50 Magnificent Views in Japan that You Shouldn't Miss
Japan has so many of the world's famous magnificent views. Although there are so many different kinds, like natural views or cultural sites, the fact they all have in common is that they are all views that you'd "definitely want to see." Here are 50 of those great views.
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1. Lake Mashu [Hokkaido]
This lake has the 2nd highest degree of transparency in the world. People call it the "Mashu Blue" and its surface has a wonderful, but mysterious color of blue. Moreover, the lake is sometimes shrouded in mist, so people also call it "The Misty Lake Mashu".
HP: http://www.masyuko.or.jp/pc/sightseeing/masyuko.html (Japanese Only)
Address: 北海道川上郡弟子屈町 (Google Map)
2. Shirogane Blue Pond [Hokkaido]
It is a man-made pond located in Biei Town, Shirogane. After being selected as a wallpaper for Mac OSX it became one of the world's most well-known places. It looks like it's blue, but the water is of course not blue.
HP: https://www.biei-hokkaido.jp/en/sightseeing/shirogane-blue-pond/（English)
HP: https://www.biei-hokkaido.jp/zh_TW/sightseeing/shirogane-blue-pond/ (繁体字)
HP: https://www.biei-hokkaido.jp/ja/sightseeing/shirogane-blue-pond/ (Japanese)
Address: 上川郡美瑛町白金 (Google Map)
3. Hills of Biei [Hokkaido]
PIXTA
Hilly area that is located at the foot of the Daisetsuzan Tokachidake Mountain Range. These beautiful hills were used as a shooting location for a Japanese TV commercial. Biei is also called the "City of Hills".
Address: 北海道上川郡美瑛町美馬牛 (Google Map)
4. Mount Osore [Aomori]
One of Japan's Three Largest Sacred Mountains. The sulfuric smell that fills the area and the deserted views remind us of hell. One thing to note is that Osorezan (Mount Osore) is the general term for the outer rim of a volcanic crater and so practically, there is no mountain called Osorezan.
HP: http://simokita.org/sight/osore/ (Japanese Only)
Address: 青森県むつ市大畑町 (Google Map)
5. Oirase Mountain Stream [Aomori]
The Oirase Mountain Stream in Aomori runs deep in the natural forest. There are many dynamic scenes here to see, due to the flow of the ever-changing waters.
HP: https://www.en-aomori.com/scenery-005.html（English)
HP: http://www.tcn-aomori.com/scenery-005.html (繁体字)
HP: http://www.aptinet.jp/Detail_display_00000339.html (Japanese)
Address: 青森県十和田市奥瀬 (Google Map)
6．Hiraizumi [Iwate]
PIXTA
At Hiraizumi, you can see many remaining temples and architectures from the Heian Period, some of which have been registered as the UNESCO World Heritage Sites. It is full of charm such as the Chusonji Temple, the Golden Hall and the Pure Land Garden of Motsuji Temple.
HP: http://hiraizumi.or.jp/en/heritage/index.html (English)
HP: http://hiraizumi.or.jp/ch/heritage/index.html (繁体字)
HP: http://hiraizumi.or.jp/heritage/ (Japanese)
Address: 岩手県西磐井郡平泉町平泉字衣関202 (Google Map)
7. Ryusendo Cave [Iwate]
PIXTA
One of Japan's Largest Limestone Caves. It is also called the Iwaizumi Wakkutsu. It's also one of the world's most eminent clear blue underground lakes. Be careful, there are bats inside the cave!
HP: http://www.iwate-ryusendo.jp/en/（English)
HP: http://www.iwate-ryusendo.jp/tw/ (繁体字)
HP: http://www.iwate-ryusendo.jp/top.php (Japanese)
Address: 岩手県下閉伊郡岩泉町岩泉字神成1-1 (Google Map)
8. Geibikei [Iwate]
A ravine that reminds you of China's Guilin. You will be touched by the enchanting view. When you visit Geibikei, you might also want to enjoy river rafting.
HP: http://www.geibikei.co.jp/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/guidance06.pdf（English)
HP: http://www.geibikei.co.jp/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/guidance05.pdf (繁体字)
HP: http://www.geibikei.co.jp/ (Japanese)
Address: 岩手県一関市東山町長坂字町467 (Google Map)
9. Matsushima [Miyagi]
PIXTA
One of Japan's most famous views which include around 260 islands in Matsushima Bay and the Matsushima Hills in the surrounding area. It is well-known, not only for its symbolic structures such as Godaido Hall and the red-arched bridge but also the magnificent views of the sunrise and sunset.
HP: http://www.matsushima-kanko.com/en/index.html（English)
HP: http://www.matsushima-kanko.com/zhcn/ (中文)
HP: http://www.matsushima-kanko.com/ (Japanese)
Address: 宮城県宮城郡松島町松島字町内町内 (Google Map)
10. Houshu-yama [Yamagata]
PIXTA
A famous place that's renowned for Matsuo Basho's poem "silence, sinking into the rock, cicada's song". Houshu-yama has many attractions such as Risshakuji Temple and the face-to-face stone. Moreover, the view from the observation deck in Godaido Hall is a must-see spot.
HP: http://www.rissyakuji.jp/ (Japanese Only)
Address: 山形県山形市山寺4456-1 (Google Map)
11. Ginzan Onsen [Yamagata]
PIXTA
The Onsen Ryokans (hot spring inn) line up along the street still retains the atmosphere of the Taisho era. At night, it is lit up by gas lamps, filling the scene with an illusory atmosphere.
HP: http://www.ginzanonsen.jp/ (Japanese Only)
Address: 山形県尾花沢市銀山新畑地内 (Google Map)
12. Nikko's Kegon Waterfalls and Lake Chuzenji [Tochigi]
PIXTA
Autumn leaves spread all over this area in autumn, and you can enjoy breathtaking views of the Kegon Waterfalls and Lake Chuzenji from the Akechidaira Observation Deck.
HP: http://nikko-travel.jp/english/（English)
HP: http://nikko-travel.jp/fanti/ (繁体字)
HP: http://www.nikko-kankou.org/ (Japanese)
Address: 栃木県日光市中宮祠 (Google Map)
13. Fukiware Falls [Gunma]
The Fukiware Falls are also called the "Asia's Niagara" because of its flowing figure from three different rivers. This fall is named "Fukiware" because the flow looks like the riverbed has been split up and the water is spouting out.
HP: http://www.numata-kankou.jp/sight/fukiwarenotaki/index.html (Japanese Only)
Address: 沼田市利根町追貝 (Google Map)
14. Ryugakubo [Niigata]
PIXTA
This is a fountain with a large volume of groundwater gushing out, but people say that it never gets muddy. There is a legend that a dragon made this fountain by making it rain for three days and three nights.
HP: http://www.town.tsunan.niigata.jp/site/kanko/ryugakubo.html (Japanese Only; automatic translation available)
Address: 新潟県中魚沼郡津南町大字谷内 (Google Map)
15. Hoshitoge Rice Terraces [Niigata]
PIXTA
These rice terraces are located in a slope of a mountain that spreads in steps. Although it's not a tourist spot, many photographers visit here as they are attracted by this magnificent view.
HP: http://www.tokamachishikankou.jp/natural/tanada/hoshitoge/ (Japanese Only)
Address: 新潟県十日町市峠 (Google Map)
16. Kurobe Canyon [Toyama]
PIXTA
One of Japan's Three Largest Ravines. It is located in the Hida Mountains that cuts into Tateyama and the Ushiro Tateyama Mountain Ranges. It is well-known for its views of the red Shin Yamabiko Bridge, the Sarutobi-kyo Observation Deck and also activities such as taking truck trains.
HP: http://www.kurotetu.co.jp/en/（English)
HP: http://www.kurotetu.co.jp/tw/ (繁体字)
HP: http://www.kurotetu.co.jp/ (Japanese)
Address: 富山県黒部市黒部峡谷口11 (Google Map)
17. Yuki no Otani walk [Toyama]
Yuki no Otani is located in Tateyama. The wall reaches a height of 20 meters in some spots. It is made from the snow that is plowed away from the road.
HP: https://www.alpen-route.com/en/（English)
HP: https://www.alpen-route.com/tw/ (繁体字)
HP: https://www.alpen-route.com/enjoy_navi/snow_otani/ (Japanese)
Address: 富山県中新川郡立山町芦峅寺室堂 (Google Map)
18. Kenroku Garden [Ishikawa]
PIXTA
One of Japan's most famous gardens. It's a type of Japanese garden with a pond in the centre that represents the Edo era. The name "Kenroku" was given because it has six attributes: grandeur, seclusion, human power, class, water courses and magnificent views.
HP: http://www.pref.ishikawa.jp/siro-niwa/kenrokuen/e/index.html（English)
HP: http://www.pref.ishikawa.jp/siro-niwa/kenrokuen/t/index.html (繁体字)
HP: http://www.pref.ishikawa.jp/siro-niwa/kenrokuen/ (Japanese)
Address: 石川県金沢市兼六町1 (Google Map)
19. Shiroyone Senmaida - Senmaida Rice Fields [Ishikawa]
PIXTA
These rice terraces have been certified as an agriculture heritage site. The figure of small rice paddies that pile up along the coast of the Sea of Japan is indeed a magnificent view. The number of fields is above 1,000 more than the state's specified number.
HP: http://senmaida.wajima-kankou.jp/en/（English)
HP: http://senmaida.wajima-kankou.jp/tc/ (繁体字)
HP: http://senmaida.wajima-kankou.jp/ (Japanese)
Address: 石川県輪島市白米町99-5 (Google Map)
20. Tsumago-juku [Nagano]
Within Kisoji inn town, Tsumago-juku has a street of houses and stores with a total length of around 500m, and still leaves the atmosphere of Japan in the Edo-period town.
HP: http://www.tumago.jp/ (Japanese Only)
Address: 長野県木曽郡南木曽町吾妻2159−2 (Google Map)
Next： No.21-40 Further Amazing Japanese Views
The information in this article is accurate at the time of publication.
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