Discover Japan's Hidden Gems

Explore temples, shrines, castles, parks, and more

Beach
Okinawa

Ishigaki Island

A tropical island in the Yaeyama Islands with vivid coral reefs, white sand beaches, and crystal-...

Ishigaki, Okinawa, Japan
Shrine
Hyogo

Izanagi Shrine

Japan's Oldest Shrine, Birthplace of the Creation Myth

Considered Japan's oldest shrine, dedicated to the creator deities Izanagi and Izanami who, accor...

Awaji, 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
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
Attraction
Kumamoto

Mount Aso

The world's largest volcanic caldera with an active crater, vast grasslands, and dramatic highlan...

Aso, Kumamoto, Japan
Attraction
Tokushima

Mount Bizan

Tokushima's Eyebrow Mountain with City Views

Tokushima's symbol mountain, named for its eyebrow-shaped ridge. A ropeway reaches the summit in ...

Tokushima, Japan
Amusement Park
Mie

Nagashima Spa Land

Large Amusement Park with the Steel Dragon 2000 Coaster

A large amusement park in Kuwana, part of the Nagashima Resort, home to the Steel Dragon 2000 rol...

Kuwana, Mie, Japan
City
Okayama

Okayama

Okayama, Garden City and Momotaro's Hometown

A Shinkansen-connected city famous for the Momotaro legend, Korakuen Garden, and access to the ar...

Okayama, Japan
Landmark
Toyama

Takaoka Daibutsu

Large Bronze Buddha in Central Takaoka

A roughly 16-metre bronze seated Amida Buddha in central Takaoka, often counted among Japan's thr...

Takaoka, Toyama, Japan
Attraction
Kochi

Tatsukushi Coast

Eroded Rock Formations Near a Marine Park

A coastline near Cape Ashizuri in Tosashimizu, known for sandstone rock formations shaped by wave...

Tosashimizu, Kochi, Japan
Zoo
Osaka

Tennoji Zoo

Century-Old Zoo in Tennoji Park near Shinsekai

One of Japan's oldest zoos, opened in 1915, home to around 1,000 animals across roughly 170 speci...

Osaka, Japan
Shrine
Nagano

Togakushi Shrine

Five-Shrine Complex with a Cedar-Lined Approach

A Shinto shrine complex of five shrines at the base of Mount Togakushi, with an Okusha approach l...

Nagano, Japan
Region
Oita

Yabakei Gorge

Scenic Gorge with Autumn Foliage and a Hand-Carved Tunnel

A scenic gorge of eroded rock walls in Nakatsu, known for autumn foliage and the Ao-no-Domon, a t...

Nakatsu, Oita, Japan
Temple
Nagano

Zenko-ji

Zenko-ji Temple

One of Japan's most important and popular temples, home to the first Buddhist statue ever brought...

Nagano, Japan
Museum
Tokushima

Awa Odori Kaikan

Year-Round Home of Japan's Largest Traditional Dance Festival

A year-round venue and museum dedicated to the Awa Odori, Japan's largest traditional dance festi...

Tokushima, Japan