Nara Ancient Capital

The head temple of the Kegon school in Nara, founded in the 8th century. Its iconic Great Buddha Hall is one of the world's largest wooden structures, housing a 15-meter-tall bronze Buddha statue. Listed as part of UNESCO's 'Historic Monuments of Ancient Nara.' The symbol of Nara Park, attracting over 3 million visitors annually.

The center of ancient Japanese capital culture in Nara City. Nara Park concentrates temples representing the Nara period, including Todai-ji with its famous Great Buddha. Interaction with Nara's sacred deer is also a tourist draw. Registered as UNESCO World Heritage for its historic cultural assets. Welcoming over 12 million visitors annually, it ranks alongside Kyoto as a premier destination.

Nara's old quarter developed around the former precincts of Gangoji Temple. Atmospheric streets lined with Edo-to-Meiji-era machiya townhouses now blend with cafes and boutiques, creating an area where visitors can stroll while sensing the rhythms of ancient capital life.

A UNESCO World Natural Heritage island home to ancient Yakusugi cedars thousands of years old. The Jomon Cedar trek and Shiratani Unsuikyo Ravine are known as inspirations for the forests in Miyazaki's 'Princess Mononoke.' Its vertical vegetation zones from subtropical to subarctic earn it the nickname 'Alps of the Ocean.'

A mountain village in Gifu Prefecture whose gassho-zukuri (hands-in-prayer style) thatched-roof houses are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The steep thatched roofs harmonize with deep winter snow, and the winter illumination event creates a magical scene that draws visitors from around the world.

An exotic port city that served as Japan's sole window to the West during the period of national isolation via Dejima. Western-style architecture at Glover Garden and Oura Church, Chinatown, Peace Park, and Hashima Island (World Heritage) create a uniquely layered historical tourism destination.

A Shonan-area tourist destination with 800 years of history as the ancient capital of the Kamakura Shogunate. Beyond historic sites such as the Great Buddha, Tsurugaoka Hachimangu, and the bamboo groves of Hokokuji, the scenery of sea and mountains along the Enoden railway adds to its charm.