A list of 12 beautiful places to visit in Japan has been compiled for your next adventure.
Kamikochi
It was a no-brainer that Kamikochi would be at the top of this list. A beautiful mountainous area in the northern part of the Japanese Alps, Kamikochi is considered a nature lover’s dream. Sharp mountain peaks, striking blue lakes, and endless hiking trails for all fitness levels can be found there.
Upon arrival, a small welcome area with snacks and drinks, as well as the famous Kappa Bridge (a beautiful red bridge), will be encountered. This serves as the starting point for many popular hikes in the park.
During the warmer months, a number of popular multi-day hikes can be enjoyed. Options for these hikes include camping or booking a mountain hut, and several hotels are also available.
Harayu onsen village is highly recommended for a post-hike soak in a local onsen. It is located just a short 15-minute drive down the hill, with a bus station right in front.
Things to know before visiting Kamikochi
- No entrance fee is required to enter the park area.
- The park is open from mid-April to mid-November; however, not all trails and huts are open throughout that entire period.
- Large luggage can be stored for 500 yen ($3.33) per day, making this a great option for those visiting as a day trip before continuing on to a new destination.
How to get to Kamikochi
We traveled to Kamikochi from Matsumoto before continuing on to Takayama. Both locations offer easy direct bus access. The bus from Matsumoto to Kamikochi takes 1.5 hours, and a bus departs at 5:30 AM. Frequent buses run from Kamikochi to Takayama, taking about 1 hour. Note that your JR Pass isn’t valid for this route because private companies operate the buses.
Direct bus options are also available from Tokyo, but be prepared for a longer journey. Late-night buses leave Tokyo around 11 PM and arrive in Kamikochi around 5:30 AM. Buses return to Tokyo around 3:30 PM, and the distance from Kyoto is similar.
Five Shrines of Togakushi
If you’re planning a trip to Japan, I highly recommend taking a day trip to hike the trail of the Five Shrines of Togakushi. Located just 1 hour from Nagano, the shrine area offers a perfect opportunity to enjoy Japan’s beautiful trails. Buses depart from either the main station in Nagano or Zenkōji Temple and take about 1 hour.
You can find multiple bus stops near the various shrines. You can either walk between all five shrines, as we did, or get dropped off at the one you plan to visit. We started at Togakushi Hokosha and finished by the path to Togakushi Okusha.
If you’re choosing between the upper and lower shrine areas, I highly recommend visiting the upper shrines. The path to the upper shrines is believed to be lined with trees that are over 900 years old.
The 5 shrines of Togakushi are:
- Togakushi Hōkō-sha
- Hino-miko-sha
- Togakushi Chū-sha
- Togakushi Oku-sha
- Kuzuryu-sha
We visited in the fall (late October), and the foliage looked perfect. Unlike the more popular destinations, we encountered minimal crowds along the trail. While quite a few locals visited the upper shrines, we only saw a handful of tourists throughout the day.
Things to know before visiting
- This trail remains accessible year-round. If you visit in winter, dress appropriately as the trail may be slippery.
- Grab fresh soba noodles before or after your hike at the restaurant next to the Togakushi Hokosha stop. Look for 戸隠･手打ちそば つる家 on Google Maps.
Where to stay
If you plan to visit the five shrines of Togakushi, I recommend staying in Nagano. This beautiful city is just an hour away by bus from the shrines.
Matsumoto
Honestly, I had never heard of Matsumoto before our visit, but I fell in love with the city as soon as we arrived. It’s an amazing destination year-round, famous for Matsumotojo, one of Japan’s most beautiful castles (pictured below).
This medium-sized city is easy to navigate and offers great access to hiking trails like Kamikochi.
Things to do in Matsumoto
- Visit Matsumotojo (Matsumoto Castle) — explore the free grounds, but note that there is an entrance fee to enter the castle.
- Take a day trip to a wasabi farm and try the famous wasabi ice cream.
- Head to the hiking trails of Kamikochi.
- Grab a matcha latte at Storehouse Cafe & Bar.
- Enjoy a hot bowl of ramen at Mensho Sakura.
- Try a traditional izakaya meal at Hikage (be sure to make a reservation ahead of time).
Where to stay
We loved staying at a hostel in Matsumoto. The place was clean, quiet, and beautifully designed, feeling more like a charming cafe than a hostel. It was within walking distance of everything, and I highly recommend it.
Takayama
Takayama is a beautiful mountain town in the Hida region, known for its charming, historic Old Town, sake, and Hida beef. A short stroll through Takayama’s Edo-period style Old Town reveals plenty of these delights.
Takayama also serves as a great jumping-off point for a day trip to Kamikochi, just 1 hour away by bus. It’s an amazing place for hiking and camping. If you want to explore something closer, visit Hida Folk Village (Hida no Sato), an open-air museum showcasing historic homes from the Edo period.
Since dining options are limited, it’s essential to make reservations for both lunch and dinner. We struggled to find availability for two without reservations.
Delicious food spots in Takayama
- Visit cha-no-me cafe for matcha.
- Try akariya for Hida beef.
- Enjoy ramen at tenaga ashinaga.
- Sample Hida beef sushi at hida kotte ushi.
Things to know before visiting Takayama
- 1-2 nights is enough time to explore.
- Takayama serves as a great base for day trips to Kamikochi and Shirakawago.
- Make dinner reservations in advance.
- Don’t miss the morning market.
Where to stay
We stayed at K’s House in Takayama, a budget hotel with private rooms. Its convenient location just 1 block from the train station made it easy to walk to all the best attractions in Takayama.
Mt. Kurama
I’m honestly shocked that more people don’t talk about this beautiful shrine area. Mt. Kurama is a mountain and shrine area located just a short 25-minute train ride north of Kyoto, yet we only encountered a handful of other tourists during our visit.
Mount Kurama is a sacred mountain with significant spiritual importance, especially in Japanese folklore and religious traditions.
You can hike along a mountain pass and visit several beautiful shrines along the way. It’s the perfect half-day, 2-hour hike from Kyoto, and most of the path is well maintained with stone steps.
The main attraction is Kurama-dera Temple, located near the top of the mountain, where you can enjoy incredible views.
To shorten the hike, you can take a cable car part of the way up the mountain.
Things to know before visiting
- Take the train to either Kurama Station, transferring at Demachiyanagi Station, or Kibuneguchi Station.
- Explore the many traditional onsen baths in the Mt. Kurama area.
Where to stay
Most people visiting Mt. Kurama take a day trip from Kyoto. Here are a few recommended hotels in Kyoto:
- Rinn Niomon
- Stay SAKURA Kyoto Gion North
- Kaikoan
Uji
One of my favorite places in Japan is the beautiful Uji, the historic home of matcha tea—my dream come true. If you know me, you know that I love matcha; I’ve enjoyed it almost every morning for over five years. So, I jumped at the chance to visit this lovely city, just 30 minutes from Kyoto, that specializes in matcha.
We signed up for a matcha-making class at Fukujuen Uji, a fantastic place to learn about and interact with matcha. We booked the “making matcha with a stone mill” experience, which lasts about 45 minutes and costs 1,650 yen (~$11 USD).
To reach Uji from Kyoto, take either the JR line or the Keihan line directly to Uji. The train ride only takes about 30 minutes.
Most popular things to do in Uji
- Try matcha-flavored everything, including ramen, gyoza, and ice cream.
- Make your own matcha.
- Buy high-quality matcha at a great price (I love Masuda Chaho).
- Visit the beautiful Byodo-in Temple (the temple featured on the 10 yen coin) and the museum.
Where to stay
If you want to spend the night in Uji, consider these top-rated places:
Nara
I’m sure this spot is already on your list, and for good reason! Nara is one of the most beautiful places to visit in Japan. The deer are incredibly cute, and you can find the best mochi ever along the main road.
How to get to Nara
You can reach Nara from Kyoto in just 45 minutes via a rapid train on the JR line. If you don’t have a JR Pass, you can also take the Nara Line and transfer to the Keihan Line, which may be more convenient depending on where you’re staying in the city.
Things to do in Nara
- Feed (and bow to) the deer of Nara.
- Try the famous mochi at Nakatanidou.
- Grab lunch at Kasuya Nara Sanjo.
- Visit Kofuku-ji, a renowned Buddhist temple.
- Enjoy the beauty of Kasuga Taisha.
Ohara (Sanzen-in Temple)
If you visit Kyoto, make sure to take a day trip to Ohara. A short bus ride from Kyoto will lead you to one of Japan’s best hidden gems, where you’ll find numerous restaurants and shops, as well as the beautiful Sanzen-in Temple. I highly recommend enjoying a matcha ceremony here.
How to get to Ohara
From Kyoto, take bus 17 directly to Ohara. If you’re starting from Kyoto Station, you can also take the subway to Kokusaikaikan Station and then catch bus 19 to Ohara.
To reach Sanzen-in Temple from the bus stop, simply follow a short uphill forest path, where you’ll discover many shops and food stands along the way.
Things to know before visiting
- Expect a cost of 700 yen to visit Sanzen-in Temple. There is an additional fee of 600 yen ($3.95) per person for a matcha ceremony.
- If you enjoy hiking, explore the beautiful trails that lead from here all the way to the Mt. Kurama shrine trails.
Kanazawa
Kanazawa surprised me in the absolute best way. The city beautifully blends modern touches with historic neighborhoods, each filled with cultural significance.
Tsumago
The beautiful town of Tsumago lies along the Nakasendo trail in the Kiso Valley, Japan. Tsumago is one of the best-preserved and untouched post towns in the country, maintaining the atmosphere of the Edo Period. It truly feels like stepping back in history.
The area offers a glimpse into the past, along with stunning hiking trails on the Nakasendo trail. The most famous stretch is the 9 km path connecting Tsumago to its neighbor, Magome.
Be sure to enjoy a hot bowl of soba noodles and a seasonal soft cream while you’re there.
Things to know before visiting
- No cars are allowed in Tsumago.
- Local lodging is available, but options are limited. Book in advance if you plan to stay overnight.
- Most visitors experience Tsumago as a day trip (I visited from Matsumoto).
How to get to Tsumago
You can reach Tsumago from Nagiso train station on the JR Line, which connects to several major cities. From the station, it’s just a 10-minute bus ride to Tsumago. Since buses run infrequently, be sure to time your train travel accordingly.
Kyoto
Kyoto easily became one of my favorite cities during our three-week trip in Japan. I love that it’s a big city, yet you can discover many quiet, peaceful areas and amazing hiking nearby. It’s undeniably busy and packed with tourists, but I loved it anyway!
Things to do in Kyoto
- Spend a morning at the famous Fushimi Inari Taisha.
- Visit Eikando Temple.
- Stroll down Philosopher’s Path.
- Visit Kiyomizu-dera at sunset.
- Explore Kinkaku-ji (the Golden Temple).
- Enjoy dinner along Pontocho.
- Take a day trip to Uji for a matcha-making workshop.
Where to stay in Kyoto
Because Kyoto is quite busy, I recommend staying just outside the city center. We chose to stay north of the city center, near Heian Shrine, which I think makes for the perfect base in Kyoto.
Here are a few top-rated hotels in the area
- Rinn Niomon
- Stay SAKURA Kyoto Gion North
- Kaikoan
Tokyo
If you’re visiting Japan, Japan’s capital is likely already on your list, but I still want to show some love for Tokyo. Despite having a population of over 37 million people, Tokyo maintains a beautiful sense of order and a unique rhythm in the way people interact as they go about their days.
For me, Tokyo perfectly exemplifies how Japan gets things right, from efficient dining to timely public transportation.
Best things to do in Tokyo
- Enjoy street food in Asakusa.
- Visit Senso-ji Temple.
- Experience the Tokyo Skytree.
- Try conveyor belt sushi (and stand-up sushi).
- Cross at the famous Shibuya Crossing.
- Drink unlimited sake at Sake Market.
- Watch live jazz at Jazz Spot Intro.
Happy Travel!
