Japan is renowned for its delicate cherry blossoms and mesmerizing bamboo forests, but that’s only the beginning of the country’s charms. From the snowy wilderness of Hokkaido to the tropical forests of Okinawa, Japan has enough natural wonders to keep you in awe. The biodiversity of Yakushima and the “snow monsters” of Mount Zaō are sure to impress even the most seasoned travelers. Come explore some of the most stunning places across the country’s 47 prefectures.
Best tourist destination: Tottori Sand DunesUnderrated hidden gem: Iya ValleyBest for families: Lake KawaguchiBest for couples: Northern AlpsBest for solo travelers: Yakushima
Read on to discover more beautiful places in Japan, with spots perfect for every kind of traveler.
Tottori Sand Dunes, Tottori
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The enormous sand dunes on the Tottori coast have an otherworldly quality. The surreal scenery was the inspiration for Kōbō Abe’s 1962 novel (and later film) “The Woman in the Dunes.” Sandboarding and paragliding are popular at the Tottori Sand Dunes, and travelers can learn all about sand sculptures on a visit to the Sand Museum.
Iya Valley, Tokushima, Shikoku
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The remote and isolated Iya Valley was an escape for the retreating Heike samurai clan. The valley is characterized by plunging gorges, verdant mountains with terraced farms, centuries-old thatched-roof farmhouses, and suspended woven vine bridges swaying precariously over rushing rivers.
Lake Kawaguchi, Yamanashi
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Part of the Fuji Five Lakes area, Lake Kawaguchi offers exceptional views of Japan’s most revered mountain, often perfectly reflected in the water’s glassy surface on a clear day. The lake is a destination for pleasure seekers who come here to walk, cycle, and boat. Campgrounds abound, as do numerous hot spring hotels offering thermal baths with open-air views of the mountain. In spring, you can find cherry blossoms blooming along the lakeside.
Northern Alps, Nagano
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Multiday treks are possible along Japan’s Northern Alps, which stretch across four prefectures. The Panorama Ginza route is a three-day hike ending at an 8,769-foot summit. Along the way, you’ll enjoy dramatic views, starry skies, and alpine flora, and you might even spot some endangered birds. End your day with a visit to one of the area’s many onsen, where you can soak in the natural hot springs and also spend the night.
Yakushima, Kagoshima, Kyushu
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The green island of Yakushima, off the southern tip of Kyushu’s Kagoshima Prefecture, is known for its biodiversity and draws visitors looking for outdoor adventures. It’s home to native deer and monkeys not found elsewhere, as well as ancient cedars and migrating turtles and dolphins. One-fifth of the island has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage site, and the heady mix of subtropical forest, hot springs, and dozens of peaks of more than 3,000 feet served as major inspiration for the Studio Ghibli animators of “Princess Mononoke.”
Shiretoko National Park, Hokkaido
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At the very top of Hokkaido lies Shiretoko National Park, another UNESCO World Heritage site, which sprawls across nearly 100,000 acres. It’s the habitat for one of the densest populations of brown bears in the world and is frequented by whales, porpoises, and sea birds among the drift ice in the Sea of Okhotsk. Visitors can enjoy hikes, natural hot springs, and sea kayaking along the coast.
Takachiho Gorge, Miyazaki, Kyushu
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The Gokase River has carved a deep slash through volcanic rock, creating this gorge with an undulating surface resembling dragon scales climbing toward the sky. Visitors can rent a rowboat to paddle down the river and along the Minainotaki, a waterfall plunging down the sheer cliffs into the river.
Goshikinuma, Fukushima
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The back side of Mount Bandai in Fukushima Prefecture is home to Goshikinuma, which means “five-colored ponds” and refers to a collection of water bodies that shift their brilliant hues to blues, greens, and reds based on the time of day, season, and weather. The pond trail winds through the forest and can be hiked or snowshoed, depending on the time of year. In the warm months, you can rent a rowboat to cross the largest lake and look for colorful carp swimming just below the surface.
Ogasawara Islands, Tokyo
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It may be part of Tokyo, but this UNESCO Natural World Heritage site is more than 620 miles away, in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. The Ogasawara Islands are only accessible via a ferry that departs from Tokyo and takes 24 hours to reach Chichijima, the largest island. Along with Hahajima, it’s one of only two that are inhabited. The crystal-clear waters around this archipelago of more than 30 islands are home to sperm whales, dolphins, coral reefs, and even a submerged shipwreck for snorkel exploration and scuba diving.
Gokayama, Toyama
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Gokayama and the neighboring area of Shirakawa-go have been recognized by UNESCO for rustic farm villages that maintain the structures and appearance from centuries past. The villages are set in green valleys surrounded by towering, snowy mountains dotted with traditional Gassho-Zukuri farmhouses featuring steeply pitched thatched roofs that insulate the homes against the cold and keep snow from piling up. Try a farm stay with firewood heat, tasty country food, and hot spring baths.
Iriomote Island, Okinawa
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Closer to Taiwan than mainland Japan, Iriomote Island is one of the country’s wildest and most remote places. The jungle-like center gives way to mangroves and white-sand beaches with sparkling blue water at the edge. The island is only accessible by ferry and is home to the Iriomote cat, a critically endangered wildcat that is only found here. The many stunning beaches include Hoshizuna-no-Hama, which is known for its unique star-shaped sand.
Mount Zaō, Yamagata
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In January and February, a curious phenomenon takes over the ski resort at Mount Zaō. Aomori fir trees meet Siberian winds, and before long, the slopes become covered by juhyo, or “snow monsters” — an army of giant, shaggy beasts with long beards and stumpy arms, seemingly ready to shuffle forward in battle. The mountain also features the stunning Okama Crater, a volcanic basin filled with water that changes color throughout the day based on the sun’s intensity.
Shiroyone Senmaida Rice Terraces, Ishikawa
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On Ishikawa’s Noto Peninsula, the rice paddies at Shiroyone Senmaida border the sea. Every spring, the paddies are flooded with water, and the sunset glints on the ocean and inland over the rice fields. As the season develops and the rice grows, the colors slowly change from the reflected sky to deep green and yellow. After the rice harvest, thousands of solar-powered lights adorn the terraces, creating a mesmerizing display.
Matsushima, Miyagi
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Matsushima Bay in Miyagi Prefecture is dotted with 260 pine-covered islands famously immortalized in Matsuo Basho’s haiku and woodblock prints. Hike along the bay on foot, sail its waters, and visit the many temples along its shores. While you’re there, enjoy the local specialty sasa-kamaboko, a white fish that’s blended into a paste and baked into the shape of bamboo leaves.
Mount Yoshino, Nara
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Nara Prefecture’s Mount Yoshino becomes a vision in pink during the spring, as 30,000 cherry trees bloom in stages, blanketing the hillside in blossoms. Dating back hundreds of years, the trees are interspersed with walking paths, temples, and shrines.
Kumano Kodo, Wakayama
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These sacred trails, a UNESCO World Heritage site, have been walked by spiritual pilgrims, from emperors to samurai to peasants. Parts of the trail weave through tiny villages where walkers can find a meal or a bed for the night, and to shrines that incorporate both Shinto and Buddhist religions.
Jodogahama, Iwate
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Jodogahama means “Pure Land Beach,” named by a Buddhist monk who compared it to paradise. Characterized by a white rocky shoreline, blue-green waters, and dramatic stone formations jutting out from the water, the beach is part of the Sanriku Fukko National Park and enjoyed by swimmers and kayakers alike. Small blue caves off the coast are accessible by boat tour.
Wazuka Tea Fields, Kyoto
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With gently rolling hills and terraced fields, the tea plantations in Wazuka offer some unique experiences. Visitors here can walk or even cycle among the plants while farmers pluck the tender leaves, getting ready to roast, ferment, or grind different types of green tea. Tea education and ceremony experiences are on offer here as well, and you can drink and take home the freshest leaves imaginable for your own drinking rituals.
Takeda Castle Ruins, Hyōgo
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Takeda Castle was built in 1441 atop Shiroyama, a mountain rising more than 1,150 feet above sea level. The castle was destroyed after the Battle of Sekigahara in 1600 and fell into ruins. Come autumn and winter, the site is shrouded in mist, giving off an eerie image as the ghostly remains of a past era seem to float in the clouds.
Lake Chūzenji, Tochigi
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A longstanding retreat for European diplomats, Lake Chūzenji is a remote and spiritual escape located a few hours outside of Tokyo in Nikko National Park. The highest-elevation lake in Japan is backdropped by Mount Nantai and the picturesque Chūzenji Temple. Visit in the fall to take in the famous foliage views along the hairpin roads that lead to the area. You can learn about the area’s fascinating natural history at the Nikko Natural Science Museum.
Oirase Gorge, Aomori
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Oirase Stream meanders through the forest along Oirase Gorge in Aomori Prefecture. The gorge is carpeted with moss and laced with waterfalls, some of which freeze during winter, even as the stream continues to flow. Walk the 8.7-mile trail, or rent a bike at the beginning and return it at the end of the path.
Hakone, Kanagawa
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This mountainous hot spring resort town is perched in Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park, just 1.5 hours from Tokyo. Packed with hot spring inns, Hakone sits on the banks of Lake Ashi, serviced by pleasure boats and home to the Hakone Shrine, complete with a splendid floating torii (gate). Here, retro railroads chug up the mountain; the Hakone Open-Air Museum combines sweeping views with contemporary art; and a cable car leads to Owakudani (Hell Valley), where locals boil eggs in natural sulfurous springs. You can visit the Hakone Kowakien Yunessun, a hot springs “theme park,” where you can soak in thermal baths spiked with coffee, wine, and green tea.
Miyajima, Hiroshima
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The entrance to Miyajima is guarded by the spectacular Itsukushima Shrine, with its iconic floating torii offshore. This beautiful island is heavily populated with native deer, and on the hike up Mount Misen, you may also encounter the occasional mischievous Japanese macaque. If you’re not up for walking, ride the aerial gondola to enjoy the stunning views.
Hitachi Seaside Park, Ibaraki
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This 470-acre park offers fields of gold, blue, pink, and more, depending on the season and what’s in bloom. The 5.3 million nemophila flowers are popular with crowds, and there’s a 6.8-mile cycling course for a spring morning diversion.
Mount Aso, Kumamoto, Kyushu
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Japan’s largest active volcano, Mount Aso, is exciting enough in itself, with its near-constant spewing of smoke and 15-mile north-to-south diameter caldera. The gently undulating grasslands of Kusasenri at the foot of the mountains are dotted with ponds and grazing livestock. They’re also open for hiking and horseback riding.
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