Japan’s Top 100: The Best Places to Visit, by Region

Hokkaido 6

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Otaru Canal
小樽運河 · Hokkaido
Gas-lit stone warehouses along a canal, magical at dusk and in winter.
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Photo: ノボホショコロトソ / CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Sapporo Odori Park
大通公園 · Hokkaido
Sapporo's green heart, home to the Snow Festival and summer beer gardens.
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Photo: 663highland / CC BY 2.5, via Wikimedia Commons

Mount Hakodate
函館山 · Hokkaido
One of Japan's most famous night views, across Hakodate's narrow neck of land.
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Farm Tomita
ファーム富田 · Hokkaido
Furano's famous lavender fields, at their best in July.
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Shirogane Blue Pond
白金青い池 · Hokkaido
A surreal turquoise pond with trees standing in the water.
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Photo: 663highland / CC BY 2.5, via Wikimedia Commons

Shiretoko Five Lakes
知床五湖 · Hokkaido
A UNESCO World Heritage wilderness walk with brown bears nearby, so rules apply.
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Tohoku 7

Photo: Raita Futo from Tokyo, Japan / CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Hirosaki Castle
弘前城 · Aomori
A original castle keep ringed by around 2,600 cherry trees.
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Oirase Gorge
奥入瀬渓流 · Aomori
A moss-covered stream you can walk for hours, stunning in fall.
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Chuson-ji Temple
中尊寺 · Iwate
The gold-covered Konjikido hall, part of Hiraizumi's World Heritage site.
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Matsushima Bay
松島 · Miyagi
Hundreds of pine-covered islands, ranked one of Japan's three most scenic views.
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Kakunodate Samurai District
角館武家屋敷 · Akita
Preserved samurai houses under weeping cherry trees in spring.
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Ginzan Onsen
銀山温泉 · Yamagata
A snowy hot spring town of wooden inns and gas lamps.
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Photo: Σ64 / CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Ouchi-juku
大内宿 · Fukushima
An Edo-period post town of thatched-roof houses, famous for negi soba.
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Kanto 23

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Nikko Toshogu Shrine
日光東照宮 · Tochigi
Tokugawa Ieyasu's ornate mausoleum, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
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Photo: Abasaa / Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Hitachi Seaside Park
国営ひたち海浜公園 · Ibaraki
A hill of blue nemophila flowers in spring, then red kochia in fall.
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Kusatsu Onsen
草津温泉湯畑 · Gunma
Steaming hot spring waterfall in the middle of town.
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Kawagoe Warehouse District (Little Edo)
川越蔵造りの町並み · Saitama
Old merchant warehouses and a candy alley, an easy day trip from Tokyo.
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Tokyo Disneyland
東京ディズニーランド · Chiba
Two theme parks, DisneySea especially unique to Japan.
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Photo: Daderot / Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Senso-ji Temple
浅草寺 · Tokyo
Tokyo's oldest temple, with Kaminarimon gate and Nakamise shopping street.
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Meiji Jingu Shrine
明治神宮 · Tokyo
A quiet forest shrine in the middle of Harajuku and Shibuya.
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Photo: David Kernan / CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Shibuya Crossing
渋谷スクランブル交差点 · Tokyo
The world's busiest pedestrian crossing, best seen from above.
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Tokyo Skytree
東京スカイツリー · Tokyo
At 634 m, the tallest tower in the world, with sweeping views.
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Photo: Jakub Hałun / CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Shinjuku Gyoen
新宿御苑 · Tokyo
A huge garden with cherry blossoms and fall color, right in the city.
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teamLab Planets
チームラボプラネッツ TOKYO DMM · Tokyo
Walk barefoot through water and mirrored light installations.
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Tsukiji Outer Market
築地場外市場 · Tokyo
Sushi, tamagoyaki and street snacks in a lively market maze.
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Akihabara
秋葉原 · Tokyo
The center of anime, games and electronics shopping.
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Imperial Palace East Gardens
皇居東御苑 · Tokyo
Free gardens on the former Edo Castle grounds.
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Photo: David Kernan / CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Tokyo Tower
東京タワー · Tokyo
The red-and-white landmark that still lights up the skyline.
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Takeshita Street, Harajuku
竹下通り · Tokyo
Teen fashion, crepes and the roots of kawaii culture.
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Shinjuku Golden Gai
新宿ゴールデン街 · Tokyo
Hundreds of tiny bars packed into six narrow alleys.
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Ueno Park
上野恩賜公園 · Tokyo
Museums, a zoo and a famous cherry blossom walk in one park.
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Ghibli Museum
三鷹の森ジブリ美術館 · Tokyo
A whimsical museum for Studio Ghibli fans; tickets sell out ahead.
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Photo: Yoshikazu TAKADA / CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Kamakura Great Buddha (Kotoku-in)
鎌倉大仏 · Kanagawa
A 13-meter bronze Buddha, a classic day trip from Tokyo.
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Enoshima
江の島 · Kanagawa
A small island with shrines, seafood and Mt. Fuji views.
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Hakone Owakudani
大涌谷 · Kanagawa
Volcanic steam vents and black eggs, with Fuji views on clear days.
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Yokohama Chinatown
横浜中華街 · Kanagawa
Japan's largest Chinatown, made for grazing.
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Chubu 18

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Mount Fuji
富士山 · Yamanashi
Japan's iconic 3,776 m volcano; climb it in July and August, or view it from Kawaguchiko and Hakone.
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Photo: This Photo was taken by Supanut Arunoprayote . Feel free to use any of my images, but plea / CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Chureito Pagoda
新倉山浅間公園 · Yamanashi
The classic Mt. Fuji and pagoda photo, best in spring and fall.
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Photo: Midori / CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Lake Kawaguchiko
河口湖 · Yamanashi
Mt. Fuji reflected in the lake, with onsen and cafes around it.
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Matsumoto Castle
松本城 · Nagano
One of Japan's few original castles, in black against the Alps.
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Kamikochi
上高地 · Nagano
A car-free alpine valley, with Azusa River and Hotaka peaks.
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Jigokudani Monkey Park
地獄谷野猿公苑 · Nagano
Snow monkeys bathing in hot springs in winter.
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Photo: 雷太 / CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Zenkoji Temple
善光寺 · Nagano
A temple with 1,400 years of history, open to all faiths.
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Tsumago-juku
妻籠宿 · Nagano
A preserved post town on the old Nakasendo trail.
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Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route (Murodo)
室堂 · Toyama
Cable cars and buses over the Alps, with towering snow walls in spring.
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Photo: くろふね / CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Gokayama (Ainokura Village)
相倉合掌造り集落 · Toyama
Gassho-style farmhouses in a quiet UNESCO village.
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Photo: Ian Ferguson · InakaLifePhoto

Kenroku-en Garden
兼六園 · Ishikawa
Ranked among Japan's three great gardens, lovely in every season.
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Eiheiji Temple
大本山永平寺 · Fukui
A working Zen temple where monks train in the mountains.
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Shirakawa-go
白川郷 · Gifu
Steep thatched farmhouses in a UNESCO village, magical in snow.
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Takayama Old Town (Sanmachi Suji)
高山古い町並 · Gifu
Edo-era merchant streets, sake breweries and Hida beef.
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Photo: Ian Ferguson · InakaLifePhoto

Nagoya Castle
名古屋城 · Aichi
Nagoya's landmark castle with golden shachi on its roof.
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Atsuta Jingu Shrine
熱田神宮 · Aichi
One of Japan's most important shrines, in a calm forest.
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Inuyama Castle
犬山城 · Gifu
Japan's oldest surviving keep, above the Kiso River.
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Miho no Matsubara
三保松原 · Shizuoka
A pine-lined beach with a classic view of Mt. Fuji.
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Kansai 21

Ise Jingu (Naiku)
伊勢神宮内宮 · Mie
Japan's most sacred shrine, rebuilt every 20 years.
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Hikone Castle
彦根城 · Shiga
An original castle keep on Lake Biwa's shore.
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Fushimi Inari Taisha
伏見稲荷大社 · Kyoto
Thousands of red torii gates winding up a forested mountain.
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Photo: Sarah Stierch / CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Kiyomizu-dera
清水寺 · Kyoto
The wooden stage over Kyoto, with sweeping views.
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Photo: Hyppolyte de Saint-Rambert / CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Kinkaku-ji
鹿苑寺 (金閣寺) · Kyoto
The Golden Pavilion shimmering over its pond.
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Arashiyama Bamboo Grove
嵐山竹林の小径 · Kyoto
A towering bamboo path, best early in the morning.
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Gion (Hanamikoji Street)
花見小路通 · Kyoto
Kyoto's geisha district, with wooden teahouses along Hanamikoji.
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Photo: Gordon Cheung from Hong Kong / CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Nijo Castle
元離宮二条城 · Kyoto
A shogun's palace with creaking nightingale floors.
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Photo: Ian Ferguson · InakaLifePhoto

Ginkaku-ji (Silver Pavilion)
銀閣寺 · Kyoto
The Silver Pavilion and its moss garden, at the start of the Philosopher's Path.
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Nishiki Market
錦市場 · Kyoto
Kyoto's kitchen, five blocks of pickles, tofu and snacks.
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Sanjusangendo
三十三間堂 · Kyoto
1,001 golden Kannon statues in a 120-meter hall.
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Osaka Castle
大阪城天守閣 · Osaka
A grand castle surrounded by moats and a large park.
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Dotonbori
道頓堀 · Osaka
Neon lights, takoyaki and the Glico Man sign.
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Universal Studios Japan
ユニバーサル・スタジオ・ジャパン · Osaka
Home to Super Nintendo World.
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Umeda Sky Building
梅田スカイビル · Osaka
An open-air rooftop observatory linking two towers.
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Photo: Gorgo / Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Himeji Castle
姫路城 · Hyogo
Japan's most beautiful original castle, nicknamed the White Heron.
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Kinosaki Onsen
城崎温泉 · Hyogo
A town built for strolling in yukata between seven public baths.
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Photo: Ian Ferguson · InakaLifePhoto

Todai-ji
東大寺 · Nara
A giant Buddha and over a thousand free-roaming deer.
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Horyu-ji
法隆寺 · Nara
The world's oldest surviving wooden buildings.
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Koyasan Okunoin
奥之院 · Wakayama
A misty cemetery path, with temple lodging (shukubo) on the mountain.
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Nachi Falls (Kumano)
那智の滝 · Wakayama
Japan's tallest single-drop waterfall beside a red pagoda.
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Chugoku 7

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Tottori Sand Dunes
鳥取砂丘 · Tottori
Japan's largest dunes, with camel rides and sandboarding.
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Izumo Taisha
出雲大社 · Shimane
One of Japan's oldest shrines, famous for matchmaking.
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Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter
倉敷美観地区 · Okayama
White-walled warehouses along a willow-lined canal.
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Korakuen Garden
岡山後楽園 · Okayama
One of Japan's three great gardens, facing Okayama Castle.
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Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park and A-Bomb Dome
原爆ドーム · Hiroshima
A moving place to learn about 1945 and the call for peace.
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Photo: Jakub Hałun / CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Itsukushima Shrine
厳島神社 · Hiroshima
The floating torii gate on Miyajima.
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Kintaikyo Bridge
錦帯橋 · Yamaguchi
A five-arch wooden bridge from 1673.
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Shikoku 4

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Iya Kazurabashi Vine Bridge
祖谷のかずら橋 · Tokushima
A vine suspension bridge deep in a remote valley.
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Kotohira-gu
金刀比羅宮 · Kagawa
Climb 785 steps for the main hall, 1,368 to the inner shrine.
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Naoshima
直島 · Kagawa
An island of art museums and Yayoi Kusama's pumpkin.
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Photo: z tanuki / CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Dogo Onsen Honkan
道後温泉本館 · Ehime
One of Japan's oldest hot springs, in a Meiji-era bathhouse.
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Kyushu 10

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Dazaifu Tenmangu
太宰府天満宮 · Fukuoka
A scholar's shrine famous for plum blossoms and umegae mochi.
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Photo: Yoshikazu TAKADA from Tokyo, Japan / CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Nakasu Yatai Food Stalls
中洲屋台 · Fukuoka
Open-air food stalls along the river, serving ramen and yakitori.
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Nagasaki Peace Park
長崎平和公園 · Nagasaki
A solemn park and museum remembering 1945.
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Mount Inasa Night View
稲佐山 · Nagasaki
A world-class night view over Nagasaki's harbor.
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Photo: 663highland / CC BY 2.5, via Wikimedia Commons

Kumamoto Castle
熊本城 · Kumamoto
A mighty castle being restored after the 2016 earthquake.
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Mount Aso
阿蘇山 · Kumamoto
One of the world's largest calderas, with an active crater.
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Beppu Hells (Jigoku Meguri)
別府地獄めぐり · Oita
Steaming 'hell' ponds in vivid blue and red.
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Photo: HyunJae Park / Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Lake Kinrinko
金鱗湖 · Oita
A misty lake in a hot spring town of cafes and galleries.
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Photo: Kzaral / CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Takachiho Gorge
高千穂峡 · Miyazaki
A narrow gorge you can row through under a waterfall.
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Photo: Hyppolyte de Saint-Rambert / CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Sakurajima
桜島 · Kagoshima
An active volcano rising from Kagoshima Bay.
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Okinawa 4

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Shuri Castle
首里城公園 · Okinawa
The Ryukyu Kingdom's royal castle, being rebuilt after the 2019 fire.
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Photo: Abasaa / Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Kokusai-dori
国際通り · Okinawa
Naha's main street of souvenirs, izakaya and Okinawan food.
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Photo: Hyppolyte de Saint-Rambert / CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium
沖縄美ら海水族館 · Okinawa
A huge tank with whale sharks and manta rays.
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Photo: 663highland / CC BY 2.5, via Wikimedia Commons

Kabira Bay
川平湾 · Okinawa
Emerald water and white sand on Ishigaki Island.
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Japan’s Top 100

Hokkaido 6

Otaru Canal

Sapporo Odori Park

Mount Hakodate

Farm Tomita

Shirogane Blue Pond

Shiretoko Five Lakes

Tohoku 7

Hirosaki Castle

Oirase Gorge

Chuson-ji Temple

Matsushima Bay

Kakunodate Samurai District

Ginzan Onsen

Ouchi-juku

Kanto 23

Nikko Toshogu Shrine

Hitachi Seaside Park

Kusatsu Onsen

Kawagoe Warehouse District (Little Edo)

Tokyo Disneyland

Senso-ji Temple

Meiji Jingu Shrine

Shibuya Crossing

Tokyo Skytree

Shinjuku Gyoen

teamLab Planets

Tsukiji Outer Market

Akihabara

Imperial Palace East Gardens

Tokyo Tower

Takeshita Street, Harajuku

Shinjuku Golden Gai

Ueno Park

Ghibli Museum

Kamakura Great Buddha (Kotoku-in)

Enoshima

Hakone Owakudani

Yokohama Chinatown

Chubu 18

Mount Fuji

Chureito Pagoda

Lake Kawaguchiko

Matsumoto Castle

Kamikochi

Jigokudani Monkey Park

Zenkoji Temple

Tsumago-juku

Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route (Murodo)

Gokayama (Ainokura Village)

Kenroku-en Garden

Eiheiji Temple

Shirakawa-go

Takayama Old Town (Sanmachi Suji)

Nagoya Castle

Atsuta Jingu Shrine

Inuyama Castle

Miho no Matsubara

Kansai 21

Ise Jingu (Naiku)

Hikone Castle

Fushimi Inari Taisha

Kiyomizu-dera

Kinkaku-ji

Arashiyama Bamboo Grove

Gion (Hanamikoji Street)

Nijo Castle

Ginkaku-ji (Silver Pavilion)

Nishiki Market

Sanjusangendo

Osaka Castle

Dotonbori

Universal Studios Japan

Umeda Sky Building

Himeji Castle

Kinosaki Onsen

Todai-ji

Horyu-ji

Koyasan Okunoin