I agree with all of the above. Japan just has too many "attractive" cities to limit the favorite to just one city. In addition to these, I'll add the place where I now live: Tokyo. I do a lot of walking wherever I go ... and right here in Tokyo I find "attractive" areas all over the place, from the Daiba waterfront to right in the heart of Shinjuku & the Ginza. No matter which city you are exploring, just get out and walk about the place ... you're sure to find an "attractive" sight somewhere.
None of them are particularly attractive, when you compare them to other cities around the world. That said, Fukuoka is one of the better ones. The sea and mountains have stopped it from spreading out too far like other uglier Japanese cities.
Yes, "attractive" is the key word here and very well chosen. There are many "attractive" cities in Japan. After visiting these cities there are certainly many things you will not say about them that you might normally say about other cities in other countries, but one thing you will say is that you found them "attractive".
Takehara in Hiroshima pref. It does not have a population of millions, but it is still a city and is known as the 'Little Kyoto of Aki'. I have to admit though that there are still lots of places I have not been to, many of those probably as attractive as Takehara.
All of Kyushu to be honest, unlike other Japanese congested and clustered cities that restrain movement, here in Kysuhu, you don't have that as much, very east to navigate pretty much anywhere, less wait time for anything and a lot cheaper compared to the bigger cities. Fukuoka has one of the most easiest accessible airports in Japan that is close to the center of the city and just right off the espresso way, less than 30 min. central of the city limits. There is a reason why so many Asians travelers have made Kyushu one of the most favorite destinations for travel.
Iga. Its surrounded by mountains, has 2 big rivers (hattori and nabari) running through it, and has a thriving city center with a castle that boasts the biggest the walls of any honmaru in Japan, while at the same time being wide enough to have rural areas. In addition to all that, it is easily accessable from Ise, Nara, Osaka, Nagoya, or Kyoto.
Attractive as in good to live in, there are many, attractive as in beautiful.... overall most cities are not what I would call attractive, you need to put on your blinders or use a telephoto lens to capture the attractive bits & block the chaos & clutter & more & more the decay.
I wish Japan would start cleaning up some the decay that is consuming the countryside everywhere & even in more populated areas.
Certainly better than the wasted billions on amakudari!
Agree with GW, 'attractive' doesn't naturally spring to mind when I think of Japanese cities. Though I live in Yokohama and think it does better than many. If any are attractive, it's usually down to the location, and despite what the city has managed to do to ravage the landscape. There are attractive pockets all over the place, but overall, none really float my boat much.
Can't say for the places I've been, but I think I'd say Kyushu for the places I have. So many beautiful areas with large forests and swaths of nature outside of the noise pollution and crowds of the city -- I forgot I was in Japan. I particularly liked rural Kagoshima.
I also like Kyoto for other reasons, but it's just too gross in summer, and too congested.
No contest. Kyoto, hands down. Even as a tourist I can still find pockets of beauty and serenity, but it is becoming harder. Kobe is quite scenic, too. As for Tokyo, the roads and rail-lines leading out of it are very nice!
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garfield1275
Yokohama.
smartacus
Hakodate and Yokohama
Keren Miers
Sendai
Tokyo-Engr
Hakodate and Kobe
Kurobune
Sendai and Yokohama.
dcog9065
Though not necessarily the city itself, I'd say Kyoto for its mountains, streets, and rivers
Tsuchifumazu
Kagoshima
PeaceWarrior
Kushiro and Shimoda
fa477279
Nagoya...hahahaha
M3M3M3
Yokohama
kohakuebisu
The center of Kanazawa is lovely.
Mito has huge parks too.
edojin
I agree with all of the above. Japan just has too many "attractive" cities to limit the favorite to just one city. In addition to these, I'll add the place where I now live: Tokyo. I do a lot of walking wherever I go ... and right here in Tokyo I find "attractive" areas all over the place, from the Daiba waterfront to right in the heart of Shinjuku & the Ginza. No matter which city you are exploring, just get out and walk about the place ... you're sure to find an "attractive" sight somewhere.
Tony Alderman
None of them are particularly attractive, when you compare them to other cities around the world. That said, Fukuoka is one of the better ones. The sea and mountains have stopped it from spreading out too far like other uglier Japanese cities.
M3M3M3
Yes, "attractive" is the key word here and very well chosen. There are many "attractive" cities in Japan. After visiting these cities there are certainly many things you will not say about them that you might normally say about other cities in other countries, but one thing you will say is that you found them "attractive".
Wrembreck
Anywhere in Kyushu for me.
presto345
Takehara in Hiroshima pref. It does not have a population of millions, but it is still a city and is known as the 'Little Kyoto of Aki'. I have to admit though that there are still lots of places I have not been to, many of those probably as attractive as Takehara.
browny1
Matsue in Shimane is quite lovely.
Pity about the Nuclear power plant on it's doostep.
Kurobune
@Wrembreck - I totally agree ! Especially Kumamoto ! (both the city itself and the entire prefecture)
Mike L
Takehara is awful. A village with nothing to see or do. Mihara is way better.
bass4funk
All of Kyushu to be honest, unlike other Japanese congested and clustered cities that restrain movement, here in Kysuhu, you don't have that as much, very east to navigate pretty much anywhere, less wait time for anything and a lot cheaper compared to the bigger cities. Fukuoka has one of the most easiest accessible airports in Japan that is close to the center of the city and just right off the espresso way, less than 30 min. central of the city limits. There is a reason why so many Asians travelers have made Kyushu one of the most favorite destinations for travel.
Aly Rustom
Iga. Its surrounded by mountains, has 2 big rivers (hattori and nabari) running through it, and has a thriving city center with a castle that boasts the biggest the walls of any honmaru in Japan, while at the same time being wide enough to have rural areas. In addition to all that, it is easily accessable from Ise, Nara, Osaka, Nagoya, or Kyoto.
GW
Attractive as in good to live in, there are many, attractive as in beautiful.... overall most cities are not what I would call attractive, you need to put on your blinders or use a telephoto lens to capture the attractive bits & block the chaos & clutter & more & more the decay.
I wish Japan would start cleaning up some the decay that is consuming the countryside everywhere & even in more populated areas.
Certainly better than the wasted billions on amakudari!
as_the_crow_flies
Agree with GW, 'attractive' doesn't naturally spring to mind when I think of Japanese cities. Though I live in Yokohama and think it does better than many. If any are attractive, it's usually down to the location, and despite what the city has managed to do to ravage the landscape. There are attractive pockets all over the place, but overall, none really float my boat much.
Wrembreck
@Kurobune Yes absolutely love Kumamoto as well! Love the sights, people, food, and natural beauty in Kyushu, fantastic place to go.
smithinjapan
Can't say for the places I've been, but I think I'd say Kyushu for the places I have. So many beautiful areas with large forests and swaths of nature outside of the noise pollution and crowds of the city -- I forgot I was in Japan. I particularly liked rural Kagoshima.
I also like Kyoto for other reasons, but it's just too gross in summer, and too congested.
bruinfan
Kobe. A great balance of things to see and do. A wonderful place to live too.
Wrembreck
@smithinjapan I 100% agree with you about Kyoto, its a humid hell and nothing but selfie stick chaos in summer.
pointofview
Hamamatsu is nice.
BurakuminDes
No contest. Kyoto, hands down. Even as a tourist I can still find pockets of beauty and serenity, but it is becoming harder. Kobe is quite scenic, too. As for Tokyo, the roads and rail-lines leading out of it are very nice!