Discover Japan's Hidden Gems

Explore temples, shrines, castles, parks, and more

Yasaka Shrine photo
Shrine
Kyoto

Yasaka Shrine

Heart of Gion and Home of the Gion Matsuri

A Shinto shrine at the heart of Gion, center of the Gion Matsuri festival every July, one of Japa...

Kyoto, Japan
Ise Grand Shrine photo
Shrine
Mie

Ise Grand Shrine

Ise Grand Shrine (Ise Jingu)

Japan's most sacred Shinto shrine dedicated to the sun goddess Amaterasu, rebuilt every 20 years ...

Ise, Mie, Japan
Kamakura Daibutsu (Kotoku-in) photo
Temple
Kanagawa

Kamakura Daibutsu (Kotoku-in)

The Great Buddha of Kamakura

The Great Buddha of Kamakura. 13.35 meters tall, 121 tons, cast in 1252. The original temple hall...

Kamakura, Kanagawa, Japan
Myokensan (Nose Myokensan) photo
Temple
Osaka

Myokensan (Nose Myokensan)

Nose Myokensan Temple

Nose Myokensan is a Nichiren-sect temple at the 660-metre summit of Mount Myoken, on the border b...

Nose, Osaka, Japan
Ippudo Umeda photo
Restaurant
Osaka

Ippudo Umeda

World-Famous Hakata Tonkotsu Ramen

Hakata-style tonkotsu ramen chain with unlimited free spicy moyashi (bean sprouts) at every table.

Osaka, Japan
Engaku-ji photo
Temple
Kanagawa

Engaku-ji

A Grand Zen Temple with a National Treasure Reliquary

Ranked second of Kamakura's Five Great Zen Temples, founded in 1282 to honor soldiers from the Mo...

Kamakura, Kanagawa, Japan
Akashi Kaikyo Bridge photo
Landmark
Hyogo

Akashi Kaikyo Bridge

World's Longest Suspension Bridge

Suspension bridge with world's longest main span (1,991m), total length 3,911m, connecting Kobe t...

Kobe, Hyogo, Japan
Iga-Ueno Castle photo
Castle
Mie

Iga-Ueno Castle

Rising above the legendary birthplace of ninja culture, Iga-Ueno Castle has Japan's tallest stone...

Mie, Japan
Amanohashidate photo
Landmark
Kyoto

Amanohashidate

One of Japan's three most scenic views, a pine-covered sandbar spanning Miyazu Bay on the Sea of ...

Kyoto, Japan
Expo '70 Commemorative Park photo
Park
Osaka

Expo '70 Commemorative Park

Expo '70 Park with Okamoto's Tower of the Sun

The legacy of Japan's first World's Fair lives on in this 260-hectare park, where Taro Okamoto's ...

Suita, Osaka, Japan
Dogo Onsen photo
Onsen
Ehime

Dogo Onsen

Japan's Oldest Hot Spring Bathhouse

One of Japan's oldest and most famous bathhouses, said to have inspired the bathhouse in Spirited...

Matsuyama, Ehime, Japan
Enryakuji Temple photo
Temple
Shiga

Enryakuji Temple

Enryakuji Temple on Mount Hiei (Hieizan)

A UNESCO World Heritage Site and headquarters of Tendai Buddhism, Enryakuji Temple sprawls across...

Otsu, Shiga, Japan
Katsuoji Temple photo
Temple
Osaka

Katsuoji Temple

Victory Temple Famous for Daruma Dolls and Minoo Mountain Views

Set in the forested mountains above Minoo, this 1,300-year-old Shingon temple has drawn seekers o...

Minoo, Osaka, Japan
Matsumoto Castle photo
Castle
Nagano

Matsumoto Castle

Japan's Premier Black Castle

One of Japan's five National Treasure castles, famous for its striking black exterior and alpine ...

Matsumoto, Nagano, Japan
Tokyo Tower photo
Landmark
Tokyo

Tokyo Tower

Tokyo's Red Tower

333-meter communications tower modeled on the Eiffel Tower, with two observation decks for views ...

Tokyo, Japan