Six Must-See Breathtaking Scenic Spots in Japan Before You Die

By / MOOK Scenic Spots Home Travel Life Network Editorial Team
 
Taiwanese people love traveling to Japan, where there always seem to be endless beautiful sights waiting to be explored. So, what are the dreamlike wonders you must see in your lifetime? Below, we’ve selected six stunning Japanese scenic spots. If you’re planning a trip to Japan in the future, consider adding them to your travel list and conquering them one by one.

● Hyogo Prefecture | Takeda Castle
Perched atop a mountain at an elevation of 353.7 meters, Takeda Castle was abandoned 400 years ago and forgotten—until a dreamy photo of the castle floating above a sea of clouds captured public attention. This real-life sky city, with ruins covering approximately 400 meters from north to south and 100 meters from east to west, now consists mostly of square stone walls. But climb to the top, and the panoramic view is breathtaking, giving you the feeling of standing atop Mount Tai and looking down upon the world. The colorful rice fields, small townhouses, and distant white bridge below appear as charming miniatures. Japan’s Machu Picchu truly lives up to its name. Whether it’s the soft pink hues of spring cherry blossoms or the pristine white landscapes of winter snow, both are incredibly enchanting. However, seeing the castle enveloped in misty clouds isn’t easy—it only happens on clear, windless autumn mornings between September and November, before 8 a.m.

● Saitama Prefecture | Metropolitan Outer Area Underground Discharge Channel
Resembling an “underground temple,” the Metropolitan Outer Area Underground Discharge Channel in Saitama Prefecture is actually a massive underground drainage system built to handle Tokyo’s high population density. The Japanese government constructed this world-class facility 50 meters underground. Centered around five eight-story-high water storage silos—resembling colossal cans—locals call this place the “Underground Temple.” These five giant cans are supported by 59 concrete pillars, each weighing 500 tons, standing upright like soldiers in the underground space, creating a majestic scene reminiscent of ancient Greek temples. This has also made the Underground Temple a popular tourist attraction.

● Hokkaido | Shirogane Blue Pond
When visiting Biei in Hokkaido, many people include a relaxing soak at Shirogane Onsen in their itinerary. Along the way, you’ll find the dreamy, accidental scenic wonder known as Shirogane Blue Pond. Formed as a side effect of flood control work, the pond appears blue because its water contains aluminum hydroxide. Sunlight scatters in the water, with shorter blue wavelengths reaching our eyes more easily—hence the blue hue.