Nine Must-Visit Exotic Places in Japan

Japan is one of the countries that has numerous beautiful cultures, sceneries, and natural landmarks that will make you fall in love. One of the most popular icon of Japan is cherry blossom trees which will blossom across the country in spring season.

However, there are numerous natural wonders and exotic places in Japan with picturesque spots which will never make you get bored.

1. Sagano Bamboo Forest

Japan is very well-known for its developed technology and modern life, yet this country also has its well – preserved natural wonders that will be amazed you. One of the amazing natural landmarks this country has is the spectacular bamboo forest located in Arashiyama, Japan. Sagano bamboo forest is very well – known tourist destination in the whole district of Kyoto.

Kyoto district itself is very popular place in Japan for its stunning and traditional palaces, gardens and shrines. Therefore, this district is also known as the sacred city of Kyoto. One of the exotic places in Japan that located in the sacred city of Kyoto is Sagano bamboo forest.

2. Natadera Temple

Natadera temple is surely very sacred place in Japan but also one of the most exotic places in Japan worth visit especially in winter season. Yet you can still be amazed by this temple stunning look at any time of the year, but no season can give Natadera temple a justice more like the winter season does.

Natadera temple is located near the Awazu Onsen and was built since 1300 years ago by a Buddhist monk who came to a nearby mountain in order to look for a goddess. The Natadera temple and mount Hakusan are one of the most visited sites to worship until today. Tourist are also welcome to come to this place. But remember, you have to wear appropriate clothes.

Natadera temple is surrounded by magnificent rocky hills, caves and numerous natural landmarks you could ever imagine. Because of its natural beauty surrounded this place throughout the year, this Buddhist temple also popular known as the place of worship of nature.

3. Naoshima

Naoshima island is officially a part of Kagawa Prefecture, Japan. This island is categorized as a small island that located in the Seto Inland Sea. Naoshima is one of the most popular rustic getaway from the city of Tokyo.

Although, Naoshima is popular for its rustic atmosphere, but this small island also has a lot of modern art museums, sculptures and modern architecture.

Once you get here, you might be wonder who the genius architect behind those amazing architectural building. Ando Tadao is the one who designs the amazing architectural building in Naoshima island. Numerous tourist spots which are worth to visit here are the Lee Ufan Museum, Benesse House and the Chichu Art Museum.

The only option of transportation to get to Naoshima island is ferry which you can catch one from Takamatsu port in Kagawa prefecture or Uno port in Okayama Prefecture.

Unfortunately, both Takamatsu port in Kagawa prefecture or Uno port in Okayama Prefecture are hard to find. Many people who want to visit Naoshima island choose to stay overnight in the island.

4. Fields of Shibazakura

Who knows that moss in a field is able to make stunning and mesmerizing natural views you will ever imagine. The beautiful Shibazakura moss grows around the Fuji Five Lakes is one of the exotic places in Japan you will never want to miss when you come to this country. There is a festival called as Fuji Shibazakura Festival being held every year in this place.

During Fuji Shibazakura Festival, you can feel the beautifulness of this field of moss. There are more than 800,000 stalks of white, pink and purple moss covering this vast area which looks like a pink carpet being assembled in the whole area. The beautiful moss of field stretch toward the stunning site of Mount Fuji that located in the background.

If you want to come to fields of Shibazakura while enjoying the Fuji Shibazakura Festival, come visit Japan between April and June. Meanwhile, the best time to see the moss is in the early mornings while the orange light from the sunrise is covering the white, pink and purple moss.

5. Nachi No Taki Waterfall and the Pagoda of Seigantoji

If you want to feel the perfect fit of combination between astounding natural scenery and ancient history, then the Pagoda of Seigantoji surely will satisfy your wish.

The perfect combination between the Pagoda of Seigantoji and Nachi No Taki waterfall that lies beside the pagoda, make these two icon one of the most exotic places in Japan to visit.

The red high temple has three story while the Nachi No Taki waterfall has up to 430ft tall. The combination of the sacred temple and natural landmarks will give you an impressive and wonderful sight on its own.

The Pagoda of Seigantoji is located in a large complex of religious sites that is the combination of Shinto and Buddhist influences in the complex of Kumano shrines.

Nachi No Taki waterfall itself is the single – tiered waterfall with the tallest height in Japan. You can come to this place by using bus from Nachi Station or Kii – Katsuura station. It only takes for about 630 yen from Kii – Katsuura stasiun. If you take a bus from Nachi Station, then it costs you 490 yen only.

6. Japan’s Hitachi Seaside Park

Japan’s Hitachi Seaside Park is probably one of the best and most exotic places in Japan you never want to miss. This place is worth to visit at almost any time of the year.

But, many tourists say that September probably is the best time to visit Japan’s Hitachi Seaside Park and enjoy the numerous flowers in bloom since in this month the flower will flourish beautifully.

Japan’s Hitachi Seaside Park itself is located in the vast are that face the Pacific Ocean. This park is situated in the city of Hitachinaka, Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan. In spring season, nemophila which is also known as baby blue eyes will attract lots of tourist visitors.

Japan’s Hitachi Seaside Park has not only baby blue eyes, which is of course very worth to visit, but also tulips and narcissuses that attract lots of tourist visitors in spring season. Meanwhile, you can see ice tulips flourish here in winter which make this park very rich in flora throughout the year.

7. Kawagoe

Kawagoe is situated in the northwest of Tokyo, you need for about 45 minutes to get to this place from the center of Tokyo. Kawagoe is very well – known as the little edo, which is the edo itself was the old name of the city of Tokyo a long time ago.

The old buildings in Kawagoe area are well – preserved which make this place a modern – day time machine of Japan.

Tourists who come to this place can enjoy a lot of historical warehouses. Kawagoe is very well – known tourist destination both for local travelers and international tourists who want to experience the historic atmosphere in Japan.

Here you can see the remains of the only surviving building of Edo Castle. The castle was carried out all the way on foot from the central Tokyo to the Kawagoe after the great fire. Visiting Kawagoe, you can impress your friends with numerous stunning old looks of old atmosphere of Japan.

8. Kamakura

If you are a samurai enthusiast, then Kamakura is surely the must – visit city in Japan. Kamakura was the city in Japan that largely responsible for the rise of samurai culture in this country. Back in the day, this seaside town was a military capital of the country.

Despite this town is very well – known for its samurai and military culture of Japan, Kamakura also has a lot of Buddhist temples.

There are a lot of Buddhist temples in Kamakura that still practicing the spiritual tenets of Buddha’s teachings nowadays. Here, you could enjoy numerous types of activities from visiting ancient temples to bamboo groves. The numerous type of activities here are able to delight your day trip here.

9. Mount Fuji

Don’t forget Mount Fuji! When we are talking about Japan, then Mount Fuji surely becomes the first icon of Japan that come to your mind. Mount Fuji was once this country’s largest active volcano which able to attract many tourist from around the world.

If you want to visit and climb Mount Fuji, then come to Japan in early July since this is the climbing season which attract many tourists to come. Despite there are many visitors come to climb Mount Fuji, this mountain asks its climbers with good physical wellness and capabilities since this mountain in known as challenging beast.