Shrines, museums, parks, and the spots in between, with the access details worked out.
A 16th-century castle in Kaminoyama now preserved as ruins with a reconstructed main keep that offers panoramic views of the surrounding region.
Kaminoyama · YamagataA museum in Kagoshima that opened in 1983 and underwent a name change in 2020 to reflect its expanded focus on art and crafts, located on castle grounds.
KagoshimaA lively district in Shinjuku known for its vibrant nightlife, abundance of bars, clubs, and entertainment venues, including the Robot Restaurant and Golden Gai.
TokyoA privately operated museum near Himeji housing approximately 90,000 toy artifacts from 160 countries and regions, displayed in six traditional storehouse buildings.
Himeji · HyogoA Buddhist temple founded in 736 by imperial decree, featuring a seven-hall complex and housing a sacred relic of the Buddha enshrined since the Heian period.
Tainai · NiigataA museum dedicated to the December 2001 spy ship incident involving the Japanese Coast Guard and a North Korean vessel, displaying the sunken ship's hull.
Yokohama · KanagawaOne of Japan's oldest and most revered Shinto shrines, dedicated to Ōkuninushi no Ōkami, venerated as the deity of nation-building, agriculture, and relationships.
Izumo · ShimaneA Shingon Buddhist temple in Otsu traditionally founded in 747, preserving numerous important cultural properties and National Treasures of traditional architecture.
Otsu · ShigaA museum on Nakaze island dedicated to manga artist Ishinomori Shotaro, creator of enduring works including Cyborg 009 and Kamen Rider, designed by the artist.
Ishinomaki · MiyagiA mountain fortress built in 1338 and dismantled in 1615 as part of the one domain one castle policy, now preserving sections of its original bailey walls.
TokushimaA museum in Mito tracing Ibaraki's history through artifacts and documents from the Edo period, featuring preserved farm buildings and Meiji-era architecture.
Mito · IbarakiJapan's largest theme park by land area, recreating an authentic Dutch town complete with canals, windmills, and European architecture in Nagasaki Prefecture.
Sasebo · NagasakiA museum dedicated to preserving the memory of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima on August 6, 1945, featuring exhibits and artifacts that document its history.
HiroshimaAn archaeological site containing Jomon period remains including pit dwellings, settlement traces, and shell middens dating to approximately 2000-1000 BCE.
Hamamatsu · ShizuokaA Shinto shrine in Takayama dedicated to Sanno Gongen and serving as the focal point of the Takayama Spring Festival, one of Japan's most beautiful festivals.
Takayama · GifuA 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 central hall of Todai-ji temple rebuilt in the Edo period, standing as the world's largest wooden structure after multiple destructions and reconstructions.
NaraA UNESCO World Heritage Site designated in 2021 as part of a collective listing encompassing 17 Jomon archaeological sites across four northern prefectures.
Ichinohe · Iwate
