1. Breathtaking Natural Wonders in Japan

1.1. Mount Fuji, Honshu (Chubu Region)

Main Highlights/Outstanding Features: Mount Fuji stands as Japan's most iconic natural landmark, featuring perfect symmetrical beauty often crowned with snow. This sacred mountain holds UNESCO World Heritage status and plays a vital role in Shinto beliefs, serving as an endless source of inspiration for Japanese art.

Key Experiences/Must-Do Activities: Climbing during the summer season (July - September) offers an unforgettable experience, with the official 2025 climbing season running from early July to mid-September.

Note: Starting in 2025, the climbing fee will increase to ¥ 4,000 per person on all four hiking trails, and prospective hikers must make online reservations and payments ahead of time. Visitors can admire Fuji from Lake Kawaguchi for spectacular views, or visit Chureito Pagoda for postcard-perfect photos.

The mesmerizing beauty of Fuji is particularly stunning at sunrise or during cherry blossom season, creating picture-perfect landscapes that define Japan's natural splendor (Source: Freepik)

1.2. Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, Kyoto

Main Highlights/Outstanding Features: The Arashiyama Bamboo Grove creates a surreal pathway flanked by towering green bamboo stalks, with light and shadow interplay creating a dreamlike ambiance. The sound of rustling bamboo within this forest has been named one of the "100 Soundscapes of Japan" by the Japanese Ministry of Environment.

Key Experiences/Must-Do Activities: Rent a kimono and stroll through the grove for an authentic traditional experience, or take the scenic Sagano Railway to enjoy the surrounding views.

Note: The bamboo grove is open 24 hours a day and boasts no admission fee, so it's recommended that during peak season, you visit early in the morning or at sunset.

This 500-meter bamboo forest has become an iconic symbol of Kyoto, comparable to the torii gates of Fushimi Inari (Source: Freepik)

1.3. Oirase Gorge and Lake Towada, Aomori (Tohoku Region)

Main Highlights/Outstanding Features: Oirase Gorge features a pristine mountain stream lined with waterfalls and lush mossy rocks. The beauty of this location peaks during autumn when fiery fall foliage creates a stunning natural painting.

Key Experiences/Must-Do Activities:

• Hike along the gorge trail to appreciate the pristine wilderness and photograph beautiful waterfalls.
• Visitors can also take boat rides on Lake Towada for different scenic perspectives.

This represents one of northern Japan's most spectacular autumn leaf viewing destinations (Source: Freepik)

1.4. Mount Aso, Kumamoto

Main Highlights/Outstanding Features: Mount Aso boasts one of the world's largest calderas, stretching 18km east-west and 25km north-south, making it the largest inhabited volcanic caldera globally. The Nakadake crater at its center is still active with a diameter of 600 meters and a depth of 130 meters, constantly emitting white volcanic steam.

Key Experiences/Must-Do Activities:

• Visit the Nakadake crater viewing area (accessible by car or shuttle bus from Aso Station) to witness the dramatic volcanic activity up close.
• Explore the vast Kusasenri grassland plateau where horses graze peacefully with Mount Aso as a backdrop.
• Visit the Aso Volcano Museum, which provides educational insights on days when crater access is restricted

This experience offers adventurous, awe-inspiring, and geologically fascinating encounters with one of nature's most powerful forces (Source: Freepik)

2. Iconic Historical and Cultural Sites in Japan

2.1. Fushimi Inari Taisha, Kyoto

Main Highlights/Outstanding Features: Fushimi Inari is famous for its thousands of vermilion torii gates, which straddle a network of trails behind its main buildings, with approximately 10,000 torii gates throughout the mountain. These torii gates are donations to the shrine by businesses, and to a lesser extent, individuals, with costs ranging from USD 4,000 to over USD 10,000 depending on size and location.

Key Experiences/Must-Do Activities: Hiking to the summit takes 2 - 3 hours, or visitors can reach the Yotsutsuji intersection halfway up the mountain in about 30 - 45 minutes.

Note: To avoid crowds, visit early morning between 07:00 - 08:00 AM or at night after 6 PM. This experience provides mystical, traditional, and deeply spiritual feelings.

The gates create tunnels through the forest, representing sacred symbolism, ancient architecture, and photo-worthy symmetry (Source: Freepik)

2.2. Himeji Castle, Hyogo (Kansai Region)

Main Highlights/Outstanding Features: Himeji Castle is known as the "White Heron Castle" due to its resemblance to a white heron spreading its wings, representing the "finest surviving example of early 17th-century Japanese castle architecture" and Japan's first UNESCO World Heritage Site. The castle features elegant white facade beauty, especially stunning during cherry blossom season.

Key Experiences/Must-Do Activities: Visitors can enjoy panoramic views from the topmost floor and explore the maze-like defensive pathways.

Note: Exploring the castle grounds and climbing to the top floor typically takes at least 90 minutes, with visitors recommended to arrive 15-30 minutes before opening time (9 AM) to avoid congestion.

The main keep is a six-story wooden structure and one of only a handful of castle keeps in Japan that feature wing buildings, adding complexity to its appearance (Source: Freepik)

2.3. Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park & Atomic Bomb Dome

Main Highlights/Outstanding Features: This UNESCO site preserves the legacy of WWII and promotes peace messaging. The Atomic Bomb Dome serves as a powerful symbol of resilience and hope, while simultaneously reminding visitors of the importance of world peace.

Key Experiences/Must-Do Activities: Visit the Peace Memorial Museum to gain a deeper historical understanding and walk along the Motoyasu River to feel the solemn atmosphere.

The area is designed for education and commemoration, creating a space for deep reflection (Source: Freepik)

2.4. Horyuji Buddhist Architectural Complex, Nara

Main Highlights/Outstanding Features: Horyuji Temple houses the world's oldest surviving wooden structures, dating back over 1,300 years to the Asuka Period (7th - 8th centuries). Founded by Prince Shotoku in 607 AD, this temple complex represents the earliest Buddhist monuments in Japan and became the country's first UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1993.

Key Experiences/Must-Do Activities:

• Explore the Western Precinct to see the world's oldest wooden structures including the central gate, main hall, and five-story pagoda.
• Visit the Eastern Precinct centered around the octagonal Hall of Dreams.
• Visit the Gallery of Temple Treasures houses over 2,300 important cultural artifacts and nearly 190 National Treasures.

The five-story pagoda and main hall (Kondo) are recognized as the world's oldest wooden buildings, showcasing the adaptation of Chinese Buddhist architecture to Japanese culture (Source: Freepik)

2.5. Historic Villages of Shirakawa-Go and Gokayama

Main Highlights/Outstanding Features: These UNESCO World Heritage villages showcase traditional Japanese architecture with their distinctive gassho-zukuri (prayer-hand style) farmhouses featuring steep thatched roofs designed to withstand heavy snowfall. Shirakawa-go village in Gifu Prefecture and Gokayama villages in Toyama Prefecture preserve rural life from the Edo period, demonstrating sustainable mountain community living that has remained virtually unchanged for centuries.

Key Experiences/Must-Do Activities:

• Stay overnight in a traditional gassho-zukuri farmhouse to experience authentic rural life, and visit the Shiroyama Viewpoint for panoramic views of the entire village nestled in the valley.
• Explore traditional crafts workshops and sample local mountain cuisine including river fish and wild vegetables.

This experience offers peaceful, culturally immersive, and authentically traditional Japanese countryside feelings (Source: Freepik)

2.6. Tokyo Tower

Main Highlights/Outstanding Features: Standing at 333 meters tall, Tokyo Tower serves as an iconic symbol of Japan's post-war reconstruction and modernization, inspired by the Eiffel Tower but painted in distinctive red and white. Built in 1958, this broadcasting tower offers spectacular 360-degree views of Tokyo from its main observatory at 150m and special observatory at 250m.

Key Experiences/Must-Do Activities:

• Visit both observation decks for panoramic city views, especially beautiful at sunset and night when Tokyo's lights create a dazzling display.
• Experience the tower's LED illumination shows and explore the FootTown shopping and entertainment complex at its base.

The tower represents Tokyo's emergence as a modern metropolis and provides stunning vistas of Mount Fuji on clear days, the Imperial Palace, and the sprawling urban landscape (Source: Freepik)

2.7. Osaka Castle

Main Highlights/Outstanding Features: Osaka Castle stands as one of Japan's most famous landmarks, originally built in 1583 by Toyotomi Hideyoshi and reconstructed in 1931. The five-story main keep rises 55 meters above impressive stone foundations, creating a magnificent sight against the modern Osaka skyline. The surrounding castle park features over 4,000 cherry trees, making it one of Osaka's premier sakura viewing spots.

Key Experiences/Must-Do Activities: Climb to the 8th floor observation deck for panoramic views of Osaka city and explore the museum's interactive displays and historical artifacts.

Note: Visit during cherry blossom season for spectacular hanami parties in the castle grounds.

The castle played a crucial role in Japanese history during the unification period and now houses a comprehensive museum showcasing samurai culture, castle history, and Hideyoshi's life (Source: Freepik)

3. Stunning Gardens, Lakes, and Scenic Spots

3.1. Kenrokuen Garden, Kanazawa (Ishikawa)

Main Highlights/Outstanding Features: Kenrokuen ranks among Japan's Three Great Gardens, famous for seasonal beauty and traditional landscape design. The garden features koi ponds, blooming plum and cherry trees, representing the pinnacle of Japanese gardening artistry developed over centuries.

Key Experiences/Must-Do Activities: Visit during spring or autumn to experience the garden's peak beauty, and try matcha tea in traditional teahouses.

This experience offers elegant, peaceful, and classically Japanese feelings (Source: Freepik)

3.2. Miyajima Island & Itsukushima Shrine, Hiroshima Bay

Main Highlights/Outstanding Features: The floating torii gate of Itsukushima Shrine represents one of Japan's three most famous scenic views. During high tide, the torii gate appears to float on water, creating magical scenery that combines sea and spiritual architecture. This UNESCO site holds deep cultural significance.

Key Experiences/Must-Do Activities: Watch the torii gate during high tide for perfect beauty, and hike Mount Misen for panoramic sea views.

This experience provides mystical, scenic, and perfect nature-spiritual blend feelings (Source: Freepik)

3.3. Jigokudani Monkey Park, Nagano

Main Highlights/Outstanding Features: Jigokudani Monkey Park offers the unique opportunity to observe Japanese macaques (snow monkeys) bathing in natural hot springs during winter months. Located in Nagano Prefecture's mountainous region, this park showcases one of nature's most endearing behaviors as wild monkeys soak in steaming onsen pools surrounded by snow-covered landscapes.

Key Experiences/Must-Do Activities: Visit during winter months (December-March) for the best monkey bathing scenes, and hike the scenic 1.6km trail through the forest to reach the observation areas.

The sight of red-faced monkeys relaxing in hot springs with snow falling around them creates one of Japan's most iconic and photogenic wildlife experiences (Source: Freepik)

3.4. Flower Fields in Shibazakura (Moss Phlox)

Main Highlights/Outstanding Features: The Shibazakura (moss phlox) flower fields create spectacular carpets of pink, purple, and white blooms that stretch across hillsides during late April to early May. The most famous location is the Fuji Shibazakura Festival held annually at the base of Mount Fuji, where over 800,000 moss phlox plants bloom in vibrant patterns with Japan's most iconic mountain as the backdrop.

Key Experiences/Must-Do Activities: Walk along designated viewing paths and enjoy local food stalls featuring seasonal specialties.

Note: Visit during the peak blooming season (late April-early May) for the most spectacular displays, and capture photographs of the colorful flower carpets with Mount Fuji in the background.

These low-growing flowers form dense, colorful carpets that appear to flow like rivers of color across the landscape, creating dreamlike scenes that epitomize Japanese spring beauty (Source: Freepik)

4. Top Markets to Visit When Coming to Japan

4.1. Nishiki Market, Kyoto

Main Highlights/Outstanding Features: Nishiki Market is known as "Kyoto's Kitchen," featuring a 400-meter street with over 100 traditional food shops. The market boasts over 400 years of history and serves as an ideal place to discover authentic Kyoto culinary culture. This narrow covered market stretches through the heart of Kyoto's downtown area, offering everything from traditional Kyoto vegetables and sweets to modern fusion foods, making it a paradise for food enthusiasts and cultural explorers.

Key Experiences/Must-Do Activities:

• Sample local specialties like fresh tofu, yuba (tofu skin), matcha ice cream, wagashi (traditional sweets), and various Kyoto pickles.
• Browse traditional cooking ingredients, kitchen tools, and food-related souvenirs while interacting with local shopkeepers.

This experience offers bustling energy, authentic culinary discovery, and deep cultural immersion in Kyoto's food traditions (Source: Freepik)

4.2. Omicho Market, Kanazawa

Main Highlights/Outstanding Features: Omicho Market serves as "Kanazawa's Kitchen" with over 200 years of history, specializing in fresh seafood from the Sea of Japan. The market is famous for Kanazawa's premium snow crab, sweet shrimp, yellowtail, and other seasonal delicacies, particularly during winter season. With nearly 200 shops and stalls, this market represents the heart of Kanazawa's food culture and offers some of Japan's finest seafood at reasonable prices.

Key Experiences/Must-Do Activities:

• Enjoy fresh sashimi bowls and famous Kanazawa snow crab at market restaurants, and explore diverse seafood stalls to witness the morning fish auctions.
• Sample local specialties like Kanazawa's renowned sweet shrimp and seasonal catches.

This experience offers fresh oceanic flavors, authentic local market atmosphere, and maritime culinary culture discovery (Source: Freepik)

4.3. Toyosu Market, Tokyo

Main Highlights/Outstanding Features: Toyosu Market represents the world's largest fish market, replacing the famous Tsukiji Market in 2018. This ultra-modern facility hosts renowned tuna auctions and serves as the seafood distribution center for all of Tokyo, handling over 480 types of seafood daily. The market features state-of-the-art refrigeration systems, strict hygiene procedures, and handles approximately 1,600 tons of marine products daily, making it a marvel of modern food distribution efficiency.

Key Experiences/Must-Do Activities:

• Observe the famous tuna auctions from designated viewing areas early morning (advance registration required) and enjoy the freshest sushi and sashimi at the surrounding restaurants in the market's restaurant zone.
• Explore the visitor center and learn about Tokyo's massive food supply chain.

This experience offers dynamic market energy, world-class seafood cuisine, and fascinating insights into Tokyo's food industry infrastructure (Source: Freepik)

5. Practical Travel Tips for Exploring Japan's Tourist Attractions

5.1. Best Times to Visit

The best times to visit Japan are spring (March - May) and autumn (September - November), each offering distinct advantages for different types of travelers.

• Spring (March-May) is ideal for experiencing Japan's world-famous cherry blossom season, with peak blooms typically occurring from late March to early May depending on the region. This season features pleasant temperatures of 15 - 20°C, perfect for outdoor sightseeing and hanami (cherry blossom viewing) parties. However, this is also peak tourist season, so expect crowds and higher accommodation prices.
• Autumn (September-November) provides spectacular fall foliage, comfortable weather with less humidity, and fewer crowds than spring. The autumn colors peak in different regions at different times - early October in northern areas like Hokkaido, and late November in southern regions. This season offers excellent conditions for hiking, temple visits, and photography.
• Summer (June-August) can be hot and humid with temperatures reaching 30-35°C, but it's the only time for Mount Fuji climbing season and offers vibrant festivals, fireworks displays, and perfect weather in Hokkaido. The rainy season (tsuyu) occurs from early June to mid-July.
• Winter (December-February) brings cold temperatures but offers unique experiences like the Sapporo Snow Festival, excellent skiing in regions like Nagano, and fewer tourists at popular attractions. Winter illuminations and onsen (hot spring) experiences are particularly magical during this season.

For first-time visitors, late April to early May and October to mid-November typically provide the best balance of pleasant weather, natural beauty, and manageable crowd levels.

5.2. Transportation Tips

Japan Rail Pass (JR Pass) for Long-Distance Travel: This pass covers most JR trains including shinkansen (bullet trains), local trains, and some buses. Purchase before arriving in Japan for significant savings when traveling between major destinations like Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, and Hiroshima. The 7-day pass costs around ¥29,650 and pays for itself with just one Tokyo-Kyoto round trip.

Local IC Cards for City Transportation: Use rechargeable IC cards like Suica (Tokyo area) or ICOCA (Kansai region) for seamless travel on subways, buses, and local trains within cities. These cards work across most of Japan and can also be used for purchases at convenience stores and vending machines. Load money at any station machine and simply tap to enter/exit transportation.

Regional Transportation Strategies: For rural areas and mountainous regions like Mount Fuji, Shirakawa-go, or Mount Aso, consider guided tours or rental cars as public transportation can be limited.

Money-Saving Tips: Book accommodation near major train stations to minimize local transportation costs. Many Japanese tourist attractions offer combination tickets that include transportation and admission fees. Consider staying in one base city and taking day trips to nearby attractions to avoid constant luggage movement.

Timing Considerations: Avoid rush hours (07:00 - 09:00 AM and 05 :00 - 07:00 PM) when traveling to Japanese tourist attractions. Start early to beat crowds at popular destinations and ensure you catch the last trains back to your accommodation, as service typically ends around midnight.

5.3. Cultural and Etiquette Tips

• At Temples and Shrines: Bow before entering, wash hands and rinse mouth at water basins, maintain silence and respect people praying.
• At Restaurants: No tipping required, say "Itadakimasu" before eating and "Gochisousama" after eating. Don't stick chopsticks vertically in rice.
• Time and Punctuality: Japanese highly value time, arrive punctually for appointments and respect opening/closing hours of venues.

These Japanese tourist attractions aren't just destinations – they're gateways to experiences that will fundamentally change how you see beauty, tradition, and human connection with nature. Ready to transform your travel dreams into reality? Contact Vietnam National Airlines today to book your Japan adventure.