Discover Japan's Hidden Gems

Explore temples, shrines, castles, parks, and more

Attraction
Shiga

La Collina Omihachiman

Architecture melts into nature at this confectionery village where grass-covered rooftops and org...

Shiga, Japan
Landmark
Gifu

Shinhotaka Ropeway

Double-Decker Ropeway to a Northern Alps Viewpoint

A ropeway in the Okuhida hot spring area of Takayama that carries passengers to a viewpoint over ...

Takayama, Gifu, Japan
Shrine
Yamanashi

Takeda Shrine

Takeda Shrine is dedicated to the legendary warlord Takeda Shingen, one of Japan's most famous sa...

Yamanashi, Japan
Historic Site
Tokushima

Udatsu Townscape

Preserved Edo-Period Merchant Street with Udatsu Firewall Gables

A preserved street of Edo- to early-Showa merchant houses in Wakimachi, known for the raised udat...

Mima, Tokushima, Japan
Landmark
Oita

Harajiri Falls

Wide Curtain Waterfall in Farmland

A wide waterfall about 120 metres across and 20 metres high that drops from flat farmland, one of...

Bungo-ono, Oita, Japan
Attraction
Gifu

Nagara River Cormorant Fishing

Traditional Cormorant Fishing on the Nagara River

A traditional form of fishing on the Nagara River in Gifu city, in which fishermen use trained co...

Gifu, Japan
Attraction
Miyazaki

Takachiho Gorge

Mythical Volcanic Gorge with Towering Cliffs

A dramatic volcanic gorge with columnar basalt cliffs, a tall waterfall, and rowing boats for a u...

Takachiho, Miyazaki, Japan
Zoo
Oita

Takasakiyama Monkey Park

Hillside Home to Wild Japanese Macaque Troops

A natural park on a hillside between Oita and Beppu where wild troops of Japanese macaques gather...

Oita, Japan
Trail
Mie

Akame 48 Waterfalls

Series of Waterfalls Along a Gorge Hiking Trail

A series of waterfalls along a roughly four-kilometre walking trail through the Takigawa Gorge in...

Nabari, Mie, Japan
Landmark
Kochi

Cape Muroto

Rugged Pacific Cape in a UNESCO Global Geopark

A headland at the southeastern tip of Shikoku, within the Muroto UNESCO Global Geopark, where upl...

Muroto, Kochi, Japan
Landmark
Kumamoto

Daikanbo

Caldera Lookout over the Aso Plain

A lookout on the northern rim of the Aso caldera, about 936 meters high, with views over the plai...

Aso, Kumamoto, Japan
Attraction
Yamagata

Gassan

A Sacred Mountain with Summer Skiing and Alpine Meadows

One of the three sacred Dewa mountains, Gassan is unusual for offering summer skiing from April t...

Yamagata, Japan
Theme Park
Aichi

Ghibli Park

Theme Park Based on Studio Ghibli Films

A theme park within the Expo 2005 Aichi Commemorative Park that recreates scenes from Studio Ghib...

Nagakute, Aichi, Japan
Temple
Kyoto

Jojakko-ji

A Hillside Temple Famous for Its Fiery Autumn Foliage

Hillside temple in Sagano, best in autumn. The pagoda surrounded by red and orange maples is the ...

Kyoto, Japan
Landmark
Ishikawa

Kanazawa Station

Rail Gateway with the Wooden Tsuzumi-mon Gate

Kanazawa's main rail hub, noted for the large wooden Tsuzumi-mon gate and the glass Motenashi Dom...

Kanazawa, Ishikawa, Japan