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!
53. Experience an Oise Mairi
Since long ago, it has been said that visiting Ise is a dream for once in a lifetime, referring to Ise Jingu Shrine. Ise Jingu consists of two main shrines, Naiku (inner shrine) and Geku (outer shrine). Naiku has a mysterious atmosphere, with the lush green grounds and simple buildings. After visiting the shrine, stroll around the temple town “Oharai-machi” and the “Okage-yokocho” district to savor delicious food!
Address
Naiku: 1 Ujitachi-cho, Ise City, Mie
Access
Naiku: Isuzugawa Sta. (Kintetsu) → 30 min walk
Business hours
5:00-17:00 (October, November, and December), 5:00-18:00 (January, February, March, April, and September), 5:00-19:00 (May, June, July, and August)
In the area called “Okubiwako,” which is located in the northern part of Shiga Prefecture, there are beautiful things, just like hidden treasures, to be discovered in expansive, open nature. Go and discover the Karamon Gate in Chikubu Island in Lake Biwa, the statue of Eleven-faced Kannon, which is the National Treasure of Doganji Temple Kannondo (Kogenji Temple), and the beautiful scenery of the mountains and a row of dawn redwood (metasequoia) trees in Makino Town, and much more.
55. Observe the daily living in Kyoto at Kamogawa Delta
The delta-shaped area at the confluence of the Kamo River and Takano River is called Kamogawa Delta, where you can see many local people on sunny days, walking on stepping-stones and chatting at the river side. When I absently watch people enjoying themselves, while listening to the sound of the river, I derive happiness from a peaceful life.
Access
Kawaramachi-Imadegawa bus stop → 5 min walk / Demachiyanagi Sta. (Keihan) → short walk
56. Start your day with delicious bread and coffee in Kyoto
While Kyoto is well-known for being filled with the traditional culture of Japan, it has actually so many bakeries that it is said to have the largest consumption of bread in Japan. From the famous bakeries, such as “Shinshindo” and “Sizuya,”to smaller ones, you will be able to find a favorite while sightseeing in the city. It is also recommended to enjoy your breakfast with bread and coffee at an old-style café, such as “Inoda Coffee.”
★When you eat bread by the Kamo River, watch out for black kites! They stole my bread many times!
57. Visit a village with traditional thatched-roof houses
Located north of Kyoto City, Miyama Town in Nantan City has thatched-roof houses of 150 to 200 years old surrounded by the mountains. If you apply for a guided tour by a local guide, you can not only see the houses but also actually go into them as well as learn about the wisdom of living in the mountain village!
Access
JR Hiyoshi Sta. → 60 min by bus → Kita (Kayabuki no Sato) stop
58. Watch deer lured by the sound of a horn at Nara Park
The deer at Nara Park are wild animals designated as a National Natural Treasure and have been respected as messengers from the deities of Kasugataisha Shrine since ancient days. In Tobihino grass field within the shrine precincts, a “shikayose” event is held: deer are lured by the sound of a horn from the back of the forest in morning in summer and winter every year. In time with the melody of the Pastoral Symphony by Beethoven, a number of deer gather together, which is a scene you will never see anywhere else.
Shikayose in summer: Designated date from June to August Shikayose in winter: Designated date from December to February Once a day, approx. for 15 minutes
★ If you are lucky, you may see baby deer.
Address
Tobihino, Kasugano-cho, Nara City, Nara
Access
Nara Sta. (JR, Kintetsu) → Kasugataisha Omotesando-mae stop by City Loop Bus → short walk
59. Worship a hidden Buddha statue at Kinpusenji Temple in Yoshino
Located in Yoshino, which is famous for beautiful cherry blossoms, Kinpusenji Temple is the head temple of Kinpusen Shugen Honshu Sect (Shugendo). The main hall is one of the largest wooden buildings in Japan and enshrines “hibutsu”, one of the biggest hidden Buddha statues in Japan. Standing strongly, three Zao-gongen statues of seven meters of height represent the deity guiding people with the sprig of mercy and forgiveness (the statues are open to the public only during a special opening period).
★Highlighted in darkness, the blue-black statues of hibutsu are breathtakingly beautiful!
★I was happy to be given an eco-bag and wooden tag as a memento of my visit to the temple!
Fee: 1,600 yen (only during the special open period. Entering the precincts is usually free of charge)
Address
2498 Yoshinoyama, Yoshino-cho, Nara
Access
Yoshino Sta. (Kintetsu) → Sanjo Sta. by Yoshino Ropeway → 10 min walk
60. Go on a tour of the Pacific Ocean at Osaka Aquarium KAIYUKAN
KAIYUKAN has the biggest indoor aquarium in the world. You can watch huge whale sharks swimming in the tank that recreates the Pacific Ocean, as you walk down the stairs. After 5 p.m., you can enjoy the “night aquarium” with different illumination and music from daytime.
61. Walking around the retro-cute town in Nakazaki-cho
Located 15 minutes on foot from the entertainment district of Umeda in Osaka, Nakazaki-cho is a perfect spot for strolling with unique cafes and variety stores here and there in a retro-flavored streetscape with intricate webs of small back alleys. The area is so instagrammable that you cannot stop taking photos!
★As it is also a residential area, please pay attention to your etiquette.
62. Enjoy a great panoramic view of Osaka from the “Harukas 300” observatory
“Abeno Harukas” is a skyscraper complex building with a height of 300 meters, where you can enjoy spending all day at the observatory, department store, art museum, and others. The observatory “Harukas 300” has Sky Corridor, whose floors, walls, and ceilings are made of glass. You can step on it and feel as if you are walking through the sky!
★The best point of taking my kids with me is that there is a resting space in the sky garden on the 58th floor, where you can relax with your kids!
63. Get surrounded and healed by flowers and art at Expo ’70 Commemorative Park
Expo ’70-Commemorative Park was opened at the venue used for JAPAN World Exposition, Osaka held in 1970. The park has two areas, the Natural and Cultural Gardens and the Japanese Garden. It is also famous as a great viewing spot for cherry blossoms in spring. The symbol of the park, “Tower of the Sun,” designed by Japanese artist Taro Okamoto, will look best in a photo taken from a spot just inside the Main Gate of the Natural and Cultural Gardens area.
★ As there are many athletic facilities and play equipment, I can play with my kids! Get on “Mori-no-train” (“Forest Train”) running through the Natural and Cultural Gardens area, and you can travel easily and conveniently! (350 yen for riders 3 yrs. old and above)
*Please check the park’s website for the train operation situation and running route.)
64. Feel the power of the mystical ground at Nachi Falls
With a drop of 133 meters, a depth of 10 meters at the basin, and a ton of water falling per second, this famous waterfall has long been worshipped as an object of nature worship. With people purifying themselves by sitting under the waterfall, it also used to be a place for Shugendo mountain asceticism training. In 2004, this waterfall was registered as a World Heritage Site along with Kumano Kodo pilgrimage trails.
★The deep forest, cliff, and the sound of water create an overwhelming atmosphere that makes you feel in awe!
65. Meet pandas at Adventure World
Adventure World has as many as 1,400 animals of 140 species living in the zoo and aquarium. This place is famous for breeding research of pandas and there have been 17 pandas successfully bred. As of August 2023, you can enjoy watching four pandas relaxing in the zoo
66. Climb Mount Rokko and Soak in Arima Onsen in Kobe
Mount Rokko with various levels of hiking routes is a great place for people who love outdoor activities. There is one route leading to the onsen area of Arima Onsen. Soaking in an onsen after hiking is really wonderful! It is also convenient that you can take a direct bus from Arima Onsen to major towns, such as Sannomiya and Umeda.
67. Experience the power of professional baseball at Hanshin Koshien Stadium
Celebrating the 100th anniversary of the opening in 2024, Hanshin Koshien Stadium is the oldest existing baseball stadium in Japan, and serves as the home ground for the professional baseball team “Hanshin Tigers.” You can not only enjoy the game but also the fanatic cheering of the Tigers fans. Each Tigers player has his own fight song. In Japan, it is common that fans sing the songs accompanied by trumpet calls. Let’s get excited!
★Also serving as the venue for the annual National High School Baseball Championship, this stadium is called the “sacred ground” of high school baseball.
68. Make a tour of seven public bathhouses at Kinosaki Onsen
With a history of over 1,300 years, Kinosaki Onsen features seven sotoyu (public bathhouses) with different atmospheres of the buildings and different temperatures of the water. So, one of the best things at Kinosaki Onsen is that it is really fun to go around public bathhouses wearing yukata. While strolling around the town, you can eat sweets and drop by a retro-looking game arcade in an onsen town full of character.
