It’s possible to walk a section of this old highway, between mountains and through thick forests, as well as visit some of the well-preserved towns. It has been popular since ancient times as an escape from the city to enjoy its natural setting. Ready to visit Japan? While not a complete “secret,” it’s a shame that so many Japan travelers miss Hokkaido! It’s also a major foodie destination, offering some of Japan’s best seafood, and a variety of local specialties (there’s a reason it was a featured destination on Anthony Bourdain’s No Res… Once the outer garden of Kanazawa Castle, Kenrokuen was opened to the public in the late 19th century. With around 200 inhabitants, Aogashima is also the smallest village in Japan. People know Shirakawa-go as an area of "gasshou" houses - an ancient traditional architecture. Camel rides are widely available, causing the area to have an enchanting, desert-like atmosphere. 25 Most Beautiful Places in Japan. 10 Most Scenic Places in Japan 1. There are so many places need to visit in Japan, such as below: Ueno Park. We and our partners use cookies to better understand your needs, improve performance and provide you with personalised content and advertisements. You may use this list to learn more about the 7 most beautiful places in Japan to help you plan your perfect itinerary. Japan in Pictures: 15 Beautiful Places to Photograph. Takayama is an utterly gorgeous small town on the edge of the Japan Alps and one of the best less-visited places to go in Japan. To revisit this article, visit My Profile, then View saved stories. Top 10 Beautiful Places in Japan for Nature Lovers. Well-known for its abundance of ancient temples, vibrant gardens, and shrines, Kyoto offers travellers a glimpse into Japan’s traditional side. And while you could spend a lifetime exploring all of the splendidly whimsical islands and cities, we suggest you start with this list. The most isolated island in the Izu archipelago, Aogashima is home to an enormous double volcano. And loved your picture with the animal. The land of sushi, cherry blossoms, temples, gardens, cities with neon skyscrapers… Of course it’s Japan we’re talking about! © 2021 Condé Nast. Aside from attracting those seeking spiritual fulfilment, the island offers some spectacular coastlines, mountain ranges, and tumbling rivers. The bamboo forest is equally famous for its beauty as for the characteristic sounds created by the bamboo stalks swaying in the wind. Just east of Tokyo, Chiba is where Japan’s gateway Narita International Airport is located. The mountain And the temples, shrines and geishas of Japan’s big cities, like Tokyo and Kyoto. Tours that include this experiencex Adachi Museum of Art The Kiso Valley is home to the Nakasendo trail, one of only five Edo-period highways connecting Edo (Tokyo) and Kyoto. In fact, the country is so keen on keeping their Samurai history alive, that they built an entire museum dedicated to its memory. 6 thoughts on Japan Itinerary 14 Days – The most beautiful places in Japan. A trip to the Tokyo Tower offers a beautiful and breathtaking view. Travelers during this time made this long journey on foot and, as a result, the Kiso Valley is dotted with historic post towns where travelers once rested, ate, and slept along the way. The most impressive part of the route is the road between Bijodaira and Murodo, which is bordered by 20-metre-high snow walls from April to May each year. Shirakawa-go is a stunning year-round village in the center of Gifu. The second largest island in the Seto Inland Sea, Shodoshima is one of the hosts of the Setouchi Triennale contemporary art festival, and outdoor installations from previous festivals can be seen dotted around the island. Shodoshima has a mild climate and a Mediterranean atmosphere, home to beaches, dramatic coastlines, resorts, and even olive plantations. Shikoku is Japan’s fourth largest island, located southwest of the main island of Honshu to which it is connected via two bridge systems. Most tourists go here during cherry blossom or autumn season, but it’s a great destination in the summertime as well. The world’s famous Sapporo Snow Festival takes place in the capital city, Sapporo for 2 weeks and turns the whole city into the dreamy winter wonderland. I loved wandering the historic centre full of traditional wooden houses, colourful shrines, neatly shaped trees, and bright red bridges over the river. Boasting beautiful mountain scenery, relaxing hot springs, and a number of world-class art museums, Hakone is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Japan. To allow us to provide a better and more tailored experience please click "OK". Japan's most popular tourist attraction is this Shinto shrine dedicated to Inari, the god of rice. Arashiyama’s Path of Bamboo Despite boasting a mere length of 300 meters, the Path of Bamboo in Kyoto’s Arashiyama region appears as if the portal to a whole other world. What a cool itinerary! The Tottori Sand Dunes are part of Sanin Kaigan National Park in Tottori Prefecture. Samurai Museum in Tokyo. 12 Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Kyoto. Two French journalists are on a mission to capture all of the locations listed on the 100 Landscapes of Japan (Heisei era) by February 2018. While Kyoto prides itself on its atmosphere of calm tranquility, the city has some of the most extreme weather in Japan. Winter in Hokkaido is really cold, yet it’s definitely one of the most beautiful places to visit in the world. Grab your coat, because winter is an amazing time to see Kyoto’s Kifune Shrine.. The country offers a full range of nature and culture, from subtropical beaches to snowy mountains, futuristic skylines to ancient temples. The Tokyo Disney Resort is also in Chiba, just cross the border with Tokyo. The Blue Pond in Hokkaido Prefecture, also called Aoiike, is known for its ethereal blue colour. The tower lights up beautifully and elegantly throughout the night, which is also a nice touch and a perfect photo scene. View Most Beautiful Places in Japan.pptx from FILES 283 at Canada College. This island is also tied to influential monk Kobo Daishi as the home of the 88 Temple route, one of the country’s most important pilgrimages. And Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, and more remote villages offer visitors unique insights into what makes Japanese culture so beautiful and unique. Condé Nast Traveler does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Visiting beautiful places to go in Japan will create best memories in your life. Most Beautiful Places in Japan Kochia Garden at the Hitachi Seaside Park Though Hitachi Seaside Park is famous for the beds of baby-blue nemophilas flowers that blanket the rolling hills in the springtime, another season’s emergence reigns supreme. Comprising the northern section of Ishikawa Prefecture, the Noto Peninsula is home to some of Japan’s most stunning coastal scenery and untouched countryside landscapes. Nachi Falls is the tallest waterfall (with a single drop) in the country, tumbling down 133 metres (436 feet) into a rushing river below. Most Beautiful Places in Japan Japan - Tourist Attractions Mount Fuji Mount Fuji is a symbol of Japan. All rights reserved. The temple has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Nicknamed Karasu-jō (Crow Castle), it’s known for its beautiful black-and-white three-turreted main keep. Tree stumps protruding from the surface of the water add to its otherworldly appearance. Motonosumi Inari Shrine has been listed by CNN as one of the top 31 beautiful places in Japan. 15 Best Places to Visit in Japan Japan is revered as being a destination that makes every type of traveler feel right at home. Tide movement and wind causes the dunes’ shapes to change constantly, but they can be up to two kilometres wide and 50 metres high. Shirakawa-go, Gifu. Paths wind through towering bamboo groves, with the sun peaking between the green stalks and creating an enchanting effect. The sect’s head temple, Kongobu-ji, is set on the forest-covered mountaintop of Mount Koya. Located just a short train ride to the southwest of Tokyo, the town lies on the shores of … Written by Bryan Dearsley Nov 17, 2020. Japan is the most favorite destinations of travelers roaming around Asia, you can find advanced technology, unconventional landscapes, eye-catching and Instagram-worthy cherry blossom trees, and a whole lot more! Top 13 Places To Visit On Your Japan Winter Holiday 1. By Lisa Wallin. Condé Nast Traveler may earn a portion of sales from products that are purchased through our site as part of our Affiliate Partnerships with retailers. Hakone and Mount Fuji – a gorgeous mountainous town known for its hot springs resorts and Japan’s famous volcano Hakone, famous for Mount Fuji, is one of the most beautiful places to visit in Japan. Ask anyone who has visited, and they'll tell you: Japan … Buddhist religious sites, like the Kiyomizu Temple and Sanjusangendo Hall, are top tourist draws to Japan as well. 11 Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Japan. I can't imagine that a more beautiful onsen exists! By Caitlin Morto n. March 22, 2017. Over 100 other temples have been established around Mount Koya, many of which offer visitors an overnight stay. While these places are definitely beautiful, few ever venture outside of the typical … Widgets Magazine By Lisa Wallin. Both areas are known for their traditional, Nishinomaru Garden is a gorgeous lawn garden that offers, Buddhist shingon monks pray in Danjo Garan Monastery Complex in Koyansan, Japan, Noto Hanto Peninsula coastline in Wajima Prefecture, Japan, The Kazuabashi Suspension bridge, Shikoku Island, Japan, Nakasendo road, Tsumago-juku, Kiso Valley, Japan, The pyramid in the quarries on the island Shodoshima, Japan, © Ryszard Stelmachowicz / Alamy Stock Photo, Tea House in Kenrokuen Garden, Kanazawa, Japan, Nachi Falls with Hiro Shrine and torii gate, Japan, Cable car at Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route, Japan alps, Carpet of Nemophila, Hitachi Seaside Park, Japan, Path inside the Bamboo Grove in Arashiyama, Kyoto, © Andres Garcia Martin / Alamy Stock Photo, Osaka Castle and Nishinomaru Garden, Japan, Setouchi Triennale contemporary art festival, Kenrokuen Garden, Ishikawa Prefecture, 920-0936, Japan, Matsumoto Castle, Matsumoto-shi, 390-0873, Japan, Hitachi Seaside Park, Hitachinaka-shi, 312-0012, Japan. Any information published by Condé Nast Traveler is not intended as a substitute for medical advice, and you should not take any action before consulting with a healthcare professional. If you’re one for natural wonders, open landscapes and stunning landmarks, then Nachi Falls (Nachi-no-taki) should be on top of your list for places to visit whilst in Japan. The Sagano Bamboo Forest is located in Arashiyama, a district on the western outskirts of Kyoto. Japan is filled with countless places that inspire and enchant visitors. One of the most popular shrines located in the city is the Fushimi Inari Taisha. Both structures are known as Japan tourist spots and two of the best places to visit in Japan. From big cities to quaint temples to adventure trails and snow slopes, Japan is a diverse landscape that does an incredible job at … Seiganto-ji Temple is one of the most beautiful places we went in Japan. 5 Beautiful Places to Go in Japan. However, sightseeing Mount Fuji is not easy as it’s mostly hidden by clouds. Have you booked your ticket yet? At the time of writing, they have explored 76 of the total 100 locations and festivals. January 19, 2019 at 10:12 am . Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement (updated as of 1/1/21) and Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement (updated as of 1/1/21) and Your California Privacy Rights. Japan is 2-3 years away for me, but I will remember this list. Here's why! Its main tourist center, Wajima City, is home to fewer than 30,000 people and serves as wonderful place to experience Japanese small-town life. Hokkaido is Japan’s northernmost island and a nature-lover’s paradise. Named one of Japan’s ‘three most beautiful landscape gardens’, Kenrokuen Garden is filled with charming bridges, walking trails, teahouses, trees and flower. Each season reveals a different side of the garden’s beauty, from plum and cherry blossoms in the spring to colourful maple-tree leaves in the autumn. Named one of Japan’s ‘three most beautiful landscape gardens’, Kenrokuen Garden is filled with charming bridges, walking trails, teahouses, trees and flower. Gokayama is part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site that also encompasses the nearby village of Shirakawa-gō. Aside from admiring the natural scenery, the peninsula offers a number of spots for fishing, swimming, and camping. Nippon 100: A Quest to Find the Most Beautiful Places in Japan. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Condé Nast. 12 Top-Rated Tourist Attractions & Things to Do in Tokyo. This artificial pond was created as part of an erosion control system, designed to protect the area from mudflows that can occur from the nearby Mt. The island itself is a volcano and there’s a second smaller volcano found at its centre. There are strong currents and hoards of jellyfish in the water. Mount Koya is the spiritual home of Shingon Buddhism, a sect founded more than 1,200 years ago by one of Japan’s most important religious figures, Kobo Daishi. The 35 best places to visit in Japan are Tokyo, Hiroshima, Nara, Osaka and more make the nation a gem worth witnessing with your family in 2021. Arashiyama is a district on the western outskirts of Kyoto known for its beautiful nature and scenic temples. It’s home to national parks, lakes and hot springs, brilliant flowers, and some of the world’s best powder skiing and snowboarding (at famous resorts like Niseko). The list of 10 best historical places to visit in Japan: 10. The temple is set in front of the scenic Nachi Falls, the tallest waterfall in Japan. Japan’s rich history stemming back from 800 years ago, is known to have many past Samaria fighters. Ad Choices, Kumano Nachi Taisha Shrine and Nachi Falls, Wakayama Prefecture. However, there are many landmarks where you can see this mountain. The pond’s eerie blue colour is caused by natural minerals dissolved in the water. From historic castles and eye-catching floral displays to unusual landscapes that look pulled from a completely different country, here are some of the most beautiful places in Japan you have to see to believe. Thousands of torii gates form a maze of vermillion-colored tunnels. The only problem with Seiganto-ji Temple is that it’s kinda out in the middle of nowhere. The waterfall is overlooked by the gorgeous Nachi Taisha Shinto shrine, which is said to be more than 1,400 years old. Ueno Park is a recommended place to visit in Japan, especially when spring comes. Initially built in 1504, it was expanded to its current form in the late 16th and early 17th centuries. This amazing country has such a rich culture ready for us to explore it. This must be the best onsen in Japan. The paradisical bay is located on Ishigaki Island, and while it is one of Japan’s most stunningly beautiful landscapes, it’s not quite the Eden it appears to be. Tokachi volcano. Priyanka Gupta. Built in honour of the waterfall’s kami (spirit god), the shrine is one of several Buddhist and Shinto religious sites found around the waterfall. These places redefined the meaning of beauty in the dictionary of my mind and continue to fill my most Wes Anderson-esque day dreams. Ask anyone who has visited, and they'll tell you: Japan is easily one of the most stunning places in the world. The city of Narita, close to the airport, is sometimes visited by international travelers as a “quick taste” of Japan during a layover. Kabira Bay is Japan’s little piece of coastal heaven where crystal-clear azure waters lap against pure white sand. Once the outer garden of Kanazawa Castle, Kenrokuen was opened to the public in the late 19th century. The Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route connects Toyama City in Toyama Prefecture with Omachi Town in Nagano Prefecture. Stretching for 16 kilometres along of the Sea of Japan coast, the dunes are the largest in the country. Another famous site is Mount Fuji, which is famous for being the highest point in Japan, and also for the beautiful five lakes. For many centuries, the people of Japan have been designating the best and most beautiful places and events in their country: there are Japan's top three gardens, Kyoto's top five Zen temples, Japan's top three festivals featuring floats, Kamakura's top ten wells and countless other rankings.. Welcome to Tsuru no Yu in Northern Japan!Thanks for watching! There are 123 red torii gates going down a mountain side towards the Sea of Japan with beautiful greenery surrounding them. Matsumoto Castle is one of only a handful of original castles remaining in Japan. 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