Top Cities to Visit in Japan: Where to Go Beyond Tokyo (Ranked by 400 Days of Travel Data)
Everyone goes to Tokyo and Kyoto. Some add Osaka. Then they leave Japan thinking they've "seen it all."
I spent 400+ days traveling Japan, visiting every city with a population over 300,000. Here's the ranking based on: things to do, uniqueness, accessibility, value for money, and whether I'd actually recommend you spend your limited vacation days there.
The Tier List
S-Tier (Must Visit): Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka
A-Tier (Excellent): Hiroshima, Kanazawa, Sapporo, Fukuoka
B-Tier (Worth It If Nearby): Nara, Kobe, Yokohama, Nagoya, Takayama
C-Tier (Skip Unless Specific Reason): Sendai, Kobe, Kawasaki, Chiba
Let me break down the top 10.
1. Tokyo (Must Visit - 4-7 Days)
Population: 14 million
Vibe: Organized chaos, neon everything, endless food
Why it's #1: Tokyo isn't a city, it's 50 neighborhoods pretending to be one city. Shinjuku feels nothing like Asakusa. You could spend a month here and not see everything.
What to Do:
- Modern Tokyo: Shibuya, Shinjuku, Akihabara
- Traditional Tokyo: Asakusa, Ueno, Yanaka
- Food paradise: Tsukiji Outer Market, ramen everywhere
- Day trips: Nikko, Kamakura, Mount Fuji area
Cost Level: $$$ (Hotels $80-200/night, food $30-60/day)
Reality Check: Can be overwhelming. Build in rest days.
Pro tip: Stay 4 days minimum. 7 is better. Tokyo rewards time.
Full Guide: Tokyo 7-Day Itinerary
2. Kyoto (Must Visit - 3-4 Days)
Population: 1.5 million
Vibe: Traditional Japan, temples everywhere, tourists everywhere
Why it's #2: This is the Japan everyone pictures. 2,000 temples, traditional gardens, geisha districts, and bamboo groves. It's touristy for a reason.
What to Do:
- Arashiyama Bamboo Grove (go early)
- Fushimi Inari Shrine (10,000 torii gates)
- Philosopher's Path
- Gion (geisha district)
- Too many temples to list
Cost Level: $$ (Hotels $90-180/night)
Reality Check: Crowds are BRUTAL March-May and October-November. Book 6 months ahead.
Access: 2h15m from Tokyo (Shinkansen), 30 min from Osaka
Pro tip: Stay in Kyoto 3-4 days OR stay in Osaka and day-trip. Osaka hotels are cheaper.
3. Osaka (Must Visit - 2-3 Days)
Population: 2.7 million
Vibe: Working class, food-obsessed, unpretentious
Why it's #3: Better food than Tokyo (yes, I said it). More relaxed vibe. Better nightlife. Use it as a base for Kyoto, Nara, and Kobe day trips.
What to Do:
- Dotonbori (neon street + street food)
- Osaka Castle
- Kuromon Market (food market)
- Bar hopping in Namba
Cost Level: $$ (Hotels $70-150/night, cheaper than Tokyo/Kyoto)
Food You MUST Eat:
- Takoyaki (octopus balls): $4-6
- Okonomiyaki (savory pancake): $10-15
- Kushikatsu (fried skewers): $15-25
Access: 2h30m from Tokyo (Shinkansen), 30 min from Kyoto
Pro tip: Stay in Osaka, day trip to Kyoto. You'll save $30-50/night on hotels.
4. Hiroshima (Excellent - 1-2 Days)
Population: 1.2 million
Vibe: Rebuilt city with heavy history, surprisingly modern
Why it's #4: Peace Memorial Museum is one of the most important museums in the world. Miyajima Island (floating torii gate) is a 45-min ferry ride away.
What to Do:
- Peace Memorial Museum ($3 entry, plan 2-3 hours)
- Atomic Bomb Dome (free, outside museum)
- Miyajima day trip (floating torii, Mount Misen hike)
- Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki (different from Osaka)
Cost Level: $$ (Hotels $60-120/night)
Access: 4 hours from Tokyo (Shinkansen), 90 min from Osaka
Reality Check: The museum is emotionally heavy. It's important but draining.
Pro tip: Combine Hiroshima + Miyajima in one long day OR stay overnight and do them separately.
5. Kanazawa (Excellent - 1-2 Days)
Population: 460,000
Vibe: Traditional crafts, gold leaf everything, underrated gem
Why it's #5: Kenrokuen (one of Japan's top 3 gardens), old geisha districts, amazing seafood, and WAY fewer tourists than Kyoto.
What to Do:
- Kenrokuen Garden ($4 entry, 2 hours)
- Kanazawa Castle
- Higashi Chaya District (geisha tea houses)
- Omicho Market (seafood for breakfast)
- Gold leaf ice cream (tourist trap but tasty)
Cost Level: $$ (Hotels $70-140/night)
Access: 2h30m from Tokyo (Shinkansen), 2h15m from Kyoto
Best Season: March-April (plum blossoms) or November (fall colors)
Pro tip: Great stopover between Tokyo and Kyoto. Stay one night.
6. Sapporo (Excellent - 2-3 Days)
Population: 2 million
Vibe: Cold, snowy, beer-loving, winter sports
Why it's #6: Best city in Hokkaido. Famous for Snow Festival (February), ramen, beer, and skiing. Completely different vibe from mainland Japan.
What to Do:
- Sapporo Snow Festival (early February only)
- Sapporo Beer Museum (free, beer garden)
- Susukino (entertainment district)
- Day trips: Otaru (canal town), Noboribetsu (hot springs)
Cost Level: $$ (Hotels $70-150/night)
Access: 90 min flight from Tokyo ($120-200) OR 8 hours by train (covered by JR Pass)
Best Season: February (snow festival) or July-August (summer escape)
Reality Check: Expensive to reach. Only worth it if you're doing 10+ days in Japan.
7. Fukuoka (Excellent - 2 Days)
Population: 1.6 million
Vibe: Laid-back, beach city, gateway to Kyushu
Why it's #7: Most livable city in Japan (according to surveys). Great food, beach access, and jumping-off point for Kyushu exploration.
What to Do:
- Fukuoka Castle ruins
- Ohori Park
- Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine (day trip)
- Yatai food stalls (street food at night)
- Hakata ramen (Fukuoka specialty)
Cost Level: $$ (Hotels $60-120/night, cheaper than Tokyo)
Access: 5 hours from Tokyo (Shinkansen), 2h30m from Osaka
Best Use: Base for exploring Kyushu (Nagasaki, Beppu hot springs, Mount Aso)
8. Nara (Worth It - Half Day)
Population: 360,000
Vibe: Deer park with a city attached
Why it's #8: You come for the deer and giant Buddha. That's it. But they're both great.
What to Do:
- Feed deer in Nara Park (free)
- Todai-ji Temple (giant bronze Buddha, $7 entry)
- Kasuga-taisha Shrine
Cost Level: $ (day trip, no hotel needed)
Access: 45 min from Osaka, 50 min from Kyoto
Reality Check: You need 3-4 hours max. It's a day trip, not an overnight stay.
Pro tip: Go early morning (8 AM). Deer are less aggressive when not hungry, tourists are minimal.
9. Takayama (Worth It - 1-2 Days)
Population: 88,000
Vibe: Mountain town, preserved old streets, sake breweries
Why it's #9: One of the best-preserved traditional towns in Japan. Morning markets, sake tasting, and access to Shirakawa-go (UNESCO village).
What to Do:
- Sanmachi District (old town, 2 hours)
- Morning markets (7-12 PM)
- Sake breweries (free tours + tasting)
- Day trip to Shirakawa-go
Cost Level: $$ (Hotels $80-160/night, ryokans $200+)
Access: 2h30m from Nagoya (limited express train)
Best Season: April (spring festival) or October (fall festival)
Reality Check: Remote location. Only worth it if you're doing the "Alpine Route" or visiting Shirakawa-go.
10. Nagoya (Worth It If Passing Through - 1 Day)
Population: 2.3 million
Vibe: Industrial, underrated food scene, transit hub
Why it's #10: Honestly? Most people skip Nagoya. But it's between Tokyo and Osaka, has good food, and makes a decent stopover.
What to Do:
- Nagoya Castle (reconstructed, $7 entry)
- Atsuta Shrine (one of Japan's most important shrines)
- Osu Shopping District
- Eat hitsumabushi (grilled eel over rice)
Cost Level: $$ (Hotels $65-130/night)
Access: 1h40m from Tokyo (Shinkansen), 50 min from Kyoto
Reality Check: Skip unless you're already passing through OR you're into Toyota (Toyota Museum is here).
Sample Itineraries Using These Cities
7-Day First Timer
- Tokyo (4 days)
- Kyoto (2 days)
- Osaka (1 day)
10-Day Classic
- Tokyo (4 days)
- Hakone or Nikko day trip from Tokyo
- Kyoto (3 days)
- Osaka (2 days)
- Nara day trip from Osaka
14-Day Deep Dive
- Tokyo (4 days)
- Kanazawa (2 days)
- Kyoto (3 days)
- Osaka (2 days)
- Hiroshima + Miyajima (2 days)
- Fukuoka (1 day)
14-Day Off-Path
- Tokyo (3 days)
- Takayama + Shirakawa-go (2 days)
- Kanazawa (2 days)
- Kyoto (3 days)
- Hiroshima (1 day)
- Fukuoka (2 days)
- Sapporo (3 days) requires flight
Cities That Didn't Make the List (And Why)
Yokohama: Just an extension of Tokyo. Nothing unique enough to warrant a separate visit.
Kobe: Good beef, but you can eat Kobe beef in Osaka. The city itself is forgettable.
Sendai: Gateway to Tohoku region, but the city itself is bland.
Nagasaki: Historically important (atomic bomb site), but less impactful than Hiroshima museum.
Budget Summary: 10-Day Trip Hitting Top Cities
Route: Tokyo → Kyoto → Osaka → Hiroshima → Back to Tokyo
| Expense | Cost |
|---|---|
| Flights (US ↔ Japan) | $1,000-1,400 |
| JR Pass (7-day) | $280 |
| Hotels (9 nights, mid-range) | $1,080 ($120/night avg) |
| Food ($45/day) | $450 |
| Attractions | $150 |
| Local transport | $80 |
| Total | $3,040-3,440 |
The Honest Ranking by Trip Length
5-7 Days: Tokyo only (maybe add Kyoto if you rush)
7-10 Days: Tokyo + Kyoto + Osaka (+ Nara day trip)
10-14 Days: Add Hiroshima + Kanazawa OR Hiroshima + Sapporo (flight needed)
14-21 Days: Add Fukuoka + explore Kyushu OR add Takayama + Shirakawa-go
21+ Days: Add Sapporo + Hokkaido exploration + smaller cities
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I see Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka in 7 days?
Yes, but rushed. 3 days Tokyo, 2 days Kyoto, 2 days Osaka (including travel). You'll want more time.
Q: Is the JR Pass worth it for city hopping?
YES if doing Tokyo + Kyoto/Osaka. The Tokyo-Kyoto Shinkansen round trip alone costs $260. JR Pass is $280 and covers unlimited travel for 7 days.
Q: Which city has the best food?
Osaka wins. Tokyo has variety, but Osaka has soul food.
Q: Can I skip Tokyo and just do Kyoto/Osaka?
Sure, if you've been to other major Asian cities. But you're missing the full Japan experience.
Q: Best city for first-time visitors?
Tokyo. It's overwhelming but has everything. You can't go wrong.
You Might Also Like
- Tokyo 7-Day Itinerary - Complete Tokyo guide
- Osaka to Kyoto Guide - Connect these two cities
- Most Beautiful Places in Japan - Scenic spots to add to city visits
- Japan Cherry Blossom Guide - Timing your city visits for sakura
City rankings based on 400+ days of travel across Japan, 2024-2026. Prices updated February 2026.