Shrines, museums, parks, and the spots in between, with the access details worked out.
Japan's largest aquarium by tank capacity and floor area, featuring a massive dolphin show tank and research programs for penguins and sea turtles.
Nagoya · AichiHistoric geisha district in Kanazawa with traditional wooden teahouses where shamisen performances evoke an authentic atmosphere each evening.
Kanazawa · IshikawaPreserved Edo-period street in Takayama lined with wooden merchant houses, sake breweries and shops selling 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 · KochiA garden in Takamatsu counted among Japan's three most beautiful gardens, created in the early Edo period, with ponds, hills, rare plants and tea houses.
Takamatsu · KagawaA fish market near Aomori Station where visitors pick fresh seafood and vegetable toppings from the stalls to build their own Nokke-don rice bowl.
AomoriFarm-themed park in Sakai, Osaka, with seasonal flowers, goats and alpacas, hands-on workshops, a Sylvanian Families area, and local farm food.
Sakai · OsakateamLab art space in Osaka's Nagai Botanical Garden that becomes a lit digital environment at night, with works reacting to wind, rain and visitor movement.
OsakaSpecialized aquarium featuring approximately 180 penguins from nine species, with interactive exhibits including a natural sea swimming environment.
NagasakiHall founded in 1999 at the foot of Mount Bizan, with daily Awa Odori dance performances, a museum on the history of the dance and the Mt. Bizan ropeway.
TokushimaMuseum of sand art and hourglasses in glass pyramid buildings, home to a 5.2-meter, one-year hourglass that is ceremonially turned on New Year's Eve.
Oda · ShimaneAdventure zone themed on the anime Crayon Shin-chan in Awajishima Park, Hyogo, with obstacle courses, ziplines and challenges inspired by the series.
Awaji · HyogoMineral-rich hot spring resort in Tsu City, Mie, with traditional ryokan and modern hotels, and temples, gardens and outdoor activities nearby.
Tsu · MieSaitama amusement park founded in 1950, renovated in 2021 with Showa-era theming: a recreated old town, Godzilla rides and Osamu Tezuka anime attractions.
Tokorozawa · SaitamaOpened in 1994 as the world's first ramen-themed food amusement park, this museum gathers famous ramen shops from across Japan in a single location.
Yokohama · KanagawaA water-droplet-shaped museum on Teshima Island by artist Rei Naito and architect Ryue Nishizawa, a pillar-free interior space open to wind, light and sound.
Tonosho · KagawaShrine established in 1335 near Toyama Castle, host of the June Sanno Festival, which draws 200,000 visitors to approach streets lined with food stalls.
ToyamaEighth-century fortification built to subjugate the Emishi, Akita Castle was the administrative seat of Dewa Province until it was abandoned around 1050.
Akita
