Discover Japan's Hidden Gems

Eikan-do

The Temple of Autumn Leaves with a Looking-Back Buddha

A Higashiyama temple known as Momiji no Eikan-do for its roughly 3,000 maples, with an Amida Budd...

Shuzenji

Historic Hot Spring Town on Izu Peninsula

One of the oldest hot spring towns on the Izu Peninsula, featuring a scenic bamboo grove, histori...

Wajima Morning Market

One of Japan's three great morning markets with over 1,000 years of history, where local vendors ...

Nikko

Ornate Shrines in Mountain Forest

Mountain town with lavishly decorated UNESCO World Heritage shrines and temples, including the or...

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...

Matsumoto Castle

Japan's Premier Black Castle

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

Mikata Goko

Mikata Five Lakes & Rainbow Line Summit Park

Five interconnected lakes with varying salinity levels, offering panoramic views from the Rainbow...

Yamadera

Yamadera (Risshaku-ji Temple)

A mountain temple with over 1,000 stone steps leading to panoramic views, Yamadera inspired Matsu...

Atsuta Shrine

One of Japan's Holiest Shrines Housing a Sacred Imperial Treasure

One of Japan's most important Shinto shrines, believed to house the sacred sword Kusanagi-no-Tsur...

Nijo Castle

UNESCO World Heritage flatland castle. The floors squeak when you walk, designed as a security al...

Golden Gai

A labyrinth of tiny bars in six narrow alleys, preserving old Tokyo's intimate drinking culture i...

Jigokudani Monkey Park

Snow Monkeys Bathing in Hot Springs

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

Ginzan Onsen

Gaslit Hot Spring Village

A hot spring town of wooden ryokan from the 1910s and 20s, facing each other across the river gor...

Harajuku

Tokyo's epicenter of youth fashion, street culture, and creative expression centered around Takes...

Adachi Museum of Art

Art museum whose Japanese gardens have been ranked best in Japan by the Journal of Japanese Garde...