Discover Japan's Hidden Gems

Explore temples, shrines, castles, parks, and more

Akashi Kaikyo Bridge photo
Landmark
Hyogo

Akashi Kaikyo Bridge

World's Longest Suspension Bridge

Suspension bridge with world's longest main span (1,991m), total length 3,911m, connecting Kobe t...

Kobe, Hyogo, Japan
Amanohashidate photo
Landmark
Kyoto

Amanohashidate

One of Japan's three most scenic views — a pine-covered sandbar spanning Miyazu Bay on the Sea of...

Kyoto, Japan
Atsuta Shrine photo
Shrine
Aichi

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...

Nagoya, Aichi, Japan
Byodo-in photo
Temple
Kyoto

Byodo-in

Byodo-in Temple

A UNESCO World Heritage temple famous for its Phoenix Hall, depicted on the Japanese 10-yen coin.

Kyoto, Japan
Dogo Onsen photo
Onsen
Ehime

Dogo Onsen

Japan's Oldest Hot Spring Bathhouse

One of Japan's oldest and most famous bathhouses, said to have inspired the bathhouse in Spirited...

Matsuyama, Ehime, Japan
Echizen Daibutsu photo
Temple
Fukui

Echizen Daibutsu

Echizen Great Buddha at Seidaiji Temple

Japan's tallest seated Buddha statue (17m) inside a massive five-story pagoda temple complex, riv...

Katsuyama, Fukui, Japan
Expo '70 Commemorative Park photo
Park
Osaka

Expo '70 Commemorative Park

Expo '70 Park with Okamoto's Tower of the Sun

The legacy of Japan's first World's Fair lives on in this 260-hectare park, where Taro Okamoto's ...

Suita, Osaka, Japan
Fuji-Q Highland photo
Amusement Park
Yamanashi

Fuji-Q Highland

A thrilling amusement park at the base of Mt. Fuji known for record-breaking roller coasters and ...

Fujiyoshida, Yamanashi, Japan
Fushimi Inari Taisha photo
Shrine
Kyoto

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...

Kyoto, Japan
Hoshida Myoken-gu Shrine photo
Shrine
Osaka

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...

Katano, Osaka, Japan
Iga-Ueno Castle photo
Castle
Mie

Iga-Ueno Castle

Rising above the legendary birthplace of ninja culture, Iga-Ueno Castle boasts Japan's tallest st...

Mie, Japan
Ippudo Umeda photo
Restaurant
Osaka

Ippudo Umeda

World-Famous Hakata Tonkotsu Ramen

Hakata-style tonkotsu ramen chain with unlimited free spicy moyashi (bean sprouts) at every table.

Osaka, Japan
Iwatayama Monkey Park photo
Attraction
Kyoto

Iwatayama Monkey Park

Wild Monkeys Above the Arashiyama Treetops

Climb the forested slopes of Iwatayama mountain to encounter over 120 wild Japanese macaques roam...

Kyoto, Japan
JR Fukuchiyama Line Disused Railway Trail photo
Mountain
Hyogo

JR Fukuchiyama Line Disused Railway Trail

Walk an Abandoned Railway Through Gorge Tunnels and Spring Sakura

A flat 4.7 km hiking trail along the original Fukuchiyama Line route through the Mukogawa Gorge, ...

Nishinomiya, Hyogo, Japan
Kamakura Daibutsu (Kotoku-in) photo
Temple
Kanagawa

Kamakura Daibutsu (Kotoku-in)

The Great Buddha of Kamakura

The Great Buddha of Kamakura. 13.35 meters tall, 121 tons, cast in 1252. The original temple hall...

Kamakura, Kanagawa, Japan
Katsuoji Temple photo
Temple
Osaka

Katsuoji Temple

Victory Temple Famous for Daruma Dolls and Minoo Mountain Views

Nestled in the forested mountains above Minoo, this 1,300-year-old Shingon temple has drawn seeke...

Minoo, Osaka, Japan
Kiyomizu-dera photo
Temple
Kyoto

Kiyomizu-dera

Pure Water Temple

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

Kyoto, Japan
Kyoto Tower photo
Landmark
Kyoto

Kyoto Tower

The First and Last Landmark Greeting Visitors to Kyoto

Standing 131 meters tall in front of Kyoto Station, this candlestick-shaped tower has been a city...

Kyoto, Japan
LaLaport EXPOCITY photo
Shopping
Osaka

LaLaport EXPOCITY

Japan's Largest Shopping and Entertainment Complex Next to Expo Park

Japan's largest entertainment complex, combining over 300 shops with NIFREL aquarium, Japan's tal...

Suita, Osaka, Japan
Matsue Castle photo
Castle
Shimane

Matsue Castle

A National Treasure known as the 'Black Castle', one of only 12 original castles and the sole sur...

Matsue, Shimane, Japan