Discovering Japan: our topic by topic guide to Japan

Thanks to our many topics and thousands of articles, prepare your travel itinerary to Japan. Temples, parks and gardens, festivities, onsen, the best restaurants, hikes, walks and other excursions in Japan will no longer be a secret to you! Across a network of around 40 cities, discover all the activities and points of interest in each of them.

 

Attractions and Excursions

Whether on foot or by bike, Japan is full of places to relax and enjoy the scenery on a nice walk! We give you some ideas with our selection.
Tokyo depuis les cieux

The Best Observation Decks to Visit in Tokyo

Want to experience Tokyo from above? The Japanese capital is home to several skyscrapers offering breathtaking views of the city.

Détail de l'architecture de la station centrale de Kyoto

Explore Kyoto Station

For many travelers, Kyoto Station is their first introduction to Japan's ancient capital.

As you leave the station, the Kyoto tower looks through the visitors

What to see around Kyoto Tower

As soon as you arrive in Kyoto, your gaze is drawn to Kyoto Tower, one of the city’s most iconic landmarks.

Arashiyama: Kyoto’s Scenic Riverside District of Bamboo Forests, Temples, and Timeless Beauty

Located on the western edge of KyotoArashiyama is one of the city's most beloved destinations.

Parks and Gardens

Enjoy the country's natural wealth by discovering the best parks and gardens in Japan!
Murin-an

Discover Kyoto's best gardens

Want to discover a different side of Kyoto? The city’s gardens tell the story of the ancient capital just as much as its temples and shrines.

Kyoto Botanical Garden: The Historic Garden of the Historic Capital

Located in northern Kyoto, the Kyoto Botanical Garden is one of the city’s most peaceful green spaces and one of the finest botanical gardens in Japan.

6 Flower Parks to visit in Japan

Need some fresh air? In Japan, parks are in bloom all year round. From carpets of azure flowers to sakura tunnels, they offer spectacular scenery for all nature lovers.

Jardin de mousse

Top 5 of Japan's best moss gardens

We all know Saihoji, Japan's most famous moss garden. However, the country also boasts several exceptional gardens where moss is king.

Temples and Shrines

Discover the most beautiful Japanese temples and shrines for a unique cultural and historical getaway!
Kiyomizu-dera, Kyoto

Kiyomizu-dera, Kyoto's "Temple of Pure Water"

The Kiyomizu-dera complex is a must-see in Kyoto. Built on a hillside in the Higashiyama district, in the eastern part of the city, it has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1994.

Kiyomizu-dera (Kyoto)

Discover 10 Iconic Temples in Kyoto

Kyoto is home to more than 2,000 temples and shrines, an exceptional cultural heritage that would be impossible to explore in a single trip.

La plus belle vue de Kyoto ? Les reflets du Kinkakuji dans l'eau

Kinkaku-ji, Kyoto's Golden Pavilion

Among Kyoto's most famous landmarks, the Golden Pavilion attracts millions of visitors every year. Covered in gold leaf, this Buddhist temple has become one of Japan's most recognizable symbols.

Ginkakuji - The Silver Pavilion temple of Kyoto

Nestled in the hills of eastern Kyoto, just off the famous Philosopher's Path, Ginkaku-ji is one of the city's most iconic temples.

Onsen, Hot Springs and Public Baths

Onsen, very popular with the Japanese, are an experience not to be missed when coming to Japan! Discover our recommendations for a moment of relaxation.
Hottarakashi onsen in Yamanashi

Top 4 of the most beautiful onsen with a view of Mount Fuji

Japan is famous for its many onsen, natural hot springs with therapeutic properties.

Un sento au Japon

Top 5 best sento in Japan

The sento has always been a place of relaxation and socialization, an integral part of Japanese daily life.

Un sento au Japon

Top 5 sento in Tokyo: a relaxing experience in the heart of the capital

From time immemorial, the sento has been a place of relaxation and socialization, an integral part of Japanese daily life. In Tokyo, over 500 public baths are still in operation.

Un sento à Tokyo

Tokyo launches campaign to promote sento bathhouses!

From September 1 to February 28, 2026, enjoy sento at reduced prices!

Museums and Galleries

History and art being very rich in Japan, there are many museums and galleries. Find our selection of the best visits!
Le quartier de Fushimi

Discover the Fushimi Inari area: between torii gates and sake

South of Kyoto, the Fushimi district is often associated with the famous shrine of red torii gates, Fushimi Inari Taisha.

Musée des costumes

Discover Kyoto’s best museums!

As the beating heart of Japanese traditions, Kyoto reveals its history not only through its temples, but also through its museums.

Exploring Kyoto’s Major Museums: Art, History, and Culture in Japan’s Ancient Capital

While Kyoto is best known for its temples, shrines, gardens, and traditional architecture, the city is also home to some of Japan’s most important museums.

Totoro vous accueille à l'entrée du musée Ghibli

The Ghibli Museum in Mitaka: Step Into the World of Studio Ghibli

Hidden among the charming, forested landscape of western Tokyo, the Ghibli Museum in Mitaka is one of Japan’s most beloved cultural attractions.

Outdoor Activities

Are you a fan of sports and hiking? Discover the best places to enjoy the charm of Japanese nature!

Mount Mitake: Tokyo’s Sacred Mountain Escape

Just 90 minutes from central TokyoMount Mitake offers a completely different side of the capital. Deep cedar forests, moss-covered trails,

mont-fuji-nuages

Climbing Mount Fuji: A Complete Guide to Japan’s Most Iconic Adventure

Rising to 3,776 meters, Mount Fuji is Japan’s tallest mountain and one of its most recognizable symbols.

Climbing Mt Fuji

When to Climb Mount Fuji: Timing, Crowds, and Special Events

The best time to climb Mount Fuji is not simply a matter of picking a summer month—it is defined by a very specific, short climbing season, shaped by weather, safety

Coucher de soleil au Mont Fuji

Admire the sunrise and sunset at Mount Fuji

Want to experience a unique moment during your trip to Japan? Discover 5 places to watch the sunrise and sunset near Mount Fuji, with Japan Experience.

Events and Festivals

There are many matsuri throughout the year, which are a must in Japanese culture! Don't miss any of these festivities during your trip.
Matsuri d'été au Japon

Japan Events Calendar: June 2026/July 2026

Matsuri, fireworks, exhibitions - summer in Japan is synonymous with events of all kinds. What can you do on the archipelago if you travel there in June and July?

Les cerisiers illuminés de Rikugien

9 must-see illuminations to see during spring in Japan

What could be more magical than strolling through an illuminated garden in spring? In Japan, springtime illuminations enhance the seasonal flowers.

Sakura et Fuji

Japan Event Calendar: April and May 2026

What to do in Japan this spring? April and May mark the cherry blossom season, and with it, the famous Golden Week, a week of eventful holidays.

Flower Festival in Hiroshima

8 Flower Festivals not to be Missed in Japan

In Japan, parks and gardens are in bloom all year round.

Shopping and Souvenirs

Discover the best places to bring back souvenirs from your trip!
Toji Market

6 of the Best Flea Markets to visit in Kyoto

Kyoto is home to some of the best flea markets to visit in Japan! Stop by one of these monthly events and pick up some unique items!

FamilyMart

FamilyMart has opened a clothing store

Last September, FamilyMart opened its first clothing store in Tokyo: a concept store that benefits from several collaborations with Japanese designers and is attracting more and more visi

Marché aux puces

Top 5 Flea Markets in Tokyo

Tokyo, a metropolis of luxury and fashion, also hides a treasure trove for bargain hunters: its flea markets.

Dragon Ball Store (Tokyo)

Dragon Ball Store: Japan's first Dragon Ball store!

Since November 14, Tokyo station has been home to the first Dragon Ball store. How do I get there? What can you find there? Japan Experience presents the Dragon Ball Store!

Restaurants and Cafes

Japanese gastronomy is recognized as one of the finest and richest in the world. We give you the best addresses to make your culinary journey a success!
Soy Milk Ramen and dumplings at Uno Yukiko

5 Great Restaurants for Vegetarian and Vegan Options in Kyoto

Kyoto’s food culture is deeply connected to seasonality, balance, and traditional Buddhist cuisine, making it one of the best cities in Japan for vegetarian and vegan dining.

sushi

9 of the Best Sushi Restaurants in Kyoto

Kyoto may be best known for kaiseki cuisinetofu dishes, and centuries-old tea culture, but the city is also home to an impressive

Seasonal latte at "The Lattest"

10 of the best coffee shops in Tokyo

Tokyo's winding streets are laced with fantastic cafes and coffee shops.

View of Tokyo Tower from the Garden Terrace

5 places to eat in Tokyo with a great view

A bustling, cosmopolitan city, Tokyo is a hub for cuisine.

Markets in Japan

Immerse yourself in the daily life of the Japanese by browsing our selection of the best markets in Japan!
Japan Visitor - nishiki20191.jpg

Nishiki Market Kyoto

Stretching for nearly 400 meters through the heart of downtown Kyoto, Nishiki Market is one of the city's most famous attractions and a must-visit destination for food lovers.

Crowds of people in a street, lined with shops, shop and cafe signs.

Ameyayokocho: Tokyo's vibrant market street

Nestled in the heart of Tokyo's Ueno district, Ameyayokocho (アメヤ横丁) is a bustling market street that pulses with energy and charm.

Des vendeurs de poisson au marché Tsukiji.

Tsukiji fish market

The world's largest fish market has rehearsed for decades its frenetic and nourishing dance to frenzied “tuna” every night.

Le marché aux poissons de Kii-Katsuura

Kii-Katsuura fish market

Kii-Katsuura, also called Nachi-Katsuura, is a fishing port in Wakayama prefecture which owes its fame to its thermal springs but also to its fish market.

Family Travel

Are you travelling with your children or are you a theme park fan? Discover the best places to have fun with young and old!
Voyager au Japon avec de jeunes enfants

Traveling to Japan with Young Children

Planning a trip to Japan with young children? Don't panic, the archipelago is a "kid-friendly" destination. How do you get around with a stroller?

How to celebrate Halloween in Tokyo with children

Halloween is a real event in Japan. Between the storefronts decorated for the occasion and the adults-only costume parties, it's impossible to miss.

A deer laying on grass in a zoo enclosure

Ueno Zoo

Ueno Zoo located in Tokyo’s Ueno Park is the oldest zoo in Japan.

toyota-mega-web

Visiting Odaiba with children

Odaiba has been transformed, a small fortress in Tokyo Bay, built in 1853, has been transformed into a man-made island entirely dedicated to entertainment and relaxation. Today, Odaiba is a fa

Japanese Pop Culture

Manga, anime, video games... Japanese pop culture is seducing the whole world! Discover the best of these cultural phenomena.
Catalogue Netflix

Top 10 locations from series and films about Japan in 2025

The year 2025 is drawing to a close, having brought us its share of cinematic nuggets.

Cosplay in Japan

Japan is home to a vibrant and passionate cosplay culture.

Nakagin Capsule Tower

Nakagin Capsule Tower

South of the Ginza district, near Shinbashi, is a unique building that stands out in the landscape of Tokyo skyscrapers, the Nakagin Capsule Tower.

With 634 meters high, the Tokyo Sky Tree is the tallest building in the Japanese capital.

Tokyo Skytree Tower

Tokyo Skytree, inaugurated in May 2012, is an imposing broadcasting tower located in Tokyo's Sumida district.

Nightlife

In the big Japanese cities, the nightlife is often very lively and it would be a shame to miss it during your trip to Japan. Enjoy it by browsing through our best places to have a good night out in Japan!
Le Forest beer garden, près du parc du sanctuaire Meiji, à Tokyo

Tokyo’s Best Beer Gardens for Summer

As temperatures rise in Tokyo, the city’s seasonal beer gardens once again become one of the best ways to enjoy summer evenings.

Celebrating Halloween in Tokyo as an adult

Halloween is a popular event in Japan, especially in the capital, which hosts numerous events throughout the month of October.

Un spectacle de geishas

Where to see geishas in Tokyo

Tokyo, a bustling metropolis, hides treasures of tradition, including the enigmatic geishas. These refined artists, guardians of an ancestral art, fascinate visitors from all over the world.

Ryogoku Kokugikan on a sanctuary of sumo in Tokyo.

Ryogoku Kokugikan, at the heart of sumo tournaments

Interested in Sumo? The Ryogoku Kokugikan is the place to be. The emblematic center of sumo in Japan, the Ryogoku Kokugikan will immerse you in the excitement of this age-old sport.