Discover Japan's Hidden Gems

Explore temples, shrines, castles, parks, and more

Attraction
Fukushima

Lake Inawashiro

Mirror of Heaven

Japan's fourth-largest lake, nicknamed the Mirror of Heaven for its crystal-clear waters reflecti...

Fukushima, Japan
Attraction
Akita

Lake Tazawa

Lake Tazawa is Japan's deepest lake at 423 meters, its waters maintaining a stunning cobalt-blue ...

Akita, Japan
Attraction
Aomori

Lake Towada

A pristine caldera lake straddling Aomori and Akita prefectures, renowned for its deep blue water...

Aomori, Japan
Attraction
Hokkaido

Lake Toya

Lake Toya is a stunning caldera lake in southern Hokkaido, its circular shape formed by a massive...

Hokkaido, Japan
Theme Park
Aichi

Legoland Japan

A family-oriented theme park built around LEGO bricks with rides, building workshops, and a minia...

Nagoya, Aichi, Japan
Historic Site
Gifu

Magome-juku

A beautifully preserved post town on the historic Nakasendo trail, featuring a steep stone-paved ...

Gifu, Japan
Castle
Kagawa

Marugame Castle

One of Japan's 12 original castles, famous for having the tallest stone walls of any castle in th...

Takamatsu, Kagawa, Japan
Castle
Fukui

Maruoka Castle

One of Japan's 12 original castles, Maruoka boasts the oldest surviving castle tower in the country.

Fukui, Japan
City
Tochigi

Mashiko

A Charming Pottery Town with Hundreds of Kilns

One of Japan's most famous pottery towns, home to over 300 kilns producing the rustic Mashiko-yak...

Tochigi, Japan
Attraction
Miyagi

Matsushima Bay

One of Japan's Three Great Views

A stunning bay dotted with over 260 pine-covered islands, celebrated as one of Japan's Three Most...

Sendai, Miyagi, Japan
City
Ehime

Matsuyama

Matsuyama - Shikoku's Largest City with Ancient Hot Springs

The largest city in Shikoku, home to the iconic Dogo Onsen bathhouse and one of Japan's twelve or...

Matsuyama, Ehime, Japan
Castle
Ehime

Matsuyama Castle

One of Japan's 12 original castles, this hilltop fortress offers sweeping views over Matsuyama an...

Matsuyama, Ehime, Japan
Temple
Kanagawa

Meigetsuin

The Hydrangea Temple of Kamakura

'Hydrangea Temple.' 2,500 blue bushes bloom in June—the deep blue is called 'Meigetsuin Blue.' Th...

Kanagawa, Japan
Shrine
Tokyo

Meiji Shrine

Tokyo's Most Important Shinto Shrine

Majestic shrine dedicated to Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken, set within a 70-hectare evergreen ...

Tokyo, Japan
Restaurant
Kyoto

Menbakaichidai Fire Ramen

Kyoto's Legendary Fire Ramen Experience

Prepare for dinner and a show at this legendary Kyoto ramen shop where your meal arrives in a tow...

Kyoto, Japan
Restaurant
Tokyo

Menya Musashi Shinjuku Main Store

Samurai-Themed Ramen Pioneer of the Tokyo Ramen Scene

Since 1998, this Tokyo ramen institution has served its pioneering double-soup style that masterf...

Tokyo, Japan
Landmark
Mie

Meoto Iwa

The Sacred Wedded Rocks of Futami

Two sacred rocks connected by a massive shimenawa rope in the sea at Futami, Meoto Iwa symbolizes...

Tsu, Mie, Japan
Landmark
Hyogo

Meriken Park

Kobe's Main Waterfront Park

Kobe's main waterfront park with the red Kobe Port Tower, BE KOBE monument, and Kobe Maritime Mus...

Hyogo, Japan
Garden
Saga

Mifuneyama Rakuen

teamLab-Enhanced Historic Garden

Historic 500,000-square-meter garden dating to 1845, famous for seasonal beauty and the immersive...

Saga, Japan
Attraction
Fukushima

Miharu Takizakura

A Thousand-Year-Old Weeping Cherry Tree

One of Japan's three great cherry trees, this magnificent weeping cherry is over 1,000 years old ...

Fukushima, Japan