Niigata Prefecture
Pine and cherry trees mark the entrance to this cremation mound, which honours Emperor Juntoku, who was forced into exile on Sado in the early 13th…
Must-see attractions in Japan
Yaeyama Islands
Adjacent to the temple Tōrin-ji is Gongen-dō, a small shrine rebuilt after being destroyed by a tsunami in 1771.
Kagawa Prefecture
The first notable landmark on the long climb at Konpira-san is Ō-mon, a stone gateway that leads to Hōmotsu-kan.
Kyūshū
The hall displays finds from local archaeological excavations. Nearby are the Tofurō ruins (都府楼) of ancient government buildings.
Northern Higashiyama
This temple in a residential area of Northern Higashiyama is a locals-only favourite for quiet contemplation. It's a great spot to see the autumn leaves.
Osaka
Home of the most famous statue of Kuidaore Tarō – the drum-banging clown who represents the city's culture of kuidaore ('eat 'til you drop').
Hokkaidō
From 1913 to 1934, this whitewashed mansion served as the British consulate. You can see the restored interior and have tea (¥540) on the ground floor.
Kansai
This atmospheric Shintō shrine is located along the trail up to Kurama-dera. The stairs to the main hall are flanked by two enormous cryptomeria trees.
Northern Honshū (Tōhoku)
On the hill behind the train station, this biographical museum exhibits scrolls and calligraphy related to the poet Bashō's famous northern journey.
Niigata Prefecture
Art lovers shouldn't miss this rambling gallery where local artists display vibrant hanga (woodblock prints) depicting country life in Sado.
Hokkaidō
Wakkanai's best public onsen has outdoor baths that look over the harbour, and funky boat-shaped stairs for those who opt out of taking the elevator.
Museum of Imperial Collections
Tokyo
This small museum inside the Imperial Palace East Garden hosts changing exhibitions drawn from the 9500-plus artworks owned by the imperial family.
Hiroshima Region
Looking over the harbour area of Tomo-no-ura is this large stone lantern, which used to serve as a lighthouse and has become a symbol of the town.
Beppu
One of the Kannawa group's jigoku (hells; boiling hot springs), Oniishibōzu has bubbling grey mud that looks like a monk's shaved head.
Western Honshū
These stepped, stone remains of a silver-mine refinery, now delightfully overgrown with apricot trees and grass, have a pyramid-like appearance.
Kumamoto Prefectural Museum of Art
Kumamoto
On the grounds of Ninomaru park, this art museum has ancient Buddhist sculptures, modern paintings and a recreation of an ancient burial mound.
Japanese Lamp & Lighting Museum
Nagano Region
Showcasing lighting through Japanese history, including oil lamps and lanterns, this neat museum will flip the switches of design aficionados.
Yaeyama Islands
This shrine is dedicated to a 16th-century ruler of the Yaeyama Islands who was born on Taketomi-jima, and whose tomb lies behind the shrine.
Beppu
Set in Beppu's smaller group of jigoku (hells; boiling hot springs), Tatsumaki has a geyser that shoots off about every 35 minutes.
Kansai
Stop for a dip at this pretty beach, hemmed in by pine-topped hills and with a tiny, naturally forming onsen pool (keep your swimsuit on).
Hiraizumi Cultural Heritage Center
Iwate Prefecture
This modest, friendly museum charts Hiraizumi's rise and fall through visual displays and artefacts, with English explanations throughout.
Western Honshū
This small hagi-yaki (Hagi ceramic ware) museum displays bowls, cups and interesting ornamental figures, mostly from the 1600s.
Osaka
Osaka's first public park, created in 1891 at the eastern end of Naka-no-shima, is a good place for an afternoon stroll or picnic lunch.
Ehime Prefecture
On display here are various relics of the Yuzuki-jō, the former residence of the Kōno clan that oversaw Iyo province in feudal times.
Central Honshū
This newish museum is one of a kind, featuring exhibits on everything you could possibly want to know about cormorant fishing in Japan.
Western Honshū
Learn about the history of the Japanese textile industry at this museum at historic Ivy Square.
Okinawa & the Southwest Islands
On the north side of the island's southeast end, this popular beach is great for shallow-water snorkelling and has showers and toilets.
Western Honshū
This temple associated with Buddhist saint Kōbō Daishi includes a path of small shrines pointing you towards a giant hilltop boulder.
Ginza & Tsukiji
This tiny, picturesque bridge with attractive red rails spans a tidal inlet and is a popular filming location for TV shows and movies.
Ueno & Yanesen
The deity at this temple is Nichika-sama, also known as the 'god of strong legs'; for this reason the temple is popular with runners.
Tokushima & the Anan Coast
Full of huge dinosaur skeletons and engaging natural-history exhibits, this prefectural museum will keep kids entertained for hours.
Kansai
This small subtemple on the descent to Kibune enshrines a figure of Fudō, one of the myōō (Buddhist Kings of Light).
Imperial Palace & Around
This atmospheric, and usually quiet, museum, housed in a Nishijin weaving factory, has impressive exhibits of Nishijin textiles.
Yaeyama Islands
Kanpire-no-taki, a low-scale series of waterfalls, is the turnaround point for hikers who have travelled up the Urauchi-gawa.
Friends of Bizen-yaki Ceramics Society
Western Honshū
Gallery and shop on the 2nd floor of the Imbe station building, displaying a wide range of ceramics by contemporary potters.
Kagawa Prefecture
Shoin is a designated National Treasure that dates from 1659. It has some interesting screen paintings and a small garden.
Ueno & Yanesen
This small, peaceful temple, one of many scattered around Yanaka, houses one of the seven gods of good fortune, Juro-jin.
Iwate Prefecture
This delightful thatch-roofed waterwheel, once used for milling crops, has been preserved as a symbol of Tōno's past.
