If Japan wasn’t on your travel bucket list, these cities will make you fall in love with Japan.
From traditional Japanese houses, Minka to cherry blossoms and amazing technology. There is everything in Japan for people with different tastes to explore.
Whether you want to visit Japan for its rich culture and history or you are Otaku who wants to visit places where your favorite anime is based upon. This list has covered all the Japanese city names that you should know. Japan is famous for establishing tea ceremonies and traditional arts and for introducing us to the world of Sushi and lip-smacking Ramen.
There are also many UNESCO world heritage sites in Japan that make a vacation in Japan an unforgettable experience. Some of the prefectures in Japan are famous for their lively streets. Check out the list below to know the names of interesting and best city names in Japan for your travel.
Hida Takayama (Japanese Origin), meaning ‘Tall Mountain,’ is known for its Sake. There are plenty of traditional inns and street shops along the riverside to enjoy.
Kunisaki Peninsula(Japanese Origin), meaning ‘Land’s end,’ Kitsuki is a beautiful samurai district.
Kamakura (Japanese Origin), meaning ‘granary, storehouse,’ is a famous place for Buddhist temples and other ancient shrines.
Sendai(Japanese Origin), meaning ‘Hermit.’ This city is known as the ‘city of trees’ as it is one of the best cities in the world to view cherry blossom trees.
Urban, Meaning: of the city Origin: Latin ~ View Detail
Usaki (Japanese Origin), meaning ‘Bloom,’ is a photogenic town famous in Japan.
Urbana, Meaning: of the city Origin: Latin, feminine form of Urban ~ View Detail
Hiroshima(Japanese Origin), meaning ‘Wide Island.’ Hiroshima is located in the Hiroshima prefecture. This place is popular because of its history. This island city of Hiroshima was targeted during World War Two.
Nara(Japanese Origin), meaning ‘Happy,’ is the capital city of the Nara prefecture. This city is one of the best destinations for those who want to visit Japan for its culture.
Hagi (Japanese Origin), meaning ‘Bud,’ is a former castle town in the Jokamachi district.
Yamanouchi (Japanese Origin), meaning ‘Inside mountains,’ is famous for its Jigokudami monkey park. This park has a large population of Japanese masques.
Handa (Japanese Origin), meaning 'half of a rice paddy,' is located in the Aichi Prefecture and has a population of nearly 1 million. One of the lesser-known travel destinations in Japan.
Karuizawa(Japanese Origin), meaning ‘Resort Town,’ is the home of Honshu’s most active volcano. This destination is famous for its natural beauty. Autumn is the best time to visit Karuizawa.
Kagoshima (Japanese Origin), meaning ‘Young-deer island.’ The best time to visit Kagoshima is from July to August. The active volcano rises from the waters, providing a breathtaking view of the area.
Kurashiki(Japanese Origin), meaning ‘City,’ is famous for its 17th-century architecture and warehouses.
Akihabara (Japanese Origin), meaning ‘Fire controlling diety,’ is a famous destination among the Otakus. It looks straight from the animation.
Nagora Island (Japanese Origin), meaning ‘Doll village,’ is a strange city where there are more than 350 scarecrows to commemorate the village residents.
Carlisle, Meaning: from the walled city Origin: English
Fukiya Village(Japanese Origin), meaning ‘Bitchu-Takahashi,’ is famous for copper mines and mountains.
Furano(Japanese Origin), meaning ‘wealth,’ is located in Hokkaido. Visit Furano during winter to ski and enjoy other snow-related activities.
Yokohama (Japanese Origin), meaning ‘Horizontal Bench,’ in Kanagawa prefecture is a beautiful place. People visit Yokohama for its seas.
Tsuwano (Japanese Origin), meaning ‘Old town,’ is famous for its historical buildings and earthen walls.
Spartacus, Meaning: from the city of Sparta Origin: Latin
Nikko(Japanese Origin), meaning ‘Sunshine,’ is another UNESCO World Heritage destination famous in Japan.
Akita (Japanese Origin), meaning ‘Dog breed,’ is situated in Japan’s Tohoku region. Akita is known for its Sake and rural festivals.
Sebbe, Meaning: person from ancient city of Sebasta Origin: Swedish variation of Sebastian
Magome(Japanese Origin), meaning ‘Horse,’ is a town between Tokyo and Kyoto. People visit this trail to see beautiful waterfalls and Greenlands.
Kitsune Mira(Japanese Origin), meaning ‘fox village,’ of Miyagi prefecture is a village full of rescued foxes.
Aoshima(Japanese Origin), meaning ‘Cat island,’ is popular for having more population of cats than humans.
Okinoshima(Japanese Origin), meaning ‘Sacred Island,’ is a man-only Shinto temple in Japan.
Shirakawago (Japanese Origin), meaning ‘Shirakawa Village,’ is home to UNESCO World’s heritage site. This area still has houses built between the 17th and 2oth centuries.
Inzai (Japanese Origin), meaning ‘Seal Stock,’ is located in Chiba prefecture. This city is famous for its historical tourist attractions, palaces, shrines, and museum.
Carlyle, Meaning: from the walled city Origin: Variation of Carlisle, English
Oneida, Meaning: long awaited Origin: Native American
Kakunodate(Japanese Origin), meaning ‘Little Kyoto,’ is a samurai district. It is beautifully preserved and also open for the public to take a glimpse of a bygone era.
Okinawa (Japanese Origin), meaning ‘Coral Island,’ is situated in Okinawa prefecture. You should visit Okinawa if you love water sports like snorkeling and scuba diving.
Abiko (Japanese Origin), meaning ‘My grandson,’ is a city in Japan’s Chiba prefecture. Tourists travel to Abiko for its museum.
Shimbasi (Japanese Origin), meaning ‘New Bridge,’ is famous for the Nakagin capsule tower. This tower was built in 30 days only.
Tokyo (Japanese Origin), meaning ‘Large city.’ Tokyo is the name of capital city name of Japan. Tokyo is now known as a special metropolis prefecture. Tokyo is a city that boasts rich culture and history.
Shibuya (Japanese Origin), meaning ‘Tan Valley’, is the world’s busiest intersection.
Atami (Japanese Origin), meaning ‘Hot Ocean,’ is a home famous for Mount Fuji and its naturally occurring hot springs. People travel from various places to visit this spring.
Nagoya(Japanese Origin), meaning ‘Peaceful,’ in Aichi Nagoya (named old castle) prefecture is known for its technology and transportation system.
Kobe (Japanese Origin), meaning ‘God’s Door.’ Kobe in Hyogo prefecture is the perfect destination to visit if you love hiking and the sea view.
Bas, Meaning: person from the city of Sebastia Origin: Dutch, diminutive of Bastiaan and Sebastian
Hakodate(Japanese Origin), meaning ‘Box,’ is one of the largest cities in Hokkaido. It is the best place to visit old churches, western homes, and warehouses.
Urban, Meaning: of the city Origin: Latin
Otaru(Japanese Origin), meaning 'sandy beach,' is a city in Hokkaido prefecture. It is a port city known for its music boxes and glasswork.
Takayama(Japanese Origin), meaning ‘High Mountains’, is a historical village. The best destination for those who want to get familiar with Japan’s culture.
Naha(Japanese Origin), meaning ‘port,’ is the capital of the Okinawa prefecture. This city is known for its restaurants and bars.
Chiba (Japanese Origin), meaning ‘Thousand Leaves, is situated on the eastern pacific coast of Japan. Hoki Museum and Chiba Port Towers are a few notable places famous among visitors.
Omi Hachiman (Japanese Origin), meaning ‘Shiga prefecture,’ is another major old city known for its beautiful canal.
Carlyle, Meaning: from the walled city Origin: Variation of Carlisle, English
Hakone (Japanese Origin), meaning ‘Town.’ Visit Hakone to look at mount fuji and ashino-ko lake. This city has impressive national parks and hiking trails.
Himeji(Japanese Origin), meaning ‘Textile center.’ Visit Himeji in April when the city’s castle is surrounded by blooming cherry blossom trees.
Ehime(Japanese Origin), meaning ‘Lovely Princess,’ is situated on Shikoku island. The Dogo onsen is a popular place among travelers. Its history is as old as 3000 years.
Kanazawa (Japanese Origin), meaning ‘Marsh of Gold,’ is one of Japan’s largest cities. The old monuments and Edo -period canals, temples, and 17th-century Kenrokuen gardens make it one of the popular destinations.
Osaka (Japanese Origin), meaning ‘Large hill.' Osaka is situated in the Kansai region, Osaka prefecture. This city is known for its large port and commercial center. Tourists visit Okaka to experience nightlife while enjoying street food.
Nagasaki (Japanese Origin), meaning ‘Long cape,’ is a historical site as much international trade exchange used to happen from this city’s port.
Miyajima (Japanese Origin), meaning ‘Shrine Island,’ is the quirky city name. The place is famous for being a shrine built on water.
Sapporo (Japanese Origin), meaning ‘Great River,’ is located in the Hokkaido prefecture. This city is famous for seafood and dairy products.
Fushimi Inari (Japanese Origin), meaning ‘Orange shrine,’ is a place full of thousands of orange shrines related to the Shinto faith.
Kyoto (Japanese Origin), meaning ‘Capital.’ Kyoto is located in the Kansai region. Kyoto is the principal cultural capital of Japan, and people visit this city for its majestic Shinto shrines, gardens, and Buddhist temples.
Stirling, Meaning: from the city of Stirling Origin: Scottish
Samaria, Origin: Place-name, ancient Palestinian city in present-day Jordan
Uchiko (Japanese Origin), meaning ‘Dust,’ the city’s history and culture are related to the shikoku era.
Hida(Japanese Origin), meaning ‘Warrior,’ is an incredible place in Japan. It was built over 200 years ago.
