Attractions in Japan
The finest attractions in Japan at a glance: castles, natural wonders, historic old towns and more. Each place links to a detailed page with map, tips and photos.
Culture & History
Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building
A towering complex in Shinjuku that serves as Tokyo's city hall.
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Rainbow Bridge
A massive suspension bridge crossing Tokyo Bay, connecting Shibaura Pier to the man-made island of Odaiba.
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Takachiho Gorge
A stunning gorge formed by the Gokase River, with sheer volcanic basalt cliffs.
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Lake Ashinoko
A scenic crater lake in Hakone that offers stunning views of Mount Fuji on clear days.
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Izumo
Izumo is famous for the Izumo Taisha, one of Japan's oldest and most important Shinto shrines.
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Uji
Uji is the heart of Japanese tea culture and home to the magnificent Byodo-in Temple.
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Hirosaki
Hirosaki is known for its historic park, castle, and one of the most beautiful cherry blossom viewing spots in all of Japan.
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Nachi Falls
One of Japan's best-known waterfalls, with a drop of 133 meters.
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Tottori Sand Dunes
A unique geological feature, these large sand dunes stretch along the coast of the Sea of Japan, creating a desert-like landscape.
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Matsue
Matsue, known as the "City of Water," impresses with its original castle and picturesque canals along Lake Shinji.
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Matsumoto
Famous for Matsumoto Castle, one of Japan's premier historic castles, also known as the 'Crow Castle' due to its black exterior.
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Gujo Hachiman
A charming riverside town famous for its pure water canals, hilltop castle, and the month-long Gujo Odori dance festival.
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Tsuwano
The 'Little Kyoto of San'in,' known for its colorful koi fish swimming in the street canals and its picturesque mountain setting.
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Yamadera
Yamadera is a spectacular mountain temple complex known for its 1000 stone steps and breathtaking valley views.
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Okinawa Peace Memorial Park
A memorial park in southern Okinawa Island commemorating the Battle of Okinawa in 1945.
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Hagi
A preserved samurai town on the Sea of Japan coast, celebrated for its history and Hagi-yaki pottery.
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Kotohira
Home to the grand Konpira-san shrine complex, reached by climbing over a thousand stone steps.
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Kamakura
A former capital of Japan, famous for its Great Buddha statue, numerous Zen temples, and coastal setting.
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Nikko
A UNESCO World Heritage site known for lavishly decorated shrines and the beautiful Nikko National Park.
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Aizuwakamatsu
A historic 'Samurai City' featuring an impressive castle and deep traditions from the Boshin War.
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Kumamoto
A historic city in Kyushu famous for one of Japan's most impressive castles and its beautiful gardens.
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Hikone
A historic castle town by Lake Biwa, famous for one of Japan's best-preserved original castles.
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Ise
Ise is home to the Ise Jingu, Japan's most sacred Shinto shrine complex, set amidst ancient forests.
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Mozu-Furuichi Kofun Group
A group of megalithic tombs, or kofun (tumuli), built for the ruling elite in the 4th and 5th centuries.
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Dazaifu Tenmangū Shrine
A major Shinto shrine built over the grave of Sugawara no Michizane, a Heian period scholar and politician who was posthumously deified as Tenjin, th…
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Kumano Kodo
An ancient network of pilgrimage routes connecting sacred shrines across the Kii Peninsula.
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Ouchi-juku
A preserved Edo-period post town in Fukushima featuring traditional thatched-roof buildings.
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Usuki Stone Buddhas
A collection of dozens of Heian and Kamakura period stone Buddhas carved into soft volcanic rock cliffs.
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Yoyogi Park
One of Tokyo's largest parks, known for its wide lawns, ponds, and forested areas.
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Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden
A large park in Shinjuku with three distinct garden styles: a traditional Japanese landscape garden, a formal French garden, and an English landscape…
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Noto Peninsula Coast
The coast of the Noto Peninsula is known for its rugged scenery, picturesque fishing villages, and unique terraced rice fields.
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Kujūkushima Islands Coast
A collection of 208 small islands off the coast of Sasebo.
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Lake Towada
The largest crater lake on Honshū island, located on the border of Aomori and Akita prefectures.
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Shimokita Peninsula Coast
The northeasternmost point of Honshū, shaped like an axe.
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Lake Chūzenji
A scenic lake in Nikkō National Park, created by the eruption of Mount Nantai.
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Yoshinogari Ruins
A large and complex archaeological site representing a settlement from the Yayoi Period (c.
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Hida Folk Village (Hida no Sato)
An open-air museum in Takayama featuring over 30 traditional houses from the Hida region.
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Ichijōdani Asakura Clan Ruins
The ruins of an entire castle town from the Sengoku period, ruled by the Asakura clan.
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Hakone Ropeway
A ropeway that offers scenic views of the Ōwakudani volcanic valley and Lake Ashi.
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Historic Villages of Shirakawa-gō and Gokayama
These villages are famous for their traditional Gasshō-zukuri farmhouses, whose steep thatched roofs resemble hands clasped in prayer.
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Sekigahara Battlefield
The site of the decisive battle in 1600 that paved the way for the establishment of the Tokugawa shogunate.
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Tokyo Disneyland & DisneySea
Two theme parks in Chiba offering a magical experience for visitors of all ages.
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Iriomote Island
The largest of the Yaeyama Islands in Okinawa, over 90% of which is covered by dense jungle and mangrove forests.
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Iwami Ginzan Silver Mine
A large silver mine that operated from the 16th to the 20th century.
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Jigokudani Monkey Park
Famous for its Japanese macaques, also known as snow monkeys, that bathe in the hot springs (onsen) during the winter.
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Dejima Island
An artificial island in Nagasaki that served as the sole trading post for the Dutch during Japan's period of isolation (1641-1853).
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Kerama Shotō National Park
A group of islands off the coast of Okinawa, renowned for their exceptionally clear waters known as 'Kerama Blue'.
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Sannai-Maruyama Site
One of the largest and best-preserved prehistoric Jōmon period (c.
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Ghibli Museum, Mitaka
A whimsical museum dedicated to the work of the animation studio Studio Ghibli.
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Kakunodate Samurai District
A former castle town renowned for its well-preserved samurai district.
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What are the top attractions in Japan?
Among the most popular are Yoyogi Park, Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building, Rainbow Bridge, Takachiho Gorge, Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden and many more – the full top 50 list is on this page.
When is the best time to visit Japan?
May to October offers the most pleasant weather; July and August are warmest and busiest.