Ginzan Onsen Town

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.

A mountain village in Gifu where the gassho-zukuri thatched-roof settlement is a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site. The steeply pitched thatched buildings create a magical snow scene during winter illumination events, attracting visitors from around the world.

A fantastical onsen town with Taisho-era wooden inns along a river. Gas-lit snowy nights, known from TV drama 'Oshin,' represent the ideal Japanese hot spring town, popular overseas.

Japan's southernmost prefecture, with a distinct culture rooted in the history of the Ryukyu Kingdom. With its emerald seas, the World Heritage Shuri Castle ruins, unique cuisine and music, Okinawa draws visitors from home and abroad as a resort island offering charms different from mainland Japan.

Japan's northernmost island, celebrated for its vast natural landscapes and rich food culture. From the lavender fields of Furano to the UNESCO World Natural Heritage site of Shiretoko and world-class powder snow ski resorts, Hokkaido offers year-round tourism appeal complemented by acclaimed seafood and local cuisine.

A contemporary art mecca in the Seto Inland Sea. Centered on the Benesse Art Site, works by Yayoi Kusama and museums designed by Tadao Ando are scattered across the island. As a core venue of the Setouchi Triennale, Naoshima has become a global model for art tourism.