Kanazawa & the Hokuriku Coast
This is an Important Cultural Property, one of two family residences of exiled shogun Taira Tokitada (the other is Kami-tokikuni-ke). Shimo-tokikuni-ke,…
Must-see attractions in Central Honshū
Togakushi Folk Museum & Ninja House
Nagano Region
Above the Okusha bus stop you'll find this museum housing artefacts from a time when local yamabushi (mountain monks) practised what became known as ninpo…
Nagoya
On levels 44 to 46 of Midland Square, Sky Promenade features Japan's tallest open-air observation deck and a handful of high-altitude, high-priced…
Inuyama Artifacts Museum/Castle & Town Museum
Central Honshū
This museum houses two float from the Inuyama Matsuri and various artefacts related to cormorant fishing, Inuyama-jō and the town's history.
Central Honshū
Located within the grounds of Gifu-kōen, this museum focuses on the Sengoku period, when daimyō Oda Nobunaga was at the height of his power. Enthusiastic…
Central Honshū
Yubatake is the main attraction in the town centre and the source of hot-spring water in the area. Its milky-blue sulphuric water flows like a waterfall…
Kanazawa & the Hokuriku Coast
Construction of this great bronze Buddha statue began in 1907 and was completed in 1933. The statue was moved to its present location in 1981 after the…
Matsumoto
A few blocks north of the castle, the former Kaichi School is both an Important Cultural Property and the oldest elementary school in Japan, founded in…
Takayama
The stately Shintō Sakurayama Hachiman-gū presides over Takayama Matsuri and is dedicated to the protection of Takayama. You can find a moment for quiet…
Central Honshū
North of Ainokura on Rte 156 you'll find this roadside attraction, which explains the art of making washi (handmade paper) and gives you the chance to try…
Nagano Region
The grounds of this Tendai temple have some impressive ancient trees and sweeping valley views. The temple's name comes from the fact that this Kannon…
Nagano Region
Although it's nestled among cedars apparently close to the village, Hōkōsha, the pretty lower sub-shrine of Togakushi-jinja, is reached via 274 ancient,…
Nagano Region
This property, one of the first Western hotels in Japan, welcomed guests from 1906 to 1970. An exceptional example of elaborate Meiji-era architecture, it…
Kanazawa
In a non-traditional building at the edge of the Nagamachi district, the Nagamachi Yūzen-kan displays some splendid examples of Kaga Yūzen kimono dyeing…
Nagoya
Built in 1922, this grand Taisho-era Court of Appeal now houses the city archives. While the archives themselves are difficult to navigate for non…
Central Honshū
At the foot of Kinka-zan, this is one of the loveliest city parks in Japan, with plenty of water and trees set into the hillside. People have been living…
Central Honshū
Shirakawa-gō's largest gasshō house is a designated National Treasure. It once belonged to a wealthy silk-trading family and dates back to the mid-Edo…
Nagano Region
One of the three sub-shrines of Togakushi-jinja, intimate Chūsha, meaning 'middle shrine', is the most accessible, located prominently in the centre of…
Takayama Museum of History & Art
Takayama
Not to be confused with the Hida Takayama Museum of Art, this free museum is situated around pretty gardens and features 14 themed exhibition rooms…
Kanazawa
In the grounds of Gyokusen Inmaru Garden, this handsome teahouse is the perfect setting in which to experience cha-dō (a tea ceremony), one of Japan's…
Kanazawa
An Important Cultural Asset, this well-known, traditional-style former geisha house dates from 1820 and has an impressive collection of elaborate combs,…
Central Honshū
Originally established in 1532, riverside Honkō-ji is Hida's largest wooden temple. Its gate showcases the fine craftsmanship of Furukawa's carpenters…
Kanazawa & the Hokuriku Coast
This factory has been producing traditional Takaoka bronzeware since the Meiji era and allows visitors a rare and fascinating glimpse of the casting…
Matsumoto
Home to Japan's largest pendulum clock (on the building's exterior) and over 300 other timepieces, including fascinating medieval Japanese creations, this…
Nagano Region
Of the Sōtō Zen sect, Anraku-ji is the oldest Zen temple in Nagano. Dating from AD 824–34, it's a National Treasure, renowned for its octagonal pagoda…
Central Honshū
The showpiece of one of Japan's largest plumbing-equipment manufacturers, housing some 150 elaborately decorated Meiji- and Taisho-era toilets and Japan's…
Nagano Region
Takai Kōzan, woodblock artist Hokusai's friend and patron, was a businessman and an accomplished classical artist specialising in elegant Chinese-style…
Kanazawa & the Hokuriku Coast
One for X-Files fans, this quirky space and science museum features ’60s and ’70s USSR space-mission relics and several UFO and alien exhibits (including…
Ishikawa Wajima Urushi Art Museum
Kanazawa & the Hokuriku Coast
This modern museum, about a 15-minute walk west of the former train station, has rotating exhibitions of its large lacquerware collection in galleries…
Central Honshū
Stroll through the village to this interesting folklore museum, with displays of local crafts and paper. The museum occupies two buildings, the former…
Noritake Craft Centre & Museum
Nagoya
Glaze your own porcelain dish (from ¥1800 plus shipping) in the Craft Centre & Museum in Noritake Garden, which has demonstrations of the production…
Central Honshū
Just south of Inuyama-jō is this picturesque Shinto shrine with interesting statues of komainu (protective dogs), lovingly dressed in cloth collars.
Kanazawa & the Hokuriku Coast
Once a common sight in Japan, the ancient terraced method of rice farming is disappearing. These 'thousand' paddies snaking up the hillside are both…
Takayama
Design buffs shouldn't miss Yoshijima-ke, well documented in architectural publications. Lack of ornamentation allows you to focus on the spare lines,…
Central Honshū
A rotating selection of three to four of the 13 impressive floats from Inuyama Matsuri are on year-round display in this custom-made building.
Kanazawa & the Hokuriku Coast
This quaint garden, formerly a mansion of the Matsudaira clan, has a pretty teahouse where you can sit in silence and contemplate life, or feed the…
Central Honshū
Just south of Inuyama-jō is this picturesque Shinto shrine. The tunnel of 20-plus red torii (gates) is particularly photogenic.
Nagoya/Boston Museum of Fine Arts
Nagoya
This collaborative effort between Japanese backers and the Museum of Fine Arts Boston showcases a small but impressive collection of Japanese and…
Ishikawa Prefectural Museum of Traditional Products & Crafts
Kanazawa
This small museum offers fine displays of over 20 regional crafts; many pieces are for sale if you fall in love with something. Pick up the free English…
Nagoya
The Treasure Hall at Atsuta-jingū displays a changing collection of more than 4000 Tokugawa-era swords, masks and paintings.
