Shrines, museums, parks, and the spots in between, with the access details worked out.
Established in 1940, Omi Jingu enshrines Emperor Tenji and stands adjacent to the traditional site of the Omi Otsu Palace, which he founded in 667.
Otsu · ShigaJomon-period archaeological site with pit dwellings dating back 9,500 years, now a 36-hectare park and exhibition centre in Kagoshima.
Kirishima · KagoshimaJapan's oldest surviving Kabuki theatre, constructed in 1835 and restored to Edo-period appearance, hosting major spring programs annually.
Kotohira · KagawaDedicated to Sugawara no Michizane, this shrine was established in 974 and relocated to Sendai, rebuilt in 1667 with striking vermilion colors.
Sendai · MiyagiThis Heian-period temple beside Lake Biwa houses an Important Cultural Property statue and was built to honor Amida Butsu and ensure the lake's safety and prosperity.
Otsu · ShigaBelieved to have been founded in 660 BCE, this ancient shrine in the Kanto region is dedicated to a patron deity of martial arts and historic swordsman school.
Kashima · IbarakiA lively district in Shinjuku known for its vibrant nightlife, abundance of bars, clubs, and entertainment venues, including the Robot Restaurant and Golden Gai.
TokyoA 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 · KanagawaA hilltop fortress from 1591 that served as the Katakura clan seat for over 260 years and later became a regional government headquarters.
Shiroishi · MiyagiA provincial Buddhist temple founded in 741 as part of an imperial initiative, now housing Edo-period structures and archaeological remains.
Sendai · MiyagiA church erected in 1952 commemorating Francisco Xavier's 1550 arrival in Yamaguchi, housing a Christian museum documenting the history of missionary work in Japan.
YamaguchiA former town in Toyama now part of the city's expanded boundaries since 2005, known for steep terrain and rice terraces ranked among Japan's top 100 scenic destinations.
ToyamaAn archaeological site containing Jomon period remains including pit dwellings, settlement traces, and shell middens dating to approximately 2000-1000 BCE.
Hamamatsu · ShizuokaA Buddhist temple in Kamakura housing the Great Buddha, a monumental copper statue of Amida Buddha cast in the 13th century.
Kamakura · KanagawaBuilt 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 · ToyamaThis national park spanning three prefectures offers majestic mountains, forests, lakes including Japan's fourth largest, and hot springs popular in autumn.
A highly revered Nagoya shrine established during Emperor Keiko's reign, it houses the Kusanagi no Tsurugi, one of the three symbols of the Imperial throne.
Nagoya · AichiSumiyoshi Taisha has served maritime travelers for two millennia, enshrining three sea deities and Empress Jingu, who founded the shrine and is revered as a protective deity.
Osaka
