Kyūshū
Near Sakurajima's east coast, the top of a once-3m-high torii (shrine gate) emerges from the volcanic ash at Kurokami; the rest of it was buried in the…
Must-see attractions in Japan
Yokohama
This elegant bayside park is ideal for strolling and ship-spotting. Moored at the eastern end is the 1930s passenger liner Hikawa Maru.
Ishikawa Prefectural Museum of Traditional Products & Crafts
Kanazawa
This small museum offers fine displays of over 20 regional crafts; many pieces are for sale if you fall in love with something. Pick up the free English…
Nagoya/Boston Museum of Fine Arts
Nagoya
This collaborative effort between Japanese backers and the Museum of Fine Arts Boston showcases a small but impressive collection of Japanese and…
Odaiba & Tokyo Bay
Archi-Depot curates changing exhibitions of the models architects make to conceptualise buildings, some of which have gone on to be built; others remain…
Nara
Kōfuku-ji's Tōkondō is a National Treasure dating from 726 and rebuilt in 1415 (but paying homage to older structures). It houses several important…
Buke Yashiki Samurai Residence
Western Honshū
You'll take lots of pictures as you stroll around this immaculately preserved house and garden, built for a middle-ranking samurai family during the early…
Kyūshū
A drive along the tranquil north coast and then inland will lead you to Yunohira Lookout, offering views of the mountain and back across the bay to…
Nagoya
The Treasure Hall at Atsuta-jingū displays a changing collection of more than 4000 Tokugawa-era swords, masks and paintings.
Nagasaki
In the Dutch Slopes area, this museum has archaeological artefacts. The combined admission includes Ko-shashin-shiryōkan.
Kyūshū
In the cemetery of Kōtō-ji Buddhist temple (江東寺) is this tranquil Nirvana statue, dating from 1957. At 8.6m, it's the longest reclining Buddha in Japan.
Izu Peninsula
At the southern end of Orange Beach, this little park is studded with photogenic bronze figurative sculptures by local artist Shigeoka Kenji.
Yokohama
Chinatown's heart is this elaborately decorated shrine dedicated to Guan Yu, an adopted deity of business. This incarnation (the fourth) was built in 1990.
Kōbe
Kōbe's local-history museum, in a Greek-revival-style building dating from 1935, is undergoing major renovations and scheduled to reopen in November 2019.
Yaeyama Islands
Kondoi Beach, on the west coast, offers the best swimming on the island. At the entrance to the beach you'll find bike parking, picnic tables and toilets.
Nikkō
A towering stone torii (entrance gate) at the head of the stone steps on Omotesandō leading up to Tōshō-gū, burial place of Tokugawa Ieyasu.
Kyūshū
On the north side of the park, this lookout point is a nice alternative to the more crowded one at Daikanbō.
Nikkō
This Edo-era strolling garden can feel like a refuge from the temple crowds – except during autumn, when the turning leaves are a great attraction.
Hokkaidō
This lookout point on Rte 243, which runs between Abashiri and Mashū, has a fantastic panoramic view over Kussharo-ko, with Naka-jima in the middle.
Yaeyama Islands
Literally 'Standing-God Rock' (although another name might come to mind), this offshore obelisk can be viewed from several spots on the bluffs above.
Central Honshū
You can see items from traditional life and displays illustrating gunpowder production, for which the area was once famed, at this folklore museum.
Western Honshū
Opened in 1912, this museum's impressive permanent collection includes science and technology, astronomy, natural science and humanities sections.
Hiroshima
The Flame of Peace, a feature of the pond in Peace Memorial Park, will be extinguished only once every nuclear weapon on earth has been destroyed.
Kanazawa & the Hokuriku Coast
The Daishōji Station area is crammed with temples, including Zenshō-ji, which houses more than 500 amusingly carved Buddhist arhat sculptures.
Yaeyama Islands
The best swimming beach on the island is Tsuki-ga-hama, a crescent-shaped yellow-sand beach at the mouth of the Urauchi-gawa on the north coast.
Hiroshima Region
One of Saijō's oldest sake breweries, Hakubotan has a lovely broad-beamed display and tasting room with Munakata woodblock prints on the wall.
Yaeyama Islands
The raised platform that overlooks Gunkan-iwa also offers views of the jagged coastline of Sanninu-dai.
Around Tokyo
This eponymous temple, located on the lake's eastern shore, was founded in the 8th century and houses a 6m-tall Kannon statue from that time.
Nara
Kōfuku-ji's oldest structure is this often-overlooked, elegant three-storey pagoda built in 1181, a rare example of Heian-era architecture.
Nagoya
The pleasant Noritake Gallery, in Noritake Garden, exhibits paintings, sculptures and ceramic works.
Central Honshū
Adjacent to Myōzen-ji, Ogimachi's small temple, Myōzen-ji Folk Museum displays the traditional paraphernalia of daily rural life.
Yaeyama Islands
Roughly in the centre of the village, this modest lookout tower has good views over the red-tiled roofs of the pancake-flat island.
Western Honshū
This well-preserved 1903 home and garden is the perfect setting in which to enjoy some matcha (powdered green tea; ¥400).
Okinawa & the Southwest Islands
On the southeast end of the island, this is a popular spot for snorkelling and kayaking (with a hair-raisingly steep access road).
Kutaniyaki Porcelain Art Museum
Kanazawa & the Hokuriku Coast
Stunning examples of bright and colourful local porcelain are on display here, about an eight-minute walk from Daishōji Station.
Western Honshū
Hagi's impressive city museum features permanent displays on astrology, biology and local crafts, and hosts visiting exhibitions.
Nikkō
The appropriately solemn Okumiya, Ieyasu's tomb, is reached by some 200 steps through towering cedars to the rear of Tōshō-gū.
Kanazawa
Audio buffs will dig this museum of old-time phonographs and SP records, with daily demonstrations at 11am, 2pm and 4pm.
Okinawa & the Southwest Islands
On the north side of Miyako-jima's southeastern cape, this long, shallow beach has a park featuring showers and toilets.
Yaeyama Islands
At the eastern tip of the island, wild Yonaguni horses graze in the pastures leading out to the lighthouse at Agarizaki.
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