Discover Japan's Hidden Gems

Explore temples, shrines, castles, parks, and more

Shrine
Okayama

Kibitsu Shrine

The Shrine Behind the Legend of Momotaro

Ancient shrine said to be the origin of the Momotaro legend. Known for its unique roof style and ...

Okayama, Japan
Attraction
Kyoto

Kifune

Mountain Village Famous for a Water Shrine and Riverside Dining

A scenic mountain village north of Kyoto famous for Kifune Shrine, dedicated to the water deity, ...

Kyoto, Japan
Attraction
Kyoto

Kimono Forest

An Enchanting Art Installation of 600 Illuminated Kimono Pillars

600 pillars wrapped in Kyo-Yuzen fabric at Randen Arashiyama Station. Glows at night. Free, open ...

Kyoto, Japan
Temple
Kyoto

Kinkaku-ji

Golden Pavilion Temple

Kyoto's golden icon, where a pavilion sheathed in real gold leaf floats above its mirror-still po...

Kyoto, Japan
Onsen
Hyogo

Kinosaki Onsen

Kinosaki Onsen is a picturesque traditional hot spring town where visitors stroll between seven p...

Toyooka, Hyogo, Japan
Landmark
Yamaguchi

Kintaikyo Bridge

Gracefully arching across the Nishiki River in five wooden spans, Kintaikyo Bridge stands as a ma...

Yamaguchi, Japan
Onsen
Kagoshima

Kirishima Onsen

Highland Hot Springs in Volcanic Mountain Country

Cluster of mountain hot spring resorts in the volcanic Kirishima highlands, offering diverse mine...

Kirishima, Kagoshima, Japan
Shrine
Kagoshima

Kirishima Shrine

Mountain Shrine of the Divine Descent

Grand vermillion shrine dedicated to the deity Ninigi-no-Mikoto who descended from heaven to foun...

Kirishima, Kagoshima, Japan
City
Fukushima

Kitakata

Japan's Ramen Capital with Historic Kura Storehouses

Famous as one of Japan's three great ramen cities, with over 100 ramen shops serving the signatur...

Kitakata, Fukushima, Japan
City
Fukuoka

Kitakyushu

Industrial Heritage City with Night Views from Mt. Sarakura

Major port city known for Kokura Castle, the spectacular night views from Mount Sarakura, and the...

Kitakyushu, Fukuoka, Japan
Historic Site
Hyogo

Kitano Ijinkan

Kobe's Historic Western Foreign Residences

Hillside district of beautifully preserved Western-style foreign residences from the Meiji era, b...

Kobe, Hyogo, Japan
Shrine
Kyoto

Kitano Tenmangu

Shrine of Learning Famous for Plum Blossoms and Flea Markets

A major shrine dedicated to the deity of learning and scholarship, celebrated for its 2,000 plum ...

Kyoto, Japan
Historic Site
Oita

Kitsuki Castle Town

A Beautifully Preserved Samurai Town on a Peninsula

Kitsuki is a remarkably well-preserved castle town perched on a small peninsula between two river...

Kitsuki, Oita, Japan
City
Hyogo

Kobe

A cosmopolitan port city celebrated for Kobe beef, mountain-harbor scenery, and multicultural her...

Kobe, Hyogo, Japan
Museum
Hyogo

Kobe Earthquake Memorial Museum (DRI)

Interactive Museum Documenting the 1995 Great Hanshin Earthquake

Powerful interactive museum documenting the devastating 1995 Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake with ...

Kobe, Hyogo, Japan
Landmark
Hyogo

Kobe Kaientai Monument (The Kobe Moai)

Five Moai-Like Statues Honouring Kobe's Naval Cadets

A row of five moai-like stone statues facing Kobe's harbor in Meriken Park, dedicated to the youn...

Kobe, Hyogo, Japan
Castle
Kochi

Kochi Castle

One of just 12 original castles, Kochi is the only castle in Japan to retain both its original to...

Kochi, Japan
Temple
Nara

Kofuku-ji

Nara's Five-Story Pagoda and National Treasure Hall

World Heritage temple with Japan's second-tallest wooden pagoda (50m). The National Treasure Hall...

Nara, Japan
Garden
Hyogo

Koko-en Garden

Edo-Style Garden Next to Himeji Castle

A beautifully designed traditional Japanese garden featuring nine separate walled gardens, built ...

Himeji, Hyogo, Japan
Castle
Fukuoka

Kokura Castle

Kokura Castle - Edo-Period Castle with Unique Architecture

An Edo-period castle in the heart of Kitakyushu, notable for its distinctive karazukuri architect...

Kitakyushu, Fukuoka, Japan