Highlights & Spots

Hokkaido Region

Hokkaido

Asahiyama Zoo: A zoo in Asahikawa City known for its behavioral exhibition approach.

Tohoku Region

Aomori

Hirosaki Castle (Hirosaki Park): Completed in 1611 as Tsugaru Domain's castle.

Iwate

Chusonji Konjikido Hall: Hiraizumi Chusonji's mausoleum preserving Oshu Fujiwara clan's glory.

Miyagi

Matsushima Bay: One of Japan's Three Scenic Views with over 260 islands floating in the bay.

Akita

Kakunodate Samurai District: Famous spot for cherry blossoms and autumn foliage with samurai residences remaining from the Edo period.

Yamagata

Ginzan Onsen: A mountain hot spring town where Taisho-era romantic wooden ryokan line the Ginzan River.

Fukushima

Tsurugajo (Wakamatsu Castle): Symbol of Aizu-Wakamatsu known as a fierce battlefield during the Boshin War.

Kanto Region

Ibaraki

Kairakuen: One of Japan's Three Great Gardens opened in 1842 by 9th Mito Domain Lord Tokugawa Nariaki wishing to create a place to 'enjoy with the people.

Tochigi

Nikko Toshogu Shrine: A World Heritage site featuring magnificent shrine buildings dedicated to Tokugawa Ieyasu, with national treasures including Yomeimon Gate, Three Wise Monkeys, and Sleeping Cat.

Gunma

Kusatsu Onsen Yubatake: Central hub of Kusatsu Onsen, one of Japan's premier natural hot spring sources.

Saitama

Kawagoe Ichibangai Kurazukuri Street: Historic landscape district where black-plastered kurazukuri merchant houses built from Edo to Meiji periods line the streets.

Chiba

Tokyo Disney Resort: A world-class theme park complex comprising Tokyo Disneyland, Tokyo DisneySea, multiple Disney hotels, and commercial facility Ikspiari.

Tokyo

Tokyo Skytree: World-class freestanding broadcasting tower standing 634m tall.

Kanagawa

Minato Mirai 21: Large-scale waterfront development area facing Yokohama Port.

Chubu Region

Niigata

Historic Sado Gold Mine: Public viewing of tunnels from Japan's largest gold-producing mine from the Edo to modern periods.

Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route: One of the world's premier mountain tourism routes traversing an elevation difference of approximately 3,000m via six types of transportation including cable cars, buses, and ropeways, visiting the Great Snow Wall and Kurobe Dam.

Ishikawa

Kenrokuen Garden: A circuit-style daimyo garden skillfully arranged with water features, artificial hills, and plantings.

Fukui

Tojinbo: National scenic beauty and natural monument where columnar jointed cliffs carved by Sea of Japan rough waves continue for about 1km.

Yamanashi

Mount Fuji (Yoshida Route): Main route climbing the World Heritage Mount Fuji from the Yamanashi side.

Nagano

Zenkoji Temple: Non-sectarian temple with approximately 1,400 years of history, with a national treasure main hall.

Gifu

Shirakawa-go Gassho-zukuri Village: A mountain village where gassho-zukuri houses with steep thatched roofs remain as living spaces.

Shizuoka

Mount Fuji (Shizuoka Side): Standing at 3,776 meters, this World Cultural Heritage symbol of Japan offers close views of the Hoei Crater and majestic foothills from the Shizuoka side.

Aichi

Nagoya Castle: Castle built by Tokugawa Ieyasu as the Owari Tokugawa family residence.

Kinki Region

Mie

Ise Grand Shrine: Sacred site of Japanese mythology with 2,000 years of history.

Shiga

Hikone Castle: A famous castle built in early Edo period with national treasure keep.

Kyoto

Kiyomizu-dera Temple: An ancient temple founded in 778 and part of the UNESCO World Heritage 'Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto.

Osaka

Osaka Castle Tenshu Tower: World Heritage site symbolizing Osaka, where the reconstructed keep built by Toyotomi Hideyoshi offers panoramic views of Osaka City from the top floor.

Hyogo

Himeji Castle: A World Heritage site affectionately called the White Heron Castle.

Nara

Todai-ji Daibutsuden (Great Buddha Hall): World Heritage site symbolizing Nara, where the Kondo hall founded in 752 enshrines the approximately 15-meter tall Rushana Buddha (Nara Great Buddha).

Wakayama

Wakayama Castle: Connected keep known as residence of Kishu Tokugawa clan with 555,000 koku.

Chugoku Region

Tottori

Tottori Sand Dunes: Japan's largest coastal sand dunes.

Shimane

Izumo Taisha Shrine: Ancient shrine of Japan's highest rank enshrining Okuninushi-no-Okami appearing in mythology, where deities from across the nation gather.

Okayama

Korakuen Garden: One of Japan's Three Great Gardens, a daimyo garden.

Hiroshima

Itsukushima Shrine: A World Heritage site featuring an iconic vermillion torii gate floating in the sea and corridor-style architecture.

Yamaguchi

Kintaikyo Bridge: One of Japan's three famous bridges featuring five elegant wooden arches.

Shikoku Region

Tokushima

Naruto Whirlpools (Uzunomichi Promenade): The Uzunomichi walkway beneath the Onaruto Bridge allows observation of spectacular whirlpools up to 20 meters in diameter through glass floors - a world-famous natural phenomenon.

Kagawa

Ritsurin Garden: A daimyo garden designated as a Special Place of Scenic Beauty by the national government.

Ehime

Matsuyama Castle: One of Japan's 12 original castles, built atop 132m Mount Katsu.

Kochi

Katsurahama Beach: Kochi's premier scenic spot with beautiful contrast of bow-shaped white sand, pine groves, and blue sea washed by Kuroshio Current.