Jordy Meow

Jordy Meow

Ine traditional boathouses at night, Japan coast town Easy walk
Kyoto

The Funaya of Ine

Nestled on a strip between land and sea, this picturesque village with its houses on stilts offers a landscape of rare beauty.

Some crowds
Half day for a walk along the bay and photos; Full day if you add the bay sightseeing boat trip and/or stay overnight in a funaya guesthouse.
Takayama Inari Shrine Easy walk
Aomori

Takayama Inari Shrine

Follow the Senbon-Torii path through the red gates to meet the foxes and the goddess Inari ...

Some crowds
2–3 hours (half day if combining with other Tsugaru/Aomori sights or allowing for slower travel connections)
Kamishikimi Kumanoimasu Shrine Some hiking
Kumamoto

The Incredible Kamishikimi Kumanoimasu Shrine

At the foot of Mount Aso stands a small shrine with a mystical atmosphere, lost in the middle of a cypress forest. Take the path with stone torii gates and discover this timeless place.

Some crowds
Half day (about 2–4 hours on site including the climb and visit to Ugetoiwa)
Magnificent cascading wisteria at Ashikaga Flower Park, Japan. Ethereal
Spring

The Floral Paradise of Ashikaga

The stars of this floral park? Wisteria of all colours on over 9 hectares: a magical spectacle not to be missed!

Wisteria Peak
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Charming cobblestone street in historic Hida-Furukawa town, Japan. Lively
Gifu

In the Alleyways of Hida-Furukawa

This traditional township in the heart of Gifu prefecture comes alive every spring for the hadaka matsuri festival ...

April Festival
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Mesmerizing Otsu Beach Winter Seascape Luminous
Hokkaido

Otsu: The Beach of Ice Jewels

Jewelry Ice is a completely unique phenomenon that can be observed on Otsu Beach, in the town of Toyokoro, Hokkaido. In winter, the Tokachi River, which flows near this fishing village, freezes under the region's extremely cold temperatures.

Jewelry Ice Peak
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Rural Japans Hidden Gem: Nagoro Village Melancholic
Shikoku

Nagoro: Village of Dolls

For those who enjoy driving and don’t find cliffsides and mountain switchbacks too scary, the Iya Valley offers magnificent landscapes and dozens of remote villages, each one more picturesque than the last.

Difficulty
Risk
Aogashima: Japans Majestic Volcanic Island Haven Some hiking
Izu Islands

Aogashima: Double Volcano Island

Aogashima is a very mysterious island. Online, always the same photos taken from a helicopter, sometimes photoshopped. But what’s really hidden behind these lava walls?

Quiet
Full day minimum on Aogashima; realistically 1–2 days including weather/transport buffer (ferry/heli disruptions).
Marvelous Naruto Strait: Akashi Bridge Whirlpools - A stunning natural wonder in Japan. Dynamic
Spring

Naruto Whirlpools

Find yourself in the middle of the Naruto Strait where the tidal currents slosh against each other.

Tidal Whirlpool Peak
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