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.
This post may contain affiliate links. If you buy through them, we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you.
21. Jigokudani Monkey Park [Nagano]
In English, this place is called "Snow Monkey Mountain". It's the only place in the world where you can see monkeys enter the hot springs. A picture of this place is also became cover of the American magazine "LIFE".
HP: http://en.jigokudani-yaenkoen.co.jp/ (English)
HP: http://jigokudani-yaenkoen.co.jp/ (Japanese)
Address: 長野県下高井郡山ノ内町平穏6845 (Google Map)
22. Tojinbo Cliff [Fukui]
This magnificent view is comprised of columnar joints made by wave erosion that are 25 meters high. There are only three places in the world that has a scale of columnar joints like this place.
HP: http://www.mikuni.org/tojinbo/ (Japanese Only)
Address: 福井県坂井市三国町安島 (Google Map)
23. Narusawa Ice Cave [Yamanashi]
PIXTA
It's a lava cave located at the foot of Mount Fuji. It is named ice cave, because this place is covered in ice for the whole year. You can feel the world of ice when you look at icicles with a diameter of 50 cm and a height of 3 meters.
HP: http://www.mtfuji-cave.com/en/ice_cave/ (English)
HP: http://www.mtfuji-cave.com/tc/ice_cave/ (繁体字)
HP: http://www.mtfuji-cave.com/contents/ice_cave/ (Japanese)
Address: 山梨県南都留郡鳴沢村（その他）8533 (Google Map)
24. Mount Fuji [Yamanashi & Shizuoka]
PIXTA
A mountain that stretches over Yamanashi and Shizuoka that is Japan's symbol. Moreover, this mountain can show you various figures depending on where you see it from, such as the "upside down Fuji" and the "red Fuji".
HP: http://www.fujisan-climb.jp/en/index.html (English)
HP: http://www.fujisan-climb.jp/tc/index.html (繁体字)
HP: http://www.fujisan-climb.jp/ (Japanese)
Address: 静岡県富士宮市北山 (Google Map)
25. Tea Plantations in Fuji [Shizuoka]
PIXTA
A large tea plantation is being expanded in Fuji city, to the south of Mt. Fuji. In spring, before the green tea is harvested, you are able to see the marvelous collaboration of various kinds of tea farms and Mt. Fuji.
HP: http://www.city.fuji.shizuoka.jp/fujijikan/enjoy/kb719c0000000tau.html (Japanese Only)
Address: 静岡県富士市大淵1445 (Google Map)
26. Shirakawago [Gifu]
PIXTA
It is the area where you can see the villages of Gassho style (houses with a steep rafter roof) gather. We recommend you see this view that is registered as a world heritage site. It is especially magnificent in the winter as the light from houses buried in snow have deep charm.
HP: http://ml.shirakawa-go.org/en/ (English)
HP: http://ml.shirakawa-go.org/tw/ (繁体字)
HP: http://shirakawa-go.org/ (Japanese)
Address: 岐阜県大野郡白川村荻町1086 (Google Map)
27. Hida Great Limestone Cave [Gifu]
PIXTA
A famous limestone cave with beautiful colors of the stalactites. It has many attractive spots such as "Ryuugu Night View" that uses red and blue light as the illumination and the "Moon's World" that formed as cave corals.
HP: http://www.syonyudo.com/en/ (English)
HP: http://www.syonyudo.com/cn/ (中文)
HP: http://www.syonyudo.com/ (Japanese)
Address: 岐阜県高山市丹生川町日面1147 (Google Map)
28. Ise Grand Shrine [Mie]
It is a grand shrine to worship the Amaterasu-omikami and Toyouke-no-omikami, who are part of the origin legend of Japan. It is said to support the Japanese soul. If you walk through the inside of the shrine which has a spiritual quiet, you might feel as if you have been purified.
HP: http://www.isejingu.or.jp/en/index.html (English)
HP: http://www.isejingu.or.jp/tw/index.html (繁体字)
HP: http://www.isejingu.or.jp/ (Japanese)
Address: 三重県伊勢市宇治館町１ (Google Map)
29. Yokkaichi industrial complex [Mie]
PIXTA
The Yokkaichi industrial complex is one of Japan's greatest 5 night-time views of a factory. The petrochemical factory, the petroleum oil refinery, and the thermal power station operate for a full 24 hours, and during the night the safety lights glow, creating a fantastic view.
HP: http://kanko-yokkaichi.com/night-view/ (Japanese Only)
Address: 三重県四日市市霞2丁目1-1 (Google Map)
30. Kiyomizudera Temple [Kyoto]
A temple that is registered as a world heritage site. The part of the main hall that is commonly called "Stage of Shimizu" sticks out on the mount's slope and it has a unique look.
HP: http://www.kiyomizudera.or.jp/en/ (English)
HP: http://www.kiyomizudera.or.jp/ (Japanese)
Address: 京都府京都市東山区清水1丁目294 (Google Map)
31. Fushimi Inari Taisha [Kyoto]
It's the general main shrine of the Inari Shrine that has around 30,000 shrines all across the country. Compared to the main hall, this place is famous for the red torii gates that continue endlessly, called "Thousands of Torii." Recently walking through Mount Inari is also popular.
HP: http://inari.jp/en/ (English)
HP: http://inari.jp/zh-tw/ (繁体字)
HP: http://inari.jp/ (Japanese)
Address: 京都市伏見区深草薮之内町68 (Google Map)
32. Ryoanji Temple [Kyoto]
The Hojo Garden is a must-see spot because you can enjoy the garden style of a dry landscape that shows the view of lakes without water, but with rocks and sand instead. Moreover, you can enjoy the Buddisht temple and Zorokuan tea room.
HP: http://www.ryoanji.jp/smph/ (Japanese Only)
Address: 京都府京都市右京区龍安寺御陵ノ下町13 (Google Map)
33. Takeda Castle Ruins [Hyogo]
PIXTA
The figure of this castle floating in the sea of clouds looks exactly like Castle in the Sky. However, you cannot see this view all year round - the best time is around the end of September to the beginning of December. Also, the best time to see it is between dawn to 8 o'clock in the morning.
HP: http://www.city.asago.hyogo.jp/takeda/ (Japanese Only; Automatic translation available)
Address: 兵庫県朝来市和田山町竹田古城山169 (Google Map)
34. Kumano Kodo - Kumano Old Pilgrimage Routes [Wakayama]
Registered as world heritage site as "Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range". It has so many routes and you can travel around by walking in the mysterious mountain roads.
HP: http://www.hongu.jp/en/ (English)
HP: http://www.hongu.jp/kumanokodo/ (Japanese)
Address: 和歌山県田辺市本宮町本宮100-1 (Google Map)
35. Mount Koya [Wakayama]
PIXTA
The sacred place where Kobo Daishi founded Buddhism. The Okunoin with old cedars and memorial towers lined up along the approach from Ichinohashi to Kobodaishi Gobyo is famous and beside that the Daimon, Konpon Daito and Kondo (main hall) are this place's magnificent spots.
HP: http://www.koyasan.or.jp/en/ (English)
HP: https://www.koyasan.or.jp/ (Japanese)
Address: 和歌山県伊都郡高野町高野山132 (Google Map)
36. Tottori Sandhills [Tottori]
PIXTA
Sandhills located on the coast of the Sea of Japan that spreads out 2.4 km from north to south and 16 km from east to west. There is also a light up event from the middle of December to the end of December.
HP: http://sakyu.city.tottori.tottori.jp/ (Japanese Only)
Address: 鳥取県鳥取市福部町湯山2164-661 (Google Map)
37. Rosoku-jima (Candle Island) [Shimane]
PIXTA
It is an oddly-shaped 20-meter-high rock, and it looks as if a candle is lit when the evening sun laps over the tip of the rock. Aim for the best photo opportunity from the excursion boat that departs on time with the sunset.
HP: http://www.travel-oki-islands.net/card.aspx?1001 (English)
HP: http://www.e-oki.net/KankoDetail.aspx?id=51 (Japanese)
Address: 島根県隠岐郡 隠岐の島町 (Google Map)
38. Aesthetic Area of Kurashiki [Okayama]
PIXTA
This is an area that retains the streets, houses and warehouses of the Edo era. This place has so many cultural assets such as the old Ohara family house. You can take a walk or enjoy the view from a small boat on the Kurashiki river.
HP: https://www.kurashiki-tabi.jp/for/en/bikan.html (English)
HP: https://www.kurashiki-tabi.jp/for/tw/index.html (繁体字)
HP: https://www.kurashiki-tabi.jp/kurashiki-h1/ (Japanese)
Address: 岡山県倉敷市本町1-4 (Google Map)
39. Itsukushima Shrine [Hiroshima]
A very famous piece of architecture from the Heian era. The main shrine is painted in red and looks like it is floating in the sea when the tide comes in.
HP: http://www.miyajima.or.jp/english/index.html (English)
HP: http://visit-miyajima-japan.com/zht/ (繁体字)
HP: http://www.miyajima.or.jp/sightseeing/ss_itsukushima.html (Japanese)
Address: 広島県廿日市市宮島町1-1 (Google Map)
40. Akiyoshi Limestone Cave [Yamaguchi]
PIXTA
Japan's largest limestone cave. The "One Hundred Plates" that resemble rice terraces is the best part. It feels like you are lost in a different world. Other than that, it also has many great spots such as the "Golden Pillar".
HP: https://karusuto.com/spot/akiyoshido/ (Japanese Only; automatic translation available)
Address: 山口県美祢市秋芳町秋吉3506-2 (Google Map)
Next： No.41-50 Further Amazing Japanese Views
The information in this article is accurate at the time of publication.
About the author
