15 Unique Festivals Only Found in Japan
There are a variety of interesting festivals in each prefecture of Japan throughout the year.
All About Japanese Festivals
There are an estimated 600,000 festivals held in Japan every year—an average of 50,000 per month!
Japan's 11 Coolest Festivals
Check out our definitive list of awesome festivals around Japan throughout the year!
Can You Keep a Secret? 4 Hidden Hot Springs
There are a lot of incredible hot springs in Japan. These four hot springs are not well known, but they'll surprise you! They all have something special in common—can you guess what it is?
8 Reasons Why You Should Visit Nikko
Fresh air, shaved ice and 'steps to heaven.' Need a reason to visit Nikko? Here are eight!
All About the Tenjin Matsuri
Japan is famous for its wide variety of festivals, and one of the Top 3 is the Tenjin festival in Osaka. Between dances and river parades, this summer event has it all. Check it out and plan your next visit!
Paint Your Face for Next Year's Crops!
Fukuoka locals show their appreciation to the powers above at this goopy harvest festival.
Top 7 Weirdest Festivals Across Japan
While it's estimated there are 600,000 festivals in Japan, some are decidedly weirder than others!
Japan's 20 UNESCO World Heritage Sites
World Heritage Temples & Shrines
Every traveler to Japan should be sure to visit at least a few of the nation's stellar World Heritage Sites, ranging from 1,000-year-old temples and shrines to breathtaking natural biospheres.
An 8-Day Journey Through the 'Rising Dragon'
Travel through the 'Rising Dragon' region of Japan, where you'll find ancient shrines, exquisite gold leaf, top-ranked gardens, incredible festivals, panoramic mountain views, plus markets, museums, kabuki and more!
Origami Cranes at Shrines & Temples
Why can origami birds be found at many shrines and temples? Who makes them? Why do they make them? Learn the answers to these questions here!
The Ultimate Itinerary in Kamakura
Here’s how you can have the best of everything in just one day in Kamakura!
Masanori Aoyagi on Japan's World Heritage
World Heritage Temples & Shrines
When the sites of Japan’s Meiji industrial revolution were added to UNESCO's list of World Heritage Sites, Highlighting Japan spoke with then-Commissioner for Cultural Affairs Masanori Aoyagi about the significance of World Heritage Sites in Japan.
UNESCO's Historical Monuments of Ancient Nara
Once the capital of Japan, the historical monuments of Nara include temples, a shrine, a palace, a forest and lots of deer!
10 Beautiful Spots to Take Photos in Japan
Photography Japanese Countryside
It's hard to take a bad picture at these gorgeous locations!
Japan—Where Tradition Meets the Future
World Heritage Temples & Shrines
Centered around a slick video of 45 locations across three regions of Japan, the JNTO's new European campaign is a beauty to behold.
Hiraizumi: Pure Land Heritage
Located in Iwate Prefecture, Hiraizumi was the administrative center of northeastern Japan in the 12th century, said to have rivaled the splendor of Kyoto at its peak.
Tanzan Shrine Kemari Festival
A game played by royals 1,400 years ago, held at this nature-rich shrine in Nara. Japan's football starts here!
UNESCO Sites in the Tokyo Area
Tokyo is great for food, shopping and relaxation. But you should know there are also a handful of stellar World Heritage Sites right in the area!
Top 4 Fall Foliage Spots around Takayama
Fall in love with the stunning fall foliage of Hida Takayama, a beautifully preserved castle town tucked in the remote mountains of Gifu Prefecture.
