Top 10 Must-Visit
Summer Scenic Spots
in Japan
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Cape Chikyu, Hokkaido
Nature
Photogenic
Hiking
Cape Chikyu
Cape Chikyu
Cape Chikyu is one of Japan's premier scenic spots, featuring a line of sheer cliffs around 100 meters high. On a clear day, the observation deck offers panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean.
Ranked No. 1 in the "Top 100 Nature Spots of Hokkaido," it is one of the island's iconic destinations. It attracts many visitors from near and far for the first sunrise of the year. The area is also famous as a nesting site for peregrine falcons.
The name comes from the Ainu word "Chikep," which means "cliff." This evolved from "Chikep" to "Chikyu," eventually becoming "Cape Chikyu." The lighthouse standing on the cape was first lit in 1920. It stands at a height of 131 meters above sea level and has a light range of 25 nautical miles.
Access
Approx. 16 hours by ferry from Kagoshima Port to Amami Oshima. Passengers can disembark at either Naze Port or Koniya Port.
Oirase Gorge, Aomori
Nature
Photogenic
Hiking
Oirase Gorge
Choshi Otaki Fall
Oirase gorge is the 14-km stretch of the Oirase River from Lake Towada to Mt. Yakeyama between Aomori and Akita prefectures. Lake Towada and the Oirase gorge are the most famous scenic spots of Towada-Hachimantai National Park.
Oirase gorge is designated and protected by the government as a Special Place of Scenic Beauty and a Natural Monument and offers many attractions such as waterfalls, clear streams, and rocks.
Access
Take a highway bus from Toyko for about 10 hours and get off at Hachinohe. From Hachinohe Station, take JR bus to Yakeyama in about 1 hour and 30 minutes.
Sado Island, Niigata
Nature
Photogenic
Hiking
Manjojiki
Kitazawa Flotation Plant
Sado Island is a captivating tourist destination with beautiful natural scenery and a rich history and culture. The entire island, including its surrounding waters, is designated as a Geopark, with 10 geosites established throughout.
Manjojiki, a popular spot, is known as "Japan's Uyuni Salt Flat." The rock formations that change with the tides and the photogenic scenes painted with natural colors offer breathtaking beauty.
Access
From Shinjuku, take a highway bus to Niigata Station (approx. 6 hours), then a connecting bus to Niigata Port (approx. 10 minutes), followed by a high-speed ferry to Sado Island (approx. 1 hour).
Hakuba, Nagano
Nature
Photogenic
Accessible
Hiking
Tsugaike Natural Garden
Hakuba Mountain Harbor
Hakuba Village, overlooking the Northern Alps, is one of the best highland resorts in Japan, with many spots where you can enjoy summer mountain activities.
Not only the natural wonders, such as Happoike, selected as one of the "36 Most Beautiful Places in Japan," but the new facilities like Hakuba Mountain Harbor and Hakuba Mountain Beach, which have spectacular views of the Northern Alps, are popular.
For those who want to enjoy nature, hiking at Tsugaike Nature Park, which is easily accessible by gondola & ropeway, is also recommended.
Access
It takes about 5 hours from Shinjuku to Hakubacho by highway bus. From Hakuba Station, you can take a local bus to Hakuba Happo, Tsugaike kougen (Tsugaike Natural Garden), etc.
Fuji Five Lakes, Yamanashi
Nature
Photogenic
Accessible
Hiking
The lakeside of Lake Kawaguchiko
Kayaking in Lake Motosuko
Mt. Fuji area is a nature-rich resort easily accessible by highway bus from Tokyo. Around Mt. Fuji, which is registered as a World Heritage site, there are the "Fuji Five Lakes," created by past volcanic eruptions. Mt. Fuji can be seen from any of the lakes, and the reflection of the mountain on the surface of the lakes is particularly photogenic.
Visitors can also enjoy nature activities such as fishing, kayaking, and camping around the Fuji Five Lakes.
Access
Take a highway bus from Tokyo for about 2.5 hours, from Osaka for 11 hours, or from Nagoya for 4-8 hours, and get off at Kawaguchiko Station. It's a 10-minute walk from Kawaguchiko Station to Lake Kawaguchi. To tourist attractions such as Oshinohakkai and Fugaku Fuketsu Wind Cave, there are local buses from Kawaguchiko Station.
Shirakawago Village, Gifu
Nature
Photogenic
Accessible
Shirakawago Village in summer
Panoramic view of Shirakawa Village
Shirakawa Village(Shirakawa-go) is a tourist spot famous for its traditional Gassho-zukuri houses and was registered as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage zone in 1995.
Most people visit there in winter, but we also recommend you to see it in its summer form. In deep mountains, Shirakawa Village will take your breath away with its beautiful vivid green of trees and rice fields, and you will be able to enjoy a different view of the village than in winter.
Access
Take a highway bus from Nagoya for about 3 hours and get off at the Shirakawago bus stop.
Amanohashidate, Kyoto
Nature
Photogenic
Accessible
Amanohashidate seen from Kasamatsu Park
Ine Boathouses (Funaya)
Amanohashidate is one of the three most scenic spots in Japan, located in Miyazu City, Kyoto Prefecture. It is 3.6 km long and can be viewed from the top of the mountain as well as walked across.
Also, be sure to visit the boathouses of Ine, located about 30 minutes by car from Amanohashidate. Along the coast of Ine Bay, there are about 230 "boathouses," garage-like buildings used to protect boats pulled out of the sea, which are popular among photography lovers for their unique scenery as if they were floating on the sea.
Access
Take a highway bus from Kyoto Station for about 2 hours and get off at Amanohashidate bus stop.
Oki Islands, Shimane
Nature
Photogenic
Hiking
Nishinoshima
Candle Island
Oki is an archipelago located 40-80 kilometers north of the Shimane Peninsula in the Sea of Japan, consisting of four main inhabited islands and about 180 smaller islands.
The Oki Islands, being volcanic in origin, have been shaped into their current form by wave and wind erosion. Their beautiful natural landscapes are said to be among the finest in the world. Each island boasts numerous famous sites and scenic viewpoints, making it an island full of attractions.
Access
From Osaka, take a highway bus to Matsue Station (approx. 5 hours). From Matsue Station, take a bus to Shichirui Port (approx. 40 minutes), then transfer to a ferry to Okinoshima Beppu Port (approx. 2.5 hours).
Takachiho Gorge, Miyazaki
Nature
Photogenic
Takachiho Gorge and Manai Falls
Takachiho Three Bridges
Takachiho is a 1.7-km-long gorge located near the border of Miyazaki, Kumamoto, and Oita prefectures. The majestic rock formations and the emerald green surface of the water make it one of Kyushu's most mysterious sights.
The area is said to be the setting of a story written in an ancient book, and there are many spiritual spots associated with the myth.
The Manai Falls, the main attraction of the area, can be viewed from the boardwalk or approached by boat.
Access
Take a highway bus from Hakata Station for about 3.5 hours and get off at Takachiho Bus Center.
Amami Oshima (Kagoshima)
Nature
Photogenic
Sakibaru Beach
Mangrove Forest
Amami Oshima in Kagoshima Prefecture is a captivating island blessed with a rich subtropical ecosystem recognized as a UNESCO World Natural Heritage site, and stunning cobalt-blue waters. Although it is the third-largest island in Japan, it still retains its untouched primeval forests, mangroves, and distinct local culture.
Amami Oshima's largest primeval mangrove forest is located in the Sumiyo area and is protected as a Special Protection Zone of the Amami Islands National Park. The absolute highlight of any mangrove tour is exploring these pristine waters by canoe or kayak.
As you paddle through the quiet forest, the sound of chirping birds and flowing water makes you feel like you have traveled back to the dinosaur era. Best of all, the changing tides offer completely different views and experiences, making every visit unique.
Access
Approx. 16 hours by ferry from Kagoshima Port to Amami Oshima. Passengers can disembark at either Naze Port or Koniya Port.