Explore Japan, one prefecture at a time

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Osaka · theme park Universal Studios Japan ユニバーサル・スタジオ・ジャパン The first Universal Studios park outside the USA, home to Super Nintendo World and its recreation of Mario's world. It turned 25 in 2026.

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Tokyo · landmark Tokyo Skytree 東京スカイツリー Tokyo's 634 m landmark, the world's tallest freestanding broadcast tower, with two observation decks at 350 m and 450 m giving 360-degree views over the city.

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Tokyo · landmark Tokyo Tower 東京タワー The 333 m red-and-white broadcast tower watching over Tokyo since 1958. Enjoy the views from its decks, or climb about 600 outdoor steps to get there.

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Kyoto · shrine Fushimi Inari Taisha 伏見稲荷大社 Head shrine of Japan's some 30,000 Inari shrines. Walk the red torii tunnels of Senbon Torii and hike 233m Mount Inari, right by the station.

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Osaka · castle Osaka Castle 大阪城 Osaka's symbol: built by Toyotomi Hideyoshi, rebuilt by the Tokugawa, keep revived in 1931 by citizens' donations. Now a museum in a vast walled park.

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Osaka · other Dotonbori 道頓堀 Osaka's best-known nightlife strip in Minami, lined with giant 3D signs and neon. Snack on takoyaki and enjoy the lights from the riverside walk.

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Okinawa · zoo aquarium Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium 沖縄美ら海水族館 A northern Okinawa aquarium famous for its Kuroshio Sea tank, where whale sharks and giant manta rays swim: all of Okinawa's sea in one place.

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Nara · park Nara Park 奈良公園 A vast Nara park where over a thousand wild deer roam among ancient temples and shrines, Todaiji and Kasuga Taisha among them: the heart of any Nara visit.

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Kyoto · temple Kiyomizu-dera Temple 清水寺 A temple founded in 778 on Mount Otowa in Kyoto's Higashiyama. From its clifftop stage you look over Kyoto and trees that change colour with the seasons.

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Kyoto · temple Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion) 金閣寺 A Zen temple in north Kyoto whose gold-leafed pavilion is mirrored in its pond. Once shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu's villa; formally named Rokuon-ji.

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Hyogo · castle Himeji Castle 姫路城 Called the White Heron Castle for its white plaster walls, Japan's first World Heritage castle keeps its early Edo keep, which you can climb to the top.

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Fukuoka · other Canal City Hakata キャナルシティ博多 A big Hakata complex with a man-made canal between its buildings: shops, food, cinema and theatre, plus fountain shows and night projection mapping.

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Kanagawa · old town Yokohama Chinatown 横浜中華街 Japan's largest Chinatown, with over 600 shops packed into about 500 m square. Graze on street food as you take in colourful gates and Chinese temples.

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Gifu · historic site Shirakawa-go 白川郷 A Gifu mountain village of 100+ steep, thatched gassho-zukuri houses. People still live in this World Heritage village, which changes with each season.

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Fukuoka · shrine Dazaifu Tenmangu 太宰府天満宮 Head shrine of all Tenmangu, built over the grave of Sugawara no Michizane. Worship at the main hall resumed in September 2026 after 3.5 years of repairs.

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Aichi · castle Nagoya Castle 名古屋城 Nagoya's symbol, built by Tokugawa Ieyasu and topped with golden shachihoko. The keep is closed for now, but you can tour the superbly restored Honmaru Palace.

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Hiroshima · historic site Atomic Bomb Dome (Hiroshima Peace Memorial) 原爆ドーム Left standing by the atomic bomb of 6 August 1945 and kept as it was, it shows the world the horror of nuclear weapons and why peace matters.

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Tokyo · temple Kaminarimon Gate 雷門 Asakusa's symbol at the entrance to Sensoji, famous for its giant red lantern. Guarded by the wind and thunder gods, it marks the start of the temple approach.

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Hiroshima · shrine Itsukushima Shrine 嚴島神社 A Miyajima shrine famous for vermilion halls and a great torii that seem to float at high tide. A World Heritage Site that changes completely with the tides.

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Kanagawa · historic site Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse 横浜赤レンガ倉庫 Two brick warehouses built by the state in the Meiji and Taisho eras, now a waterfront home for shops and events, with seasonal events worth coming back for.

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Yamanashi · nature Oshino Hakkai 忍野八海 Eight ponds fed by Mount Fuji's snowmelt, which filters underground for decades before welling up crystal clear. Fuji pilgrims once purified themselves here.

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Mie · shrine Ise Jingu Naiku (Inner Shrine) 皇大神宮（伊勢神宮 内宮） Ise Jingu's Inner Shrine, sometimes called the spiritual home of the Japanese, honours sun goddess Amaterasu. Cross the Isuzu River and walk the forest path.

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Ishikawa · garden Kenroku-en Garden 兼六園 One of Japan's three great gardens, shaped over generations by the lords of Kaga. Stroll past ponds, hills and teahouses that change with every season.

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Mie · old town Okage Yokocho おかげ横丁 A lane recreating the Edo-to-Meiji streets of Ise by the Inner Shrine. Snack on Ise udon and local sweets and soak up the mood of an old Ise pilgrimage.

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Shimane · shrine Izumo-taisha Grand Shrine 出雲大社 A shrine from Japan's myths, home to the god of good relationships. See the National Treasure main hall and giant shimenawa, and pray with four claps.

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Tochigi · shrine Nikko Toshogu Shrine 日光東照宮 Tokugawa Ieyasu's shrine, heart of the World Heritage Nikko shrines and temples. Admire Yomeimon's carvings, the Three Monkeys and the Sleeping Cat.

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Nara · temple Todaiji Temple 東大寺 Home of Nara's Great Buddha, with nearly 1,300 years of history. Step into the vast wooden hall and the Buddha, about 15m tall, towers right in front of you.

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Hiroshima · park Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park 平和記念公園 A park for peace, built on a district destroyed by the atomic bomb on 6 August 1945. Visit the Dome, memorials and museum to see what happened here.

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Nagano · castle Matsumoto Castle 松本城 Matsumoto's black-walled National Treasure castle. Its Sengoku-era keep of five tiers and six floors survives; steep wooden stairs lead to the top.

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Okinawa · castle Shuri Castle Park 首里城公園 For about 500 years the royal castle of the Ryukyu Kingdom. Its main hall, lost to fire in 2019, is rebuilt and opens to the public on 23 November 2026.