Iwatayama Monkey Park
Wild Monkeys Above the Arashiyama Treetops
Climb the forested slopes of Iwatayama mountain to encounter over 120 wild Japanese macaques roam...
Pontocho
A Narrow Lantern-Lit Alley of Traditional Dining Along the Kamo River
One of Kyoto's most atmospheric streets, a narrow lantern-lit alley running along the Kamo River ...
Ibaraki City Museum of Christian Relics
Museum of the Kakure Kirishitan (Hidden Christians)
A small municipal museum in the mountain hamlet of Senteiji, north of Ibaraki City, preserving re...
Shitennoji
Shitennoji Temple
Japan's oldest officially administered Buddhist temple, founded in 593 AD by Prince Shotoku, feat...
Suma Beach
Kobe's Most Popular Urban Beach
Kobe's most popular urban beach, a long stretch of white sand along Osaka Bay with views of the A...
Echizen Daibutsu
Echizen Great Buddha at Seidaiji Temple
Japan's tallest seated Buddha statue (17m) inside a massive five-story pagoda temple complex, riv...
Arashiyama
Kyoto's Scenic Bamboo District
Kyoto's western escape, where towering bamboo groves, a graceful river bridge, and hillside templ...
Nushima
The Mythological Birthplace of Japan, a 10-Minute Ferry Off Awaji's South Coast
A 2.5-km island off the south coast of Awaji, traditionally identified as Onogoro-jima, the first...
Okishima
Okishima, Japan's Only Inhabited Lake Island
A small fishing island in Lake Biwa with no cars, narrow alleys, old shrines, and around 250 resi...
Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan
One of World's Largest Aquariums
One of the world's largest aquariums featuring a massive Pacific Ocean tank with whale sharks and...
Yakushima
Ancient Cedar Forest World Heritage Island
A UNESCO World Heritage island with ancient cedar forests, said to have inspired Princess Mononoke.
Matsue Castle
A National Treasure known as the 'Black Castle', one of only 12 original castles and the sole sur...
Fushimi Inari Taisha
Shrine of Ten Thousand Torii Gates
Thousands of vermilion torii gates wind up the forested slopes of Mount Inari, creating one of Ja...
Universal Studios Japan
Hollywood Movie Theme Park
Major theme park featuring the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Super Nintendo World, and movie-t...
Atsuta Shrine
One of Japan's Holiest Shrines Housing a Sacred Imperial Treasure
One of Japan's most important Shinto shrines, believed to house the sacred sword Kusanagi-no-Tsur...