Discover Japan's Hidden Gems

Explore temples, shrines, castles, parks, and more

Matsumoto Castle photo
Castle
Nagano

Matsumoto Castle

Japan's Premier Black Castle

One of Japan's five National Treasure castles, famous for its striking black exterior and alpine ...

Matsumoto, Nagano, Japan
Mount Fuji photo
Mountain
Shizuoka

Mount Fuji

Japan's Sacred Mountain

Japan's highest mountain at 3,776 meters, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and active stratovolcano s...

Fujinomiya, Shizuoka, Japan
Nagoya Castle photo
Castle
Aichi

Nagoya Castle

Castle with golden shachi roof ornaments and a faithfully reconstructed Honmaru Palace.

Nagoya, Aichi, Japan
Nushima photo
Island
Hyogo

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 firs...

Minamiawaji, Hyogo, Japan
Okochi Sanso Garden photo
Garden
Kyoto

Okochi Sanso Garden

A Hilltop Garden with Panoramic Views of Kyoto and Arashiyama

The former villa garden of silent film actor Okochi Denjiro, perched on a hillside above the bamb...

Kyoto, Japan
5.0 (1)
Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan photo
Aquarium
Osaka

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...

Osaka, Japan
Shitennoji photo
Temple
Osaka

Shitennoji

Shitennoji Temple

Japan's oldest officially administered Buddhist temple, founded in 593 AD by Prince Shotoku, feat...

Osaka, Japan
Sumoto Castle Ruins photo
Castle
Hyogo

Sumoto Castle Ruins

Hilltop Castle Ruins with Panoramic Views of the Seto Inland Sea

A hilltop castle ruin on Awaji Island with Japan's oldest remaining concrete-built tenshu replica...

Sumoto, Hyogo, Japan
Tenryu-ji photo
Temple
Kyoto

Tenryu-ji

Arashiyama's World Heritage Zen Masterpiece

World Heritage Site, head temple of the Tenryu branch of Rinzai Zen. The Sogenchi garden uses the...

Kyoto, Japan
Teshima photo
Attraction
Kagawa

Teshima

Teshima - Art Island of Dancing Water Drops

A serene Setouchi art island home to the extraordinary Teshima Art Museum, a stunning shell-shape...

Kagawa, Japan
Togetsukyo Bridge photo
Landmark
Kyoto

Togetsukyo Bridge

Wooden Bridge Over the Katsura River

Spanning the Katsura River for 155 meters, Togetsukyo Bridge has defined Arashiyama's landscape s...

Kyoto, Japan
Tokyo Tower photo
Landmark
Tokyo

Tokyo Tower

Tokyo's Red Tower

333-meter communications tower modeled on the Eiffel Tower, with two observation decks for views ...

Tokyo, Japan
Universal Studios Japan photo
Theme Park
Osaka

Universal Studios Japan

Hollywood Movie Theme Park

Major theme park featuring the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Super Nintendo World, and movie-t...

Osaka, Japan
Yakushima photo
Attraction
Kagoshima

Yakushima

Ancient Cedar Forest World Heritage Island

A UNESCO World Heritage island with ancient cedar forests, said to have inspired Princess Mononoke.

Yakushima, Kagoshima, Japan
Yasaka Shrine photo
Shrine
Kyoto

Yasaka Shrine

Heart of Gion and Home of the Gion Matsuri

A Shinto shrine at the heart of Gion, center of the Gion Matsuri festival every July—one of Japan...

Kyoto, Japan
Museum
Ishikawa

21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art

Kanazawa's Round Contemporary Art Museum

A striking circular glass museum by SANAA architects, famous for its interactive Swimming Pool in...

Kanazawa, Ishikawa, Japan
Landmark
Osaka

Abeno Harukas

Western Japan's Tallest Building with 360-Degree Views

A 300-meter skyscraper featuring the Harukas 300 observation deck, a department store, art museum...

Osaka, Japan
Museum
Shimane

Adachi Museum of Art

Art museum whose Japanese gardens have been ranked best in Japan by the Journal of Japanese Garde...

Yasugi, Shimane, Japan
Theme Park
Wakayama

Adventure World

Shirahama's Premier Safari Park and Marine World

A sprawling safari park, zoo, and marine park in Shirahama combining wildlife encounters with amu...

Shirahama, Wakayama, Japan
City
Fukushima

Aizu-Wakamatsu

A Samurai City Steeped in Edo-Period History

A historic castle town known for its samurai heritage, Tsuruga Castle, traditional Aizu lacquerwa...

Aizu-Wakamatsu, Fukushima, Japan