THE 10 BEST Hidden Gem Activities in Japan
Best Japan Hidden Gem Attractions
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Travelers' Choice Awards winners (including the "Best of the Best" title) are among the top 10% of listings on Tripadvisor, according to the reviews and opinions of travelers across the globe.
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418 places sorted by traveler favorites
- Things to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, number of page views, and user location.
Recommended Hidden Gems (2,195)
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Lessons & Workshops • Gardens
Shinagawa / Gotanda
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Points of Interest & Landmarks
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Historic Sites • Religious Sites
Shinagawa / Gotanda
Points of Interest & Landmarks • Religious Sites
Historic Sites • Religious Sites
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Game & Entertainment Centers
Shibuya / Harajuku / Ebisu
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Points of Interest & Landmarks • Historic Walking Areas
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Showing results 1-30 of 418
What travelers are saying
- Sabrina E24 contributionsBest experience ever if you’re a feathered friends lover. The birbs are sooo chill and relaxed and pleasant. Make sure not to knock when you arrive! Unfortunately made that mistake by not reading the signs on the door. We did the private session and it was worth it cause you get to hold more of the owls but it still doesn’t feel like enough time only because they’re all so precious!!! Best Japan experience ever!!!Written September 19, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Siu Ting LHong Kong, China4 contributionsReally nice animals and selection of plant! Great to spend an afternoon here with family and friends! Hv parking and gd facilityWritten August 10, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Stefanie HLincoln, NE1,746 contributionsThis is a fun trip outside Tokyo because of the minaki-neko! It was a very hot day, so we got off at the closest train station to the temple, but you can walk through the village shops if you get off one stop further away. The temple had very few people, so we were able to see everything we wanted; even so, some of the sizes of lucky cats were already sold out.Written September 11, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- A DaleSusono, Japan169 contributionsPart of the Nakasendo route from Edo/Tokyo to Kyoto in 1603-1867.
We parked our car in one of the designated lots for 500 yen. The village was located across the street. Very well preserved village with tall dark wood buildings. Some souvenir shops, eateries & boutiques scattered in historic buildings.Written May 17, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Kristen CSan Diego, CA229 contributionsOff the crowded streets are getting to you, check out this lovely Japanese garden very close to Tokyo Tower for beauty and tranquility.
Sister park admission is included in the price which was very inexpensive for US dollar exchange.Written January 14, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Colleen HEdmonton, Canada78 contributionsIt is well worth the 1200 yen to visit this peaceful, beautifully maintained little garden with little paths that take you through the ponds, little waterfalls, waterwheel, stepping stones, little bridges and lush waterlilies. There were benches to sit, relax and take in the view and there was almost no one there during the busiest part of the day in July. This gorgeous little gem is one of my favorite places in Japan and it is worth the trip to Nara to visit the amazing Isuien Garden!Written July 21, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- What We Found TravellingSydney, Australia6,691 contributionsThese peaceful gardens next to the Arashiyama bamboo forest are a great break away from all the crowds. It costs 1000 yen per person to enter which includes a matcha tea, calpis or juice. As the tea & juices were self serve we ended up having multiple. Great value for the 1000 yen. The real bonus is that not many people are willing to pay the 1000 yen to enter, hence it becomes a lovely & quiet place to explore.
Whilst the gardens didn’t have beautiful flowers & colourful plants in early June there are some great views of Kyoto & the Katsura River valley awaiting.Written July 14, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Shlomi TNagano, Japan1,377 contributionsExcellent museum on a different level. Full of treasures.
Must have cost them a fortune to build. And to fill it with all those treasures from around the world. SPECTACULARWritten May 23, 2021This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Nicole W61 contributionsThe temple is one of a kind, it was very quiet when we were there early afternoon late August, There are some larger statues, the numerous raken (~1200) make this place special, none is the same and they are spread over the hills of the temple. Not explained: visitor’s leave money with some of the raken, one even wore jewelry.
It is a very special place to visit, keep it that way.Written August 30, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Josh DNew York City, NY895 contributionsI am taking a class called Metropolitan Tokyo and we learn about a rural town in the middle of Arkansas!! I think a lot of students in the class complained and said they were given false advertising!! I am obviously being extra as I do a lot in my reviews and we learn about areas of Tokyo!! We had to go here for a project and look at different parts and I had to look for greenery!! I have to do a group presentation which is actually my least favorite thing to do in life but I enjoyed coming here and doing the research!! I went for some pho and then walked around and saw a lot of plants and shrubs and trees!! I also got a waffle fish which was very good!!Written March 10, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- HeraandHopeBrockenhurst, UK11 contributionsA beautiful local museum with a surprisingly big budget. Everything was brilliantly maintained. The history was accessible due to the hands-on nature of the museum. Going inside each house was a highlight, as was the changing weather-scape created by the skylight. Be warned though, wear shoes that are easy to take on and off as I had to carry mine from house to house. I was there on a relatively busy day and the museum was still a pleasant environment. A casual word of advice, the tour guides are wonderful and extremely knowledgeable, but their english is very limited. I would look up anything extra you need to know online if the exhibits don’t give you enough information. Not one for small kids though!Written September 5, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- oskarSwindon, UK105 contributionsI stayed in kawaguchiko and rented a bike to travel around the five lakes. Wasn’t expensive and the ride didn’t take long. I think it’s 500¥ entry into the village but definitely worth it. I haven’t seen anywhere like this. The views of Fuji are stunning and the history of the village is pretty cool.Written April 26, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- raetripVancouver, Canada332 contributionsAbsolutely gorgeous works of art by Itchiku Kubota. The video was very enlightening, showed how the kimonos were dyed, the process of tying the fabric. The gardens behind are small but lovely. Not wheelchair accessible.Written June 1, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Mark HarrisMelbourne, Australia90 contributionsStunning! Although the garden can be walked through in 5 minutes, you could comfortably spend up to 15 minutes here soaking it in. The ultimate moss sanctuary. Only 15 minutes walk from the Bamboo Grove.
Two bonuses are 1: Tourists don't seem to know about this place, so it's fairly quiet 2: The walk there has lots of unique shops and restaurants (cash only).Written November 16, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Robert BCanberra, Australia67 contributionsAlthough its a bit of the usual tourist routes, this is a special place to visit if you know anything of the 47 Ronin. We visited in the week and there was only us and another 2 couples there.Written June 2, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
