Shrines, museums, parks, and the spots in between, with the access details worked out.
Museum documenting 160 years of Yokohama port history and Japan's early maritime relations with Western countries through interactive exhibitions.
Yokohama · KanagawaMuseum featuring full-scale reconstructions of Edo period buildings including traditional merchant houses, samurai residences, and street scenes.
TokyoShrine on the Sendai Castle site honoring over 56,000 spirits of those who died in national service, with a main hall from Ise Grand Shrine.
Sendai · MiyagiAsia's largest miniature museum spanning 7,000 square meters with eight distinct themed areas featuring handcrafted miniature worlds and settings.
TokyoCastle built in 1603 with one of Japan's twelve original tenshu structures still standing, exemplifying the flatland-mountain architectural style.
Matsuyama · EhimeRegional museum presenting Fukushima Prefecture's history, traditional arts and crafts, local customs, and the natural heritage of the area.
Aizuwakamatsu · FukushimaJapan's oldest zoo, established in 1882 with over 3,000 animals of 400 species, featuring giant pandas and interactive wildlife areas for visitors.
TokyoSubtropical island with ancient cedar forests and moss-covered landscapes that inspired Hayao Miyazaki's Princess Mononoke, designated Japan's first UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Yakushima · KagoshimaRelief carvings depicting the Three Wise Monkeys and seven other scenes that symbolize different life stages, based on the traditional proverb.
Nikko · TochigiJapan's largest aquarium by tank capacity and floor area, featuring a massive dolphin show tank and research programs for penguins and sea turtles.
Nagoya · AichiShinto shrine at the northern base of Mount Fuji dating to the 2nd century, serving as the traditional departure point for Mount Fuji pilgrimages.
Fujiyoshida · YamanashiHistoric geisha district in Kanazawa with traditional wooden teahouses where shamisen performances evoke an authentic atmosphere each evening.
Kanazawa · IshikawaAnime and video game theme park on Awaji Island with permanent attractions based on Naruto, Godzilla, and other franchises plus rotating exhibits.
Awaji · HyogoFounded in 2003, this museum houses 300,000 manga items from Edo-period prints to contemporary series, with permanent exhibitions and workshops on manga's cultural evolution.
KyotoA preserved Edo-period street in Takayama, this avenue features wooden merchant houses, sake breweries and shops displaying traditional Hida crafts, pottery and lacquerware.
Takayama · GifuMuseum dedicated to traditional Japanese papermaking featuring displays of techniques, history, and opportunities to create paper yourself.
Ino · KochiAmong Japan's three most beautiful gardens, Takamatsu's Ritsurin Garden was created during the early Edo period and features scenic ponds, hills and traditional tea houses.
Takamatsu · KagawaBuilt in 1760 to protect an ancient shrine dating to 1502, this structure in Gokayama shelters Toyama's oldest surviving wooden building, now designated an Important Cultural Property.
Nanto · Toyama
