For those of you wondering where to go in Japan...! Recommended tourist spots all over Japan
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There are many tourist attractions in Japan. We have carefully selected 25 of them to introduce to you, so if you are wondering where to go in Japan, please use this as a reference.
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"Capture My Japan " is a photography service for tourists visiting Japan from overseas by Lovegraph Co., Ltd, which operates one of Japan's largest on- location photography session businesses. Would you like to capture yourself along with the beautiful scenery of Japan with a professional photographer? You can experience shooting at your favorite travel destinations such as Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka. Capture My Japan's photographers have bases all over the country and can handle shooting in a wide range of areas. We have photographers who have passed a strict screening process, so you can leave your shooting to us with confidence! Japanese photographers who have a good understanding of each region will take care of your needs. Why not leave your memories of your trip to Japan together in a wonderful way?
" Capture My Japan " is a photography service for tourists visiting Japan from overseas, provided by Lovegraph Co., Ltd , one of Japan's largest on-location photography session businesses.
If you use the coupon code " MCM-17862 " when applying, you can get a 5% discount and experience a professional photo shoot!
Please take a look at the following article for more information about shooting with "Capture My Japan".
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Table of contents
- Hokkaido area
- Tohoku area
- Kanto area
- Chubu area
- Kinki area
- Chugoku/Shikoku area
- Kyushu and Okinawa area
- Capture My Japan : Capture your memories in Japan
Hokkaido area
Odori Park (Hokkaido)
Photo by hinata
Odori Park, located in the center of Sapporo, Hokkaido, is surrounded by approximately 4,700 trees and serves as an oasis in the business district, serving as a place of relaxation for Sapporo residents and tourists alike.
It is also known as the site of famous festivals such as the Yosakoi Soran Festival and the Snow Festival, and various events are held there throughout the year.
Sapporo TV Tower (Hokkaido)
Photo by Aoyama
The Sapporo TV Tower, which stands tall in Odori Park, is known as the tower designed by the famous architect who completed Tokyo Tower.
From the observation deck located at a height of 90m, you can enjoy a 360-degree view of Sapporo. Behind the city of Sapporo, there are towering mountains, and the beautiful scenery that is typical of Sapporo is well worth a visit.
Sapporo Clock Tower (Hokkaido)
Photo by Chiaki Mitsumori
The Sapporo Clock Tower, with its distinctive appearance of a clock on top of a triangular roof, is the oldest clock tower in Japan.
It was built in 1878, and a pendulum clock was installed three years later. Even now, more than 130 years later, it still keeps accurate time, ringing out every hour on the hour throughout the city of Sapporo.
Tohoku area
Hirosaki Park and Hirosaki Castle (Aomori Prefecture)
Photo by sumi
Hirosaki Castle, located in Hirosaki City, Aomori Prefecture, is a castle located within Hirosaki Park and is the northernmost surviving castle tower in Japan. It is also designated as an Important Cultural Property of Japan.
Hirosaki Park is home to around 2,600 cherry trees of about 50 varieties, which bloom in full bloom around the end of April, creating a beautiful sight. After the cherry blossoms have fallen, their petals float on the surface of the outer moat, creating a spectacular sight that looks like a pink carpet.
Not only spring, but also autumn leaves are famous in Hirosaki Park. Among them, the impressive ginkgo tree, which is said to be over 300 years old, is worth seeing. In winter, Hirosaki Castle is covered in snow, and you can see its elegant and beautiful appearance.
Matsushima (Miyagi Prefecture)
Photo by Keiko Kawanami
Matsushima is a collective name for more than 260 islands floating in and around Matsushima Bay in Miyagi Prefecture, and is one of the Three Most Scenic Spots of Japan.
There are four main spots to view Matsushima, and Otakamori, located in the east, is about a 20-minute walk up a mountain trail, but at the end of that there is a spectacular view from which you can enjoy a 360-degree view of Matsushima.
It's nice to enjoy the magnificent view from land, but it's also nice to take a pleasure boat and see the magnificent view from the sea. It's a famous place for its beautiful sunrises and sunsets, so don't forget to see those moments.
Kanto area
Asakusa (Tokyo)
Photo by Yuki
Asakusa is one of Japan's most famous tourist destinations, known for its traditional Japanese scenery, even though it is located in the big city of Tokyo.
Sensoji Temple, with its striking red color, is a tourist spot that attracts many people from both Japan and abroad. Although the main purpose of the area is to worship at the temple, Nakamise Shopping Street, one of the oldest shopping streets in Japan, is located in front of the temple, and many people enjoy eating Japanese sweets and purchasing souvenirs there.
Tokyo Skytree (Tokyo)
Photo by Kaoru Kokago
Did you know that the tallest tower in the world is in Japan? It is the Skytree, which was completed in 2012 and is 634m tall, making it the third tallest building in the world.
Skytree has an observation deck, from which you can look down on the city of Tokyo and see a view that makes you feel as if you are looking down on the whole of Tokyo. Tokyo is home to many skyscrapers, but you can experience such an overwhelming height that everything looks like a miniature.
Yokohama (Kanagawa Prefecture)
Photo by Hitomi Kadowaki
Yokohama is easily accessible from Tokyo and has many places that can be enjoyed by both children and adults, making it one of the Kanto region's most popular tourist destinations.
Yokohama is a city full of attractions, with fun things to do and delicious food to eat, including the Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse, which has more than 100 years of history, the leisure facility Hakkeijima Sea Paradise, which is home to an aquarium, an amusement park, restaurants, and a shopping mall, the bustling Yokohama Chinatown, where a variety of shops, mainly Chinese cuisine, are gathered, and the world's first ramen amusement park, the Shin-Yokohama Ramen Museum.
Kamakura (Kanagawa Prefecture)
Kamakura is a city rich in nature, with both mountains and the sea. It is also a soothing tourist destination, with many temples and shrines and a variety of flowers blooming depending on the season.
It is famous for the hydrangeas that bloom in abundance during the rainy season. In addition, it is crowded with people who come to surf and swim in the sea in the summer, to see the autumn leaves in the fall, the illuminations in the winter, and the cherry blossoms in the spring.
Among them, Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine, one of Kamakura's most famous tourist spots, has many cherry trees on the approach to the shrine from Kamakura Station, and from late March to early April, it forms an arch of cherry blossoms, creating a beautiful sight that is a must-see.
Nikko City (Tochigi Prefecture)
Photo by Shiori Nakada
Nikko City, located in the mountains of Tochigi Prefecture, is famous for being home to Nikko Toshogu Shrine, which enshrines Tokugawa Ieyasu, the first shogun of the Edo shogunate.
The 103 buildings and cultural landscapes of the "Shrines and Temples of Nikko" are registered as a World Heritage Site, and are the No. 1 attraction in Nikko City. Among them, the aforementioned Nikko Toshogu Shrine is sure to captivate you with its gorgeous buildings and sculptures.
One of Nikko's charms is that it has beautiful nature all year round, but autumn is especially recommended. The contrast between the red and yellow trees and the blue of the sea and sky is magnificent.
Chubu area
Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route (Toyama Prefecture, Nagano Prefecture)
Photo by Kazuki Takahashi
The Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route is one of the world's leading mountain tourism routes, running through the Northern Alps, where mountains stand shoulder to shoulder at around 3,000 meters above sea level.
You can encounter magnificent views on a grand scale on the route from Nagano Prefecture to Toyama Prefecture using cable cars, buses, ropeways, etc. The operation period is seasonal, from mid-April to the end of November. The total length of the route is 37.2 km, and the maximum elevation difference is 1,975 m.
As it is a very popular tourist destination, it gets particularly crowded during Japanese holidays and the autumn foliage season. The official website has a " Crowd Forecast Calendar ," so it's a good idea to use this as a reference when planning your trip.
Kenrokuen Garden (Ishikawa Prefecture)
Photo by Ayaka Henmi
Kenrokuen Garden in Kanazawa City is one of Japan's three most famous gardens and is a historic site whose origins date back more than 340 years.
The scenery changes depending on the time of year you visit, with cherry blossoms in spring, greenery in summer, autumn leaves in fall, and snowy scenery in winter, so you can enjoy it all year round. The grounds are vast and there are various spots such as ponds, bridges, teahouses, magnificent pine trees, and artificial hills, making it a tourist attraction worth seeing.
Matsumoto Castle (Nagano Prefecture)
Photo by mayuki
Matsumoto Castle, located in Matsumoto City, Nagano Prefecture, is a castle designated as a national treasure of Japan. It is one of five castles in Japan whose castle towers have been designated as national treasures.
Built at the end of the Sengoku period, the sturdy castle tower was built to withstand war and has a beautiful black and white contrast. From the top floor you can see the Northern Alps.
About a five-minute walk from Matsumoto Castle is a shopping street called "Nawate-dori." It's an interesting place with a retro atmosphere, filled with old-fashioned shops and general stores, so be sure to stop by.
Kinki area
Kinkakuji Temple (Kyoto Prefecture)
Photo by Hiroshi Shimada
Kinkakuji Temple is one of Kyoto's most famous tourist attractions. As its name, which means gold, suggests, it is a famous place with gorgeous golden buildings, and its official name is Rokuonji Temple.
You'll be overwhelmed by its gorgeous beauty no matter when you see it, but it's especially recommended to visit in autumn when the leaves turn red and when there's snow, creating a beautiful contrast between white and gold.
Arashiyama (Kyoto Prefecture)
Photo by akane
Arashiyama is an essential stop for sightseeing in Kyoto. It is home to many quintessentially Japanese sights, including temples with traditional Japanese gardens, beautiful views from a trolley train, and bamboo forest paths that lead to beautiful green tunnels.
Arashiyama Monkey Park Iwatayama, which is home to approximately 120 wild Japanese macaques, is a very popular tourist destination with tourists from overseas.
Osaka Castle
Photo by Hikari Sasaki
Osaka Castle, located within the grounds of Osaka Castle Park, is a famous castle that is often selected as one of the three most famous castles in Japan. It is a building that is highly regarded around the world for its beauty.
Osaka Castle has been burned down and rebuilt several times, but was restored to its current form after major renovations from 1995 to 1997. Its appearance in the middle of one of Japan's largest cities, Osaka, gives it a truly mysterious presence.
The area is rich in flowers and greenery, allowing you to enjoy different scenery throughout the four seasons. In spring, the cherry blossoms bloom, creating a beautiful combination with Osaka Castle.
Dotonbori (Osaka Prefecture)
Photo by Keiko Kawanami
Dotonbori is a typical downtown area of Osaka. Many restaurants are crowded along the Dotonbori River, and it is also known as "the kitchen of the world" in Japan. Many representative Osaka foods such as takoyaki, okonomiyaki, and kushiage are sold here, so be sure to visit with an empty stomach.
It is also famous for its huge, flashy billboards, the most popular of which is the Glico sign of a man with his hands raised.
At night, the lights of the signs all over town come on, creating a glittering, dazzling world. Dotonbori is a place you can enjoy both day and night, so you'll never get bored even if you spend the whole day there.
Nara Park (Nara Prefecture)
Photo by HONOCA
Nara Park boasts a vast area of approximately 660 hectares. It is dotted with a number of world heritage sites and national treasures, and is a place that often appears in elementary school textbooks, making it a place known to all Japanese people.
It is also famous for the large number of wild deer, who are extremely friendly. If you buy some deer crackers sold on the roadside, a flock of deer will approach you in a frightening manner, so please give it a try.
Chugoku/Shikoku area
Itsukushima Shrine (Hiroshima Prefecture)
Photo by Minori Takeuchi
Itsukushima, commonly known as Miyajima, is a place where the island itself has been worshipped as a god since ancient times. Miyajima is home to the famous Itsukushima Shrine, which was built over 1,400 years ago. It is said that it was built in the sea in order not to damage the land of the sacred island.
Itsukushima Shrine, which is also registered as a World Heritage Site, is one of the Three Most Scenic Spots of Japan and is visited by many people.
Its appearance changes dramatically between high and low tide, so it's a good idea to check the tide levels in advance.
Tsunoshima (Yamaguchi Prefecture)
Photo Mizuka Yamada
Tsunoshima Island in Yamaguchi Prefecture is surrounded by beautiful cobalt blue seas and offers breathtaking views.
Among them, Tsunoshima Bridge, which connects the main island and Tsunoshima Island, has become a hot topic on social media as a scenic spot where you can feel the sea breeze while looking at the beautiful ocean. It has also been used as a location for movies, dramas, and commercials, and its beautiful scenery attracts many tourists.
Kagawa Udon Tour (Kagawa Prefecture)
Photo by Keiko Kawanami
Udon is a representative Japanese dish. It is a noodle dish that you should definitely try if you visit Japan.
Udon noodles can be found anywhere in Japan, but Kagawa Prefecture is especially famous for a type of udon called "Sanuki udon." Udon noodles are so popular in Kagawa that it has even been nicknamed the "Udon Prefecture." There are over 900 udon restaurants in the prefecture, and many of them offer a bowl of udon for around 200 yen, so many people visit Kagawa just to visit all the udon restaurants.
There are also many udon restaurants in Takamatsu City, the capital of Kagawa Prefecture, so why not go on a udon tour of Kagawa Prefecture?
Kyushu and Okinawa area
Hakata food stalls
Photo by Pixta
If you visit Fukuoka, you should try some yatai gourmet food. In the past, there were yatai everywhere in Japan, but after the war, an order was given to completely ban yatai for hygiene reasons, and many yatai across Japan disappeared. However, thanks to the efforts of the local people, one yatai street remains in Hakata.
The sight of small food stalls lined up with red lanterns is a rare sight you won't see anywhere else. There are many of them in Nakasu, Hakata, and it's a unique, typically Japanese sight that can only be seen here in Japan.
Sakurajima (Kagoshima Prefecture)
Photo by Pixta
Sakurajima, the symbol of Kagoshima Prefecture, is a rare active volcano that still emits smoke. It was once an island, but after a major eruption in 1914, it became connected to the nearby Osumi Peninsula.
You can reach Sakurajima by car or ferry, and the sight of the violent smoke rising from the volcano is quite impressive.
If you're lucky, you might even be able to see dolphins swimming in the sea from the Sakurajima Ferry, which connects Kagoshima city with Sakurajima. You can also eat the famous udon noodles on board.
Shuri Castle (Okinawa Prefecture)
Shuri Castle was once the royal castle of Okinawa, the Ryukyu Kingdom. It was burned down during World War II, but was rebuilt in 1992 on the former site of Shuri Castle, with a vermilion color scheme.
However, in 2019, it was hit by another fire, destroying the seven main buildings... Restoration work is currently underway. The framework of the main hall will be completed at the end of December 2023, and roof tiling and painting will begin around June 2024. You can now view the precious, rare sights that can only be seen now as the building works towards completion in 2026.
Although some parts were destroyed in the fire, there is still much to see, so be sure to visit it if you come to Okinawa.
Churaumi Aquarium
Photo by Mai Sekimizu
The Churaumi Aquarium is Okinawa's leading tourist destination, visited by many people of all ages, from children to adults. The Churaumi Aquarium has attracted attention from around the world, having been the first in the world to successfully breed whale sharks for a long period of time, and the first in the world to successfully breed Alfred Manta Rays.
Don't miss the huge aquarium, which is one of the largest in the world! Made of acrylic glass, you can see the creatures at almost life-size without distortion, which is very impressive.
Capture My Japan : Capture your memories in Japan
Japan has a variety of tourist attractions, making it a place you will never get bored of, no matter how many times you visit.
Even if you have been there before, there may be tourist attractions you didn't know about in this article. Be sure to use this article as a reference to enjoy your trip to Japan.
If you would like to have a professional take commemorative photo of your trip to Japan, please leave it to "Capture My Japan". With " Capture My Japan ", you can take photos at your favorite locations throughout Japan. English-speaking photographers will be in charge of the photos while communicating closely with you, so even if you are having trouble finding a good photo spot, there is no need to worry.
The rate for "Capture My Japan" starts from 49,500 yen per hour (including 50 edited photos). Currently, you can get a 5% discount on your photography experience by entering coupon code " MCM-17862 " when applying. If you're considering requesting services from Capture My Japan, be sure to take advantage of this offer!
Official website: https://capturemy.jp/
"Capture My Japan " is a photography service for tourists visiting Japan from overseas by Lovegraph Co., Ltd, which operates one of Japan's largest on- location photography session businesses. Would you like to capture yourself along with the beautiful scenery of Japan with a professional photographer? You can experience shooting at your favorite travel destinations such as Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka. Capture My Japan's photographers have bases all over the country and can handle shooting in a wide range of areas. We have photographers who have passed a strict screening process, so you can leave your shooting to us with confidence! Japanese photographers who have a good understanding of each region will take care of your needs. Why not leave your memories of your trip to Japan together in a wonderful way?
The contents on this page may partially contain automatic translation.
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