Top 10 Tourist Attractions in Japan

Last Updated: June 15, 2025

Top 10 Tourist Attractions in Japan


In our last story we helped you understand the best time to visit Japan. Today, we are exploring some of the best tourist attractions of this incredible Asian gem. Japan is a land of contrasts. Neon-lit cities pulse with energy while moss-covered temples whisper the silence of centuries past. From mystical shrines to sky-piercing towers, every traveler can find a piece of themselves in Japan's ever-changing landscape.

Whether you're drawn to culture, nature, history or quirky urban wonders, Japan has a way of pulling you into the moment. These top 10 tourist attractions capture the soul of the country, one unforgettable view at a time.

1. Tokyo Skytree (Tokyo)

Rising like a steel bamboo shoot into Tokyo’s skyline, the Tokyo Skytree is a marvel of modern engineering and a symbol of Japan’s forward gaze. At 634 meters, it’s the tallest tower in the world, with panoramic views from its observation decks that stretch all the way to Mt. Fuji on clear days.

Inside, seasonal decor and a massive shopping and dining complex known as Tokyo Solamachi offer plenty to explore after your elevator ride to the sky. It’s not just a tower, it’s a vertical city, a photography perch, and a gateway to Tokyo’s boundless energy.

2. Sapporo Clock Tower (Hokkaido)

Wrapped in white wood and crowned with a red roof, the Sapporo Clock Tower ticks with the memory of early Japanese modernity. Built in 1878, this is Japan’s oldest working clock tower and one of Hokkaido’s most beloved landmarks.

The inside houses a museum where visitors can learn about Sapporo’s pioneer past and the building’s original role as a military drill hall. It’s a gentle step back in time amid the urban buzz of modern Sapporo.

3. Fushimi Inari Taisha (Kyoto)

Thousands of vermilion torii gates cascade up the mountainside like a red river at Fushimi Inari Taisha, Kyoto’s iconic shrine to the Shinto god of rice and business. This is the head shrine of 30,000 Inari shrines across Japan, and it’s one of the most photographed places in the country.

Each gate has been donated by individuals or businesses, creating a path of prayer and prosperity through a peaceful forest. Keep an eye out for fox statues, thought to be the messengers of the gods.

4. Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse (Kanagawa)

Once a customs house in the Meiji and Taisho eras, the Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse is now a stylish hub of culture, shopping, and seasonal festivals by the sea. These twin red buildings tell stories of trade, time, and transformation.

Inside, you’ll find everything from artisan boutiques to trendy cafes. Outside, the wide-open lawn and harbor breeze invite you to stretch out and soak up Yokohama’s maritime charm.

5. Nagoya Castle (Aichi)

Nagoya Castle commands attention with its emerald-tiled roofs and golden shachihoko (mythical tiger-fish) gleaming from above. Originally built by Tokugawa Ieyasu in the 17th century, the castle played a central role in Edo-period politics.

Its Honmaru Palace, now beautifully restored, reveals lavish painted screens and sliding doors. Wander through the surrounding gardens or catch a glimpse of costumed samurai reenactments that breathe life into history.

6. Dotonbori (Osaka)

Dotonbori is Osaka’s playground, a neon-splashed channel of street food, shopping, and unfiltered joy. Gawk at the giant crab and octopus signs, snap a selfie with the Glico running man, and eat your way through a lineup of local flavors.

It started as a theater district in the 1600s, and that flair for performance hasn’t faded. Whether it’s a plate of takoyaki or a puppet show, Dotonbori is where Osaka puts on a show and invites you to join in.

7. Mount Fuji (Shizuoka/Yamanashi)

No list of Japanese icons is complete without the majestic symmetry of Mount Fuji. Revered as sacred and often snow-capped, this dormant volcano has inspired poets, pilgrims, and painters for centuries.

Climb it, view it from a tea field in Obuchi Sasaba, or snap it across the lake in Kawaguchiko, however you experience it, Mount Fuji leaves a mark. Especially in early summer, when fresh greenery frames the peak in cinematic serenity.

8. Itsukushima Shrine (Hiroshima)

Rising from the sea like a gateway to another realm, the floating torii gate of Itsukushima Shrine is one of Japan’s most ethereal sights. Located on Miyajima Island, the shrine blends seamlessly with nature, becoming part of the ocean’s rhythm.

High tide brings the illusion of floating architecture; low tide invites you to walk beneath the gate’s towering beams. Either way, it’s a place where the divine and the natural share the same quiet space.

9. Shirogane Blue Pond (Hokkaido)

The Shirogane Blue Pond in Biei is nature’s surrealist canvas. With a hue that shifts from sky blue to emerald depending on the light, and stark tree trunks rising from its mirrored surface, this artificial lake became famous as an Apple desktop wallpaper.

Created by accident during a damming project in the 1980s, the pond’s unusual coloration comes from natural minerals suspended in the water. Visit during fall or just after rain to see the colors at their most vivid.

10. Hitachi Seaside Park (Ibaraki)

If you’ve ever dreamed of walking through a living, breathing painting, Hitachi Seaside Park is your place. Each season, the vast park transforms with waves of color: baby-blue nemophila in spring, fire-red kochia in fall, and endless tulips, cosmos, and sunflowers in between.

Covering over 200 hectares, the park invites slow wanders and photo-fueled joy. Bring your walking shoes, your wide-angle lens, and your willingness to be wowed.

FAQs

When is the best time to visit Japan for cherry blossoms?

Late March to early April is peak cherry blossom season.

Is Mount Fuji climbable for beginners?

Yes, especially in summer, but proper prep and gear are essential.

Are Japan’s tourist sites easily accessible by public transport?

Absolutely, Japan has one of the world’s best rail networks.

Conclusion:

Whether it’s the serene glow of a shrine at dusk or the bustle of a food-lined alley, Japan draws you in through its contrasts. It’s a place where modernity meets mythology, and where every season transforms the scenery into something new.

So pack lightly, keep your camera ready, and go where the map leads you, but also where your curiosity does. These ten destinations are just the beginning of Japan’s wonder-filled journey.

Get More Info Now »

Destinations
Our Participants' Experiences and Reviews

I met calm, nice and good people.

Thank you for welcoming me into this program.

volunteer review marina

- Marina Parejo

Spain, Participated in Sri Lanka Monastery

I would recommend this as it is a very full immersive experience in the beautiful Kenyan culture and there is a lot to be learnt.

volunteer testimony Anna

- Anna Avataneo,

Italy, Volunteered in Kenya Medical Project

I was having a wonderful time, more than I could have hoped for.

volunteer testimony marlene

- Marlene Baumann

Switzerland, Psychology and Meditation Program

I had a great time in Chiang Mai with unique experiences and opportunities to immerse myself.

review julain germany to chiang mai

- Julian Thilo

Germany, Joined Buddhist Temple in Chiang Mai

In our journey of more than 11 years, we hosted and enrolled hundreds of volunteers. All the good reviews from our previous participants say it all.

volunteer fdip - Volunteer Reviews

Featured Programs

Today's Quiz

Test your knowledge about Volunteer FDIP and discover fun facts!

Take the Quiz

Recent Articles
Most Popular

Trusted by Hundreds of International Volunteers for 11+ Years.