Walking through the quiet streets of Ozu to reach its hilltop castle revealed misty river views, a rare wooden reconstruction, and one of Ehime’s most atmospheric photo spots.

Riding Iyonada Monogatari from Matsuyama to Iyo Ozu offered sweeping coastal views, warm community welcomes, and a uniquely local way to experience Ehime’s seaside charm.

Kitsuki Castle and its sloped Edo-period streets offer one of Kyushu’s most atmospheric small castle towns, where rivers, history, and quiet daily life meet.

As the head shrine of all Hachiman shrines in Japan, Usa Shrine offers a deeply atmospheric walk through forested grounds, ancient bridges, and over 1,300 years of living history.

Nishi-Oyama Station, Japan’s southernmost train station, is a quaint, photogenic stop in rural Kagoshima. Surrounded by farmland with views of Kaimondake Volcano, it offers a small market, a happiness mailbox, and a certificate for visitors marking this unique railway milestone.

Okoshiki Coast in Kumamoto offers one of Japan’s most mesmerizing sunset views. With dramatic tidal mudflats, warm local encounters, and a golden horizon over the Ariake Sea, it’s a hidden gem worth the early start and careful planning.

Kumamoto Castle, one of Japan’s most historic and imposing castles, offers expansive grounds, museum exhibits, and cherry trees, with ongoing restoration highlighting its resilience after the 2016 earthquake.

Built into a steep hillside in Saga Prefecture, Yutoku Inari Shrine is one of Japan’s top three Inari shrines. Its elevated main hall, supported by vivid red pillars, offers sweeping views, peaceful forest trails, and a striking alternative to Kyoto’s more crowded shrine experiences.

A foggy evening atop Mount Inasa turned into a magical experience—city lights glowing through the mist, the quiet hum of Nagasaki below, and a glimpse of one of Japan’s top three night views in a softer, dreamlike light.

Fukuoka Castle Ruins offer a quiet walk through Maizuru Park, with historic stone walls, city views, and easy access to the scenic paths of Ohori Park.

Kokura Castle blends history, legend, and art, from Miyamoto Musashi’s legacy to vibrant seasonal displays, making it a serene yet lively stop in the heart of Kokura.

Tsuwano Castle Ruins offer a scenic hike above the town, with stone remnants, panoramic mountain views, and an interactive VR experience bringing the historic castle back to life.

Tsuwano, known as “Little Kyoto,” is a beautifully preserved castle town in Shimane Prefecture, offering samurai streets, historic canals, traditional festivals, and hillside shrines—without the crowds.

Akiyoshido Cave is one of Japan’s most impressive limestone caves, featuring a dramatic river-fed entrance, vast underground chambers, and a scenic hike across the Akiyoshidai Plateau.

Matsue Castle in Shimane is one of Japan’s twelve original castles, surrounded by wide moats and steeped in Edo-period history. From panoramic views at the top floor to a scenic boat ride along the Horikawa moat, it offers a unique way to experience a preserved feudal stronghold.

A scenic coastal hike along the San’in Kaigan Geopark Trail, from Uradome Coast to Otani Beach, showcasing dramatic cliffs, turquoise waters, ancient rock formations, and quiet seaside towns along Tottori’s Sea of Japan coastline.

Japan isn’t known for deserts, but the Tottori Sand Dunes offer a surprisingly vast and otherworldly landscape. From camel rides to sweeping coastal views, this visit felt unlike anywhere else I’ve been in the country.

Located beside the famous Tottori Sand Dunes, the Sand Museum showcases massive, highly detailed sand sculptures that change every year. This visit offered a fascinating look at the craftsmanship behind an art form that’s far more intricate—and temporary—than it first appears.

Hakuto Shrine in Tottori blends coastal scenery with ancient Japanese mythology, telling the timeless love story of the White Rabbit of Inaba in a serene seaside setting.

An unexpected stop led me to Fukuchiyama Castle, where quiet grounds and lingering stone walls tell the story of one of Japan’s most controversial samurai.