Discover
We'll be honest with you, we're here to help you explore what you want free of charge, though the information out there can be overwhelming quickly. JNTO is Japan's all encompassing source for all things Japan travel, but their information is lenthy and it can sometimes be difficult to find what you need. That being said, we will directly link to their Discover section below, as well as embed a free-on-the-web regions map and a short write-up of our own. This is a great place to start if you have no clue what you want, we're here to help you get started and know how to plan by region instead of by destination alone.
Hokkaido
Hokkaido is Japan’s northernmost island is mainly noted for its vast wilderness and
sparse cities. Sapporo, Hakodate and Furano are staples in the tourist repertoire but
much more can be found outside of these areas.
In nearby Obihiro, one can enjoy the last remaining places to watch Ban’ei Kyoso, a
form of Japanese horse racing where draft horses pulls heavy sleds along a course.
Nature lovers will be enchanted with breathtaking forests, wetlands, and coastal
scenery. The history lover can take a trip to Lake Akan Ainu Kotan, an Ainu indigenous
village steeped in culture, traditional Ainu houses, and captivating performances. The
hiker may enjoy the Shiretoko Peninsula, a UNESCO World Heritage site that boasts
rugged mountains, pristine forests, and an abundance of wildlife.
Hokkaido can be reached by the Tohoku Shinkansen with a transfer to the limited
express Hokuto train. This 8-hour and fifteen-minute ride will take you up through the
northern stretch of Japan via shinkansen before plunging into the world’s longest
undersea tunnel in overall length, the Seikan Tunnel riding 100 meters under the
seabed and 240 meters below sea level. Once in Hakodate, a transfer to the limited
express Hokuto will have you enjoying a ride through forest and farmlands and along
the Uchiura Bay.
Tohoku
Tohoku, the northernmost region of Japan's main island, Honshu, has popular locations
in Sendai, Aomori and Iwate to name a few. With the eastern coast devastated by the
2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami, population has declined rapidly in the region.
Within this region one can visit Aomori in early August to experience the Aomori Nebuta Festival, a festival of large vivid floats and is one of the three largest festivals in the Tohoku region. If you happen to miss the Nebuta Festival, you can also visit the Nebuta Museum Wa Rasse which is dedicated to the festival’s floats and open year-round. Lake Towada is a huge crater lake known for it’s bright-blue color and amazing
surrounding forests.
For those train lovers, one can catch the Resort Shirikami Train train from Aomori and
ride it along the Gion line to Akita, Japan. Along the way you can enjoy views of the
Sea of Japan as the train travels along the coast and cliffs on the western side of the
country. The train boasts large windows, general seatings, and private cabins and even
stops along the route to get out and take photos at the Senjojiki Rock Plateau station.
Kanto
The Kanto region is the heart of Japan. Located on Honshu Island, it is home to the
world’s largest and most populated city, Tokyo. While Tokyo, one of the ‘Big Three” for
tourists, has hundreds of hidden gems, the rest of the region bears several locations
that are worth the trip away from the busy metropolis.
On the outskirts of northwest Tokyo, one can find Kawagoe, a town that will whisk you
into the Edo-period castle town. This historic town is known for its old clay warehouses,
Kurazukkuri (merchant houses) and sweets shop that line the Meiji-era Candy Alley.
One can also find remnants of Edo Castle and explore the over 500 stone statues of
Buddha’s disciples.
Other lesser-known areas such as Oze National Park and Chichibu provide vast
wilderness, marshlands, and mountains that are sure to provide an array of adventure
for hikers, campers, and nature lovers alike.
Chubu
Chubu, the central region of Honshu Island, is home to the world-famous Mt. Fuji.
Locations around Fuji such as Kawaguchiko are popular tourist destinations with
breathtaking views of Fuji and home to the Japanese Alps, famous for their pristine
snows and home to the 1998 Nagano Winter Olympics.
Towns like Matsumoto provide a smaller city feel with plenty to do to include Matsumoto Castle, one of the three premiere historic castles of Japan, wasabi farm experiences, and traditional miso factory tours. During winter one can also traverse the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route. This route is famous for using various modes of transport to cross from buses to trollies and cable cars.
In Aichi prefecture, one can also find Ghibli Park just outside of Nagoya. Built on the
grounds of the Expo 2005 Aichi Commemorative Park, this theme park houses several
attractions from the array of Ghibli movies from Howl’s Moving Castle to Mononoke
Village. This is usually a must stop for Ghibli fans across the world.
Kansai
Kansai is home to the remaining “Big Three” that most tourists visits, Kyoto and Osaka.
Neither location can be discounted for their appeal to wide audiences, especially Kyoto
where the mix of modern and ancient Japan comingle in beautiful harmony. Sites such
as Kinkakuji (Golden Pavilion), Inari Fushimi, and Kiyomizu-dera are world famous and
beautiful locations. Osaka offers modern city feel with a quickly growing city and
locations like the famous Dotonburi street which features the famous Glico Running
Man sign. A short trip from Osaka will bring travelers to Kobe, known worldwide for
their Kobe beef. A cosmopolitan city with a mixture of Japanese and Western
influences, Kobe offers scenic views from Mt. Rokko, Meriken Park and Kobe Port
Tower with plenty of shopping in the HarborLand District.
Beyond these cities though lie many other wonderous sites. Amanohashidate on the
western coast of northern Kansai has the “Bridge to Heaven” a beautiful 3.6-kilometer
sandbar that connects two sides of the Miyazu Bay. One can enjoy a serene walk
across the pine tree laden sandbar said to have been built by Izanagi, one of the two
deities who gave birth to Japan, to travel between heaven and earth. On the opposite
coast of the Pacific, one can find breathtaking views from Hamachidori no Yu Kaisyu,
one of Japan’s three ancient hot springs with a legacy over 1300 years. The area is
renowned for its use of local and seasonal ingredients sure to appeal to the pallete of
the most seasoned foodies.
Himeji is home to one of Japan’s most valuable historical landmarks, Himeji Castle. As
a UNESCO World Heritage Site and National Treasure, Himeji Castle impresses with it’s
size, brilliant white plaster walls and architecture, a true masterpiece of Japanese
castles. This castle, built in the 14 th century, has never been destroyed by earthquake,
fire, or war, and is truly one of the must visits of the region.
The Kansai region offers a variety of experiences from tea leaf picking, Japanese
handicraft and a plethora of brewery experiences and tours that make it a great regional
travel location for those who want a little taste of everything.
Chugoku
Chugoku is often overlooked by its neighbor Kansai; however, this region has many
hidden gems to keep the off-beaten path traveler content for days. At the center of the
Chugoku region sits Hiroshima, one of only two cities in the world to experience the
devastation of an atomic bomb. A visit to the Peace Memorial Museum and the nearby
Atomic Bomb Dome is an often emotional and humbling experience for those who wish
to learn more about this event. Beyond this experience, Hiroshima has many more
things to offer including the nearby Miyajima Island, home to the world famous and
iconic floating torii gate alongside Itsukushima Shrine, another UNESCO World Heritage
Site.
Outside Hiroshima, one finds much less in the way of larger cities but a cornucopia of
smaller cities and towns. Izumo Taisha Grand Shrine located in Izumo, Japan, is the
oldest Shinto shrine structure as well as the oldest wooden Shinto building. Dedicated
to Okuninushi, known as the god of marriage, good relationships and end (the ties that
bind people together), many young women make treks to this location to pray for just
that. One can also travel to Tsuwano and experience a charming castle town with its
well-preserved samurai district and traditional architecture or visit the Tsuwano Castle
Ruins.
Off the beaten path, one can head to the Oki Islands, a remote archipelago off the
Shimane Prefecture coast. Many travelers enjoy hiking along the rugged cliffs and
ancient cedar forests as well as experiencing traditional festivals and crafts. In Oda
City, one can visit the Iwami Ginzan Silver Mine and dig into the history of Japan’s silver
mining industry while exploring the tunnels and mining facilities, learn about the lives of
the miners and the mine’s contribution to Japan’s cultural and economic development.
Shikoku
Shikoku is Japan’s fourth and smallest main island and is one of the less frequented
travel destinations in Japan. Largely due to its lack of large cities and well-known tourist
attractions, Shikoku, like Hokkaido, offers captivating locations for the nature, spiritual,
and cultural lovers. Shikoku offers truly off the beaten path and natural wonders that
are sure to take one’s breath away.
One can travel to Iya Valley and experience a dramatic location known for its vine
bridges, deep gorges and traditional thatched-roof houses, or hike through the forests
and soak in the hot springs. Oboke and Koboke Gorges offer amazing views, both
carved by the Yoshino River where one can take a boat ride through the narrow
passageways and admire the towering cliffs and emerald-colored waters. On the
southernmost tip of Shikoku lies Cape Ashizuri where one can gaze out into the endless
expanse of the Pacific Ocean from rugged cliffs and the sound of waves crashing
against them. Tranquility and awe reign here.
The spiritually minded may want to embark on part of, or in full, the 88 Temple
Pilgrimage, an ancient Buddhist route that visits 88 temples of the monk Kobo Daishi.
This route takes the traveler through picturesque landscapes, friendly locals and leaves
you with a sense of peace and spirituality. In Kochi City, one can visit one of the twelve
original castles remaining in Japan at Kochi Castle, glimpsing a view of ancient Japan
with panoramic views of the city and surrounding mountains. For those that don’t want
to travel too far from Honshu, a quick trip to the Naruto Whirlpools offers a unique
experience.
Kyushu
Kyushu is Japan’s southernmost main island, offering a blend of vibrant culture and
natural wonders. Cities like Fukuoka are great travel destinations offering a variety of
activities such as baseball, art museums, shopping and entertainment. Nearby
Kumamoto houses Japan’s third premier castle, Kumamoto Castle built in the 17 th
century. Severely damaged during the Kumamoto 2016 Earthquake, the main keep has
been reopened as work continues restoring other areas damaged by the quake.
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Visiting Mt. Aso, one of the world’s largest active volcanoes, one can traverse to the
caldera and witness the dramatic landscape and steaming vents. Yushima Island, one
of Japan’s many “cat islands” can be accessed by ferry from Ebito Port or one can enjoy
a weekend in Beppu, world famous as an Onsen city where sulfur permeates the air
and the steam from countless onsens and inns invite one to relax in this modern port
city, perhaps before striking out to Shikoku or even Osaka/Kobe via an overnight ferry.
One can also visit Nagasaki, the second of only two cities to be devastated by an
atomic bomb, where one can visit ground zero and visit their atomic bomb museum.
Nagasaki is a town of resiliency seen by visiting the large camphor trees and one-
legged torii that lead to the Sanno Shinto shrine. A trip to the nearby Mount Inasa
Observation Deck provide a 360-degree panoramic view of Nagasaki and those who
stick around for sunset and beyond can experience one of the top 3 world’s best night
views.
Okinawa
Okinawa is the tropical paradise of southern Japan offering popular beaches and
resorts as well as a plethora of hidden gems. Originally part of the Ryukyu Kingdom,
many of the customs, traditions and even language can seem vastly different from
mainland Japan as seen in the unique arts, crafts and religious practices that were
heavily influenced by China and other parts of Southeast Asia. Foodies often enjoy the
Okinawan Island chains for their distinct flavors and ingredients such as use of bitter
melon, purple sweet potatoes and pork dishes.
The bigger attraction of Okinawa usually consists of beaches, resorts, and Shuri Castle.
Shuri Castle was partially destroyed but remains a UNESCO World Heritage site and
symbol of the Ryukyu Kingdom’s legacy which can be seen in the reconstructed palace
buildings and picturesque gardens. Naha, the largest city in Okinawa, also offers a
bustling shopping district and access to one of the world’s largest aquariums, Okinawa
Churaumi Aquarium.
Away from the cities, there are many opportunities to connect with nature and the sea.
Daisekirinzan is a unique geological formation with sharp limestone rocks and lush
vegetation providing an otherworldly landscape where one can hike and explore hidden
caves and waterfalls. For the sea lover, a trip to the cluster of Kerama Islands, known
for their crystal-clear waters and vibrant coral reefs are a great destination for snorkeling
and diving, or just simply relaxing on the powdery sand surrounded by unspoiled
beauty.