Do you know the small cities of Japan? Despite having giant metropolises, Japan is filled with small cities, some so small that they even become ghost towns. In this article, we will look at some small cities in Japan that are famous.
These small cities are full of tourist attractions like castles, inns, hot springs, temples, and beautiful natural surroundings. We will not talk about small villages, but rather cities with fewer than 200,000 inhabitants that have some tourist attractions.
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Kamakura – The Ancient Capital of Tokyo
Kamakura is a coastal city located an hour south of Tokyo, it was once the capital of Japan and has a rather turbulent history. In the 13th century, it was the fourth largest city in the world. The city was devastated by wars, earthquakes, tsunamis, typhoons, and fires that made the city smaller. Its history left behind thousands of temples and stories.
The city of Kamakura [鎌倉] is located in Kanagawa Prefecture and offers some tourist attractions such as the Great Buddha, Hokokuji Temple, Hasedera Temple, Hachimangu Shrine, Engakuji Temple, and many others.
In the summer, you can visit Enoshima beach, hiking trails, and some historical sites. You can enjoy this trip by taking a tour with the options offered below by: GetYourGuide.
Nikko – The City Where Tokugawa Ieyasu Lies
Located 140 km north of Tokyo, it is known for its mountainous landscapes and hot springs. Nikko is an ancient city filled with temples. In Nikko, you will find the mausoleum (tomb) of Tokugawa Ieyasu, the man who founded the Shogun dynasty and ruled Japan during the Edo period.
You can visit Nikko Toshogu, one of the most important shrines in Japan that is also considered a UNESCO World Heritage site. You can see the beautiful Kegon waterfall, which is known as one of the best waterfalls in Japan.
Takayama and SHIRAKAWA – THE ALPINE CITIES
Takayama is a city located in the depths of the Japanese Alps that developed a unique culture due to its isolation. The city was known for its carpenters recruited to build many of Japan’s most famous structures, including the Imperial Palace in Kyoto.
Another small city in the Japanese Alps near Takayama is called Shirakawa and is located in Gifu Prefecture. Many of these old houses and farms are now open to the public, and some offer accommodation. Other small famous cities in the Alps are called Gokayama and Toyama, which are especially isolated in winter.
We recommend reading: The famous Japanese Alps – Hisa, Kiso, and Akaishi
The area preserves ancient architecture and is known for its spring and autumn festivals. The architects of these cities developed a unique architecture with steep roofs to deal with the snow.
Visiting this other UNESCO heritage site called Shirakawa-go will take you back to the Edo period. The Gassho-style houses are one of the main attractions of these cities that surround the Japanese Alps, which cross several provinces.
Hakone – GET A GOOD VIEW OF MOUNT FUJI
Hakone is a village that is covered in snow and offers a beautiful view of Mount Fuji. It is known for its nature, a famous lake, and a cable car. Hakone is one of the most visited tourist cities in Japan.
Located just a few hours from Tokyo, you can choose to buy a ticket that gives unlimited access to trains, buses, cable cars, boats, and many others. If you want to explore the region, you can visit Gotemba or climb Mount Hakone itself or others that surround Fuji-san.
Beppu – The Hell of Japan
The city of Beppu on Kyushu Island has more hot springs than any other city in Japan. Every day about 130,000 tons of mineral-rich hot water flows from the ground in Beppu. This is about 10% of the total flow in Japan.
The city uses all this hot water in hot springs and even sand baths. Some onsens seem to have water so hot that it turns red, resembling hell. The city has even earned this nickname, with waters reaching 60 degrees.
We also recommend reading: Do you know Beppu? The city of Onsen?
Hiraizumi – The Small City of Iwate
A small city in the north in Iwate Prefecture, which was once a major regional capital that was among the largest cities in Japan. The city is home to a variety of temples, gardens, and archaeological sites dating back to the 12th century. Many are designated UNESCO World Heritage sites.
Also read: List of Cities in Japan – Complete
Hikone – On the Shores of Lake Biwa
The city is located on the shores of Lake Biwa, which is the largest freshwater lake in Japan. The city has one of the oldest castles in the country, built in 1622.
Inuyama – The Famous Inuyama Castle
Inuyama has one of the oldest castles in Japan, dating back to 1537. The city is also known for its cormorant fishing (using birds) on the Kiso River. Below we have a video in Portuguese from the channel Japão nosso de cada dia showing the castle.
Urayasu – The City of Tokyo Disney
It is a suburban city near Tokyo, in Chiba Prefecture, where Tokyo Disneyland is located. Considered a desirable city with a high quality of life. Who wouldn’t want to live near a super park?
We also recommend reading: Discover Tokyo Disney Sea and Disneyland in Japan
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