Discover Japan's Hidden Gems

Explore temples, shrines, castles, parks, and more

Onsen
Kagoshima

Ibusuki Onsen

Ibusuki Onsen - Volcanic Sand Bath Experience

A unique hot spring resort where visitors are buried in naturally heated volcanic sand on the bea...

Ibusuki, Kagoshima, Japan
Shopping
Hyogo

Kobe Harborland

Waterfront Shopping and Entertainment District on Kobe Port

A redeveloped waterfront district on Kobe Port with the Umie shopping mall, the Mosaic complex, a...

Kobe, Hyogo, Japan
Temple
Kanagawa

Meigetsuin

The Hydrangea Temple of Kamakura

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

Kamakura, Kanagawa, Japan
City
Nagasaki

Nagasaki

Nagasaki - Where East Met West

Historic international port city with a unique blend of Japanese, Chinese, Dutch, and Portuguese ...

Nagasaki, Japan
Attraction
Saitama

Nagatoro

River Gorge and Autumn Foliage Haven

Scenic river gorge along the Arakawa River featuring thrilling boat rides through rapids, dramati...

Nagatoro, Saitama, Japan
Attraction
Wakayama

Sandanbeki

Dramatic Sea Cliffs with a Hidden Pirate Cave

Towering 50-meter sea cliffs along the Shirahama coast with an elevator descending to a cave once...

Shirahama, Wakayama, Japan
Garden
Kagoshima

Sengan-en Garden

Shimazu Clan's Grand Seaside Villa with Sakurajima Views

Edo-period garden and villa of the Shimazu clan, using Sakurajima volcano and Kinko Bay as borrow...

Kagoshima, Japan
Historic Site
Gifu

Gujo Hachiman

Gujo Hachiman - Castle Town of Dance and Crystal Waters

A scenic Gifu castle town famous for its clear waterways, the all-night Gujo Odori dance festival...

Gujo, Gifu, 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
Shrine
Kagawa

Konpira-gu (Kotohira-gu)

Konpira-gu - The 1,368-Step Pilgrimage Shrine

One of Japan's most beloved Shinto shrines, perched atop a mountain and reached by climbing 1,368...

Kagawa, Japan
Historic Site
Mie

Kumano Kodo Iseji Route

Walking the ancient Iseji pilgrimage route connects you to over a thousand years of spiritual jou...

Mie, Japan
Museum
Mie

Mikimoto Pearl Island

Island Where Cultured Pearls Were First Produced

A small island in Toba Bay where Kokichi Mikimoto first produced a cultured pearl in 1893, now a ...

Toba, Mie, Japan
Attraction
Toyama

Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route

A spectacular mountain transit route through the Northern Japan Alps with towering snow walls and...

Tateyama, Toyama, Japan
Garden
Tokyo

Tokyo Imperial Palace East Gardens

Historic Gardens on the Grounds of the Imperial Palace

The beautifully maintained former inner citadel of Edo Castle, now open to the public with Japane...

Tokyo, 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