ATT.JAPAN × JapanUp! magazine
att.JAPAN’s editors know every corner of this country, and here have selected 100 experiences we hope every traveler to Japan can try. Have faith in these recommendations as everything here was directly experienced by members of our team at att.JAPAN. You’re sure to uncover a new side to this island nation, and open the door to unforgettable experiences.
Whether you’re a first-time traveler wondering where to start, or a seasoned, well-traveled fan of the country, read on to find the perfect something for you!
Chubu Area
Enjoy taking instagrammable shots at Kiyotsukyo Gorge
This scenic area has the beautiful combination of the huge rock surface of a columnar joint and an emerald-green clear stream. This area has become famous due to the renovation of the tunnel into an art work called “Tunnel of Light” during the “Echigo-Tsumari Art Trienniale” in 2018. The dreamy art space with the water reflection of the gorge impresses me every time I see it!
Ma Yansong / MAD Architects, “Tunnel of Light” 提供：(一社)十日町市観光協会
Taste sake from all over Niigata Prefecture
Niigata Prefecture is one of the major sake producers in Japan, with the largest number of sake breweries in Japan.
“Ponshukan,” located at three places, including JR Niigata Station, Nagaoka Station, and Echigo-Yuzawa Station, is a dream place for sake lovers, where you can enjoy various kinds of sake from all over the prefecture.
Exchange 500 yen with five special coins, and use each coin for a full shot of sake from the special vending machines.
View an intact landscape of Japan at Saiko Iyashinosato Nemba
There are 20 restored houses with thatched roofs along Lake Saiko, with Mount Fuji in the backdrop. This idyllic scenery brings on a nostalgic feeling. The thatched houses are used for shops, cafes, restaurants, and craft workshops. From late October to mid-November, you can also enjoy beautiful autumn foliage.
Eat freshly-picked grapes at a vineyard in Katsunuma
Yamanashi Prefecture is the biggest grape producer in Japan. In Particular, Katsunuma in Koshu City, which can be accessed from Tokyo by expressway bus in about 90 minutes, is a big grape-growing area. From August to October, you can pick grapes at many farms in the area. Once you put freshly-picked grapes in your mouth, you will be surprised by a mouthful of sweet fruit juice.
If you actually visit a vineyard, you can really feel the power of agriculture in Japan, such as the many varieties of cultivation and various cultivation methods for different land.
Immerse yourself in the world of the movie in Tateishi Park
From Tateishi Park, you can have a great panoramic view of Lake Suwa, the biggest lake in Nagano Prefecture, and the Hida Mountains (aka Northern Alps).
This park was said to be the setting of the popular anime film “Your Name.” You can expect a breathtakingly picturesque view at sunset.
View Hotaka Mountains while trekking Kamikochi
Kamikochi is one of the most beautiful mountain scenic areas in Japan. Trekking around Taisho Pond while viewing Hotaka Mountains is just pleasant, and you can also enjoy a breathtakingly beautiful view. It takes about one hour to get to Kappa-bashi Bridge, a symbol of Kamikochi, and about two hours from Kappa-bashi Bridge to Tokusawa. As the trails are flat, you won’t have to worry about walking even if you are a beginner.
*Private cars are not allowed to enter Kamikochi.
*The mountains are open from mid-April to November 15 every year.
Go see “Snow Monster” figures with no hassle
Connecting Mount Kitayoko-dake, part of the Yatsugatake Mountains, and Mount Shimagare, Kitayatsugatake Ropeway takes you to the summit station in only seven minutes from the base of the mountain. In winter, when you arrive at the summit of the mountain, the forest of ice-covered trees will welcome you.
It is a highly recommended place to visit because you can go there even without special gear for skiing or snow mountain climbing and it is easily accessible from Tokyo by shinkansen and bus.
Have fine views of Kurobe Gorge from Torokko Train
“Kurobe Gorge Torokko Train” takes about 80 minutes one way to run through Kurobe Gorge, the reportedly deepest V-shaped ravine in Japan. From the window of the train, you can fully appreciate the wilderness of Kurobe Gorge. While the area is surely popular during the autumn foliage season, it is recommended to visit earlier around September when it is a bit quieter. The train is out of service from December to mid-April.
Taste delicious fatty kanburi at Toyama Bay
The Himi area in Toyama Prefecture is famous for kanburi winter yellowtail from the Sea of Japan. There are various ways to enjoy kanburi, such as shabushabu and kama-yaki grilled collar, and I recommend kanburi-don.
With sashimi slices of kanburi arranged in the shape of a flower on rice, this dish is not only delicious but also beautiful. You have to try kanburi-don with really fresh fish at Uoichiba Shokudo in the Himi Fishing Port.
Get into the white snow world at Yuki no Otani
The spring feature of the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route, one of the longest mountain sightseeing routes in the world, which goes through the Hida Mountains, is “Yuki no Otani.” It is an enormous wall of snow created after snow plowing, which is as high as 20 meters. You will be surprised by the white snow world that you come across right after the fresh green at the bottom of the mountain! You can get there by cable car and bus, so you won’t have to worry even if you don’t have stamina to walk up there.
Take photos in front of Buddha statues all along a wall
Taishizan Seidaiji Temple in Katsuyama City is a magnificent temple with a statue of the Great Buddha of 17 meters in seated height, which is taller than the one in Todaiji Temple, Nara Prefecture. Surrounding this Great Buddha statue, more than 1,200 statues of Buddha are arrayed all along a wall, which are supposed to invite people to the Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss, creating an overwhelming view. Visiting in early morning is recommended as there are fewer visitors.
Amaze karakuri mechanism at Ninja-dera Temple in Kanazawa
Kanazawa is called “Little Kyoto.” Just minutes away from the traditional streetscapes, you can find Myoryuji Temple, which is also called Ninja-dera Temple. The temple once served as a fort, so it has various types of mechanisms to protect from enemies from outside, such as hidden doors and hidden stairs. A tour guide will lead you through the maze-like inside (reservation required in advance).
*For safety reasons, only those in age from elementary school children and above can join the temple tour.
Walk around the warm friendly town of Hida Takayama
Takayama City still has old-style streets, with various types of shops, including long-established liquor shops, miso shops, ramen shops, and restaurants serving Hida Beef. The Miyagawa Morning Market is held every day. In the town, you can hear lively voices of local people throughout the day, which makes you want to stay there indefinitely. Such a feature is said to stem from the culture of the area to welcome visitors from far away, as it is located deep in the mountains.
Dance through the night
Gujo City, which prospered as the castle town of Gujo Hachiman Castle, is famous for “Gujo Odori” dance festival, which has been held for more than 400 years. The festival lasts over 30 nights from mid-July to early September. During the festival period, the most exciting event is called “tetsuya odori,” which literally means “dance through the night,” where people dance through the night until the next morning for four days from August 13 to 16. Tourists can freely join the dance if they want.
Travel on a classic steam locomotive of Oigawa Railway
Running through the middle area of Shizuoka Prefecture, Oigawa Railway features actively-working old passenger cars and trains, including steam locomotives from the 1930s to 1940s. Through a window of the train with an interior that makes you feel like you have travelled back in time, you can enjoy a view of houses along the river, lush green mountains, and tea fields, which is really unique to Japan, in a relaxing atmosphere.
*Due to damages brought about by a typhoon in 2022, the train route is currently shortened.
Stray into back alleys in Atami
In Atami, one of the most popular onsen areas in eastern Japan, many people walk towards the ocean while eating something and strolling through the bustling shopping street in front of the station.
You should, however, try wandering off onto one of the small side streets. In contrast with the bustle of the station area, you will find yourself in one of the small alleys, which are so labyrinthian that only the local people use them.
Enjoy the quiet retro atmosphere of the port town area.
Relish every bite of hitsumabushi in Nagoya
Hitsumabushi is Nagoya’s signature eel dish. The dish is served with small grilled pieces of eel topped on rice and you put some of it into a small bowl and eat it in three rounds. It is said that the first portion should be enjoyed as it is, the second should be with some condiments, such as chopped negi leek and wasabi, and the third should be savored with dashi soup as unachazuke. However, you can enjoy it as you like!
Watch a huge hand-held fireworks display at Toyohashi Gion Festival
A view of tezutsu (hand-held) fireworks of the Higashi-Mikawa area of Aichi Prefecture is just spectacular! Men of the festival hold fireworks paraphernalia including launching tubes under their arms, set off fireworks, and let the sparks rain down all over them, creating an imposing fireworks festival. Toyohashi City is said to be the birthplace of this fireworks, and hosts an annual “Toyohashi Gion Matsuri” festival in July, where about 350 tubes of tezutsu fireworks are launched.
Stroll in the historic town
in Shikemichi
Located 15 minutes on foot from Nagoya Station, Shikemichi is a highly recommended area for strolling. The area was originally established as a merchant town around Nagoya Castle; therefore, you can still see remnants of the historical townscape. The area has stylish cafes in renovated old folk houses and less-known good restaurants, too, so you will be able to find your favorite place easily!
Experience an Oise Mairi
Since long ago, it has been said that visiting Ise is a dream for once in a lifetime, referring to Ise Jingu Shrine. Ise Jingu consists of two main shrines, Naiku (inner shrine) and Geku (outer shrine). Naiku has a mysterious atmosphere, with the lush green grounds and simple buildings. After visiting the shrine, stroll around the temple town “Oharai-machi” and the “Okage-yokocho” district to savor delicious food!
写真提供：神宮司庁
