Japan · Local picks
100+ Places to Visit in Japan
These are the places worth your time in Japan, from Tokyo's shrines and Kyoto's temples to Osaka's street food, Hiroshima's peace park and Hokkaido's snow. Classics sit beside quiet corners many travellers miss, so every kind of visitor finds something to love.
Places to Visit in Tokyo
Arts and Culture
- Senso-ji (Asakusa)
Tokyo's oldest temple, best at dawn or after dark when the crowds thin and the lanterns glow. - Meiji Jingu (Harajuku)
A forested shrine to Emperor Meiji, a hush of gravel paths minutes from Takeshita Street. - Tokyo National Museum (Ueno)
The finest collection of Japanese art in the world, from samurai armour to Buddhist sculpture. - Ghibli Museum (Mitaka)
A whimsical museum of Studio Ghibli's animation; tickets are timed and sell out fast. - Gotokuji (Setagaya)
The temple of the beckoning cat, crowded with thousands of maneki-neko.
Things to Do
- Shibuya Crossing (Shibuya)
The world's busiest scramble crossing; watch it from Shibuya Sky or a station walkway. - teamLab Planets (Toyosu)
Wade barefoot through immersive digital art rooms that delight children and adults alike. - Yanaka Ginza (Yanaka)
Old Tokyo shopping street with croquettes, cats and wooden houses spared by war and earthquake.
Shopping and Markets
- Tsukiji Outer Market (Tsukiji)
Grazing alley by alley on tamagoyaki, fresh oysters and knife shops is a perfect Tokyo morning. - Ameyoko (Ueno)
A noisy, cheerful market street under the railway with snacks, sweets and bargains. - Shimokitazawa (Setagaya)
Vintage clothing, record shops and indie cafés in Tokyo's favourite bohemian district.
Restaurants
- Ichiran Shibuya (Shibuya)
Solo booth tonkotsu ramen that takes the stress out of ordering on your first night. - Omoide Yokocho (Shinjuku)
Smoky lantern-lit alley of tiny yakitori counters by the tracks of Shinjuku Station. - Den (Jingumae)
Playful, warm-hearted kaiseki cooking that shows modern Tokyo dining at its best; book far ahead.
Bars and Nightlife
- Golden Gai (Shinjuku)
Six lanes of minuscule bars, each with a handful of seats and its own personality.
Nature and Outdoors
- Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden (Shinjuku)
Three garden styles in one, and one of the city's loveliest cherry blossom spots. - Todoroki Valley (Setagaya)
A shaded ravine walk with a small temple, hidden in a quiet residential neighbourhood.
Cafés
- Kissa Sabouru (Jimbocho)
A dim, ivy-covered kissaten famous for its towering cream sodas and retro charm.
Events
- Sanja Matsuri (Asakusa)
Each May, portable shrines are carried through Asakusa in one of Tokyo's wildest festivals. - Sumidagawa Fireworks Festival (Asakusa)
A summer evening of fireworks over the Sumida River with locals in yukata.
Stays
- Hoshinoya Tokyo (Otemachi)
A ryokan in a tower with tatami rooms and a rooftop onsen in the business district.
Places to Visit in Kyoto
Arts and Culture
- Fushimi Inari Taisha (Fushimi)
Thousands of vermilion torii gates climbing the mountain; go early or late and walk to the top. - Kinkaku-ji (Kita)
The Golden Pavilion reflected in its mirror pond is Kyoto's most famous view. - Kiyomizu-dera (Higashiyama)
A wooden temple stage hanging over the hillside, reached through old Sannenzaka lanes. - Otagi Nenbutsu-ji (Saga-Toriimoto)
Twelve hundred quirky stone statues with comic faces, far from the crowds of Arashiyama. - Kyoto Railway Museum (Umekoji)
Steam engines and bullet trains under one roof, a hit with children and train lovers. - Tofuku-ji (Higashiyama)
Zen gardens and a valley of maples that blaze red in late November. - Sanjusangen-do (Higashiyama)
A hall of 1,001 golden Kannon statues lined up in rows.
Nature and Outdoors
- Arashiyama Bamboo Grove (Arashiyama)
Towering bamboo that is magical before eight in the morning and crowded after. - Philosopher's Path (Higashiyama)
A canal-side walk lined with cherry trees between Ginkaku-ji and Nanzen-ji. - Kurama to Kibune Hike (Kurama)
A forest trail over the mountain between two shrine villages, ending at riverside dining in summer.
Things to Do
- Gion and Hanamikoji (Gion)
Lantern-lit teahouse streets at dusk, where you may glimpse a geiko or maiko; never chase or photograph them up close.
Shopping and Markets
- Nishiki Market (Nakagyo)
The kitchen of Kyoto, a covered street of pickles, tofu, sweets and knives.
Restaurants
- Pontocho Alley (Nakagyo)
Narrow lantern-lit lane of restaurants, with riverside platforms over the Kamo in summer. - Honke Daiichi Asahi (Shimogyo)
A no-frills ramen shop by the station with a loyal queue of locals. - Okutan Nanzenji (Nanzen-ji)
Centuries-old temple tofu cooking in a garden setting near Nanzen-ji.
Cafés
- % Arabica Arashiyama (Arashiyama)
Riverside espresso with a view of Togetsukyo Bridge. - Inoda Coffee Honten (Nakagyo)
A grand old Kyoto coffee house for a classic breakfast since the 1940s.
Events
- Gion Matsuri (Shijo)
July's month-long festival with towering wooden floats paraded through the streets. - Jidai Matsuri (Heian Shrine)
An October parade of costumes from every era of Kyoto's thousand years as capital.
Stays
- Tawaraya Ryokan (Nakagyo)
One of Japan's most storied ryokan, quiet and perfect in every detail.
Places to Visit in Osaka
Things to Do
- Dotonbori (Namba)
Neon canal, giant crab signs and the Glico runner: Osaka's eat-until-you-drop strip. - Universal Studios Japan (Konohana)
Super Nintendo World and Harry Potter make this a highlight for families. - Shinsekai and Tsutenkaku (Naniwa)
Retro neighbourhood of old-school arcades, kushikatsu counters and a quirky tower.
Arts and Culture
- Osaka Castle (Chuo)
A rebuilt castle in a huge park with moats, stone walls and a city history museum. - Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan (Tempozan)
Whale sharks circle a huge central tank in one of the world's great aquariums. - Sumiyoshi Taisha (Sumiyoshi)
One of Japan's oldest shrines, with a steep arched bridge and unique architecture.
Shopping and Markets
- Kuromon Market (Nippombashi)
Grilled scallops, wagyu skewers and fruit sold from stalls known as Osaka's kitchen. - Shinsaibashi-suji (Shinsaibashi)
A long covered shopping arcade for fashion, drugstores and snacks. - Nakazakicho (Kita)
Old wooden houses turned into vintage shops and small cafés near Umeda.
Restaurants
- Mizuno (Dotonbori)
A family-run okonomiyaki house that has fed Dotonbori for generations. - Daruma Shinsekai (Shinsekai)
The original kushikatsu shop: fried skewers, and no double dipping in the sauce.
Bars and Nightlife
- Umeda Sky Building (Umeda)
An open-air rooftop walk between twin towers, gorgeous at sunset. - Ura Namba (Namba)
A maze of tiny standing bars and izakaya behind Namba station.
Events
- Tenjin Matsuri (Tenmangu)
July river procession of boats and fireworks, one of Japan's three great festivals.
Nature and Outdoors
- Minoo Park (Minoh)
A forest walk to a waterfall, famed for autumn leaves and fried maple leaf snacks.
Stays
- Cross Hotel Osaka (Dotonbori)
A stylish base steps from the canal.
Places to Visit in Hiroshima
Arts and Culture
- Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum (Naka)
A deeply moving record of August 6, 1945, and an essential visit. - Atomic Bomb Dome (Naka)
The ruined dome left standing as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and memorial. - Hiroshima Castle (Naka)
A reconstructed keep with samurai history, by moats full of carp.
Things to Do
- Itsukushima Shrine (Miyajima)
The great torii appears to float at high tide; check tide times before you go. - Okunoshima (Takehara)
Rabbit Island, where hundreds of friendly bunnies roam a former poison gas site. - Onomichi (Onomichi)
A hillside town of temples, cats and slopes, and the start of the Shimanami Kaido.
Nature and Outdoors
- Mount Misen (Miyajima)
Ropeway or hike to the summit for views over the Seto Inland Sea and wild deer. - Shukkeien Garden (Naka)
A compact stroll garden of bridges and teahouses, rebuilt after the war. - Shimanami Kaido (Onomichi)
A cycling route over bridges and islands across the Seto Inland Sea.
Restaurants
- Okonomimura (Naka)
Several floors of okonomiyaki counters cooking the layered Hiroshima style. - Nagata-ya (Naka)
Friendly okonomiyaki house a short walk from the Peace Park. - Kakiya (Miyajima)
Grilled and fried Miyajima oysters in a modern dining room on the main street.
Cafés
- Momiji Manju Shops (Miyajima)
Maple leaf cakes baked fresh along Omotesando street.
Bars and Nightlife
- Nagarekawa (Naka)
The city's bar district for izakaya, sake and late nights.
Shopping and Markets
- Hondori Shopping Street (Naka)
A covered street of shops and cafés near the Peace Park.
Events
- Hiroshima Peace Memorial Ceremony (Peace Park)
Every August 6, lanterns float on the river in remembrance.
Stays
- Iwaso (Miyajima)
A historic ryokan in the maple valley, magical once day visitors leave.
Places to Visit in Sapporo
Events
- Sapporo Snow Festival (Odori Park)
Each February, giant snow and ice sculptures fill the city centre.
Restaurants
- Sapporo Ramen Yokocho (Susukino)
A narrow alley of miso ramen counters, the city's signature bowl. - Daruma Honten (Susukino)
Jingisukan lamb grilled at the counter, a smoky Sapporo rite of passage. - Soup Curry Garaku (Chuo)
Hokkaido's warming soup curry with vegetables and spice to taste.
Arts and Culture
- Sapporo Beer Museum (Higashi)
Brewing history in a red brick building, with a beer hall next door. - Shiroi Koibito Park (Nishi)
A playful chocolate factory with tours, perfect for families.
Shopping and Markets
- Nijo Market (Chuo)
Crab, sea urchin and salmon roe rice bowls for breakfast.
Nature and Outdoors
- Moerenuma Park (Higashi)
An artwork park designed by Isamu Noguchi, with a glass pyramid and sledging in winter. - Jozankei Onsen (Minami)
Hot spring village in a gorge, an hour from the city. - Shiretoko National Park (Shiretoko)
Brown bears, drift ice and wild coast at the far eastern tip of Hokkaido. - Furano Lavender Fields (Furano)
Purple fields of lavender in July, with Farm Tomita the best known.
Things to Do
- Mount Moiwa Ropeway (Minami)
One of Japan's finest night views over the city lights. - Otaru Canal (Otaru)
A day trip to a stone warehouse canal town of glassworks and music boxes. - Asahiyama Zoo (Asahikawa)
Penguin walks in winter at Japan's most loved zoo, a day trip by train. - Niseko (Niseko)
World-famous powder snow from December to March.
Bars and Nightlife
- Susukino (Chuo)
Hokkaido's biggest nightlife district of bars, izakaya and karaoke.
Cafés
- Kinotoya Odori (Odori)
Famous for soft serve and baked cheese tarts made with Hokkaido milk.
Places to Visit in Hakone
Nature and Outdoors
- Lake Ashi (Moto-Hakone)
Cruise on a replica pirate ship with Mount Fuji views on clear days. - Old Tokaido Road (Hatajuku)
Walk an old cobbled samurai highway lined with cedar trees. - Tenzan Onsen (Hakone-Yumoto)
A day onsen with rocky outdoor baths along the river. - Sengokuhara Susuki Grass Fields (Sengokuhara)
Golden pampas grass waves across the hillside in autumn.
Arts and Culture
- Hakone Open-Air Museum (Ninotaira)
Sculptures in a mountain garden and a Picasso pavilion. - Hakone Shrine (Moto-Hakone)
Red torii standing in the lake, reached through a cedar forest. - Pola Museum of Art (Sengokuhara)
Impressionist and Japanese art in a glass building in the woods.
Things to Do
- Owakudani (Owakudani)
Steaming volcanic valley with black eggs boiled in the hot springs. - Hakone Tozan Railway (Hakone-Yumoto)
A switchback mountain railway lined with hydrangeas in June.
Stays
- Fujiya Hotel (Miyanoshita)
A grand classic hotel since 1878 with a timeless dining room. - Gora Kadan (Gora)
A former imperial villa turned luxury ryokan with private baths.
Cafés
- Amazake-chaya (Hatajuku)
A thatched teahouse serving sweet rice drink for 400 years.
Restaurants
- Hatsuhana Soba (Hakone-Yumoto)
Hand made soba noodles by the river.
Places to Visit in Nara
Arts and Culture
- Todai-ji (Nara Park)
A colossal bronze Buddha in one of the world's largest wooden halls. - Kasuga Taisha (Nara Park)
Thousands of stone and bronze lanterns in a forest shrine.
Nature and Outdoors
- Nara Park (Nara Park)
Bowing deer roam freely; buy official crackers and keep hands clear.
Places to Visit in Kanazawa
Nature and Outdoors
- Kenroku-en (Kanazawa)
One of Japan's three great gardens, beautiful in every season.
Arts and Culture
- Higashi Chaya District (Kanazawa)
Well preserved teahouse lanes and gold leaf crafts.
Places to Visit in Nikko
Arts and Culture
- Nikko Toshogu (Nikko)
Ornate shrine of the shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu in cedar forest.
Places to Visit in Takayama
Shopping and Markets
- Miyagawa Morning Market (Takayama)
A riverside market of pickles and crafts in an old Alpine town.
More to Explore
We are still checking these with fresh sources, so confirm opening times before you go.
- New York Bar, Park Hyatt Tokyo (Shinjuku, Tokyo)
Jazz and skyline views from the 52nd floor bar made famous by Lost in Translation. - Nui. Hostel and Bar Lounge (Kuramae, Tokyo)
A design-led hostel and lively bar by the Sumida River, popular with creatives. - Bar K6 (Kiyamachi, Kyoto)
A refined whisky bar beloved by Kyoto's bartenders. - Piece Hostel Sanjo (Nakagyo, Kyoto)
A stylish, well-run hostel in the centre of the city. - Kukuru Dotonbori (Namba, Osaka)
Molten takoyaki octopus balls with crowds of hungry locals. - Mel Coffee Roasters (Minamisenba, Osaka)
A tiny specialty coffee stand loved by Osaka's coffee crowd. - Hotel Noum Osaka (Temmabashi, Osaka)
A riverside hostel and café popular with design-minded travellers. - Spa World (Shinsekai, Osaka)
A huge bathhouse with themed baths from around the world on alternating floors. - Mazda Museum (Fuchu, Hiroshima)
Watch a working car assembly line on a free guided tour; book ahead. - Jozankei Daiichi Hotel Suizantei (Jozankei, Sapporo)
Private open-air baths in the valley, a treat after skiing or hiking. - Hatajuku Yosegi Marquetry (Hatajuku, Hakone)
The home of Hakone's intricate wooden puzzle boxes. - Little Prince Museum (Sengokuhara, Hakone)
A French garden themed on Saint-Exupery's classic. - Yunessun (Ninotaira, Hakone)
A playful spa park with wine and coffee baths; bring swimwear.