Discover Japan's Hidden Gems

Explore temples, shrines, castles, parks, and more

Attraction
Tokushima

Nagoro Scarecrow Village

Remote Iya Valley Hamlet Populated with Life-Size Scarecrows

A small mountain hamlet in the Iya Valley where hundreds of handmade life-size scarecrows are pla...

Miyoshi, Tokushima, Japan
Temple
Tokushima

Tairyuji Temple

Mountain Pilgrimage Temple Reached by a Long Ropeway

Temple 21 of the Shikoku 88-temple pilgrimage, set on a wooded mountain in Anan and usually reach...

Anan, Tokushima, Japan
Landmark
Saitama

Toki no Kane Bell Tower

The Toki no Kane bell tower has been marking time in Kawagoe for over 350 years, its wooden tower...

Saitama, Japan
Aquarium
Oita

Umitamago Aquarium

Seaside Aquarium Beside Takasakiyama

A large aquarium on the shore of Beppu Bay, across the road from Takasakiyama, with marine tanks,...

Oita, Japan
Attraction
Gunma

Fukiware Falls

The Niagara of the Orient

A dramatic 30-meter wide waterfall where the river splits and pours into a deep gorge from both s...

Numata, Gunma, Japan
Garden
Shiga

Genkyu-en

Feudal-Lord Garden Beside Hikone Castle

A Japanese pond garden northeast of Hikone Castle, built for the Ii lords and designated a nation...

Hikone, Shiga, 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
Wakayama

Kimii-dera

Hillside Temple Known for Early Cherry Blossoms

A hillside temple founded in 770, the second stop on the Saigoku Kannon pilgrimage, reached by 23...

Wakayama, Japan
Island
Nagasaki

Kujukushima

Island-Dotted Seascape in Saikai National Park

A stretch of coast near Sasebo scattered with more than 200 small islands, best seen from sightse...

Sasebo, Nagasaki, Japan
Temple
Iwate

Motsuji Temple

Motsuji Temple - UNESCO Pure Land Garden in Hiraizumi

A UNESCO World Heritage temple in Hiraizumi featuring one of Japan's finest Pure Land gardens fro...

Hiraizumi, Iwate, Japan
Attraction
Kochi

Nakatsu Gorge

Gorge with Waterfalls and Blue-Green River Water

A gorge in Niyodogawa town known for clear blue-green Niyodo-blue water, a riverside walking trai...

Niyodogawa, Kochi, Japan
Park
Gifu

Yoro Falls

Waterfall in Yoro Park on Japan's List of 100 Notable Falls

A waterfall about 30 metres high within Yoro Park, listed among Japan's 100 notable waterfalls.

Yoro, Gifu, Japan
Onsen
Miyagi

Akiu Onsen

A Historic Hot Spring Valley Just Outside Sendai

One of Japan's oldest hot spring resorts, set in a scenic river valley just 30 minutes from Senda...

Sendai, Miyagi, Japan
Shrine
Kumamoto

Aso Shrine

Historic Shrine with a Rebuilt Tower Gate

One of the oldest and most important shrines in the Aso region, known for a two-story romon gate ...

Aso, Kumamoto, Japan
Onsen
Nagano

Bessho Onsen

Historic Hot Spring Town Known as the Kamakura of Shinshu

A historic hot spring town outside Ueda City, nicknamed the Kamakura of Shinshu for its concentra...

Ueda, Nagano, Japan