City: Japan
Top Things to do in Japan
Top Hotels in Japan
- 1. Hotel Universal Port Vita
- 2. Hotel Universal Port
- 3. Hotel Nikko Osaka
- 4. Millennium Mitsui Garden Hotel Tokyo
- 5. Hotel Nikko Alivila Yomitan Resort Okinawa
- 6. Mitsui Garden Hotel Kyoto Shinmachi Bettei
- 7. Mitsui Garden Hotel Prana Tokyo Bay
- 8. Shibuya Excel Hotel Tokyu
- 9. The Park Front Hotel at Universal Studios Japan
- 10. The Royal Park Hotel Tokyo Haneda
Countries
What to do and see in Japan, Japan: The Best History Museums
Coordinates: 35°N 136°E / 35°N 136°E / 35; 136
Restaurants in Japan
1. Edo-Tokyo Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,176 reviews
The Tokyo Metropolitan Edo-Tokyo Museum opened its doors in March 1993 as a space to reflect on the history and culture of Edo-Tokyo and envision the city and life of the future. Housed in a unique building modeled after an elevated-floor type warehouse, the museum has been a landmark and popular tourist attraction in Tokyo since its opening. The permanent exhibition, showcasing original objects and replicas, offers visitors a journey through the 400-year history of Edo-Tokyo since Tokugawa Ieyasu entered Edo. In addition to the permanent exhibition, the museum holds special exhibitions at the first floor gallery five to six times a year and carries out various other events, including lectures and workshops on the history and culture of Edo-Tokyo. ※As part of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government’s measures to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus, Edo Tokyo Museum will suspend or cancel museum-organized exhibitions and other events from April 25 (Sun) to May 31 (Tue).
Reviewed By stephanied623 - Milwaukee, United States
When we went, we chose a Saturday to see the live re-enactment of Edo-period music and dance. (Found those details on Peatix) and we were not disappointed! So beautiful! The museum itself was also very impressive. Loved the Bridge and Home Replicas, a few interactive exhibits to touch and try, and the audio guide fits on one ear and starts talking about the exhibit you are near by tapping it to the sign or walking near. Very wonderful sights and experiences here. Beautiful views and explanations and simply an amazing museum all around!
2. Historical Village of Hokkaido (Kaitaku-no Mura)
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 554 reviews
Nearly every kind of private and public building, from farmhouse to sleigh factory, is on display in this fascinating open-air museum.
Reviewed By fivewaves6711 - Singapore, Singapore
Visited this place and we were just about the only visitors at the time we went and the colours of the leaves were beautiful. We understand that this is a historical place, but we were delighted by the colours and the tranquility. Nice place to spend some quiet time to appreciate its beauty during autumn.
3. Hida Minzoka Mura Folk Village (Hida no Sato)
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,522 reviews
Authentic homes moved from a nearby valley and preserved intact make this attraction a very special "open air museum."
Reviewed By Shodby - Mackay, Australia
Coming from Australia snow is a real treat. When we went to the Folk Village on New Years Day it was thick with powdery snow. We could still walk around as the sky was clear and blue. The water wheel was iced over and the thatched roofs had a foot of white powder. I was glad it was open however some of the areas such as the 500 year old hilltop castle were closed due to safety reasons.
4. Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 6,977 reviews
This park commemorates the explosion of the first atomic bomb, and houses the Peace Memorial Museum and monuments related to the horrific event.
Reviewed By Dan06101973 - Toowoomba, Australia
This is perhaps one of the most moving experiences we had during our Japanese holiday. The Atomic Dome, Peace Park and Museum are all captivating, with many deeply personal stories and reflections. There is an audiovisual display that gives a depiction of the bomb dropping which depicts Hiroshima both before and after the event which is extremely thought-provoking and intense. If you travel to Japan you must visit this site - you will not be disappointed.
5. Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,992 reviews
Jarring, horrific reminders of the devastation caused by the August 9, 1945 bombing of Nagasaki fill this historic and educational museum, which traces events preceding the bombing, the resulting destruction and the city’s restoration.
Reviewed By Rumples - Tucson, United States
A friend and I visited this moving museum on a weekday morning in early October. We had come to see how Nagasaki portrayed the effects of the Aug. 9, 1945, atomic bomb drop on the city. The curators have chosen to tell a story, presenting Nagasaki before the bomb fell; immediately after the explosion; and today. They weave explanations of historical details within the story and show what happened through photos, videos, artifacts and much more. The conclusion focuses on the need for peace and the end of nuclear weapons, made abundantly clear by the bomb's destruction of the city and the killing of at least 74,000 people. Those, who survived, would often have to endure physical ailments from the radiation and psychological trauma. As soon as I entered the exhibition hall, I felt uneasy, looking at a giant black-and- white photo of Nagasaki as it appeared before the bomb fell. That's because I knew what would be ahead for the thriving city. A recovered wall clock frozen at 11:02 a.m. soon appeared, marking the exact time that the horrors began. Displays feature English descriptions and include photos of the atomic wasteland that Nagasaki became, along with stories of that fateful day from survivors, including heroic rescue work. Artifacts damaged from the flash of heat range from a 14-year-old girl's lunch box with rice charred from the fire to six green glass bottles melted at the top and stuck together, which were found in a store's ruins. A helmet with the remains of a skull inside is one of the more grisly items. I found information on the bomb itself to be especially interesting. A life-size model of the one used on Nagasaki is displayed and called "Fat Man," because of its appearance. A video shows the military loading Fat Man and transporting it to the plane for the mission. There is also a photo taken from the plane that shows the mushroom cloud rising into the sky after the blast. We went through the relatively small museum in about 1 hour. It cost 200 Y (about $1.89 U.S.) to enter. A corridor leads from the museum to the adjacent Nagasaki National Peace Memorial Hall for the Atomic Bomb Victims. There is no fee to enter the Memorial Hall. Both are located near ground zero for the blast and the Nagasaki Peace Park. To reach the museum, we took the blue line to the Matsuyamamachi tram stop and then walked for about 4 minutes.
6. The Museum Meijimura
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 494 reviews
Beautifully located on a hillside facing Lake Iruka, it occupies an area of 1,000,000m2, where currently over sixty Meiji buildings have been brought and rebuilt. On display inside the buildings are furniture and other items of interst, objects of reference related to the respective buildings, and temporary exhibitions of historic materials as occasions call. The Meiji-mura offers the Japanese people a place of social education, where they can discover and have first-hand contact with the form and spirit of the Meiji period. We also believe that the Meiji-mura, as an evidence of East-West cultural exchange, can be helpful to enhance mutual understanding between the peoples of Japan and other countries of the world.
Reviewed By Lextrike - Manila, Philippines
The museum can be reach by taking a bus from Inuyama Station. The bus from the station to the museum takes about 20 to 30 minutes, depending on the traffic. This is the last stop of the line. From there, you'll be needing to pay for the entrance fee in order to go inside the large open museum! You can try discount tickets/ promos Meitetsu is offering. The open area is composed of different establishment during the Meiji period comprising of schools, churches, offices, shops, and even real life stream trains. When you are inside, you can really feel the industrial era of Japan! Be sure to allocate a lot of time if you wanted to really appreciate all the structures inside.
7. National Museum of Japanese History
8. Noguchi Hideyo Memorial
9. Saga Castle Hommaru History Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 237 reviews
This museum building is a faithful reconstruction of the Saga Castle main palace, built by the tenth domain lord Nabeshima Naomasa in 1838. It was rebuilt based on archaeological findings, old photographs, and diagrams from the Edo Period. Only one-third of the original complex has been restored, but it is still the largest scale wooden building restoration project in Japan, and the first restoration of a castle’s main palace. More than 700 tatami mats cover the floor of this museum, and in this vast space, many exhibits introducing Saga in the 19th century can be seen in the form of historical materials, footage and models. You will find that this museum is completely flat; this is because it was originally designed as a flat-structured building on one level in the Edo Period. Now, allow yourself to slip back in time to Saga during the Edo Period. Please enjoy your visit.
Reviewed By 30milenag - Warsaw, Poland
Beautiful and worth seeing place with very nice staff, audio tour in English for free. Must see in Saga.
