Central Honshū
You can see items from traditional life and displays illustrating gunpowder production, for which the area was once famed, at this folklore museum.
Must-see attractions in Central Honshū
Kanazawa & the Hokuriku Coast
The Daishōji Station area is crammed with temples, including Zenshō-ji, which houses more than 500 amusingly carved Buddhist arhat sculptures.
Nagoya
The pleasant Noritake Gallery, in Noritake Garden, exhibits paintings, sculptures and ceramic works.
Central Honshū
Adjacent to Myōzen-ji, Ogimachi's small temple, Myōzen-ji Folk Museum displays the traditional paraphernalia of daily rural life.
Kutaniyaki Porcelain Art Museum
Kanazawa & the Hokuriku Coast
Stunning examples of bright and colourful local porcelain are on display here, about an eight-minute walk from Daishōji Station.
Kanazawa
Audio buffs will dig this museum of old-time phonographs and SP records, with daily demonstrations at 11am, 2pm and 4pm.
Central Honshū
This wonderfully preserved former merchant's house and garden looks as if it has stood still while time has marched on.
Hida Folk Archaeological Museum
Takayama
A former samurai house boasting interesting secret passageways and an old well in the courtyard.
Kanazawa & the Hokuriku Coast
Legend says that these rock formations 25km northwest of Fukui came about when Tōjinbō, an evil priest, was cast off the cliff by angry villagers in 1182;…
Port of Nagoya Public Aquarium
Nagoya
Among Nagoya's most well-known attractions, this port-side aquarium features one of the largest outdoor tanks in the world, and the permanently moored…
Higashiyama Zoo & Botanical Gardens
Nagoya
Some visitors might find the size of the enclosures at this otherwise well-kept zoo a little disheartening. A low admission price and the attractive…
Takayama
You'll know best whether you're someone who has to see this collection of more than 1000 fluffy little guys from around the world. Some are over 140 years…
Central Honshū
Admission to Hirayu Onsen's only attraction, a quaint museum of folk memorabilia, includes entrance to a rather lovely and lesser-known little rotemburo …
Central Honshū
Over two dozen gasshō-zukuri buildings have been relocated here, although the arrangement feels contrived. Several houses are used for demonstrating…
Nagoya
Oasis 21 is a bus terminal and transit hub with a difference. Its iconic 'galaxy platform' – an elliptical glass-and-steel structure filled with water for…
Arimatsu Narumi Tie Dyeing Museum
Nagoya
This museum upholds the 400-year-old tradition of shibori (tie-dyeing). Downstairs you'll find historical artefacts, a gift shop, and a video introducing…
Central Honshū
Built in 1936, this statue of Kannon (Goddess of Mercy) is one of the largest in Japan, standing 41.8m tall and weighing over 6000 tonnes. You can walk…
Central Honshū
This lookout on the site of a former castle provides a lovely view of the valley. It's a 15-minute walk via the road behind the east side of town. You can…
Central Honshū
Housed in the Taisho-era tax office, this museum and cultural centre is a one-stop shop for Gujō-Hachiman history and culture. Exhibits include historical…
Toyama Municipal Folkcraft Village
Kanazawa & the Hokuriku Coast
Here you'll find folk art, ceramics, sumi-e (ink brush paintings) and more in a cluster of hillside buildings. Toyama's free Museum Bus (10 minutes,…
Central Honshū
Perched atop Kinka-zan and with sweeping views over the cities of Gifu and Nagoya, this castle is a 1956 concrete replica of daimyō Oda Nobunaga's…
Takayama
Various trails lead through Shiroyama-kōen and up the mountainside to the ruins of the castle, Takayama-jō. As you descend, you can take a look at the…
Nagoya
Nagoya's tallest building (247m) houses Toyota's corporate HQ and showroom, boutique shopping on the lower floors and a beehive of offices in the middle…
Magome
Magome was the birthplace of author Shimazaki Tōson (1872–1943), whose work records the decline of two provincial Kiso families. This museum is devoted to…
Central Honshū
This museum dedicated to the history of Japanese carpentry and its unique methods is a must for woodworkers and design fans. In a hands-on room, you can…
Kanazawa
This compact museum, consisting of two relocated Edo-era homes and a small garden, offers a look at the lives of the ashigaru (foot soldiers), the lowest…
Kanazawa & the Hokuriku Coast
There's a lot of hype about this interesting, though relatively unexciting sea cave carved into the cliff by the force of the waves. Nearby are souvenir…
Central Honshū
Gifu's castle is most easily reached by this cable car within Gifu-kōen, whisking you 329m to the summit in under five minutes.
Kanazawa & the Hokuriku Coast
This massive dam, completed in 1963, is central to the Tateyama-Kurobe Alpine Route.
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.
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.
Kanazawa & the Hokuriku Coast
You can amble through the village of Noroshi (狼煙) up to this lighthouse, built in 1883, for lovely views.
