Hidden Gems Across Japan
1,610 spots
Mt. Tsurugi
Mt. Tsurugi (剣山, 'Sword Mountain,' 1,955m) is Shikoku's second-highest peak, featuring alpine meadows, dwarf bamboo slop…
Iya Valley Scarecrow Village
Nagoro (名頃) is a depopulated mountain hamlet in the Iya Valley where life-size scarecrows (案山子, kakashi) outnumber human…
Oboke and Koboke Gorges
The Yoshino River has carved two dramatic gorges through western Tokushima: Oboke (大歩危, 'big steps danger') and Koboke (…
Tokushima Ramen
Tokushima ramen (徳島ラーメン) is distinct from other regional ramen styles, featuring a dark brown pork bone broth (豚骨醤油, ton…
Otsuka Museum of Art
Lie on your back in the Sistine Chapel. Nobody stops you—there's no original to damage. Michelangelo's Creation of Adam…
Ryozen-ji Temple
Ryozen-ji (霊山寺) is Temple #1 of the 88 Temple Pilgrimage (四国八十八ヶ所, Shikoku Hachijū-Hakkasho), a 1,200km Buddhist pilgrim…
Iya Valley Vine Bridges
Step onto the slats and the bridge lurches sideways. Vine cables groan. Through the 7-centimeter gaps between boards, th…
Awa Odori Festival
Awa Odori (阿波踊り) is Tokushima's signature dance festival held every August 12–15, drawing 1.2 million visitors to watch…
Naruto Whirlpools (Tokushima side)
Stand on the Uzu-no-Michi glass floor and watch seawater spiral 45 meters below your feet. The Naruto Strait squeezes 44…
Bessho Onsen (Ehime)
Bessho Onsen is a secluded hot spring resort nestled in the mountains near Mt. Ishizuchi, known for its milky-white sulf…
Illustration — not a photographJakoten
Jakoten (じゃこ天) is Ehime's signature fish cake made from small fish (jako — tiny sardines or anchovies) ground whole with…
Sada Misaki Peninsula
Sada Misaki is a narrow peninsula extending 40km into the Bungo Channel, forming Shikoku's westernmost point. The dramat…
Uwajima Bull Fighting
Uwajima is one of the few places in Japan where traditional togyu (bull sumo) continues — two bulls weighing 700–1,000kg…
Nanrakuen Garden
Nanrakuen is a traditional Japanese landscape garden built in 1688 for the lord of Matsuyama Domain, featuring seasonal…
Omishima Island
Omishima is the largest island on the Shimanami Kaido cycling route, home to Oyamazumi Shrine which houses Japan's most…
Taimeshi
Taimeshi (鯛めし, 'sea bream rice') is Ehime's signature dish, existing in two completely different regional styles: Matsuy…
Uchiko Town
Uchiko's merchants made fortunes in the 18th and 19th centuries by harvesting waxy berries from haze trees, crushing the…
Botchan Ressha
The Botchan Ressha is a restored vintage steam locomotive (actually diesel-powered replica) operating as a tourist tram…
Ozu Castle Town
Ozu is a well-preserved castle town along the Hijikawa River, featuring Edo-period merchant houses, samurai residences,…
Mount Ishizuchi
Mount Ishizuchi (石鎚山, 1,982m) is the highest peak in western Japan and one of Japan's seven sacred mountains, a Shugendo…
Ehime Mikan
Ehime Prefecture produces 20% of Japan's mikan (mandarin oranges), making citrus the region's defining agricultural prod…
Garyu Sanso Villa
Garyu Sanso is a refined villa and tea house built in 1907 by a wealthy merchant, perched on a cliff overlooking the Hij…
Imabari Towels
Imabari produces approximately 60% of Japan's towels, a textile industry dating to 1894 when the region's soft water (fr…
Uwajima Castle
Uwajima Castle is one of only twelve Japanese castles retaining an original Edo-period tenshu (main keep), built in 1666…
Estimated from distance to the nearest airport or shinkansen station. Confirm actual journey times before you travel.