att.JAPAN’s Top Picks All the Best Things to Do in Japan →Vol. 1 Hokkaido and Tohoku
→Vol. 2 Tokyo and Kanto →Vol. 3 Chubu →Vol. 4 Kansai and West Japan →Vol. 5 Shikoku →Vol. 6 Kyushu and Okinawa
The multilingual free magazine att.JAPAN launched in the year 2000 and with this edition, proudly marks its 100th issue. Over the past 23 years, through firsthand reporting, we have brought the best of Japan to the world, from classic sightseeing spots to little known hidden gems, from food culture to festivals and performing arts.
att.JAPAN’s editors know every corner of this country, and here have selected 100 experiences they hope every traveler to Japan can try. Have faith in these recommendations as everything here was directly experienced by members of our team at att.JAPAN. You’re sure to uncover a new side to this island nation, and open the door to unforgettable experiences.
Whether you’re a first-time traveler wondering where to start, or a seasoned, well-traveled fan of the country, read on to find the perfect something for you! Find out what our writers found most moving, and one piece of personal advice learned from their experience! Have you been to the same place?
Please post on Facebook or Instagram with the hashtag #attjapan100!
【Ibaraki】
16. See plum blossoms in Kairakuen Garden
Kairakuen Garden in Mito City was created in 1842, and is one of the Three Great Gardens of Japan. It is famous as a plum blossom viewing spot. In February and March, you can enjoy plum blossoms on as many as 3,000 plum trees of about 100 kinds. Kairakuen Park, which includes the plum trees and adjacent Lake Senba, is one of the largest parks in the world.
Fee：Adult 300 yen, Child/Senior (Above 70 yrs. old) 150 yen (Extra fee required for Kobuntei)
Address
1-1251 Migawa, Mito City, Ibaraki
Access
JR Mito Sta. → 20 min by bus → Kairakuen-mae stop → 5 min walk
17. See the fully-blooming red spider lilies at Kinchakuda, Hidaka City
Kinchakuda in Hidaka City is famous for having a big colony of higanbana (spider lilies). During the blooming season, which starts around mid-September, you can see a fantastic scenery of the lilies, which look like a bright red carpet on the ground, through the wooden area. With the Koma River flowing next to the colony, it is really pleasant to take a walk while listening to the sound of the stream!
18. Explore the mysterious space at Oya History Museum
Tochigi Prefecture is famous as a producer of Oya stone, which is preferred as a building material. Oya History Museum is a place to learn the history of this stone. The underground mining site of the museum is a huge space of about 20,000 sq. m., making you feel like you are in an ancient palace in a video game. The space, where you can hear a sound resonating far into the dim-lit darkness, is really mysterious and even makes you feel a kind of beauty.
Fee: Adult 800 yen
Address
Tochigi Prefecture is famous as a producer of Oya stone, which is preferred as a building material. Oya History Museum is a place to learn the history of this stone. The underground mining site of the museum is a huge space of about 20,000 sq. m., making you feel like you are in an ancient palace in a video game. The space, where you can hear a sound resonating far into the dim-lit darkness, is really mysterious and even makes you feel a kind of beauty. Fee: Adult 800 yen
Access
JR Utsunomiya Sta. → 30 min by bus → Shiryokan Iriguchi stop → 5 min walk
Telephone number
0286521232
Business hours
9:00-17:00 (April-November), 9:30-16:30 (December-March) (Admission until 30 min. before closing)
Regular holiday
Open everyday (April-November), Tuesday (If Tuesday is a national holiday, it will close the following day) (December-March), December 26-January 1
One of the famous specialties of Nikko is yuba, made with soy-bean milk. There are various ways to eat yuba, and I especially recommend a dessert version of yuba, deep-fried yuba manju. The crispy texture of the deep-fried batter and salty-sweet taste on the surface with a hint of rock salt are just addictive! This yuba sweet is available at Nikko Sakaeya, right outside Tobu Nikko Station.
Having the largest amount of natural spring water discharge in Japan, Kusatsu Onsen has been said to be highly effective against all kinds of ailments and has served as a medical spa. Directly fed from the hot spring source, the pleasant high-temperature spring water lets you feel the power of hot spring water once you immerse yourself into it! It is also interesting to learn about unique onsen culture, such as “yubatake” and “yumomi,” which are measures for cooling down the high-temperature spring water from the source.
★If you look for a drop-in hot spring, Otakinoyu is fine. It will make your skin nice and smooth!
Otakinoyu
Fee：Adult 980 yen
Address
Otakinoyu: 596-13 Kusatsu, Kusatsu-machi, Agatsuma County, Gunma
Access
JR Karuizawa Sta. → 1 hr 20 min by bus → Kusatsu Onsen → Yubatake → 7 min walk
One of the most popular spots on the Shonan Coast is Enoshima Shrine in Enoshima. Comprising three shrines, Hetsumiya, Nakatsumiya, and Okutsumiya, enshrining three deities, this shrine is famous for answering prayers for various things, such as success in romance, finance, and the arts. It will take close to one hour to visit all of them. After that, you may feel tired but the great view of the ocean and mountains will rid you of fatigue!
★At sunset, it is just wonderful to see a great view of the port town from Osanbashi Bridge!
★I heard that the wall of Bashamichi Station was built with real bricks by the hands of craftsmen. It is worth seeing!
One of the most popular spots on the Shonan Coast is Enoshima Shrine in Enoshima. Comprising three shrines, Hetsumiya, Nakatsumiya, and Okutsumiya, enshrining three deities, this shrine is famous for answering prayers for various things, such as success in romance, finance, and the arts. It will take close to one hour to visit all of them. After that, you may feel tired but the great view of the ocean and mountains will rid you of fatigue!
★The front approach to the shrine is lined with many cafes, restaurants, and souvenir shops, so I really enjoy walking along the path while eating a snack from one or more of them!
Address
2-3-8 Enoshima, Fujisawa City, Kanagawa
Access
Katase-EnoshimaSta. (Odakyu) → 15 min walk / Enoshima Sta. (Enoden) → 20 min walk
23. See the fish at natural aquarium “Katsuura UnderSea Park”
See the fish at natural aquarium “Katsuura UnderSea Park” Facing the Pacific Ocean, Katsuura UnderSea Park has an underwater observatory eight meters below the sea, from which you can see inside the ocean through a window. You can observe fish swimming around while feeling as if you are exploring in the ocean yourself. Depending on the weather and season, you can see different kinds of fish.
★ I was very impressed that I could see such a great world of ocean in only 90 minutes by limited train from Tokyo!
Fee：Adult 980 yen (Discount available depending on the condition of the sea)
24. Visit the house of “Prince Tokugawa,” who travelled in Europe
Located in Matsudo City, which can be accessed in 30 minutes by train from Tokyo, “Tojotei House” used to be the house of Tokugawa Akitake, the younger brother of Tokugawa Yoshinobu, the last Shogun of the Tokugawa shogunate. Along with the garden, it is now open to the public as a National Cultural Property. Sent by the government to the International Exposition of 1867 in Paris, Akitake had lots of experience with Europe. You can see how he created such a peaceful space with a fusion between Japanese tradition and Western tastes.
Fee：Adult 250 yen, Tojo-tei house and Tojo Museum of History combo ticket 320 yen
Address
714-1 Matsudo, Matsudo City, Chiba
Access
Matsudo Sta. (JR, Shin-Keisei) → 10 min walk
Telephone number
0473622050
Business hours
9:30-17:00 (Admission until 16:30)
Regular holiday
Mon (If Monday is a national/substitute holiday, it will close the following weekday), December 28-January 4
SHIBUYA SKY is an observation facility, from which you can get a panoramic view of Tokyo from 229 meters above ground in Shibuya. As SKY EDGE has glass fences designed to be lower than other places, you can get an instagrammable picture with the grand panoramic view in the background! Since it is a very popular spot, make sure to be a reservation for admission on the web in advance.
★If you aim to get there just before the sunset, you can enjoy all the views of daytime, sunset, and early night!
Fee：Adult 2,200 yen by online reservation
Address
2-24-12 Shibuya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Access
Shibuya Sta. (JR, Subway, Keio, Tokyu) → short walk
Accessible in 50 minutes by air from Haneda Airport, this remote island in Tokyo is blessed with the great ocean, mountains, and onsen. Among others, I highly recommend “Nambara Senjoiwa Coast,” which is comprised of volcanic rocks. The beautiful sunset I saw while listening to the sound of waves is just unforgettable. I was so immersed in the view in front of my eyes that for a while I forget the passing of time.
Access
Haneda Airport → 50 min by plane → Hachijojima / Takeshiba Pier → 11 hr by vessel (overnight)
Nezu Museum displays a collection of Japanese and oriental antiquities. Located in the trendy Minami-Aoyama area, the museum has a chic building designed by a famous architect Kengo Kuma, and beautiful gardens, where you can enjoy a fulfilling time if you are an art lover.
28. Heal the fatigue of travelling at a sento public bathhouse in shitamachi traditional town
Located near TOKYO SKYTREE, “Daikokuyu” is a long-established sento public bathhouse in business since 1949. Even after its major renovation, the place still keeps its nice, old atmosphere. There are many different kinds of bathtubs, along with a large open-air bath. On the wood deck on the 2nd floor, you can relax in a hammock and view TOKYO SKYTREE, which is an experience you can get only at Daikokuyu!
★As there are two kinds of sauna, this public bathhouse is also recommended for people who love sauna.
Fee：Adult 520 yen (Extra fee required for sauna)
Address
3-12-14 Yokokawa, Sumida-ku, Tokyo
Access
Oshiage (SKYTREE) Sta. (Subway, Keisei) → 6 min walk
Telephone number
0336226698
Business hours
Weekdays 15:00- following day 10:00 (Saturdays 14:00-, Sundays and national holidays 13:00-)
Regular holiday
Tue (If Tuesday is a national/substitute holiday, it will close the following weekday)
29. Experience the world of kabuki at Kabukiza Theatre
If you are interested in Japanese traditional entertainment, you should go to Kabukiza in Ginza to watch kabuki. Even if you don’t understand the story, you will find it enjoyable to see kabuki’s unique expressions, gorgeous staging, and the atmosphere of the theater. Between acts, it is fun to look around the restaurants and shops in the theater and enjoy a boxed bento at your seat!
Asakusa is a very popular tourist spot, and you should really visit here at night as well! Although the area around Sensoji Temple is always crowded during daytime, it is not that busy at night so you can enjoy strolling around in a more relaxed atmosphere.
Access
Asakusa Sta. (Subway, Tobu, Tsukuba Express) → 3-5 min walk
31. Get surrounded by anime goods at animate
“animate” is one of the major stores specializing in anime, comics, and games in Japan. With branches all over Japan, the animate chain has the world’s biggest anime store, animate Ikebukuro Flagship Store, just reopened in 2023 after a renovation! At this store, you can find a variety of goods and items and feel the power and trends of anime culture in Japan.
★It is a place where anime fans gather from all over the world. Imagine that this place is filled with their love for anime, and you will feel excited to go there!
Address
1-20-7 Higashi Ikebukuro, Toshima-ku, Tokyo
Access
Ikebukuro Sta. (JR, Subway, Seibu, Tobu) → 5 min walk
Telephone number
0339881351
Business hours
11:00-21:00 (weekdays), 10:00-20:00 (Sat, Sun, national holidays)
32. Clip out a scene of daily life in Japan around Tamagawa Station
Around Tamagawa Station, you can find many places to go and enjoy, such as Tamagawadai Park and Tamagawa Sengen Shrine, from whose observatory you can see the Tama River and a train running along it. Along the Tama River, there are several baseball fields. When I stroll around along the river, I come upon the scene of local kids practicing baseball. It is just a common bit of scenery, but I always think that it is just like a scene from some anime film.
Access
Tamagawa Sta. (Tokyu)
33. Visit the underground tunnel of Tamagawa Daishi Temple in Setagaya
Going down the stairs leading under the main building, you will find yourself in total darkness and silence, which is said to represent the inside of the body of Buddha. Slowly proceed in the narrow tunnel along the wall, and you will be in the same space with more than 300 statues of Buddha. Visiting these statues is said to bring about the same good luck and blessing as you would get after the Shikoku 88 temple pilgrimage.
★After being in complete darkness, I saw a slight hint of light ahead, which made me feel like I had just experienced the moment I was born!
Niigata Prefecture is one of the major sake producers in Japan, with the largest number of sake breweries in Japan. “Ponshukan,” located at three places, including JR Niigata Station, Nagaoka Station, and Echigo-Yuzawa Station, is a dream place for sake lovers, where you can enjoy various kinds of sake from all over the prefecture. Exchange 500 yen with five special coins, and use each coin for a full shot of sake from the special vending machines.
★The array of special sake vending machines is interesting to see!
CoCoLo新潟 西館 ぽんしゅ館 新潟驛店
Address
1-96-47 Hanazono, Chuo-ku , Niigata City, Niigata
Access
Directly connected to JR Niigata Sta.
Telephone number
0252407090
Business hours
9:00-21:00 (Kikizake Bansho: 9:30-20:30 *Admission until 20:15)
35. Enjoy taking instagrammable shots at Kiyotsukyo Gorge
This scenic area has the beautiful combination of the huge rock surface of a columnar joint and an emerald-green clear stream. This area has become famous due to the renovation of the tunnel into an art work called “Tunnel of Light” during the “Echigo-Tsumari Art Trienniale” in 2018. The dreamy art space with the water reflection of the gorge impresses me every time I see it!
★Even after visiting for the “Echigo-Tsumari Art Trienniale” in 2018, I have visited this place many times since!
Ma Yansong / MAD Architects, “Tunnel of Light” 提供：(一社)十日町市観光協会
Fee：Adult 1,000yen, 7-15 yrs. old 400 yen
Address
2119-2 Koidemizunoto, Tokamachi City, Niigata
Access
JR Echigo-Yuzawa Sta. or JR Echigo-Tazawa Sta. → bus → Kiyotsukyo Iriguchi stop → 30 min walk
Telephone number
0257634800
Business hours
8:30-17:00 (Admission until 16:30) , 9:00-16:00 (winter season, Admission until 15:30) *Reservation required during peak season
Regular holiday
Open 365 days *May have temporary closure due to the snow during winter season.
36. View an intact landscape of Japan at Saiko Iyashinosato Nemba
There are 20 restored houses with thatched roofs along Lake Saiko, with Mount Fuji in the backdrop. This idyllic scenery brings on a nostalgic feeling. The thatched houses are used for shops, cafes, restaurants, and craft workshops. From late October to mid-November, you can also enjoy beautiful autumn foliage.
Fee：Adult 500 yen
Address
2710 Saikonenba, Fujikawaguchikomachi, Yamanashi
Access
Kawaguchiko Sta. (Fujikyu) → 50 min by Retro bus
Telephone number
0555204677
Business hours
9:00-17:00 (March-November), 9:30-16:30 (December-February) *Admission until 30 min before closing
37. Eat freshly-picked grapes at a vineyard in Katsunuma
Yamanashi Prefecture is the biggest grape producer in Japan. In Particular, Katsunuma in Koshu City, which can be accessed from Tokyo by expressway bus in about 90 minutes, is a big grape-growing area. From August to October, you can pick grapes at many farms in the area. Once you put freshly-picked grapes in your mouth, you will be surprised by a mouthful of sweet fruit juice. If you actually visit a vineyard, you can really feel the power of agriculture in Japan, such as the many varieties of cultivation and various cultivation methods for different land.
★In other seasons, you can enjoy other kinds of fruit picking, such as cherries and strawberries!
Access
Shinjuku Expressway Bus Terminal → 90 min by expressway bus → Katsunuma / JR Shinjuku Sta. → 80 min by limited express Azusa or Kaiji → Katsunuma-Budo-Kyo Sta.
38. View Hotaka Mountains while trekking Kamikochi
Kamikochi is one of the most beautiful mountain scenic areas in Japan. Trekking around Taisho Pond while viewing Hotaka Mountains is just pleasant, and you can also enjoy a breathtakingly beautiful view. It takes about one hour to get to Kappa-bashi Bridge, a symbol of Kamikochi, and about two hours from Kappa-bashi Bridge to Tokusawa. As the trails are flat, you won’t have to worry about walking even if you are a beginner.
* Private cars are not allowed to enter Kamikochi.
* The mountains are open from mid-April to November 15 every year.
* If you plan to stay at a mountain lodge, you need make a reservation and you need to arrive at the lodge you are planning to stay at by around 15:00.
★ If you are an intermediate/advanced climber with appropriate gear, it is possible for you to go beyond Tokusawa, get to Yokoo, go up the rocky climbing paths, and reach Karasawa Cirque. With Hotaka Mountains of 3,000 meters of height in front of you, a cup of coffee at a mountain lodge in fresh air is just great!
Access
JR Matsumoto Sta. (Alpico Kotsu Kamikochi Line) → Shin-Shimashima Sta. → Transfer to bus
39. Immerse yourself in the world of the movie in Tateishi Park
From Tateishi Park, you can have a great panoramic view of Lake Suwa, the biggest lake in Nagano Prefecture, and the Hida Mountains (aka Northern Alps). This park was said to be the setting of the popular anime film “Your Name.” You can expect a breathtakingly picturesque view at sunset.
Connecting Mount Kitayoko-dake, part of the Yatsugatake Mountains, and Mount Shimagare, Kitayatsugatake Ropeway takes you to the summit station in only seven minutes from the base of the mountain. In winter, when you arrive at the summit of the mountain, the forest of ice-covered trees will welcome you. It is a highly recommended place to visit because you can go there even without special gear for skiing or snow mountain climbing and it is easily accessible from Tokyo by shinkansen and bus.
★You can go without special gear, but you do need to have cold weather clothing!
