Goryokaku Fort

Goryokaku is unarguably one of the top sites to see in Japan and also one of the most recognizable landmarks in the country because of its beautiful star-shape design. The military fort of Goryokaku is today a stunning park surrounded by thousands of cherry trees making Goryokaku fort one of the best places to see cherry blossoms in Japan.

A visit to Goryokaku Fort costs around $4 (500 yen) and it is open to the public most of the year, though the month of May is one of the best times to visit the fort because of the lovely cherry blossoms. Goryokaku fort is located in the city of Hakodate (island of Hokkaido), and it’s about 15 minutes walk from Goryokaku Koen Mae tram station.

Sannai-Maruyama

Sannai-Maruyama is located in Aomori in the Tohoku Region of Japan and is another of the top sites to see in Japan. The site of Sannai-Maruyama isn’t only over 6,000 years-old but it's also one of the most peculiar ruins in Japan because of its huge pole posts.

Sannai-Maruyama site is free entry, and the best thing is that you’re allowed to wander freely through the excavation grounds, as well as visit the on-site museum where you'll be able to see all the recovered artifacts and objects. The Sannai-Maruyama is literary located next to the Sannai-Maruyama-Iseki-mae bus stop.

Motsuji Temple Garden

Motsuji Temple Garden is one of the oldest and best preserved gardens in the country, and it’s definitely one of the top sites to see in Japan. You can see beautiful flowers and blossoming trees at Motsuji Temple Garden throughout the year such as cherry blossoms in May and lotus flowers in July.

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Motsuji Temple Garden is located in the town of Hiraizumi in the prefecture of Iwate and costs around $4 to get in. Motsuji Temple Garden is another easy-to-get-to site as it’s located a short walk from Hiraizumi Station.

Tokyo Imperial Palace

Tokyo Imperial Palace is not only one of the most popular places to go in Japan but also one of the top 10 tourist attractions in Japan. The Imperial Palace is truly an impressive landmark to visit not only for its beauty but also for its historic value being the residence of the imperial family who make special appearances throughout the year such as on New Year’s Day.

Top 10 places to go in Tokyo

You’re only allowed to take a guided tour of the grounds of the Imperial Palace, though admission to the Tokyo Imperial Palace is free of charge. The Imperial Palace is located around 15 minutes walk from Tokyo Station.

Hiroshima

If you’re planning to visit a few sites in Japan, Hiroshima is without a doubt one of the top sites to see in Japan that you can’t miss visiting. Hiroshima was the spot where the first atomic bomb was dropped, and its aftermath can still be appreciated today in buildings such as the “Dome” which is today just a skeleton building.

There are also many other interesting sites to visit in Hiroshima besides the “Atomic Bomb Dome” such as the Hiroshima Castle, the Peace Memorial, the Shukkeien Garden, and the Mazda Museum.

Eiheiji Temple

Eiheiji Temple is a beautiful monastery located in the outskirts of the city of Fukui which is run by Zen Buddhist monks. The temple of Eiheiji Temple is another of the of the top sites to see in Japan because visitors are allowed to book a stay at the temple (around $63 per night) and live the monks' daily routine.

The Eiheiji Temple is located in the Fukui prefecture and cost to visit is relatively inexpensive at around $4. The temple itself is about 35 minutes by bus from Fukui Station.

Enryakuji

Enryakuji is located atop Mount Hiei and it’s one of the top sites to see in Japan primarily because of the panoramic views you can get of Kyoto. Enryakuji is actually one of the most extensive and historic sites to visit in Japan as it boast many 16th century buildings such as the Great Lecture Hall, the East Pagoda and the Bell Tower.

Enryakuji offers plenty of photo opportunities and a chance to take in the pristine and calm outdoor surroundings. You can easily get to Enryakuji Site by bus or cable car from Kyoto Station or Demachiyanagi station.

Nara Old City

Nara’s old city is one of the oldest parts in the country and one of the top sites to see in Japan as it’s home to the UNESCO World Heritage sites of Heijo Palace, the Kasuga Grand Shrine, and the Kasugayama Hill Primeval Forest which boasts trees over 1000 years-old!

There are also half a dozen temples in Nara Old City which are over 1000 years old such as the Todaiji Temple which is home to a huge Bhudda statue. If you’re basing your stay in Japan in either Osaka or Kyoto, the old city of Nara is a great side trip destination as Nara is located a short drive from either city.

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best beaches in SE Asia

Planning a trip to Asia?

Before giving you a brief overview on Asia as well as the best time to travel and weather, let me quickly share with you seven places that are ideal for first time travelers looking to vacation in Asia. They are as follows:

1. Taipei Taiwan

Taipei Taiwan is one of the most expensive vacation spots in Asia, but it is also one of the most modern countries in Asia, offering a reliable and varied transportation system.


Taipei Taiwan is home to many memorials and cultural attractions, but it is also a city that offers plenty of outdoor opportunities such as climbing and hiking at the nearby Yangmingshan Park.

2. Hanoi Vietnam

One of the most popular and affordable destinations in Southeast Asia, Hanoi Vietnam is a popular destination amongst outdoor and shopping enthusiasts. The old Quarter of Hanoi boasts a variety of street markets where you can get cheap foods, souvenirs, etc.

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3. Seoul Korea

Seoul Korea is another destination in Asia renowned for its tax free shopping opportunities, and electronic goods.

Seoul Top Tourist Sites and Attractions

Apart from shopping, the city of Seoul is home to half a dozen palaces and other interesting sites such as the War Memorial of Korea and Gyeongbokgung Palace which features regular changing of the guard.

4. Surabaya Indonesia

If you are planning a holiday vacation in Bali, Surabaya Indonesia is normally considered a transit city between Jakarta and Bali.

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places to visit in Java for the day

Having said this, Surabaya Indonesia is a great vacation spot on its own right, and one of the best destinations in Asia for families. The city is home to the Surabaya KBS Zoo and the Ciputra Zoo.

5. Manila Philippines

The capital city of Manila Philippines is another popular family destination with many festivals such as the Filipino Heritage Festival geared towards families.

beautiful places in Philippines

The shopping scene, nightlife scene and the many Tourist Spots in the Philippines are the reason that brings many travelers to the capital of Philippines.


6. Okinawa Japan

If you’re looking for an affordable family vacation in the Asia Pacific region, Okinawa Japan is one of the most popular places to go in Japan.

With so many beach resorts and beaches offering camping by the beach opportunities you can have an affordable vacation. There are also many things to do and see such as visiting the renowned Okinawa Aquarium.

7. Goa India

Being a former colony of Portugal, Goa India has distinctive feel to the rest of the Indian subcontinent. The state of Goa India is one of the trendiest places in the region and a popular beach vacation.

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cheap places to go for backpackers

Apart from beaches and festivals, Goa India offers plenty of outdoor opportunities such as hiking at one of the nearby national parks. If you are planning a first time vacation to Asia but not sure where to go, read on to get an overview of the different regions in Asia and best time to travel.

Overview

Asia is, indeed, a vast continent and it is one of the most culturally diverse places on earth both geographically and ethnically. One of the most interesting facts about Asia, it’s that more than half of the world’s population lives in the continent with Japan and China being two of the most powerful economies in the region.

Planning where to go in Asia (or anywhere in the world, for that matter) doesn’t have to be daunting task at all, and choosing the right vacation spot comes down to three things:

- Type of vacation (family travel, romantic travel, cheap beach vacations, etc.)
- Budget (shoestring or luxurious vacation)
- When you’re traveling (off-season, peak-season, monsoon season, etc.)

Regions in Asia

Beautiful Places in Asia to visit on vacation

The continent of Asia is traditionally divided into three regions:

- Southeast Asia: Indonesia, Cambodia, Vietnam, Malaysia, Burma, Laos, Brunei, East Timor, Papa New Guinea, Philippines, Singapore and Thailand

- Asia Pacific: China, Japan, North Korea, South Korea, Melanesia, Micronesia, and Polynesia.

- Indian Subcontinent: Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, India, Nepal and Tibet

Where to go

There many great vacation spots in Asia but the regions of Southeast Asia and the Indian Subcontinent are popular destinations amongst budget travelers and travelers backpacking around the world. The Southeast is home to many great vacation spots in Asia, and it’s a magnet to all kind of travelers (couples, families, backpackers, etc.). Anywhere you travel in this region, you can expect cheap shopping opportunities and good accommodation at affordable prices.

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There are truly so many great vacation spots in Asia to suit anyone’s interests and budget that you won’t find any shortages of destinations. For instance, if you are tying the knot soon, Asia is home to some of the most exciting places to live (i.e. Thailand, Vietnam, Bali, etc) with popular honeymoon destinations such as a honeymoon in Malaysia.

Weather in Asia

Each of the regions in Asia share similar weather although each country has slightly different climate so, bear this in mind. Asian monsoons are another factor to take into consideration when traveling into the continent, as the region can also experience cyclones.

Things to do on hiking trips to Nepal

For instance, in the Indian subcontinent, the Himalayas and even parts of southern China experience the monsoon season between June and September. In the southeast region, the area experiences the monsoon season between December and early March, while Asia Pacific experiences a summer monsoon between early May and late August.

Best time to visit Asia

Weather truly plays a major role when deciding when to go to Asia and most travelers avoid traveling to Asia during the monsoon season, although some travelers take advantage of it to find better hotel deals and cheap airfare. If you are planning a getaway in Southeast Asia, the best time to visit this region it’s in the winter months (November and February), apart from Malaysia which is usually best enjoyed between late spring and late autumn.

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In the Indian subcontinent, summer is very hot and humid, especially the further inland you travel, and if you’re not planning a beach vacation, you’ll find the hot weather very unpleasant and uncomfortable.For a trip to the Indian subcontinent, I would suggest traveling between March to mid-April when weather is much cooler and dryer.

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