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?
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69. Be stunned by the clear blue ocean at the Uradome Coast
At the Uradome Coast in Iwami Town, you can see rugged natural landscape features, such as caves and steep cliffs, which are created by raging waves of the Sea of Japan and wind and snow. On the other hand, the ocean is surprisingly beautiful and has such a high clarity that you can see the bottom of the water. You will be more impressed by how beautiful the ocean is when you get closer to the water by sightseeing boat or SUP (Stand Up Paddleboard)!
★ Iwami Town is the setting of the anime series “Free!” I was very impressed to see how the beautiful ocean perfectly corresponds to the sparkling images of the characters of the anime work!
Access
Uratomi Kaiganguchi stop by bus
70. Get impressed by ephemeral art at Tottori Sand Museum
The Sand Museum in Tottori Sand Dunes is the world’s first art museum to exhibit sand sculptures. Based on the concept of “travel around the world in sand,” when one exhibition period of about one year is over, all the sculptures are then destroyed and new ones are created for the next exhibition. A row of huge sand sculptures that are far taller than yourself is a quite a sight to see!
Fee: Adult 800 yen
Address
2083-17 Yuyama, Fukube-cho, Tottori City, Tottori
Access
JR Tottori Sta. → 20 min by bus → Sakyu Higashiguchi or Suna no Bijutsukan-mae stops
Business hours
9:00-17:00 / 9:00-18:00 (Sat) (Admission until 30 minutes before closing)
71. Immerse yourself in the famous castle and wagashi culture in Matsue
Matsue is a castle town at the foot of Matsue Castle, a national treasure built in 1611. Since the 7th lord of Matsue domain was a tea master, the town still has many wagashi (Japanese sweets) shops offering wagashi essential to the tea ceremony. After visiting the castle, you should enjoy a delicious piece of wagashi made by the current wagashi master at “Café Kiharu” inside the Matsue History Museum next to the castle.
Address
279 Tono-machi, Matsue City, Shimane (Inside Matsue Rekishikan)
Access
R Matsue Sta. → Otemae Horikawa Yuransen-noriba/Rekishikan-mae stop by bus → 3 min walk
Business hours
9:30-17:00 (L.O. 16:30)
Regular holiday
Mon (If Monday is a national/substitute holiday, it will close the following weekday)
72. Be impressed by the appearance and taste of kawara-soba, Yamaguchi Prefecture’s specialty dish
Kawara-soba is a local specialty dish of Yamaguchi Prefecture, especially around Shimonoseki City, and, surprisingly, it is cooked and served on a roof tile! Cha-soba noodles (to which matcha powder is added) and some ingredients, such as shredded egg crepe, beef, and nori seaweed, are cooked on a sizzling-hot kawara roof tile and the crispy noodles are just delicious! It is also amazing how various tastes and flavors, including the aroma of tea, sweet-salty taste of beef, and the sourness of lemon, are nicely fused together to create a delicious dish on the tile.
73. Appreciate the beauty of Japanese swords at Bizen Osafune Sword Museum
Located in Setouchi City, Bizen Osafune Sword Museum is a must-visit place for fans of Japanese swords. You can visit a museum exhibiting various famous swords as well as a workshop of swordsmiths. The powerful demonstration of ancient hammering by swordsmiths is a must-see (can be seen only on the second Sunday and requires a reservation in advance).
Address
966 Osafune-cho, Osafune, Setouchi City, Okayama
Access
JR Kagato Sta. → 20 min walk / JR Osafune Sta. → 7 min by taxi
Business hours
9:00-17:00 (Admission until 16:30)
Regular holiday
Mon (If Monday is a national/substitute holiday, it will close the following day), the following day of a national holiday, December 28-January 4, exhibition renewal period
74. Relax in Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter in a leisurely manner
The Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter features traditional buildings with beautiful white walls and the river lined with willow trees. The historical streetscape is filled with must-see spots, including variety stores, cafes, and art museums. Parfaits with seasonal fruits from Okayama, such as Shine Muscat grapes and peaches, are really delicious! There are also various activities available in the area, such as kimono rental, rickshaw riding, and river boat riding, so you will never get bored.
★The streets are lit up until 9 pm, creating a dreamy atmosphere that you cannot feel during daytime!
Address
1-4-8 Chuo, Kurashiki City, Okayama
Access
JR Kurashiki Sta. → 10-15 min walk
75. Watch the sunset from the Great Seto Bridge, one of the biggest bridges in the world
The Great Seto Bridge consists of ten bridges connecting the main island and Shikoku Island. It is one of the biggest bridges in the world, which carries both highway traffic and rail traffic. If you cross the bridges on a train in the evening, you can enjoy a romantic view created by the sun setting over the Seto Inland Sea with several small islands.
★Admire the view like a scene from a movie, using a train window as a screen!
The central part of Hiroshima City, with several rivers flowing through it and lots of trees, has a relaxing atmosphere. Along the rivers, there are walking paths, which make it easier to visit famous spots on foot, such as Hiroshima Castle and Peace Memorial Park. As you can also see the Genbaku Dome close by, you will be able to feel the history of this town in your bones.
★ It is also nice and comfortable to take a rest at an open café!
77. Wander into a mysterious world at Kosanji Temple
Ikuchi Island is located in the middle of SHIMANAMI KAIDO cycling road, connecting Onomichi City, Hiroshima Prefecture and Imabari City, Ehime Prefecture. On the island, you will feel overwhelmed by the colorful decoration of Kosanji Temple. As you go deeper into the temple, you will suddenly come across a world of complete whiteness! It is a huge white-marble sculpted landscape of 5,000 sq. m., “The Hill of Hope.” You will feel as if you have gone to an Alice-in Wonderland world.
★ Thousand Buddha Cave is worth visiting even if you have to walk through a cave with a total length of 350 meters at about 15 meters underground. Proceed through the nice and cool cave, and you will encounter one surprise after another.
Address
553-2 Setoda, Setoda-cho, Onomichi City, Hiroshima
Access
JR Onomichi Sta. → 40 min by taxi
Business hours
9:00-17:00 (Admission until 16:30) Fee: Adult 1,400 yen
The islands of Setouchi not only serve as a venue for the Setouchi International Art Triennale but also as a place where people can encounter many kinds of art even outside the art festival. Including Shodoshima Island with many spots to see and Naoshima Island abounding in art spots, the unique islands are perfect places to visit for a relaxing tour.
★The sunrise and sunset over the Seto Inland Sea are both must-see!
Naoshima Pavilion Owner：Naoshima Town Architect：Sou Fujimoto Architects Photo／Jin Fukuda
79. Cherish the beautiful Japanese garden at Ritsurin Garden
Designated as a National Special Place of Scenic Beauty, Ritsurin Garden is the largest garden among all the heritage gardens designated as cultural properties in Japan. With six ponds, 13 artificial hills, and beautiful cultivated pine groves, this garden offers different places to enjoy different views. Once you are actually in this garden, you can see how the former lords of Takamatsu domain loved this garden and did numerous renovations.
★This garden is also famous for beautiful cherry blossoms in spring and wonderful autumn foliage in fall!
Fee: Adult 410 yen
Address
1-20-16 Ritsurin-cho, Takamatsu City, Kagawa
Access
JR Takamatsu Sta. → 7 min by bus → Ritsurin-koen stop → short walk
80. Directly feel the energy of Tokushima Awa Odori
Said to have more than 400 years of history, Tokushima Awa Odori dance is one of the major traditional performing arts in Japan. The festival is held from August 12 to 15 every year. The female dance is lithe, while the male dance is dynamic and powerful. The beauty of the assembly of the dancers and a feeling of unity will overwhelm you. Feel the excitement at the venue through all five of your senses, such unique festival music, great dance, and beautiful costumes!
Address
Around JR Tokushima Station in Tokushima City, Tokushima
The standard Tokushima Ramen, a local specialty of Tokushima, is a rich ramen dish with a soy sauce-based tonkotsu soup, slices of boneless pork rib, and a raw egg. Recently, a new type of Tokushima Ramen, which is based on a simple tai-shio soup (salt-based soup with sea bream broth), has been introduced and gained popularity. Try these two distinct kinds of soup and compare them!
82. Experiencing the efficacy of the hot spring water at Dogo Onsen since ancient times
Said to have the longest history in Japan, Dogo Onsen is said to be effective for fostering beautiful skin. Dogo Onsen Honkan main building is a three-story wooden public bathhouse serving as a symbol of this area. Thanks to repair works, the history of reportedly 3,000 years has been carried over to the future.
★I am a big onsen lover and the place I could feel the highest efficacy of onsen in my life is this onsen! With my skin and hair surprisingly moisturized, I was really impressed by such dramatic changes!
Fee: Tama no Yu: Adult 460 yen
Address
5-6 Yuno-machi, Dogo, Matsuyama City, Ehime
Access
Dogo Onsen Sta. (Iyotetsu) → 5 min walk
Business hours
6:00-23:00 (Admission until 22:30), Usage within 1 hour
As a big bonito fishing area, Kochi Prefecture has a unique way to eat the fish, which is called “wara-yaki.” You will be surprised to see a block of fresh bonito being grilled all at once with big flames from a bunch of straw! The local way to enjoy the tataki is to add a small amount of salt just before eating. If you want to try really delicious katsuo-no-tataki, you should go to “Myojinmaru,” a restaurant at “Hirome Ichiba” market, one of the biggest tourist spots in Kochi City.
Address
2-3-1 Obiya-machi, Kochi City, Kochi (Inside Hirome Market)
att.JAPAN consists of members in their 20s and 30s, and we are all travel lovers. In addition to information about sightseeing and great dishes all over Japan, we offer a wide range of information about various subjects/topics, such as onsen (hot spring) and ryokan hotels. We introduce lots of information only att.JAPAN can offer, including information about famous sightseeing spots, the latest news about new facilities all over Japan and rare less-known areas in Tokyo, one-day model walking courses, and anime pilgrimages. We also offer contents to introduce Japan from the view of writers from abroad.
