Discover Japan's Hidden Gems

Explore temples, shrines, castles, parks, and more

Historic Site
Toyama

Iwase

Preserved Edo-Period Merchant and Sake District

A preserved port district near Toyama's harbour where Edo- and Meiji-era merchant houses and a wo...

Toyama, Japan
Temple
Nara

Muroji

Women's Koya and Japan's Smallest Outdoor Pagoda

Known as Women's Koya for welcoming female worshippers when Mount Koya banned them, this mountain...

Uda, Nara, Japan
City
Niigata

Niigata City

The Sake Capital of Japan

A vibrant port city on the Sea of Japan coast, Niigata is renowned as the sake capital of Japan w...

Niigata, Japan
Attraction
Yamanashi

Shosenkyo Gorge

Shosenkyo Gorge is a scenic 5-kilometer granite ravine along the Arakawa River that has been desi...

Yamanashi, Japan
Zoo
Ehime

Tobe Zoo

One of Western Japan's Larger Zoos

A large prefectural zoo in Tobe, near Matsuyama, that lays out its animal areas along the natural...

Tobe, Ehime, Japan
Garden
Nara

Yoshiki-en

Japanese Garden Next to Isuien near Nara Park

A quiet Japanese garden beside the Isuien garden near Nara Park, made up of a pond garden, a moss...

Nara, Japan
Temple
Toyama

Zuiryuji Temple

National Treasure Zen Temple in Takaoka

A Soto Zen temple in Takaoka built for the Maeda clan, whose main gate, Buddha hall, and Dharma h...

Takaoka, Toyama, Japan
Shrine
Wakayama

Awashima Shrine

Shrine Known for Thousands of Dedicated Dolls

A seaside shrine in Kada dedicated to Sukunahikona, associated with women's health and known for ...

Wakayama, Japan
Historic Site
Ehime

Bansuiso

French-Style Villa Built in 1922 near Matsuyama Castle

A French-style villa completed in 1922 as a second residence for Count Hisamatsu Sadakoto, locate...

Matsuyama, Ehime, Japan
Castle
Aichi

Inuyama Castle

One of only five National Treasure castles in Japan, with an original donjon dating to 1537.

Inuyama, Aichi, Japan
Neighborhood
Kanagawa

Minato Mirai

Yokohama's modern waterfront district with famous landmarks, shopping, and seaside promenades.

Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
Attraction
Niigata

Sado Island

Japan's sixth largest island with gold mines, traditional performing arts, and rugged coastal sce...

Sado, Niigata, Japan
Garden
Kyoto

Shugakuin Imperial Villa

An Imperial Garden Masterpiece with Sweeping Mountain Views

Built in the 1650s by retired Emperor Go-Mizunoo. Three terraced gardens using the Higashiyama mo...

Kyoto, Japan
Onsen
Yamagata

Zao Onsen

Snow Monsters and Crater Lake Hot Springs

A mountain hot spring town famous for spectacular snow monster formations in winter and the emera...

Yamagata, 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