Hiroshima
The ashes of thousands of unclaimed or unidentified victims of the atomic bomb are interred in a vault below this low grassy mound in the Peace Memorial…
Hiroshima
The ashes of thousands of unclaimed or unidentified victims of the atomic bomb are interred in a vault below this low grassy mound in the Peace Memorial…
Asakusa & Sumida River
This large temple offers peace and quiet inside the main hall. The temple was founded in the 17th century; the current building is a reconstruction from…
Western Honshū
Tottori's castle once overlooked the town, but now only the foundations remain. It's a pleasant walk up the hillside to see them and the views over the…
Western Honshū
Within the Shizuki-kōen, this mid-19th-century teahouse serves matcha (powdered green tea). It's sometimes closed for renovations, so check ahead.
Yaeyama Islands
Adjacent to the temple Tōrin-ji is Gongen-dō, a small shrine rebuilt after being destroyed by a tsunami in 1771.
Kyūshū
The hall displays finds from local archaeological excavations. Nearby are the Tofurō ruins (都府楼) of ancient government buildings.
Osaka
Home of the most famous statue of Kuidaore Tarō – the drum-banging clown who represents the city's culture of kuidaore ('eat 'til you drop').
Kansai
This atmospheric Shintō shrine is located along the trail up to Kurama-dera. The stairs to the main hall are flanked by two enormous cryptomeria trees.
Hokkaidō
From 1913 to 1934, this whitewashed mansion served as the British consulate. You can see the restored interior and have tea (¥540) on the ground floor.
Northern Honshū (Tōhoku)
On the hill behind the train station, this biographical museum exhibits scrolls and calligraphy related to the poet Bashō's famous northern journey.
Hokkaidō
Wakkanai's best public onsen has outdoor baths that look over the harbour, and funky boat-shaped stairs for those who opt out of taking the elevator.
Museum of Imperial Collections
Tokyo
This small museum inside the Imperial Palace East Garden hosts changing exhibitions drawn from the 9500-plus artworks owned by the imperial family.
Hiroshima Region
Looking over the harbour area of Tomo-no-ura is this large stone lantern, which used to serve as a lighthouse and has become a symbol of the town.
Beppu
One of the Kannawa group's jigoku (hells; boiling hot springs), Oniishibōzu has bubbling grey mud that looks like a monk's shaved head.
Western Honshū
These stepped, stone remains of a silver-mine refinery, now delightfully overgrown with apricot trees and grass, have a pyramid-like appearance.
Kumamoto Prefectural Museum of Art
Kumamoto
On the grounds of Ninomaru park, this art museum has ancient Buddhist sculptures, modern paintings and a recreation of an ancient burial mound.
Japanese Lamp & Lighting Museum
Nagano Region
Showcasing lighting through Japanese history, including oil lamps and lanterns, this neat museum will flip the switches of design aficionados.
Yaeyama Islands
This shrine is dedicated to a 16th-century ruler of the Yaeyama Islands who was born on Taketomi-jima, and whose tomb lies behind the shrine.
Beppu
Set in Beppu's smaller group of jigoku (hells; boiling hot springs), Tatsumaki has a geyser that shoots off about every 35 minutes.
Kansai
Stop for a dip at this pretty beach, hemmed in by pine-topped hills and with a tiny, naturally forming onsen pool (keep your swimsuit on).
Western Honshū
This small hagi-yaki (Hagi ceramic ware) museum displays bowls, cups and interesting ornamental figures, mostly from the 1600s.
Osaka
Osaka's first public park, created in 1891 at the eastern end of Naka-no-shima, is a good place for an afternoon stroll or picnic lunch.
Western Honshū
This temple associated with Buddhist saint Kōbō Daishi includes a path of small shrines pointing you towards a giant hilltop boulder.
Okinawa & the Southwest Islands
On the north side of the island's southeast end, this popular beach is great for shallow-water snorkelling and has showers and toilets.
Central Honshū
This newish museum is one of a kind, featuring exhibits on everything you could possibly want to know about cormorant fishing in Japan.
Western Honshū
Learn about the history of the Japanese textile industry at this museum at historic Ivy Square.
Ginza & Tsukiji
This tiny, picturesque bridge with attractive red rails spans a tidal inlet and is a popular filming location for TV shows and movies.
Ueno & Yanesen
The deity at this temple is Nichika-sama, also known as the 'god of strong legs'; for this reason the temple is popular with runners.
Kansai
This small subtemple on the descent to Kibune enshrines a figure of Fudō, one of the myōō (Buddhist Kings of Light).
Yaeyama Islands
Kanpire-no-taki, a low-scale series of waterfalls, is the turnaround point for hikers who have travelled up the Urauchi-gawa.
Friends of Bizen-yaki Ceramics Society
Western Honshū
Gallery and shop on the 2nd floor of the Imbe station building, displaying a wide range of ceramics by contemporary potters.
Ueno & Yanesen
This small, peaceful temple, one of many scattered around Yanaka, houses one of the seven gods of good fortune, Juro-jin.
Kii Peninsula
This simple stone bridge marks the entrance to the sacred Oku-no-in complex.
Yaeyama Islands
A trek upriver through the damp Iriomote forest leads to the lovely Mariyudō-no-taki, a series of low waterfalls.
Western Honshū
A shrine with a colourful dragon mural on its ceiling – to hear the dragon 'roar', stand underneath it and clap.
Hiroshima Region
Adjoining the temple Fukuzenji, near the waterfront in Tomo-no-ura, this reception hall was built in the 1690s.
Nara
This traditional-style house is now a community arts centre, with exhibitions and occasional live performances.
Kanazawa & the Hokuriku Coast
You can amble through the village of Noroshi (狼煙) up to this lighthouse, built in 1883, for lovely views.
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