Discover Japan's Hidden Gems

Nishiki Market

Kyoto's Kitchen

A narrow five-block shopping street with over 100 shops and restaurants, known as 'Kyoto's Kitche...

Mount Inasa

333-Metre Summit with Night Views over Nagasaki

A 333-metre mountain west of central Nagasaki with a summit observatory reached by ropeway, known...

Hiraizumi

UNESCO World Heritage Pure Land Buddhist Architecture with the Golden Hall

In the 12th century Hiraizumi was the political and cultural centre of northern Japan, and two of...

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...

Otaru Canal

Romantic Gaslit Canal in a Historic Port Town

A canal lined with stone warehouses and gas lamps in the old port town of Otaru.

Kyoto

Japan's Ancient Capital

Japan's cultural heart and ancient capital for over a millennium, home to 17 UNESCO World Heritag...

Kiyomizu-dera

Pure Water Temple

A hillside temple where a vast wooden stage, supported by 139 pillars without a single nail, offe...

Nunobiki Herb Gardens

Hilltop Herb Garden with Panoramic Ropeway Views

Hilltop herb and flower garden reached by a scenic ropeway ride from Shin-Kobe Station, offering ...

Hozenji Yokocho

Atmospheric Stone-Paved Alley of Traditional Osaka Dining

A charming stone-paved alley behind Dotonbori lined with over 60 traditional Osaka restaurants an...

Kuromon Market

Known as Osaka's Kitchen since around 1822, this 600-meter covered market arcade embodies eat-as-...

Mount Tsurugi

Shikoku's Mythical Sword Mountain with Ancient Forest

The second-highest peak in Shikoku at 1,955 meters, steeped in mythology as the hiding place of a...

Philosopher's Path

A serene canal-side walking path in Kyoto lined with cherry trees, connecting Ginkaku-ji and Nanz...

Kokusai Street

Naha's Vibrant Main Shopping Street

A 1.6-kilometer shopping and entertainment street that is the heart of Naha's tourism scene.

Hoshida Myoken-gu Shrine

North Star Shrine and the Star-Fall Legend

Hoshida Myoken-gu, also called Komatsu Shrine, is a hillside shrine in Katano, Osaka, counted amo...

Kennin-ji

Kyoto's Oldest Zen Temple in the Heart of Gion

Kyoto's oldest Zen temple. Founded 1202 by Eisai, who brought Zen and tea to Japan. Twin Dragons ...