Find places in Japan

Must-Haves

• 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.

Fun for Everyone

• Ghibli Museum (Mitaka)
  A whimsical museum of Studio Ghibli's animation; tickets are timed and sell out fast.

Off the Beaten Path

• Gotokuji (Setagaya)
  The temple of the beckoning cat, crowded with thousands of maneki-neko.

Must-Haves

• Shibuya Crossing (Shibuya)
  The world's busiest scramble crossing; watch it from Shibuya Sky or a station walkway.

Fun for Everyone

• teamLab Planets (Toyosu)
  Wade barefoot through immersive digital art rooms that delight children and adults alike.

Off the Beaten Path

• Yanaka Ginza (Yanaka)
  Old Tokyo shopping street with croquettes, cats and wooden houses spared by war and earthquake.

Must-Haves

• Tsukiji Outer Market (Tsukiji)
  Grazing alley by alley on tamagoyaki, fresh oysters and knife shops is a perfect Tokyo morning.

Fun for Everyone

• Ameyoko (Ueno)
  A noisy, cheerful market street under the railway with snacks, sweets and bargains.

Off the Beaten Path

• Shimokitazawa (Setagaya)
  Vintage clothing, record shops and indie cafés in Tokyo's favourite bohemian district.

Must-Haves

• Ichiran Shibuya (Shibuya)
  Solo booth tonkotsu ramen that takes the stress out of ordering on your first night.

Low Cost and Authentic

• Omoide Yokocho (Shinjuku)
  Smoky lantern-lit alley of tiny yakitori counters by the tracks of Shinjuku Station.

Great for Date Night

• Den (Jingumae)
  Playful, warm-hearted kaiseki cooking that shows modern Tokyo dining at its best; book far ahead.

Must-Haves

• Golden Gai (Shinjuku)
  Six lanes of minuscule bars, each with a handful of seats and its own personality.

Fun for Everyone

• Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden (Shinjuku)
  Three garden styles in one, and one of the city's loveliest cherry blossom spots.

Off the Beaten Path

• Todoroki Valley (Setagaya)
  A shaded ravine walk with a small temple, hidden in a quiet residential neighbourhood.

Low Cost and Authentic

• Kissa Sabouru (Jimbocho)
  A dim, ivy-covered kissaten famous for its towering cream sodas and retro charm.

Must-Haves

• Sanja Matsuri (Asakusa)
  Each May, portable shrines are carried through Asakusa in one of Tokyo's wildest festivals.

Fun for Everyone

• Sumidagawa Fireworks Festival (Asakusa)
  A summer evening of fireworks over the Sumida River with locals in yukata.

Must-Haves

• Hoshinoya Tokyo (Otemachi)
  A ryokan in a tower with tatami rooms and a rooftop onsen in the business district.

Must-Haves

• 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.

Off the Beaten Path

• Otagi Nenbutsu-ji (Saga-Toriimoto)
  Twelve hundred quirky stone statues with comic faces, far from the crowds of Arashiyama.

Fun for Everyone

• Kyoto Railway Museum (Umekoji)
  Steam engines and bullet trains under one roof, a hit with children and train lovers.

Must-Haves

• Arashiyama Bamboo Grove (Arashiyama)
  Towering bamboo that is magical before eight in the morning and crowded after.

Fun for Everyone

• Philosopher's Path (Higashiyama)
  A canal-side walk lined with cherry trees between Ginkaku-ji and Nanzen-ji.

Off the Beaten Path

• Kurama to Kibune Hike (Kurama)
  A forest trail over the mountain between two shrine villages, ending at riverside dining in summer.

Great for Date Night

• 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.

Must-Haves

• Nishiki Market (Nakagyo)
  The kitchen of Kyoto, a covered street of pickles, tofu, sweets and knives.

Must-Haves

• Pontocho Alley (Nakagyo)
  Narrow lantern-lit lane of restaurants, with riverside platforms over the Kamo in summer.

Low Cost and Authentic

• Honke Daiichi Asahi (Shimogyo)
  A no-frills ramen shop by the station with a loyal queue of locals.

Great for Date Night

• Okutan Nanzenji (Nanzen-ji)
  Centuries-old temple tofu cooking in a garden setting near Nanzen-ji.

Must-Haves

• % Arabica Arashiyama (Arashiyama)
  Riverside espresso with a view of Togetsukyo Bridge.

Low Cost and Authentic

• Inoda Coffee Honten (Nakagyo)
  A grand old Kyoto coffee house for a classic breakfast since the 1940s.

Must-Haves

• Gion Matsuri (Shijo)
  July's month-long festival with towering wooden floats paraded through the streets.

Fun for Everyone

• Jidai Matsuri (Heian Shrine)
  An October parade of costumes from every era of Kyoto's thousand years as capital.

Must-Haves

• Tawaraya Ryokan (Nakagyo)
  One of Japan's most storied ryokan, quiet and perfect in every detail.

Must-Haves

• Dotonbori (Namba)
  Neon canal, giant crab signs and the Glico runner: Osaka's eat-until-you-drop strip.

Fun for Everyone

• Universal Studios Japan (Konohana)
  Super Nintendo World and Harry Potter make this a highlight for families.

Off the Beaten Path

• Shinsekai and Tsutenkaku (Naniwa)
  Retro neighbourhood of old-school arcades, kushikatsu counters and a quirky tower.

Must-Haves

• Osaka Castle (Chuo)
  A rebuilt castle in a huge park with moats, stone walls and a city history museum.

Fun for Everyone

• Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan (Tempozan)
  Whale sharks circle a huge central tank in one of the world's great aquariums.

Off the Beaten Path

• Sumiyoshi Taisha (Sumiyoshi)
  One of Japan's oldest shrines, with a steep arched bridge and unique architecture.

Must-Haves

• Kuromon Market (Nippombashi)
  Grilled scallops, wagyu skewers and fruit sold from stalls known as Osaka's kitchen.

Fun for Everyone

• Shinsaibashi-suji (Shinsaibashi)
  A long covered shopping arcade for fashion, drugstores and snacks.

Off the Beaten Path

• Nakazakicho (Kita)
  Old wooden houses turned into vintage shops and small cafés near Umeda.

Must-Haves

• Mizuno (Dotonbori)
  A family-run okonomiyaki house that has fed Dotonbori for generations.

Low Cost and Authentic

• Daruma Shinsekai (Shinsekai)
  The original kushikatsu shop: fried skewers, and no double dipping in the sauce.

Great for Date Night

• Umeda Sky Building (Umeda)
  An open-air rooftop walk between twin towers, gorgeous at sunset.

Must-Haves

• Ura Namba (Namba)
  A maze of tiny standing bars and izakaya behind Namba station.

Must-Haves

• Tenjin Matsuri (Tenmangu)
  July river procession of boats and fireworks, one of Japan's three great festivals.

Fun for Everyone

• Minoo Park (Minoh)
  A forest walk to a waterfall, famed for autumn leaves and fried maple leaf snacks.

Must-Haves

• Cross Hotel Osaka (Dotonbori)
  A stylish base steps from the canal.

Must-Haves

• 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.

Fun for Everyone

• Hiroshima Castle (Naka)
  A reconstructed keep with samurai history, by moats full of carp.

Must-Haves

• Itsukushima Shrine (Miyajima)
  The great torii appears to float at high tide; check tide times before you go.

Off the Beaten Path

• 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.

Fun for Everyone

• Mount Misen (Miyajima)
  Ropeway or hike to the summit for views over the Seto Inland Sea and wild deer.

Must-Haves

• Shukkeien Garden (Naka)
  A compact stroll garden of bridges and teahouses, rebuilt after the war.

Off the Beaten Path

• Shimanami Kaido (Onomichi)
  A cycling route over bridges and islands across the Seto Inland Sea.

Must-Haves

• Okonomimura (Naka)
  Several floors of okonomiyaki counters cooking the layered Hiroshima style.

Low Cost and Authentic

• Nagata-ya (Naka)
  Friendly okonomiyaki house a short walk from the Peace Park.

Great for Date Night

• Kakiya (Miyajima)
  Grilled and fried Miyajima oysters in a modern dining room on the main street.

Low Cost and Authentic

• Momiji Manju Shops (Miyajima)
  Maple leaf cakes baked fresh along Omotesando street.

Great for Date Night

• Nagarekawa (Naka)
  The city's bar district for izakaya, sake and late nights.

Fun for Everyone

• Hondori Shopping Street (Naka)
  A covered street of shops and cafés near the Peace Park.

Must-Haves

• Hiroshima Peace Memorial Ceremony (Peace Park)
  Every August 6, lanterns float on the river in remembrance.

Must-Haves

• Iwaso (Miyajima)
  A historic ryokan in the maple valley, magical once day visitors leave.

Must-Haves

• Sapporo Snow Festival (Odori Park)
  Each February, giant snow and ice sculptures fill the city centre.

Must-Haves

• Sapporo Ramen Yokocho (Susukino)
  A narrow alley of miso ramen counters, the city's signature bowl.

Low Cost and Authentic

• Daruma Honten (Susukino)
  Jingisukan lamb grilled at the counter, a smoky Sapporo rite of passage.

Great for Date Night

• Soup Curry Garaku (Chuo)
  Hokkaido's warming soup curry with vegetables and spice to taste.

Fun for Everyone

• Sapporo Beer Museum (Higashi)
  Brewing history in a red brick building, with a beer hall next door.

Off the Beaten Path

• Shiroi Koibito Park (Nishi)
  A playful chocolate factory with tours, perfect for families.

Must-Haves

• Nijo Market (Chuo)
  Crab, sea urchin and salmon roe rice bowls for breakfast.

Fun for Everyone

• Moerenuma Park (Higashi)
  An artwork park designed by Isamu Noguchi, with a glass pyramid and sledging in winter.

Off the Beaten Path

• Jozankei Onsen (Minami)
  Hot spring village in a gorge, an hour from the city.

Must-Haves

• 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.

Great for Date Night

• Mount Moiwa Ropeway (Minami)
  One of Japan's finest night views over the city lights.

Off the Beaten Path

• Otaru Canal (Otaru)
  A day trip to a stone warehouse canal town of glassworks and music boxes.

Fun for Everyone

• Asahiyama Zoo (Asahikawa)
  Penguin walks in winter at Japan's most loved zoo, a day trip by train.

Must-Haves

• Niseko (Niseko)
  World-famous powder snow from December to March.

Must-Haves

• Susukino (Chuo)
  Hokkaido's biggest nightlife district of bars, izakaya and karaoke.

Low Cost and Authentic

• Kinotoya Odori (Odori)
  Famous for soft serve and baked cheese tarts made with Hokkaido milk.

Must-Haves

• Lake Ashi (Moto-Hakone)
  Cruise on a replica pirate ship with Mount Fuji views on clear days.

Off the Beaten Path

• Old Tokaido Road (Hatajuku)
  Walk an old cobbled samurai highway lined with cedar trees.
• Sengokuhara Susuki Grass Fields (Sengokuhara)
  Golden pampas grass waves across the hillside in autumn.

Low Cost and Authentic

• Tenzan Onsen (Hakone-Yumoto)
  A day onsen with rocky outdoor baths along the river.

Must-Haves

• 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.

Off the Beaten Path

• Pola Museum of Art (Sengokuhara)
  Impressionist and Japanese art in a glass building in the woods.

Fun for Everyone

• 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.

Great for Date Night

• Fujiya Hotel (Miyanoshita)
  A grand classic hotel since 1878 with a timeless dining room.

Must-Haves

• Gora Kadan (Gora)
  A former imperial villa turned luxury ryokan with private baths.

Low Cost and Authentic

• Amazake-chaya (Hatajuku)
  A thatched teahouse serving sweet rice drink for 400 years.

Low Cost and Authentic

• Hatsuhana Soba (Hakone-Yumoto)
  Hand made soba noodles by the river.