a sacred site
for Shintoism, the indigenous religion of Japan. Japanese people have always held
Mount Fuji close to their heart and Mount Fuji is displayed in many artistic outings,
including (ancient) pottery, calligraphy, ukiyo-e paintings and woodblock
prints. Climbing Mount Fuji is at the top of many people’s bucket list and an
estimated 400,000 people climb the volcano each year. The climbing season of the
highest peak (3,776 m) in Japan lasts from early July to early September. Though,
even if you are not keen on making your way to the summit, Mount Fuji is a sight to
behold.
3. Safety
Japan is amongst the safest countries in the world, with an extremely low crime rate.
This is something the Japanese are, understandably, quite proud of. Japanese people
often leave their doors unlocked, children are perfectly safe traveling on the subway
by themselves, and visitors are able to walk around the cities at night without having
to worry. Japan’s low crime rate is partly due to the cultural belief in Japan where
they always prioritize the common good above their own needs. You will likely come
across some situations that you might think of as dangerous or stupid behaviour, but
are perfectly normal in Japan. Japan is so safe, you can fall asleep on the train in
Tokyo, the world’s biggest city, and wake up with your wallet and phone still in your
possession. Or even on the street, you might see some salaryman passed out after 1 or
2 drinks too many but they won’t be robbed of their valuables. When you do forget
something in a restaurant or on the train, always try to go back, it is highly likely that
someone kept it for you or brought it to the police! 
4. Incredible food
Even though Japanese cuisine is available around the world, the country attracts
millions of tourists every year just to experience authentic Japanese food. Some of the
usual experiences are the sushi conveyor belt and sake bars and don’t forget to try
some fresh sushi at Tsukiji Fish Market or the delicious street food like takoyaki in
Osaka. For many visitors, a trip to Japan provides the opportunity to indulge in some
authentic Kaiseki food. Kaiseki is a traditional form of cuisine that has evolved over a
period of thousands of years, using ingredients that are hardly found in any other part
of the world. Any random, shady looking place makes the best sushi, ramen or
tempura. Even the konbini food is tasty and freshly prepared on a daily basis. Tokyo
has more Michelin stars than any other city in the world, with also the most three-star
restaurants (12) in the world! Add to it a variety of traditional Japanese drinks and you
have an experience of a lifetime waiting for you!
5. Beautiful temples, shrines, and zen gardens
There are an estimated 80,000 temples and shrines in Japan of all sizes and some are
over 1,000 years old! The Buddhist temples and zen gardens are incredibly
beautiful and if you enter them you really can experience how peaceful and magical
these places actually are. Inari Shrines are the most familiar Shinto shrines to Japanese
people and they are also known as “o-inari-san”. Thousands of them are spread all
over the country. One of the most important Inari Shrine is Fushimi Inari in Kyoto,
which is dedicated to Inari, the Shinto god of rice. It is famous for its thousands of
vermilion Torii gates and definitely something you have to see with your own eyes.
Even if you are not visiting Kyoto, you will have the opportunity to visit shrines with
rows of torii gates throughout the country, even in the centre of Tokyo!
6. Friendly people
When you’re visiting Japan you will quickly find out that Japanese behavior is
completely different to how people behave in Western countries. People in japan have
the attitude to bother the people in their environment as little as possible. You will
notice it as soon as you enter the train because it is amazing how silent it is in the
train! Everyone is as respectful as possible and also incredibly helpful. If you have a
question or seem to be confused about something you will always find someone who
can help you! The language barrier is difficult at times, but Japanese people will
always try to help you. It is difficult to describe a feeling like this with words so you
should definitely experience on your own.
Recommended article: Why You Should Learn Japanese
7. Efficient Public Transportation
The public transportation network in Japan is simply amazing. Especially when you
are in the bigger cities, the system is just incredible. With trains or metro’s departing
every few minutes (during the day) it is amazing how fast you can commute from one
part of the city to another part within a short period of time. 
The famous shinkansen, also known as the bullet train, takes you to all parts of the
country. The extensive high-speed train network in Japan, connecting Hokkaido,
Honshu and Kyushu, is extremely reliable with frequent departures throughout the
day. The Tokaido Shinkansen line, connecting Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto, is Japan’s
busiest and most popular line with 370 departures each day! As a tourist it is
definitely the most convenient, reliable, fastest way of discovering Japan. The best
part for international tourists is that they can purchase a Japan Rail Pass that will give
them unlimited travel for a designated period of time throughout the country!
8. Thrilling experiences 
Adventure tourism is not something that one would associate with Japan, but the truth
is that you can find many exciting experiences in this country. Whether it
is snowboarding or skiing in Hokkaido or Nagano, or cycling along the Seto Inland
Sea, catching a glimpse of Mount Fuji from the rollercoasters of FujiQ Highlands or
sand-boarding in Japan’s desert of Tottori, the options for thrill-seekers are endless.
With about 75% of Japan covered in mountainous landscape you can embark on some
amazing multi-day hikes or walk the steps of ancient pilgrimage routes like
the Kumano Kodo Trail or the Shikoku 88 Temples Pilgrimage and witness the
perfect mixture of nature and culture. At many tourist spots like Arashiyama or
Asakusa you can also actively explore the area while riding a traditional Japanese
rickshaw. 
9. Festivals and matsuri
At any time of the year, Japan hosts a number of events and matsuri for anyone to
enjoy. Matsuri are traditional Japanese events where often floats, called mikoshi, are
carried around between temples and shrines. They often take place in the summer and
attract thousands or even millions of visitors with their energetic atmosphere, amazing
street food activities for everyone to enjoy. 
In wintertime you will find some unique and great festivals too, like the Kamakura
snow hut festivals that are held around the country. There are also several illumination
festivals with spectacular light shows and decorations, some only over the Christmas
period where others last well into spring. Another world famous festival is Sapporo’s
Snow Festival that attracts millions of visitors each year with spectacular ice
sculptures and cozy winter scenes. 
10. Clean country
Something that you will soon notice after your arrival; Japan is extremely clean! Even
in the metropole of Tokyo you will not often see trash laying around, no cigarette
butts on the curbs and streets smell nice. The lack of garbage bins available in the
cities might make you wonder how is this even possible? The answer is simple,
Japanese people respect their surroundings, clean up after themselves and take their
trash home. A cultural principle that is highly valued in the Japanese society
is mottainai, which can be freely translated as nothing goes to waste. When something
is broken, it is not immediately replaced but often repaired and re-used.