Experiences & things to do in Japan
Hands-on things to do — food, culture, adventure and the outdoors.
257 listings
Jigokudani Wild Monkey Park
Watch wild Japanese macaques soak in natural hot spring pools amid a snowy valley — one of Japan's most iconic wildlife sights.
Kumano Kodō Pilgrimage Trail
Trek ancient sacred forest trails to the three Grand Shrines of Kumano on Japan's only UNESCO dual-listed pilgrimage route.
Beppu Onsen & Jigoku Meguri (Hell Tour)
Japan's most prolific hot spring city offers eight boiling 'hells' to tour and dozens of onsen for soaking, mud baths and sand bathing.
Matsushima Bay Cruise
Cruise among 260 pine-clad islands in one of Japan's three officially designated scenic views, framed by Zuigan-ji temple.
Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route Snow Wall (Yuki no Otani)
Walk through towering snow walls up to 20 metres high along the dramatic Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route.
Arashiyama Bamboo Grove
Walk through a towering, light-dappled corridor of bamboo in one of Japan's most photographed natural landscapes.
Shimanami Kaidō Cycling Route
Cycle 70 kilometres across six Seto Inland Sea islands on one of the world's great cycling routes.
Nikkō Autumn Leaf Season
Nikkō's mountain temples and cedar avenues ignite with crimson and gold foliage, ranking among Japan's finest autumn-leaf destinations.
Iriomote Island Mangrove Kayaking
Paddle through ancient mangrove forests and pristine jungle rivers on one of Japan's wildest and most remote islands.
Philosopher's Path (Tetsugaku-no-Michi), Kyoto
Stroll a canal-side path canopied in cherry blossom between Ginkaku-ji and Nanzen-ji, one of Kyoto's most beloved spring walks.
Yoshino Mountain Cherry Blossoms (Yoshinoyama)
Over 30,000 wild mountain cherry trees cloak Yoshino's sacred slopes in successive waves of pink bloom across four distinct elevation zones.
Shiretoko Drift Ice Walk (Ryūhyō Walk)
Don a dry suit and crunch across the UNESCO-listed Sea of Okhotsk's drift ice floes while scanning for Steller sea eagles and floating ice seals.
Yakushima Ancient Cedar Forest (Yakusugi Land & Jomonsugi Trek)
Trek through a moss-draped UNESCO primeval forest to Jōmon Sugi, a cedar tree over 2,000 years old and possibly Japan's oldest living organism.
Wajima Morning Market (Wajima Asaichi)
One of Japan's three great morning markets, Wajima's 1,000-year-old seaside bazaar overflows with lacquerware, dried seafood and Noto Peninsula crafts.
Kabira Bay & Manta Scramble Snorkelling, Ishigaki
Snorkel alongside oceanic manta rays at the world-famous Manta Scramble dive site off the emerald waters of Ishigaki Island.
Ryōgoku Kokugikan Sumo Tournament (Hatsu Basho)
Watch Japan's national sport live at the iconic Ryōgoku sumo arena during the New Year Grand Tournament, the first basho of the calendar year.
Mount Aso Caldera Walk & Active Volcano Experience
Stand on the rim of one of the world's largest active calderas and peer into the turquoise, smoking crater lake of Nakadake volcano.
Oboke Gorge Sightseeing Boats (Oboke Kyōkoku)
Glass-bottomed sightseeing boats drift through a gorge of emerald water flanked by dramatic marble cliffs in Tokushima's interior.
Kanazawa Kenroku-en Yukitsuri Snow Canopies
Conical rope canopies called yukitsuri are rigged over Kenroku-en's century-old pine trees each winter to protect them from heavy snow.
Kirishima Onsen & Volcanic Highlands (Kirishima-Jingū)
Volcanic peaks, sacred shrines, and naturally heated sulphurous hot springs converge in Kyushu's dramatic Kirishima highland region.
Kushiro Marshland Tancho Crane Watching
Watch hundreds of endangered Japanese red-crowned cranes dance and call across a snow-blanketed marshland at dedicated feeding stations.
Shibuya Scramble Crossing & Sky Observatory Experience
Step into the world's busiest pedestrian crossing, then ascend Shibuya Sky for a 360° rooftop view over the Tokyo megalopolis.
Oze National Park Mizubasho Wetland Walk
Japan's largest highland wetland erupts with thousands of white Asian skunk cabbage blooms across pristine alpine boardwalk trails.
Zamami Island Humpback Whale Watching
Board a boat from the Kerama Islands to watch humpback whales breach and sing in the crystal-clear seas of a designated national park.
Yufuin Onsen Town & Kinrin-ko Lake Walk
A storybook onsen resort town of art galleries and craft cafés wrapped around a mist-covered lake beneath the twin peaks of Mount Yufu.
Shikoku 88-Temple Pilgrimage (Shikoku Henro)
Follow the 1,200-year-old footsteps of Buddhist monk Kōbō Daishi across 1,200 km of mountain trails, coastal roads, and ancient temple steps.
Hakodate Morning Market (Hakodate Asaichi)
Hokkaido's most famous seafood market where visitors haul live squid and feast on uni rice bowls at dawn.
Tōno Furusato Village (Tōno Furusato-mura)
Step into Japan's folklore heartland in a reconstructed thatched-roof village where kappa legends and magariya farmhouses come alive.
Hakuba Valley Ski & Snow Resort
Japan's premier Alpine ski destination — a 10-resort valley with Olympic pedigree, powder-perfect runs, and stunning Northern Alps backdrops.
Osaka Dōtonbori Food & Nightlife Experience
Osaka's neon-blazing canal district is the heart of 'kuidaore' eating culture — takoyaki, kushikatsu, and ramen under giant mechanical crabs.
Shodoshima Olive Island & Seto Inland Sea Experience
Japan's olive-growing heartland — a sun-drenched Seto Inland Sea island where Greek-inspired groves, terraced soy fields, and film-set gorges await.
Kawaguchiko & Fuji Five Lakes Area
The classic reflected-Fuji vista across Lake Kawaguchi is Japan's most iconic photograph — surrounded by wisteria, cherry blossoms, and maple forests.
Kiso Valley: Magome–Tsumago Nakasendō Post-Town Walk
Walk an 8-kilometre stretch of the Edo-era Nakasendō highway through pristine post-towns and cedar forest that feels like stepping into a 19th-century woodblock print.
Yonaguni Island Hammerhead Shark Diving
Japan's westernmost island draws divers worldwide to witness schools of scalloped hammerhead sharks and the mysterious Yonaguni underwater rock monument.
Daisetsuzan National Park Autumn Foliage (Koyo)
Japan's earliest autumn colour ignites the alpine slopes of Daisetsuzan, the 'Roof of Hokkaido', from late September each year.
Niseko Hanazono Resort Powder Skiing
Ski world-renowned Japow on the slopes of Mount Yotei at Niseko, famed for some of the deepest, driest powder snow on earth.
Biei Patchwork Road Cycling & Scenery
Cycle or drive the rolling Biei Patchwork Road, where geometric crop fields of vivid colour create Hokkaido's most photographed countryside.
Lake Towada Autumn Foliage Season
A caldera lake framed by blazing maples and beeches offers some of Japan's most spectacular and unspoiled autumn scenery.
Hanamaki Onsen Nakatsu Kogen Winter Illuminations
Snow-dusted highland resort hotels in Hanamaki glow with winter light displays amid hot-spring steam and frost-covered forests.
Tazawako Ski Resort
Japan's deepest lake provides a breathtaking backdrop as skiers carve fresh powder runs on slopes overlooking Lake Tazawa.
Shirakami Sanchi Beech Forest Trekking
Trek through the world's largest virgin beech forest, a UNESCO World Heritage wilderness straddling the Aomori-Akita border.
Shizuoka Sincha Tea Harvest Festival (Shin-cha Matsuri)
Celebrate Japan's first spring tea harvest among vivid green terraced fields on the Makinohara plateau above Suruga Bay.
Kōfuku-ji Takigi Noh
Centuries-old Noh theater performed by torchlight in the ancient precincts of Kōfuku-ji, one of Nara's great UNESCO World Heritage temples.
Awa Jurobe Yashiki Ningyo Joruri Puppet Theatre
Watch master puppeteers perform UNESCO-listed Awa ningyo joruri bunraku at the historic Jurobe Yashiki estate in Tokushima.
Cape Ashizuri (Ashizurimisaki), Tosashimizu
Stand at Japan's dramatic southernmost Pacific cape, framed by white camellia forests and thundering ocean cliffs at the tip of Shikoku.
Awa Odori Kaikan Dance Experience, Tokushima
Learn Awa Odori's distinctive hands-high dance steps from professional performers at Tokushima's dedicated year-round dance hall.
Oboke Gorge White-Water Rafting
Raft Class III–IV rapids through the dramatic marble-walled Oboke Gorge on the Yoshino River, Shikoku's premier white-water run.
Uminonakamichi Seaside Park Flower Festival
A vast seaside park erupts in millions of cosmos and zinnia blooms across colour-blocked fields facing Hakata Bay each autumn.
Yanagawa Sagemon Matsuri & River Boat Cruise
Yanagawa's canal city celebrates Girls' Day with cascading sagemon ornament mobiles and tranquil punted boat tours through willow-lined waterways.
Usuki Stone Buddha Illumination (Usuki Sekibutsu)
Japan's finest collection of ancient stone Buddhas is bathed in ethereal candlelight illuminations during Usuki's beloved autumn evening festival.
Takachiho Gorge & Yokagura Night Kagura
Paddle emerald gorge waters by day and witness all-night sacred Shinto dance performances rooted in Japan's oldest myths by firelight.
Noboribetsu Date Jidai Mura Fireworks Show
An Edo-period theme village hosts summer evening fireworks shows combining ninja performances with hanabi spectacle.
Aizuwakamatsu Higashiyama Onsen Fireworks (Higashiyama Onsen Hanabi)
Watch intimate summer fireworks burst over wooded hot-spring valleys at Higashiyama Onsen, Aizu's most beloved ryokan resort district.
Yodogawa Fireworks Premium Viewing Experience
Watch Osaka's spectacular Yodogawa hanabi from an exclusive rooftop or riverside premium seat with catering included.
Osaka Hanabi Photography Night Workshop
Learn to photograph dazzling Japanese fireworks with a professional photographer at Osaka's summer hanabi festivals.
Hiroshima Nishi Fireworks Cruise Experience
Board a chartered cruise on the Ōta River delta and watch Hiroshima's summer fireworks from the water for an unobstructed 360-degree show.
Nokonoshima Island Fireworks Night, Fukuoka
Watch hanabi burst over Hakata Bay from the flower-covered hillsides of Nokonoshima Island on a magical late-summer evening.
Ocean Expo Park Summer Fireworks (Kaiyō Hakurankai Kinen Kōen Hanabi)
Watch fireworks burst over the scenic Motobu Peninsula coastline from inside the Ocean Expo Park on special summer evenings.
Ginowan Seaside Park Fireworks (Ginowan Kaihin Kōen Hanabi)
Ginowan's seaside park hosts one of central Okinawa's most crowd-friendly fireworks evenings with easy transport links from Naha.
Okinawa Hanabi Photography Experience (Guided Fireworks Shooting Tour)
Join a professional photographer guide to capture Okinawa's summer fireworks from secret vantage points unavailable to general crowds.
Nijo Market Spring Sakura Stroll (二条市場さくら散策)
Combine cherry blossom walks along the Sosei River with fresh seafood tastings at Sapporo's lively 130-year-old Nijo Market.
Lake Shikotsu Cherry Blossom Hanami (支笏湖の桜)
Japan's northernmost caldera lake offers an intimate hanami experience with cherry trees blooming beside crystalline cobalt-blue waters.
Hirosaki Castle Moat Rowboat Hanami
Paddle a rowboat through Hirosaki Castle's petal-carpeted moat beneath arching cherry blossom canopies for an iconic hanami experience.
Shiroishi River Cherry Blossom Viewing (Shiroishi-gawa Hitome Senbonzakura)
Walk or cycle beneath 1,200 cherry trees along an 8km riverside embankment said to reveal 1,000 trees in a single glance.
Kakunodate Samurai District Weeping Cherry Viewing
Stroll Kakunodate's preserved samurai quarter as cascading 300-year-old weeping cherry trees frame black-walled samurai residences.
Tsurugajo Castle Night Cherry Blossom Viewing (Tsurugajo Yozakura)
After-dark illuminations transform Tsurugajo Castle and its 1,000 cherry trees into a luminous pink spectacle reflected in the castle moat.
Chidorigafuchi Moat Cherry Blossom Boat Ride
Paddle a rowboat beneath a tunnel of weeping cherry trees along the Imperial Palace moat for an unforgettable hanami.
Yanaka Cemetery Cherry Blossom Walk
Stroll a centuries-old cemetery-turned-blossom promenade in Tokyo's most atmospheric old-shitamachi neighbourhood.
Asahi Park Cherry Blossom Viewing, Matsumoto
Matsumoto's beloved riverside Asahi Park offers classic hanami under rows of Somei Yoshino cherries with the snow-capped Northern Alps as backdrop.
Takayama Higashiyama Sakura Walking Trail
A 3.5 km temple-and-shrine trail on Takayama's eastern hills bursts into bloom with cherry and plum trees framing ancient wooden architecture.
Omachi Keisetsu Cherry Blossom Promenade, Nagano
A lesser-known avenue of cherry trees lines the Keisetsu promenade in mountain town Omachi, with the Hakuba range reflected in the Nakatsuna reservoir.
Matsukawa River Cherry Blossom Boat Cruise, Toyama
Drift beneath 460 cherry trees on a 30-minute wooden boat cruise along Toyama's Matsukawa River with the Tateyama mountain range as backdrop.
Kobe Nunobiki Herb Garden Cherry Blossom Ropeway Experience
Ride Kobe's Shin-Kobe Ropeway over blooming mountain cherry trees for a panoramic sakura-and-city view unlike any other.
Osaka Castle Moat Hanami Boat Cruise
Glide through Osaka Castle's historic stone-walled moat by passenger boat beneath a canopy of overhanging cherry blossoms.
Osaka Hanami Bento Crafting & Park Picnic Experience
Learn to assemble a seasonal sakura-themed bento with a local chef, then carry it to a nearby park for an authentic hanami picnic.
Kakuzan Park (Shiroyama) Cherry Blossom Night Illumination, Tsuyama
Tsuyama's hilltop castle park hosts one of Japan's top-ranked nighttime hanami experiences, with 4,000 cherry trees blazing under dramatic floodlights.
Tsuwano Cherry Blossom Promenade
The 'Little Kyoto of the San'in' dresses itself in pink as cherry trees line Tsuwano's historic samurai-quarter canals and castle-hill approach.
Mirasaka Cherry Blossom Road, Miyoshi
A 10 km rural road through Mirasaka in northern Hiroshima is flanked by thousands of cherry trees, earning its nickname 'the most beautiful road in Japan.'
Zentsuji Temple Cherry Blossom Hanami
Japan's largest wooden temple complex, birthplace of Kobo Daishi, blooms gloriously with hundreds of cherry trees each spring.
Tokushima Shinmachi Riverwalk Cherry Blossom Promenade
Stroll along the Shinmachi River as cherry petals drift over the water in central Tokushima city.
Shimanto River Cherry Blossom Sightseeing Cruise
Drift along Japan's last free-flowing river as cherry blossoms frame its legendary chinkabashi submersible bridges.
Mount Tsurugi Alpine Cherry Blossom Trekking
Hike Shikoku's second-highest peak as late-blooming mountain cherry trees dust the alpine trails in pink.
Sengan-en (Iso Teien) Cherry Blossom Hanami, Kagoshima
Hanami amid a UNESCO-listed feudal garden with Sakurajima volcano as a breathtaking backdrop across Kinko Bay.
Glover Garden Cherry Blossom Season, Nagasaki
Meiji-era Western-style mansions on Minamiyamate Hill are framed by cherry blossoms with sweeping harbour views.
Usa City Riverside Cherry Blossom Walk, Oita
A peaceful riverside corridor of cherry trees lines the Yorimo River near ancient Usa Jingu shrine in northern Oita.
Suwa Shrine Cherry Blossom Viewing, Nagasaki
Cherry blossoms adorn the long stone staircase and forested grounds of Nagasaki's most important Shinto shrine.
Hirado Castle Cherry Blossom Viewing, Nagasaki
Cherry blossoms frame the white hilltop keep of Hirado Castle above the sea in one of Kyushu's most photogenic spring scenes.
Katsuren Castle Ruins Hanami
Spread a picnic blanket beneath Kanhizakura trees on the terraced hillside of another of Okinawa's World Heritage castle ruins.
Okinawa Peace Memorial Park Sakura Walk
Walk lanes of flowering Kanhizakura trees through this solemn and beautiful memorial park overlooking the southern Okinawa coastline.
Yomitan Village Kanhizakura Hanami
Discover low-key hanami among local Okinawans in the pottery-village lanes and parks of laid-back Yomitan, sprinkled with Kanhizakura blooms.
Ie Island Cherry Blossom Cycling Tour
Cycle past wild Kanhizakura trees on traffic-light-free Ie Island, with iconic Iegusuiku rock and turquoise seas as your backdrop.
Tokachidake Onsen Alpine Koyo Hiking (十勝岳温泉紅葉ハイキング)
Hike through volcanic highland trails where dwarf bamboo, blueberry scrub, and rowan ignite in brilliant colour against snow-dusted peaks.
Lake Shikotsu Autumn Foliage Cruise (支笏湖紅葉クルーズ)
Glide across one of Japan's clearest caldera lakes aboard a glass-bottomed boat, surrounded by mountain slopes ablaze with autumn colour.
Nakajima Park Autumn Foliage Stroll (中島公園の紅葉散策)
Sapporo's beloved urban park glows with ginkgo and maple colour, reflected in Nakajima Pond beside the graceful Hokkaido Concert Hall.
Shiretoko Pass Autumn Foliage Drive (知床峠紅葉ドライブ)
Drive the UNESCO World Heritage peninsula's only mountain pass as dwarf stone pine and rowan paint the volcanic slopes in vivid autumn hues.
Asahidake Ropeway Autumn Foliage (旭岳ロープウェイ紅葉)
Hokkaido's highest peak signals the arrival of Japan's first autumn colours, reachable by ropeway for stunning volcanic plateau koyo views.
Kurodake Autumn Foliage Ropeway & Chairlift (黒岳ロープウェイ・リフト紅葉)
A two-stage ropeway and chairlift system whisks visitors to Kurodake's colourful alpine zone for unobstructed panoramic koyo views above the clouds.
Noboribetsu Okuyama Koyo Nature Trail (登別奥山紅葉自然歩道)
Follow the loop trail above Jigokudani Hell Valley as sulphurous steam drifts through autumn-coloured forest of maple, birch, and oak.
Oirase Stream Autumn Foliage Walk
Walk beside a mossy, cascade-studded mountain stream under a cathedral canopy of fiery autumn maples and beeches.
Mt. Haguro (Dewa Sanzan) Autumn Pilgrimage
Climb 2,446 ancient cedar-lined stone steps to a sacred mountain shrine through a tunnel of blazing autumn canopy.
Zao Ropeway Autumn Foliage Ride
Ride a gondola above an erupting patchwork of autumn colour on the volcanic flanks of Mt. Zao toward the famous crater lake.
Mt. Moriyoshi Autumn Foliage & Gondola
Ride a gondola above a sea of beech, maple, and oak colour on one of Akita's tallest peaks near the Shirakami foothills.
Koiwai Farm Autumn Harvest & Foliage
Wander a historic working farm beneath Mt. Iwate's autumn-lit slopes, picking apples and tasting fresh dairy amid maple groves.
Mitake Valley (Mitake Keikoku) Autumn Foliage Walk
Follow the crystal-clear Tama River gorge as maples, Japanese zelkova and oaks ignite in vivid reds along its rocky banks.
Mount Oyama Autumn Foliage Pilgrimage (Oyama-san Koyo)
Hike or cable-car up a sacred Edo-era pilgrimage mountain wrapped in blazing maple forest above Isehara in Kanagawa.
Mount Tsukuba Autumn Foliage Season (Tsukuba-san Koyo)
Ride a ropeway to the twin peaks of sacred Mount Tsukuba and survey a sea of autumn colour spreading across the Kantō Plain.
Yugawara Autumn Foliage Season & Fudo Waterfall Walk
Soak in open-air hot springs surrounded by late-season maple forests in Kanagawa's charming coastal onsen town.
Lake Okutama Autumn Foliage Cruise & Kayak Experience
Paddle or cruise across Tokyo's largest reservoir as dense mountain forest ignites in sweeping reflections of red and gold.
Obara Shikizakura Autumn Cherry Blossom Viewing
Witness the rare double bloom of pink cherry blossoms and golden autumn leaves side by side in rural Obara.
Kamikochi Autumn Foliage Season
Hike through the Japanese Alps as larch, birch, and maple trees turn gold around the crystalline Azusa River.
Narai-juku Nakasendō Post-Town Autumn Walk
Stroll Japan's longest surviving Edo-period post town as crimson maples frame 1-kilometre of intact merchant streetscape.
Tsumago-ji Autumn Forest Hike, Kiso Valley
Hike an ancient cedar-lined Nakasendō forest trail as autumn turns the Kiso mountain slopes gold and crimson.
Hakusan National Park Autumn Trekking
Trek sacred Mount Hakusan as alpine meadows and beech forests turn gold around one of Japan's three holy peaks.
Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route Autumn Traverse
Cross the rooftop of the Japanese Alps by cable car and trolley bus as valleys ignite in sweeping autumn colour.
Rurikō-in Autumn Open House (瑠璃光院秋の特別拝観)
A rare seasonal open house at a secluded villa where maples reflect perfectly in lacquered study-room floors.
Kobe Nunobiki Herb Garden Autumn Foliage Ropeway (神戸布引ハーブ園紅葉ロープウェー)
Ride the Shin-Kobe Ropeway above Kobe for sweeping panoramas of the city, sea, and mountain koyo.
Kurama & Kibune Autumn Foliage Hike (鞍馬・貴船紅葉ハイク)
Hike through blazing autumn forest between mystical Kurama-dera temple and the lantern-lit Kibune Shrine valley.
Saiho-ji Moss Temple Autumn Foliage (西芳寺苔寺紅葉)
A UNESCO-listed Zen garden of 120 moss species transforms into a jewel-toned carpet beneath autumn maple canopy.
Sandankyō Gorge Autumn Foliage Hike
Trek through a dramatic river gorge where emerald pools and thundering waterfalls are framed by blazing autumn foliage.
Nishiki River Valley Koyo, Nishiki Town
Follow the crystal Nishiki River through a mosaic of red, orange and gold foliage in rural Yamaguchi's hidden valley.
Mt. Daisen Autumn Foliage
The Chugoku region's highest peak ignites in a mosaic of beech gold and maple crimson above the Sea of Japan.
Hiba-Dogo-Taishaku Quasi-National Park Autumn Trekking
Trek the highland plateau of Hiba-Dogo-Taishaku Park where primeval beech forests blaze gold above volcanic crater lakes.
Mount Tsurugi Autumn Foliage Trekking
Shikoku's second-highest peak blazes with early alpine koyo as trekkers follow ridge trails through wind-sculpted beech forests.
Ryūgadō Cave & Autumn Foliage Park, Tosa
Explore one of Japan's three great limestone caves then emerge to maple-lined hills blazing with late-autumn colour in Tosa.
Zōzan Forest Autumn Walk, Kotohira
Stroll the forested slopes of Zōzan hill beside Kotohiragu Shrine as maples and ginkgos blanket the stone stairways in autumn gold.
Yufudake Mountain Autumn Foliage Trek, Yufu
Hike the twin-peaked Mount Yufu (1,584 m) as beech and oak forests explode in fiery autumn colour above the famous onsen town.
Takachiho Gorge Autumn Foliage Boat Ride, Miyazaki
Row a wooden boat through the mythological Takachiho Gorge as towering basalt walls are draped in crimson maple and ivy foliage.
Horikiri Pass (Horikiri-toge) Autumn Scenic Drive, Miyazaki
Drive or cycle the ridge-top Horikiri Pass between Nobeoka and Takachiho through tunnels of maple and beech ablaze with autumn colour.
Ohori Park (Ōhori-kōen) Autumn Foliage Walk, Fukuoka
Fukuoka's beloved lakeside park turns gold and crimson in late November as ginkgo avenues and maple groves frame the island-dotted central pond.
やんばる国立公園 秋の森トレッキング Yanbaru National Park Autumn Forest Trekking
Trek through UNESCO-listed Yanbaru forest as subtropical deciduous trees shed leaves in the cool northern hills of Okinawa.
平和祈念公園 秋の散策 Peace Memorial Park Autumn Reflection Walk
Walk the coastal bluff memorial park as its flowering trees and seasonal shrubs soften in autumn hues above the serene East China Sea.
喜如嘉の芭蕉布 秋の工房見学 Kijoka Bashofu Village Autumn Textile Workshop Tour
Visit Kijoka village as banana-fibre weavers work amid autumn-tinted plantain groves in this UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage community.
比地大滝 秋のトレッキング Hiji Waterfall Autumn Nature Walk
Hike a lush subtropical river trail to Okinawa's tallest waterfall as overhanging deciduous trees blush in late-year colour.
伊江島 城山（タッチュー）秋の登山 Ie Island Gusukuyama (Tacchu) Autumn Summit Hike
Scale Ie Island's iconic flat-topped 172-metre pinnacle for sweeping autumn views over the island's fields and surrounding coral sea.
Otaru Canal Winter Illumination
Historic Otaru Canal glows with thousands of warm gas lanterns and LED lights reflected in icy waters.
Jozankei Winter Illumination (Jozankei Two Lights)
Snow-draped hot-spring village of Jozankei glitters with 800,000 LED lights strung through its riverside forests.
Hoshino Resort Tomamu Ice Village
An entire village of hand-built ice buildings—bar, chapel, hot tub, and igloo hotel—rises each winter at Tomamu Resort.
Abashiri Drift Ice Walk (Ryuhyo Walk)
Don a dry suit and walk across the drifting Sea of Okhotsk pack ice in a once-in-a-lifetime Arctic-edge adventure.
Aurora Icebreaker Cruise, Abashiri
Ride the Aurora icebreaker ship as it crunches through Sea of Okhotsk drift ice on a spectacular 60-minute winter voyage.
Niseko Hanazono Night Skiing & Winter Illumination
Ski floodlit powder runs under the stars at Niseko Hanazono with Mt Yotei glowing on the horizon.
Zao Juhyo (Snow Monsters) Illumination
Zao's famed frost-encrusted fir trees, illuminated at night, loom like ghostly giants across the volcanic mountainside.
Arts Towada Winter Illumination
Contemporary outdoor artworks along Towada's Arts Street shimmer under winter illuminations, merging public art with snowy streetscapes.
Nyuto Onsen Winter Snow Retreat
Soak in rustic open-air hot springs buried deep in the snowy Akita mountains at the legendary Nyuto Onsen cluster.
Ginzan Onsen Winter Snow Lantern Illumination
Gas-lamp-lit Taisho-era ryokan facades reflected in a snowy river make Ginzan Onsen Japan's most photogenic winter hot-spring village.
Showa Kinen Park Winter Illumination (Tama no Hikari Walk)
Showa Kinen Park's vast grounds host a serene winter illumination walk beneath starlit ginkgo allées and illuminated fountains.
Mount Mitake & Okutama Winter Snow Hiking Experience
Snow-dusted trails lead from Mount Mitake's sacred village to frozen waterfalls deep in Tokyo's western mountain wilderness.
Tancho Crane Winter Feeding Grounds, Kushiro Shitsugen
Watch hundreds of endangered red-crowned cranes gather at feeding stations across the frozen Kushiro Marshland.
Shiretoko Peninsula Nature Cruise
Cruise along the UNESCO World Heritage Shiretoko coastline, spotting brown bears, Steller sea eagles, and sea lions from the water.
Tokachi Farm & Food Experience, Obihiro
Immerse yourself in Hokkaido's breadbasket on a guided Tokachi plain farm tour with hands-on cheese-making and harvest activities.
Nemuro Birdwatching: Steller's Sea Eagle & Winter Raptors
Nemuro's frozen wetlands host the world's largest concentration of Steller's sea eagles, a once-in-a-lifetime wildlife spectacle.
Okayama Saidaiji Temple Precinct Experience
Explore the storied Saidaiji Temple complex, spiritual home of one of Japan's three great naked festivals, year-round.
Kurashiki Ivy Square Summer Evening Festival
Open-air concerts, folk dance, and artisan markets fill the romantic ivy-covered courtyards of Kurashiki's landmark Ivy Square.
Nagoro Scarecrow Village & Iya Valley Cultural Festival
Explore the famous scarecrow-populated hamlet of Nagoro deep in the Iya Valley, combined with autumn folk craft demonstrations and mountain food traditions.
Shimanto River Ayu Fishing & Kawa no Eki Summer Festival
Join local fishermen on Japan's last free-flowing river to experience traditional cormorant-style ayu fishing and feast riverside on freshly grilled sweetfish.
Ryukyu Lantern Festival (Okinawa World Gyokusendo Cave Illumination)
Thousands of hand-painted lanterns illuminate the stalactites of Gyokusendo Cave in a magical winter festival of light.
Lake Shikotsu Fireworks & Onsen Night (支笏湖花火大会)
Watch fireworks burst over Japan's second-deepest lake from an onsen ryokan terrace in a serene national park setting.
Noboribetsu Jigokudani Bon Festival Fireworks (登別地獄谷盆祭り花火)
Fireworks erupt above Noboribetsu's volcanic 'Hell Valley' during the Obon season, combining geothermal steam and pyrotechnics in an otherworldly spectacle.
Tohoku Hanabi Night Photography Experience
A guided night photography workshop teaching long-exposure hanabi techniques at Tohoku's summer fireworks festivals.
Mikawa Bay Fireworks Viewing Boat Experience
Charter a traditional wooden boat on Mikawa Bay for an unobstructed 360-degree view of multiple Aichi coastal fireworks displays.
Hanshin Koshien Stadium Fireworks Night (甲子園球場花火ナイト)
Watch post-game fireworks burst above iconic Koshien Stadium after a Hanshin Tigers night match in an electrifying dual spectacle of sport and pyrotechnics.
Maizuru Bay Fireworks Cruise Experience (舞鶴湾花火クルーズ)
Board a chartered vessel in Maizuru's naval harbour and watch fireworks burst overhead from the water, surrounded by Self-Defense Force ships and coastal cliffs.
Setonaikai Fireworks Cruise (Ōtake & Kure)
Board a chartered cruise on the Seto Inland Sea to watch fireworks from multiple coastal towns from the water.
Maruyama Park Hanami (円山公園花見)
Sapporo's beloved urban park fills with cherry-blossom picnic parties each spring, just minutes from the city centre and Maruyama Zoo.
Shiroishi River Cherry Blossom Avenue (白石こころーど桜並木)
A 4.5 km cycling and walking path along the Shiroishi River is lined with hundreds of cherry trees, forming a breathtaking pink tunnel in Sapporo.
Nakajima Park Cherry Blossom Hanami (中島公園の桜)
Sapporo's elegant Nakajima Park bursts with cherry blossoms around its scenic pond, offering refined hanami steps from Susukino entertainment district.
Noboribetsu Date Jidaimura Cherry Blossom Hanami (登別伊達時代村の桜)
Watch ninja shows and samurai performances beneath blooming cherry trees at Noboribetsu's immersive Edo-period theme village.
Abashiri Tentozan Cherry Blossom Hanami (網走天都山の桜)
Climb Tento-zan hill in Abashiri for panoramic views of the Sea of Okhotsk framed by cherry blossoms and snow-capped Shiretoko peaks beyond.
Miharu Takizakura Dawn Hanami Experience
Witness the thousand-year-old cascading weeping cherry awaken at dawn before the crowds arrive, guided by a local expert.
Kitakami Tenshochi Sakura River Boat Ride
Drift beneath arching Somei Yoshino canopies on a traditional wooden boat along the cherry-blossom-lined Kitakami River.
Hirosaki Sakura Photography Workshop
A professional photographer leads small groups through Hirosaki's most photogenic blossom spots at golden hour and dusk.
Yoyogi Park Hanami Season
Tokyo's beloved urban park transforms into a festive open-air hanami party ground with hundreds of blossoming cherry trees.
Kiyosumi Teien Garden Cherry Blossom Season
Stroll a meticulously designed Meiji-era strolling garden where cherry blossoms drape over a central ornamental pond.
National Showa Memorial Park Sakura Canal Walk
Walk through a glorious tunnel of 1,500 cherry trees lining the Waterside Terrace canal in this vast national park.
Musashi Ichinomiya Hikawa Shrine Cherry Blossom Walk
Stroll a 2km zelkova-and-cherry-lined sacred approach to one of Japan's oldest Shinto shrines during breathtaking spring bloom.
Gero Onsen Cherry Blossom & Hot Spring Hanami
Soak in one of Japan's three great hot springs while cherry blossoms drift across riverside ryokan gardens.
Nagoya Castle Hanami Guided Picnic Experience
Join a guided hanami picnic inside Nagoya Castle's historic grounds, with local bento, sake, and cultural storytelling.
Keage Incline Cherry Blossom Walk (蹴上インクライン花見)
Walk the historic railway incline in Kyoto's Higashiyama district under a breathtaking pink tunnel of weeping cherry trees.
Philosopher's Path Cherry Blossom Stroll (哲学の道花見)
Follow the canal-side path beloved by philosopher Nishida Kitaro, canopied with hundreds of cherry trees in full bloom.
Takeda Castle Ruins Cherry Blossom Viewing (竹田城跡花見)
Hike to Japan's 'Castle in the Sky' to find ancient stone ramparts draped in cherry blossoms above a sea of morning clouds.
Kyoto Hanami Tea Ceremony & Bento Garden Experience
Enjoy a guided outdoor matcha tea ceremony and seasonal sakura bento in a private Kyoto garden during peak cherry bloom.
Mt. Daisen Cherry Blossom Viewing
Late-blooming cherry trees ring the base of Chugoku's highest peak, with snow-capped Daisen as a breathtaking backdrop.
Tsuwano Cherry Blossom & SL Yamaguchi Steam Train Experience
Board the vintage SL Yamaguchi steam locomotive and arrive in Tsuwano as cherry blossoms line the castle ruins and historic streets.
Izumo Taisha Shrine Cherry Blossom Pilgrimage Walk
Walk the grand pine-and-cherry approach to Japan's most ancient shrine as spring blossoms soften the sacred forest.
Taishakukyō Gorge Cherry Blossom Boat Cruise
Drift through Taishakukyō's dramatic limestone gorge on a flat-bottomed boat beneath a late-blooming cherry blossom canopy.
Ritsurin Kōen Spring Hanami
Stroll beneath 200 cherry trees reflected in the tranquil ponds of one of Japan's finest Edo-era stroll gardens.
Ōzu Castle Cherry Blossom Hanami
Picnic beneath cherry blossoms at Ōzu's reconstructed hilltop castle, dubbed the 'Kyoto of Iyo' for its preserved Edo townscape.
Kotohira-gū Shrine Cherry Blossom Pilgrimage Walk
Climb 785 stone steps to Kotohira-gū shrine through a corridor of flowering cherry trees on one of Shikoku's most iconic pilgrim stairways.
Harimaya-bashi Cherry Blossom Canal Walk, Kochi
Stroll along the cherry-blossom-draped canal walkways beside Kochi's beloved Harimaya-bashi bridge, one of Japan's top three disappointing sights turned spring gem.
Yoshino River Cherry Blossom Boat Cruise
Drift along the Yoshino River, Shikoku's longest waterway, beneath tunnels of cherry blossoms lining its famous embankments.
Zentsuji Temple Pilgrimage Cherry Blossom Walk
Walk the lantern-lined approach to Zentsuji, birthplace of Kūkai and headquarters of the 88-temple Shikoku Pilgrimage, beneath a canopy of spring cherry blossoms.
Yanagawa River Cherry Blossom Boat Cruise, Fukuoka
Drift through Yanagawa's historic canal network on a flat-bottomed donko boat as cherry petals fall softly onto the water around you.
Chiran Samurai District Cherry Blossom Walk, Kagoshima
Walk the remarkably preserved stone-walled samurai lanes of Chiran beneath arching cherry trees for a uniquely cinematic spring hanami.
Kitakyushu Cherry Blossom Hanami at Katsuyama Park
The moat and stone walls of Kokura Castle's Katsuyama Park burst with cherry blossoms each spring, hosting Kitakyushu's liveliest hanami festival.
North Okinawa Kanhizakura Motorcycle Tour
Ride through northern Okinawa's cherry blossom corridor from Nago to Nakijin on a guided motorcycle tour past pink-lined roadsides.
Cape Hedo Sakura Sunrise Hike
Hike to Okinawa's northernmost cape at dawn and watch the sun rise over the East China Sea framed by wild kanhizakura blossoms.
Yanbaru Forest Cherry Blossom & Birdwatching Tour
Spot Okinawa Rail and Ryukyu robins feeding in kanhizakura trees on a guided birding walk through UNESCO-listed Yanbaru forest.
Nakijin Castle Sakura Tea Ceremony Experience
Participate in an open-air tea ceremony beside the cherry blossom-laden walls of UNESCO World Heritage Nakijin Castle.
Motobu Peninsula Cherry Blossom Sea Kayak Tour
Paddle crystal-clear waters along the Motobu coastline beneath hillsides ablaze with pink kanhizakura cherry blossoms.
Southern Okinawa Kanhizakura Village Cycling Tour
Cycle quiet backroads through southern Okinawa's farming villages past roadside kanhizakura trees and sugarcane fields in full bloom.
Jozankei Onsen Autumn Foliage (定山渓温泉紅葉)
Sapporo's beloved hot-spring valley turns fiery orange and red in October, with riverside maple groves reflecting in the Toyohira River.
Tokachidake Onsen Autumn Foliage (十勝岳温泉紅葉)
Alpine tundra colours erupt around the volcanic Tokachidake Onsen at 1,280 m, offering some of Hokkaido's earliest and most vivid high-elevation koyo.
Furano Valley Autumn Foliage (富良野渓谷の紅葉)
The broad Furano valley basin and surrounding forested hillsides ignite in October, with larch plantations turning brilliant gold across the open farmland landscape.
Daisetsuzan National Park Alpine Koyo Trail (大雪山国立公園高山紅葉トレイル)
Japan's first autumn colour arrives each year on Daisetsuzan's high plateaus, where hike-accessible alpine tundra blazes with scarlet bearberry and golden grasses.
Eniwa-dake & Tarumae-zan Autumn Hiking (恵庭岳・樽前山紅葉ハイキング)
Hike the volcanic peaks flanking Lake Shikotsu for sweeping panoramas of autumn-coloured caldera forests descending to the cobalt-blue crater lake below.
Lake Mashu & Kussharo Koyo Scenic Drive (摩周湖・屈斜路湖紅葉ドライブ)
Drive the stunning Akan横断 road linking mystical Lake Mashu and vast Lake Kussharo through a corridor of blazing autumn forest in Hokkaido's wild east.
Shiretoko Goko Five Lakes Autumn Walk (知床五湖紅葉ウォーク)
Walk the elevated boardwalk through Shiretoko's UNESCO wilderness as five forest-fringed lakes mirror the blazing autumn foliage of a brown bear habitat.
Mount Jinba Autumn Foliage Hike
Hike the ridge trail of Mount Jinba to enjoy sweeping Okutama valley vistas blanketed in fiery autumn foliage under open alpine skies.
Okutama Lake Autumn Foliage Lakeside Trail
Walk the suspension-bridge trail above Okutama Lake as vivid autumn foliage tumbles down steep valley walls into the turquoise reservoir below.
Nagatoro Gorge Autumn Foliage River Cruise
Drift through Nagatoro Gorge on a traditional wooden punt while boatmen pole through rapids beneath sheer cliffs cloaked in fiery autumn foliage.
Tanzawa Mountains Autumn Foliage Trekking, Kanagawa
Trek the Tanzawa range's beech and maple ridges as Kanagawa's wildest mountain scenery transforms into a sweeping canvas of autumn gold and crimson.
Kenroku-en Surroundings Autumn Walk, Kanazawa
Explore Kanazawa's historic Higashi Chaya district and samurai neighbourhoods draped in vibrant autumn foliage on a guided walking tour.
Jōnen Alps Autumn Trekking, Azumino
Trek above 2,800 m in the Northern Japan Alps to witness spectacular early autumn colour sweeping down from the rocky ridgelines.
Higashiyama Teramachi Autumn Temple Trail, Takayama
Wander a lantern-lined temple and shrine circuit on Takayama's eastern hillside as maples turn crimson against ancient wooden architecture.
Mt. Norikura Autumn Colour Drive & Hike
Japan's highest drivable road ascends Mt. Norikura through rolling alpine meadows ablaze with early-autumn scarlet and gold.
Mt. Ontake Autumn Foliage & Ropeway, Ōtaki
Ride the Ontake ropeway above a sea of autumn colour on the sacred volcano's forested lower slopes in the Kiso Valley.
Tenryū Gorge Autumn Foliage Boat Ride, Shizuoka
Drift through the steep walls of Tenryū Gorge on a traditional flat-bottomed boat as late-season maples cling to the rocky cliffs above.
Tenkyū-in Autumn Special Opening (天球院秋の特別公開)
A rare chance to enter Myōshin-ji's normally closed Tenkyū-in and admire painted fusuma screens amid autumn foliage.
Katsura Imperial Villa Autumn Foliage (桂離宮紅葉)
Tour Japan's most refined stroll garden as maples, pines, and raked gravel ignite with autumn colour under Imperial Household Agency guidance.
Kyoto Fushimi Inari Autumn Foliage Night Walk (伏見稲荷大社紅葉夜間散策)
Walk thousands of vermillion torii gates glowing between maple canopies after dark at Kyoto's most iconic Shinto shrine.
Mt. Daisen Autumn Foliage Trekking Experience
Guided alpine trekking on the Chugoku region's highest peak as beech forests transform into a golden sea of autumn colour.
Hagi Jōkamachi Autumn Foliage Walk
Stroll Hagi's preserved Edo-period samurai district as autumn leaves drift over white-walled merchant houses and historic lanes.
Onomichi Temple Walk Autumn Foliage Experience
Wander a hillside pilgrimage trail linking 25 temples through Onomichi's cinematic old town as autumn colour peaks above the Seto Sea.
Taishakukyō Gorge Autumn Illumination & Boat Cruise
Glide beneath towering limestone cliffs lit by autumn foliage and evening illuminations on a guided boat through Taishakukyō Gorge.
Matsue Castle Town Koyo & Samurai Experience
Explore Japan's only remaining original black castle reflected in moat waters ringed by autumn foliage on a guided Matsue koyo experience.
Nishi-Iya Valley Autumn Foliage Boat Cruise
Drift through the emerald Yoshino River gorge as crimson maples and golden ginkgos blanket the sheer limestone cliffs.
Tsurugi-san Ropeway Autumn Koyo Viewing
Ride the Tsurugi-san Ropeway to a panoramic ridge where subalpine forest blazes gold and orange above the clouds.
Nakatsu-kyo Gorge Autumn Foliage Walk
Walk the riverside path through Nakatsu-kyo Gorge as granite boulders and wild maples create one of Ehime's most photogenic koyo corridors.
Niyodo River Autumn Canoe & Koyo Experience
Paddle the legendary cobalt-blue Niyodo River through a corridor of golden ginkgos and scarlet maples as Kochi's mountains peak in colour.
Shimanto River Chinkabashi Bridges Autumn Foliage Walk
Stroll between Japan's longest series of submerged low-water bridges as the Shimanto River's forested banks glow amber and gold.
Kokonoe 'Yume' Suspension Bridge Autumn Foliage, Oita
Walk Japan's longest pedestrian suspension bridge high above a gorge ablaze with autumn colour and twin waterfalls far below.
Kusenbu Gorge Autumn Foliage Cruise, Oita
Drift through the serene Kusenbu Gorge by flat-bottomed boat beneath towering cliffs draped in blazing autumn foliage.
Takeo Onsen Autumn Foliage & Hot Spring Retreat, Saga
Soak in 1,300-year-old hot spring baths and wander lanes blazing with autumn colour around Takeo's iconic tiled gateway town.
Nichinan Coast Autumn Nature Drive & Aoshima Shrine, Miyazaki
Drive Kyushu's most scenic coastal road in autumn, stopping at Aoshima's jungle-fringed shrine and ancient 'Devil's Washboard' rock formations.
Nagasaki Peace Park & Hypocenter Autumn Foliage Walk
Walk through Nagasaki's moving Peace Park as late-season ginkgos and maples cast golden light over its world-renowned monuments.
Yufuin Floral Village Autumn Koyo Stroll, Oita
Wander Yufuin's enchanting English-village shopping precinct as surrounding maples and the twin peaks of Yufu-dake glow in autumn splendour.
やんばるクイナの里 秋の野鳥観察 Yanbaru Kuina Village Autumn Birdwatching
Spot the endangered Okinawa Rail and migratory birds amid Yanbaru's lush subtropical canopy turning seasonal hues.
竹富島 秋の島サイクリング Taketomi Island Autumn Village Cycling
Cycle the white coral roads of Taketomi Island past red-tiled Ryukyuan houses framed by bougainvillea in softer autumn light.
糸満 秋の島野菜収穫＆沖縄そば体験 Itoman Autumn Island Vegetable Harvest & Okinawa Soba Experience
Harvest seasonal Okinawan island vegetables at an Itoman farm then hand-make authentic Okinawa soba from scratch.
辺戸岬 秋の断崖トレッキング Cape Hedo Autumn Clifftop Trekking
Trek the dramatic sea-cliffs of Cape Hedo, Okinawa's northernmost tip, under crisp autumn skies with views to Yoron Island.
古宇利島 秋の絶景橋ウォーク Kouri Island Autumn Scenic Bridge Walk
Walk the 1.9 km Kouri Bridge above turquoise shallows as autumn light bathes Okinawa's legendary 'love island' in gold.
読谷 残波岬 秋の夕暮れウォーク Yomitan Cape Zanpa Autumn Sunset Clifftop Walk
Watch the East China Sea turn crimson from Cape Zanpa's white lighthouse as Okinawa's finest autumn sunsets unfold.
那覇 国際通り 秋の琉球工芸めぐり Naha Kokusai-dori Autumn Ryukyuan Craft Discovery Tour
Explore Naha's vibrant Kokusai-dori and Tsuboya pottery street as cooler autumn days invite deeper dives into Ryukyuan craft culture.
西表島 秋のマングローブカヤックツアー Iriomote Island Autumn Mangrove Kayak Tour
Paddle through Japan's largest mangrove forest on Iriomote Island as autumn calm transforms the Urauchi River into a mirror.
Noboribetsu Jigokudani Winter Night Walk (登別地獄谷冬夜景)
Steaming volcanic vents and sulphur-crusted craters of Hell Valley are lit at dusk, creating an eerie, otherworldly winter spectacle.
Okhotsk Drift Ice Observatory, Abashiri (オホーツク流氷観測)
Stand on the Sea of Okhotsk's frozen shore and watch vast fields of drift ice grinding ashore at the world's southernmost drift-ice coastline.
Lake Toya Onsen Winter Nightly Fireworks (洞爺湖温泉冬の花火)
Every single night from October through April, fireworks burst over the volcanic caldera lake at Toya Onsen in a uniquely intimate winter display.
Niseko Annupuri Illumination & Torchlight Descent (ニセコアンヌプリ冬イルミネーション)
Skiers and snowboarders carrying flaming torches descend Annupuri's slopes in a dramatic nighttime procession above illuminated Niseko village.
Zao Juhyo Ice Monster Illumination Tour
Ride Zao Ropeway at night to witness eerily beautiful snow-laden ice monsters glowing under colored spotlights.
Ginzan Onsen Winter Snow Lantern Evening
Taisho-era ryokan rise from deep snow beside a lantern-lit river in one of Japan's most photogenic winter scenes.
Nyuto Onsen Winter Snow Retreat
Soak in milky, mineral-rich outdoor baths surrounded by deep Akita mountain snow at one of Japan's most secluded onsen clusters.
Lake Towada Winter Canoe & Illumination Experience
Paddle a transparent canoe across mirror-still Lake Towada at night, surrounded by snow-dusted forest and winter starlight.
Naruko Gorge Winter Snow Scenery & Onsen
Explore the dramatic snow-blanketed cliffs of Naruko Gorge before warming up in one of Tohoku's most celebrated hot spring towns.
Kakunodate Samurai District Winter Snow Walk
Stroll Kakunodate's immaculately preserved samurai district as deep snow transforms its centuries-old black-walled estates into a living woodblock print.
Yuzawa Snow Country Onsen Winter Experience
Soak in steaming outdoor onsen surrounded by the deep Echigo snowfields that inspired Kawabata's Nobel Prize-winning novel.
Kenroku-en Yukitsuri Snow-Protection Rope Viewing, Kanazawa
Marvel at Kenroku-en's pine trees dressed in elegant rope-and-pole yukitsuri snow supports — a centuries-old winter garden art form.
Shiga Kogen Snow Monster (Juhyo) Snowshoe Tour
Snowshoe through a surreal forest of juhyo — snow-encrusted fir trees that tower like alien ice sculptures on Japan's largest highland plateau.
Arashiyama Hanatouro (嵐山花灯路)
Soft roadside lanterns and illuminated temple gardens transform Arashiyama's bamboo groves and riverside into a magical winter walkway.