545 Best Sights in Japan

Artist Yutaka Isozaki is happy to show visitors his varied artwork in various media, including pottery, paintings, and photography. You can buy small cards with inspirational messages and illustrations such as persimmons and wildflowers that make original souvenirs. Isozaki-san is now in his 70s but is always excited to meet new visitors. 

This little island paradise offers wonderful beaches, snorkeling, diving, and sea kayaking. From late January through March is prime whale-watching season, and during those months you can join two-hour boat tours from Naha. From land, the north shore gives you the best chance of seeing whale tails and fin-slapping humpback antics—but bring your best binoculars.

For great snorkeling, try Furuzamami Beach, a short walk south of the harbor and village. In summer, there are snorkel rentals and showers. There's also a restaurant, and shuttle buses run to and from the pier.

Nagano's unusual temple is the final destination each year for millions of religious pilgrims. Since the 7th century, this nonsectarian Buddhist temple has accepted believers of all faiths and admitted women when other temples forbade it. Each morning the head priest (Tendai sect) and head priestess (Jodo sect) hold a joint service to pray for the prosperity of the assembled pilgrims (usually on tour packages). Visitors rub the worn wooden statue of the ancient doctor Binzuru (Pindola Bharadvaja in Sanskrit) for relief of aches and pains. After the service, descend into the pitch-black tunnel in the basement to find the iron latch on the wall; seizing it is said to bring enlightenment.

The temple is a 3-km (2-mile) walk from the station or, from 8:35 onwards, you could take the Gururin-go or retro Binzuru-go buses from the station (¥150, 10 minutes). They run every 15 minutes. Those buses aren't running in time for the morning service, however, which starts from 5:30 to 7 am, depending on the season, so you might want to ask your hotel to reserve a taxi for that.

This temple, just south of the Ichinohashi Crossing, dates back to the 800s. In the 1200s, the temple was converted to the Shinran school of Buddhism. When Consul-General Townsend Harris arrived from the Americas in 1859, he lived on the temple grounds. It is also home to what's said to be the oldest tree in Tokyo, a 750-year-old giant gingko.

Matsushima's main temple dates from AD 828, but the present structure was rebuilt to meet Masamune Date's tastes in 1609. Zuiganji is perhaps the most representative Zen temple in the Tohoku region. The museum, filled with the temple's treasures including a statue of the warlord, is also well worth visiting. The natural caves surrounding the temple are filled with Buddhist statues that novices carved from the rock face as part of their training. Tours in English are available if you call ahead.