30 Breathtaking Views in Japan You Must See Once in Your Lifetime

The vivid blue of Shirogane Blue Pond is truly captivating, making it one of Biei’s top attractions.
This man-made pond was created by accident when a block dam was built on the Biei River as part of disaster prevention work to protect against volcanic mudflows from Mount Tokachi.
The mysterious blue water, surrounded by lush nature and standing larch trees, creates a magical, fairy tale-like atmosphere.

This is one of Otaru’s most iconic sightseeing spots. There are 63 gas lamps along the walking path, which light up at dusk.
Historic stone warehouses line the canal, preserved just as they were in the past. Many are now used as restaurants and more.
When the gas lamps come on at sunset, the stone warehouses are also illuminated. You can enjoy a charming, retro atmosphere here.

This sightseeing farm in Nakafurano, Hokkaido, is famous for its vast and beautiful lavender fields.
Besides the sweeping lavender fields, the “Irodori Field” is especially popular. Here, bands of colorful flowers—purple lavender, white baby’s breath, and red poppies—create a stunning scene on gentle slopes.
There are also other flower fields, like “Hanabito Field” with violas and marigolds, and “Hanabito Garden,” where nearly 120 kinds of plants grow together in a small garden. All around the farm, you’ll find a variety of flowers that delight visitors.

Zao in Yamagata is the largest mountain resort in Tohoku.
In winter, it’s a hotspot for winter sports and attracts many visitors who come to see the “snow monsters”—trees covered in snow and ice.
These unique formations only appear when special conditions like temperature, wind, and snowfall come together, so you can only see them in certain parts of the Ou Mountains. It’s a rare and precious sight.

The Oirase River flows out from Lake Towada.
The approx 14 km stretch from Nenokuchi on the lakeshore to Yakeyama is called Oirase Stream.
It’s a scenic spot where you can enjoy clear streams, waterfalls of all shapes and sizes, and rocks big and small, all surrounded by trees. Together with Lake Towada, it’s designated as a Special Place of Scenic Beauty and a Natural Monument of Japan.

A limestone cave is formed when water slowly erodes limestone over many years.
Ryusendo Cave, one of Japan’s three great limestone caves, is a natural cave at the foot of Mt. Ureira. The total known length of the cave is 4,088 meters, with 700 meters open to the public.
The highlights here are the mystical spaces created by nature and the underground lakes formed by water flowing from the cave. So far, eight underground lakes have been discovered, and three of them are open to visitors.

This large park covers approx 215 hectares.
In spring, you’ll see daffodils, tulips, and nemophila. Early summer brings roses, while summer features zinnias and sunflowers. In autumn, kochia and cosmos bloom, and in winter, you can spot ice tulips. There’s something to see in every season.
The nemophila, which bloom from mid-April to early May, are especially popular. The blue flowers, sky, and sea create a breathtaking view that’s highly praised.

At Ashikaga Flower Park, you can enjoy seasonal flowers showcased under eight different themes: “Early Spring,” “Spring Flower Festival,” “Wisteria Story,” “Rainbow Garden,” “Blue & White Garden,” “Fairies of the Waterside,” “Purple Garden,” and “Garden of Illuminated Flowers.”
It’s a popular spot that attracts many visitors from both Japan and abroad.

This limestone cave is located in Okutama, in the western part of Tokyo. It stretches for 1,270 meters with a height difference of 134 meters.
It’s known as one of the largest caves in the Kanto region and is a designated natural monument of Tokyo.
The area once flourished as a site for mountain worship, and now it’s a popular sightseeing spot.
The cave is made up of the “Old Cave,” where the monk Kobo Daishi (Kukai) is said to have trained, and the “New Cave,” which was miraculously discovered untouched in 1962. You can explore the cave in approx 40 minutes on foot.

Arakurayama Sengen Park is famous for its stunning view of Mt. Fuji and the five-story Chureito Pagoda.
Around 650 cherry trees are planted in the park, so in spring, you can enjoy a classic Japanese scene with Mt. Fuji, the pagoda, and cherry blossoms all together.
This view is featured in many guidebooks about Japan, making it a popular spot for visitors.

Shirakawa-go is a beautiful area where the traditional scenery of Japan still remains.
This region has the largest number of gassho-style houses in Japan, with over 100 buildings as of 2016.
It’s the biggest gassho village in the country and has been selected as an Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings.
In 1995, it was registered as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site as an outstanding example of a type of building, architectural ensemble, or landscape which illustrates a significant stage in human history.

Oku-oiko-jo Station is located in Haibara District, Shizuoka Prefecture.
The station sits in a unique spot above a lake, created as a result of dam construction.
It’s at the tip of a peninsula-shaped mountain, so you’ll find breathtaking views here that you can’t see anywhere else.
Since there aren’t many tourists, you can enjoy the scenery all to yourself.
This spot is popular not only with photographers but also with many visitors looking for a stunning view.
Bring your camera and see it for yourself!

Amaharashi Coast in Takaoka City, Toyama Prefecture, is a scenic spot selected as one of the “100 Best Beaches in Japan.”
The view of Toyama Bay, the Tateyama Mountain Range in the distance, and the many rocky outcrops is truly breathtaking.
Yoshitsune Rock, located on Amaharashi Coast, is said to be where Minamoto no Yoshitsune once took shelter from the rain and waited for it to clear.
This story is the origin of the name “Amaharashi.”

Shiroyone Senmaida is a stunning terraced rice field in Shiroyone Town, Wajima City, Ishikawa Prefecture.
It’s been selected as one of the “100 Best Rice Terraces in Japan” and is also a nationally designated scenic spot.
The sight of 1,004 rice paddies lined up on the slope is truly impressive.
This is a classic Japanese landscape, and the view at sunset is breathtaking.
At certain times of the year, the entire terrace is lit up at night, creating a magical scene.
Visiting in the evening to see this illuminated view is highly recommended.

This is a rare road where you can actually drive on the sandy beach.
The road stretches for approx 8 km along the water’s edge. You can drive not only cars, but also motorcycles and bicycles here.
The sand is tightly packed and fine, so you can enjoy a drive right by the waves, just like a scene from a movie. The sunset views from your car are especially moving.

Fushimi Inari Taisha is the head shrine of all Inari shrines in Japan, which are dedicated to the gods of good harvest, business success, family safety, recovery from illness, and wish fulfillment. There are said to be approx 30,000 Inari shrines across the country. This one was founded in 711.
The most famous spot here is the “Senbon Torii,” or “Thousand Torii Gates.”
Behind the main hall, you’ll find a tunnel of bright red torii gates. These gates were donated by worshippers as prayers and thanks. Across the whole mountain, there are said to be over 10,000 gates.

Amanohashidate is counted as one of Japan’s top three scenic views, along with Matsushima in Miyagi and Miyajima in Hiroshima.
This sandbar stretches approx 3.6 km long and is between 20 and 170 meters wide, with around 5,000 pine trees growing along it. Shaped by nature over thousands of years, its mysterious beauty has earned it a spot on many of Japan’s “Top 100” lists, including the Top 100 Pine Trees, Top 100 White Sand and Green Pines, Top 100 Shores, and Top 100 Beautiful Historical Landscapes.

Along the prefectural road Koaraji-Makinozawa Line in Shiga Prefecture, about 500 metasequoia trees are planted on both sides of a 2.4-kilometer straight road, creating the breathtaking “Metasequoia Avenue.” This scenic drive is one of the most photogenic spots in Japan, attracting visitors year-round with its seasonal beauty - from fresh green leaves in spring to brilliant autumn foliage and a magical winter landscape.
This road leads to Makino Highland, offering a spectacular view with the distant Nosaka Mountains as a backdrop.
In spring, the fresh green leaves appear. Summer brings deep greenery, autumn offers colorful foliage, and winter transforms the avenue with snow. Each season brings a new kind of beauty that fascinates visitors.

Tsunoshima Bridge opened in 2000.
It connects the mainland of Shimonoseki City in Yamaguchi Prefecture to the remote island of Tsunoshima. At 1,780 meters long, it’s one of the longest free bridges to a remote island in Japan.
Located within Kita-Nagato Kaigan Quasi-National Park, the bridge was designed with 18-meter-high piers to blend in with the surrounding scenery.
The road is close to the water, so you can really feel the sea as you drive across.

On the Sea of Japan side of Tottori City, Tottori Prefecture, you’ll find Japan’s largest sand dunes, stretching 16 km east to west and 2.4 km north to south. This area is a designated special protection zone and a national natural monument, making it one of Tottori’s top attractions.
You can enjoy activities like paragliding and sandboarding, or try local treats such as eggs cooked in the hot sand and finely grown shallots cultivated in the dunes.

Taishakukyo Gorge stretches for 18 km and is one of Hiroshima Prefecture’s most famous scenic spots, spanning across Shobara City and Jinseki District.
It’s been designated as a National Place of Scenic Beauty and is also listed among the “100 Best Views of Japan.”
Taishakukyo is full of highlights, including a temple dedicated to Taishakuten (a Buddhist deity), limestone caves, and the Sakura Bridge, which is a nationally registered tangible cultural property.
It’s also a top spot for autumn leaves. The grand and beautiful natural scenery here is truly a must-see.
Each area offers a different kind of breathtaking view, which is part of its charm.

This station offers a fantastic view of the Iyo-nada Sea right from the platform.
It’s been featured in many movies, TV dramas, and even JR posters.
During the day, the sunlight sparkles on the water, creating a beautiful scene. At sunset, the sea glows orange, making for an unforgettable view.

Chichibugahama Beach is a roughly 1 km long swimming beach in Mitoyo City, Kagawa Prefecture.
It became famous as a spot where, under the right conditions, you can take mystical photos of the water reflecting the sky like a mirror.
The scenery here is often compared to Bolivia’s Uyuni Salt Flats, with a dreamy atmosphere.
It’s also chosen as one of the “100 Best Sunsets in Japan,” and the beach at sunset is especially stunning.

Kashiwajima is located in Hata District, Kochi Prefecture.
It’s connected to the Otsuki Peninsula in Sukumo Bay by two bridges and is home to around 400 people.
The island is known as one of the world’s top diving spots, thanks to the variety of fish you can see here.
The highlight is the incredibly clear water, where boats look like they’re floating in the air.
You can take unique, photogenic pictures and enjoy the breathtaking emerald-green sea.

Standing at 333 meters above sea level, the Inasayama Observatory sits at the top of Mt. Inasa, right in the heart of Nagasaki.
From the observatory, which has a café and restaurant, you can see not only Nagasaki Bay but also as far as Unzen, Amakusa, and the Goto Islands.
It’s worth visiting not just during the day, but also at night for the incredible views.
The night scenery, often called the “10 Million Dollar Night View,” was recognized again in 2021 at the Night View Summit in Nagasaki as one of the World’s New Top Three Night Views, alongside Monaco and Shanghai.

Kinrin Lake is one of the most popular sightseeing spots in Yufuin, a famous hot spring area.
The pond sits at the foot of Mt. Yufu, and was once called “The Pond Below the Mountain.” In 1884, Confucian scholar Kusuo Mouri saw the scales of fish in the lake shining gold in the sunset and named it “Kinrinko,” meaning “Golden Scale Lake.”
Freshwater and hot spring water bubble up from the lakebed, keeping the water temperature high all year round. In the early mornings from autumn to winter, you can see a mystical scene as steam rises from the surface.

Takachiho Gorge is a V-shaped valley formed over thousands of years as the Gokase River eroded lava from Mt. Aso’s eruptions.
Sheer cliffs, some as high as 100 meters and averaging 80 meters, stretch for 7 kilometers. The view is truly impressive.
It’s designated as a national scenic spot and natural monument. The main highlight is the 17-meter-tall Manai Falls.

Opened in 2005, this 1,960-meter bridge connects Yagaji Island in Nago City to Kouri Island.
It’s the second longest free bridge in Okinawa. The emerald green sea stretching out on both sides makes it a popular driving route and a favorite scenic spot.

Located in Nanjo City, Okinawa, the “Nirai Bridge” and “Kanai Bridge” together are called the Nirai Kanai Bridge.
There’s an observatory near the top, where you can take in the beautiful harmony of the clear blue sea and the curving bridge.
Nirai Kanai is a legendary paradise in Okinawan folklore, and the name also means “beyond the sea.”
Capture this romantic view with your camera—it truly lives up to its name.

Manzamo is a famous scenic spot along the East China Sea in Onna Village, almost in the center of Okinawa’s main island.
The cape, made of Ryukyu limestone formed by uplifted coral, has been shaped by waves into a dramatic 20-meter cliff that looks like an elephant’s trunk.
The view of the blue sky, cobalt blue sea, and white waves crashing against the cliffs is truly spectacular.