🏮 Festivals season
Japan by Season
Blossom, fresh green, fireworks, maples, illuminations and snow — what each month of the Japanese year is actually worth travelling for, and the window each spot is at its best.
752 seasonal windows · timings shift with the weather each year — confirm before booking.
Summer in Japan — best right now
Festivals
Gifu
Gujo Hachiman — Water Town of Springs & Canals
July 13 – September 7
Gujo Odori festival (July 13–September 7) especially the all-night dancing (Obon, mid-August)
Festivals
Final stretch
Premium content
Kyoto
Gion Matsuri — Japan's Grandest Festival
July(approx.)
July (festival dates fixed: July 1-31 various events, climax July 17 main parade)
Sea & beaches
Ibaraki
Ajigaura Beach — Surfing & Coastal Escape
Early July – late August(approx.)
July–August (swimming season)
Sea & beaches
Kagoshima
Iso Beach — City Beach with Volcano View
Early July – late August(approx.)
July–August for official swimming season (lifeguards, warm water 25–28°C). Late afternoon (16:00–18:00) any season for…
January
87 spots
Takasaki Daruma Dolls — Wishing Dolls Tradition
FestivalsJanuary 6–7
Gunma
Kinosaki Winter Crab Kaiseki — Snow Crab Season
Snow sceneryMid December – late January (approx.)
Hyogo
Gala Yuzawa Ski Resort — Shinkansen Direct to Powder Snow
Snow sceneryEarly January – late February (approx.)
Niigata
Gokayama Gassho-Zukuri Villages — UNESCO Farmhouses in Snow Country
Snow sceneryEarly January – late February (approx.)
Toyama
Hakkoda Mountains — Snow Monsters & Ropeway
Snow sceneryEarly January – late February (approx.)
Aomori
Nabana no Sato — Japan's Largest Winter Illumination Garden
IlluminationsEarly December – mid February (approx.)
Mie
Omoriyama Zoo — Winter Wildlife & Snow Adaptations
Snow sceneryMid December – late February (approx.)
Akita
Echigo-Yuzawa Onsen — Snow Country Hot Spring Town
Snow sceneryMid December – early March (approx.)
Niigata
Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park — Wild Macaques in Hot Springs
Snow sceneryMid December – early March (approx.)
Nagano
Yudanaka Onsen — Gateway to Snow Monkeys
Snow sceneryMid December – early March (approx.)
Nagano
Yuigahama Beach — Kamakura's Historic Seaside
Sea & beachesEarly December – late February (approx.)
Kanagawa
Manta Ray Snorkeling — Kabira Manta Scramble
Sea & beachesEarly December – late March (approx.)
Okinawa
Miyama Kayabuki Village — Thatched-Roof Hamlet
IlluminationsMid January (approx.)
Kyoto
Miyama Kayabuki Village — Thatched-Roof Hamlet
Snow sceneryMid January (approx.)
Kyoto
Hida Folk Village (Hida no Sato) — Open-Air Museum of Farmhouses
IlluminationsLate January (approx.)
Gifu
Hida Folk Village (Hida no Sato) — Open-Air Museum of Farmhouses
Snow sceneryLate January (approx.)
Gifu
Nakijin Castle Ruins — Hilltop Gusuku Fortress
Cherry blossomMid January – early February (approx.)
Okinawa
Zao Snow Monsters (Juhyo) — Frozen Ice Tree Sculptures
IlluminationsLate December – mid February (approx.)
Yamagata
Takayama Festival Floats — Masterworks of Lacquer & Karakuri
FestivalsEarly December – late February (approx.)
Gifu
Gokayama Gassho-Zukuri Villages — UNESCO Farmhouses in Snow Country
IlluminationsLate January – mid February (approx.)
Toyama
Hakozaki Shrine — Ancient Protector Against Foreign Invasion
FestivalsJanuary (approx.)
Fukuoka
Lake Ikeda — Giant Eel and Volcano Cone
Flowers in bloomJanuary (approx.)
Kagoshima
Wakakusayama Hill — Panoramic Nara Views & Grass Burning
FestivalsJanuary (approx.)
Nara
Shirakawa-go Gassho-zukuri Village — UNESCO World Heritage Farmhouses
IlluminationsEarly January – mid February (approx.)
Gifu
Echizen Crab — Winter King of the Sea of Japan
Snow sceneryMid December – late January (approx.)
Fukui
Matsuba Crab — Winter's King of the Sea
Snow sceneryMid December – late January (approx.)
Tottori
Kajo Park — Yamagata Castle Ruins and Cherry Blossoms
Snow sceneryEarly January – late February (approx.)
Yamagata
Koyasan Temple Town — Sacred Mountain & Temple Stays
Snow sceneryEarly January – late February (approx.)
Wakayama
Lake Saiko Bat Cave and Forest — Fuji's Hidden Lake
Snow sceneryEarly January – late February (approx.)
Yamanashi
Miyagi Zao Ski Resort and Okama Crater
Snow sceneryEarly January – late February (approx.)
Miyagi
Motsuji Temple Garden — Pure Land Paradise Design
Snow sceneryEarly January – late February (approx.)
Iwate
Mt. Haruna & Lake Haruna — Volcanic Crater Lake
Snow sceneryEarly January – late February (approx.)
Gunma
Nasu Onsen — Royal Retreat Hot Springs
Snow sceneryEarly January – late February (approx.)
Tochigi
Okunoin Cemetery Night Walk — 200,000 Lantern-Lit Tombs
Snow sceneryEarly January – late February (approx.)
Wakayama
Sefuri-san Mountain — Hidden Beech Forest Summit
Snow sceneryEarly January – late February (approx.)
Saga
Tsumago-juku — Edo-Period Post Town Frozen in Time
Snow sceneryEarly January – late February (approx.)
Nagano
Yokokan Garden — Edo-Period Feudal Lord's Retreat
Fresh greenEarly January – late February (approx.)
Fukui
Yokokan Garden — Edo-Period Feudal Lord's Retreat
Snow sceneryEarly January – late February (approx.)
Fukui
Minato Mirai 21 — Futuristic Waterfront Skyline
FireworksEarly December – late January (approx.)
Kanagawa
Minato Mirai 21 — Futuristic Waterfront Skyline
IlluminationsEarly December – late January (approx.)
Kanagawa
Eiheiji Temple — 700-Year-Old Zen Training Monastery
Snow sceneryMid December – late February (approx.)
Fukui
Gero Onsen — One of Japan's Three Great Hot Springs
Snow sceneryMid December – late February (approx.)
Gifu
Gero Onsen Gassho Village — Hot Springs Meet Heritage Houses
Snow sceneryMid December – late February (approx.)
Gifu
Ginzan Onsen — Taisho-Era Hot Spring Romance
Snow sceneryMid December – late February (approx.)
Yamagata
Hakone Shrine — Lake Torii Gate and Cedar Forest
Snow sceneryMid December – late February (approx.)
Kanagawa
Hakone Yumoto Onsen — Gateway Hot Spring Town
Snow sceneryMid December – late February (approx.)
Kanagawa
Hanamaki Onsen — Hot Spring Resort Town
Snow sceneryMid December – late February (approx.)
Iwate
Higashiyama Onsen — Samurai Retreat Hot Spring Town
Snow sceneryMid December – late February (approx.)
Fukushima
Iya Valley Scarecrow Village — Life-Size Doll Population
Snow sceneryMid December – late February (approx.)
Tokushima
Kakunodate Samurai District — Feudal Streets & Cherry Blossoms
Snow sceneryMid December – late February (approx.)
Akita
Kinugawa Onsen — River Gorge Hot Springs
Snow sceneryMid December – late February (approx.)
Tochigi
Kurokawa Onsen — Rustic Mountain Hot Spring Village
Snow sceneryMid December – late February (approx.)
Kumamoto
Kusatsu Onsen Ryokan Stay — Traditional Inn Experience
Snow sceneryMid December – late February (approx.)
Gunma
Kusatsu Onsen Yubatake — Healing Hot Spring Field
Snow sceneryMid December – late February (approx.)
Gunma
Magome to Tsumago Hike — Nakasendo Trail Villages
Snow sceneryMid December – late February (approx.)
Gifu
Misasa Onsen — Radium Hot Springs in River Gorge
Snow sceneryMid December – late February (approx.)
Tottori
Mt. Haguro Five-Story Pagoda — National Treasure in Cedar Forest
Snow sceneryMid December – late February (approx.)
Yamagata
Nagamachi Samurai District — Preserved Samurai Residences
Snow sceneryMid December – late February (approx.)
Ishikawa
Nyuto Onsen — Rustic Mountain Hot Springs Village
Snow sceneryMid December – late February (approx.)
Akita
Oga Aquarium GAO — Polar Bears & Sea of Japan Life
Snow sceneryMid December – late February (approx.)
Akita
Otaru Canal — Romantic Waterway & Warehouses
Snow sceneryMid December – late February (approx.)
Hokkaido
Ouchi-juku — Edo-Period Thatched Village & Negi Soba
Snow sceneryMid December – late February (approx.)
Fukushima
Shibu Onsen — Nine Bathhouse Pilgrimage Town
Snow sceneryMid December – late February (approx.)
Nagano
Shinhotaka Ropeway — Japan Alps Aerial Journey
Snow sceneryMid December – late February (approx.)
Gifu
Spa Resort Hawaiians — Indoor Tropical Water Park & Hula Shows
Snow sceneryMid December – late February (approx.)
Fukushima
Tadami Line — Japan's Most Scenic Railway Through Mountain Gorges
Snow sceneryMid December – late February (approx.)
Fukushima
Takayama Sanmachi Old Town — Edo-Period Merchant District
Snow sceneryMid December – late February (approx.)
Gifu
Tottori Sand Dunes — Japan's Only Desert-Like Landscape
Snow sceneryMid December – late February (approx.)
Tottori
Tsuruga Castle — Red-Tiled Fortress of the Samurai Aizu Clan
Snow sceneryMid December – late February (approx.)
Fukushima
Zenkoji Temple — Pilgrimage to the Hidden Buddha
Snow sceneryMid December – late February (approx.)
Nagano
Aoni Onsen — Lamp-Lit Mountain Retreat
Snow sceneryMid December – early March (approx.)
Aomori
Daisen-ji Temple — 1,300-Year Mountain Buddhist Complex
Snow sceneryMid December – early March (approx.)
Tottori
Gokayama Ainokura — Quieter Gassho Village
Snow sceneryMid December – early March (approx.)
Gifu
Kenrokuen Garden — One of Japan's Three Great Gardens
Snow sceneryMid December – early March (approx.)
Ishikawa
Mogami River Boat Ride — Boatmen Songs and Valley Views
Snow sceneryMid December – early March (approx.)
Yamagata
Nozawa Onsen — Ski Village with 13 Public Bathhouses
Snow sceneryMid December – early March (approx.)
Nagano
Ashikaga Flower Park — Wisteria Dream Canopy
IlluminationsMid November – mid February (approx.)
Tochigi
Mt. Tsurugi — Shikoku's Second Highest Peak
Snow sceneryMid December – early March (approx.)
Tokushima
Shirakami-Sanchi — UNESCO Beech Forest Wilderness
Snow sceneryMid December – early March (approx.)
Aomori
Ouchi-juku Snow Festival — Candle-Lit Winter Illumination
Snow sceneryMid December – early March (approx.)
Fukushima
Kobe Harborland — Port City Evening Illumination
IlluminationsMid November – mid February (approx.)
Hyogo
Osaka Bay Night Cruise — Illuminated Waterfront Tour
IlluminationsMid November – mid February (approx.)
Osaka
Ouchi-juku Snow Festival — Candle-Lit Winter Illumination
IlluminationsMid November – mid February (approx.)
Fukushima
Shuri Castle — Ryukyu Kingdom Royal Palace
Cherry blossomMid January – early February (approx.)
Okinawa
Gassan Ski Resort — Summer Skiing on Sacred Mountain
Snow sceneryMid December – early March (approx.)
Yamagata
Akashi Kaikyo Bridge — World's Longest Suspension Bridge
IlluminationsMid November – mid February (approx.)
Hyogo
Maruo Falls — Hidden Waterfall in the Forest
IlluminationsMid November – mid February (approx.)
Kagoshima
February
107 spotsYokote Kamakura Festival — Snow House Candle Ritual
FestivalsFebruary 15–16
Akita
Abashiri Drift Ice Cruise — Frozen Sea of Okhotsk
Snow sceneryMid February (approx.)
Hokkaido
Sapporo Snow Festival — Ice Sculpture Spectacle
FestivalsEarly February (approx.)
Hokkaido
Kairakuen Garden — Plum Blossom Poetry
Flowers in bloomLate February – mid March (approx.)
Ibaraki
Nagasaki Chinatown — Oldest in Japan
FestivalsFebruary 1–15
Nagasaki
Odori Park — Sapporo's Central Green Axis
FestivalsFebruary (approx.)
Hokkaido
Gala Yuzawa Ski Resort — Shinkansen Direct to Powder Snow
Snow sceneryEarly January – late February (approx.)
Niigata
Gokayama Gassho-Zukuri Villages — UNESCO Farmhouses in Snow Country
Snow sceneryEarly January – late February (approx.)
Toyama
Hakkoda Mountains — Snow Monsters & Ropeway
Snow sceneryEarly January – late February (approx.)
Aomori
Nabana no Sato — Japan's Largest Winter Illumination Garden
IlluminationsEarly December – mid February (approx.)
Mie
Omoriyama Zoo — Winter Wildlife & Snow Adaptations
Snow sceneryMid December – late February (approx.)
Akita
Echigo-Yuzawa Onsen — Snow Country Hot Spring Town
Snow sceneryMid December – early March (approx.)
Niigata
Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park — Wild Macaques in Hot Springs
Snow sceneryMid December – early March (approx.)
Nagano
Yudanaka Onsen — Gateway to Snow Monkeys
Snow sceneryMid December – early March (approx.)
Nagano
Yuigahama Beach — Kamakura's Historic Seaside
Sea & beachesEarly December – late February (approx.)
Kanagawa
Manta Ray Snorkeling — Kabira Manta Scramble
Sea & beachesEarly December – late March (approx.)
Okinawa
Shinzan Shrine — Namahage Costume Rituals
FestivalsLate February (approx.)
Akita
Nakijin Castle Ruins — Hilltop Gusuku Fortress
Cherry blossomMid January – early February (approx.)
Okinawa
Mount Tsukuba — Sacred Twin Peaks Cable Car
Flowers in bloomLate February – mid March (approx.)
Ibaraki
Zao Snow Monsters (Juhyo) — Frozen Ice Tree Sculptures
IlluminationsLate December – mid February (approx.)
Yamagata
Takayama Festival Floats — Masterworks of Lacquer & Karakuri
FestivalsEarly December – late February (approx.)
Gifu
Zuiryuji Temple — Zen Architecture Perfection
IlluminationsMid February (approx.)
Toyama
Gokayama Gassho-Zukuri Villages — UNESCO Farmhouses in Snow Country
IlluminationsLate January – mid February (approx.)
Toyama
Hida Folk Village (Hida no Sato) — Open-Air Museum of Farmhouses
IlluminationsMid January – mid February (approx.)
Gifu
Enoshima Island — Sacred Island with Caves and Ocean Views
IlluminationsEarly February – mid February (approx.)
Kanagawa
Bessho Onsen — Kamakura of Shinano
Flowers in bloomEarly February – late February (approx.)
Nagano
MOA Museum of Art — Oceanview Museum with Masterpieces
Flowers in bloomEarly February – late February (approx.)
Shizuoka
Odawara Castle — Reconstructed Feudal Fortress
Flowers in bloomEarly February – late February (approx.)
Kanagawa
Ritsurin Garden
Flowers in bloomEarly February – late February (approx.)
Kagawa
Saga's Okuninushi Shrine Night Trail
Flowers in bloomEarly February – late February (approx.)
Saga
Sankeien Garden — 175,000㎡ Traditional Japanese Garden
Flowers in bloomEarly February – late February (approx.)
Kanagawa
Shukkei-en Garden — Miniature Landscape Stroll Garden
Flowers in bloomEarly February – late February (approx.)
Hiroshima
Izu Kogen — Art Museums & Coastal Highlands
FestivalsFebruary (approx.)
Shizuoka
Kasuga Taisha — 3,000 Stone and Bronze Lanterns
FestivalsFebruary (approx.)
Nara
Mt. Hakodate Night View — Million Dollar Vista
Snow sceneryFebruary (approx.)
Hokkaido
Nikko Tamozawa Imperial Villa — Meiji Elegance
Snow sceneryFebruary (approx.)
Tochigi
Odori Park — Sapporo's Central Green Axis
Snow sceneryFebruary (approx.)
Hokkaido
Otaru Canal — Romantic Waterway & Warehouses
FestivalsFebruary (approx.)
Hokkaido
Otaru Canal — Romantic Waterway & Warehouses
Snow sceneryFebruary (approx.)
Hokkaido
Ouchi-juku — Edo-Period Thatched Village & Negi Soba
FestivalsFebruary (approx.)
Fukushima
Ouchi-juku — Edo-Period Thatched Village & Negi Soba
Snow sceneryFebruary (approx.)
Fukushima
Susukino District — Hokkaido's Nightlife Capital
FestivalsFebruary (approx.)
Hokkaido
Susukino District — Hokkaido's Nightlife Capital
Snow sceneryFebruary (approx.)
Hokkaido
Tono Folktales — Kappa Legends & Magariya Farmhouses
FestivalsFebruary (approx.)
Iwate
Dazaifu Tenmangu — Scholar Shrine in Plum Forest
Flowers in bloomEarly February – mid March (approx.)
Fukuoka
Hodosan Shrine & Ropeway — Mountain Summit Views
Flowers in bloomEarly February – mid March (approx.)
Saitama
Wakayama Mikan & Umeboshi — Citrus Orchards & Pickled Plums
Flowers in bloomEarly February – mid March (approx.)
Wakayama
Shiretoko Peninsula — UNESCO Wilderness & Wildlife
Snow sceneryEarly February – early March (approx.)
Hokkaido
Shirakawa-go Gassho-zukuri Village — UNESCO World Heritage Farmhouses
IlluminationsEarly January – mid February (approx.)
Gifu
Kajo Park — Yamagata Castle Ruins and Cherry Blossoms
Snow sceneryEarly January – late February (approx.)
Yamagata
Koyasan Temple Town — Sacred Mountain & Temple Stays
Snow sceneryEarly January – late February (approx.)
Wakayama
Lake Saiko Bat Cave and Forest — Fuji's Hidden Lake
Snow sceneryEarly January – late February (approx.)
Yamanashi
Miyagi Zao Ski Resort and Okama Crater
Snow sceneryEarly January – late February (approx.)
Miyagi
Motsuji Temple Garden — Pure Land Paradise Design
Snow sceneryEarly January – late February (approx.)
Iwate
Mt. Haruna & Lake Haruna — Volcanic Crater Lake
Snow sceneryEarly January – late February (approx.)
Gunma
Nasu Onsen — Royal Retreat Hot Springs
Snow sceneryEarly January – late February (approx.)
Tochigi
Okunoin Cemetery Night Walk — 200,000 Lantern-Lit Tombs
Snow sceneryEarly January – late February (approx.)
Wakayama
Sefuri-san Mountain — Hidden Beech Forest Summit
Snow sceneryEarly January – late February (approx.)
Saga
Tsumago-juku — Edo-Period Post Town Frozen in Time
Snow sceneryEarly January – late February (approx.)
Nagano
Yokokan Garden — Edo-Period Feudal Lord's Retreat
Fresh greenEarly January – late February (approx.)
Fukui
Yokokan Garden — Edo-Period Feudal Lord's Retreat
Snow sceneryEarly January – late February (approx.)
Fukui
Eiheiji Temple — 700-Year-Old Zen Training Monastery
Snow sceneryMid December – late February (approx.)
Fukui
Gero Onsen — One of Japan's Three Great Hot Springs
Snow sceneryMid December – late February (approx.)
Gifu
Gero Onsen Gassho Village — Hot Springs Meet Heritage Houses
Snow sceneryMid December – late February (approx.)
Gifu
Ginzan Onsen — Taisho-Era Hot Spring Romance
Snow sceneryMid December – late February (approx.)
Yamagata
Hakone Shrine — Lake Torii Gate and Cedar Forest
Snow sceneryMid December – late February (approx.)
Kanagawa
Hakone Yumoto Onsen — Gateway Hot Spring Town
Snow sceneryMid December – late February (approx.)
Kanagawa
Hanamaki Onsen — Hot Spring Resort Town
Snow sceneryMid December – late February (approx.)
Iwate
Higashiyama Onsen — Samurai Retreat Hot Spring Town
Snow sceneryMid December – late February (approx.)
Fukushima
Iya Valley Scarecrow Village — Life-Size Doll Population
Snow sceneryMid December – late February (approx.)
Tokushima
Kakunodate Samurai District — Feudal Streets & Cherry Blossoms
Snow sceneryMid December – late February (approx.)
Akita
Kinugawa Onsen — River Gorge Hot Springs
Snow sceneryMid December – late February (approx.)
Tochigi
Kurokawa Onsen — Rustic Mountain Hot Spring Village
Snow sceneryMid December – late February (approx.)
Kumamoto
Kusatsu Onsen Ryokan Stay — Traditional Inn Experience
Snow sceneryMid December – late February (approx.)
Gunma
Kusatsu Onsen Yubatake — Healing Hot Spring Field
Snow sceneryMid December – late February (approx.)
Gunma
Magome to Tsumago Hike — Nakasendo Trail Villages
Snow sceneryMid December – late February (approx.)
Gifu
Misasa Onsen — Radium Hot Springs in River Gorge
Snow sceneryMid December – late February (approx.)
Tottori
Mt. Haguro Five-Story Pagoda — National Treasure in Cedar Forest
Snow sceneryMid December – late February (approx.)
Yamagata
Nagamachi Samurai District — Preserved Samurai Residences
Snow sceneryMid December – late February (approx.)
Ishikawa
Nyuto Onsen — Rustic Mountain Hot Springs Village
Snow sceneryMid December – late February (approx.)
Akita
Oga Aquarium GAO — Polar Bears & Sea of Japan Life
Snow sceneryMid December – late February (approx.)
Akita
Shibu Onsen — Nine Bathhouse Pilgrimage Town
Snow sceneryMid December – late February (approx.)
Nagano
Shinhotaka Ropeway — Japan Alps Aerial Journey
Snow sceneryMid December – late February (approx.)
Gifu
Spa Resort Hawaiians — Indoor Tropical Water Park & Hula Shows
Snow sceneryMid December – late February (approx.)
Fukushima
Tadami Line — Japan's Most Scenic Railway Through Mountain Gorges
Snow sceneryMid December – late February (approx.)
Fukushima
Takayama Sanmachi Old Town — Edo-Period Merchant District
Snow sceneryMid December – late February (approx.)
Gifu
Tottori Sand Dunes — Japan's Only Desert-Like Landscape
Snow sceneryMid December – late February (approx.)
Tottori
Tsuruga Castle — Red-Tiled Fortress of the Samurai Aizu Clan
Snow sceneryMid December – late February (approx.)
Fukushima
Zenkoji Temple — Pilgrimage to the Hidden Buddha
Snow sceneryMid December – late February (approx.)
Nagano
Aoni Onsen — Lamp-Lit Mountain Retreat
Snow sceneryMid December – early March (approx.)
Aomori
Daisen-ji Temple — 1,300-Year Mountain Buddhist Complex
Snow sceneryMid December – early March (approx.)
Tottori
Gokayama Ainokura — Quieter Gassho Village
Snow sceneryMid December – early March (approx.)
Gifu
Kenrokuen Garden — One of Japan's Three Great Gardens
Snow sceneryMid December – early March (approx.)
Ishikawa
Mogami River Boat Ride — Boatmen Songs and Valley Views
Snow sceneryMid December – early March (approx.)
Yamagata
Nozawa Onsen — Ski Village with 13 Public Bathhouses
Snow sceneryMid December – early March (approx.)
Nagano
Ashikaga Flower Park — Wisteria Dream Canopy
IlluminationsMid November – mid February (approx.)
Tochigi
Mt. Tsurugi — Shikoku's Second Highest Peak
Snow sceneryMid December – early March (approx.)
Tokushima
Shirakami-Sanchi — UNESCO Beech Forest Wilderness
Snow sceneryMid December – early March (approx.)
Aomori
Ouchi-juku Snow Festival — Candle-Lit Winter Illumination
Snow sceneryMid December – early March (approx.)
Fukushima
Kobe Harborland — Port City Evening Illumination
IlluminationsMid November – mid February (approx.)
Hyogo
Osaka Bay Night Cruise — Illuminated Waterfront Tour
IlluminationsMid November – mid February (approx.)
Osaka
Ouchi-juku Snow Festival — Candle-Lit Winter Illumination
IlluminationsMid November – mid February (approx.)
Fukushima
Shuri Castle — Ryukyu Kingdom Royal Palace
Cherry blossomMid January – early February (approx.)
Okinawa
Hanamiyama Park — Cherry Blossom & Plum Mountain Paradise
Flowers in bloomEarly February – mid March (approx.)
Fukushima
Gassan Ski Resort — Summer Skiing on Sacred Mountain
Snow sceneryMid December – early March (approx.)
Yamagata
Akashi Kaikyo Bridge — World's Longest Suspension Bridge
IlluminationsMid November – mid February (approx.)
Hyogo
Maruo Falls — Hidden Waterfall in the Forest
IlluminationsMid November – mid February (approx.)
Kagoshima
March
112 spotsTsunan Snow Festival — Sky Lantern Pilgrimage Over Snow Fields
FestivalsMid March (approx.)
Niigata
Maizuru Castle Park — Cherry Blossoms and Kofu Views
Cherry blossomLate March – early April (approx.)
Yamanashi
Akashi Castle Ruins & Sakura Park — Cherry Blossom Viewpoint
Cherry blossomLate March – early April (approx.)
Hyogo
Kimii-dera Temple — Hydrangea Hillside & Cherry Blossoms
Cherry blossomLate March – early April (approx.)
Wakayama
Ueno Park — Museums, Zoo, & Cherry Blossoms
Cherry blossomLate March – early April (approx.)
Tokyo
Tsuyama Castle Ruins — Sakura no Meiho Cherry Blossom Fortress
Cherry blossomLate March – early April (approx.)
Okayama
Nagoya Castle Night Illumination — Seasonal Light-Up Events
IlluminationsLate March – early April (approx.)
Aichi
Ogi City Hirado-bashi — Hidden Cherry Blossom Town
Cherry blossomLate March – early April (approx.)
Saga
Tatsuda-yama Park Cherry Blossoms — Best in Kumamoto
Cherry blossomLate March – early April (approx.)
Kumamoto
Toyama City Night View from Kureha Hills — Illuminated Bay Panorama
IlluminationsLate March – early April (approx.)
Toyama
Sakura Shrimp — Sweet Pink Shrimp from Suruga Bay
Cherry blossomLate March – mid April (approx.)
Shizuoka
Kairakuen Garden — Plum Blossom Poetry
Flowers in bloomLate February – mid March (approx.)
Ibaraki
Niseko Powder Snow — Japan's Premier Ski Resort
Snow sceneryLate March – late April (approx.)
Hokkaido
Tsunan Snow Festival — Sky Lantern Pilgrimage Over Snow Fields
Snow sceneryEarly March (approx.)
Niigata
Echigo-Yuzawa Onsen — Snow Country Hot Spring Town
Snow sceneryMid December – early March (approx.)
Niigata
Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park — Wild Macaques in Hot Springs
Snow sceneryMid December – early March (approx.)
Nagano
Yudanaka Onsen — Gateway to Snow Monkeys
Snow sceneryMid December – early March (approx.)
Nagano
Katsurahama Beach — Crescent Bay & Ryoma Statue
Sea & beachesEarly March – late May (approx.)
Kochi
Manta Ray Snorkeling — Kabira Manta Scramble
Sea & beachesEarly December – late March (approx.)
Okinawa
Chureito Pagoda — Iconic Mt. Fuji Viewpoint
Cherry blossomLate March – early April (approx.)
Yamanashi
Iwase Canal Historic District — Preserved Port Warehouses
Cherry blossomLate March – early April (approx.)
Toyama
Nagoya Castle — Golden Shachihoko Fortress
Cherry blossomLate March – early April (approx.)
Aichi
Sunpu Castle Park — Tokugawa Ieyasu's Retirement Residence
Cherry blossomLate March – early April (approx.)
Shizuoka
Takeda Shingen Historical Sites — Legacy of the Warring States
Cherry blossomLate March – early April (approx.)
Yamanashi
Toyama Castle & Matsukawa River Cruise — Urban Moat Boat Ride
Cherry blossomLate March – early April (approx.)
Toyama
Toyama City Night View from Kureha Hills — Illuminated Bay Panorama
Cherry blossomLate March – early April (approx.)
Toyama
Genkyuen Garden — Daimyo Strolling Garden Masterpiece
Cherry blossomLate March – early April (approx.)
Shiga
Great Buddha of Kamakura — 13.35m Bronze Colossus
Cherry blossomLate March – early April (approx.)
Kanagawa
Ise Jingu — Japan's Most Sacred Shinto Shrine
Cherry blossomLate March – early April (approx.)
Mie
Kyoto Machiya Stay — Traditional Townhouse Lodging
Cherry blossomLate March – early April (approx.)
Kyoto
Odawara Castle — Reconstructed Feudal Fortress
Cherry blossomLate March – early April (approx.)
Kanagawa
Oharai-machi & Okage-yokocho — Ise's Edo-Period Shopping Streets
Cherry blossomLate March – early April (approx.)
Mie
Osaka Castle — Concrete Reconstruction with Museum
Cherry blossomLate March – early April (approx.)
Osaka
Sankeien Garden — 175,000㎡ Traditional Japanese Garden
Cherry blossomLate March – early April (approx.)
Kanagawa
Senso-ji Temple — Tokyo's Oldest Buddhist Temple
Cherry blossomLate March – early April (approx.)
Tokyo
Togetsukyo Bridge — Arashiyama's Iconic Landmark
Cherry blossomLate March – early April (approx.)
Kyoto
Wakayama Castle — Tiger's Den Fortress & Ninja House
Cherry blossomLate March – early April (approx.)
Wakayama
Yoyogi Park — Sunday Gathering & Green Escape
Cherry blossomLate March – early April (approx.)
Tokyo
Fukuyama Castle — Rose City's Historic Fortress
Cherry blossomLate March – early April (approx.)
Hiroshima
Hagi Castle Ruins — Seaside Fortress Foundations
Cherry blossomLate March – early April (approx.)
Yamaguchi
Hiroshima Castle — Reconstructed Fortress & Samurai Museum
Cherry blossomLate March – early April (approx.)
Hiroshima
Iwakuni Castle — Hilltop Fortress Over the Valley
Cherry blossomLate March – early April (approx.)
Yamaguchi
Kikko Park — Samurai Gardens and White Snakes
Cherry blossomLate March – early April (approx.)
Yamaguchi
Kintaikyo Bridge — Five-Arch Wooden Engineering Marvel
Cherry blossomLate March – early April (approx.)
Yamaguchi
Rurikoji Temple — Five-Story Pagoda National Treasure
Cherry blossomLate March – early April (approx.)
Yamaguchi
Kochi Castle — Original Tenshu & Honmaru Intact
Cherry blossomLate March – early April (approx.)
Kochi
Makino Botanical Garden — Flora of Shikoku
Cherry blossomLate March – early April (approx.)
Kochi
Matsuyama Castle — Hilltop Fortress with Original Keep
Cherry blossomLate March – early April (approx.)
Ehime
Uwajima Castle — Original Keep with Coastal Views
Cherry blossomLate March – early April (approx.)
Ehime
Fukuoka Castle Ruins — City Panorama at Maizuru Park
Cherry blossomLate March – early April (approx.)
Fukuoka
Hagi Castle Ruins — Seaside Fortress Foundations
IlluminationsLate March – early April (approx.)
Yamaguchi
Hiroshima Castle — Reconstructed Fortress & Samurai Museum
IlluminationsLate March – early April (approx.)
Hiroshima
Iwakuni Castle — Hilltop Fortress Over the Valley
IlluminationsLate March – early April (approx.)
Yamaguchi
Karatsu Castle — Sea Castle on the Bay
Cherry blossomLate March – early April (approx.)
Saga
Kibiji Cycling Road — Momotaro Legend Countryside Route
Flowers in bloomLate March – early April (approx.)
Okayama
Kikko Park — Samurai Gardens and White Snakes
IlluminationsLate March – early April (approx.)
Yamaguchi
Kumamoto Castle — Earthquake Survivor Being Restored
Cherry blossomLate March – early April (approx.)
Kumamoto
Maizuru Castle Park — Cherry Blossoms and Kofu Views
IlluminationsLate March – early April (approx.)
Yamanashi
Matsuyama Castle — Hilltop Fortress with Original Keep
IlluminationsLate March – early April (approx.)
Ehime
Odawara Castle — Reconstructed Feudal Fortress
IlluminationsLate March – early April (approx.)
Kanagawa
Ogi-Juku Post Town — Edo Period Highway Rest Stop
Cherry blossomLate March – early April (approx.)
Saga
Ohori Park — Castle Moat Turned City Sanctuary
Cherry blossomLate March – early April (approx.)
Fukuoka
Oka Castle Ruins — Castleless Castle in the Sky
Cherry blossomLate March – early April (approx.)
Oita
Sunpu Castle Park — Tokugawa Ieyasu's Retirement Residence
IlluminationsLate March – early April (approx.)
Shizuoka
Tsuyama Castle Ruins — Sakura no Meiho Cherry Blossom Fortress
IlluminationsLate March – early April (approx.)
Okayama
Yasaka Shrine — Gion's Guardian Shrine
IlluminationsLate March – early April (approx.)
Kyoto
Day Trip to Nara — Deer Park & Ancient Temples (45 min)
Cherry blossomLate March – mid April (approx.)
Osaka
Gifu Castle — Mountain Fortress Above the Clouds
Cherry blossomLate March – mid April (approx.)
Gifu
Hakone Open-Air Museum — Outdoor Sculpture Garden
Cherry blossomLate March – mid April (approx.)
Kanagawa
Hida Furukawa — Quieter Alternative to Takayama
Cherry blossomLate March – mid April (approx.)
Gifu
Iga-Ueno Ninja Museum — Real Ninjutsu Techniques & Trick Houses
Cherry blossomLate March – mid April (approx.)
Mie
Kamakura Komachi-dori — Temple Town Shopping Street
Cherry blossomLate March – mid April (approx.)
Kanagawa
Kibiji Cycling Road — Momotaro Legend Countryside Route
Cherry blossomLate March – mid April (approx.)
Okayama
Kotohira-gu Shrine (Konpira-san)
Cherry blossomLate March – mid April (approx.)
Kagawa
Nijo Castle — Shogun's Nightingale Floor Palace
Cherry blossomLate March – mid April (approx.)
Kyoto
Shuzenji Onsen — Historic Temple Town Hot Springs
Cherry blossomLate March – mid April (approx.)
Shizuoka
Toshodaiji Temple — Tang Dynasty Architecture Preserved
Cherry blossomLate March – mid April (approx.)
Nara
Tsurugaoka Hachimangu — Kamakura's Grand Shinto Shrine
Cherry blossomLate March – mid April (approx.)
Kanagawa
Yakushiji Temple — Twin Pagodas & Healing Buddha
Cherry blossomLate March – mid April (approx.)
Nara
Mount Tsukuba — Sacred Twin Peaks Cable Car
Flowers in bloomLate February – mid March (approx.)
Ibaraki
Korakuen Garden — One of Japan's Three Great Gardens
Cherry blossomLate March – mid April (approx.)
Okayama
Korakuen Garden — One of Japan's Three Great Gardens
IlluminationsLate March – late April (approx.)
Okayama
Shimoda Beaches — White Sand Bays of Southern Izu
Cherry blossomLate March (approx.)
Shizuoka
Kodokan — Samurai Academy
Flowers in bloomEarly March – mid March (approx.)
Ibaraki
Ishite-ji Temple — Cave Temple with 88 Statues
Cherry blossomLate March – mid April (approx.)
Ehime
Premium Kaiseki Ryori — Multi-Course Japanese Haute Cuisine
Cherry blossomLate March – mid April (approx.)
Osaka
Shimanami Kaido — Island-Hopping Cycling Route Paradise
Cherry blossomLate March – mid April (approx.)
Hiroshima
Itoshima Organic Farm Trail — Rice and Vegetable Country
Flowers in bloomMarch (approx.)
Fukuoka
Tateyama Flower Fields — Year-Round Blooms
Flowers in bloomMarch (approx.)
Chiba
Dazaifu Tenmangu — Scholar Shrine in Plum Forest
Flowers in bloomEarly February – mid March (approx.)
Fukuoka
Hodosan Shrine & Ropeway — Mountain Summit Views
Flowers in bloomEarly February – mid March (approx.)
Saitama
Wakayama Mikan & Umeboshi — Citrus Orchards & Pickled Plums
Flowers in bloomEarly February – mid March (approx.)
Wakayama
Shiretoko Peninsula — UNESCO Wilderness & Wildlife
Snow sceneryEarly February – early March (approx.)
Hokkaido
Huis Ten Bosch — Dutch Theme Park in Kyushu
FestivalsEarly March – late April (approx.)
Nagasaki
Aoni Onsen — Lamp-Lit Mountain Retreat
Snow sceneryMid December – early March (approx.)
Aomori
Daisen-ji Temple — 1,300-Year Mountain Buddhist Complex
Snow sceneryMid December – early March (approx.)
Tottori
Gokayama Ainokura — Quieter Gassho Village
Snow sceneryMid December – early March (approx.)
Gifu
Kenrokuen Garden — One of Japan's Three Great Gardens
Snow sceneryMid December – early March (approx.)
Ishikawa
Mogami River Boat Ride — Boatmen Songs and Valley Views
Snow sceneryMid December – early March (approx.)
Yamagata
Nozawa Onsen — Ski Village with 13 Public Bathhouses
Snow sceneryMid December – early March (approx.)
Nagano
Angel Road (Shodoshima)
Sea & beachesEarly March – late May (approx.)
Kagawa
Mt. Tsurugi — Shikoku's Second Highest Peak
Snow sceneryMid December – early March (approx.)
Tokushima
Shirakami-Sanchi — UNESCO Beech Forest Wilderness
Snow sceneryMid December – early March (approx.)
Aomori
Tokyo Yakatabune — Dinner Cruise on Sumida River
Cherry blossomLate March – early April (approx.)
Tokyo
Kiyomizu-dera — Wooden Stage Over Cherry Trees
Cherry blossomLate March – mid April (approx.)
Kyoto
Ouchi-juku Snow Festival — Candle-Lit Winter Illumination
Snow sceneryMid December – early March (approx.)
Fukushima
Expo '70 Commemorative Park — Tower of the Sun & Gardens
Cherry blossomLate March – mid April (approx.)
Osaka
Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park — Testimonial to Nuclear Tragedy
Cherry blossomLate March – mid April (approx.)
Hiroshima
Nara Park — 1,200 Sacred Deer Roaming Free
Cherry blossomLate March – mid April (approx.)
Nara
Ritsurin Garden
Cherry blossomLate March – mid April (approx.)
Kagawa
Hanamiyama Park — Cherry Blossom & Plum Mountain Paradise
Flowers in bloomEarly February – mid March (approx.)
Fukushima
Gassan Ski Resort — Summer Skiing on Sacred Mountain
Snow sceneryMid December – early March (approx.)
Yamagata
April
253 spotsTakayama Festival Floats — Masterworks of Lacquer & Karakuri
FestivalsApril 14–15
Gifu
Hitsujiyama Park Shibazakura — Pink Moss Carpet Fields
Flowers in bloomMid April (approx.)
Saitama
Mount Yoshino — 30,000 Cherry Trees in Pilgrimage Mountains
Cherry blossomMid April (approx.)
Nara
Goryokaku Star Fort — Sakura Viewing Tower
Cherry blossomLate April (approx.)
Hokkaido
Hirosaki Castle — Cherry Blossom Paradise
Cherry blossomLate April (approx.)
Aomori
Kakunodate Samurai District — Feudal Streets & Cherry Blossoms
Cherry blossomLate April (approx.)
Akita
Morioka Castle Ruins — Stone Walls & Cherry Blossoms
Cherry blossomLate April (approx.)
Iwate
Senshu Park — Kubota Castle Ruins & Cherry Blossoms
Cherry blossomLate April (approx.)
Akita
Ashikaga Flower Park — Wisteria Dream Canopy
Flowers in bloomLate April (approx.)
Tochigi
Kajo Park — Yamagata Castle Ruins and Cherry Blossoms
Cherry blossomMid April (approx.)
Yamagata
Philosopher's Path — Cherry Blossom Canal Walk
Cherry blossomEarly April (approx.)
Kyoto
Maizuru Castle Park — Cherry Blossoms and Kofu Views
Cherry blossomLate March – early April (approx.)
Yamanashi
Akashi Castle Ruins & Sakura Park — Cherry Blossom Viewpoint
Cherry blossomLate March – early April (approx.)
Hyogo
Kimii-dera Temple — Hydrangea Hillside & Cherry Blossoms
Cherry blossomLate March – early April (approx.)
Wakayama
Ueno Park — Museums, Zoo, & Cherry Blossoms
Cherry blossomLate March – early April (approx.)
Tokyo
Tsuyama Castle Ruins — Sakura no Meiho Cherry Blossom Fortress
Cherry blossomLate March – early April (approx.)
Okayama
Nagoya Castle Night Illumination — Seasonal Light-Up Events
IlluminationsLate March – early April (approx.)
Aichi
Ogi City Hirado-bashi — Hidden Cherry Blossom Town
Cherry blossomLate March – early April (approx.)
Saga
Tatsuda-yama Park Cherry Blossoms — Best in Kumamoto
Cherry blossomLate March – early April (approx.)
Kumamoto
Toyama City Night View from Kureha Hills — Illuminated Bay Panorama
IlluminationsLate March – early April (approx.)
Toyama
Sakura Shrimp — Sweet Pink Shrimp from Suruga Bay
Cherry blossomLate March – mid April (approx.)
Shizuoka
Niseko Powder Snow — Japan's Premier Ski Resort
Snow sceneryLate March – late April (approx.)
Hokkaido
Miyazaki Jingu — Grand Shrine in the Forest
FestivalsApril 3
Miyazaki
Yahiko Shrine — Sacred Mountain Vermillion Gateway
FestivalsApril 1
Niigata
Hida Furukawa — Quieter Alternative to Takayama
FestivalsApril 19–20
Gifu
Hasami Porcelain — Modern Ceramics from a 400-Year Kiln Town
FestivalsApril 29 – May 5
Nagasaki
Asakura Akizukijo Castle Town Walk
Cherry blossomEarly April (approx.)
Fukuoka
Chichibu Night Festival — Fire, Floats, and Fireworks
FestivalsApril (approx.)
Saitama
Echigo-Yuzawa Onsen — Snow Country Hot Spring Town
Snow sceneryEarly April – late May (approx.)
Niigata
Katsurahama Beach — Crescent Bay & Ryoma Statue
Sea & beachesEarly March – late May (approx.)
Kochi
Heian Shrine — Vermillion Grandeur and Garden Paradise
Cherry blossomMid April (approx.)
Kyoto
Tendo Shogi Pieces — Hand-Carved Chess Tradition
Cherry blossomLate April (approx.)
Yamagata
Bizan Ropeway — City and River Panorama
Cherry blossomEarly April (approx.)
Tokushima
Daizenji Taisekiji Temple — Grapes and Autumn Temple
Flowers in bloomLate April (approx.)
Yamanashi
Erin-ji Temple — Takeda Clan Temple and Rock Garden
Cherry blossomEarly April (approx.)
Yamanashi
Erin-ji Temple — Takeda Clan Temple and Rock Garden
Flowers in bloomEarly April (approx.)
Yamanashi
Gangoji Temple — Nara's Oldest Temple & Roof Tile Museum
Cherry blossomEarly April (approx.)
Nara
Heijo Palace Site — Reconstructed Ancient Capital
Cherry blossomEarly April (approx.)
Nara
Hikone Castle — Original Edo Castle with Gardens
Cherry blossomEarly April (approx.)
Shiga
Himeji Castle — Japan's Most Beautiful Original Castle
Cherry blossomEarly April (approx.)
Hyogo
Hodosan Shrine & Ropeway — Mountain Summit Views
Flowers in bloomLate April (approx.)
Saitama
Horyuji Temple — World's Oldest Wooden Buildings
Cherry blossomEarly April (approx.)
Nara
Inuyama Castle — Japan's Oldest Original Castle
Cherry blossomEarly April (approx.)
Aichi
Ishiyama-dera Temple — Literary & Autumn Color Spot
Cherry blossomEarly April (approx.)
Shiga
Kanazawa Castle Park — Reconstructed Feudal Fortress
Cherry blossomEarly April (approx.)
Ishikawa
Kanazawa Castle Park — Reconstructed Feudal Fortress
IlluminationsEarly April (approx.)
Ishikawa
Kasama Himatsuri — Night Fire Climbing Kiln
FestivalsLate April (approx.)
Ibaraki
Kasama Pottery — Climbing Kiln Heritage
FestivalsLate April (approx.)
Ibaraki
Kenrokuen Garden — One of Japan's Three Great Gardens
Cherry blossomEarly April (approx.)
Ishikawa
Kofukuji Temple — Five-Story Pagoda & Buddhist Treasures
Cherry blossomEarly April (approx.)
Nara
Kokoen Garden — Nine Edo-Period Gardens
Cherry blossomEarly April (approx.)
Hyogo
Makino Botanical Garden — Flora of Shikoku
Flowers in bloomLate April (approx.)
Kochi
Marugame Castle
Cherry blossomEarly April (approx.)
Kagawa
Maruoka Castle — Japan's Oldest Surviving Keep
Cherry blossomEarly April (approx.)
Fukui
Maruoka Castle — Japan's Oldest Surviving Keep
Flowers in bloomEarly April (approx.)
Fukui
Maruoka Castle — Japan's Oldest Surviving Keep
IlluminationsEarly April (approx.)
Fukui
Matsue Castle — Original Black Castle National Treasure
Cherry blossomEarly April (approx.)
Shimane
Matsumoto Castle — Black Fortress of the Alps
Cherry blossomEarly April (approx.)
Nagano
Mifuneyama Rakuen — Garden in a Cliff Face
Flowers in bloomLate April (approx.)
Saga
Miidera Temple — Historic Tendai Temple with City Views
Cherry blossomEarly April (approx.)
Shiga
Monet's Garden Marmottan — Official Reproduction
Flowers in bloomLate April (approx.)
Kochi
Nagahama Castle & Lake Biwa Lakeside Park
Cherry blossomEarly April (approx.)
Shiga
Nara Hotel — Historic Meiji-Era Luxury & Afternoon Tea
Cherry blossomEarly April (approx.)
Nara
Natadera Temple — Moss-Covered Cave Grottoes
Cherry blossomEarly April (approx.)
Ishikawa
Okayama Castle — The Jet-Black Crow Castle
Cherry blossomEarly April (approx.)
Okayama
Sakunami Onsen
Cherry blossomMid April (approx.)
Miyagi
Senshu Park — Kubota Castle Ruins & Cherry Blossoms
IlluminationsLate April (approx.)
Akita
Seta no Karahashi — Historic Bridge & River Views
Cherry blossomEarly April (approx.)
Shiga
Shiroishi Castle
Cherry blossomMid April (approx.)
Miyagi
Shiroishi Castle
IlluminationsMid April (approx.)
Miyagi
Takamatsu Castle (Tamamo Park)
Cherry blossomEarly April (approx.)
Kagawa
Takayama Jinya — Japan's Last Edo Government Office
Cherry blossomEarly April (approx.)
Gifu
Takeda Shingen Historical Sites — Legacy of the Warring States
FestivalsLate April (approx.)
Yamanashi
Tsuruga Castle — Red-Tiled Fortress of the Samurai Aizu Clan
Cherry blossomMid April (approx.)
Fukushima
Ukimido Pavilion — Floating Pavilion at Sunset
Cherry blossomEarly April (approx.)
Nara
Uwajima Castle — Original Keep with Coastal Views
Flowers in bloomLate April (approx.)
Ehime
Yanagawa Canal Cruise — Punting Through a Water Town
Flowers in bloomLate April (approx.)
Fukuoka
Yokokan Garden — Edo-Period Feudal Lord's Retreat
Cherry blossomEarly April (approx.)
Fukui
Yonago Castle Ruins — 360° Panorama Over San'in Coast
Cherry blossomEarly April (approx.)
Tottori
Yonago Castle Ruins — 360° Panorama Over San'in Coast
IlluminationsEarly April (approx.)
Tottori
Hakone Open-Air Museum — Outdoor Sculpture Garden
Flowers in bloomMid April – late April (approx.)
Kanagawa
Chureito Pagoda — Iconic Mt. Fuji Viewpoint
Cherry blossomLate March – early April (approx.)
Yamanashi
Iwase Canal Historic District — Preserved Port Warehouses
Cherry blossomLate March – early April (approx.)
Toyama
Nagoya Castle — Golden Shachihoko Fortress
Cherry blossomLate March – early April (approx.)
Aichi
Sunpu Castle Park — Tokugawa Ieyasu's Retirement Residence
Cherry blossomLate March – early April (approx.)
Shizuoka
Takeda Shingen Historical Sites — Legacy of the Warring States
Cherry blossomLate March – early April (approx.)
Yamanashi
Toyama Castle & Matsukawa River Cruise — Urban Moat Boat Ride
Cherry blossomLate March – early April (approx.)
Toyama
Toyama City Night View from Kureha Hills — Illuminated Bay Panorama
Cherry blossomLate March – early April (approx.)
Toyama
Mt. Misen — Sacred Mountain Hiking & Ropeway Views
Fresh greenLate April – early May (approx.)
Hiroshima
Toshogu Shrine — Golden Temple of the Shogun
Fresh greenLate April – early May (approx.)
Tochigi
Genkyuen Garden — Daimyo Strolling Garden Masterpiece
Cherry blossomLate March – early April (approx.)
Shiga
Great Buddha of Kamakura — 13.35m Bronze Colossus
Cherry blossomLate March – early April (approx.)
Kanagawa
Ise Jingu — Japan's Most Sacred Shinto Shrine
Cherry blossomLate March – early April (approx.)
Mie
Kyoto Machiya Stay — Traditional Townhouse Lodging
Cherry blossomLate March – early April (approx.)
Kyoto
Odawara Castle — Reconstructed Feudal Fortress
Cherry blossomLate March – early April (approx.)
Kanagawa
Oharai-machi & Okage-yokocho — Ise's Edo-Period Shopping Streets
Cherry blossomLate March – early April (approx.)
Mie
Osaka Castle — Concrete Reconstruction with Museum
Cherry blossomLate March – early April (approx.)
Osaka
Sankeien Garden — 175,000㎡ Traditional Japanese Garden
Cherry blossomLate March – early April (approx.)
Kanagawa
Senso-ji Temple — Tokyo's Oldest Buddhist Temple
Cherry blossomLate March – early April (approx.)
Tokyo
Togetsukyo Bridge — Arashiyama's Iconic Landmark
Cherry blossomLate March – early April (approx.)
Kyoto
Wakayama Castle — Tiger's Den Fortress & Ninja House
Cherry blossomLate March – early April (approx.)
Wakayama
Yoyogi Park — Sunday Gathering & Green Escape
Cherry blossomLate March – early April (approx.)
Tokyo
Fukuyama Castle — Rose City's Historic Fortress
Cherry blossomLate March – early April (approx.)
Hiroshima
Hagi Castle Ruins — Seaside Fortress Foundations
Cherry blossomLate March – early April (approx.)
Yamaguchi
Hiroshima Castle — Reconstructed Fortress & Samurai Museum
Cherry blossomLate March – early April (approx.)
Hiroshima
Iwakuni Castle — Hilltop Fortress Over the Valley
Cherry blossomLate March – early April (approx.)
Yamaguchi
Kikko Park — Samurai Gardens and White Snakes
Cherry blossomLate March – early April (approx.)
Yamaguchi
Kintaikyo Bridge — Five-Arch Wooden Engineering Marvel
Cherry blossomLate March – early April (approx.)
Yamaguchi
Rurikoji Temple — Five-Story Pagoda National Treasure
Cherry blossomLate March – early April (approx.)
Yamaguchi
Kochi Castle — Original Tenshu & Honmaru Intact
Cherry blossomLate March – early April (approx.)
Kochi
Makino Botanical Garden — Flora of Shikoku
Cherry blossomLate March – early April (approx.)
Kochi
Matsuyama Castle — Hilltop Fortress with Original Keep
Cherry blossomLate March – early April (approx.)
Ehime
Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route — Roof of Japan Traverse
Snow sceneryLate April – early May (approx.)
Nagano
Uwajima Castle — Original Keep with Coastal Views
Cherry blossomLate March – early April (approx.)
Ehime
Fukuoka Castle Ruins — City Panorama at Maizuru Park
Cherry blossomLate March – early April (approx.)
Fukuoka
Hagi Castle Ruins — Seaside Fortress Foundations
IlluminationsLate March – early April (approx.)
Yamaguchi
Hiroshima Castle — Reconstructed Fortress & Samurai Museum
IlluminationsLate March – early April (approx.)
Hiroshima
Iwakuni Castle — Hilltop Fortress Over the Valley
IlluminationsLate March – early April (approx.)
Yamaguchi
Karatsu Castle — Sea Castle on the Bay
Cherry blossomLate March – early April (approx.)
Saga
Kibiji Cycling Road — Momotaro Legend Countryside Route
Flowers in bloomLate March – early April (approx.)
Okayama
Kikko Park — Samurai Gardens and White Snakes
IlluminationsLate March – early April (approx.)
Yamaguchi
Kumamoto Castle — Earthquake Survivor Being Restored
Cherry blossomLate March – early April (approx.)
Kumamoto
Maizuru Castle Park — Cherry Blossoms and Kofu Views
IlluminationsLate March – early April (approx.)
Yamanashi
Matsuyama Castle — Hilltop Fortress with Original Keep
IlluminationsLate March – early April (approx.)
Ehime
Mt. Misen — Sacred Mountain Hiking & Ropeway Views
Flowers in bloomMid April – early May (approx.)
Hiroshima
Odawara Castle — Reconstructed Feudal Fortress
IlluminationsLate March – early April (approx.)
Kanagawa
Ogi-Juku Post Town — Edo Period Highway Rest Stop
Cherry blossomLate March – early April (approx.)
Saga
Ohori Park — Castle Moat Turned City Sanctuary
Cherry blossomLate March – early April (approx.)
Fukuoka
Oka Castle Ruins — Castleless Castle in the Sky
Cherry blossomLate March – early April (approx.)
Oita
Sunpu Castle Park — Tokugawa Ieyasu's Retirement Residence
IlluminationsLate March – early April (approx.)
Shizuoka
Tsuyama Castle Ruins — Sakura no Meiho Cherry Blossom Fortress
IlluminationsLate March – early April (approx.)
Okayama
Yasaka Shrine — Gion's Guardian Shrine
IlluminationsLate March – early April (approx.)
Kyoto
Day Trip to Nara — Deer Park & Ancient Temples (45 min)
Cherry blossomLate March – mid April (approx.)
Osaka
Gifu Castle — Mountain Fortress Above the Clouds
Cherry blossomLate March – mid April (approx.)
Gifu
Hakone Open-Air Museum — Outdoor Sculpture Garden
Cherry blossomLate March – mid April (approx.)
Kanagawa
Hida Furukawa — Quieter Alternative to Takayama
Cherry blossomLate March – mid April (approx.)
Gifu
Iga-Ueno Ninja Museum — Real Ninjutsu Techniques & Trick Houses
Cherry blossomLate March – mid April (approx.)
Mie
Kamakura Komachi-dori — Temple Town Shopping Street
Cherry blossomLate March – mid April (approx.)
Kanagawa
Kibiji Cycling Road — Momotaro Legend Countryside Route
Cherry blossomLate March – mid April (approx.)
Okayama
Kotohira-gu Shrine (Konpira-san)
Cherry blossomLate March – mid April (approx.)
Kagawa
Nijo Castle — Shogun's Nightingale Floor Palace
Cherry blossomLate March – mid April (approx.)
Kyoto
Shuzenji Onsen — Historic Temple Town Hot Springs
Cherry blossomLate March – mid April (approx.)
Shizuoka
Toshodaiji Temple — Tang Dynasty Architecture Preserved
Cherry blossomLate March – mid April (approx.)
Nara
Tsurugaoka Hachimangu — Kamakura's Grand Shinto Shrine
Cherry blossomLate March – mid April (approx.)
Kanagawa
Yakushiji Temple — Twin Pagodas & Healing Buddha
Cherry blossomLate March – mid April (approx.)
Nara
Sandankyo Gorge — Emerald Waters & Dramatic Canyon
Fresh greenLate April – late May (approx.)
Hiroshima
Tsugaru-Iwaki Skyline — Mountain Scenic Drive
Snow sceneryLate April – late May (approx.)
Aomori
Kurobe Dam — Japan's Tallest Dam & Thundering Spillway
Snow sceneryMid April – late May (approx.)
Toyama
Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route — Japan's Roof at 3,000 Meters
Snow sceneryMid April – late June (approx.)
Toyama
Tendo Shogi Pieces — Hand-Carved Chess Tradition
FestivalsLate April (approx.)
Yamagata
Hirosaki Castle — Cherry Blossom Paradise
FestivalsLate April – early May (approx.)
Aomori
Hirosaki Castle — Cherry Blossom Paradise
IlluminationsLate April – early May (approx.)
Aomori
Korakuen Garden — One of Japan's Three Great Gardens
Cherry blossomLate March – mid April (approx.)
Okayama
Korakuen Garden — One of Japan's Three Great Gardens
IlluminationsLate March – late April (approx.)
Okayama
Hagi Castle Town — Samurai District UNESCO Site
Fresh greenLate April (approx.)
Yamaguchi
Iya Valley Vine Bridges — Gorge-Spanning Suspension
Fresh greenLate April (approx.)
Tokushima
Kazurabashi at Oku-Iya — Double Vine Bridges and Cable Car
Fresh greenLate April (approx.)
Tokushima
Mt. Haguro Five-Story Pagoda — National Treasure in Cedar Forest
Fresh greenLate April (approx.)
Yamagata
Ozu Castle Town — Preserved Edo Architecture
Fresh greenLate April (approx.)
Ehime
Rokugo-manzan Temples — Kunisaki Buddhist Trail
Fresh greenLate April (approx.)
Oita
Wakakusayama Hill — Panoramic Nara Views & Grass Burning
Fresh greenLate April (approx.)
Nara
Zuihoden Mausoleum
Fresh greenLate April (approx.)
Miyagi
Aso Shrine — Earthquake Recovery & Shinto Architecture
Cherry blossomEarly April (approx.)
Kumamoto
Asuka Village — Ancient Capital Ruins & Stone Mysteries
Flowers in bloomEarly April (approx.)
Nara
Asuka-dera Temple — Japan's Oldest Buddha Statue
Flowers in bloomEarly April (approx.)
Nara
Glover Garden — Western Mansions on the Hillside
Cherry blossomEarly April (approx.)
Nagasaki
Harajiri Falls — Japan's Niagara
Cherry blossomEarly April (approx.)
Oita
Honmyo-ji Temple — Samurai Cemetery on the Hill
Cherry blossomEarly April (approx.)
Kumamoto
Byodo-in Phoenix Hall — 10-Yen Coin Temple
Flowers in bloomMid April – late April (approx.)
Kyoto
Shosei-en Garden — Hidden Oasis Near Kyoto Station
Flowers in bloomMid April – late April (approx.)
Kyoto
Oboke and Koboke Gorges — Marble Rock Canyons
Cherry blossomEarly April – mid April (approx.)
Tokushima
Uchiko Town — Wax Merchant Preservation District
Cherry blossomEarly April – mid April (approx.)
Ehime
Zentsuji Temple
Cherry blossomEarly April – mid April (approx.)
Kagawa
Horikawa Moat Boat Ride — Roofed Boat Through Castle Town
Cherry blossomEarly April – mid April (approx.)
Shimane
Miyajima Island — Sacred Island of Deer & Shrines
Cherry blossomEarly April – mid April (approx.)
Hiroshima
Onomichi Temple Walk — 25 Temples Across Hillside City
Cherry blossomEarly April – mid April (approx.)
Hiroshima
Shukkei-en Garden — Miniature Landscape Stroll Garden
Cherry blossomEarly April – mid April (approx.)
Hiroshima
Tottori Karo Historical Samurai Residence
Cherry blossomEarly April – mid April (approx.)
Tottori
Tsuwano — Little Kyoto of San'in & Carp Canal
Cherry blossomEarly April – mid April (approx.)
Shimane
Amanohashidate — Heaven's Bridge Sandbar
Cherry blossomEarly April – mid April (approx.)
Kyoto
Ginkaku-ji Silver Pavilion — Zen Aesthetic Perfection
Cherry blossomEarly April – mid April (approx.)
Kyoto
Ikaho Onsen Stone Steps — Historic Spa Town
Cherry blossomEarly April – mid April (approx.)
Gunma
Kashihara Jingu Shrine — Mythical First Emperor's Shrine
Cherry blossomEarly April – mid April (approx.)
Nara
Katsura Imperial Villa — Perfection in Garden Design
Cherry blossomEarly April – mid April (approx.)
Kyoto
Kinugawa Onsen — River Gorge Hot Springs
Cherry blossomEarly April – mid April (approx.)
Tochigi
Kitano Ijinkan — Western Mansions from the Meiji Era
Cherry blossomEarly April – mid April (approx.)
Hyogo
Kongobu-ji Temple — Shingon Buddhism Headquarters
Cherry blossomEarly April – mid April (approx.)
Wakayama
Koyasan Temple Town — Sacred Mountain & Temple Stays
Cherry blossomEarly April – mid April (approx.)
Wakayama
Lake Ashi — Volcanic Caldera Lake with Mt. Fuji Views
Cherry blossomEarly April – mid April (approx.)
Kanagawa
Nanzen-ji Temple — Zen and Aqueduct Architecture
Cherry blossomEarly April – mid April (approx.)
Kyoto
Naramachi — Edo-Period Merchant District
Cherry blossomEarly April – mid April (approx.)
Nara
Omihachiman Canal Town — Historic Merchant District
Cherry blossomEarly April – mid April (approx.)
Shiga
Sagano Scenic Railway — Romantic Train Through Gorge
Cherry blossomEarly April – mid April (approx.)
Kyoto
Sawara Historic District — Little Edo Canal Town
Cherry blossomEarly April – mid April (approx.)
Chiba
Senba Lake Cycling — Lakeside Loop Trail
Cherry blossomEarly April – mid April (approx.)
Ibaraki
Sento Imperial Palace — Emperor's Retirement Villa Garden
Cherry blossomEarly April – mid April (approx.)
Kyoto
Shinkyo Bridge — Sacred Vermilion Arch
Cherry blossomEarly April – mid April (approx.)
Tochigi
Shosei-en Garden — Hidden Oasis Near Kyoto Station
Cherry blossomEarly April – mid April (approx.)
Kyoto
Shoshazan Engyoji Temple — Mountain Monastery & Film Location
Cherry blossomEarly April – mid April (approx.)
Hyogo
Tea Ceremony Experience — Chanoyu in Traditional Tea House
Cherry blossomEarly April – mid April (approx.)
Kyoto
Tochigi Kurazukuri — Edo Warehouse District
Cherry blossomEarly April – mid April (approx.)
Tochigi
Tokyo Tower — Nostalgic Red Landmark
Cherry blossomEarly April – mid April (approx.)
Tokyo
Yoshino Mikumari Shrine — Mountain Water Goddess Shrine
Cherry blossomEarly April – mid April (approx.)
Nara
Daio Wasabi Farm — Japan's Largest Wasabi Fields
Cherry blossomEarly April – mid April (approx.)
Nagano
Ichijodani Asakura Clan Ruins — Buried Samurai City
Cherry blossomEarly April – mid April (approx.)
Fukui
Lake Kawaguchiko — Mt. Fuji's Mirror Lake
Cherry blossomEarly April – mid April (approx.)
Yamanashi
Magome to Tsumago Hike — Nakasendo Trail Villages
Cherry blossomEarly April – mid April (approx.)
Gifu
Nakamachi Street — Merchant Quarter with Black-Walled Kura
Cherry blossomEarly April – mid April (approx.)
Nagano
Takayama Sanmachi Old Town — Edo-Period Merchant District
Cherry blossomEarly April – mid April (approx.)
Gifu
Zenkoji Temple — Pilgrimage to the Hidden Buddha
Cherry blossomEarly April – mid April (approx.)
Nagano
Zuiryuji Temple — Zen Architecture Perfection
Cherry blossomEarly April – mid April (approx.)
Toyama
Huis Ten Bosch — Dutch Theme Park in Kyushu
Flowers in bloomEarly April – late April (approx.)
Nagasaki
Akita Museum of Art — Foujita's Akita Masterworks
Cherry blossomEarly April – late April (approx.)
Akita
Genbikei Gorge — Flying Dango Basket Delivery
Cherry blossomEarly April – late April (approx.)
Iwate
Ishite-ji Temple — Cave Temple with 88 Statues
Cherry blossomLate March – mid April (approx.)
Ehime
Premium Kaiseki Ryori — Multi-Course Japanese Haute Cuisine
Cherry blossomLate March – mid April (approx.)
Osaka
Sazae-do Temple — Unique Double-Helix Architectural Wonder
Cherry blossomEarly April – late April (approx.)
Fukushima
Sendai Castle (Aoba Castle Ruins)
Cherry blossomEarly April – late April (approx.)
Miyagi
Shimanami Kaido — Island-Hopping Cycling Route Paradise
Cherry blossomLate March – mid April (approx.)
Hiroshima
Takkoku no Iwaya Bishamon-do — Cliffside Temple in Rock Cave
Cherry blossomEarly April – late April (approx.)
Iwate
Zuihoden Mausoleum
Cherry blossomEarly April – late April (approx.)
Miyagi
Kashihara Jingu Shrine — Mythical First Emperor's Shrine
Flowers in bloomMid April – mid May (approx.)
Nara
Kasuga Taisha — 3,000 Stone and Bronze Lanterns
Flowers in bloomMid April – mid May (approx.)
Nara
Gion District — Geisha Quarter at Dusk
FestivalsApril (approx.)
Kyoto
Tsurugaoka Hachimangu — Kamakura's Grand Shinto Shrine
FestivalsApril (approx.)
Kanagawa
Akiu Great Falls (Akiu Otaki)
Fresh greenLate April – late May (approx.)
Miyagi
Enryakuji Temple — Mt. Hiei's Mountain Monastery Complex
Fresh greenLate April – late May (approx.)
Shiga
Geibikei Gorge — Boatman's Song Through Limestone Cliffs
Fresh greenLate April – late May (approx.)
Iwate
Hachiman-yama Ropeway & Panoramic Views
Fresh greenLate April – late May (approx.)
Shiga
Kikuchi Valley — Forest Bathing Gorge
Fresh greenLate April – late May (approx.)
Kumamoto
Kumano Hongu Taisha — Grand Shrine at Sacred Rivers' Confluence
Fresh greenLate April – late May (approx.)
Wakayama
Kumano Kodo Iseji Route — Ancient Pilgrimage Trail
Fresh greenLate April – late May (approx.)
Mie
Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage Trails — UNESCO Sacred Walking Routes
Fresh greenLate April – late May (approx.)
Wakayama
Magome to Tsumago Hike — Nakasendo Trail Villages
Fresh greenLate April – late May (approx.)
Gifu
Michinoku Coastal Trail
Fresh greenLate April – late May (approx.)
Miyagi
Old Tokaido Road — Edo-Period Cedar Avenue
Fresh greenLate April – late May (approx.)
Kanagawa
Sesshu Garden — Zen Master's 15th-Century Landscape
Fresh greenLate April – late May (approx.)
Yamaguchi
Suizenji Jojuen Garden — Miniature Tokaido
Fresh greenLate April – late May (approx.)
Kumamoto
Shimanami Kaido — 70km Island-Hopping Cycling Route
Fresh greenLate April – early June (approx.)
Ehime
Yakushima Ancient Cedar Forest — Mononoke Inspiration
Fresh greenLate April – early June (approx.)
Kagoshima
Huis Ten Bosch — Dutch Theme Park in Kyushu
FestivalsEarly March – late April (approx.)
Nagasaki
Yufuin Floral Village — European Fairy Tale Street
Flowers in bloomEarly April – late May (approx.)
Oita
Niyodo River — Miracle Clear Blue Water
Sea & beachesEarly April – late June (approx.)
Kochi
Angel Road (Shodoshima)
Sea & beachesEarly March – late May (approx.)
Kagawa
Ashikaga Flower Park — Wisteria Dream Canopy
IlluminationsLate April (approx.)
Tochigi
Tokyo Yakatabune — Dinner Cruise on Sumida River
Cherry blossomLate March – early April (approx.)
Tokyo
Amami Oshima — Subtropical Island Paradise
Sea & beachesEarly April – late June (approx.)
Kagoshima
Hanamiyama Park — Cherry Blossom & Plum Mountain Paradise
Cherry blossomEarly April – late April (approx.)
Fukushima
Kiyomizu-dera — Wooden Stage Over Cherry Trees
Cherry blossomLate March – mid April (approx.)
Kyoto
Expo '70 Commemorative Park — Tower of the Sun & Gardens
Cherry blossomLate March – mid April (approx.)
Osaka
Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park — Testimonial to Nuclear Tragedy
Cherry blossomLate March – mid April (approx.)
Hiroshima
Nara Park — 1,200 Sacred Deer Roaming Free
Cherry blossomLate March – mid April (approx.)
Nara
Ritsurin Garden
Cherry blossomLate March – mid April (approx.)
Kagawa
May
67 spotsKanoya Rose Garden — 50,000 Rose Bushes
Flowers in bloomEarly May – late May (approx.)
Kagoshima
Hakata Dontaku Festival Route — Japan's Biggest Spring Festival
FestivalsMay 3–4
Fukuoka
Nakanoshima — Art Museum & Rose Garden Island
Flowers in bloomMid May (approx.)
Osaka
Achi Shrine — Hillside Shrine Above Kurashiki
FestivalsMay 1–3
Okayama
Akama Shrine — Heike Tragedy and Underwater Torii
FestivalsMay 2–4
Yamaguchi
Mikuni Minato — Historic Port Town and Sunset Viewpoint
FestivalsMay 19–21
Fukui
Hagi Yaki Pottery — Tea Bowl Artisan Tradition
FestivalsMay 1–5
Yamaguchi
Northern Culture Museum — Landlord's Estate Garden Paradise
IlluminationsMay 5–10
Niigata
Hasami Porcelain — Modern Ceramics from a 400-Year Kiln Town
FestivalsApril 29 – May 5
Nagasaki
Northern Culture Museum — Landlord's Estate Garden Paradise
Flowers in bloomEarly May – mid May (approx.)
Niigata
Chichibugahama Beach (Sunset Reflections)
Sea & beachesMay (approx.)
Kagawa
Kashiwajima Island — Diving & Snorkeling Paradise
Sea & beachesMay (approx.)
Kochi
Echigo-Yuzawa Onsen — Snow Country Hot Spring Town
Snow sceneryEarly April – late May (approx.)
Niigata
Katsurahama Beach — Crescent Bay & Ryoma Statue
Sea & beachesEarly March – late May (approx.)
Kochi
Rinnoji Temple and Garden
Flowers in bloomMid May (approx.)
Miyagi
Kamikochi Valley — Alpine Sanctuary at 1,500m
Fresh greenLate May – early June (approx.)
Nagano
Mt. Misen — Sacred Mountain Hiking & Ropeway Views
Fresh greenLate April – early May (approx.)
Hiroshima
Toshogu Shrine — Golden Temple of the Shogun
Fresh greenLate April – early May (approx.)
Tochigi
Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route — Roof of Japan Traverse
Snow sceneryLate April – early May (approx.)
Nagano
Kamikochi Valley — Alpine Sanctuary at 1,500m
Snow sceneryLate May – early June (approx.)
Nagano
Mt. Misen — Sacred Mountain Hiking & Ropeway Views
Flowers in bloomMid April – early May (approx.)
Hiroshima
Sandankyo Gorge — Emerald Waters & Dramatic Canyon
Fresh greenLate April – late May (approx.)
Hiroshima
Tsugaru-Iwaki Skyline — Mountain Scenic Drive
Snow sceneryLate April – late May (approx.)
Aomori
Kurobe Dam — Japan's Tallest Dam & Thundering Spillway
Snow sceneryMid April – late May (approx.)
Toyama
Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route — Japan's Roof at 3,000 Meters
Snow sceneryMid April – late June (approx.)
Toyama
Hirosaki Castle — Cherry Blossom Paradise
FestivalsLate April – early May (approx.)
Aomori
Hirosaki Castle — Cherry Blossom Paradise
IlluminationsLate April – early May (approx.)
Aomori
Adachi Museum of Art — World's Best Japanese Garden
Flowers in bloomEarly May – mid May (approx.)
Shimane
Nikko Tamozawa Imperial Villa — Meiji Elegance
Flowers in bloomEarly May – mid May (approx.)
Tochigi
Kashihara Jingu Shrine — Mythical First Emperor's Shrine
Flowers in bloomMid April – mid May (approx.)
Nara
Kasuga Taisha — 3,000 Stone and Bronze Lanterns
Flowers in bloomMid April – mid May (approx.)
Nara
Akechidaira Ropeway — Panoramic Mountain Views
Fresh greenMay (approx.)
Tochigi
Echizen Pottery Village — Ancient Kiln Town
FestivalsMay (approx.)
Fukui
Magome-juku — Hillside Post Town on the Nakasendo
Fresh greenMay (approx.)
Nagano
Miyama Kayabuki Village — Thatched-Roof Hamlet
Fresh greenMay (approx.)
Kyoto
Mt. Daisen — Sacred Mountain of Western Japan
Fresh greenMay (approx.)
Tottori
Shinkyo Bridge — Sacred Vermilion Arch
Fresh greenMay (approx.)
Tochigi
Togakushi Shrine — Five Shrines in Mountain Forest
Fresh greenMay (approx.)
Nagano
Tsumago-juku — Edo-Period Post Town Frozen in Time
Fresh greenMay (approx.)
Nagano
Adachi Museum of Art — World's Best Japanese Garden
Fresh greenEarly May – early June (approx.)
Shimane
Iwami Ginzan — UNESCO Silver Mine Heritage
Fresh greenEarly May – early June (approx.)
Shimane
Mount Ishizuchi — Shikoku's Highest Sacred Peak
Fresh greenEarly May – early June (approx.)
Ehime
Oirase Gorge — Pristine Stream & Moss-Covered Forest
Fresh greenEarly May – early June (approx.)
Aomori
Shiraito Falls — Silk-Thread Waterfall in Forest
Fresh greenEarly May – early June (approx.)
Nagano
Shirakami-Sanchi — UNESCO Beech Forest Wilderness
Fresh greenEarly May – early June (approx.)
Aomori
Akiu Great Falls (Akiu Otaki)
Fresh greenLate April – late May (approx.)
Miyagi
Enryakuji Temple — Mt. Hiei's Mountain Monastery Complex
Fresh greenLate April – late May (approx.)
Shiga
Geibikei Gorge — Boatman's Song Through Limestone Cliffs
Fresh greenLate April – late May (approx.)
Iwate
Hachiman-yama Ropeway & Panoramic Views
Fresh greenLate April – late May (approx.)
Shiga
Hinoyama Park — Panoramic Kanmon Strait View
Flowers in bloomEarly May – mid June (approx.)
Yamaguchi
Kikuchi Valley — Forest Bathing Gorge
Fresh greenLate April – late May (approx.)
Kumamoto
Kumano Hongu Taisha — Grand Shrine at Sacred Rivers' Confluence
Fresh greenLate April – late May (approx.)
Wakayama
Kumano Kodo Iseji Route — Ancient Pilgrimage Trail
Fresh greenLate April – late May (approx.)
Mie
Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage Trails — UNESCO Sacred Walking Routes
Fresh greenLate April – late May (approx.)
Wakayama
Magome to Tsumago Hike — Nakasendo Trail Villages
Fresh greenLate April – late May (approx.)
Gifu
Michinoku Coastal Trail
Fresh greenLate April – late May (approx.)
Miyagi
Nunobiki Herb Garden & Ropeway — Mountain Herb Terraces
Flowers in bloomEarly May – mid June (approx.)
Hyogo
Old Tokaido Road — Edo-Period Cedar Avenue
Fresh greenLate April – late May (approx.)
Kanagawa
Sesshu Garden — Zen Master's 15th-Century Landscape
Fresh greenLate April – late May (approx.)
Yamaguchi
Suizenji Jojuen Garden — Miniature Tokaido
Fresh greenLate April – late May (approx.)
Kumamoto
Yokohama Marine Tower — Harbor Lighthouse Observation Deck
Flowers in bloomEarly May – mid June (approx.)
Kanagawa
Shimanami Kaido — 70km Island-Hopping Cycling Route
Fresh greenLate April – early June (approx.)
Ehime
Yakushima Ancient Cedar Forest — Mononoke Inspiration
Fresh greenLate April – early June (approx.)
Kagoshima
Yufuin Floral Village — European Fairy Tale Street
Flowers in bloomEarly April – late May (approx.)
Oita
Niyodo River — Miracle Clear Blue Water
Sea & beachesEarly April – late June (approx.)
Kochi
Angel Road (Shodoshima)
Sea & beachesEarly March – late May (approx.)
Kagawa
Amami Oshima — Subtropical Island Paradise
Sea & beachesEarly April – late June (approx.)
Kagoshima
June
25 spotsHakusan Shrine Furusato Village — Hydrangea Stairway to Heaven
Flowers in bloomLate June – early July (approx.)
Niigata
Kase River Firefly Festival — June Bioluminescence
FestivalsJune 1–20
Saga
Imazu Bay Flamingo Sunset Café Row
Sea & beachesJune 20–22
Fukuoka
Nanrakuen Garden — Plum Blossoms and Iris
IlluminationsEarly June (approx.)
Ehime
Kamikochi Valley — Alpine Sanctuary at 1,500m
Fresh greenLate May – early June (approx.)
Nagano
Kamikochi Valley — Alpine Sanctuary at 1,500m
Snow sceneryLate May – early June (approx.)
Nagano
Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route — Japan's Roof at 3,000 Meters
Snow sceneryMid April – late June (approx.)
Toyama
Kawaguchiko Music Forest Museum — European Garden and Mt. Fuji
Flowers in bloomEarly June – mid June (approx.)
Yamanashi
Shiroi Koibito Park — Chocolate Cookie Factory Tour
Flowers in bloomEarly June – mid June (approx.)
Hokkaido
Hasedera Temple — Hillside Temple with Ocean Views
Flowers in bloomJune (approx.)
Kanagawa
Mt. Daisen — Sacred Mountain of Western Japan
Flowers in bloomJune (approx.)
Tottori
Adachi Museum of Art — World's Best Japanese Garden
Fresh greenEarly May – early June (approx.)
Shimane
Iwami Ginzan — UNESCO Silver Mine Heritage
Fresh greenEarly May – early June (approx.)
Shimane
Mount Ishizuchi — Shikoku's Highest Sacred Peak
Fresh greenEarly May – early June (approx.)
Ehime
Oirase Gorge — Pristine Stream & Moss-Covered Forest
Fresh greenEarly May – early June (approx.)
Aomori
Shiraito Falls — Silk-Thread Waterfall in Forest
Fresh greenEarly May – early June (approx.)
Nagano
Shirakami-Sanchi — UNESCO Beech Forest Wilderness
Fresh greenEarly May – early June (approx.)
Aomori
Hinoyama Park — Panoramic Kanmon Strait View
Flowers in bloomEarly May – mid June (approx.)
Yamaguchi
Nunobiki Herb Garden & Ropeway — Mountain Herb Terraces
Flowers in bloomEarly May – mid June (approx.)
Hyogo
Yokohama Marine Tower — Harbor Lighthouse Observation Deck
Flowers in bloomEarly May – mid June (approx.)
Kanagawa
Shimanami Kaido — 70km Island-Hopping Cycling Route
Fresh greenLate April – early June (approx.)
Ehime
Yakushima Ancient Cedar Forest — Mononoke Inspiration
Fresh greenLate April – early June (approx.)
Kagoshima
Niyodo River — Miracle Clear Blue Water
Sea & beachesEarly April – late June (approx.)
Kochi
Gifu Castle — Mountain Fortress Above the Clouds
IlluminationsEarly June – late August (approx.)
Gifu
Amami Oshima — Subtropical Island Paradise
Sea & beachesEarly April – late June (approx.)
Kagoshima
JulyThis month
63 spots
Kumano Nachi Taisha Fire Festival — 1,400-Year-Old Torch Ritual
FestivalsJuly 14
Wakayama
Hakusan Shrine Furusato Village — Hydrangea Stairway to Heaven
Flowers in bloomLate June – early July (approx.)
Niigata
Kushida Shrine — Guardian of Hakata and Gion Festival
FestivalsJuly 1–15
Fukuoka
Furano Lavender Fields — Purple Summer Waves
Flowers in bloomEarly July – late July (approx.)
Hokkaido
Gion Matsuri — Japan's Grandest Festival
FestivalsJuly 17
Kyoto
Tenjin Matsuri — Japan's Greatest Boat Festival (July 24-25)
FestivalsJuly 24–25
Osaka
Koiwai Farm — Dairy Pastures & Lavender Fields
Flowers in bloomMid July (approx.)
Iwate
Yonago Gaina Festival — Summer Fire & Music Celebration
FestivalsMid July (approx.)
Tottori
Nachi Falls & Kumano Nachi Taisha — Japan's Tallest Waterfall
FestivalsJuly 14
Wakayama
Hita — Edo-Period Merchant Town on the River
FestivalsJuly 20–21
Oita
Tenjinbashisuji Shopping Street — Japan's Longest Arcade (2.6km)
FestivalsJuly 24–25
Osaka
Sumiyoshi Taisha — Ancient Shinto Shrine Architecture
FestivalsJuly 30 – August 1
Osaka
Mount Osore — Buddhist Hell on Earth
FestivalsJuly 20–24
Aomori
Gujo Hachiman — Water Town of Springs & Canals
FestivalsJuly 13 – September 7
Gifu
Ajigaura Beach — Surfing & Coastal Escape
Sea & beachesEarly July – late August (approx.)
Ibaraki
Iso Beach — City Beach with Volcano View
Sea & beachesEarly July – late August (approx.)
Kagoshima
Jodogahama Beach — White Pebbles & Pine-Covered Rocks
Sea & beachesEarly July – late August (approx.)
Iwate
Oarai Beach — Pacific Coast Sandscape
Sea & beachesEarly July – late August (approx.)
Ibaraki
Shirahama White Beach Resort — Onsen & Panda Paradise
Sea & beachesEarly July – late August (approx.)
Wakayama
Shonan Beach — Southern California of Japan
Sea & beachesEarly July – late August (approx.)
Kanagawa
Suma Beach — Kobe's Urban Seaside Escape
Sea & beachesEarly July – late August (approx.)
Hyogo
Yuigahama Beach — Kamakura's Historic Seaside
Sea & beachesEarly July – late August (approx.)
Kanagawa
Oarai Beach — Pacific Coast Sandscape
FireworksLate July (approx.)
Ibaraki
Oarai Beach — Pacific Coast Sandscape
FestivalsLate July (approx.)
Ibaraki
Kifune Shrine — Summer River Dining Platforms
IlluminationsLate July – mid August (approx.)
Kyoto
Sunayama Beach — Hidden Beach Through Arch
Sea & beachesEarly July – late August (approx.)
Okinawa
Yonaha Maehama Beach — 7km White Sand Crescent
Sea & beachesEarly July – late August (approx.)
Okinawa
Aso Shrine — Earthquake Recovery & Shinto Architecture
FestivalsJuly (approx.)
Kumamoto
Kyoto Machiya Stay — Traditional Townhouse Lodging
FestivalsJuly (approx.)
Kyoto
Sawara Historic District — Little Edo Canal Town
FestivalsJuly (approx.)
Chiba
Tsuwano — Little Kyoto of San'in & Carp Canal
FestivalsJuly (approx.)
Shimane
Yasaka Shrine — Gion's Guardian Shrine
FestivalsJuly (approx.)
Kyoto
Senba Lake Cycling — Lakeside Loop Trail
Flowers in bloomEarly July – mid August (approx.)
Ibaraki
Ushiku Daibutsu — World's Tallest Buddha Statue
Flowers in bloomEarly July – mid August (approx.)
Ibaraki
Tokyo Yakatabune — Dinner Cruise on Sumida River
FireworksMid July – late August (approx.)
Tokyo
Ama Divers of Ise-Shima — Women Freedivers of the Sea
Sea & beachesEarly July – late August (approx.)
Mie
Amago Falls — Kyushu's Hidden Autumn Canyon
Sea & beachesEarly July – late August (approx.)
Fukuoka
Fukue Island Beaches — Crystal Water of the East China Sea
Sea & beachesEarly July – late August (approx.)
Nagasaki
Fukuoka City Waterfront — Momochi Seaside Park
Sea & beachesEarly July – late August (approx.)
Fukuoka
Gamagori Laguna Ten Bosch — Seaside Theme Park & Hot Springs
IlluminationsEarly July – late August (approx.)
Aichi
Hiratani Valley — Pristine Mountain Stream Walk
Sea & beachesEarly July – late August (approx.)
Saga
Kikuchi Valley — Forest Bathing Gorge
Sea & beachesEarly July – late August (approx.)
Kumamoto
Lake Biwa — Japan's Largest Freshwater Lake
Sea & beachesEarly July – late August (approx.)
Shiga
Lake Biwa Leisure Activities — Beaches, Fishing, Water Sports
Sea & beachesEarly July – late August (approx.)
Shiga
Nijinomatsubara Seaside Cycling — Coastal Pine Road
Sea & beachesEarly July – late August (approx.)
Saga
Okinoshima Island — Coral & Tropical Fish Near Tokyo
Sea & beachesEarly July – late August (approx.)
Chiba
Sada Misaki Peninsula — Dramatic Coastal Cliffs
Sea & beachesEarly July – late August (approx.)
Ehime
Shimoda Beaches — White Sand Bays of Southern Izu
Sea & beachesEarly July – late August (approx.)
Shizuoka
Uradome Coast — Emerald Sea Kayaking Through Volcanic Cliffs
Sea & beachesEarly July – late August (approx.)
Tottori
Yoshinogari Historical Park — Japan's Largest Yayoi Settlement
IlluminationsEarly July – late August (approx.)
Saga
Gifu Castle — Mountain Fortress Above the Clouds
IlluminationsEarly June – late August (approx.)
Gifu
Gujo Hachiman Food Sample Workshops — Craft Fake Food
FestivalsEarly July – late September (approx.)
Gifu
Glover Garden — Western Mansions on the Hillside
IlluminationsEarly July – late October (approx.)
Nagasaki
Lake Inawashiro — Mt. Bandai's Crystal Clear Mountain Lake
Sea & beachesEarly July – late August (approx.)
Fukushima
Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine — Matchmaking Power Spot
IlluminationsEarly July – late September (approx.)
Saitama
Karashi Renkon — Kumamoto's Spicy Lotus Root
Flowers in bloomEarly July – mid August (approx.)
Kumamoto
Beppu Sand Bath — Buried on the Beach
Sea & beachesEarly July – late August (approx.)
Oita
Blue Cave — Neon Blue Snorkel Dive
Sea & beachesEarly July – late August (approx.)
Okinawa
Chirihama Nagisa Driveway — Drive on the Beach
Sea & beachesEarly July – late August (approx.)
Ishikawa
Ibusuki Sand Bath — Buried Alive on the Beach
Sea & beachesEarly July – late August (approx.)
Kagoshima
Shimabara Spring Water Swimming Carp Streets
Sea & beachesEarly July – late August (approx.)
Nagasaki
Atami Onsen — Seaside Hot Spring Resort Town
FireworksMid July – late August (approx.)
Shizuoka
Niji-no-Matsubara — Japan's Three Great Pine Groves
Sea & beachesEarly July – late August (approx.)
Saga
August
67 spotsYamaga Onsen & Lantern Festival
FestivalsAugust 15–16
Kumamoto
Sendai Tanabata Festival
FestivalsAugust 6–8
Miyagi
Akita Kanto Festival — Pole Lantern Balancing Spectacular
FestivalsAugust 3–6
Akita
Awa Odori Festival — Japan's Wildest Dance Party
FestivalsAugust 12–15
Tokushima
Yosakoi Festival — Dance Explosion in August
FestivalsAugust 9–12
Kochi
Tachineputa Matsuri — 23-Meter Tall Float Festival
FestivalsAugust 4–8
Aomori
Nebuta Matsuri — Giant Illuminated Float Festival
FestivalsAugust 2–7
Aomori
Morioka Sansa Odori — World Record Drum Festival
FestivalsAugust 1–4
Iwate
Kiyomizu Shrine — Floating Lantern Festival on the River
FestivalsMid August (approx.)
Saga
Kitaguchi Hongu Fuji Sengen Shrine — Gateway to Mt. Fuji Climb
FestivalsAugust 26–27
Yamanashi
Niigata Bandai Bridge — Romantic Sunset Over Shinano River
FireworksEarly August (approx.)
Niigata
Niigata Bandai Bridge — Romantic Sunset Over Shinano River
FestivalsAugust 7–9
Niigata
Sumiyoshi Taisha — Ancient Shinto Shrine Architecture
FestivalsJuly 30 – August 1
Osaka
Senshu Park — Kubota Castle Ruins & Cherry Blossoms
FestivalsAugust 3–6
Akita
Tachineputa Matsuri — 23-Meter Tall Float Festival
IlluminationsAugust 4–8
Aomori
Gujo Hachiman — Water Town of Springs & Canals
FestivalsJuly 13 – September 7
Gifu
Tottori Shan-Shan Festival — Umbrella Dance Spectacle
FestivalsMid August (approx.)
Tottori
Kodo Taiko Drumming Village — Earth Celebration Heartland
FestivalsAugust 3
Niigata
Yosakoi Festival — Dance Explosion in August
IlluminationsAugust 9–12
Kochi
Shonan Beach — Southern California of Japan
Sea & beachesAugust (approx.)
Kanagawa
Ajigaura Beach — Surfing & Coastal Escape
Sea & beachesEarly July – late August (approx.)
Ibaraki
Iso Beach — City Beach with Volcano View
Sea & beachesEarly July – late August (approx.)
Kagoshima
Jodogahama Beach — White Pebbles & Pine-Covered Rocks
Sea & beachesEarly July – late August (approx.)
Iwate
Oarai Beach — Pacific Coast Sandscape
Sea & beachesEarly July – late August (approx.)
Ibaraki
Shirahama White Beach Resort — Onsen & Panda Paradise
Sea & beachesEarly July – late August (approx.)
Wakayama
Suma Beach — Kobe's Urban Seaside Escape
Sea & beachesEarly July – late August (approx.)
Hyogo
Yuigahama Beach — Kamakura's Historic Seaside
Sea & beachesEarly July – late August (approx.)
Kanagawa
Kifune Shrine — Summer River Dining Platforms
IlluminationsLate July – mid August (approx.)
Kyoto
Sunayama Beach — Hidden Beach Through Arch
Sea & beachesEarly July – late August (approx.)
Okinawa
Yonaha Maehama Beach — 7km White Sand Crescent
Sea & beachesEarly July – late August (approx.)
Okinawa
Hida Beef — Mountain-Raised Wagyu Royalty
FestivalsAugust (approx.)
Gifu
Kasuga Taisha — 3,000 Stone and Bronze Lanterns
FestivalsAugust (approx.)
Nara
Keya Otehon Sea Cave — Accessible Ocean Geology
Sea & beachesAugust (approx.)
Fukuoka
Kiyomizu-dera — Wooden Stage Over Cherry Trees
IlluminationsAugust (approx.)
Kyoto
Nagara River Cormorant Fishing (Ukai) — 1,300-Year Tradition
FestivalsAugust (approx.)
Gifu
Senba Lake Cycling — Lakeside Loop Trail
Flowers in bloomEarly July – mid August (approx.)
Ibaraki
Ushiku Daibutsu — World's Tallest Buddha Statue
Flowers in bloomEarly July – mid August (approx.)
Ibaraki
Tokyo Yakatabune — Dinner Cruise on Sumida River
FireworksMid July – late August (approx.)
Tokyo
Matsumoto Performing Arts Centre — Kengo Kuma Architecture
FestivalsEarly August – late September (approx.)
Nagano
Ama Divers of Ise-Shima — Women Freedivers of the Sea
Sea & beachesEarly July – late August (approx.)
Mie
Amago Falls — Kyushu's Hidden Autumn Canyon
Sea & beachesEarly July – late August (approx.)
Fukuoka
Fukue Island Beaches — Crystal Water of the East China Sea
Sea & beachesEarly July – late August (approx.)
Nagasaki
Fukuoka City Waterfront — Momochi Seaside Park
Sea & beachesEarly July – late August (approx.)
Fukuoka
Gamagori Laguna Ten Bosch — Seaside Theme Park & Hot Springs
IlluminationsEarly July – late August (approx.)
Aichi
Hiratani Valley — Pristine Mountain Stream Walk
Sea & beachesEarly July – late August (approx.)
Saga
Kikuchi Valley — Forest Bathing Gorge
Sea & beachesEarly July – late August (approx.)
Kumamoto
Lake Biwa — Japan's Largest Freshwater Lake
Sea & beachesEarly July – late August (approx.)
Shiga
Lake Biwa Leisure Activities — Beaches, Fishing, Water Sports
Sea & beachesEarly July – late August (approx.)
Shiga
Nijinomatsubara Seaside Cycling — Coastal Pine Road
Sea & beachesEarly July – late August (approx.)
Saga
Okinoshima Island — Coral & Tropical Fish Near Tokyo
Sea & beachesEarly July – late August (approx.)
Chiba
Sada Misaki Peninsula — Dramatic Coastal Cliffs
Sea & beachesEarly July – late August (approx.)
Ehime
Shimoda Beaches — White Sand Bays of Southern Izu
Sea & beachesEarly July – late August (approx.)
Shizuoka
Uradome Coast — Emerald Sea Kayaking Through Volcanic Cliffs
Sea & beachesEarly July – late August (approx.)
Tottori
Yoshinogari Historical Park — Japan's Largest Yayoi Settlement
IlluminationsEarly July – late August (approx.)
Saga
Gifu Castle — Mountain Fortress Above the Clouds
IlluminationsEarly June – late August (approx.)
Gifu
Gujo Hachiman Food Sample Workshops — Craft Fake Food
FestivalsEarly July – late September (approx.)
Gifu
Glover Garden — Western Mansions on the Hillside
IlluminationsEarly July – late October (approx.)
Nagasaki
Lake Inawashiro — Mt. Bandai's Crystal Clear Mountain Lake
Sea & beachesEarly July – late August (approx.)
Fukushima
Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine — Matchmaking Power Spot
IlluminationsEarly July – late September (approx.)
Saitama
Karashi Renkon — Kumamoto's Spicy Lotus Root
Flowers in bloomEarly July – mid August (approx.)
Kumamoto
Beppu Sand Bath — Buried on the Beach
Sea & beachesEarly July – late August (approx.)
Oita
Blue Cave — Neon Blue Snorkel Dive
Sea & beachesEarly July – late August (approx.)
Okinawa
Chirihama Nagisa Driveway — Drive on the Beach
Sea & beachesEarly July – late August (approx.)
Ishikawa
Ibusuki Sand Bath — Buried Alive on the Beach
Sea & beachesEarly July – late August (approx.)
Kagoshima
Shimabara Spring Water Swimming Carp Streets
Sea & beachesEarly July – late August (approx.)
Nagasaki
Atami Onsen — Seaside Hot Spring Resort Town
FireworksMid July – late August (approx.)
Shizuoka
Niji-no-Matsubara — Japan's Three Great Pine Groves
Sea & beachesEarly July – late August (approx.)
Saga
September
17 spotsYamagata Imoni — Autumn Taro and Beef Stew Festival
FestivalsMid September (approx.)
Yamagata
Gujo Hachiman — Water Town of Springs & Canals
FestivalsJuly 13 – September 7
Gifu
Kishiwada Danjiri Matsuri — High-Speed Float Racing (September)
FestivalsSeptember (approx.)
Osaka
Chichibugahama Beach (Sunset Reflections)
Sea & beachesEarly September – late October (approx.)
Kagawa
Maebara Beach — Boso's Surf Capital
Sea & beachesEarly September – late November (approx.)
Chiba
Seto Ceramics — 1,000-Year Kiln Town
FestivalsMid September (approx.)
Aichi
Tokoname Pottery Town — Climbing Kilns & Clay-Pipe Streets
FestivalsSeptember (approx.)
Aichi
Tsurugaoka Hachimangu — Kamakura's Grand Shinto Shrine
FestivalsSeptember (approx.)
Kanagawa
Awaji Yumebutai — Tadao Ando's Terraced Gardens
Flowers in bloomMid September – mid October (approx.)
Hyogo
Lake Yamanakako — Largest of Fuji Five Lakes
Flowers in bloomMid September – mid October (approx.)
Yamanashi
Nokonoshima Island — Flower Island 10 Minutes Away
Flowers in bloomMid September – mid October (approx.)
Fukuoka
Tateyama Flower Fields — Year-Round Blooms
Flowers in bloomMid September – mid October (approx.)
Chiba
Matsumoto Performing Arts Centre — Kengo Kuma Architecture
FestivalsEarly August – late September (approx.)
Nagano
Amami Oshima — Subtropical Island Paradise
Sea & beachesEarly September – late November (approx.)
Kagoshima
Gujo Hachiman Food Sample Workshops — Craft Fake Food
FestivalsEarly July – late September (approx.)
Gifu
Glover Garden — Western Mansions on the Hillside
IlluminationsEarly July – late October (approx.)
Nagasaki
Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine — Matchmaking Power Spot
IlluminationsEarly July – late September (approx.)
Saitama
October
121 spotsKurama-dera Temple — Mountain Fire Festival Temple
FestivalsOctober 22
Kyoto
Takayama Festival Floats — Masterworks of Lacquer & Karakuri
FestivalsOctober 9–10
Gifu
Myoken Fireworks Festival — Japan's Best Competitive Fireworks
FireworksMid October (approx.)
Kumamoto
Nakanoshima — Art Museum & Rose Garden Island
Flowers in bloomMid October (approx.)
Osaka
Hamamatsu Air Base Festival — JASDF Aerial Demonstrations
FestivalsLate October – early November (approx.)
Shizuoka
Heian Shrine — Vermillion Grandeur and Garden Paradise
FestivalsOctober 22
Kyoto
Chichibugahama Beach (Sunset Reflections)
Sea & beachesEarly September – late October (approx.)
Kagawa
Maebara Beach — Boso's Surf Capital
Sea & beachesEarly September – late November (approx.)
Chiba
Kamikochi Valley — Alpine Sanctuary at 1,500m
Autumn leavesMid October (approx.)
Nagano
Hiratani Valley — Pristine Mountain Stream Walk
Autumn leavesLate October (approx.)
Saga
Mount Ishizuchi — Shikoku's Highest Sacred Peak
Autumn leavesLate October (approx.)
Ehime
Mt. Daisen — Sacred Mountain of Western Japan
Autumn leavesLate October (approx.)
Tottori
Akechidaira Ropeway — Panoramic Mountain Views
Autumn leavesLate October (approx.)
Tochigi
Lake Chuzenji & Kegon Falls — Mountain Lake Sanctuary
Autumn leavesLate October (approx.)
Tochigi
Echizen Washi Paper — UNESCO Intangible Heritage Craft
FestivalsMid October (approx.)
Fukui
Mino Washi — 1,300-Year Paper Tradition (UNESCO)
FestivalsMid October (approx.)
Gifu
Mt. Bandai — Active Volcano & Hiking in Bandai-Asahi National Park
Autumn leavesMid October (approx.)
Fukushima
Jogakura Bridge — Autumn Gorge Viewpoint
Autumn leavesLate October (approx.)
Aomori
Kajo Park — Yamagata Castle Ruins and Cherry Blossoms
Autumn leavesLate October (approx.)
Yamagata
Lake Towada — Caldera Lake & Maiden Statues
Autumn leavesLate October (approx.)
Aomori
Lake Towada — Volcanic Caldera on Akita-Aomori Border
Autumn leavesLate October (approx.)
Akita
Mount Hakusan White Mountain — Sacred Alpine Hiking
Autumn leavesLate October (approx.)
Fukui
Obuse Chestnut Sweets — 200-Year Confectionery Heritage
Autumn leavesLate October (approx.)
Nagano
Oirase Gorge — Pristine Stream & Moss-Covered Forest
Autumn leavesLate October (approx.)
Aomori
Hoshitoge Rice Terraces — Cloud Sea Sunrise Mirror
Autumn leavesMid October – late October (approx.)
Niigata
Oboke and Koboke Gorges — Marble Rock Canyons
Autumn leavesLate October – early November (approx.)
Tokushima
Mt. Misen — Sacred Mountain Hiking & Ropeway Views
Autumn leavesLate October – early November (approx.)
Hiroshima
Sandankyo Gorge — Emerald Waters & Dramatic Canyon
Autumn leavesLate October – early November (approx.)
Hiroshima
Shinkyo Bridge — Sacred Vermilion Arch
Autumn leavesLate October – early November (approx.)
Tochigi
Chusonji Temple — Golden Hall of Pure Land Buddhism
Autumn leavesLate October – early November (approx.)
Iwate
Gokayama Gassho-Zukuri Villages — UNESCO Farmhouses in Snow Country
Autumn leavesLate October – early November (approx.)
Toyama
Kiyotsukyo Gorge Tunnel — Suspended Glass Platform Over Emerald River
Autumn leavesLate October – early November (approx.)
Niigata
Magome-juku — Hillside Post Town on the Nakasendo
Autumn leavesLate October – early November (approx.)
Nagano
Matsushima Bay Scenic Cruise
Autumn leavesLate October – early November (approx.)
Miyagi
Motsuji Temple Garden — Pure Land Paradise Design
Autumn leavesLate October – early November (approx.)
Iwate
Tsumago-juku — Edo-Period Post Town Frozen in Time
Autumn leavesLate October – early November (approx.)
Nagano
Kurobe Gorge Railway — Scarlet Bridges Over Emerald Gorge
Autumn leavesMid October – early November (approx.)
Toyama
Yahiko Shrine — Sacred Mountain Vermillion Gateway
Autumn leavesMid October – early November (approx.)
Niigata
Akiu Great Falls (Akiu Otaki)
Autumn leavesLate October – mid November (approx.)
Miyagi
Shosenkyo Gorge — Granite Walls and Waterfalls
Autumn leavesLate October – mid November (approx.)
Yamanashi
Takachiho Gorge
Autumn leavesLate October – late November (approx.)
Miyazaki
Mt. Haruna & Lake Haruna — Volcanic Crater Lake
Autumn leavesLate October – late November (approx.)
Gunma
Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route — Japan's Roof at 3,000 Meters
Autumn leavesLate October – late November (approx.)
Toyama
Kumagawa River Rafting — Fastest River in Japan
Autumn leavesLate October (approx.)
Kumamoto
Mt. Tsurugi — Shikoku's Second Highest Peak
Autumn leavesLate October (approx.)
Tokushima
Nasu Animal Kingdom — Interactive Highland Zoo
Autumn leavesLate October (approx.)
Tochigi
Nasu Onsen — Royal Retreat Hot Springs
Autumn leavesLate October (approx.)
Tochigi
Oze National Park — High-Altitude Wetland Hiking
Autumn leavesLate October (approx.)
Gunma
Daio Wasabi Farm — Japan's Largest Wasabi Fields
Autumn leavesMid October – late October (approx.)
Nagano
Hakuba Valley — 1998 Olympic Ski Resort
Autumn leavesMid October – late October (approx.)
Nagano
Shiraito Falls — Silk-Thread Waterfall in Forest
Autumn leavesMid October – late October (approx.)
Nagano
Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route — Roof of Japan Traverse
Autumn leavesMid October – late October (approx.)
Nagano
Utsukushigahara Open-Air Museum — Sculpture at 2,000m
Autumn leavesMid October – late October (approx.)
Nagano
Asuka Village — Ancient Capital Ruins & Stone Mysteries
Flowers in bloomEarly October – mid October (approx.)
Nara
Awaji Farm Park England Hill — Flower Fields & Koala
Flowers in bloomEarly October – mid October (approx.)
Hyogo
Heijo Palace Site — Reconstructed Ancient Capital
Flowers in bloomEarly October – mid October (approx.)
Nara
Kibiji Cycling Road — Momotaro Legend Countryside Route
Flowers in bloomEarly October – mid October (approx.)
Okayama
Uminonakamichi Seaside Park — 10km Coastal Garden
Flowers in bloomEarly October – mid October (approx.)
Fukuoka
Dakigaeri Gorge — Autumn Leaf Valley & Suspension Bridges
Autumn leavesMid October – late October (approx.)
Akita
Dewa Sanzan — Three Sacred Mountains Pilgrimage
Autumn leavesMid October – late October (approx.)
Yamagata
Goshiki-numa Ponds — Five Volcanic Crater Lakes in Vivid Colors
Autumn leavesMid October – late October (approx.)
Fukushima
Lake Inawashiro — Mt. Bandai's Crystal Clear Mountain Lake
Autumn leavesMid October – late October (approx.)
Fukushima
Michinoku Coastal Trail
Autumn leavesMid October – late October (approx.)
Miyagi
Yamadera (Risshakuji Temple) — 1,000 Steps to Enlightenment
Autumn leavesMid October – late October (approx.)
Yamagata
Achi Shrine — Hillside Shrine Above Kurashiki
FestivalsOctober (approx.)
Okayama
Echizen Pottery Village — Ancient Kiln Town
FestivalsOctober (approx.)
Fukui
Kawagoe Kurazukuri Street — Little Edo Merchant District
FestivalsOctober (approx.)
Saitama
Kawagoe Unagi — Edo-Style Grilled Eel Tradition
FestivalsOctober (approx.)
Saitama
Mizuki Shigeru Road — Yokai Spirit Street of GeGeGe no Kitaro
FestivalsOctober (approx.)
Tottori
Nunobiki Herb Garden & Ropeway — Mountain Herb Terraces
Flowers in bloomOctober (approx.)
Hyogo
Odori Park — Sapporo's Central Green Axis
Autumn leavesOctober (approx.)
Hokkaido
Sawara Historic District — Little Edo Canal Town
FestivalsOctober (approx.)
Chiba
Seki Knife Forging — Japan's Blade Capital
FestivalsOctober (approx.)
Gifu
Uchiko Town — Wax Merchant Preservation District
FestivalsOctober (approx.)
Ehime
Ushiku Daibutsu — World's Tallest Buddha Statue
Flowers in bloomOctober (approx.)
Ibaraki
Beppu Ropeway to Mt. Tsurumi — 360° Panorama
Autumn leavesLate October – late November (approx.)
Oita
Kirishima Onsen Village
Autumn leavesLate October – late November (approx.)
Miyazaki
Kyuragi Valley — Ancient Camphor Forests
Autumn leavesLate October – late November (approx.)
Saga
Iya Onsen Cliff Bath — Riverside Rotenburo via Cable Car
Autumn leavesLate October – late November (approx.)
Tokushima
Makino Botanical Garden — Flora of Shikoku
Autumn leavesLate October – late November (approx.)
Kochi
Shimanto River — Japan's Last Clear Stream
Autumn leavesLate October – late November (approx.)
Kochi
Iwami Ginzan — UNESCO Silver Mine Heritage
Autumn leavesLate October – late November (approx.)
Shimane
Koyasan Temple Town — Sacred Mountain & Temple Stays
Autumn leavesLate October – late November (approx.)
Wakayama
Shimanami Kaido — Island-Hopping Cycling Route Paradise
Autumn leavesLate October – late November (approx.)
Hiroshima
Awaji Yumebutai — Tadao Ando's Terraced Gardens
Flowers in bloomMid September – mid October (approx.)
Hyogo
Lake Yamanakako — Largest of Fuji Five Lakes
Flowers in bloomMid September – mid October (approx.)
Yamanashi
Nokonoshima Island — Flower Island 10 Minutes Away
Flowers in bloomMid September – mid October (approx.)
Fukuoka
Tateyama Flower Fields — Year-Round Blooms
Flowers in bloomMid September – mid October (approx.)
Chiba
Ikaho Onsen Stone Steps — Historic Spa Town
Autumn leavesLate October – late November (approx.)
Gunma
Minakami Onsen & Adventure — Hot Springs & Rafting
Autumn leavesLate October – late November (approx.)
Gunma
Aoni Onsen — Lamp-Lit Mountain Retreat
Autumn leavesMid October – late November (approx.)
Aomori
Bitchu Matsuyama Castle — Japan's Highest Mountain Castle
Autumn leavesLate October – early December (approx.)
Okayama
Eiheiji Temple — 700-Year-Old Zen Training Monastery
Autumn leavesMid October – late November (approx.)
Fukui
Kawaguchiko Music Forest Museum — European Garden and Mt. Fuji
Autumn leavesMid October – late November (approx.)
Yamanashi
Mogami River Boat Ride — Boatmen Songs and Valley Views
Autumn leavesMid October – late November (approx.)
Yamagata
Mt. Haguro Five-Story Pagoda — National Treasure in Cedar Forest
Autumn leavesMid October – late November (approx.)
Yamagata
Tadami Line — Japan's Most Scenic Railway Through Mountain Gorges
Autumn leavesMid October – late November (approx.)
Fukushima
Unazuki Onsen — Gateway Hot Spring to Kurobe Gorge
Autumn leavesMid October – late November (approx.)
Toyama
Ashizuri Cape — Southernmost Shikoku
Sea & beachesEarly October – late November (approx.)
Kochi
Bessho Onsen — Mountain Hot Spring Resort
Snow sceneryEarly October – late November (approx.)
Ehime
Ebino Kogen Plateau — Crater Lake Circuit
Flowers in bloomEarly October – late November (approx.)
Kagoshima
Hinoyama Park — Panoramic Kanmon Strait View
Flowers in bloomEarly October – late November (approx.)
Yamaguchi
Izumo Taisha — Ancient Shrine of Marriage & Destiny
FestivalsEarly October – late November (approx.)
Shimane
Kasama Inari Shrine — Fox God Forest Sanctuary
FestivalsEarly October – late November (approx.)
Ibaraki
Shimanami Kaido — 70km Island-Hopping Cycling Route
Fresh greenEarly October – late November (approx.)
Ehime
Yokohama Marine Tower — Harbor Lighthouse Observation Deck
Flowers in bloomEarly October – late November (approx.)
Kanagawa
Amami Oshima — Subtropical Island Paradise
Sea & beachesEarly September – late November (approx.)
Kagoshima
Glover Garden — Western Mansions on the Hillside
IlluminationsEarly July – late October (approx.)
Nagasaki
Toshogu Shrine — Golden Temple of the Shogun
Autumn leavesLate October (approx.)
Tochigi
Lake Hibara — Mountain Lake Camping & Autumn Foliage Panoramas
Autumn leavesMid October – late November (approx.)
Fukushima
Akagi Shrine — Mystical Forest Sanctuary
Autumn leavesLate October – early December (approx.)
Gunma
Akita Museum of Art — Foujita's Akita Masterworks
Autumn leavesMid October – late November (approx.)
Akita
Hachimantai Plateau — Volcanic Highlands & Dragon's Eye
Autumn leavesMid October – late November (approx.)
Akita
Happo Pond — Mirror Lake Reflecting the Alps
Autumn leavesMid October – late November (approx.)
Nagano
Hotaka Mountain Range — Alpine Climbing Challenge
Autumn leavesMid October – late November (approx.)
Nagano
Kusatsu Onsen Ryokan Stay — Traditional Inn Experience
Autumn leavesLate October – early December (approx.)
Gunma
Nara Park — 1,200 Sacred Deer Roaming Free
Autumn leavesLate October – early December (approx.)
Nara
Senjogahara Marshland — Alpine Wetland Plateau
Autumn leavesLate October – early December (approx.)
Tochigi
Shimanto Sink Bridges — Drive Over, Not Under
Autumn leavesLate October – early December (approx.)
Kochi
Tofuku-ji Temple — Autumn Maple Sea
Autumn leavesLate October – early December (approx.)
Kyoto
Tsugaru-Iwaki Skyline — Mountain Scenic Drive
Autumn leavesMid October – late November (approx.)
Aomori
November
166 spotsHikiyama Exhibition Hall — Year-Round Festival Float Museum
FestivalsNovember 2–4
Saga
Karatsu Kunchi Festival — Dragon and Turtle Parade
FestivalsNovember 2–4
Saga
Eikan-do Temple — Autumn Foliage Night Illumination
IlluminationsMid November (approx.)
Kyoto
Nagoya Castle Night Illumination — Seasonal Light-Up Events
IlluminationsMid November (approx.)
Aichi
Minoo Park — Urban Waterfall & Maple Autumn Colors
Autumn leavesMid November (approx.)
Osaka
Yame Lantern Festival — 300-Year-Old Paper Lanterns
FestivalsLate November (approx.)
Fukuoka
Hamamatsu Air Base Festival — JASDF Aerial Demonstrations
FestivalsLate October – early November (approx.)
Shizuoka
Nara Park Maple Viewing — Autumn Foliage & Deer
Autumn leavesMid November – early December (approx.)
Nara
Katori Shrine — Ancient Shrine in Cedar Forest
FestivalsNovember 3
Chiba
Karatsu Castle — Sea Castle on the Bay
FestivalsNovember 2–4
Saga
Ishiyama-dera Temple — Literary & Autumn Color Spot
IlluminationsMid November – late November (approx.)
Shiga
Mifuneyama Autumn Maple Forest Walk
Autumn leavesEarly November – late November (approx.)
Saga
Yahiko Shrine — Sacred Mountain Vermillion Gateway
FestivalsNovember 1–24
Niigata
Kashiwajima Island — Diving & Snorkeling Paradise
Sea & beachesNovember (approx.)
Kochi
Momiji Manju — Miyajima's Maple Leaf-Shaped Sweet
Autumn leavesNovember (approx.)
Hiroshima
Saga Hot Air Balloon Museum — Year-Round Festival Archive
FestivalsNovember (approx.)
Saga
Maebara Beach — Boso's Surf Capital
Sea & beachesEarly September – late November (approx.)
Chiba
Kanazawa Castle Park — Reconstructed Feudal Fortress
IlluminationsMid November (approx.)
Ishikawa
Amago Falls — Kyushu's Hidden Autumn Canyon
Autumn leavesMid November (approx.)
Fukuoka
Daizenji Taisekiji Temple — Grapes and Autumn Temple
Autumn leavesMid November (approx.)
Yamanashi
Erin-ji Temple — Takeda Clan Temple and Rock Garden
Autumn leavesMid November (approx.)
Yamanashi
Hikone Castle — Original Edo Castle with Gardens
Autumn leavesMid November (approx.)
Shiga
Ichijodani Asakura Clan Ruins — Buried Samurai City
Autumn leavesMid November (approx.)
Fukui
Kankakei Gorge
Autumn leavesMid November (approx.)
Kagawa
Kannon-in Temple Garden — 500-Year-Old Pond Stroll Garden
Autumn leavesMid November (approx.)
Tottori
Kokoen Garden — Nine Edo-Period Gardens
Autumn leavesMid November (approx.)
Hyogo
Miidera Temple — Historic Tendai Temple with City Views
Autumn leavesMid November (approx.)
Shiga
Momiji Kairo Maple Corridor — Autumn Foliage Tunnel
FestivalsEarly November (approx.)
Yamanashi
Momiji Kairo Maple Corridor — Autumn Foliage Tunnel
IlluminationsEarly November (approx.)
Yamanashi
Morioka Castle Ruins — Stone Walls & Cherry Blossoms
Autumn leavesEarly November (approx.)
Iwate
Nagoya Castle — Golden Shachihoko Fortress
Autumn leavesMid November (approx.)
Aichi
Nagoya Castle Night Illumination — Seasonal Light-Up Events
Autumn leavesMid November (approx.)
Aichi
Nara Hotel — Historic Meiji-Era Luxury & Afternoon Tea
Autumn leavesLate November (approx.)
Nara
Naritasan Shinshoji Temple — 1,000-Year Pilgrimage Site
Autumn leavesLate November (approx.)
Chiba
Natadera Temple — Moss-Covered Cave Grottoes
Autumn leavesMid November (approx.)
Ishikawa
Rurikoji Temple — Five-Story Pagoda National Treasure
Autumn leavesMid November (approx.)
Yamaguchi
Saga International Balloon Fiesta — Asia's Largest Hot Air Balloon Event
FestivalsEarly November (approx.)
Saga
Saga Onsen Hizen Yumo — Scenic Mineral Spring Spa
Autumn leavesMid November (approx.)
Saga
Sagano Scenic Railway — Romantic Train Through Gorge
Autumn leavesMid November (approx.)
Kyoto
Sankeien Garden — 175,000㎡ Traditional Japanese Garden
Autumn leavesMid November (approx.)
Kanagawa
Shoshazan Engyoji Temple — Mountain Monastery & Film Location
Autumn leavesMid November (approx.)
Hyogo
Sunpu Castle Park — Tokugawa Ieyasu's Retirement Residence
Autumn leavesMid November (approx.)
Shizuoka
Tochigi Kurazukuri — Edo Warehouse District
FestivalsEarly November (approx.)
Tochigi
Tofuku-ji Temple — Autumn Maple Sea
Autumn leavesLate November (approx.)
Kyoto
Togetsukyo Bridge — Arashiyama's Iconic Landmark
Autumn leavesMid November (approx.)
Kyoto
Toki no Kane — Time Bell Tower Ringing Since 1624
Autumn leavesLate November (approx.)
Saitama
Utsunomiya Gyoza — Dumpling Capital
FestivalsEarly November (approx.)
Tochigi
Zuihoji Temple — Arima's Historic Zen Temple
Autumn leavesLate November (approx.)
Hyogo
Rinnoji Temple and Garden
Autumn leavesMid November – late November (approx.)
Miyagi
Zuihoden Mausoleum
Autumn leavesMid November – late November (approx.)
Miyagi
Oboke and Koboke Gorges — Marble Rock Canyons
Autumn leavesLate October – early November (approx.)
Tokushima
Mt. Misen — Sacred Mountain Hiking & Ropeway Views
Autumn leavesLate October – early November (approx.)
Hiroshima
Sandankyo Gorge — Emerald Waters & Dramatic Canyon
Autumn leavesLate October – early November (approx.)
Hiroshima
Shinkyo Bridge — Sacred Vermilion Arch
Autumn leavesLate October – early November (approx.)
Tochigi
Chusonji Temple — Golden Hall of Pure Land Buddhism
Autumn leavesLate October – early November (approx.)
Iwate
Gokayama Gassho-Zukuri Villages — UNESCO Farmhouses in Snow Country
Autumn leavesLate October – early November (approx.)
Toyama
Kiyotsukyo Gorge Tunnel — Suspended Glass Platform Over Emerald River
Autumn leavesLate October – early November (approx.)
Niigata
Magome-juku — Hillside Post Town on the Nakasendo
Autumn leavesLate October – early November (approx.)
Nagano
Matsushima Bay Scenic Cruise
Autumn leavesLate October – early November (approx.)
Miyagi
Motsuji Temple Garden — Pure Land Paradise Design
Autumn leavesLate October – early November (approx.)
Iwate
Tsumago-juku — Edo-Period Post Town Frozen in Time
Autumn leavesLate October – early November (approx.)
Nagano
Kurobe Gorge Railway — Scarlet Bridges Over Emerald Gorge
Autumn leavesMid October – early November (approx.)
Toyama
Yahiko Shrine — Sacred Mountain Vermillion Gateway
Autumn leavesMid October – early November (approx.)
Niigata
Ritsurin Garden
IlluminationsMid November – early December (approx.)
Kagawa
Akiu Great Falls (Akiu Otaki)
Autumn leavesLate October – mid November (approx.)
Miyagi
Shosenkyo Gorge — Granite Walls and Waterfalls
Autumn leavesLate October – mid November (approx.)
Yamanashi
Takachiho Gorge
Autumn leavesLate October – late November (approx.)
Miyazaki
Mt. Haruna & Lake Haruna — Volcanic Crater Lake
Autumn leavesLate October – late November (approx.)
Gunma
Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route — Japan's Roof at 3,000 Meters
Autumn leavesLate October – late November (approx.)
Toyama
Nagatoro Autumn Foliage — River Gorge Maple Tunnel
IlluminationsMid November – early December (approx.)
Saitama
Kochi Castle — Original Tenshu & Honmaru Intact
IlluminationsMid November – late November (approx.)
Kochi
Mifuneyama Rakuen — Garden in a Cliff Face
IlluminationsMid November – late November (approx.)
Saga
Shiroishi Castle
Autumn leavesEarly November – late November (approx.)
Miyagi
Adachi Museum of Art — World's Best Japanese Garden
Autumn leavesNovember (approx.)
Shimane
Byodo-in Phoenix Hall — 10-Yen Coin Temple
Autumn leavesNovember (approx.)
Kyoto
Enryakuji Temple — Mt. Hiei's Mountain Monastery Complex
Autumn leavesNovember (approx.)
Shiga
Garyu Sanso Villa — Cliffside Tea House National Treasure
Autumn leavesNovember (approx.)
Ehime
Ginkaku-ji Silver Pavilion — Zen Aesthetic Perfection
Autumn leavesNovember (approx.)
Kyoto
Great Buddha of Kamakura — 13.35m Bronze Colossus
Autumn leavesNovember (approx.)
Kanagawa
Hakone Open-Air Museum — Outdoor Sculpture Garden
Autumn leavesNovember (approx.)
Kanagawa
Hasedera Temple — Hillside Temple with Ocean Views
Autumn leavesNovember (approx.)
Kanagawa
Hodosan Shrine & Ropeway — Mountain Summit Views
Autumn leavesNovember (approx.)
Saitama
Horikawa Moat Boat Ride — Roofed Boat Through Castle Town
Autumn leavesNovember (approx.)
Shimane
Ichinoseki Mochi Culture — 300 Mochi Dishes
FestivalsNovember (approx.)
Iwate
Joren Falls — 25-Meter Cascade Through Basalt Columns
Autumn leavesNovember (approx.)
Shizuoka
Kaga Onsen — Four Historic Hot Spring Villages
Autumn leavesNovember (approx.)
Ishikawa
Katsura Imperial Villa — Perfection in Garden Design
Autumn leavesNovember (approx.)
Kyoto
Kazurabashi at Oku-Iya — Double Vine Bridges and Cable Car
Autumn leavesNovember (approx.)
Tokushima
Kenrokuen Garden — One of Japan's Three Great Gardens
Autumn leavesNovember (approx.)
Ishikawa
Kinugawa Onsen — River Gorge Hot Springs
Autumn leavesNovember (approx.)
Tochigi
Kiyomizu-dera — Wooden Stage Over Cherry Trees
Autumn leavesNovember (approx.)
Kyoto
Kochi Castle — Original Tenshu & Honmaru Intact
Autumn leavesNovember (approx.)
Kochi
Kurama-dera Temple — Mountain Fire Festival Temple
Autumn leavesNovember (approx.)
Kyoto
Kyoto Machiya Stay — Traditional Townhouse Lodging
Autumn leavesNovember (approx.)
Kyoto
Lake Saiko Bat Cave and Forest — Fuji's Hidden Lake
Autumn leavesNovember (approx.)
Yamanashi
Matsue Castle — Original Black Castle National Treasure
Autumn leavesNovember (approx.)
Shimane
Matsumoto Castle — Black Fortress of the Alps
Autumn leavesNovember (approx.)
Nagano
Miyajima Island — Sacred Island of Deer & Shrines
Autumn leavesNovember (approx.)
Hiroshima
Mount Yoshino — 30,000 Cherry Trees in Pilgrimage Mountains
Autumn leavesNovember (approx.)
Nara
Mt. Aso Nakadake Crater — Active Volcano You Can Approach
Snow sceneryNovember (approx.)
Kumamoto
Nanzen-ji Temple — Zen and Aqueduct Architecture
Autumn leavesNovember (approx.)
Kyoto
Nikko Tamozawa Imperial Villa — Meiji Elegance
Autumn leavesNovember (approx.)
Tochigi
Northern Culture Museum — Landlord's Estate Garden Paradise
Autumn leavesNovember (approx.)
Niigata
Ohori Park — Castle Moat Turned City Sanctuary
Autumn leavesNovember (approx.)
Fukuoka
Omiya Bonsai Village — Living Art Garden District
Autumn leavesNovember (approx.)
Saitama
Onomichi Temple Walk — 25 Temples Across Hillside City
Autumn leavesNovember (approx.)
Hiroshima
Osaka Castle — Concrete Reconstruction with Museum
Autumn leavesNovember (approx.)
Osaka
Philosopher's Path — Cherry Blossom Canal Walk
Autumn leavesNovember (approx.)
Kyoto
Pola Museum of Art — Impressionist Collection in Forest
Autumn leavesNovember (approx.)
Kanagawa
Rokugo-manzan Temples — Kunisaki Buddhist Trail
Autumn leavesNovember (approx.)
Oita
Ryoan-ji Rock Garden — Zen's Ultimate Minimalism
Autumn leavesNovember (approx.)
Kyoto
Senba Lake Cycling — Lakeside Loop Trail
Autumn leavesNovember (approx.)
Ibaraki
Sento Imperial Palace — Emperor's Retirement Villa Garden
Autumn leavesNovember (approx.)
Kyoto
Shosei-en Garden — Hidden Oasis Near Kyoto Station
Autumn leavesNovember (approx.)
Kyoto
Shuzenji Onsen — Historic Temple Town Hot Springs
Autumn leavesNovember (approx.)
Shizuoka
Toshodaiji Temple — Tang Dynasty Architecture Preserved
Autumn leavesNovember (approx.)
Nara
Tsuyama Castle Ruins — Sakura no Meiho Cherry Blossom Fortress
Autumn leavesNovember (approx.)
Okayama
Yakushiji Temple — Twin Pagodas & Healing Buddha
Autumn leavesNovember (approx.)
Nara
Beppu Ropeway to Mt. Tsurumi — 360° Panorama
Autumn leavesLate October – late November (approx.)
Oita
Kirishima Onsen Village
Autumn leavesLate October – late November (approx.)
Miyazaki
Kyuragi Valley — Ancient Camphor Forests
Autumn leavesLate October – late November (approx.)
Saga
Iya Onsen Cliff Bath — Riverside Rotenburo via Cable Car
Autumn leavesLate October – late November (approx.)
Tokushima
Makino Botanical Garden — Flora of Shikoku
Autumn leavesLate October – late November (approx.)
Kochi
Shimanto River — Japan's Last Clear Stream
Autumn leavesLate October – late November (approx.)
Kochi
Iwami Ginzan — UNESCO Silver Mine Heritage
Autumn leavesLate October – late November (approx.)
Shimane
Koyasan Temple Town — Sacred Mountain & Temple Stays
Autumn leavesLate October – late November (approx.)
Wakayama
Shimanami Kaido — Island-Hopping Cycling Route Paradise
Autumn leavesLate October – late November (approx.)
Hiroshima
Ikaho Onsen Stone Steps — Historic Spa Town
Autumn leavesLate October – late November (approx.)
Gunma
Minakami Onsen & Adventure — Hot Springs & Rafting
Autumn leavesLate October – late November (approx.)
Gunma
Aoni Onsen — Lamp-Lit Mountain Retreat
Autumn leavesMid October – late November (approx.)
Aomori
Bitchu Matsuyama Castle — Japan's Highest Mountain Castle
Autumn leavesLate October – early December (approx.)
Okayama
Eiheiji Temple — 700-Year-Old Zen Training Monastery
Autumn leavesMid October – late November (approx.)
Fukui
Kawaguchiko Music Forest Museum — European Garden and Mt. Fuji
Autumn leavesMid October – late November (approx.)
Yamanashi
Mogami River Boat Ride — Boatmen Songs and Valley Views
Autumn leavesMid October – late November (approx.)
Yamagata
Mt. Haguro Five-Story Pagoda — National Treasure in Cedar Forest
Autumn leavesMid October – late November (approx.)
Yamagata
Tadami Line — Japan's Most Scenic Railway Through Mountain Gorges
Autumn leavesMid October – late November (approx.)
Fukushima
Unazuki Onsen — Gateway Hot Spring to Kurobe Gorge
Autumn leavesMid October – late November (approx.)
Toyama
Sakae District — Nagoya's Neon-Lit Shopping & Nightlife Heart
IlluminationsMid November – late December (approx.)
Aichi
Yuushien Garden — Floating Peony Paradise Island
IlluminationsMid November – late December (approx.)
Shimane
Ashizuri Cape — Southernmost Shikoku
Sea & beachesEarly October – late November (approx.)
Kochi
Bessho Onsen — Mountain Hot Spring Resort
Snow sceneryEarly October – late November (approx.)
Ehime
Ebino Kogen Plateau — Crater Lake Circuit
Flowers in bloomEarly October – late November (approx.)
Kagoshima
Hinoyama Park — Panoramic Kanmon Strait View
Flowers in bloomEarly October – late November (approx.)
Yamaguchi
Izumo Taisha — Ancient Shrine of Marriage & Destiny
FestivalsEarly October – late November (approx.)
Shimane
Kasama Inari Shrine — Fox God Forest Sanctuary
FestivalsEarly October – late November (approx.)
Ibaraki
Shimanami Kaido — 70km Island-Hopping Cycling Route
Fresh greenEarly October – late November (approx.)
Ehime
Yokohama Marine Tower — Harbor Lighthouse Observation Deck
Flowers in bloomEarly October – late November (approx.)
Kanagawa
Amami Oshima — Subtropical Island Paradise
Sea & beachesEarly September – late November (approx.)
Kagoshima
Ashikaga Flower Park — Wisteria Dream Canopy
IlluminationsMid November – mid February (approx.)
Tochigi
Ishiyama-dera Temple — Literary & Autumn Color Spot
Autumn leavesLate November (approx.)
Shiga
Lake Hibara — Mountain Lake Camping & Autumn Foliage Panoramas
Autumn leavesMid October – late November (approx.)
Fukushima
Kobe Harborland — Port City Evening Illumination
IlluminationsMid November – mid February (approx.)
Hyogo
Osaka Bay Night Cruise — Illuminated Waterfront Tour
IlluminationsMid November – mid February (approx.)
Osaka
Ouchi-juku Snow Festival — Candle-Lit Winter Illumination
IlluminationsMid November – mid February (approx.)
Fukushima
Akagi Shrine — Mystical Forest Sanctuary
Autumn leavesLate October – early December (approx.)
Gunma
Akita Museum of Art — Foujita's Akita Masterworks
Autumn leavesMid October – late November (approx.)
Akita
Hachimantai Plateau — Volcanic Highlands & Dragon's Eye
Autumn leavesMid October – late November (approx.)
Akita
Happo Pond — Mirror Lake Reflecting the Alps
Autumn leavesMid October – late November (approx.)
Nagano
Hotaka Mountain Range — Alpine Climbing Challenge
Autumn leavesMid October – late November (approx.)
Nagano
Kusatsu Onsen Ryokan Stay — Traditional Inn Experience
Autumn leavesLate October – early December (approx.)
Gunma
Nara Park — 1,200 Sacred Deer Roaming Free
Autumn leavesLate October – early December (approx.)
Nara
Senjogahara Marshland — Alpine Wetland Plateau
Autumn leavesLate October – early December (approx.)
Tochigi
Shimanto Sink Bridges — Drive Over, Not Under
Autumn leavesLate October – early December (approx.)
Kochi
Tsugaru-Iwaki Skyline — Mountain Scenic Drive
Autumn leavesMid October – late November (approx.)
Aomori
Akashi Kaikyo Bridge — World's Longest Suspension Bridge
IlluminationsMid November – mid February (approx.)
Hyogo
Maruo Falls — Hidden Waterfall in the Forest
IlluminationsMid November – mid February (approx.)
Kagoshima
December
81 spotsChichibu Night Festival — Fire, Floats, and Fireworks
FestivalsDecember 2–3
Saitama
Kobe Luminarie — Annual Light Festival (December)
FestivalsEarly December (approx.)
Hyogo
Nara Park Maple Viewing — Autumn Foliage & Deer
Autumn leavesMid November – early December (approx.)
Nara
Chichibu Shrine — Dragon-Carved Sanctuary Since 2000 Years
FestivalsDecember 2–3
Saitama
Kinosaki Winter Crab Kaiseki — Snow Crab Season
Snow sceneryMid December – late January (approx.)
Hyogo
Nabana no Sato — Japan's Largest Winter Illumination Garden
IlluminationsEarly December – mid February (approx.)
Mie
Omoriyama Zoo — Winter Wildlife & Snow Adaptations
Snow sceneryMid December – late February (approx.)
Akita
Echigo-Yuzawa Onsen — Snow Country Hot Spring Town
Snow sceneryMid December – early March (approx.)
Niigata
Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park — Wild Macaques in Hot Springs
Snow sceneryMid December – early March (approx.)
Nagano
Yudanaka Onsen — Gateway to Snow Monkeys
Snow sceneryMid December – early March (approx.)
Nagano
Yuigahama Beach — Kamakura's Historic Seaside
Sea & beachesEarly December – late February (approx.)
Kanagawa
Manta Ray Snorkeling — Kabira Manta Scramble
Sea & beachesEarly December – late March (approx.)
Okinawa
Sendai Pageant of Starlight
FestivalsLate December (approx.)
Miyagi
Ritsurin Garden
IlluminationsMid November – early December (approx.)
Kagawa
Zao Snow Monsters (Juhyo) — Frozen Ice Tree Sculptures
IlluminationsLate December – mid February (approx.)
Yamagata
Takayama Festival Floats — Masterworks of Lacquer & Karakuri
FestivalsEarly December – late February (approx.)
Gifu
Nagatoro Autumn Foliage — River Gorge Maple Tunnel
IlluminationsMid November – early December (approx.)
Saitama
Chichibu Night Festival — Fire, Floats, and Fireworks
FireworksDecember 3
Saitama
Kitano Ijinkan — Western Mansions from the Meiji Era
IlluminationsDecember (approx.)
Hyogo
Kyoto Station Building — Futuristic Glass Cathedral
IlluminationsDecember (approx.)
Kyoto
Momotaro Dori — Shopping Boulevard & Urban Heart
IlluminationsDecember (approx.)
Okayama
Shinsaibashi Shopping Arcade — 600m Covered Shopping Street
IlluminationsDecember (approx.)
Osaka
Bitchu Matsuyama Castle — Japan's Highest Mountain Castle
Autumn leavesLate October – early December (approx.)
Okayama
Sakae District — Nagoya's Neon-Lit Shopping & Nightlife Heart
IlluminationsMid November – late December (approx.)
Aichi
Yuushien Garden — Floating Peony Paradise Island
IlluminationsMid November – late December (approx.)
Shimane
Echizen Crab — Winter King of the Sea of Japan
Snow sceneryMid December – late January (approx.)
Fukui
Matsuba Crab — Winter's King of the Sea
Snow sceneryMid December – late January (approx.)
Tottori
Minato Mirai 21 — Futuristic Waterfront Skyline
FireworksEarly December – late January (approx.)
Kanagawa
Minato Mirai 21 — Futuristic Waterfront Skyline
IlluminationsEarly December – late January (approx.)
Kanagawa
Eiheiji Temple — 700-Year-Old Zen Training Monastery
Snow sceneryMid December – late February (approx.)
Fukui
Gero Onsen — One of Japan's Three Great Hot Springs
Snow sceneryMid December – late February (approx.)
Gifu
Gero Onsen Gassho Village — Hot Springs Meet Heritage Houses
Snow sceneryMid December – late February (approx.)
Gifu
Ginzan Onsen — Taisho-Era Hot Spring Romance
Snow sceneryMid December – late February (approx.)
Yamagata
Hakone Shrine — Lake Torii Gate and Cedar Forest
Snow sceneryMid December – late February (approx.)
Kanagawa
Hakone Yumoto Onsen — Gateway Hot Spring Town
Snow sceneryMid December – late February (approx.)
Kanagawa
Hanamaki Onsen — Hot Spring Resort Town
Snow sceneryMid December – late February (approx.)
Iwate
Higashiyama Onsen — Samurai Retreat Hot Spring Town
Snow sceneryMid December – late February (approx.)
Fukushima
Iya Valley Scarecrow Village — Life-Size Doll Population
Snow sceneryMid December – late February (approx.)
Tokushima
Kakunodate Samurai District — Feudal Streets & Cherry Blossoms
Snow sceneryMid December – late February (approx.)
Akita
Kinugawa Onsen — River Gorge Hot Springs
Snow sceneryMid December – late February (approx.)
Tochigi
Kurokawa Onsen — Rustic Mountain Hot Spring Village
Snow sceneryMid December – late February (approx.)
Kumamoto
Kusatsu Onsen Ryokan Stay — Traditional Inn Experience
Snow sceneryMid December – late February (approx.)
Gunma
Kusatsu Onsen Yubatake — Healing Hot Spring Field
Snow sceneryMid December – late February (approx.)
Gunma
Magome to Tsumago Hike — Nakasendo Trail Villages
Snow sceneryMid December – late February (approx.)
Gifu
Misasa Onsen — Radium Hot Springs in River Gorge
Snow sceneryMid December – late February (approx.)
Tottori
Mt. Haguro Five-Story Pagoda — National Treasure in Cedar Forest
Snow sceneryMid December – late February (approx.)
Yamagata
Nagamachi Samurai District — Preserved Samurai Residences
Snow sceneryMid December – late February (approx.)
Ishikawa
Nyuto Onsen — Rustic Mountain Hot Springs Village
Snow sceneryMid December – late February (approx.)
Akita
Oga Aquarium GAO — Polar Bears & Sea of Japan Life
Snow sceneryMid December – late February (approx.)
Akita
Otaru Canal — Romantic Waterway & Warehouses
Snow sceneryMid December – late February (approx.)
Hokkaido
Ouchi-juku — Edo-Period Thatched Village & Negi Soba
Snow sceneryMid December – late February (approx.)
Fukushima
Shibu Onsen — Nine Bathhouse Pilgrimage Town
Snow sceneryMid December – late February (approx.)
Nagano
Shinhotaka Ropeway — Japan Alps Aerial Journey
Snow sceneryMid December – late February (approx.)
Gifu
Spa Resort Hawaiians — Indoor Tropical Water Park & Hula Shows
Snow sceneryMid December – late February (approx.)
Fukushima
Tadami Line — Japan's Most Scenic Railway Through Mountain Gorges
Snow sceneryMid December – late February (approx.)
Fukushima
Takayama Sanmachi Old Town — Edo-Period Merchant District
Snow sceneryMid December – late February (approx.)
Gifu
Tottori Sand Dunes — Japan's Only Desert-Like Landscape
Snow sceneryMid December – late February (approx.)
Tottori
Tsuruga Castle — Red-Tiled Fortress of the Samurai Aizu Clan
Snow sceneryMid December – late February (approx.)
Fukushima
Zenkoji Temple — Pilgrimage to the Hidden Buddha
Snow sceneryMid December – late February (approx.)
Nagano
Aoni Onsen — Lamp-Lit Mountain Retreat
Snow sceneryMid December – early March (approx.)
Aomori
Daisen-ji Temple — 1,300-Year Mountain Buddhist Complex
Snow sceneryMid December – early March (approx.)
Tottori
Gokayama Ainokura — Quieter Gassho Village
Snow sceneryMid December – early March (approx.)
Gifu
Kenrokuen Garden — One of Japan's Three Great Gardens
Snow sceneryMid December – early March (approx.)
Ishikawa
Mogami River Boat Ride — Boatmen Songs and Valley Views
Snow sceneryMid December – early March (approx.)
Yamagata
Nozawa Onsen — Ski Village with 13 Public Bathhouses
Snow sceneryMid December – early March (approx.)
Nagano
Ashikaga Flower Park — Wisteria Dream Canopy
IlluminationsMid November – mid February (approx.)
Tochigi
Mt. Tsurugi — Shikoku's Second Highest Peak
Snow sceneryMid December – early March (approx.)
Tokushima
Shirakami-Sanchi — UNESCO Beech Forest Wilderness
Snow sceneryMid December – early March (approx.)
Aomori
Ouchi-juku Snow Festival — Candle-Lit Winter Illumination
Snow sceneryMid December – early March (approx.)
Fukushima
Kobe Harborland — Port City Evening Illumination
IlluminationsMid November – mid February (approx.)
Hyogo
Osaka Bay Night Cruise — Illuminated Waterfront Tour
IlluminationsMid November – mid February (approx.)
Osaka
Ouchi-juku Snow Festival — Candle-Lit Winter Illumination
IlluminationsMid November – mid February (approx.)
Fukushima
Akagi Shrine — Mystical Forest Sanctuary
Autumn leavesLate October – early December (approx.)
Gunma
Kusatsu Onsen Ryokan Stay — Traditional Inn Experience
Autumn leavesLate October – early December (approx.)
Gunma
Nara Park — 1,200 Sacred Deer Roaming Free
Autumn leavesLate October – early December (approx.)
Nara
Senjogahara Marshland — Alpine Wetland Plateau
Autumn leavesLate October – early December (approx.)
Tochigi
Shimanto Sink Bridges — Drive Over, Not Under
Autumn leavesLate October – early December (approx.)
Kochi
Tofuku-ji Temple — Autumn Maple Sea
Autumn leavesLate October – early December (approx.)
Kyoto
Gassan Ski Resort — Summer Skiing on Sacred Mountain
Snow sceneryMid December – early March (approx.)
Yamagata
Akashi Kaikyo Bridge — World's Longest Suspension Bridge
IlluminationsMid November – mid February (approx.)
Hyogo
Maruo Falls — Hidden Waterfall in the Forest
IlluminationsMid November – mid February (approx.)
Kagoshima