Hidden gems known only to locals: Top 3 scenic spots in Japan

By the MOOK Scenic Spots Travel Life Network Editorial Team
 
Japan’s Top 3 Scenic Spots – Matsushima in Miyagi Prefecture, Amanohashidate in Kyoto Prefecture, and Miyajima in Hiroshima Prefecture
 
Floating on the seaMatsushimascenery
(Matsushima, Miyagi PrefectureMatsushima, Miyagi Prefecture)
 
Located in Matsushima, Miyagi Prefecture, this scenic area is made up of over 260 large and small islands floating on the sea. This natural wonder was formed by crustal movement and rising sea levels, attracting throngs of visitors since the Heian period. Don’t miss the moving view from the observation deck, especially stunning when paired with autumn foliage. You can also take a cruise to get an up-close look at the islands’ natural beauty.

Amanohashidate – TheStairway toHeaven
(Amanohashidate, Kyoto Prefecture)
 
A pine-covered sandbar in Kyoto, where dense black pines grow on the white sandy shore. Legend has it that this slender landform was created by the Shinto deity Izanagi as a stairway connecting heaven and earth. When viewed upside down (by bending over and looking between your legs), it appears as though it descends from the sky—hence the name Amanohashidate, or “Stairway to Heaven.” The site captivated Confucian scholars, and visitors here should try the upside-down view for themselves.

The redtorii gate standing tall on Miyajima
(Miyajima, Hiroshima PrefectureMiyajima, Hiroshima Prefecture)
 
The serene beauty of Miyajima lies in the ancient tradition of revering the entire island as an object of nature worship. Its iconic attraction, Itsukushima Shrine, is one reason why Miyajima is listed among Japan’s Top 3 Scenic Spots. Itsukushima Shrine features a Shinden-zukuri-style main hall and the grand torii gate standing in the waters of the Seto Inland Sea nearby. Together with the surrounding primeval forests, they have been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Japan’s Three Hidden Gems -- Shirakawa-go in Gifu Prefecture,Iya in Tokushima Prefecture,Shibu Village in Miyazaki Prefecture
 
Step into the silver-white world of Shirakawa-go’s gassho-style houses
(Shirakawa-go, Gifu Prefecture
 
Located in the rugged mountains of northern Gifu Prefecture, Shirakawa-go is a renowned heavy snowfall region. Its unique gassho-style villages are built to withstand thick layers of snow in winter. This village, also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, retains much of its traditional culture and customs. The silver-white landscape shaped by snow captivates many visitors.

Trough Valley – A Fascinating Chapter of History
(Iya, Tokushima PrefectureIya, Tokushima Prefecture)
 
Located among the central mountains of Shikoku, “Trough Valley” is said to have been a refuge for tribes that retreated after medieval clan wars. Whether it’s the famous suspension bridge known as the “Kazurabashi,” the hot spring villages, thatched farmhouses, or the breeze drifting through the valley, all subtly tell this intriguing tale of history.