Shrines, museums, parks, and the spots in between, with the access details worked out.
Seventh-century Buddhist temple in Nara, built in Chinese style and ranked among the Seven Great Temples, designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
NaraTakebe Shrine in Otsu enshrines Yamato Takeru and Onamuchi and served as the principal shrine of the ancient Ōmi Province.
Otsu · ShigaFuture Train on Kyoto's Umekoji viaduct is Japan's first restaurant on a disused railway, featuring a repurposed Limited Express Thunderbird train car.
KyotoThe Seta Hills Production Sites are ancient iron-working facilities from the Nara period, designated a National Historic Site of Japan in 1985.
Otsu · ShigaThe Asahi Plant produces PET-bottled drinks including Mitsuya Cider and offers factory tours, viewing areas, fresh samples, and a museum on the beverage's history.
Akashi · HyogoKennin-ji, located in Kyoto's Gion district, is the oldest Zen temple in the city, founded in 1202 as the head temple of the Rinzai Zen Buddhism branch.
KyotoThe Kyoto Imperial Palace served as the Emperor's primary residence during the Heian period and remains a public destination offering insight into Japan's imperial past.
KyotoTaga Taisha enshrines Izanami and Izanagi and appears in Japan's oldest chronicles from 712 AD; its gardens are designated a nationally recognized Place of Scenic Beauty.
Taga · ShigaA Kyoto shrine tracing its origins to 656, dedicated to Susanoo-no-mikoto and his consort, with its main hall designated a National Treasure in 2020.
KyotoA year-round zoo in Wakayama featuring animals from around the world, including petable farm animals, set within a natural habitat designed for educational observation.
WakayamaA historic Buddhist temple established in 759 by Chinese priest Ganjin, serving as the head temple of Japan's Ritsu-shu denomination and housing 17 National Treasures.
NaraEstablished in 738, this Nara temple houses the largest bronze Buddha statue and serves as headquarters of the Kegon Buddhist school.
NaraThis Sylvanian Families-themed park within Osaka's Harvest Hill recreates the idyllic Sylvanian Village through life-sized houses, character encounters, and interactive activities.
Sakai · OsakaThis Osaka shrine venerates two Shinto deities and features a main hall in the distinctive Momoyama-period Ikutama architectural style.
OsakaThis Tendai Buddhist temple, designated a National Historic Site, stands as one of three great temples east of Lake Biwa with structures dating to the 17th century.
Higashiomi · ShigaThis art museum in Ōmi combines Japanese-style paintings and sculptures with a striking water garden and the historic Bonshō temple bell, designated a National Treasure.
Moriyama · ShigaImmersive Monster Hunter themed attraction at Nijigen no Mori using augmented reality to simulate monster battles across an engaging course.
Awaji · HyogoImperial residence and administrative center during the Nara period (710-794), designed after Chinese models and reconstructed from excavations.
Nara
