CNN’s carefully selected 31 stunning spots in Japan — how many have you visited?

Travel Center / Comprehensive Report

The Japanese yen has been depreciating continuously recently, which is sure to have stirred the travel desires of many. CNN once selected 31 breathtaking spots in Japan, including Kyoto’s Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion), Hiroshima’s Itsukushima Shrine, Tottori Sand Dunes known as Japan’s largest sand dune, and Himeji Castle, one of Japan’s three most famous castles. However, Japan’s stunning attractions go far beyond these 31 — places like Biei’s Blue Pond, Miyazaki’s Takachiho Gorge, and Kagoshima’s Lily Beach are also waiting for you to explore in person.

Here is the list of CNN’s carefully selected 31 stunning spots in Japan:

1. Kawachi Wisteria Garden (Kyushu)
2. Hakuba Village Happo Pond (Nagoya)
3. Senjojiki Cirque & Mitoku Shrine (Shimizu Misogi Place) (Yamaguchi Prefecture, Nagato City)
4. Nachi Falls (Wakayama Prefecture)
5. Zaō Onsen Ski Resort (Yamagata Prefecture)
6. Beppu Ropeway by Nankai Electric Railway (Ōita Prefecture)


▲ The black castle “Matsumoto Castle” that you must visit when in Matsumoto, Nagano. (Photo / taken by reporter Tsai Wen-jun)

7. Matsumoto Castle (Nagano Prefecture)
8. Shiratani Unsui Valley (Kagoshima)
9. Takaoka Pond (Shinshu / Nagano Prefecture)
10. Motsu-ji Temple (Iwate Prefecture)
11. Hitachi Seaside Park (Ibaraki Prefecture)
12. Arashiyama (Kyoto)


▲ Otaru Canal Snow Light Path. (Photo / file photo)

13. Otaru Winter Snow Light Path (Hokkaido)
14. Usa Jingū (Ōita Prefecture)
15. Daisen (Tottori Prefecture)


▲ Tottori Sand Dunes. (Photo / taken by Huang Shih-yuan)

16. Tottori Sand Dunes (Tottori Prefecture)
17. Itsukushima Shrine (Hiroshima Prefecture)
18. Lavender Fields
19. Lake Toya (Hokkaido)
20. Seigen-ji Temple (Shiga Prefecture)
21. [Text unclear – possibly a location in Toyama Prefecture]
22. Lake Kussharo (Hokkaido)
23. Tanada Rice Terraces in Jingun (Hiroshima Prefecture)


▲ Himeji Castle. (Photo / Provided material)

24. Himeji Castle (Hyogo Prefecture)
25. Jigokudani Monkey Park (Nagano Prefecture)
26. Hakuba Village (Nagano Prefecture)
27. Adachi Museum of Art (Shimane Prefecture)
28. Sotomo of Wakasa Bay (Fukui Prefecture)


▲ Fuji Shibazakura Festival. (Photo / Provided by the 2016 Fuji Shibazakura Festival)

29. Fuji Shibazakura Festival (Yamanashi Prefecture)
30. Sengan-en Garden (Kagoshima)
31. Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion, Kyoto)


▲ The Golden Pavilion is beautiful, but it's even more stunning under snow — though that’s rare to witness.（Photo / Authorized to be provided by netizen Tsai yuhsia. Please do not reproduce without permission to avoid copyright infringement.）