Here’s a thing about Japan: no matter how long you’ve lived here, or how many times you visited, there will always be something new to discover and be amazed by. As small as it might seem, Japan is a treasure trove of amazing places and experiences. With a full-time job, it is hard to explore all the time, but I feel like I managed to cover all typical touristy spots in Japan, and then some. It would be very hard to pick the favorites as I liked each place more than the other. Having said that, there are so many other destinations I’d like to explore. That’s why I decided to put together a list of amazing places to see in Japan, which will serve me as a “vision board” of sorts and hopefully become an inspiration to you when you plan a trip to Japan.
Sapporo Ice Festival & Ski Resorts in Hokkaido
Snow Monkey Onsen in Jigokudani
Zao Fox Village
Shirahone Onsen in Nagano Prefecture
Takaragawa Onsen in Gunma Prefecture
Dogo Onsen on Shikoku Island
Meoto Iwa in Mie Prefecture
Motonosumi Shrine in Yamaguchi Prefecture
Kenrokuen Garden in Kanazawa
Mount Yoshino covered in Cherry Blossom
Stay in Hoshinoya Fuji Hotel with View of Mt. Fuji
Kurashiki Village in Okayama Prefecture
Naoshima Island
Uji (known for its exceptional macha tea)
Ine Fisherman’s Village
Kawazu Cherry Blossom Festival
Tateyama Snow Wall at Alpine Route
Kamikochi
Postal Towns in Kiso Valley: Magome, Tsumago & Narai
Ouichijuku Postal Town
Kawachi Fujien Wisteria Tunnel in Kitakyushu
Tsugaru City in Aomori Prefecture
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bc9WaHMjTjs/?taken-at=262905874
Kurokawa Onsen on Kyushu Island
Takachiho Gorge on Kyushu Island
Kyoto in Summertime
Lavender Fields in Furano, Hokkaido
Fall Colors in Aomori Prefecture
https://www.instagram.com/p/Baq-hGbF7Gj/?taken-by=abenderphoto
Sand Dunes in Tottori Prefecture
Miyakojima Island, Okinawa
https://www.instagram.com/p/BdbEU9xhvLk/?taken-at=375900236
Morinji Temple in Gunma Prefecture Littered with Tanuki Statues
Fish Train in Wakayama
Quite a list, huh? And can you believe all of these stunning places are located in one country? I’m sure I missed tons of other captivating places. Hopefully, it inspires you to go off the beaten path in Japan and discover what this beautiful country has to offer. As for me, not sure how many of these spots I’ll be able to tick during the nine months I have left here, but at least I’ll always have a reason to come back.
Have you been to any of these destinations in Japan? Is there anything you’d add to the list?
xoxo, nano
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Amazing. I want to visit all of these places. They are so beautiful!
Thank you Rose, I hope you’ll get to explore it all!
OMG, the pictures are absolutely stunning! The Sapporo Ice Festival, Snow Monkey Onsen and Tateyama Snow Wall are in my bucket list for I have always wanted to go and to experience these places. The Wisteria Tunnel pic is spectacular, unreal! :-)
Thank you Kat. I hope to get to Snow Monkeys this year, so stay tuned for more details :)
Niho daisuki desu! I revisited my love for Japan and was actually inspired by your Kyoto posts, so I now look to you as my “inspiration board” for all things Japanese! I was supposed to go to Okinawa and artists’ island this month but my schedule wouldn’t allow it (I had to also turn down an Indian wedding in Jaipur, gahhhh), I hope you visit there soon so I can live vicariously through you! x
Oooh, lovely, your comment made my day. I’m so glad you had a wonderful time in Kyoto. Isn’t it a very special place. Bummer that you couldn’t make it to Okinawa (and Indian wedding!!), but hopefully you’ll have plenty of other chances to go. I hope I’ll make it down there again too. xx
Fantastic, Nana! I will probably be traveling to Japan in 2019 and I will definitely take note of these! Thank you! Keep them coming!
I’m glad you were inspired by these destinations. I’m sure you’ll have a wonderful time in Japan when you visit. Thank you for reading. xx
Oh, Nano, these all look SO beautiful!
I hope you’ll get a chance to visit some of them when you revisit Japan :)
<3 <3 <3 Wasn't expecting to see so many pics of mine here! hehe.
So many wonderful places to visit in Japan. My list is still so long!!
Celia, your pics are so beautiful, I couldn’t have found a better feature. Looking forward to seeing you this weekend! xx
This just makes me want to visit Japan even more than I already do!
Bookmarking ALL of these for our future trip … those monkeys!!! I was so looking forward to seeing them before our trip was cancelled. :(
So excited to see what your blog has in store this year, Nano – happy New Year!
xo Jaime
Angloyankophile
Happy New Year to you too, Jaime! And thank you for your sweet comments. I’m sure you and your beautiful family will have plenty of chances to revisit Japan some other time. :) xoxo
All great places to visit Nano. That onsen in Nagano looks so inviting. Xx
Oooh that place is calling my name. Looks so tranquil, doesn’t it?!
Sure does, an experience I would love to do. Xx
Oh wow, this is such a beautiful collection! :) I would love love to see the cherry blossoms, partly prompted by all of your gorgeous photos!
Thank you so much Marcella! I hope your dream comes true and you’ll see them in Japan <3
So so beautiful!!
Isn’t it just?!
Cherry blossom is something I really need to time a work visit to see! Whenever I almost come is the wrong time!
Ha, if you have a chance to score a work trip here during that time, then you must do that!
I’m not sure when I’ll be able to go to Japan, although it is definitely on my list and has been for a long time. But this is going to be a great resource for when I (someday) visit!
Sarah, I hope you make it here soon. I’m glad the list will serve as an inspiration to plan your trip :) Thank you for reading.
Gaaaah, Japan is just so beautiful, you don’t have to convince me to want to travel there! LOL.
Lol, I know. I never want to leave!!
I like that word wonderlust,so sexy