Discover Japan's Hidden Gems

Explore temples, shrines, castles, parks, and more

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
Beach
Okinawa

Ishigaki Island

A tropical paradise in the Yaeyama Islands with stunning coral reefs, white sand beaches, and cry...

Ishigaki, Okinawa, Japan
Temple
Ehime

Ishite-ji

Shikoku's Most Visited Pilgrimage Temple

Temple #51 of the Shikoku 88 Temple Pilgrimage and the most visited temple on the entire route, l...

Matsuyama, Ehime, Japan
Shrine
Nara

Isonokami Shrine

One of Japan's Oldest Shrines with Legendary Sacred Sword

One of Japan's oldest Shinto shrines, mentioned in the nation's earliest chronicles, said to hous...

Tenri, Nara, Japan
Garden
Nara

Isuien Garden

Exquisite Borrowed Scenery Garden beside Todai-ji

An exquisite Meiji-era strolling garden next to Todai-ji, celebrated for its masterful borrowed s...

Nara, Japan
Shrine
Hiroshima

Itsukushima Shrine

Floating Torii Gate of Miyajima

UNESCO World Heritage shrine on Miyajima Island, famous for its vermillion torii gate appearing t...

Hatsukaichi, Hiroshima, Japan
Historic Site
Shimane

Iwami Ginzan Silver Mine

A UNESCO World Heritage Silver Mine in a Forest Setting

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, this historic silver mine once produced a third of the world's silv...

Oda, Shimane, Japan
Attraction
Tokushima

Iya Kazurabashi

Vine Suspension Bridge in a Hidden Valley

A 45-meter vine bridge swaying above a turquoise river in one of Japan's three great secluded reg...

Miyoshi, Tokushima, Japan
Shrine
Hyogo

Izanagi Shrine

Japan's Oldest Shrine — Birthplace of the Creation Myth

Considered Japan's oldest shrine, dedicated to the creator deities Izanagi and Izanami who, accor...

Awaji, Hyogo, Japan
Attraction
Shizuoka

Izu Peninsula

Coastal Resort with Hot Springs and Beaches

A mountainous coastal peninsula southwest of Tokyo, famous for hot spring resorts, beautiful beac...

Izu, Shizuoka, Japan
Shrine
Shimane

Izumo Taisha

Izumo Taisha Grand Shrine

One of Japan's oldest Shinto shrines. Dedicated to Okuninushi, god of marriage—couples come here ...

Izumo, Shimane, Japan
Attraction
Nagano

Jigokudani Monkey Park

Snow Monkeys Bathing in Hot Springs

The world-famous site where wild Japanese macaques bathe in natural hot springs, especially photo...

Yamanouchi, Nagano, Japan
Restaurant
Osaka

Jinrui Mina Menrui

One of Osaka's Most Famous and Best Ramen Restaurants

A legendary Osaka ramen shop offering multiple dashi-based ramen styles, crowned with thick-cut c...

Osaka, Japan
5.0 (1)
Attraction
Iwate

Jodogahama Beach

A Heavenly White Beach on the Sanriku Coast

Named for its resemblance to a Buddhist paradise, Jodogahama is a stunning white pebble beach bac...

Miyako, Iwate, 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
Neighborhood
Tokyo

Kabukicho

Shinjuku's Neon-Lit Entertainment Quarter

Neon signs blaze and giant screens flicker in Japan's largest entertainment district, a sensory o...

Tokyo, Japan
City
Kagoshima

Kagoshima

A vibrant southern city facing the active Sakurajima volcano across the bay, known for its subtro...

Kagoshima, Japan
Garden
Ibaraki

Kairakuen Garden

One of Japan's Three Great Gardens

One of Japan's Three Great Gardens, Kairakuen is celebrated for its stunning collection of over 3...

Mito, Ibaraki, Japan
Historic Site
Akita

Kakunodate

Known as the 'Little Kyoto of Tohoku', this beautifully preserved samurai district features centu...

Senboku, Akita, Japan
City
Kanagawa

Kamakura

Seaside Temple Town

Historic seaside city south of Tokyo, home to the Great Buddha, ancient temples, and beautiful be...

Kamakura, Kanagawa, Japan