From brightly illuminated cities to sweeping natural landscapes, centuries-old temples to brilliant modern architecture, Japan is a country filled with the unique beauty that comes from blending ancient traditions with contemporary design and innovation. Whether your idea of the perfect vacation consists of observing cherry blossoms and newly blooming wisteria, a stroll through a big city along a meandering river, sipping matcha at a tea house, or visiting landmarks like old castles and sacred shrines, Japan is captivating and vibrant, creating both peace and wonder from within.
Planning a trip to Japan is no easy feat, but not because it’s difficult to fill your itinerary— it’s actually quite the opposite! There are so many picturesque places to visit and sights to behold, so we’ve rounded up some of the most beautiful places across to Japan to help inspire your next visit to the island nation.
Ashikaga Flower Park, Ashikaga
Wisteria, called fuji in Japanese, is among the country’s most beloved flowers, and there’s no better place to view the striking beauties than Ashikaga Flower Park. The flower park, located in Ashikaga City, is home to one massive wisteria tree that’s over 100 years old. Trellises help to support the countless branches, resulting in a jaw-dropping canopy of vibrant flowers. The best time of year to visit is at the beginning of May, when the wisteria is typically in full bloom.
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Himeji Castle, Himeji
A Japanese national treasure and a World Heritage site, Himeji Castle— also called the White Heron Castle— is one of the 12 original castles that still remain in Japan. The more-than-400-year-old fortress is seven stories high and its grounds are home to more than 1,000 cherry trees whose blossoms are a sight to behold each spring. To this day, one of that castle’s original moats remains intact, and you can take a boat ride along its waters if you schedule your visit for a weekend.
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Mount Fuji, Shizuoka and Yamanashi
Mount Fuji is not only the highest mountain in Japan, but it’s an active volcano— the second-highest volcano across all of the Asian islands. The mountain, affectionately referred to as “Fuji-san,” is one of Japan’s three sacred mountains, and its peak stands at a staggering 3,776 meters tall. While some prefer to take in the mountain by climbing to its summit, you can also view it from nearby sites, including the Fuji Five Lakes.
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Itsukushima Shrine, Miyajima
For centuries, the Itsukushima Shrine on Miyajima Island has been worshiped by locals and visitors alike as a holy site. The shrine is best known for its torii gate (which was built over water to appear as if it is floating), but it does include of several other buildings, such as a prayer hall, main hall, and Noh theater stage. Both the shrine and the torii gate are lit up from sunset until 11 p.m. daily, though you can only enter the shrine during daylight hours.
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Biolumescent Rocks, Okayama
Along the coast of Okayama, Japan, lies a collection of rocks that emit a bright, blue light that is seemingly otherworldly. The bioluminescence is actually from a native species of shrimp that live along the beach in the sand and shallow water. The shrimp, or Vargula Hilgendorfii, are more colloquially referred to as sea fireflies, and are individually just 3mm in length.
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Meguro River, Tokyo
The Meguro River, located in Tokyo, stretches nearly eight kilometers, winding through beautiful neighborhoods along the edge of the city, ultimately emptying into Tokyo Bay. Pristinely manicured walking paths lined with places to dine and enjoy drinks make it the ideal destination for a casual stroll. Along the way you’ll find the Meguro Museum of Art, Tokyo Parasite Museum, and T.Y. Harbor, a popular local restaurant and brewery.
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Nara Park, Nara
Spanning a massive 660 hectares, Nara Park is a destination for animal lovers and nature enthusiasts because it’s home to a large population of free-roaming deer and offers plenty of opportunities to hand-feed them. You can also explore several trails, including one through Mt. Kasuga Primeval Forest, a sacred site with World Heritage status. The park is filled with world-renowned temples, traditional tea houses, and shops to procure souvenirs.
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Tama Art University Library, Tokyo
The Tama Art University Library in Tokyo is a work of art unto itself. It was designed by famed architect Toyo Ito, and its design and construction make it truly one of a kind. The two-story building is made from a combination of steel and concrete, giving it a modernist look.
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Hokokuji Bamboo Forest, Kamakura
Originally founded during the Muromachi Period, the Hokokuji temple belonged to the ruling Ashikaga Clan, and later became the family temple of the Uesugi Clan. The bamboo grove, which can be found behind the temple’s main hall, is home to more than 2,000 bamboo stalks, and guests can explore them by way of a path that cuts through them. Traverse the path to its end, where you’ll find a tea house where you can sip fresh matcha and relish the view.
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Lake Kussharo, Hokkaido
Located within Akan Mashu National Park, Lake Kussharo is vast, making it the biggest caldera in Japan. It’s a popular destination for fishing, hiking, kayaking, as well as countless hot springs and sandy beaches can be found along its shore. It’s also the largest lake in Japan that freezes over completely in the wintertime, and it lies along the migratory path of the whooper swan.
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