Discover Japan's Hidden Gems

Explore temples, shrines, castles, parks, and more

Theme Park
Wakayama

Porto Europa

European-Themed Park at Wakayama Marina City

A theme park on the man-made island of Wakayama Marina City built to look like a Mediterranean po...

Wakayama, Japan
Theme Park
Saitama

Moomin Valley Park

Moomin Theme Park on the Shore of Lake Miyazawa

A theme park on the wooded shore of Lake Miyazawa in Hanno devoted to Tove Jansson's Moomins, rec...

Hanno, Saitama, Japan
Theme Park
Mie

Shima Spain Village

Parque Espana, a Spanish-Themed Resort in Shima

A Spanish-themed resort in Shima whose Parque Espana park recreates the streets, plazas and flame...

Shima, Mie, Japan
Temple
Wakayama

Danjo Garan

Koyasan's Central Temple Complex and the Great Konpon Daito Pagoda

One of the two sacred centres of Koyasan, a sanctuary of halls and gates around the vermilion Kon...

Koya, Wakayama, Japan
Attraction
Kyoto

Kyozuan Arashiyama

Tofu soft serve so dense it won't fall out upside-down

A tofu-sweets stand in Kyoto's Arashiyama, by the Randen station in front of Tenryu-ji, famous fo...

Kyoto, Japan
Theme Park
Oita

Sanrio Character Park Harmonyland

Hello Kitty and Sanrio Theme Park in the Oita Hills

An open-air Sanrio theme park in the hills near Beppu, home to Hello Kitty, My Melody and Cinnamo...

Hiji, Oita, Japan
Theme Park
Tokyo

Warner Bros. Studio Tour Tokyo

The Making of Harry Potter, an Indoor Studio Tour in Nerima

A large indoor Harry Potter studio tour on the former Toshimaen site, where visitors walk through...

Nerima, Tokyo, Japan
Shrine
Shiga

Hiyoshi Taisha

Head Shrine of Some 3,800 Hie and Hiyoshi Shrines, Guardian of Mount Hiei

The head of some 3,800 Hie, Hiyoshi and Sanno shrines nationwide, set in the Sakamoto foothills o...

Otsu, Shiga, Japan
Theme Park
Kagawa

New Reoma World

One of Shikoku's Largest Theme Parks, with an Asian Palace and Illuminations

One of the largest theme parks in Shikoku, part of the Leoma Resort at Marugame, combining amusem...

Marugame, Kagawa, Japan
Attraction
Shiga

Biwako Valley

Ropeway to the Biwako Terrace and Sweeping Lake Views Above Otsu

A mountaintop resort above the western shore reached by a fast ropeway, whose Biwako Terrace deck...

Otsu, Shiga, Japan
Amusement Park
Shizuoka

Hamanako Pal Pal

Family Amusement Park on the Shore of Lake Hamana

A relaxed family amusement park by Kanzanji Onsen on Lake Hamana, with coasters and gentle rides,...

Hamamatsu, Shizuoka, Japan
Amusement Park
Hokkaido

Rusutsu Resort

One of Hokkaido's Largest Amusement Parks and Ski Resorts

A large year-round mountain resort near Lake Toya with one of Hokkaido's biggest amusement parks ...

Rusutsu, Hokkaido, Japan
Temple
Wakayama

Seiganto-ji

First Temple of the Saikoku Pilgrimage and the Pagoda Above Nachi Falls

The Tendai temple beside Kumano Nachi Taisha and the first stop of the Saikoku 33 Kannon pilgrima...

Nachikatsuura, Wakayama, Japan
Temple
Wakayama

Dojo-ji

Wakayama's Oldest Temple and Home of the Anchin-Kiyohime Legend

The oldest temple in Wakayama, famed for the tragic Anchin-Kiyohime bell legend and for the livel...

Hidakagawa, Wakayama, Japan
Attraction
Nara

Michi-no-Eki Yoshinoji Oyodo i-Center

Roadside gateway to Yoshino with a local tea soft serve

A roadside station on Route 169 in Oyodo, a gateway to the Yoshino mountains and their cherry blo...

Oyodo, Nara, Japan