The kimono is Japan’s traditional garment, adorned with vibrant patterns and beautifully tied obi sashes that bring elegance and color to whoever wears it. Slipping one on amid photogenic scenery — like Kyoto’s bamboo groves or historic shrines and temples — creates an unforgettable travel memory. Nowadays, convenient kimono rental services are available throughout the country, letting you easily experience a day of “wa” (Japanese culture), dressing and hair styling included.
The Shimanto River is a clear stream stretching 196km through western Kochi Prefecture.
With few dams and the river’s natural flow preserved, it’s been dubbed “Japan’s last clear stream.”
With 94 species of naturally bred fish, it’s the most abundant in the country, and is home to an abundance of sweetfish, eels, shrimp, crabs, and more.
Nagoya Castle is a renowned historical landmark and one of Japan’s three most famous castles.
The castle tower, adorned with a golden shachihoko (lion-shaped carving), and the magnificent Honmaru Palace, a testament to the authority of the Tokugawa family, are famous tourist spots.
The castle was built by Tokugawa Ieyasu for his ninth son, Tokugawa Yoshinao.
Hida-Takayama flourished as a castle town during the Edo period, and even today retains much of its historical charm, earning it the nickname “Little Kyoto of Hida” and making it a popular tourist destination. Its appeal lies not only in its well-preserved old town, but also in its abundant natural beauty, with approximately 92% of the area covered in forests.
Located 100 meters underground within Akiyoshidai Quasi-National Park, the Akiyoshido Cave is designated as a Special Natural Monument.
The temperature inside the cave remains consistently at 17°C year-round, making it pleasantly cool in summer and comfortably warm in winter.
The “Hyakumaidara” (literally “hundred plates”) formations, resembling terraced rice fields, are a stunning sight.
This active volcano straddles Shizuoka and Yamanashi prefectures and is the tallest in Japan.
Its graceful appearance is a symbol of Japan and is known throughout the world.
As an object of worship and a source of artistic inspiration, it was registered as a World Heritage Site in 2013.
This shrine is located on Itsukushima (Miyajima) in Hatsukaichi City, Hiroshima Prefecture, which is one of the “Three Most Views of Japan.”
It is registered as a World Heritage Site along with the sea in front and the primeval forest in the back.
Because it is built on the sea, it appears to be floating on the water at high tide.
This fireworks festival is held throughout the year in Omagari, Daisen City, Akita Prefecture.
It has a strong element of being a presentation of creative fireworks, and foreign fireworks makers also participate.
In the summer, a daytime fireworks competition is held, which is rare among fireworks festivals.
Its volume of hot spring water is the second largest in the world after Yellowstone National Park in the United States, and it is the largest hot spring in the world where people can bathe.
Beppu Hatto consists of eight hot spring areas, each with different spring qualities, allowing you to enjoy a variety of hot springs.
Nara Park is a majestic park befitting an ancient capital, home to Todaiji Temple, Kofuku-ji Temple, Kasuga Taisha Shrine and the Kasugayama primeval forest.
The park is a harmonious blend of beautiful lawns and 1,000-year-old pine trees, and is home to around 1,300 wild deer.
As one of Japan’s leading tourist spots, it is visited by many people.