Japan's beauty knows no end.
Known throughout the world for it’s unique and vibrant culture, this island nation is one of the most visited countries in the world.
You may enjoy indulging in incredible cuisine, ancient architecture, or the immense natural beauty throughout the country.
Most Beautiful Places to Visit in Japan
This list of some of the most stunningly beautiful places in the country will help you plan your perfect and most rewarding trip to Japan. Let's go.
10. Kiyotsukyo Gorge and the Tunnel of Light
The beautiful Kiyotsukyo Gorge and the Tunnel of Light is a picturesque valley in the Jōshinetsu-kōgen National Park in the Niigata Prefecture.
At the gorge you’ll be able to walk through 750 metres (0.46 miles) of enchanting pedestrian tunnel along the gorge’s wall.
It's one of the most significant tunnels of its type in the country and is a Place of Scenic Beauty.
Start or end your trip at the Kiyotsukyo Onsen, a hot spring resort near the entrance to the gorge.
Kiyotsukyo Onsen particularly popular during the autumn months, so if you visit during that time, there may be crowds. But don't worry -- whether the hot springs are busy or not, you may wander through the gorge at your own pace and enjoy bright and warm autumn colors.
9. Mount Yoshino
Mount Yoshino is beautiful peak in Japan, but it’s notable for more than its impressive heights.
It’s a notable cultural and religious site.
Visitors have traveled to the area for centuries to see sites and temples such as the Kinpusenji Temple, a palce of significance in the Shugendo religion. 
Secondly, Mount Yoshino is known for its large number of cherry blossom trees.
It’s estimated that there are at least 30,000 cherry blossom trees along the mountain.
he sight of them all blooming and covering the landscape in pale pink and white hues is a truly remarkable sight to see.
8. Ashikaga Flower Park
If you love flowers, the Ashikaga Flower Park in Ashikaga City, Tochigi Prefecture is the perfect place for you!
There
is a large focus on wisteria here, and you’ll see bright pops of
purple, blue, and pink throughout the park as you walk through.
There are many large trees which are decades old - some are over 100!
These large trees create stunning canopies of bright colors that you can walk under while you’re exploring the garden.
If you visit during the winter months, you’ll be able to experience a stunning display of strings of LED lights, which mimic the shape of the drooping wisteria flowers.
This event is very popular with tourists and locals alike.
7. Meguro River, Tokyo
The Meguro River flows through Japan's capital city: Tokyo.
The
portions of the river that flow through Tokyo are more reminiscent of
structured canals with bridges and pedestrian walkways.
In certain parts of the year you may see cherry blossom trees creating a light pink and white canopy over flowing water.
If
you visit during spring, you’ll get to see these beautiful trees as
they bloom and enjoy festivities with locals and tourists.
The
Meguro River is best enjoyed as part of a larger trip to Tokyo. You can
walk alongside the river while admiring its scenic beauty and stop into
restaurants or shops at your leisure.
You may also enjoy various nightlife spots once the sun goes down.
In beautiful Tokyo, there are an endless amount of things to do.
6. Kumano Nachi Taisha Shrine and Waterfall
This site is one of the most significant places of beauty in the area and makes up part of a Sacred Pilgrimage Route.
In fact, it's one of only two UNESCO-listed Pilgrimage Routes in the world.
When visiting Kumano Nachi Taisha, you will be amidst a dense, healthy forest containing many stunning examples of Buddhist and Shinto architecture and tradition.
This is one of Japan's few shrine-and-temple complexes left in the world. For the best view of it all while visiting, take the bus and exit at the Daimonzaka stop, to climb up the stone staircase as the pilgrims did.
From Kumano Nachi Taisha, you can see the large and majestic Nachi Falls in the background.
5. Himeji Castle
For those interested in beautiful castles in Japan, Himeji Castle is a must.
This hilltop castle complex is located in the city of Himeji, in the Hyogo Prefecture.
The
structure includes an impressive 83 rooms and is often considered to be
one of the best examples of Japanese castle design from the feudal
period.
The exterior is a crisp white color, and some say it
resembles a bird taking flight. These factors are how Himeji earned its
nicknames of Hakuro-jo and Shirasagi-jo, which mean “White Egret Castle” and “White Heron Castle,” respectively.
Himeji
Castle is Japan's largest and most visited castle, and one of the
country's first UNESCO World Heritage Sites since 1993.
Combined with Himeji, two other castles -- Matsumoto Castle and Kumamoto Castle -- make up Japan's three most important castles.
4. Itsukushima Shrine, Miyajima Island
Itsukushima Shrine is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, said to have been built in 593.
This Shinto shrine is often considered the most iconic monument in the country, and as such, is one of the most visited sites in Japan.
It’s perhaps best known for it’s gate (pictured above), called a torii. A torii is the important transition point of a temple, marking the change from the rest of the world to a sacred space.
The torii of the Itsukushima Shrine is known to appear to float in the water, thanks to its underwater base.
There is a small admission fee of about ￥1,000 which is roughly $10.
Note: Due to its coastal location, some parts of the structure are based underwater, and there is a significant amount of required upkeep and maintenance to the shrine. Its maintenance crews use strategically placed scaffolding to minimize impact on viewing the shrine, but you can still check with the shrine's schedule if you'd like to avoid maintenance.
3. Kōraku-en, Okayama
You may have already set foot in a Japanese-style garden, even outside of Japan.
Japanese-style gardens are often defined by literature or philosophical concepts, as well as designs that highlight natural landscapes.
Although there are many incredible Japanese gardens throughout the world, one of the best is the Kōraku-en garden in the Okayama prefecture.
Kōraku-en is deemed one of the Three Great Gardens of Japan.
It was first built in 1700 in the spirit of "sen-yu-koraku", which is a reference to the Confucian philosophical concept that people should aim to "grieve earlier than others, enjoy later than others".
If you choose to visit, it’s best to purchase a pass that allows you to visit both the Koraku-en garden and the nearby Okayama Castle.
2. Arashiyama
The Arashiyama area is a significant spot at the base of Japan's "Storm Mountains" (Arashiyama Mountains).
For many years (since the 700s), this has remained a popular attraction for its natural beauty.
Arashiyama is near Kyoto, one of Japan's most commonly visited cities and a worthwhile destination in itself.
Arashiyama contains a large number of UNESCO World Heritage Sites, like the walkable Arashiyama Bamboo Forest (also known as "Bamboo Grove"), one of Japan's all-time most highly-photographed locations.
This bamboo forest is beautiful during any time of the year, whether it's naturally decorated with blooming spring flowers or a blanket of winter snow.
Kimono Forest
1. Mt Fuji
One
of the most iconic sights in all of Japan is the majestic volcanic
mountain, Mt. Fuji.
This impressive peak is the
highest in all of Japan, and is an important cultural
landmark.
It's located on the island of Honshu, Japan's largest island, and is visible from many places on the island.
Mt. Fuji is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a Special Place
of Scenic Beauty, a designation given by the Japanese government in an
effort to preserve the natural beauty of the sacred location.
The mountain is
covered by a blanket of snow five months out of the year, and is a
popular place for climbing and hiking.
If you visit during the winter
season you may enjoy being able to ski or snowshoe. When climbing, it’s a good idea to hire a guide, as certain areas may be dangerous.
For a peaceful vacation, there are plenty of scenic viewpoints where you can enjoy the legendary Mt. Fuji to the fullest.
☆
The beauty of Japan will leave a lifetime impression on each of its visitors.
Natural and man-made scenes are waiting for you.
