If you could recommend just one city in Japan...
 

If you could recommend just ONE city in Japan for someone who has never been there to visit, where would it be? Let's say the person is going on a 10-day trip, and wants to see as much of Japan as she can without ever leaving one single city.

I suggest Naha, no joke... >.>

"Even in the winter time?!" you ask? Yes.

Tokyo
 

Perhaps for a first time traveler, Tokyo may be very confusing, but if they wanted to see as much of Japan as possible, since Tokyo is so huge, it would probably be best. :marusmile:

For a good mix of old and new, I don't think you can beat Kyoto.

In before 1,000 votes for Tokyo.

I wouldnt recommend Tokyo for a first timer to Japan Nagoya gets my vote with Kyoto as a very close second

Loves me some Osaka.

For me it would be Tokyo - it was the first city I saw in Japan and it blew me away! It's horses for course I reckon :)

OSAKA! I'm being kinda biased because I've lived there, but it is a great city.

Depends what the person's interests are. If it's ramen, then they should go to Sapporo, Sight Seeing, Tokyo. It all really depends.

She just wants to see as many sides of Japan as she can without leaving one city.

I suggest Edo. I hear its a nice place to visit in the spring.

Umm... it's called Tokyo now. Get your nose out of a manga sometime.

I haven't been to Japan yet but my money would be on Kyoto...Tokyo later. Course when I go for a visit Im going for about a month so...But anyway I would definitely chose KYOTO first. :):ywave:

I agree with you. Again, you take my words. :mtongue:

Kyoto seems nice.

Osaka is great in itself, but it is central to great places like Kyoto, Nara, Himeji, and Kobe. People there are very friendly too.

Kyoto is a beautiful place but I'm sure that I'd run out of things to do after 10 days.

My recommendation would be Tokyo. It's a town which is relatively foreigner friendly, it's convenient and most importantly, there are TONS of places to keep you entertained for 10 days.

It doesn't matter if you're looking for a modern, traditional or wacky side of Japan, you'll find it all (and more) in Tokyo.

why are you always so hostle keaton?

I think someone peed in his coffee.:D

Oh man, the whole Akatsuki clan is on my back.

Well, seeing as how this is a poll about real cities, I suggest people lost in fantasy worlds post elsewhere.

That being said, Minas Tirith is lovely in the summer.

I think if you want to experience the history and culture of Japan then the old capitol (kyoto) is your best bet. But that may be the romantic in me talking.

Honestly though, if you're looking at it from a tourist prospective.....I think Tokyo would be your best bet, I can't make a call on it since i don't know your friend.

lol hiroshimma only have one vote isn't that the place that got bombed by the united state.

Yes, but don't worry the radiation is aaaaaaall gone

Yes, Hiroshima was the first city to have an atomic bomb used on it. But it is a beautiful city and the surrounding area is wonderful too. It also has two UNESCO world heritage sites, Genbaku dome, in Hiroshima city, and the Itsukushima shrine nearby. Photos of Hiroshima and Miyajima

Osaka is pretty fun at night and there`s a good fashion store called Hep Five. It`s close to Kyoto too (3 stations away by the express train) where there`s a lot to see. Voted for Osaka.

Oh, btw, I noticed that accommodation was slightly cheaper in Osaka, at least in my experience

Because people are so mentally instable?

That's my reason at least; it's usually the same for people like us.

And this thread is amazing. This is the major question that I needed answered before I start throwing my resume to the eastern winds.

Osaka! It's cool there :)

"in a anime world"

These two quotes just about sum up your intelligence level.

Really?... Edo huh? Are you sure you don't mean Tokyo?

Japan because you can learn new things and see the many sights that Tokyo has to offer :vsign:

Isn't this thread only about Japanese city's T_____T ?

I'm going to Tokyo in 2010, but now that i've seen some replies, i'm really starting to doubt between Tokyo 'nd Kyoto..

buuuuu ~ :p

Just go to Tokyo. It's the part of Japan that you have probably heard about, with "Harajuku girls" and what not. And Akihabara is pretty much the "otaku paradise/techy land" [lot's of computer and anime related stuff]. Shibuya is super cool for shopping [because of Shibuya 109! ...Shibuya, Harajuku, and Akiba are all parts of Tokyo]

[these are the facts you must consider]

But since Tokyo IS so large, you then would have to decide what *part* of Tokyo or relative area you would want to stay in or you'd be doing a ton of traveling.... which I don't know, I guess might be fun because it would provide you with an opportunity to experience the Japanese subway system...
Shibuya is super cool for shopping [because of Shibuya 109! ...Shibuya, Harajuku, and Akiba are all parts of Tokyo]

But if you want the traditional Japan, Kyoto would be your place since it's like where all the temples are.

I'm sure Tokyo has it's share of temples because it's soooo big, and it's share of less urban areas... but Kyoto would be the more "historic culture" and Tokyo is more "modern Japan" ...So you should probably decide which one fits what you've been looking for in a Japanese city.

Osaka might be a good combo of both Tokyo and Kyoto [not that it's as if it was intended to be a combination of the cities, but it has certain aspects that resemble both Tokyo and Kyoto] Osaka is where all the funny people are though... [majority of comedians]

The Kansai dialect is different from the taught Japanese though [based on Tokyo's dialect]...

...

Yeah, just go to Tokyo. [So you can understand people :p Communication is key]

But ultimately it's still your decision and it should be based on your preferences, right? Having other people decide for you is just screwy. You need info to make your OWN decision.

I hoped my info helped.

...Thank you for your time.

1. Kyoto it's got a mix of everything old and new, it's three times cheaper than Tokyo. and you can always go to Osaka for a day trip to see a big city.

2. Nagoya not really much touristy there, but it's a very friendly place, has beautiful tree line wide roads and great nightlife.

3. Miyazaki city, friendly, laid back, good climate, good beaches, very cheep to stay and eat out.

4. Matsumoto, awesome Castle, beautiful mountains, Onsens (hot springs), heaps of traditional things to see and buy.

If you are going to go to Tokyo expecting to see a Gwen Stefani video, you will probably be disappointed.


All of the main points in Tokyo are connected by the Yamanote loop line. Harajuku, Shinjuku, Shibuya, Akihabara, etc. are literally minutes away from each other on one train line.

Akihabara or Shinjiku in Tokyo. I plan on living in Akihabara when I move to Japan.

What kind of job are you expecting to be able afford to live in such a prime location?

if you plan on going to just tokyo you will be disappointed. it's just a busy crowded city, if you want an adventurous visit you should try the countrysides. it's more peaceful, nice scenery, and very nice people. i really love japanese countryside.

I fell in love with Hiroshima.