Shrines, museums, parks, and the spots in between, with the access details worked out.
A 1,780-metre toll-free bridge from Shimonoseki to the island of Tsunoshima, crossing cobalt blue water and white sand on the north Yamaguchi coast.
Shimonoseki · YamaguchiA limestone cave under the Akiyoshidai karst plateau in Yamaguchi, a Special Natural Monument with a one-kilometre route and a steady 17 degrees.
Mine · YamaguchiA 620-metre beach of fine white quartz sand in Shirahama, Wakayama, and the first place on Honshu to open for swimming each year.
Shirahama · WakayamaThe innermost sanctuary of Koyasan, where a two-kilometre path through ancient cedars and 200,000 graves leads to the mausoleum of Kobo Daishi.
Koya · WakayamaTwo shrines on one site at the western tip of the Shimane Peninsula, rebuilt in the 1630s and holding a National Treasure suit of armour.
Izumo · ShimaneSada Shrine near Matsue: a rare sanctuary of three halls side by side, the gods gathering each November to remember Izanami, and the UNESCO-listed Sada Shinno dance.
Matsue · ShimaneMankusen Shrine in Izumo is said to be the last stop for the gods of Japan before they return home.
Izumo · ShimaneOne of three major Kumano shrines in Japan, Kumano Taisha was established in 806 and is known as the Ise Shrine of the North for its significance.
Nanyo · YamagataGuardian shrine of Aomori dedicated to the Three Goddesses of Munakata, featuring grounds with a sacred spring and historic remains including haiku stones by Matsuo Basho.
AomoriA Shinto shrine in Sapporo's Jozankei hot spring resort area, dedicated to the god of hot springs and healing, surrounded by nature and autumn foliage.
Sapporo · HokkaidoA three-floor aquarium inside a Sapporo shopping complex, open until ten at night, with rockhopper penguins, planted tanks, and immersive digital art.
Sapporo · HokkaidoKawasaki's largest green space, blending woodland and wetland with museums, a planetarium, indigo dyeing, and seasonal cherry blossom, irises, and autumn foliage.
Kawasaki · KanagawaA prominent Shingon Buddhist temple renowned for its spiritual power to dispel misfortune and grant various blessings to visitors.
Kawasaki · KanagawaThis museum celebrates Fujiko·F·Fujio, creator of Doraemon, displaying his original works, workspace, and interactive exhibits for manga fans.
Kawasaki · KanagawaThe Nara-Prefecture ruins where Japan's first centralised state took shape, newly inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2026.
Kashihara · NaraKumano Hongu Taisha, heart of the Kumano Sanzan, traces its origins to before Emperor Jinmu – where legend says three moons descended to found the shrine.
Tanabe · WakayamaIn Shingu, Wakayama, Kumano Hayatama Taisha stands as one of the three grand Kumano shrines – a "land of rebirth" where pilgrims have sought renewal for centuries.
Shingu · Wakayama
