Japan places to see: Mount Fuji, Tokyo and Kyoto temples

Explore Japan's most iconic landmarks across a route spanning from Mount Fuji and Tokyo to Kyoto's ancient temples including Fushimi Inari Taisha and Kiyomizu-dera, while also visiting natural wonders like Arashiyama Bamboo Forest, Hakone Shrine, and the tropical beaches of Ishigaki Island.

Mode
Places
Start
Welcome to Japan
End
Jishu Shrine
Stops
19
Video author
travmap
Updated

Stops on this route

  1. Welcome to Japan
  2. Mount Fuji — Towering peak visible from Tokyo on clear days, approximately 100 km away.
  3. Tokyo — Former fishing village of Edo, renamed Eastern Capital in 1868.
  4. Kiyomizu-dera Temple — Kyoto's iconic wooden temple perched on a hillside, featuring a veranda offering panoramic city views and dating back over a thousand years.
  5. Kiyomizu-dera — Temple complex constructed without nails, home to Jishu Shrine for love fortune testing.
  6. Itsukushima Shrine — Sacred shrine built on Miyajima island, dedicated to three daughters of storm god Susanoo.
  7. Chureito Pagoda — Five-story red pagoda built in 1963 as peace memorial, standing 25 meters high on mountainside.
  8. Hakone Shrine — Famous landmark on shores of Lake Ashi, originally built on Mount Hakone summit in 1667.
  9. Jigokudani Monkey Park — Hidden paradise known as Hell Valley in the heart of Japan.
  10. Arashiyama Bamboo Forest — Dense grove of towering bamboo stalks creating a serene, otherworldly pathway near Kyoto where light filters through the verdant canopy.
  11. Mount Myoko — Volcanic mountain with active fumaroles near summit, formerly mined for sulfur.
  12. Lake Ashi — Scenic lake surrounded by forests, home to Hakone Shrine.
  13. Sensoji Temple — Tokyo's oldest temple with a massive red lantern entrance gate, attracting millions annually for its spiritual significance and bustling marketplace atmosphere.
  14. Matsumoto Castle — A pristine feudal-era castle with distinctive black walls and multiple towers, reflecting original samurai architecture from the 16th century.
  15. Shibuya Crossing — The world's busiest pedestrian intersection where thousands of people cross simultaneously, symbolizing Tokyo's vibrant urban energy and modern culture.
  16. Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park — A solemn commemorative site preserving the history of the 1945 atomic bombing, promoting messages of peace and nuclear disarmament worldwide.
  17. Fushimi Inari Taisha — Sacred shrine deep in the mountains of Kyoto, legendary gateway to prosperity.
  18. Fujisan Hongu Sengen Taisha — Sacred shrine at the base of Mount Fuji, built to honor the mountain.
  19. Jishu Shrine — Shrine within Kiyomizu-dera complex where visitors test their luck in love.

Useful for your trip

Timing
Visit Shirakawago in winter to experience the village as a snow-covered wonderland with houses glowing warmly from within.
Timing
Visit Arashiyama Bamboo Grove early in the morning when soft sunlight filters through leaves and crowds are still quiet.
Timing
Spring is ideal for visiting Chureito Pagoda when soft pink cherry blossoms bloom along the 398 stone steps.
Timing
Ishigaki Island's tropical climate is best from April to November for beach and outdoor activities.
Tip
At Kiyomizu-dera Temple, walk between two love stones with eyes closed at Jishu Shrine to test your luck in love.
Transport
Mount Fuji can be spotted from Tokyo on a clear day, even though it's about 100 km away.
Tip
Climb 398 stone steps to reach Chureito Pagoda, which was built in 1963 as a peace memorial.
Transport
Otaru is just 25 minutes from Sapporo by train, accessible via the first railway in Hokkaido built in 1880.
Tip
Jigokudani Monkey Park is only accessible by a narrow footpath through the forest, preserving its natural setting.
Where to stay
At Koyasan, you can live like a monk, share their meals, and rise with the temple bell for a spiritual experience.
Tip
Fushimi Inari Taisha dates back to 711 AD and features thousands of red Torii gates representing prayers and wishes.
Timing
On July 31st each year, a special ceremony is held at Hakone Shrine to honor the dragon god Kuzuryu.

Video on this route

Wonders of Japan | The Hidden Places No One Talks About! | Travel Video 4K

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