The 20 most beautiful places to visit in Japan

Do you dream of Japan? It fascinates travelers so much that they think they know it, without even having been there. But there’s much more to Japan than its temples and megalopolises. Come and discover the 20 most beautiful places to visit in Japan!

Located in East Asia and separated from the mainland by the seas of Japan and China, Japan attracts visitors because it is both reassuring and exotic. A blend of Western codes and Japanese art de vivre, city bustle and inner calm, ultra-modernity and tradition, apparent rigor and openness, Japan is accessible to the less seasoned traveler and confusing to the rest.

Japan’s cultural richness is well known, but it is less well known as a nature destination. And yet, if you get off the beaten track, the country has plenty to surprise you. Whatever the season, come and visit Japan, the country of a thousand moods!

1. Osaka

Japan’s third-largest city and a major metropolis in the Kansai region, Osaka is a vibrant and engaging city. It’s a great introduction for first-time visitors to Japan.

Culture lovers can admire Osaka’s superb castle or take a charming streetcar to the Shumiyoshi Taisha Shinto shrine.

To get a feel for the city’s special atmosphere and taste the local specialties, take a stroll through the Shinsekai, Namba and Dontonbori districts, not forgetting the Kuromon Ichiba market.

2. Nara

Located less than an hour from Osaka and Kyoto, Nara is a must-see destination that will satisfy many a visitor. A visit to Nara is an opportunity to combine culture and nature.

Come to the origins of Japan, to contemplate the bronze Great Buddha of the immense Todai-Ji temple. Don’t be surprised if you come across some fallow deer at the bend in the path. They live freely in the park and won’t hesitate to come and say hello!

3. Kyoto

It’s impossible to visit Japan without stopping off in Kyoto! As the former imperial capital and cultural metropolis par excellence, it’s hard to choose which temple or palace to visit, so numerous and sumptuous are they! From the Golden Pavilion to the Fushimi-Inari Shrine and Nijo Castle, you won’t be disappointed.

Don’t leave the city without getting lost in the bamboo forest of Arashiyama or wandering the streets of the traditional Gion district. If you don’t like crowds, Kyoto has the advantage of being an airy city, surrounded by beautiful hills from which many hiking trails lead. In autumn, the red leaves of the maple trees add a special touch to Kyoto and its surroundings.

4. Nagoya

Another metropolis on the island of Honshu, Nagoya is different from its Japanese counterparts. More peaceful than Osaka or Tokyo, Nagoya is well worth a visit for reasons other than changing trains.

The city has a singular beauty that needs to be appreciated. From its giant green Buddha to the Oasis 21, a monument in the shape of a space shuttle, or its metallic TV Tower, Nagoya will surprise more than one traveler! On a more conventional note, you can visit the superb Hommaru Palace, elegant gardens, numerous temples or simply stroll through Nagoya’s neighborhoods.

5. Ine-Cho

Visiting Japan isn’t just about staying in the cities. Ine-Cho is an example of one of those destinations neglected by tourists, where you can spend some delicious moments.

Ideally situated between the sea and the mountains, just a hundred kilometers from Kyoto, this pretty little fishing village is a haven of peace. Come and discover the funayas, those adorable and improbable houses on stilts, which line the port of Ine-Cho.

6. Nakasendo and the villages of Magome and Tsumago

No, visiting Japan isn’t just a matter of hopping from one famous metropolis to another. Discover traditional Japan by staying in a ryokan on the central island ofHonshu, in the heart of the Japanese Alps.

Step back in time on the Nakasendo, the historic Edo road that linked ancient Tokyo to Kyoto. Hike from the village of Nagiso to Magome, passing through Tsumago, the pearl of the mountains. You’ll be charmed!

7. Kanazawa

Looking for a less touristy version of Kyoto? We’ve found it! Kanazawa is not lacking in historical attractions, such as the Ninja-Dera temple, the castle or the geisha and samurai quarters.

The city also has the advantage of being located on the Sea of Japan.

8. Shirakawago

There’s more to Japan than temples! Continue your escapade in the center of the country by admiring the traditional houses of Shirakawago, the gassho-zukuri.

Wandering between these steep-roofed dwellings sometimes gives you the feeling of living in a Gallic village!

9. Matsumoto

Along with Osaka Castle, Matsumoto Castle is one of the most beautiful in Japan. Nicknamed the « Raven » because of its black color, the building is well worth a day’s visit.

If you choose to stay longer, come and lose yourself in the rice paddies that swarm around Matsumoto.

1O. Mount Fuji

To visit Japan without paying a visit to Mount Fuji would be to show the Japanese a lack of respect! It’s hard to describe this sacred volcano, so obvious is its beauty. You can admire it from Kawaguchiko, and take a bike ride around the lake of the same name.

Hakone is more touristy and further away from Fuji, but offers a wider choice of activities. Whatever the starting point, the most courageous can tackle the ascent of Mount Fuji!

11. Tokyo

What would Japan be without Tokyo? A symbol of ultra-modernity and excess, a temple to video games and new technologies, Tokyo will appeal to lovers of singular experiences.

But don’t let other travelers pass you by. Discover a different kind of Tokyo life, far from the hustle and bustle of Shibuya or Akihabara, by taking a stroll in one of the capital’s many parks or wandering through the lovely residential and traditional districts.

12. Kamakura

Kamakura is a pleasant stopover for those who want to relax on the Pacific coast after a hectic trip to Tokyo. Come and discover this charming little town, set between sea and hills, just fifty kilometers south of the capital.

13. Nikko

If you want to combine culture and nature, Nikko is the place for you! One hundred and fifty kilometers north of Tokyo, it’s the ideal place to visit superb shrines listed as Unesco World Heritage sites, while strolling through a forest of thousand-year-old cedars.

To relax after a long day’s walking, there’s nothing like bathing in the onsen of the small spa town of Yumoto. You’ll love these hot springs!

14. Hiroshima

It needs no introduction. It may seem surprising to find Hiroshima in a ranking of the most beautiful places to visit in Japan, but this city is beautiful for its resilience.

Hiroshima, a victim of the bombings of the Second World War, has rebuilt itself and is well worth a visit. The beauty of the message behind the Memorial and the Peace Park is impossible to ignore. When the cherry blossoms are in bloom, it’s even more striking.

15. Hokkaido

Do you think visiting wild Japan is impossible? Well, it’s not! The island ofHokkaido, located in the north of the country, will surprise you. Between hot springs, active volcanoes and unspoilt forests, nature lovers will discover a Japan far off the beaten track.

In winter, the snow enhances the beauty of the landscape.

16. Shikoku Island

Shikoku is the smallest of Japan’s four islands. Shikoku is the smallest of Japan’s four islands, but it’s well worth spending a few days here.

A nature destination, the island is home to incredible marine life, superb beaches and an ideal playground for surfing. Shikoku is also famous for its Eighty-Eight Temple Pilgrimage, which links several of the island’s shrines.

17. Itsukushima temple

Itsukushima temple is famous for its red torii, enthroned in the middle of the water.

Located on the island of Miyajima, off the coast of Hiroshima, the shrine is an absolutely incredible place to visit, thanks to its unique setting.

18. Kirishima-Yaku National Park

Located on the island of Kyûshû, the national park offers you the opportunity to visit a wild Japan, far from the hustle and bustle of the megalopolises on the island of Honshu.

Between volcanic landscapes and cedar forests, bathing in hot springs and hiking to spectacular vantage points, you won’t regret choosing a stopover that’s out of the ordinary!

19. The Okinawa archipelago

White sandy beaches in Japan? No, you’re not dreaming! TheOkinawa archipelago, less than two hours by plane from Tokyo, transports you to a totally different world.

Take the time for this unique getaway, which will leave you with unforgettable memories of your visit to Japan.

20. Ogasawara Archipelago

We’ve found another corner of paradise for you. A pearl of Japan that has nothing to envy the islets of Polynesia: theOgasawara archipelago.

Come and spend a few days in the Japanese Galapagos, where you can swim in turquoise waters, hike along trails lost in tropical vegetation or swim amidst a thousand-colored fish. Unforgettable memories guaranteed!

Hotel and accommodation map – Japan