Top 5 Must See Places in Japan for 2025
Japan with its unique blend of ancient traditions and modern marvels, along with its diverse cultural experiences and sensational attractions is once again a hot travel destination for 2025. Don’t miss these 5 must see places in Japan for 2025 on your next trip.
Around 37 million people visited Japan in 2024 and with a favorable exchange rate, 2025 is set to be even bigger. Traditional tourist hot spots such as the neon-lit streets of Tokyo and the temples and shrines of Kyoto are still extremely popular, but more and more visitors are venturing off the beaten path to explore the hidden gems of Japan. Here are our picks of some of the must-see places in Japan for 2025.
5. Gyoda
Where: Saitama Prefecture in the Kanto Region
Get off the beaten track by visiting the historic city of Gyoda in northern Saitama Prefecture in the Kanto Region of northern Japan. Located only an hour away from the hustle and bustle of Tokyo, Gyoda is known for its rich history and local culture. It is home to some impressive attractions such as Oshi Castle, ancient burial grounds, cherry blossom covered parks and incredible rice paddy art to mention just a few.
Don’t Miss: The World’s Largest Rice Paddy Art – every summer the rice fields of Gyoda are coloured in spectacular art depicting historical or cultural themes. Local farmers use their fields to create massive work-of-arts that can’t be seen anywhere else in Japan. The best time to see this amazing art is from mid-July to mid-October from the adjacent Ancient Lotus Hall Observatory.
Why you should visit in 2025
Gyoda was chosen by travel magazine, Travel + Leisure as one of its 25 Best Places to Visit in Asia in 2025. When you think of travel destinations in Japan, Saitama doesn’t immediately come to mind. However, Gyoda is a hidden gem that deserves a place near the top of your bucket list.
Website: Gyoda Tour Guide
4. Naoshima
Where: Kagawa Prefecture in the Shikoku Region
Naoshima is a center for art and culture, offering visitors a unique and immersive experience. Located in the spectacular Seto Inland Sea, this small island has become a global center for contemporary art. It is home to art museums, innovative displays, and stunning natural beauty. Highlights include the popular Benesse House Museum, the spectacular artwork scattered around the island and Naoshima Bath, an art facility and public bathhouse.
Don’t Miss: The Giant Pumpkin – this iconic sculpture of a yellow pumpkin by Yayoi Kusama, is one of the island’s must-see landmarks. It first made an appearance at the 1994 Naoshima Exhibition and is now back on display after it was damaged in a typhoon.
Why you should visit in 2025
This must-see destination for art lovers featured on the BBC’s inaugural Best Places to Travel in 2025 list. It is a big year for Naoshima, with the Setouchi Triennale, one of Japan’s best art events taking place from April until November. Visitors will also have the chance to explore the Naoshima New Museum of Art, which is set to open in spring 2025.
Website: Naoshima Travel Information
3. Fukuoka
Where: The Kyushu Region of Southern Japan
Located on the northern shore of Kyushu, this amazing part of Japan offers visitors a fascinating mix of ancient temples, local food culture, beautiful beaches and modern shopping malls. Fukuoka is Kyushu’s largest and most vibrant city and has been an important gateway to Japan as the closest point to the Asian mainland. It is also famous for its annual Hakata Gion Yamakasa Festival, an energetic event held in July where massive festival floats are raced through the streets. Additionally, it boosts excellent transportation links, making it an easy destination to visit from anywhere in Japan.
Don’t Miss: Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine – this historic shrine is dedicated to the scholar and politician Sugawara no Michizane, the deity of learning. It is a must-see destination in spring when over 6,000 plum blossoms are in bloom around the shrine’s grounds.
Why you should visit in 2025
Fukuoka was chosen by travel magazine, Travel + Leisure as one of its 25 Best Places to Visit in Asia. It was also rated the 4th fastest growing destination for international travelers from Asia by digital travel platform, Agoda. Add it to your travel itinerary as one of the must-see places in Japan for 2025. This fantastic spot is still one of Japan’s most underrated gems with its traditional charm, diverse attractions, and modern vibe, making it a perfect travel destination.
Website: Fukuoka City Official Tourist Guide
2. Toyama Prefecture
Where: The Chubu Region of Central Japan
Toyama is located between the spectacular Northern Japan Alps and the picturesque Sea of Japan in the Chubu Region of central Japan. The name Toyama literally means “rich with mountains” and it certainly doesn’t disappoint with breathtaking views of the Northern Japan Alps. Toyama offers an authentic taste of Japan with its rich history, ancient festivals, traditional culture, fresh seafood and spectacular mountain trekking. Famed for the picturesque Gokayama village with traditional thatched-roof houses and the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route, this is rural Japan at its finest. Toyama is also home to some fantastic cultural events, such as the Owara Kaze no Bon, a traditional dance and music festival held in early September.
Don’t Miss: The Spectacular Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route – one of the most breathtaking natural attractions in Japan. This stunning scenic route through the Northern Alps provides visitors with magnificent scenery of the Tateyama Mountain Range. Famous for its massive snow walls in spring, this mountain route offers incredible alpine scenery.
Why you should visit in 2025
Toyama made the New York Times’ list of 52 Places to Go in 2025. Visitors can enjoy an authentic taste of Japan without all the crowds, a rarity in recent times. The 2024 Noto Peninsula Earthquake had a big impact on the area with Toyama working hard to attract tourists as part of its recovery process. This exciting region with unique attractions is an excellent stop for any traveler visiting Japan.
Website: Visit Toyama
1. Osaka
Where: The Kansai Region
Osaka is a charming, vibrant, exciting city in the Kansai Region of western Japan. While not exactly an off the beaten track destination, it is a modern Japanese city with a different personality and vibe to Tokyo. Osaka is known as the “Soul of Japan” and offers visitors a relaxed atmosphere with some of the best street food in Japan along with a sprinkling of history and culture thrown in. Highlights include the historic Osaka Castle, the neon lights and soul food of Dotonbori, and Shinsekai, a nostalgic district with retro vibes.
Don’t Miss: The Neon Lights of Dotonbori – the heart of Osaka’s nightlife and street food scene. This lively, neon-lite area along the Dotonbori Canal is famous for its neon signs, including the iconic Glico Running Man. It is also a great place to enjoy some local delicacies such as okonomiyaki, takoyaki, and kushikatsu from one of the many restaurants or street food stalls.
Why you should visit in 2025
Osaka was chosen by the New York Times as one of its 52 Places to Go in 2025. The Kansai Region was also named by CNN as one of their top places to travel for 2025. One of the main reasons to visit in 2025 is the World Expo. Osaka will host the world’s fair from April to October 2025. Osaka is a treasure trove of rich history, mouthwatering cuisine, and modern attractions, making it easy to see why it is a must visit destination in Japan for 2025.
Website: Osaka Info
John Asano is a blogger, travel writer and travel advisor living in Gifu, Japan. Originally from Melbourne, Australia, he has lived in Japan now for over 15 years. John loves nothing better than picking up his camera and exploring all the amazing sights and attractions that Japan has to offer. He writes about the must see sights and attractions in Japan at Japan Travel Advice, as well as about Japanese culture and modern life on his blog Japan Australia. You can read more of his work at http://japan-australia.blogspot.com/
