The most beautiful places to visit in Japan

You won’t be short of beautiful temples in Japan, with plenty of competition in Kyoto alone. But while Kiyomizu-dera and Ginkaku-ji are worthy contenders for this list, the astonishing Kinkaku-ji Temple is in a league of its own.

The Golden Pavilion’s top two floors are completely covered in gold leaf, gleaming in the light and reflected in the water surrounding it, so the whole temple seems to float in the lake. The UNESCO World Heritage Site is actually a reproduction of the original, which dated back to 1399 but was destroyed by fire in 1950. Early morning and late afternoon are the best times to enjoy this gilded sight.

Itsukushima Shrine

Another of Japan’s most famous temples, it’s the colossal scarlet torii gate which most people recognise, the gateway to the Itsukushima Shrine on Miyajima Island. At high tide, the gate seems to float in the blue water, while at low tide, the water recedes enough to walk to the towering red pillars. Itsukushima Shrine itself was founded in 593, and it’s believed that Miyajima is where the gods live; the island was once considered so sacred, nothing was built here which is why the entrance to the shrine is set away from the land. Wandering through the island certainly feels like paradise, with deer roaming free and other temples, historic buildings and pagodas now tucked away amid the trees.

Kenroku-en garden

One of the three greatest gardens in Japan, every element at Kenroku-en is designed to have meaning as well as beauty, with each season transforming the landscapes. Home to the six elements considered essential for the perfect garden, you’ll find tranquil water features and ornate bridges to cross them, blossom trees and plants which are sculpted rather than trimmed, an art known as niwaki.

The 17th century garden is particularly popular in spring when plum trees bloom, before cherry blossom transforms the trees in a froth of pink but you’ll find an endless variety of lovely vistas whenever you visit.

Koraku-en garden

Another of the three great gardens of Japan, Koraku-en was designed around a series of ponds, with waterfalls, bridges, tea houses and cherry trees ensuring every view is beautiful as you stroll the peaceful paths. Another 17th century garden, it stretches over 144,000 square meters, and has been repeatedly restored to remain true to the original ideals and design.

With plants and flowers chosen to ensure the gardens always look their best year-round, you can wander past ponds, under trees and more unusually, across its sprawling lawns. The finishing touch is the view of Okayama Castle next door.

Matsumoto Castle

Japan’s oldest wooden castle isn’t only a fascinating place to explore, it’s a sight to remember. Set in a lush valley, you can look out to views across the Japanese Alps and stroll among cherry blossoms during the spring.

One of the loveliest of Japan’s 12 original castles, it’s beautifully preserved, with a striking black exterior, two donjons and wide moat crossed by a vermilion bridge. Head inside, and you’ll find the castle’s defensive features hidden behind the elegant exterior, including openings to drop stones onto invaders and steep wooden staircases, along with the moon-viewing turret.

Himeji Castle

Known as the White Heron Castle, thanks to its elegant white exterior, it’s considered Japan’s most spectacular castle. UNESCO-listed and a National Treasure, unlike many other castles, it has never been destroyed by war or natural catastrophe, making it one of the best preserved of the country’s 12 original castles.

With the first fortifications dating back to the 1400s, the castle complex of more than 80 buildings was finished in 1609, with gates dotted along the maze of winding paths. The main keep is one of only a handful with wing buildings, adding another layer of detail to its gleaming white exterior, and proving that beauty and strength can co-exist.

Mount Fuji

This iconic snow-capped peak has inspired countless artists, writers and photographers over the years, and there are few lovelier sights than a view of Mount Fuji. Standing 3,776m tall, clouds often linger around the active volcano, making a clear view of Fuji-san even more memorable.

On clear days, you’ll see the reflection in the still waters of Lake Kawaguchi as well, one of the Fuji Five Lakes sitting at the northern base of the volcano, around 1,000m above sea level. Whether you’re staying in a hotel nearby, looking out of the window of a bullet train, or hiking in the countryside nearby, you can’t beat a glimpse of the symmetrical cone – head to Arakurayama Sengen Park for another lovely viewpoint.

Lake Ashi

Formed in the caldera of Mount Hakone after the volcano’s last eruption 3,000 years ago, Lake Ashi’s blue tree-lined expanse looks wonderful as the leaves change in autumn, but it’s a beautiful corner of Japan at any time of the year.

With Mount Fuji in the background, and limited development, it’s somewhere to set sail, relax and soak up the scenery. Then take the Komagatake Ropeway cable car into the mountains; at the end of the seven-minute journey, you’ll get more glorious views back down onto the lake itself.

Cherry blossoms at Hirosaki park

There is quite simply nothing like Japan’s cherry blossom season, known as hanami, with blossom watch across the country and groups of friends and families picnicking under the trees. And while Ueno Park and Shinjuku Gyoen in Tokyo, or Maruyama Park and the Philosopher’s Path in Kyoto are among the best-known locations if you’re visiting Japan’s cities, the country has some truly spectacular spots to view the Sakura blossom.

Mount Yoshino has 30,000 cherry trees planted on its slopes, all blooming in different shades of pink during spring. Or in northern Japan, Hirosaki has a cherry blossom festival in its park, where 2,600 cherry trees are planted, creating blossom tunnels and a frothy pink frame for Hirosaki Castle.

Arashiyama Bamboo Grove

A walk through Arashiyama Bamboo Grove is an otherworldly experience, following the paths which leads through the soaring green stalks. Visit early in the morning to avoid the crowds and you’ll hear nothing apart from the soothing rustling of the stalks swaying in the breeze, an unexpectedly calming feeling.

While the grove itself isn’t large, taking around 10 minutes to walk the path through, this corner of Kyoto transports you away from the everyday. Somewhere to savour, not to rush. You can also see the Zen Tenryu-ji Temple and Nonomiya Shrine inside the grove.

Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine

One of Japan’s most important Shinto Shrines, the Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine is considered a sanctuary for learning, culture and the arts. And while there are plenty of reasons to visit, including artistic details such as a pond built in the shape of the Japanese character for ‘heart’, and islands which represent the past, present and future, one of the biggest is its plum trees.

In February and March, around 6,000 plum trees bloom in a breathtaking display, with around 200 different varieties in the grounds, including the legendary Tobiume (Flying Plum Tree), a divine tree believed to have miraculously soared overnight from Kyoto.

Toda-ji temple

Nara was Japan’s first permanent capital, with a string of UNESCO-listed sites in the city. But if you see only one, the Toda-ji temple is unmissable. Once the largest wooden building in the world, the imposing structure is still an impressive sight, housing a 15m tall gold and bronze seated statue of the Buddha, which dates back to 751.

Look out too for the two statues representing the Nio Guardian Kings by the wooden Nandaimon Gate, all designated national treasures. The surrounding Nara Park is a lovely place to stroll, famously home to deer who bow to visitors who feed them – you can buy special packets of crackers.

Higashiyama District

Picking one single beautiful street in Kyoto is a tricky task, with several lovely historic alleys vying for the hotly contested title. Ninenzaka and Sannenzaka are two of the main contenders, lined with traditional wooden buildings. All part of the Higashiyama district, the best option is to stroll and choose your own personal favourite, with authentic merchant shops selling traditional crafts and little cafes lining the narrow lanes, along with stone staircases. Shimbashi-dori also has more than 50 historic townhouses, a little glimpse of the city’s past.

Higashi Chayagai

While Kanazawa might not be as well-known as Kyoto, it has many of the same historic temptations as the former capital, especially its three well-preserved teahouse districts. Higashi Chayagai is the largest, with traditional buildings lining the streets, and both locals and tourists often wearing kimonos to add to the atmosphere. One of the country’s few remaining geisha districts, the wooden teahouses and two-storey geisha houses were built in the early 1800s, with cafes and restaurants now dotted in between. It’s possible for visitors to enjoy some public performances by geisha too.

This picturesque town, set at the entrance to Nikko National Park, is one beautiful sight after another. A centre of mountain worship for followers of Buddhism and Shinto, you’ll find temples and shrines dotted under the trees, along with the unforgettably lovely sacred bridge crossing the gorge.

The whole area is perfect for enjoying Japan’s mountain scenery, packed with lakes, waterfalls and hot springs, as well as some wild monkeys joining you on the hiking trails. Visit in autumn and you can see the landscape blaze in shades of gold, orange and red too.

Shirakawago

Tucked away in the remote Shogawa River Valley, Shirakawago, and neighbouring Gokayama, are famous for their thatched roof farmhouses, featuring tall, sloped roofs able to withstand the heavy snow during winter and whose triangular shapes look almost like praying hands.

Although the farmhouses are now converted into museums, as well as restaurants and hotels, some are also open to the public to look around. At their most picturesque during the coldest months, Shirakawago also hosts a Winter Light-up event, with the village illuminated on some Sunday evenings in January and February – a little like stepping into a snow globe.

Naoshima

One of the more unusual destinations to feature in this list of most beautiful places in Japan, the art islands off the coast of Kanagawa Prefecture in the Seto Inland Sea, are all dedicated to contemporary art. The best (and best-known) is Naoshima, one of the main venues of the Setouchi Triennale art festival, and home to several new art museums housing modern and contemporary art, as well as the Art House Project which features architectural art from around the world in traditional homes. But there’s plenty to catch your eye as you explore, including one of Yayoi Kusama’s iconic pumpkin sculptures at Miyanoura Port.

One of the most beautiful places in Japan to visit during autumn, when the forest transforms into a sea of red and orange, the Oirase Gorge sits in the mountains of Aomori. The Oirase Stream gushes through the trees, fed by a string of waterfalls, and dotted with moss-covered boulders and rock formations, with a 9km hiking trail to take you past the captivating scenery. Running from Ishigeo to Nenokuchi at the mouth of Lake Towada, as you walk the route, it’s easy to see why the area has inspired painters and poets for centuries.

When you picture Japan’s scenery, white sand beaches and turquoise seas probably aren’t the first thing to come to mind. But in Japan’s far south at Okinawa, you’ll find an idyllic tropical paradise, with 49 inhabited islands dotted in the sea stretching towards Taiwan.

In the remote Yaeyama Islands, Ishigaki is simply breath-taking, with its pristine sands and glass-clear water that’s perfect for snorkelling and diving. Inland, you’ll find jungles and mountains to explore, if you’re feeling like something more active than a dip, or head out onto one of the mangrove-lined rivers by kayak.

Explore beautiful temples and landscapes on an escorted tour of Japan