Japan is a beautiful island country in East Asia. The country is famous for its amazing blend of modern innovations and ancient traditions and modern technological innovations. The stunning cherry blossoms, traditional tea culture, and advanced technology such as robotics and the bullet train. The country has many beautiful cities that are a must-visit, but two of the most famous ones are Tokyo and Osaka. The former is the capital city, while the latter is known for its incredible street food. It is one of the countries that you must visit in 2026 if you haven’t yet. So, if you are planning to visit any of these cities, here’s a Japan travel guide for Indians.
Japan Travel Guide For Indians
Top Day Trips From Tokyo
Kamakura
This is a historic coastal town in Japan, which is known as Japan’s political center during the medieval Kamakura Shogunate. The place is a popular tourist spot, which is known for numerous Shinto shrines, Zen Buddhist temples, beaches, and the iconic Great Buddha. It is popularly known as “little Kyoto” and offers the perfect blend of culture, seaside charm, and ancient history.
Time Taken: 1 hour
Hakone
Hakone is a part of Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park and is a very popular mountainous resort town in Japan. It is famous for the stunning views of Mount Fuji, the scenic cable car transport, hot springs, and more. The place also houses two beautiful and must-visit museums, namely: Hakone Open-Air Museum and Polaru Museum. It is the perfect place to witness Japan’s scenic natural beauty and its traditional Japanese culture.
Time Taken: 1.5 hours
Nikko
Nikko is a mountainous city in Japan, housing some of the most famous UNESCO World Heritage temples and shrines. One of these is the beautiful Toshogu Shrine. The Tauyuin Shrine is known to feature golden pagodas, autumn foliage peaks, and lovely gardens. You can also visit Futarasan Shrine and Rinnoji Temple, which are connected via cedar-lined paths in a forest. It is the perfect cultural and natural exploration escape from Tokyo with serene nature, stunning waterfalls, and lovely temples.
Time Taken: 2 hours
Top Day Trips From Osaka
Kyoto
Kyoto was known as Japan’s Ancient imperial capital until 1868. It houses 17 UNESCO World Heritage sites, which include gardens, wooden temples, and shrines that talk about Japan’s traditional aesthetics. Located in Japan’s Kansai region, this place remains a center for traditional Japanese arts, including tea ceremonies, flower arranging, and kaiseki. The best times to visit are spring for cherry blossoms (sakura) and autumn for the changing leaves.
Time Taken: 30 to 45 minutes
Nara
Nara is a historic city famous as Japan’s first permanent capital. It houses hundreds of free-roaming deer in Nara Park, which is surely a sight to behold. It features a 15m-tall Buddha at Tōdai-ji temple, which is a well-known UNESCO World Heritage Site. The city has an inland climate with distinct seasons, like hot summers and occasional winter snowfalls, so make sure you pack accordingly.
Time Taken: 45 minutes to an hour
Kobe
Located in Japan’s Kansai region, this city is a major port city with a beautiful harbor backed by mountains. As Hyogo Prefecture’s capital, it blends Western and Japanese cultures. It is known to offer a unique atmosphere with its diverse food, and lovely views from Mt. Rokko. It is the seventh-largest city in Japan and is home to the bulk of Japan’s international trade.
Time Taken: 30 to 45 minutes
Summing Up
There are many beautiful and scenic cities near Osaka and Tokyo in Japan, which are just a scenic drive away. So make sure you save this article for your next trip to Japan.
