Discover Japan's Hidden Gems

Explore temples, shrines, castles, parks, and more

Shrine
Kyoto

Nonomiya Shrine

A Small Shrine in the Bamboo Grove Linked to The Tale of Genji

Small shrine at the bamboo grove entrance. Featured in The Tale of Genji. The black torii (bark-c...

Kyoto, Japan
Castle
Okinawa

Shuri Castle

Ryukyu Kingdom's Royal Palace

The reconstructed royal palace of the Ryukyu Kingdom, blending Chinese and Japanese architectural...

Naha, Okinawa, Japan
Beach
Hyogo

Ama Beach

Awaji's Southern White-Sand Beach with a South-Seas Feel

A roughly 600-meter white-sand beach at the southern tip of Awaji Island, known for AA-grade clea...

Minamiawaji, Hyogo, Japan
Temple
Iwate

Hiraizumi

UNESCO World Heritage Pure Land Buddhist Architecture with the Golden Hall

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Hiraizumi was the political and cultural center of northern Japan i...

Hiraizumi, Iwate, Japan
Castle
Okayama

Okayama Castle

The Crow Castle, Okayama's Black Fortress

A striking black castle nicknamed 'Crow Castle' for its dark exterior, standing across the Asahi ...

Okayama, Japan
Shrine
Wakayama

Kumano Nachi Taisha

Sacred Grand Shrine Beside Japan's Tallest Waterfall

One of the three Kumano Grand Shrines, perched on a mountainside next to Nachi Falls and Seiganto...

Nachikatsuura, Wakayama, Japan
City
Kagawa

Takamatsu

Takamatsu - Udon Capital and Art Island Gateway

Gateway to Shikoku and the Setouchi art islands, famous for sanuki udon noodles and the magnifice...

Kagawa, Japan
Historic Site
Hokkaido

Tobetsu Trappist Monastery

Japan's First Trappist Monastery, Near Hakodate

Founded in 1896 in Hokuto, the first Trappist monastery in Japan and home to the monks who create...

Hokuto, Hokkaido, Japan
City
Fukushima

Kitakata

Japan's Ramen Capital with Historic Kura Storehouses

Famous as one of Japan's three great ramen cities, with over 100 ramen shops serving the signatur...

Kitakata, Fukushima, Japan
Historic Site
Osaka

Mozu-Furuichi Kofun Group

UNESCO World Heritage Ancient Burial Mounds Including Japan's Largest Tomb

Inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2019, the Mozu-Furuichi Kofun Group consists of 49 a...

Sakai, Osaka, Japan
Historic Site
Nagano

Tsumago-juku

Japan's best-preserved Nakasendo post town where cars are banned from the historic center, offeri...

Nagiso, Nagano, Japan
City
Kyoto

Kyoto

Japan's Ancient Capital

Japan's cultural heart and ancient capital for over a millennium, home to 17 UNESCO World Heritag...

Kyoto, Japan
City
Aichi

Nagoya

Japan's industrial powerhouse with a proud castle, unique local cuisine, and the Toyota heritage.

Nagoya, Aichi, Japan
Restaurant
Fukuoka

Ippudo Daimyo Main Store

The Original Ippudo, Birthplace of Modern Hakata Ramen

Step into ramen history at the original 1985 flagship where Ippudo founder Shigemi Kawahara revol...

Fukuoka, Japan
Shrine
Tochigi

Nikko Tosho-gu

Lavish Tokugawa Shrine

Lavishly decorated Shinto shrine enshrining Tokugawa Ieyasu, featuring intricate carvings and vib...

Nikko, Tochigi, Japan