Picturesque view of the famous cherry blossoms, gleaming cities with flourishing technology, a wide variety of exotic food, and high standard of living—all pointing to a distinct country that can offer you unforgettable travel memories, Japan. Also known as the land of the rising sun, Japan is probably on every traveler’s bucket list.
If you’re looking for an amazing place to unwind and learn more about rich cultures that shaped their way of life, this country might be the best choice for you. To get to know more about Japan, you can check on various online travel guides, such as Japan Traveler Guide for better travel ideas.
If you want to learn more about what awaits you in your future travel, here are some reasons Japan should be on your bucket list.
Top 5 Reasons to Visit Japan
Explore Dinosaur Fossils
The largest dinosaur fossil, known as the Hadrosaurid, has been discovered in Japan. The fossil is 72 million years old and eight meters long. Japan is known to be rich in dinosaur fossils, and they saw to it that tourists and travelers can also witness these wonderful memorabilia of the past.
You can enjoy an entertaining and educational visit to Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum. In here, you’ll find over 40 dinosaur skeletons, as well as several animatronic ones, for a thrilling experience.
Discover Japan’s Cat Island
Are you a cat lover? A trip to one of Japan’s islands will surely bring you closer to these fur friends. With over 7,000 islands and only 400 of which is inhabited, Japan has a distinct island that’s populated by only a hundred people and hundreds of cats. The tiny island of Tashirojima makes for a perfect place to bond with not just one or two cats, but many of them.
Locals on this island believed cats bring good fortune and luck, thus, expect to find these felines among several monuments, shrines, and trees.
Experience A Ride On A Bullet Train
Did you know Japan created the first-ever bullet train (shinkansen)? The first shinkansen was created on October 1, 1964, and has been highly in demand for both locals and tourists. The bullet train has been engineered to provide a primary route for Japanese citizens to travel to Japan’s capital city, Tokyo.
The bullet train can transport people from one place to another in the most efficient and fastest way. This also boosts the country’s economy due to the improved trading system and more opportunities to connect with other people.
Indulge Yourself With Japanese Cuisine
Aside from tourist attractions, on top of everyone’s bucket list is Japanese food. Whether it’s a variety of sushi or order of yakiniku (grilled meat), you’ll definitely enjoy exploring exquisite Japanese cuisines. There’s a wide variety of food to choose from, ranging from raw food to fully cooked dishes and delicacies. Some of these are:
- Nagoya Meshi- a local cuisine found only in Nagoya and its surrounding areas. Nagoya Meshi has varying tasty dishes based on the unique ingredients from various regions, such as Aka Miso. It’s a kind of Miso paste that has been fermented for a long time and is richer in flavor and darker in color. This paste is also used to make Miso Katsu and Miso Nikomi Udon.
- Hitsumabushi- Nagoya-style freshwater eel, grilled and served in a thick and sweet sauce on rice. This dish is divided into four servings, with different kinds of spices and garnishing that make the whole course a great food experience.
- Takoyaki and Okonomiyaki- Osaka is called Japan’s kitchen for a reason. Lined with various restaurants and food vendors, the Dontonburi district offers many food choices of Japanese treats. One of these is the Okonomiyaki—a thick pancake with cabbage, tempura bits, pickled ginger, and served with Okonomiyaki sauce. This has been considered Osaka’s best food. There’s another best-selling specialty in Osaka, and it’s called Takoyaki or fried octopus balls.
Marvel At Breathtaking Cherry Blossoms
Japan is home to various species of flora and fauna. When people hear of Japan, they tend to visualize the lush cherry blossoms or Sakura trees. Both locals and tourists go to this country to admire and gaze at the transcendent beauty of Sakura trees, and a trip to Japan won’t be complete without this experience.
Final Thoughts
Getting out of your comfort zone and exploring the world through traveling is an incomparable experience anyone can achieve in this lifetime. There are various countries you can choose from, and one of these is the land of the rising sun, Japan. A trip to Japan will make you discover a wonderful country with its own unique culture, a precious gem waiting to be explored.
