Nara
#5 in Best Places to Visit in Japan
Japan’s first permanent capital is famous for housing the Great Buddha, a more than 50-foot-tall bronze statue of Buddha. You’ll find this jaw-dropping national treasure in Nara’s Todai-ji temple, which is the largest wooden building in the world. While on the temple grounds, explore the deer-filled Nara Park and the ornate Kasuga Taisha shrine. Also save time for visiting Yakushiji Temple, a property that’s considered one of the Seven Great Temples of Nara.
Fukuoka
#6 in Best Places to Visit in Japan
Located on Kyushu (Japan’s third-largest island), Fukuoka offers travelers a mix of urban sprawl, sandy coastlines and ancient temples and shrines. Can’t-miss sights include Tochoji Temple – home of the largest sitting wooden Buddha in Japan – and Nokonoshima Island, which features colorful flower fields and beautiful views of the surrounding bay. Fukuoka is also known for its incredible ramen, so be sure to try this tasty dish at one of the city’s many food stalls.
