Not what you expected: Japan’s three most disappointing tourist spots

Travel Center / General Report

For those who love traveling in Japan, you’ve probably heard of the “Three Greats” of Japan — things like Japan’s Three Views, Three Great Castles, Three Great Waterfalls, and Three Great Night Views. These “Three Greats” are often bucket-list goals for many travelers. However, there’s one set of “Three Greats” that most people would rather not encounter: Japan’s “Three Most Disappointing Tourist Spots.”


▲ Sapporo Clock Tower (Hokkaido). (Photo / from Rakuten Travel website)

Sapporo Clock Tower (Hokkaido)
It’s a famous landmark in Hokkaido, always mentioned in travel guides, and one of the few remaining American-style buildings in the region. However, because it’s located right in the heart of Sapporo city and surrounded by high-rises, many find it doesn’t live up to their expectations.


▲ Harimaya Bridge (Kōchi Prefecture). (Photo / from Rakuten Travel website)

Harimaya Bridge (Kōchi Prefecture)
Located in Kōchi Prefecture, Japan, Harimaya Bridge features bright red railings and is the bridge celebrated in the Japanese folk song "Yakko Bushi" as “Harimaya Bridge.” It was the setting for the love story between Zenshin, a monk from Chikurin-ji Temple on Godaisan in eastern Kōchi City, and Ama, the daughter of a tinsmith. However, after renovation, it became overly modernized, which might disappoint some visitors.


▲ Holland Slope (Nagasaki Prefecture). (Photo / from Rakuten Travel website)

Holland Slope (Nagasaki Prefecture)
During the Edo period, this was Japan’s only international trading port, home to a large foreign population. At the time, all foreigners were referred to as “Dutch,” and Holland Slope got its name because the slope was often frequented by foreigners. The slope itself is just a simple incline, and there are no surrounding Western-style buildings, which can easily leave visitors feeling let down.