There are many reasons why people around the world love Japan; its culture, history, tradition and beautiful sights make people revisit the country countless of times! Japan has something for everyone, the booming anime and gaming culture or beautiful sightseeing places to appreciate the nature. Japan is no doubt one of the most traveller-friendly countries in the world!

Today, we will guide you through different sight-seeing places in Japan where you can truly appreciate the Japanese tradition and culture! You might consider adding these tourist destinations to your bucket list for your next trip in Japan!

 

 

 

1. Risshakuji Temple [Yamagata Prefecture]

 

Photo: 4travel.jp

 

A 1,000-step hike through a mystical forest brings you to the mountaintop of the Risshakuji Temple, with among the best views in northern Japan. This temple has a history tracing back to over 1000 years, one of the known facts about this place is that the renowned haiku poet Basho composed one of his most famous poems here.

 

Photo: 4travel.jp

 

              Risshakuji Temple is especially popular among photographers, who want to capture the best ancient view of Japan. Every season is special in its own way, but autumn is the best time to visit, just as the forests burst into different colours of the nature. This temple is definitely worth the hike, with its breathtaking view at the mountain top, it needs to be added onto your bucket list!

 

Photo: 4travel.jp

 

Photo: 4travel.jp

 

 

 

2. Kamiiso No Torii [Ibaraki Prefecture]

 

Photo: oarai-info

 

The Torri Gate of Kamiiso is a popular place to watch the sunrise in the early morning, it is positioned in front of the Pacific Ocean, it can be found on an island rock, facing east. As the light stretches across the ocean, a breathtaking view appear while standing on a rocky shore where rough waves hit the rocks as the sun shines on your feet.

              This place will reconnect you with the nature, as you can hear the peaceful sound of the waves hitting the shore while the sky is clearing up. The gate is also stunning at night when bathed in moonlight.

 

 

Photo: 4travel

 

 

 

3. Arakurayama Sengen Park [Yamanashi Prefecture]

 

 

Photo: 4travel

 

You may have seen this place appearing on the desktop wallpaper or travel magazines, that’s right this stunning view does exist in real life. It is mainly popular among foreigners as it is often published in travel agency newspaper, not only that, but this place also has a stunning view of the mount fuji and the cherry blossoms that comes to mind when you think about Japan. The reason why it is so popular is that the combination of Mt. Fuji, cherry blossoms, and ancient tower is just a scenery to visit.  

              It is a great spot to visit all year round, if you are lucky you might get to see this spectacular view during the Sakura blooming in late March/early April. A heavenly sight that is worth the wait.

 

Photo: 4travel

 

 

Photo: 4travel

 

 

 

4. Oshino Hakkai [Yamanashi Prefecture]

 

 

Photo: fujiyama-travel 

 

Another great place to stop by while visiting Mount Fuji, Oshino Hakkai has eight ponds which are fed by snow melt from the slopes of nearby Mount Fuji that filters down the mountain through porous layers of lava for over 80 years, which makes the spring water very clear.

 

Photo: 4travel

 

              Tourists often drink the cool water straight from the pond as they are freshwater that is used by the local village as well. Large fish makes a visit to the ponds almost like it is an aquarium. This place has one of the most pleasant atmospheres surrounding by the freshness of the nature.

 

Photo: 4travel

 

 

 

5. Shirakawa-go [Gifu Prefecture]

 

Photo: 4travel

 

This place was registered as World Cultural Heritage site in 1995, the village is surrounded by the snowy mountains of Gifu prefecture. Shirakawa-go has more than 100 farmhouses, both big and small, some of which are over 250 years old, it is the largest gassho-zukuri (a house built of wooden beams combined to form a steep thatched roof that resembles two hands together) in Japan.

 

Photo: 4travel

 

              This stunning village is surrounded by mountains, rice fields and houses, it is another side of Japan that you need to experience! No wonder this place received 3 Michelin stars as one of Japan’s top tourist destinations. There is also an annual light-up event that happens every winter, it is a stunning site to visit!

 

Photo: 4travel

 

 

 

6. Shiroyone Senmaida [Ishikawa Prefecture]

 

Photo: Photohito

 

Shiroyone Semaida is located in Wajima City, Ishikawa Prefecture. This rice field has more than 1000 rice paddies that stretch to the sea in a scaly shape. It is also registered as a Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Site; the rice field is one of the best sights you can see in Ishikawa!

              You can see the sunlight shining on the surface of the rice terraces and its beautiful track will keep you captivated. In summer, the contrast between the rice field, shinning blue sky and the purest blue sea is just stunning.

 

Photo: 4travel

 

 

 

7. Nachi Falls and the Three-story Pagoda [Wakayama Prefecture]      

 

Photo: 4travel

 

This superb view can’t be seen elsewhere, a three-stories Pagoda located right in front of the Nachi Falls, creating a beautiful scene straight from the movies! The temple is said to be the oldest structure in the Kumano area, the accompanying waterfall is about 13m and the depth is about 10m. It is a powerful waterfall that is considered to be one of the top waterfalls in Japan.

 

Photo: 4travel

 

              What attracts tourist is the stunning view of the three-stories Pagoda standing behind the main hall of Seigantoji Temple. This breathtaking view will make you appreciate the true beauty of Japan.

 

 

 

8. Motonosumi Shrine [Yamaguchi Prefecture]

 

 

Photo: 4travel

 

This shrine is located in northern Yamaguchi Prefecture along the cost of the Sea of Japan. It has recently gained large amount of popularity due to its photogenic qualities that is one of a kind in Japan. The bright red torii gates line up down the hill toward the Sea of Japan. The amazing contrast of the red Torri gate and the blue sea is quite stunning to say the least.

The shrine was established in 1955, its history is fairly short but nevertheless still a striking place to add to your Japan trip!

 

 Photo: 4travel

 

 

 

9. Zenigata Sunae [Kagawa Prefecture]

 

Photo: 4travel

 

Zenigata Sunae is a giant sand picture at the Kotohiki Koen Park of Ariake Beach, Kagawa Prefecture. The sand art is roughly around 122m from east-to-west and it has 345m circumference. The painting is actually an oval shape, but it can look circular when being observed from the mountaintop in the park. The contrast of the beautiful sand art with the green forest surrounding it, making it a magnificent sight to witness!

              The sight of the painting is spectacular anytime of the day; however, the beauty intensifies when you visit as the sunset. It is said that you will live a healthy and long life with abundant of wealth once you see this sand painting.

 

Photo: 4travel

 

 

10.  Kawachi Wisteria Garden [Fukuoka Prefecture]

 

Photo: hobbytimes

 

Kawachi Wisteria is a privately owned garden located in Kitakyushu, famous for its stunningly presented, large numbers of wisteria flowers. The garden consists of roughly 100 meters long tunnels with different colours and shades of flowers. Kawachi Wisteria has attracted many tourists due to its beautiful and unique presentation of wisteria flowers.

A viewpoint at the top of the hillside garden allows for nice views over the sea of wisteria flowers and the surrounding valley which is also known for its bamboo groves.

              The gorgeous arrangement of the flowers will have you appreciate the true beauty of the nature. We recommend booking tickets in advance to avoid waiting time at the venue.

 

 Photo: travel

 

 

 

 

 

Sources

Icotto

Japan.travel