Shrines, museums, parks, and the spots in between, with the access details worked out.
Sake museum in Nishinomiya, within Nadagogo, Japan's largest sake brewing region, opened in 1982 to preserve sake-making heritage dating to the Edo period.
Nishinomiya · HyogoSaitama Super Arena seats 36,500 and ranks as the world's second-largest indoor arena, hosting professional wrestling, MMA, boxing, basketball and gymnastics.
SaitamaInawashiro Lake, Japan's fourth-largest lake, lies among mountains in northeastern Fukushima, known for its clear water and for fishing, boating and camping.
FukushimaKobe's Chinatown, founded in 1868 by the city's Chinese community and rebuilt after World War II bombing and the 1995 Hanshin earthquake; 10,000 residents.
Kobe · HyogoShrine known for its moss gardens, a National Place of Scenic Beauty and Historic Site in Hakusan National Park, founded as a Buddhist temple in 717.
Katsuyama · FukuiDescribed as the world's only sand museum, it shows sculptures by international artists near the Tottori Sand Dunes and offers sand sculpting classes.
TottoriAn art museum in Akita showing Japanese and international contemporary art, traditional works and sculpture, with an outdoor sculpture park.
AkitaMuseum at Haneji Dam in Nago, northern Okinawa, on the island's water culture, ecosystem and traditions, dam technology and the spiritual meaning of water.
Nago · OkinawaFlower park near Yomiuriland with blooms year-round: the Kanto region's largest flower chandeliers, 17,000 seasonal flowers and 1,200 trees of 130 species.
Inagi · TokyoA cultural theme park in Nanjo City with Gyokusendo Cave, a 300,000-year-old limestone cavern, a recreated Ryukyu Kingdom village and Eisa dance shows.
Nanjo · OkinawaA botanical garden established in 1987 featuring Western-style landscapes, diverse garden elements, and approximately 28,000 trees across 80,000 square meters.
Mito · IbarakiA historical institution preserving documents, photographs, and artifacts from the Ryukyu Kingdom and American Occupation periods with online database access.
Haebaru · OkinawaA museum near Tokyo Skytree on the heritage of Japan's tobacco and salt monopolies, from the Meiji era to their privatization, with interactive exhibits.
TokyoAn art museum in Gifu established in 1982, with works by Gifu Prefecture artists such as Kawai Gyokudo and by Odilon Redon, plus a monument garden.
GifuA Shinto shrine in Fukuoka dating to the 8th century, renowned for hosting the annual Hakata Gion Yamakasa festival in July with decorated floats.
FukuokaA garden built in 1634 within Kanazawa Castle, notable as the first to use creatively patterned stone walls, reconstructed beginning in 2013.
Kanazawa · IshikawaA natural park in Nagano where wild Japanese macaques bathe in hot springs, accessible via a 1.6-kilometer forest trail, most popular in winter.
Yamanouchi · NaganoAn entertainment attraction on Awaji Island centered on a life-size Godzilla, offering zip-line missions, interactive games, and a museum.
Awaji · Hyogo
