The two hieroglyphics that make up the name of the most ancient eastern country literally mean "the place where the sun rises." An amazing country with beautiful nature and picturesque landscapes has long attracted travelers, and today thousands of tourists come to see the most beautiful places in Japan.
We will also go to a country that carefully preserves and safeguards its traditions and culture, and visit the most beautiful sights of Japan.
1
Fuji
Among all the variety of attractions in Japan, Mount Fuji has long been a hallmark of this eastern country. Thousands of tourists flock here in the summer to climb.
This miracle of nature has an incredibly symmetrical, regular shape cone. The Japanese consider the mountain sacred, and beautiful temples of the Shinto religion are spread on its slopes. It is also included in our rating of the most beautiful mountains on planet Earth.
2
Sagano Bamboo Grove
At the foot of Mount Arashiyama there is an amazing bamboo grove, which is rightly considered the most beautiful place in the Land of the Rising Sun.
The long alley is surrounded by rows of slender bamboo trees, and the total area of the grove is 16 hectares. And the monk Muso Soseki planted a grove in the 14th century, and since then the picturesque masterpiece has become the object of pilgrimage for both Japanese and visitors.
3
Todai-ji Temple
The sacred place for every Japanese, the Todai-ji Temple is the largest wooden structure in the world, and in the middle of the majestic building stands a bronze Buddha.
It was built in 751, and the temple acquired its final form at the beginning of the 18th century. Around the cult site lies a magnificent park in which you can meet deer.
4
Himeji Castle
The most popular cultural heritage site for tourists is also called the White Heron Castle, and the most beautiful castle was built in 1346.
The castle complex of 83 buildings stands at the foot of Mount Hime, surrounded by sakura trees. Sophisticated forms and elegance of architecture served the fact that the building was named after a beautiful snow-white bird.
5
Mount Koya-san
Temples began to be erected on the mountain in Wakayama prefecture in the early Middle Ages. The first of them was erected by the monk Kukai.
Today, among the eight peaks there are many temples and monasteries. In addition, at an altitude of 800 meters, there is the Shingon Buddhist School, as well as shogun tombs and an ancient cemetery.
You can get to the top of the sacred mountain by tram, which quickly rises along the cable railway.
6
Kumano Nati Taisha
The Shinto shrine was lost high in the mountains, and nearby the waters of the largest in Japan, Nati no taki, fall down.
Numerous keys beat around the temple, and the paths leading to the sanctuary are surrounded by centuries-old trees. The Japanese believe that the spirit of the waterfall lives here, and on July 14, in honor of the gods and spirits of their ancestors, the Ogi-Matsuri festival is held.
If you want to look at photos of the most beautiful waterfalls, there is a very interesting article on most-beaty about this.
7
Ishigaki Island
Translated from Japanese, the name of the island sounds romantic and mysterious - the island of a stone fence. This is one of the most picturesque islands of the Ryukyu archipelago.
In the center of the island rises a mountain with a height of 526 meters, and beautiful coastal waters lurk beautiful coral reefs. In addition, tourists are attracted by walks in amazing caves, as well as the opportunity to go diving.
8
Kotoku-in
The joko sect in the city of Kamakura erected a temple, the main attraction and value of which was the majestic bronze statue of Buddha.
Thousands of tourists from all over the world come to touch the 13-meter shrine. Probably the statue used to be wooden and was much taller. But time and hurricanes did not spare the wooden idol, and in the XIII century the sculpture was erected from bronze.
9
Hiroshima Peace Memorial
On that tragic day for Japan, August 6, 1945, hundreds of people were under the dome of the exhibition center. From a nuclear explosion, the epicenter of which was only 160 meters from the building, all died.
But the building has stood, and today serves as a vivid reminder of the destructive power, and most importantly, this exhibit is literally screaming about the inadmissibility of the use of nuclear weapons.
10
Happo En Garden
Among the many gardens of Tokyo, Happo-en Garden, as a green island among skyscrapers and asphalt, occupies a special position.
The garden began its history with the construction of the Japanese capital Edo more than 400 years ago. One of the aristocrats acquired a plot of land on which he built his residence, and surrounded the buildings with a magnificent garden.
Since then, Tokyo have carefully guarded the incredible beauty and comfort of a green island.
11
Dzhigokudani Snow Monkey Park
On the largest island of the Japanese archipelago - Honshu Island, an unusual spa resort operates. And he is unusual in that his clients are only monkeys.
A unique reserve is inhabited by about 200 macaques. In addition to their usual activities, our closest relatives devote most of their time to taking water baths in thermal mountain springs.
Scientists and tourists observe this unique phenomenon in the middle of the 20th century.
12
Osaka Castle
Among the attractions of Osaka, a high, five-story samurai castle should be noted. It was erected when the metropolis was still a small village, in 1598.
To protect against enemies, the castle was erected on a stone embankment. The religious building played a significant role in the history of Japan, and today the main symbol of valor and honor.
13
Kiyomizu-dera
The Buddhist temple is considered to be the pearl of the Japanese city of Kyoto. The magnificent complex was founded in the VIII century, and finally acquired its appearance by 1633.
One of the monks, wanting to find the beginning of the waterfall, found a platform among the mountain peaks, on which he built a small temple. Many legends are associated with this place, and from the observation platforms there are wonderful views of the surroundings of the complex and the city itself.
14
Tokyo TV Tower
Sights of the Japanese capital are numerous and diverse. One of them is a unique architectural construction of a television and radio communication tower.
The tower, whose height is 332 meters, was erected in 1958. Divided into 6 tiers, it has many viewing platforms, cafes and souvenir shops. But at the foot of a large shopping and entertainment center.
15
Kinkaku-ji Golden Pavilion
The temple building of 1337 is covered with gold plates on the banks of a beautiful lake.
Around the pavilion, the hardworking Japanese have grown a wonderful garden where you can stroll along the shady alleys, as well as sit in the cool of multiple streams.
The pavilion is multifunctional, its floors serve as art galleries and a venue for religious ceremonies.
16
Itsukushima Shrine
Another of the most recognizable places in Japan is located on the island of Miyajima.
The Shinto shrine, along with a sand spit and a sea bay, is one of the three most famous landscapes in Japan. At low tide, you can walk to the gate. Visitors make a wish, leaving coins in the crevices of the sacred gates.
17
Tubu Sangaku National Park
This area on the island of Honshu, tourists and travelers call the Japanese Alps. Various types of maples, slender spruce, and bamboo grow in the mountainous region.
Among the beauties, numerous lakes and spacious green meadows should also be noted. Among the attractions of the park there is even an active volcano.
18
Shirakawa-go and Gokayama
You can get acquainted with the history and rural life of the Japanese in a remote mountainous area, where rural settlements harmoniously blend in with the picturesque landscape.
Due to the distance from large roads and cities, a special way of life has developed here. Only here you can get acquainted with the original view of the Gassho Zukuri architecture, as well as see the traditional dwellings for this area.
19
Kegon Waterfall
Another natural wonder of the Japanese islands is located on the Daiyagawa River, flowing out of their crystal clear mountain lake. Water falls from a height of 97 meters, raising a million splashes and clouds of drops into the air.
This beauty has a sad page of history. Many young Japanese committed suicide here, following the cases described in fiction. But still, tourists are attracted by the beauty and naturalness of this masterpiece of nature.
20
Tokyo Imperial Palace
We will complete our trip to Tokyo at the majestic and unique palace of the emperor, built the historical part of the capital.
The ancient building was repeatedly exposed to fires and destroyed as a result of the struggle for power, and acquired a modern look after restoration in the late 50s of the last century.
Around the imperial buildings there is a majestic garden, in the eastern part of which tourists can get year-round. But the entrance to the palace itself is open to visitors only twice a year.
Conclusion
So we visited the 20 most beautiful places of amazing and enchanting Japan. But, no description or photo will convey the truth of beauty, so plan your next vacation among the beauties of the eastern Land of the rising sun.
Perhaps among our readers there are people who have already visited this amazing and mysterious country. Therefore, we will be happy if they share their impressions in the comments. The editors of most-beauty.ru are waiting for your comments. Write what sights of Japan you saw or would like to visit.