It is impossible to travel across Japan without venturing into the Kanto region. Even those who have never been to Japan, or those without extensive knowledge of Japan, have likely heard of Kanto. As Japan’s largest and most diverse region, Kanto is home to major cities such as Tokyo, Yokohama, and Chiba.
For those who have visited the Greater Tokyo Area, it’s easy to understand how big Kanto truly is and how much it offers. If a trip to Japan is in your future, the following places are 100% worth your time and must make it on your itinerary!
Ibaraki
Ibaraki sits northeast of Tokyo and is famous for being the home of Lake Kasumigaura, Japan’s second-largest lake. It is also the Tone River’s home, Japan’s second-longest river. As if those natural wonders weren’t spectacular enough, Ibaraki is also the home to the famous Mount Tsukuba. Nature enthusiasts will have their hands full when visiting Ibaraki, as Kairaku-en, one of the Three Great Gardens of Japan, is also located there.
Tochigi
If a whole and varied vacation is the order of the day, then visiting Tochigi is simply a must. Tochigi Prefecture is located north of Saitama, just outside of Tokyo proper. There are many things to do and experience in Tochigi, from its famous ski resorts to its gorgeous mountain range. Sampling its top-tier sake and relaxing in one of its many onsens is also an excellent action plan. For those interested in experiencing a piece of living history and culture, Nikko is registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, home to many ancient Shinto shrines and temples.
Gunma
Gunma Prefecture is best known for its impressive mountain ranges and ski resorts. It is located north of Saitama, making it very easy and accessible. To say that Gunma is famous for its mountains is an understatement. With Mounts Akagi, Haruna, Kusatsu-Shirane, Myogi, and Tanigawa all nestled within it, Gunma is a mountain enthusiast’s paradise.
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Saitama
Saitama Prefecture offers a nice variety of activities for visitors. Its northwestern area, in particular, is one of its most popular destinations as it encompasses the Chichibu region, full of natural beauty. Saitama is also home to the Seibu-en Theme Park. This park has recently incorporated a Godzilla attraction, a children’s area based on the works of famed mangaka Osamu Tezuka, and an Ultraman attraction. With sports complexes, museums, a theme park, and abundant natural beauty, Saitama is a great place to visit in Japan.
Chiba
Chiba Prefecture is home to Japan’s largest seaport. The Chiba Seaport oversees some of Japan’s highest cargo volumes, making it an essential city for maintaining countless industries nationwide. Beyond the Chiba Seaport, Chiba is also home to Inage Beach, Japan’s first artificial beach, and the Chiba Urban Monorail, the world’s longest suspended monorail, extending up to 9.4 miles. Additionally, their main export is peanuts.
Tokyo
What is there to say about Tokyo, except that it is Japan’s largest and most culturally exciting city? As the world’s largest and most populous central metropolitan area, Tokyo is pulsing with life. Those visiting Tokyo can spend weeks barely scratching the surface of everything to see and do. Fashionistas will have a field day as they explore the famous Harajuku ward. Gamers and anime fans can drop a staggering amount of money in Akihabara.
Nightlife lovers can cross the world-famous Scramble Crossing in Shibuya before exploring its countless shops. Tokyo is home to limitless excitement, with countless stores, museums, theme cafes, and significant landmarks such as Tokyo Toker and the Tokyo Skytree. Tokyo is the place to go for visitors of any age, background, and interest. Just remember not to spend all your time there and to explore the rest of Japan!
Kanagawa
Kanagawa Prefecture is the second-largest metropolitan area in Japan and home to countless major cities worth visiting. Among them is Yokohama, which, until just this year, was famous for being home to a life-size Mobile Suit Gundam. At an impressive 59 feet tall, the Mobile Suit Gundam situated at Yokohama’s Gundam Factory was a moving testament to the series’ immense popularity. As the Gundam has since been decommissioned, fans can take heart in exploring the rest of Yokohama’s fantastic shopping and food experiences.
What makes the Kanto region so unique?
The sheer size, variety of its cities, and national importance make the Kanto region unique in Japan. This is not to say that other regions of Japan are not worth visiting or do not possess their own fantastic culture. Still, the Kanto region is enormous and constitutes Japan’s biggest and most influential political and economic hub. From Tokyo proper to Yokohama and all the other prefectures and regions within it, Kanto is the heart and soul of Japan.
Have you ever been to the Kanto region before? If so, what did you do when you were there? Did you stick to just Tokyo or venture out to other cities to explore Japan’s incredible natural beauty? Let us know in the comments below! We would love to hear about your adventures in Kanto!
