Attractions

Attractions

Updated

Japan Must-See Attractions by Tripadvisor

Japan's natural beauty can be enjoyed all year long (Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter). With one of the world's lowest crime rates, Japan is a safe, ideal vacation destination for all travelers. With a mix of old and new, visitors immerse oneself in Japanese history and culture one day and get a glimpse of the future through technological developments the next. Explore Japan through its traditional temples, calming hot springs, innovative museums, and much more.

1. Miyajima

1. Miyajima

- Hiroshima Prefecture

Miyajima Island is the more well-known name of Itsuku-shima Island, situated in Hatsukaichi City in southwestern Hiroshima. It is a scenic site in which the mountains, sea, and iconic red shrine building blend together in harmony. It is said to be one of the three most beautiful sights in Japan, along with Matsushima in Miyagi Prefecture and Ama-no-hashidate in Kyoto, and is designated as a historic site.

2. Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum

2. Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum

- Hiroshima Prefecture

Hiroshima's Peace Memorial Park (Heiwa Kinen Kōen) is one of the most prominent features of the city. Even visitors not looking for it will likely stumble upon the large park of over 120,000 square meters. Its trees, lawns, and walking paths are in stark contrast to the surrounding downtown area.

3. Matsumoto Castle

3. Matsumoto Castle

- Nagano Prefecture

Matsumoto, situated almost right in the center of Nagano and known as the gate to the Northern Alps' climbing routes, prospered as a castle town at the foot of Matsumoto Castle (Matsumotojo). The castle's tower, a 5-story, 6-layer tower built in the Bunroku Period (1593-1594) is Japan's oldest existing castle tower and is designated as a national treasure. It is a "hirajiro" - a castle built on plains rather than on a hill or mountain.

Tripadvisor Ranking 4
Tokyo Disney Sea (JDT Recommends)

Tokyo Disney Sea (JDT Recommends)

Sea Themed Amusement Park located next to Tokyo Disneyland

Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium

Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium

Aquarium with one of the largest glass panel tanks in the world; 26,000 sea creatures

Fushimi Inari Shrine

Fushimi Inari Shrine

Stunning arrangement of thousands of red torii gates

Jigokudani Wild Monkey Park

Jigokudani Wild Monkey Park

Outdoor hot spring made exclusively for snow monkeys

Tripadvisor Ranking 11
Kenrokuen Garden

Kenrokuen Garden

One of the Three Most Beautiful Gardens in Japan

Roppongi

Roppongi

Well known as the city's most popular nightlife district among foreigners

Tripadvisor Ranking 7
Sanjusangendo

Sanjusangendo

Famous for its 1001 statues of Kannon, the Goddess of mercy

Top10 Attractions Awarded by American Travelers

Peace Memorial Park

Peace Memorial Park

Dedicated to the legacy of Hiroshima as the first city in the world to suffer a nuclear attack

Miyajima

Miyajima

Popular name of Itsukushima Island; Iconic Floating Red Shrine

Tripadvisor Ranking 4
Tokyo Disney Sea (JDT Recommends)

Tokyo Disney Sea (JDT Recommends)

Sea Themed Amusement Park located next to Tokyo Disneyland

Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium

Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium

Aquarium with one of the largest glass panel tanks in the world; 26,000 sea creatures

Matsumoto Castle

Matsumoto Castle

Hirajiro castle built on plains rather than a hill

Jigokudani Wild Monkey Park

Jigokudani Wild Monkey Park

Outdoor hot spring made exclusively for snow monkeys

Kurama Onsen Hot Spring

Kurama Onsen Hot Spring

Beautiful Open-Air Traditional Japanese Hot-Springs in Kyoto

Tripadvisor Ranking 9
Himeji Castle

Himeji Castle

The White Heron Castle - UNESCO's World Heritage

Kaiyukan

Kaiyukan

Considered one of the best aquariums in Asia

Tripadvisor Ranking 22
Meiji Shrine

Meiji Shrine

A Shinto shrine which was dedicated to Emperor Meiji and his wife in 1920

Top10 Attractions Awarded by European Travelers

Miyajima

Miyajima

Popular name of Itsukushima Island; Iconic Floating Red Shrine

Peace Memorial Park

Peace Memorial Park

Dedicated to the legacy of Hiroshima as the first city in the world to suffer a nuclear attack

Tripadvisor Ranking 10
Golden Pavilion

Golden Pavilion

Iconic temple covered in pure gold leaf

Tripadvisor Ranking 21
Sensoji Temple

Sensoji Temple

One of Tokyo's few districts which have preserved a certain atmosphere of the old Tokyo

Tripadvisor Ranking 9
Himeji Castle

Himeji Castle

The White Heron Castle - UNESCO's World Heritage

Mt. Fuji

Mt. Fuji

Japan's tallest mountain and its symbolic heart

Kiyomizu Temple

Kiyomizu Temple

Panoramic view of Kyoto from the broad wooden veranda

Matsumoto Castle

Matsumoto Castle

Hirajiro castle built on plains rather than a hill

Shinjuku

Shinjuku

One of the 23 city wards of Tokyo and the world's busiest railway station

Tsukiji Fish Market

Tsukiji Fish Market

Outer Tokyo Fish Market filled with restaurants and shops

Japanese Attractions

Japanese Temples

Japanese Temples

Japanese Major Temples

Japanese Shrines

Japanese Shrines

Each area has its own shrine and the god is called Ujigami-sama

Japanese Gardens

Japanese Gardens

About Japanese Gardens

Japanese Castles

Japanese Castles

Japanese Major Castles

Japanese Hot Springs

Japanese Hot Springs

Different minerals provide different health benefits, and relaxing effect.

Theme Parks

Theme Parks

From more renowned theme parks such as the Disney Resorts to parks exclusive to Japan such as Fuji-Q Highland, Japan has a great variety of theme parks.

Japanese Festivals

Japanese Festivals

Japan's Traditional Festivals - Takayama Festival, Gion Festival

Japanese Museums

Japanese Museums

Japanese Major Museums

Japanese Aquariums

Japanese Aquariums

Major Aquariums in Japan

Cherry Blossoms - Sakura

Cherry Blossoms - Sakura

Japanese Cherry Blossoms; the National Flower of Japan

Koyo Autumn Leaves Viewing

Koyo Autumn Leaves Viewing

Gorgeous autumn leaves and mild weather make autumn a great time to visit Japan.

Japanese Flowers

Japanese Flowers

The National Flower - Cherry Blossoms and Chrysanthemum

Japanese Winter Activities

Japanese Winter Activities

Snowboading, Skiing and Snow Monkey

UNESCO | World Heritage Sites

UNESCO | World Heritage Sites

Japanese Major World Heritage Site

TripAdvisor's Top Attractions

TripAdvisor's Top Attractions

TripAdvisor Ranks Top 20 Japanese Destinations for Foreign Visitors

Japanese Spiritual Spots

Japanese Spiritual Spots

Buddhist temples and shrines are sources of the countless spiritual spots in Japan

Attractions | Movie

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