Japan attractions

Tokyo’s National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation (Miraikan for short) is a fun place that’s dedicated to technology and the way it affects our lives. Visit the family-friendly attraction to see robot demonstrations, enjoy interactive exhibits, watch films projected on a domed screen, and listen to talks with scientists. It’s especially popular with kids and teens, but a great pick for all ages.

One of Sapporo’s most popular hot springs, Hōheikyō Onsen has volcanic thermal waters in a beautiful forest setting. During winter, visitors soak surrounded by snowy peaks, while in summer, they raft and canoe on the nearby Toyohira River, pre or post-dip.

Located in the northern peninsula of Motobu, Nakijin is one of five Ryukyuan castles scattered across Okinawa. A testament to the independent Ryukyu kingdom’s 500-year-long history, each castle has been inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Though now only the ruins of the castle walls remain, Nakijin is known for its stunning scenery, including lush forests and seasonal cherry blossoms.

The tallest structure in a city known for its traditional architecture and ancient temples, Kyoto Tower rises 430 feet (131 meters). Take in the panoramic city views from the observation deck, located 328 feet (100 meters) off the ground and then browse the shopping and dining options at Kyoto Tower Building.

Ghibli Park is a fantastical theme park dedicated to Studio Ghibli, the Japanese animation studio that has made award-winning animated features acclaimed in Japan and around the world. The site is surrounded by forest and is divided into different zones that allow visitors to be immersed in the whimsical worlds of different films, from My Neighbor Totoro to Spirited Away.

Lake Biwa is a large lake in western Japan near the city of Kyoto. At an estimated four million years old, it's believed to be one of the oldest lakes in the world. It’s also Japan’s largest freshwater lake, and its proximity to Kyoto makes it a popular place for swimming, camping, fishing, boating, and more.

The second-biggest city on Japan’s Okinawa Islands, after Naha, Okinawa City (Okinawa-shi is steeped in history, culture, politics, and tradition. Here, on the city’s lively streets, traditional Okinawan culture is blended with Japanese and American influences (a result of the long presence of U.S. military bases.

With its rose gardens and cherry blossoms, Osaka’s peaceful Utsubo Park offers respite from the city's flashing lights and bustling streets. It’s a particular hit with tennis lovers. It's home to the Utsubo Tennis Center, which boasts 16 tennis courts that host international competitions.

Located in southwest Hokkaido, close to Sapporo, Lake Shikotsu (Shikotsuko) is the second-deepest lake and second-largest caldera lake in Japan. Surrounded by volcanoes on all sides, the lake is a popular recreation area for locals and visitors looking to enjoy the outdoors, wildlife, hot springs, and beautiful scenery.

Tokyo Solamachi is a vibrant shopping and entertainment complex surrounding Tokyo Skytree, one of the world’s tallest towers. Visitors can enjoy panoramic city views from the Skytree observation decks, then explore over 300 shops, selling everything from fashion and character goods to homeware and souvenirs. The complex also features a large food market and diverse dining options, making it easy to spend an entire day shopping, snacking, and relaxing.

Built in the year 678, Kamigamo Shrine (aka Kamo-wakeikazuchi Shrine is one of the oldest Shinto shrines in the country. Although it predates Kyoto’s reign as capitol of Japan by over a century, it is believed to protect the city from negative influences. The shrine played host to four Emperors between the 8th and 18th centuries.

A welcome escape from the bustle of Kyoto and located off the main tourist trail, Shoren-in Temple is a 12th-century temple complex at the foot of the Higashiyama mountains. Part of the Tendai sect of Buddhism, Shoren-in is also a monzeki temple, the special name given to temples that historically had priests from imperial or high-ranking families in Japan.

London isn’t the only place in the world where Harry Potter fans can get a behind-the-scenes look at the making of their favorite movies. Warner Bros. Studio Tour Tokyo transports you into the wizarding world of the film franchise with exhibits and recreated film sets featuring Platform 9 3/4, Diagon Alley, the Ministry of Magic, the Forbidden Forest, and more.

Modern architecture goes space age and skywards at the cutting-edge Umeda Sky Building. The edifice is made up of two glass towers that rise 567 feet (173 meters) and are connected by a futuristic observation platform with an amazing 360-degree view from the 40th floor. An escalator in a glass tube takes visitors up the last five storeys.

Tokyo Midtown is a mixed-use complex with six towers. Within the complex, you’ll find apartments, a luxury hotel, shopping, dining, gardens, and galleries. You could spend a whole day or more in and around Tokyo Midtown, admiring the art and browsing the boutiques. It’s conveniently located in the Roppongi area, which has other attractions and reasons to visit, including dining and nightlife.

Toyosu Fish Market is one of the largest wholesale fish markets in the world. Having replaced the famed Tsukiji Fish Market, today’s site consists of three interconnected buildings on Tokyo Bay, featuring stalls selling wholesale fish, fruit, and vegetables. Toyosu is the place to witness lively early-morning tuna auctions and taste some of the freshest seafood in Japan at its on-site restaurants.

Located in Ocean Expo Park on the edge of Okinawa’s Motobu Peninsula, Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium is known for its impressive recreations of the region’s underwater ecosystems. These include the colorful Coral Sea tank and Deep Sea World—containing around 100 creatures from the ocean’s lowest depths—and the Kuroshio Sea tank, which features whale sharks and manta rays born at the aquarium.

Happo-en—Japanese for “beautiful garden from every angle”—perfectly describes this ornamental Japanese garden in Tokyo’s Shirokanedai area. Walk down Happo-en's winding paths, admire its centuries-old cherry and maple trees, stop for tea in the traditional tea house, or enjoy a meal at one of its on-site restaurants. And don't miss the garden's oldest tree—a Japanese bonsai that’s more than 500 years old.

Doraemon is one of the most distinctive and beloved of Japanese manga characters: a blue robot cat who time travels back from the 22nd century. He was created in 1969 by manga artist Fujimoto Hiroshi, who used the pen name Fujiko Fujio. The museum named after him is a Doraemon-lover’s dream destination, and a fun activity for other travelers, too.

The Kyoto Handicraft Center is an easy one-stop-shop for browsing and purchasing local handicrafts, ranging from kimonos and decorative fans to pottery and dolls, and much more. Spanning three floors, a huge variety of traditional arts and handicrafts are available here, and the center also runs classes and rents kimono.

Kabukiza Theatre is often touted as one of the best places in Tokyo to watch kabuki—a type of Japanese performing arts that dates back to the early 17th century. With translations available, it’s a great choice for tourists keen to experience this traditional form of theater.

Explore the natural beauty and history of Hokkaido at Nopporo Forest Park (Nopporo Shinrin Koen). Covering an area of over 4,942 acres (2,000 hectares), Nopporo Forest Park is a flatland forest, wildlife sanctuary, and home to the Hokkaido Centennial Memorial Tower, the Historical Museum of Hokkaido, and the Historical Village of Hokkaido.

Combine art and sightseeing with a visit to Mori Art Museum (Mori Bijutsukan), a prestigious contemporary art museum in a great location in central Tokyo. Beyond the art, take advantage of the museum's setting—on the 53rd floor of the Mori Tower—and its access to Tokyo City View, an indoor observation deck offering near 360-degree views of Tokyo. You may even glimpse Mt. Fuji on a clear day.

Learn about the island of Okinawa’s history and culture before it joined Japan at this compact theme park dedicated to the Ryukyu Kingdom (1429 to 1879). Ryukyu Mura—meaning Ryukyu Village—includes centuries-old traditional Okinawan red-tiled homes, a shrine, and plenty of on-site activities. Visitors can sample classic dishes, catch live folk or dance performances, and even participate in small-group arts and crafts workshops.

Considered to be the most famous crossing in Japan, Shibuya Crossing—also known as the “Shibuya Scramble Crossing”—is also said to be the busiest pedestrian crossing in the world. It allows people to cross from all directions in front of Shibuya station and immerses visitors in Tokyo’s fast-paced lifestyle, plus it is a popular meeting place and a prime Tokyo photo spot.

The National Museum of Western Art is renowned for being one of the leading destinations in Japan for seeing Western art, with pieces spanning the 14th century to the early 20th century. It showcases work by many world-renowned artists, including Gauguin, Manet, Monet, Renoir, Picasso, and Pollock. Notably, the museum has also achieved UNESCO World Heritage Site status, making it a popular spot for art lovers visiting the city.

With its full-scale recreation of Japan’s feudal-period streets, Noboribetsu Date Historic Village (Noboribetsu Date Jidaimura) offers an immersive take on history. Here, you can duck into a storefront to try Edo-period crafts—like painting dolls or spinning tops—or head to the dojo to brush up on archery and throwing-star skills. Costumed performers lend the park its authentic feel, while daily shows feature mock ninja fights, theater, and music.

Step into the spotlight at Madame Tussauds Tokyo, where you can strike a pose with iconic figures from film, television, music, sports, history, politics, and more. Located at Decks Tokyo Beach in Odaiba, the Tokyo branch of the world-renowned Madame Tussauds features more than 70 life-size wax figures from around the world—including Leonardo DiCaprio, Marilyn Monroe, and Brad Pitt. Here, you can explore themed zones, take photos, and learn facts about each celebrity.

The Tempozan Harbor Village is a popular entertainment complex in the Osaka Bay Area, across the water from Universal Studios Japan. Visitors have a bevy of attractions to choose from, including a sky-high ride on a Ferris wheel, a shopping center, and a deep-sea adventure at the Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan, one of the world's largest aquariums.

The Tokyo Camii and Diyanet Turkish Culture Center is one of the biggest mosques in Japan. Initially built in 1938 for Tatar Russian refugees, it was later rebuilt and revamped into a grand, domed Ottoman-style mosque. It’s now a center of Turkish and Muslim culture and worship in the Japanese capital. Visitors can explore the beautiful interiors, and visit the on-site halal market and café.