Shrines, museums, parks, and the spots in between, with the access details worked out.
About thirty thousand cherry trees on a mountainside in Nara, planted over centuries as offerings, which come into flower from the foot upward over a month.
Yoshino · NaraBehind Narita's great temple lies a hillside garden with ponds, waterfalls and poem-carved stones, free to walk and far quieter than the temple itself.
Narita · ChibaA museum of 1997 in the mountains of Shiga, designed by I. M. Pei and mostly buried in the hillside, holding ancient art of the world alongside Japanese art.
Koka · ShigaShrine honoring over 25,000 military spirits from conflicts spanning the First Sino-Japanese War through the Pacific War, set among 300 cherry trees.
Kofu · YamanashiA shrine at the foot of Mount Fuji that worships the mountain itself, and the head of more than 1,300 Sengen shrines across Japan.
Fujinomiya · ShizuokaA gorge in Miyagi cut a hundred metres deep by the Otani River, walled with pale rock and walked by riverside paths from spring to late autumn.
Osaki · MiyagiA temple at Emukae in Sasebo where the maples of the garden are shown upside down, reflected in a panel set into the floor of the hall.
Sasebo · NagasakiA gorge on the Tomoe River at Asuke in Aichi, planted with momiji maples in the 17th century and now one of the best known places in Japan for autumn colour.
Toyota · AichiA hirayama-style castle where Tokugawa Ieyasu established his headquarters and lived for 17 years, now featuring a concrete donjon with museum and Edo model.
Hamamatsu · ShizuokaThe tutelary shrine of Nagasaki, re-established in 1625 after the city had been church land, and home of the Kunchi festival.
NagasakiThe city museum on the site of Tokushima Castle's palace, telling the story of the Tokushima Domain and the Hachisuka family who ruled it.
TokushimaShrine founded as guardian deity of the Kamakura shogunate, hosting significant festivals including horseback archery and sumo wrestling traditions.
Kamakura · KanagawaAquarium featuring 350 marine species emphasizing Sea of Japan wildlife, offering touch pools, penguin walks, and dolphin performances.
Sakai · FukuiShopping destination reopening September 2026 with one of Japan's largest entertainment zones, featuring 40 character and franchise shops.
Nagoya · AichiA Tendai sect Buddhist temple founded in the early Heian period, housing a National Treasure main hall with Heian-period statues and garden.
Aisho · ShigaTendai Buddhist temple and National Historic Site, one of the three great temples east of Lake Biwa, with buildings dating to the 17th century.
Higashiomi · ShigaKAWAII MONSTER LAND is a 60-minute immersive experience beneath Takeshita Street featuring themed zones, performances, and interactive installations.
TokyoTodai-ji's oldest building, constructed between 740-747 and originally dedicated to a Kannon statue, later renamed for the annual Lotus Sutra ceremony.
Nara
