Overview

Places of interest in Japan

Overview
1 Tokyo
Japan's capital of temples, towers and food
9.7
Japan's capital on Tokyo Bay, a huge city made up of distinct districts that each feel like their own town. Old temples, neon crossings, tall towers and food at every price are only a short train ride apart.
Highlights:
  • 🖼️ Visit the teamLab digital art museum
  • 🌆 Enjoy panoramic city views from observation decks
  • 🍣 Savour sushi at a local eatery
2 Gion
Wooden teahouse lanes where geiko work
9.6
Kyoto's best known geisha district, centred on wooden teahouses along Hanamikoji Street and the Shirakawa canal. Yasaka Shrine and Shijo Street frame its edges, so evening walks pass lanterns, restaurants and teahouses on every side.
Highlights:
  • 🍵 Join a tea ceremony in a centuries-old teahouse
  • 🍱 Dine at a traditional Kaiseki restaurant overlooking the Shirakawa River
  • 👘 Spot a geisha or maiko walking along Hanamikoji Street
1 Fushimi Inari-taisha
Thousands of torii gates up a Kyoto mountain
The head shrine of Japan's Inari shrines, in southern Kyoto, with thousands of orange torii gates along paths up a forested mountain. It costs nothing to enter and foxes appear everywhere as the deity's messengers.
Highlights:
  • 🥾 Hike to mountain summit for serene shrine views
  • 🦊 Visit fox statues, messengers of the Inari deity
  • ⛩️ Walk through the iconic vermillion Senbon Torii gates tunnel
2 Fushimi Inari Shrine
Tourism Information
3 Kiyomizu-dera
Kyoto's hillside temple with the wooden stage
A hillside Buddhist temple in eastern Kyoto, known for a wooden stage built out from the main hall over the slope. It has a three-stream waterfall, a shrine for romance and views across the city.
Highlights:
  • ❤️ Visit Jishu Shrine and try the love fortune stones challenge
  • 💧 Drink from Otowa Waterfall’s streams for luck and longevity
  • 🌆 Stand on Kiyomizu Stage for panoramic Kyoto city views
3 Akihabara
Electronics, anime and retro games district
9.5
Tokyo's electric town, a compact shopping district of electronics stores, anime and manga shops, retro game stores and arcades around the station. The main street goes car-free on Sunday afternoons, which makes browsing easier.
Highlights:
  • 🕹️ Browse retro video games and consoles at Super Potato
  • ☕ Visit themed maid cafés for a quirky otaku experience
  • 🎌 Shop for anime and manga merchandise
1 Tokyo Disneyland
Seven themed lands east of central Tokyo
A Disney theme park in Urayasu, Chiba, east of central Tokyo, with seven themed lands plus parades and shows. It's the first Disney park outside the United States and shares its resort with Tokyo DisneySea.
Highlights:
  • 📸 Meet Mickey and take photos in World Bazaar
  • 🎇 Watch the magical nighttime fireworks over Cinderella Castle
  • 🎢 Ride the iconic Splash Mountain and get soaked
4 Sensō-ji
Tokyo's oldest temple beyond a red lantern gate
Tokyo's oldest Buddhist temple, founded in the 7th century in Asakusa. A red lantern gate and the Nakamise shopping street lead to the main hall and a five-storey pagoda, with free entry to the grounds.
Highlights:
  • 🎐 Draw a sacred omikuji fortune and tie it nearby
  • 🛍️ Browse traditional shops along Nakamise Street for souvenirs
  • ⛩️ Walk through the thunder gate Kaminarimon and enter the temple
5 Tokyo Skytree
Japan's tallest tower with two sky decks
Highlights:
  • 🌃 See the tower illuminated in changing seasonal colours at night
  • 🛍️ Shop for local souvenirs inside Tokyo Solamachi mall
  • 🌆 Admire panoramic views of Tokyo from the observation deck
6 Ueno Zoo
Japan's oldest zoo beside a pagoda
Japan's oldest zoo, set inside a sizeable Tokyo park alongside museums and a pond. More than 3,000 animals live here while a seventeenth-century pagoda is among the enclosures. Allow half a day for the visit.
Highlights:
  • 🦍 Visit Japan's oldest zoo and its gorillas
  • 🦓 Spot rare animals like the okapi and shoebill
  • 🌳 Stroll through Ueno Park and around Shinobazu Pond
1 Narita International Airport
Gateway to Japan's Wonders
Serving Tokyo and surrounding regions, Narita International Airport connects to over 300 global destinations. Modern terminals offer efficient transfers, extensive retail options and convenient rail links into Japan’s capital daily.
4 Yamanashi
Mount Fuji's north side, lakes and wine
9.4
A mountain prefecture west of Tokyo with the northern slopes of Mount Fuji and the Fuji Five Lakes. Its basin vineyards make much of Japan's wine and fruit orchards grow in the valleys. Hoto noodle stew is the local dish.
Highlights:
  • 🌅 Explore Lake Kawaguchi's sunrise reflections of Mt. Fuji
  • 🍇 Pick grapes and peaches in Yamanashi's fruit orchards
  • 🚡 Taste hōtō, Yamanashi's hearty flat noodle stew
1 Lake Kawaguchi
Mirror-like lake with the best Fuji views
Highlights:
  • ♨️ Relax in an onsen overlooking Mount Fuji
  • 🛶 Cruise across Lake Kawaguchi for mountain views
  • 📸 Capture Mount Fuji’s perfect reflection on the lake
5 Hokkaido
Volcanoes, powder snow and fresh seafood
9.3
Japan's northern island, home to Sapporo, volcanic national parks, powder-snow ski resorts, lavender fields, hot springs and seafood from three seas. Distances are large, so most trips focus on one or two regions of the island.
Highlights:
  • 🚤 Explore historic Otaru Canal and its shops
  • 🏂 Ski or snowboard in world-famous Niseko resorts
  • 💧 Visit the spectacular Shirogane Blue Pond
6 Naoshima
Art museums on a Seto Inland Sea island
9.3
An art island off the coast of Kagawa Prefecture on Shikoku. Tadao Ando's museums and village art houses are spread across the island. Reservations matter, since the Chichu Art Museum only admits visitors with a booked time.
Highlights:
  • 🚤 Ride the scenic ferry to Teshima for tranquil views
  • 🎨 Stroll through Chichu Art Museum's underground galleries
  • 🏞️ Explore Naoshima's art islands, visit Benesse House
2 Okayama Airport
Compact Gateway to Japan’s Heartland
Serving Okayama Prefecture and surrounding regions, this airport offers domestic flights to major Japanese hubs and seasonal international routes. Modern facilities include a single terminal, efficient check‑in and convenient access via rail and highway.
3 Takamatsu Airport
Gateway to Shikoku Island
Serving Shikoku's western coast, this airport connects to major Japanese hubs and offers convenient access to Okayama’s cultural sites, hot springs, the Seto Inland Sea, nearby islands and regional exploration.
7 Shinjuku
Skyscrapers, neon bars and a huge station
9.3
Tokyo's major entertainment and business hub, built around the world's busiest train station. Skyscrapers are to the west, while Kabukicho and the tiny bars of Golden Gai light up the northeast after dark.
Highlights:
  • 🦖 Snap a photo with the giant Godzilla head in Kabukicho
  • 🌳 Stroll the beautiful Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden
  • 🌆 Visit the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building observation decks
8 Higashiyama
Temples, geisha lanes and stone steps
9.2
The eastern hillside of Kyoto, home to Kiyomizu-dera and the old lanes of Gion. Wooden teahouses, temples and shrines line the slopes, linked by walkable lanes that make an easy route between the major sights.
Highlights:
  • 🛍️ Explore Ninenzaka and Sannenzaka shopping alleys
  • 🏯 Visit Kiyomizu‑dera temple and snap sunset photos
  • 🌅 Stroll through historic Higashiyama streets at dawn
9 Koyasan
Temple town with monastery stays
9.2
A mountain-top temple town in Wakayama Prefecture and the centre of Shingon Buddhism since the early Heian period. It has more than 100 temples and many let visitors stay overnight and eat vegetarian monastery meals.
Highlights:
  • 📿 Participate in morning chanting at Kongobu‑ji Temple
  • 🏯 Stay overnight in a temple lodging (shukubo)
  • 🗻 Climb to the summit of Mount Kōya's sacred peak
2 Mount Yoshino
Japan's most famous cherry blossom mountain
A heavily forested mountain in Nara Prefecture covered by roughly 30,000 cherry trees that bloom from the valley up to the summit. The mountain is also a sacred site with centuries-old temples and pilgrim trails.
Highlights:
  • 🌸 See thousands of cherry trees bloom across the mountainside
  • ⛩️ Explore the sacred temples of Kinpusen-ji
  • 🍂 Admire fiery autumn foliage along the mountain trails
10 Nyuto Onsen
Seven secluded onsen inns in beech forest
9.2
A cluster of seven hot spring inns along one mountain road in Akita Prefecture, inside Towada-Hachimantai National Park. Each draws on its own springs. The oldest, Tsurunoyu, has been taking guests since the Edo period.
Highlights:
  • 🥩 Taste yamanoimo nabe, a hearty mountain yam hot pot
  • 🏞️ Hop between Nyuto's hot spring inns with a Yumeguri pass
  • ♨️ Soak in the milky-white outdoor bath at Tsurunoyu
4 Hanamaki Airport
Gateway to Scenic Northern Japan
Serving northern Japan's Iwate Prefecture, this regional airport connects major cities via domestic flights and offers convenient access to nearby ski resorts, hot springs and cultural sites for tourists looking to explore the region.
11 Kyoto
Temples, geisha districts and kaiseki dining
9.2
Japan's imperial capital for over a thousand years, with UNESCO-listed temples, geisha districts, Zen gardens and some of the country's finest cooking. Tokyo is about 2 hours 15 minutes away by Shinkansen and Osaka just 15 minutes.
Highlights:
  • ⛩️ Climb the vermillion torii gates at Fushimi Inari Shrine
  • 🍱 Experience Japan’s beautifully presented Kaiseki dining at a traditional restaurant
  • 🎋 Stroll through the magical Arashiyama bamboo forest early in the morning
2 KYOTO SAMURAI NINJA MUSEUM With Experience (Experience Floor of the Kyoto Samurai Ninja Museum)
POI
7 Ryoan-ji
Zen temple with Japan's famous rock garden
A Zen temple in northwest Kyoto with a dry garden of fifteen stones in raked white gravel. It's a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a short trip from Kinkaku-ji, so both fit into one morning.
Highlights:
  • 🧘‍♂️ Practice mindfulness in the tranquil temple grounds
  • 🌿 Walk the serene paths around Kyoyo Pond
  • 🪨 Contemplate the famous 15-stone Zen rock garden
8 Kinkaku-ji
Gold leaf pavilion beside a mirror pond
A gold-leaf temple pavilion beside a reflecting pond in northern Kyoto. The present building dates from 1955 and the grounds hold a tea house, a small waterfall and mossy garden paths to wander.
Highlights:
  • 🍵 Enjoy panoramic views of Kinkaku-ji from Sekkatei teahouse hilltop
  • 🌿 Stroll through traditional Muromachi-period stroll garden surrounding the temple
  • 🏯 Marvel at Kinkaku-ji’s dazzling golden pavilion reflected in Kyoko-chi Pond
9 Nijō Castle
The Tokugawa shogun's Kyoto palace and gardens
A UNESCO-listed shogun's residence in central Kyoto, built in 1603 and ringed by double moats. Its palace has painted screens and squeaking nightingale floors. A traditional garden designed by Kobori Enshu is beside it.
Highlights:
  • 🌸 Wander traditional gardens showcasing seasonal Japanese beauty
  • 🖼️ Admire exquisite Edo-period paintings inside Ninomaru Palace
  • 🎶 Hear the eerie chirping on Nijo Castle’s Nightingale Floors
3 Arashiyama Bamboo Grove
Kyoto's famous bamboo lane in Arashiyama
Highlights:
  • 🚣‍♂️ Drift along the Katsura River with Arashiyama's hills as backdrop, avoiding the crowds
  • 🐒 Meet wild monkeys at Iwatayama Monkey Park above Arashiyama
  • 🎋 Stroll through the magical Arashiyama bamboo forest early in the morning
12 Yamaguchi
Hagi castle town, Iwakuni bridge and fugu
9.1
The westernmost prefecture of Honshu, facing Kyushu across the Kanmon Strait. Hagi is a samurai castle town with five World Heritage sites and Iwakuni has its arched Kintaikyo Bridge. Shimonoseki is the port city known for fugu.
Highlights:
  • 🦪 Taste fresh oysters from local aquaculture farms
  • 🌊 Walk through the undersea Kanmon Tunnel from Shimonoseki to Kyushu
  • 🏯 Explore the historic Rurikoji Temple’s five-storey pagoda
13 Iriomote-Ishigaki National Park
Coral lagoon, mangroves and Iriomote jungle
9.1
Japan's southernmost national park covers islands of the Yaeyama group in Okinawa Prefecture. It protects Iriomote's jungle and mangroves and the Sekisei Lagoon coral reef. Ishigaki is the hub and ferries reach the other islands.
Highlights:
  • 🏔️ Hike through the jungle to Pinaisara Falls
  • 🛶 Kayak up the mangrove-lined Urauchi River on Iriomote
  • 🤿 Snorkel at Iriomote's crystal clear mangrove lagoons
14 Shibuya
Tokyo's scramble crossing and youth fashion hub
9.0
A shopping and entertainment district in southwest Tokyo built around one of the city's busiest rail stations. You can walk the scramble crossing, go up a skyscraper observation deck and eat late into the night.
Highlights:
  • 🛍️ Shop cutting-edge fashion in Shibuya 109’s trendy boutiques
  • 🐕 See Hachikō’s statue and learn its touching story
  • 🚶🏻 Walk the world's busiest crossing in Shibuya and watch the crowds on their way to work
10 Meiji Jingu Shrine
A forest shrine beside Harajuku
A Shinto shrine in central Tokyo set in a forest of roughly 100,000 trees. It honours Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken and is a calm walk away from the busy streets of Harajuku.
Highlights:
  • 🌸 Stroll through the serene forest paths, especially during cherry blossom season
  • 📝 Participate in traditional Shinto rituals, like writing wishes on ema
  • 👘 Make a wish at the iconic Tori Gate and soak in the tranquil atmosphere
11 Shibuya Crossing
Tokyo's famous all-direction pedestrian scramble
A scramble intersection outside Shibuya Station where traffic stops and upwards of 1,000 people can cross from every direction at once. It's free and always open, with the best views from the Shibuya Sky deck.
Highlights:
  • 🐕 Snap a photo beside the loyal Hachiko statue
  • ☕ Watch the organised chaos from a nearby café window
  • 🚶🏻 Cross the world’s busiest intersection with the crowds
12 Tokyo Tower
1958 steel tower with two observation decks
A {{distance:m:333}} steel broadcasting tower in Minato Ward, opened in 1958, with observation decks at {{distance:m:150}} and {{distance:m:250}}. The tower is lit through the year, so evening visits come with a bright city view.
Highlights:
  • 🌃 See the tower's vibrant illumination after dark
  • 🏢 Visit the FootTown building with museums and restaurants
  • 🌇 Climb to the main observation deck for city views
3 IMMERSIVE FORT TOKYO
Theme Park
5 Tokyo Haneda International Airport
Gateway to the Heart of Tokyo
Serving Tokyo’s eastern suburbs, this major hub offers extensive domestic and international flights. Modern terminals feature efficient transit, retail options and direct access to the city via rail and highway connections.
15 Arima Onsen
Gold and silver springs behind Mount Rokko
8.9
A hot spring town within Kobe's city limits on the far side of Mount Rokko. Two kinds of water feed the public baths and ryokan, brown iron-rich kinsen and clear carbonated ginsen. The compact centre is easy to walk.
Highlights:
  • 🍜 Stroll through Arima's scenic streets and taste local soba noodles
  • 🏯 Explore the historic Arima Ryokan for authentic Japanese hospitality
  • 🛁 Soothe muscles at Arima Onsen's hot spring baths
16 Utsunomiya
Gyoza city with stone quarry caverns
8.9
The capital of Tochigi Prefecture, about 50 minutes north of Tokyo by Shinkansen. It's known for gyoza and for Oya, where an old stone quarry is now an underground museum. Some travellers use it as a base for Nikko.
Highlights:
  • 🛒 Sip cocktails in Utsunomiya's renowned bar scene
  • 🏰 Explore the vast underground quarry at the Oya History Museum
  • 🍜 Taste Utsunomiya's famous gyoza at a local restaurant
4 Ashikaga Flower Park
Giant wisteria trellis and winter light show
A flower garden in Tochigi Prefecture, approximately two hours from Tokyo by train, with a wisteria over 160 years old on a trellis of {{area:m2:1000}}. Millions of LED lights illuminate the park on winter evenings.
Highlights:
  • 🌟 Enjoy evening illuminations highlighting blossoms
  • 📸 Photograph vibrant seasonal flowers across the park
  • 🌸 Walk beneath the stunning wisteria tunnel in bloom
13 Kairaku-en
A plum blossom garden in Mito
One of Japan's three great landscape gardens, created in Mito in the nineteenth century and open to the general public from the start. Approximately 3,000 plum trees make late winter the ideal time to visit.
Highlights:
  • 🍵 Experience tea ceremony at the traditional teahouse
  • 🏞️ Admire the iconic koi pond and pavilion views
  • 🌸 Stroll through the historic Kairaku-en garden's autumn foliage
14 Hitachi Seaside Park
Blue nemophila hills above the Pacific coast
A {{area:km2:2.15}} coastal park in Ibaraki famous for millions of blue nemophila flowers on a hilltop each spring. Tulips, red kochia bushes in autumn and a small amusement area add other reasons to visit.
Highlights:
  • 🌾 See the hills turn bright red with kochia in autumn
  • 🚴‍♂️ Rent a bicycle and ride coastal paths
  • 🌸 Explore blooming nemophila fields at sunrise
5 Bamboo Forest Wakayama Farm
Quiet moso bamboo grove with night lighting
A bamboo grove on a {{area:km2:0.24}} working farm in northern Utsunomiya, quieter than Kyoto's famous groves and lit up after dark on weekends. Utsunomiya Station is about 30 minutes away by bus or by car.
Highlights:
  • ✨ Create your own bamboo lamp or other goods in their craft workshop
  • 🎥 See where famous films and adverts were shot
  • 🌱 Explore many kinds of bamboo in Four Seasons Forest
6 Ibaraki Airport
Tokyo’s Relaxed Third Gateway
Serving Ibaraki Prefecture, this regional airport connects Tokyo and Osaka via frequent domestic flights. Modern facilities include a single terminal, parking and easy access to local attractions by bus or train.
17 Mie
Ise Shrine, ninja country and spiny lobster
8.8
A long coastal prefecture on the Pacific side of Honshu between Nagoya and the Kii Peninsula. Ise Jingu is its best known site, with the Naiku and Geku sanctuaries. Ninja towns and spiny lobster add very different reasons to visit.
Highlights:
  • 🐬 Explore Toba Aquarium and its huge variety of sea life
  • 🏖️ Relax on Goza Shirahama Beach in Shima and swim in clear waters
  • ⛩️ Visit the iconic Ise Grand Shrine at sunrise
7 Chūbu Centrair International Airport
A Modern Gateway by the Sea
Serving Nagoya and central Japan, this modern hub connects to over 70 international destinations. Its spacious terminal offers efficient transfers, retail options and panoramic views of the surrounding bay for.
18 Yakushima
Ancient cedars, mossy forest and waterfalls
8.8
A mountainous subtropical island off southern Kyushu, home to one of Japan's first natural World Heritage sites and cedars thousands of years old. You can hike mossy ravines, see waterfalls and watch sea turtles come ashore in early summer.
Highlights:
  • 🐒 Spot Yakushima macaques and deer along forest trails
  • 🌳 See Jomon Sugi, Japan’s legendary 7,000-year-old cedar tree
  • 🌲 Hike through the ancient cedar forests of Shiratani Unsuikyo
19 Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park
Fuji, Hakone, Izu and volcanic islands
8.8
A national park of four separate areas that cover Mount Fuji, the Hakone caldera, the Izu Peninsula and the Izu Islands south of Tokyo. Onsen towns, lakes, volcano trails and sea views are all reachable from Tokyo.
Highlights:
  • 🥚 Explore volcanic vents and black eggs at Owakudani
  • ♨️ Relax in Hakone’s renowned hot spring baths
  • 🗻 Climb iconic Mount Fuji for sunrise views
6 Mount Fuji
Japan's highest peak and sacred volcano
A snow-capped volcano {{distance:m:3776}} high west of Tokyo and the tallest peak in Japan. You can climb it from July to early September or see it from the lakes and foothills nearby.
Highlights:
  • 🚣‍♀️ Explore Lake Kawaguchi with stunning views of Mount Fuji
  • 🚠 Take a scenic ride on the Mt. Fuji Panoramic Ropeway
  • 🌄 Climb to the summit for sunrise views and achievement
20 Kurokawa Onsen
Riverside bath hopping in a Kumamoto valley
8.8
A hot spring village in a forested valley north of Mount Aso, where around 25 ryokan open their outdoor baths to visitors through a wooden pass. It works as a day trip but really comes into its own overnight.
Highlights:
  • 🏮 Enjoy seasonal lantern festivals lighting the village
  • 👘 Stroll the charming streets in traditional yukata robes
  • ♨️ Use the wooden pass for onsen hopping across baths
21 Toyota
Car capital with Korankei maple gorge
8.7
A city in Aichi Prefecture east of Nagoya, headquarters of Toyota Motor and home to the Toyota Kaikan museum. Its mountain district of Asuke has Korankei Gorge, one of the best known autumn leaf spots in the Tokai region.
Highlights:
  • 🏭 Explore Toyota's industrial park and production facilities
  • 🏢 Walk through Toyota City Hall's modern architecture
  • 🚗 Tour the Toyota Kaikan Museum to see the latest cars and technology
7 Korankei Gorge
Autumn maples along a Tomoe River gorge
A river gorge in the hills of Toyota City, Aichi Prefecture, lined with about 3,000 Japanese maples. Late November brings colour, a bridge at the centre of the valley and evening illumination on the hillside.
Highlights:
  • 🎉 Attend the lively Korankei Maple Festival in November
  • 🌉 Photograph the iconic Taigetsukyo Bridge over Tomoe River
  • 🍁 Walk the maple tree tunnels and vibrant autumn trails
15 Higashiyama Zoo and Botanical Gardens
Koalas, gorillas and a hillside botanical garden
A large hillside zoo and botanical garden in Nagoya with koalas, gorillas, elephants and a big greenhouse. The underground stops a three-minute walk from the entrance while the grounds can easily fill a whole day.
Highlights:
  • 🐨 Meet the koalas at one of Japan's best zoos
  • 🌺 Stroll through the historic botanical gardens and greenhouse
  • 🗼 Ride up Higashiyama Sky Tower for views over Nagoya
22 Miyajima
Torii in the sea, deer and Mount Misen
8.6
A small island in the Seto Inland Sea near Hiroshima, home to a UNESCO-listed shrine built over the water and a large torii gate in the sea. Wild deer roam the town streets and a ropeway goes up Mount Misen.
Highlights:
  • 🍁 Stroll through Momijidani Park’s maple trees in autumn
  • 🏔️ Climb Mount Misen for panoramic views of the Seto Inland Sea
  • ⛩️ Admire the floating torii gate of Itsukushima Shrine at high tide
23 Nikko
Tokugawa shrines, waterfalls and hot springs
8.6
A Tochigi Prefecture mountain city roughly two hours north of Tokyo by train, home to Toshogu and the other World Heritage shrines and temples. Lake Chuzenji, Kegon Falls and hot spring towns make it worth more than a day.
Highlights:
  • 💦 Admire the majestic Kegon Falls viewpoint
  • 🌉 Cross the striking vermilion Shinkyo Bridge
  • ⛩️ Visit the ornate Nikko Toshogu Shrine complex
8 Mount Nantai
Peak
24 Echigo Yuzawa
Snow country ski resorts and sake
8.6
A snowy onsen town in southern Niigata, about 80 minutes from Tokyo on the Shinkansen, with a dozen or so ski areas nearby. The station even has a sake tasting shop with more than 100 Niigata sakes to try.
Highlights:
  • 🥾 Explore scenic hiking trails in summer
  • 🎿 Ski or snowboard at Naeba Ski Resort
  • ♨️ Soak in famous Echigo Yuzawa hot springs
8 Niigata Airport
Coastal Access to Japan’s Sea
Serving Niigata Prefecture, this airport connects the region to major Japanese cities and international destinations. Modern facilities include a single terminal, efficient baggage handling and nearby rail access for convenient travel.
25 Hakone
Onsen town with Fuji views and lake cruises
8.6
A mountain onsen town southwest of Tokyo around Lake Ashi and the Owakudani volcanic valley. A loop of train, cable car, ropeway and boat links the main sights and Mount Fuji appears across the lake on clear days.
Highlights:
  • 🚠 Take a scenic ride on the Hakone Ropeway
  • 🖼️ Explore stunning sculptures at Hakone Open-Air Museum
  • ♨️ Soak in relaxing waters of Hakone Onsen hot springs
26 Noboribetsu
Steaming hell valley and nine spring types
8.5
A spa resort in southwestern Hokkaido where steam rises from a volcanic crater called Hell Valley. Nine types of spring water feed its baths and a free natural footbath, with a demon festival in late August.
Highlights:
  • 🐻 Meet Japanese macaques at the Noboribetsu Bear Park
  • 🌋 Walk through the steaming volcanic valley of Jigokudani
  • ♨️ Soak in natural hot springs at Noboribetsu Onsen resort
9 New Chitose Airport
Gateway to Hokkaido's Wonders
Serving as Hokkaido’s main gateway, this airport connects to major Japanese cities and international destinations. Modern facilities include extensive retail options, efficient transit services and panoramic views of the surrounding landscape.
27 Kamikochi
Clear river valley beneath the Hotaka Range
8.5
A high mountain valley in Japan's Northern Alps with the Azusa River among marshes and forest beneath jagged peaks. Private cars are banned, so visitors arrive by bus and explore on flat, easy walking paths along the river.
Highlights:
  • 🍂 Admire autumn foliage along Kamikochi’s forest trails
  • 🗻 Hike to Myojin Pond surrounded by sacred mountains
  • 🌉 Walk the scenic Kappa Bridge overlooking the Azusa River
16 Narai-juku
Edo-period post town on the Nakasendo
A well-preserved Edo-period post town in Nagano's Kiso Valley, with about {{distance:km:1}} of wooden merchant houses on the old Nakasendo road. The main street takes about an hour or two to walk leisurely.
Highlights:
  • 🍜 Sample local soba noodles at a centuries‑old teahouse
  • 🚶‍♂️ Stroll along the historic Tōkaidō trail and photograph traditional inns
  • 🏯 Explore the preserved post-station streets of Narai-juku
28 Chūbu-Sangaku National Park
Northern Alps peaks, snow walls and onsen
8.5
A mountain park of the Northern Japan Alps spanning Toyama, Nagano, Gifu and Niigata with peaks near {{distance:m:3000}}. You can cross the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route, walk the flat valley of Kamikochi and soak in alpine hot springs.
Highlights:
  • ♨️ Soak in natural hot springs surrounded by mountain scenery
  • 🏔️ Climb Mount Hotaka or Mount Yari for panoramic views
  • 🥾 Hike through the dramatic alpine landscapes of Kamikōchi Valley
10 Toyama Airport
Scenic Gateway to the Japanese Alps
Serving Toyama Prefecture in Japan's Hokuriku region, this airport connects to major cities via domestic flights and offers scenic views of the Japanese Alps from its runway. It supports regional tourism and business travel.
29 Osaka
Castle, neon canals and street food
8.5
A commercial hub in Japan's Kansai region, known for its castle, the neon canal street of Dotonbori and a food culture built on takoyaki and okonomiyaki. Kyoto is 15 minutes away by Shinkansen, so Osaka works well as a base.
Highlights:
  • 🐠 Visit the Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan, one of the world’s largest
  • 🍢 Feast on street food at Dotonbori and see the neon lights
  • 🏯 Explore Osaka Castle and wander through its scenic park
17 Osaka Castle
Historic Castle
18 Love Stone Project EXPO 2025
Artwork
11 Kansai International Airport
Japan's Iconic Island Gateway
Serving Osaka and surrounding regions, Kansai International Airport sits on a man‑made island in Osaka Bay. It offers extensive domestic and international connections, modern facilities and easy access to major Japanese cities.
12 Osaka International Airport
Compact Hub Near Downtown Osaka
Serving the Kansai region, this airport offers extensive domestic flights and convenient connections to Kyoto, Kobe and Nara. Modern terminals feature efficient security, a variety of dining options and easy access via rail.
30 Kamakura
Great Buddha, Zen temples and surf beaches
8.5
A coastal former shogun capital south of Tokyo with an outdoor bronze Great Buddha, hillside Zen temples and surf beaches. It's about an hour by train from the capital, which makes it popular as a day trip.
Highlights:
  • 🎋 Walk the bamboo groves of Hokokuji Zen Temple
  • 🌸 Explore Hasedera Temple’s gardens and sea views
  • 🗿 Visit the Great Buddha statue at Kotoku-in Temple
9 Enoshima
Shrine island with caves and sea views
A small island reached by a {{distance:m:400}} bridge from the Shonan coast near Kamakura. Visitors climb past three shrines to a lighthouse tower and explore sea caves, with Mount Fuji in view on clear days.
Highlights:
  • 🕳️ Visit the mysterious Iwaya Sea Caves carved by waves
  • ⛩️ Explore historic Enoshima Shrine dedicated to goddess Benzaiten
  • 🌅 Climb Enoshima Sea Candle lighthouse for panoramic views
31 Shibu Onsen
Nine public baths and cobbled lanes
8.5
A mountain onsen village in Nagano Prefecture with nine public bathhouses along narrow cobbled lanes, about 10 minutes by bus from Yudanaka Station. Snow monkeys that bathe in a nearby valley are reached on a forest trail.
Highlights:
  • 👘 Stroll historic streets wearing yukata robes
  • 🐒 Visit Jigokudani Monkey Park to see bathing snow monkeys
  • ♨️ Soak in nine unique public hot spring baths
10 Jigokudani Monkey Park
Zoo
32 Kyushu
Volcanoes, onsen and tonkotsu ramen
8.4
Japan's southwesternmost main island, home to Mount Aso's huge caldera, the hot spring towns of Beppu and Yufuin and Fukuoka's tonkotsu ramen. A Shinkansen line runs the length of the island in around 90 minutes.
Highlights:
  • 🕊️ Explore historic Nagasaki Peace Park memorial
  • 🥾 Hike scenic trails at Mount Aso volcanic caldera
  • ♨️ Relax in Beppu’s famous hot spring baths
11 Shirakawa Spring
Aso spring that feeds Kumamoto's river
A spring in the southern Aso caldera where roughly 60 tons of {{temperature:14}} water emerge every minute. It feeds the river through Kumamoto City and visitors can fill bottles with spring water at no charge.
Highlights:
  • 💧 See crystal-clear water bubble up from the spring
  • ⛩️ Visit the quiet Shirakawa Yoshimi Shrine beside the spring
  • 🌋 Drive across the Aso caldera for views of Mount Aso
13 Kagoshima Airport
Gateway to Southern Kyushu
Located on Kyushu’s southern coast, this airport serves as a gateway to volcanic landscapes and historic sites. It offers frequent domestic flights and convenient access to the city’s hot springs and Sakurajima volcano.
14 Kumamoto Airport
Gateway to Aso and Kumamoto
Serving Kumamoto City and surrounding regions, this airport offers domestic flights to major Japanese hubs and seasonal international routes. Modern facilities include a spacious terminal, efficient baggage handling and convenient ground transport connections.
15 Miyazaki Airport
Bougainvillea Scented Gateway
Serving Kyushu’s southern coast, this airport connects to major Japanese hubs and offers direct flights to Asia’s key cities. Modern terminal facilities and scenic views of the Pacific make arrivals pleasant.
33 Kerama Shoto National Park
Kerama blue seas, coral and whales
8.4
A group of more than 30 islands and reefs about {{distance:km:40}} west of Naha, protected as a national park since 2014. Clear water, coral and winter humpback whales draw snorkellers and divers on boats from Naha.
Highlights:
  • 🐢 Spot sea turtles while diving around Tokashiki Island
  • 🛶 Take a scenic glass-bottom boat tour over turquoise waters
  • 🤿 Snorkel among vibrant coral reefs and tropical fish
16 Naha Airport
Okinawa’s Tropical Air Gateway
This gateway to Okinawa’s turquoise coast connects Tokyo and Osaka via Naha Airport. Its modern terminal offers seamless transit, a rooftop garden overlooking the harbor and quick access to Shuri Castle and local street markets.
34 Himeji
Famed white castle and samurai gardens
8.4
A city in Hyogo Prefecture whose white castle is above the centre and draws visitors from across Japan. The castle, its neighbouring garden and the shopping streets are all within walking distance of the station.
Highlights:
  • ⛰️ Hike Mount Shosha and visit Engyoji Temple
  • 🌸 Stroll through the tranquil Koko-en Japanese Garden
  • 🏯 Explore the majestic and historic Himeji Castle
19 Himeji Castle
Historic Castle
35 Okinawa Island
Reef beaches and Ryukyu Kingdom heritage
8.4
A subtropical island between the East China Sea and the Pacific with reef beaches, Ryukyu Kingdom castle sites and a large aquarium. Naha is the hub and the Kerama Islands for snorkelling are a short boat ride away.
Highlights:
  • 🏖️ Relax on white sands of Emerald and Zanpa Beaches
  • 🏯 Explore historic Shuri Castle, former Ryukyu Kingdom palace
  • 🐋 Visit Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium, home to whale sharks
36 Nara
Giant Buddha, tame deer and ancient temples
8.4
An early capital of Japan, with Todai-ji's enormous bronze Buddha and a park where more than a thousand deer roam freely. Kyoto and Osaka are 30 to 55 minutes away by train, so Nara works well as a day trip.
Highlights:
  • 🏮 Explore historic Kasuga Taisha Shrine lantern pathways
  • 🏯 Visit Todaiji Temple and see the Great Buddha
  • 🦌 Feed and photograph friendly deer in Nara Park
37 Yufuin Onsen
Lakeside onsen town below Mount Yufu
8.4
A small hot spring town in a mountain basin below Mount Yufu with a misty lake, small art galleries and a busy lane of shops and snack stalls. Ryokan with private open-air baths fill the quiet streets nearby.
Highlights:
  • 🌅 Take a morning walk around tranquil Lake Kinrin
  • 🛍️ Stroll along Yufuin’s picturesque Yunotsubo Kaido shopping street
  • 🛀 Bathe in a private open-air onsen with mountain views
17 Oita Airport
Hot Springs Gateway with a Hovercraft
Serving Kyushu's eastern coast, this regional airport connects Osaka and Fukuoka with frequent domestic flights. Modern facilities include a single terminal, efficient check‑in and nearby access to hot springs and coastal scenery.
38 Fukuoka
Kyushu's biggest city, known for yatai and ramen
8.4
A city on Kyushu's north coast, formed from a samurai castle town and a merchant port. It's known for evening yatai food stalls, Hakata ramen and an airport only five minutes from the main train station by underground.
Highlights:
  • 🌸 Explore Fukuoka Castle ruins during cherry blossom season
  • 🌅 Stroll through Ohori Park’s lakeside paths at sunset
  • 🍜 Slurp tonkotsu ramen at the original Ichiran stall
18 Fukuoka Airport
Gateway to Kyushu's Vibrant Culture
Serving Kyushu's largest city, this international hub offers direct flights to major Asian and Western destinations. Modern terminals feature efficient transit services, retail options and panoramic views of the surrounding harbor.
19 Saga Airport
Kyushu’s Gateway by the Sea
Serving the western Kyushu region, this airport connects to major Japanese cities and international hubs. Modern facilities include a spacious terminal, efficient customs and convenient access to Saga’s historic sites and coastal attractions.
20 Nagasaki Airport
Gateway to Historic Kyushu
Serving Kyushu's southern coast, Nagasaki Airport connects to major Japanese hubs and international destinations. The terminal offers modern amenities, efficient transfers, scenic views of the surrounding harbor for travelers daily.
39 Hiroshima
Peace Park, okonomiyaki and Miyajima ferry
8.4
A rebuilt river city in western Japan, known worldwide for its Peace Memorial Park and the A-Bomb Dome. It also has a castle, a layered local okonomiyaki and a ferry to Miyajima's famous shrine, all within an easy day.
Highlights:
  • 🌸 Stroll Shukkeien Garden’s tranquil bridges and ponds
  • 🏛️ View the haunting ruins of the Atomic Bomb Dome
  • 🕊️ Reflect at Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park and Museum
20 Genbaku Dome
Historic Building
40 Nozawa Onsen
Thirteen free public baths and a ski area
8.3
A mountain onsen village in northern Nagano Prefecture with 13 free public bathhouses on its narrow lanes and a ski area that starts at the edge of the centre. Winter brings deep snow and a fire festival in mid-January.
Highlights:
  • 🔥 Experience the unique Ogama boiling hot spring kitchen
  • 🥾 Hike trails around the scenic Nozawa Onsen village
  • ♨️ Tour the 13 historic public hot spring bathhouses
41 Matsuyama
A hilltop castle and Japan's oldest hot spring
8.3
The largest city on Shikoku, with an original hilltop castle and Dogo Onsen, said to be Japan's oldest hot spring. Streetcars link the sights. Okayama is about two and a half hours away by limited express.
Highlights:
  • ⛩️ Explore Ishiteji Temple and its historic tunnel
  • ♨️ Relax in Dogo Onsen, Japan's oldest hot spring
  • 🏯 Visit Matsuyama Castle with panoramic city views
42 Kinugawa-Onsen
Gorge hot spring resort near Nikko
8.3
A hot spring resort in a river gorge in Nikko, Tochigi, about two hours from Tokyo by direct train. Large hotels are along the river, while a wooden boat ride, a gorge hike and two theme parks are close by.
Highlights:
  • 🍜 Taste local soba noodles at riverside izakaya
  • 🏞️ Hike to Kinugawa Gorge waterfalls
  • ♨️ Soak in outdoor hot springs overlooking mountains
21 Sendai Airport
Tohoku's Friendly Air Gateway
Located in Miyagi Prefecture, this modern airport serves Sendai and surrounding regions. It offers efficient connections to Tokyo, Osaka and international flights, featuring a spacious terminal with local cuisine options.
43 Izu Peninsula
Hot springs, volcanic coast and beaches
8.3
A mountainous peninsula in Shizuoka Prefecture southwest of Tokyo with hot spring towns, volcanic cliffs and beaches. Early cherry blossoms bloom at Kawazu in February while Shimoda recalls Commodore Perry's 1854 visit. Atami is under an hour from Tokyo.
Highlights:
  • 🌸 Explore Izu Kogen highland's flower gardens
  • 🏔️ Watch the sunset over Suruga Bay from Cape Koganezaki
  • 🛁 Soak in Atami's famed hot spring baths
21 Izu Shaboten Zoo
Capybara baths, cacti and free-roaming animals
A hands-on zoo near Ito on the Izu Peninsula with about 150 species and a large cactus collection under glass. Capybaras bathe outdoors during the cooler months while many other animals mingle with visitors.
Highlights:
  • 🦫 Watch capybaras soak in a hot spring bath
  • 🌵 Wander through the giant cactus greenhouses
  • 🦚 Walk among free-roaming animals and feed them up close
22 Shizuoka Airport
Gateway to Mt. Fuji Views
Conveniently located near Shizuoka City, this regional airport offers domestic flights to major Japanese hubs and seasonal routes to nearby Asian destinations. Its terminal provides efficient check‑in, dining options and easy access to local transport.
44 Kinosaki Onsen
Seven bathhouses to stroll between in yukata
8.3
A hot spring town on a willow-lined river in northern Hyogo Prefecture, where seven public bathhouses are within an easy walk of each other. Guests stroll between them in yukata. Winter brings the local snow crab.
Highlights:
  • ⛩️ Visit the historic Kinosaki Shrine and participate in local rituals
  • 👘 Stroll through the charming streets wearing a yukata and geta
  • 🛁 Relax in a traditional ryokan and soak in private onsen baths
45 Shiretoko National Park
Brown bears and drift ice in Hokkaido
8.3
A World Heritage peninsula in northeastern Hokkaido with volcanic mountains, a hot spring waterfall and some of the highest recorded brown bear densities in the world. Drift ice from the Sea of Okhotsk reaches its coast in winter.
Highlights:
  • ♨️ Hike to Kamuiwakka Hot Falls and soak feet
  • 🛥️ Take a wildlife boat cruise to see bears
  • 🌲 Walk the scenic Shiretoko Five Lakes boardwalk
46 Daisetsuzan National Park
Japan's largest national park, in Hokkaido
8.3
Japan's biggest national park, a chain of mountains in central Hokkaido with active volcanoes and onsen villages. Ropeways take you into the high country in about 10 minutes. Autumn colours arrive earlier here than anywhere else in Japan.
Highlights:
  • ♨️ Soak in natural hot springs at Asahidake Onsen
  • ⛰️ Hike to Mt. Asahi summit, Hokkaido's highest peak
  • 🚠 Ride Asahidake Ropeway to scenic Sugatami Plateau
47 Setonaikai National Park
Island seascapes, bridges and art islands
8.2
A large park of islands, straits and coastline between Honshu, Shikoku and Kyushu, designated in 1934 as one of Japan's first national parks. Cyclists cross island bridges and boats approach tidal whirlpools while art museums fill Naoshima.
Highlights:
  • 🌊 Witness the powerful whirlpools of Naruto Strait
  • 🖼️ Explore contemporary art on Naoshima and Teshima islands
  • 🚴‍♂️ Cycle the scenic Shimanami Kaido bridge route
23 Hiroshima Airport
Compact Gateway to Western Honshu
Located near Hiroshima city, this airport serves as a gateway to western Japan. It offers domestic flights to major hubs and international connections, featuring modern facilities and efficient transit for travelers.
48 Kanazawa
Samurai streets, gold leaf and Kenrokuen garden
8.2
A castle city on the Sea of Japan coast with one of Japan's great gardens, preserved samurai and geisha districts and a fresh seafood market. The Shinkansen from Tokyo takes about 2.5 hours, so Kanazawa suits a two day stop.
Highlights:
  • 🍵 Wander the preserved tea houses of Higashi Chaya District
  • 🏯 Explore Kanazawa Castle and its impressive defensive grounds
  • 🌸 Stroll through Kenrokuen Garden, one of Japan’s finest landscapes
24 Komatsu Airport
Peaceful Gateway to Ishikawa
Serving the city of Komatsu and surrounding Ishikawa Prefecture, this airport offers domestic flights to major Japanese hubs and seasonal international routes. Modern facilities include a single terminal, efficient security and convenient ground transport.
49 Niseko
Hokkaido powder snow and four linked resorts
8.2
A resort area on the slopes of Mount Annupuri in southwest Hokkaido, known for its powder snow and four connected ski resorts. In summer the same area turns to rafting, hiking and mountain biking under Mount Yotei.
Highlights:
  • 🚵‍♀️ Explore mountain biking trails in Twin Peaks Bike Park
  • 🧗‍♂️ Take a thrilling zipline ride at Hanazono Resort
  • 🎿 Ski or snowboard on world-class powder snow
50 Kusatsu-Onsen
Steaming hot water field and bath hopping
8.1
A spa town high in the Gunma highlands where hot spring water pours through wooden channels at the central Yubatake. Visitors stroll between baths in yukata, watch water-stirring shows and soak in strongly acidic water.
Highlights:
  • 🌿 Relax in open-air baths at Sainokawara Park
  • 🎍 Watch a traditional Yumomi hot water cooling show
  • ♨️ Admire the steaming Yubatake hot spring field in the centre of town
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