We’re sure you must be excited to go on your trip to Japan. Whether you’re exploring the urban centers or going deep into the countryside, you will definitely find beautiful scenery! Japan is a dream destination for many people due to the variety of sites to see and things to do here. And of course, what trip would be complete without a bunch of beautiful photos to put on your Instagram?
Japan is definitely one of the most Instagrammable countries out there. Everywhere you look, it’s like something straight out of a film, a painting, or both. When we say “Instragrammable,” we basically mean anything that is beautiful, visually unique, or just simply cool enough to be on your feed. In Japan, you’ll never be in danger of running out of spots like these! Whether you love the neon glitz of the city or the soft and peaceful vibes of the outdoors, Japan has something for you.
Here, we’ve compiled just 20 of the most gorgeous spots that you just have to check out.
And if you want to take amazing shots in one of these spots, you should hire a local photographer with Photo Trips! We tell you all about it in this guide about how to hire a private photographer in Japan.
1. Unkai Terrace
We’re kicking off this list with this absolutely breathtaking view from the mountains of Hokkaido. Located in the Hoshino Resorts TOMAMU, the Unkai Terrace will give you a heavenly view of the so-called “Sea of Clouds.” This phenomenon usually happens only during the summer months.
Guests are greeted with a gorgeous view of the rolling clouds, so close you feel like you can reach out and touch them. On top of that, you will also catch sight of the amazing Hidaka Mountain Range at a distance.
Don’t worry if you’re not much of a hiker. To reach Unkai Terrace, you can either go on a 40-minute hike or you can go on a gondola ride that will take you straight there.
Exact Location: Unkai Terrace
2. Mt. Fuji and the Fuji Five Lakes
When it comes to Instagrammable spots in Japan, Mt. Fuji is always on the list. And deservedly so! This sacred mountain has become one of the icons of Japan. It is one of the country’s most easily recognizable spots. While the mountain can be viewed from many different angles, we definitely recommend going straight to its base. The Five Lakes area just adds to the peaceful and otherworldly atmosphere of the area. The best part? You will also see unique moss in pink, purple, and white planted at the base! The colorful plant life will definitely pop on film.
Exact Location: Mt. Fuji and the Five Lakes
3. Hakkoda Ropeway
Our next spot takes us to Aomori in the Tohoku Region in Japan. If you’re someone who’s not afraid of heights, then the Hakkoda Ropeway is definitely a must-visit. This cable car trip will give you a jaw-dropping view of the Hakkoda Mountain Range. When you visit will depend on you, since this view is beautiful all year round. But we are definitely partial to the view during Autumn! The mountain range transforms into a golden masterpiece with fiery red and orange tones. It will just look amazing on your Instagram feed.
Exact Location: Hakkoda Ropeway
4. Itsukushima Shrine
For this one, we don’t even need to say much. Just the sight of it alone will be enough to make you book tickets to Japan ASAP! The Itsukushima Shrine is also known as the “Floating Torii Gate” of Hiroshima. Because it’s located directly on the shore, it appears as if it’s floating during certain tide seasons. The vibrant red against the deep blue waters makes for a striking image that you definitely would not want to miss.
Exact Location: Itsukushima Shrine
5. 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art
Calling all art lovers! Aside from amazing natural wonders, Japan also has a rich art collection that will delight anyone with a creative bone in their body. The 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art in Kanazawa is one of the city’s most popular places. And for good reason! With incredible modern art pieces spanning all kinds of genres and mediums, just about every inch of this museum is Instagram-worthy. Have fun exploring the landscape of the modern Japanese art scene — and of course, capturing a few pics for the gram!
Exact Location: 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art
6. Hitachi Seaside Park
For a healing place that would take your Instagram followers’ breath away, Hitachi Seaside Park is the place to go. Located near Mito in the Ibaraki Prefecture, this large public park spans over 350 hectares. It is most famous for its vast flower fields that seem to go on forever.
The park’s iconic flower is definitely the blue nemophila, which blooms in spring and is famous for mimicking the color of the sky. If you happen to come by autumn, though, don’t worry. During this season, the park gets blanketed in a unique plant called Kochia scoparia, which comes in hues of red and pink. No matter the season you choose to visit, Hitachi Seaside Park will give you beautiful views for sure!
Exact Location: Hitachi Seaside Park
7. Ryujin Suspension Bridge
Our next one is not for the faint of heart! The Ryujin Suspension Bridge in the Ibaraki Prefecture towers over 100 meters above the water below. Over 375 meters long, this bridge offers you a gorgeous panoramic view of the surrounding mountains and forests. The colorful mountainscapes transform into a lush wonderland during summer.
Meanwhile, the cherry blossom and plum blossom trees turn the view a gorgeous pink during spring. In autumn, you’ll get amazing red and orange foliage. And finally, during winter, the entire surroundings look as if they came straight off a snow globe!
Even if you’re a bit afraid of heights, we recommend you still visit. The bridge is a product of Japanese skill and ingenuity. It can safely carry as many as 3,500 people at a time. You have nothing to worry about except for getting the best angle for your Instagram feed!
Exact Location: Ryujin Suspension Bridge
8. Otaru
Our next pick is not just one spot. It’s the whole town! The port town of Otaru, located in Hokkaido, is a lovely little pocket in northern Japan. With traditional buildings, cobblestone streets, and charming boutiques and cafes, Otaru just feels like a fairytale come to life.
When you visit during winter, you’ll even get to see waterways frozen like lovely ice sculptures. Otaru is one of the best places to experience the beauty of the winter season. Every street and alley is just screaming to be captured and put on your Instagram story.
Exact Location: Otaru
9. Yokohama Hakkeijima Sea Paradise
Located in Kanagawa, the Yokohama Hakkeijima Sea Paradise is the perfect place for the whole family. As one of Japan’s largest ocean leisure parks, you won’t run out of things to do in this paradise. There’s an aquarium, amusement park, shopping mall, and even a hotel inside! One of the most Instagram-worthy spots is definitely the Aqua Museum. Here you can see over 120,000 creatures spanning over 700 different species. It’s a great place to discover the beautiful world of the ocean without having to take a dip yourself!
We would also recommend checking out the Dolphin Fantasy. Here you can see adorable dolphins swimming and playing around. If you’re lucky, you might even get a cool shot of them!
Exact Location: Yokohama Hakkeijima Sea Paradise
10. Gotokuji Temple
Our next pick is located right in Tokyo. The Gotokuji Temple has been dubbed the “legendary lucky cat temple.” This is because it houses thousands of cat statues that are all ready to greet you! Coming in all sizes, these cat statues make for a unique photo opportunity that you really won’t get anywhere else. Don’t miss out on this one-of-a-kind spot — especially if you have a soft spot for cats and all things adorable!
Exact Location: Gotokuji Temple
11. ACAO Forest
We have a lot of gardens, parks, and natural scenery here on this list. But the ACAO Forest stands out even among those! After all, it’s not your regular park. Made up of 13 gardens each with its own theme, ACAO Forest is an amazing place to explore. Each garden has different kinds of flora that will just look amazing on your Instagram feed. Among the gorgeous flower fields, you should also check out one of the world’s largest bonsai that can be found here. At about 600 years old, it’s a true living legend!
ACAO Forest also boasts other attractions like a cliffside swing and plenty of photo opportunities.
Exact Location: ACAO Forest
12. Fushimi Inari-Taisha
When going on a trip to Japan, we’re sure you want to find those unique spots that you won’t get anywhere else. The Fushimi Inari-Taisha definitely fits the criteria! This area is a shrine to the god Inari, one of the principal gods of Shintoism. Inari is known for being the god of foxes, fertility, rice, tea, sake, agriculture, and more. Located in the Fushimi Ward of Kyoto, this shrine is known for having over 5,000 vibrant orange gates. The striking color and the sheer volume of the gates leave a big impression. The effect is something sacred, divine, and truly picture-worthy!
At Photo Trips, we have a photoshoot experience that is focused in this gorgeous shrine. Check it out here: Fushimi Inari Photoshoot.
Exact Location: Fushimi Inari-Taisha
13. Umeda Sky Building
Our next spot takes us to the beautiful city of Osaka. Because it is a port city, Osaka draws inspiration from all over the world. This is reflected in the city’s vibrant food culture! From takoyaki, okonomiyaki, pufferfish hotpot, and more, Osaka has some of the best street food in the world. And what better way to snack on those than by exploring the city as well?
The Umeda Sky Building is one of Osaka’s most Instagrammable spots. Apart from its glorious exterior, the inside is just as exciting. We definitely recommend going up to the observatory decks on the 39th and 40th floors. Here you can get panoramic views of the entire city. Pro tip: it looks even better during sunset!
Exact Location: Umeda Sky Building
14. Shibuya Crossing
Here is one of those curious spots that weren’t planned to become tourist attractions in the first place. Shibuya Crossing is really just a regular crosswalk. In fact, it’s one of the busiest crosswalks in the world! The sheer volume of people walking to and fro has transformed Shibuya Crossing into one of Tokyo’s most memorable spots. Try blending in with the crowd and feel like you’re the main character in a Japanese indie movie! We also recommend heading to the viewing deck on the roof of Magnet Shopping Centre to get an aerial view of the crossing.
Follow our Shibuya-based photographer JG and explore the best photo spots of the area: Shibuya Photoshoot.
Exact Location: Shibuya Crossing
15. Kinosaki Onsen
You can’t go to Japan without having your very own onsen experience. These traditional hot spring baths are so soothing, they are even known to cure physical ailments! Whether you’re actually sick or just in dire need of stress relief, dipping into an onsen is the way to go. And what better way to do so than to visit Kinosaki Onsen?
Located in the Hyogo Prefecture, this area is Japan’s most popular onsen town. It dates back over 1,300 years, so you will definitely be able to appreciate its rustic and historic charm.
But aside from that, Kinosaki Onsen is actually quite modern. Its entire selection of public baths is known to be very tattoo-friendly, unlike other onsens in Japan. The laid-back ambiance and peaceful vibe make this place feel like a refuge from the bustling city crowds. The onsen town’s rustic charm, along with its traditional buildings, would just look perfect when captured through your Instagram!
Exact Location: Kinosaki Onsen
16. Higashi Chaya
Up next we have another street with a lot of history. Located in Kanazawa, the Higashi Chaya is the largest chaya district in the area. A “chaya” is basically a traditional teahouse. It is a private establishment where geishas used to serve and entertain the guests. The Higashi Chaya therefore is known as one of Japan’s biggest geisha districts back in the day. The Higashi Chaya District boasts immaculately preserved traditional buildings.
You can even check out the two chaya that are open to the public: Shima Teahouse and Kaikaro Teahouse. There are also plenty of other cool cafes and boutiques that would be great to explore or have a photoshoot in!
Exact Location: Higashi Chaya
17. Mifuneyama Rakuen
Our next pick takes us back to another one of those areas that just showcases Japan’s natural beauty. Mifuneyama Rakuen is known as one of the country’s most scenic nature spots. Spanning over 500,000 square meters, this glorious garden dates way back to the Edo Period in 1855. Of course, spring is the best time to visit a place like this.
Everywhere you look, it’s florals galore with azaleas, wisterias, and other beautiful flowers covering the entire area. Don’t worry if you can’t come by during peak season. Mifuneyama Rakuen is just as fun to visit during other times of the year!
Go check out the Autumn Leaves Festival from November to early December. The entire area transforms into a blazing whirlwind of gold, orange, and red. From July to November, you can also witness the captivating installation known as “teamLab: A Forest Where Gods Live.” This immersive event combines nature and technology to give you a unique experience. Your Instagram followers will be curious for sure!
Exact Location: Mifuneyama Rakuen
18. Nara Deer Park
Calling all animal lovers! Our next two spots highlight Japan’s incredible wildlife. Up first, we have the Nara Deer Park. With over 1,000 deer just freely roaming the area, this park feels like you’ve stepped into paradise. The deer here are very well-behaved. Some will even bow to you when asking for snacks! The park also has a store where you can buy little treats to feed the deer and get closer to them.
Nara Deer Park provides unique photo opportunities that you won’t get anywhere else. Get up close and personal with these lovely creatures that have an important place in Japanese belief systems. Did you know that deer are considered the messengers of gods? Well here at Nara Deer Park, you can see for yourself just how majestic these creatures are in real life!
Exact Location: Nara Deer Park
19. Jigokudani Monkey Park
From the deer of Nara, we also have the adorable snow monkeys of Nagano! The Jigokudani Monkey Park regularly goes viral on social media for its population of adorable Japanese macaques. They are also known as snow monkeys. These red-faced furry creatures love bathing in the hot springs of the area. You can usually catch them playing around while lounging in the natural hot springs. It is the only monkey species native to Japan. Seeing these one-of-a-kind creatures in person would surely be worth the trip!
Exact Location: Jigokudani Monkey Park
20. Arashiyama Bamboo Grove
And finally, we have the glorious Arashiyama Bamboo Grove. Located on the western edge of Kyoto, this park stands out as one of Japan’s most beautiful ones. Tall stalks of bamboo surround you from every corner. It’s the best way to feel like a main character in a Studio Ghibli movie!
The gorgeous greenery is so eye-catching that you just can’t help but take a million photos. It’s crazy to think that such an otherworldly place exists within one of Japan’s biggest urban centers, but here it is. The Arashiyama Bamboo Grove is definitely one for the books.
Join our photographer Mina to capture awesome pictures of you in this bamboo heaven: Arashiyama Kimono Photoshoot.
Exact Location: Arashiyama Bamboo Grove
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We hope you enjoyed our article on the most Instagrammable spots in Japan! Which place are you just itching to visit? Don’t forget to let us know in the comments!
Taking photos is one of the best ways to document and remember your trip. Japan is easily one of the most interesting and eye-catching places in the world. This country truly has it all. Gorgeous traditional buildings, modern feats of architecture, and beautiful natural scenery can all be found here. It’s all just waiting to be documented by you!
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