Immersive Fort Tokyo: The World’s First All Immersive Theme Park, Now Open in Japan

  • X
  • line

A new Tokyo attraction built within the former Venus Fort shopping complex, Immersive Fort Tokyo promises each and every visitor a chance to dive into the fun and become a part of the story, with immersive and interactive entertainment.

What Is Immersive Fort Tokyo?



While Tokyo locals might have fond memories of dates or family outings in Odaiba with a trip to the unusual Venus Fort shopping complex, foreign visitors are less likely to be familiar with this area of Tokyo or the history of Venus Fort itself, including its recent rebirth as the brand new indoor theme park Immersive Fort Tokyo. So what exactly is this place? Branding itself as the world's first totally immersive theme park, Immersive Fort is a new Tokyo destination constructed within the skeleton of Venus Fort – already known as a "theme park-style shopping center" thanks to its unique interiors styled to look like quaint European streets, complete with ceilings that cycle through sunny blue skies and pink sunsets. Leaving much of this funky interior design intact, Immersive Fort has now transformed many of the spaces that once hosted the mall's shops and restaurants into "immersive attractions" of all kinds that "go beyond a regular theme park," from interactive theater experiences to escape-room-type attractions that have you running from clowns and hiding in lockers. The themes range from past to present, including Jack the Ripper horror and anime inspiration with the characters of Oshi no Ko and Tokyo Revengers, and even the restaurants claim to immerse diners in experiences from another time or place. As the first destination of its kind, in its very first days open to the public, Immersive Fort still leaves a little room for improvement, but its unique setup offers plenty of thrills for the curious visitor looking to immerse themself in something new.

Immersive Fort Tokyo (イマーシブ・フォート 東京)
1-3-15 Aomi, Koto City, Tokyo
Hours: 11:00 – 19:00 or 20:00 (check the official calendar for details)
Official Website (en)

Immersive Attractions to Check Out



Image courtesy of Immersive Fort Tokyo.

As of its grand opening in March 2024, Immersive Fort Tokyo has a total of 11 attractions, including three main immersive theatrical features, a restaurant show, a handful of "happenings" planned to occur in open areas throughout the facility, and a varied collection of attractions along the lines of a haunted house or escape room. While ticket passes offering access to just the smaller attractions are available (6,800 yen for adults), most visitors will probably want to buy one of the more expensive passes (9,800~14,800 yen) that include all the little stuff plus one of what you might call the "main attractions." These three large-scale attractions each have their own themes: classic Sherlock Holmes, a rather spicy story concerning courtesans in a historic Japanese red light district (for guests 18 and up), and an "immersive escape" designed around the anime Tokyo Revengers. You actually can buy tickets for them each separately so you can do more than one in a single day, but you might find yourself exhausted by the end of it all – with a focus on immersion, all of the attractions are pretty active! With lots to choose from, here are a few spots you might want to check out.

The Sherlock: Baker Street Murder Case



SHERLOCK HOLMES and DR. WATSON are trademarks of Conan Doyle Estate Ltd. ®

As one of the largest and longest attractions at Immersive Fort Tokyo, "The SHERLOCK" is a theatrical experience where there is no "audience," and participants play a role that's something along the lines of "extras milling around on the street" while the main characters dash throughout a maze of rooms resembling Victorian London. Whether you choose to tail Holmes and Watson as they run back and forth, solving a murder and other mysteries, or you content yourself with hanging around with the town drunk to hear the nonsense he spouts, it's a real choose-your-own-adventure filled with half-a-dozen different scenes and several different characters.

Identity V: Immersive Chase



©JokerStudio2023NetEaseInc.AllRightsReserved

More than 300 million players have enjoyed the Identity V survival horror game on their phones and computers, and now the concept has been brought to life in Tokyo, with participants forming teams to dash across the rooms and find codes, hide from evil clowns, and try their best to make it out of the locked chamber before their three minutes are up. This immersive attraction will have you on your toes, with a little more active excitement than your average escape room.

Spy Action!



Make sure you're in the right place at the right time to get wrapped up in this spy-themed adventure! Slick gang members and their lackeys order the crowd around in an attempt to steal an important computer chip, suited spies bravely arrive to rescue the innocent, and choreographed fights take place through the theme park halls. As an audience member for Spy Action!, you never really know when or how you might get involved, and the short and sweet performance is really the epitome of everything Immersive Fort is trying to achieve.

Jack the Ripper



Immersive Fort calls this attraction an "Immersive Horror Maze," but most visitors would probably call it a haunted house, themed around the real-life serial killer who terrorized the women of London in the late 1800s. Within the twists and turns of the narrow maze hallways, a masked Jack pops out of doorways, gruesome victims beg for mercy, and London policemen eye you with suspicion. If thrills and horror are your thing, you'll want to check out this tour of Jack's territory.

Immersive Stories: Hansel and Gretel



Less interactive but certainly still immersive, this Hansel and Gretel themed attraction takes you on two different journeys. Will you choose to follow the two little children who find themselves stuck in the woods, gobble up the delicacies of an evil witch's candy-coated house, and burn the place down to manage their escape? Or will you instead follow the witch through her years as a sad little waif, discovering the backstory behind her crimes? As you make your way through a series of artfully sculpted rooms, the main story plays out through a series of voiced animations, projected onto the walls to make it feel like you're inside the room with the characters. The attraction is witchy and whimsical, and a little bit creepy, just like the original Grimm Fairy Tale.

Anime Additions



©和久井健・講談社/アニメ「東京リベンジャーズ」製作委員会

For visitors interested in the anime aspects of Immersive Fort, there are two attractions worth taking note of. The Tokyo Revengers Immersive Escape lets you join the Tokyo Manji Gang as they slip away from the flames of a burning building, escape rival gang members coming to destroy "Toman" for good, and of course save Hinata from dying a tragic death. Buy a pass including this main attraction, and you'll find yourself right along Takemichi, Mikey, and the rest of the gang as they battle their way out of all the chaos.



©赤坂アカ✕横槍メンゴ/集英社・【推しの子】製作委員会

The other anime attraction is the Oshi no Ko Immersive Rally, an interactive puzzle-solving attraction where participants work together with the girls of B-Komachi, before dancing along to the music at their show. If you're a big Oshi no Ko fan, you can even buy a glowing light stick at the gift shop beforehand, to wave along to the beat.

Dining Options



With so many of the attractions at Immersive Fort Tokyo involving frantic running and death-defying escapes, it's not hard to work up an appetite, and when it's time to eat the theme park has three restaurant options plus a shop selling sweet treats. Casa di Peroni or The Cabaret are probably the best options for a hearty meal. Casa di Peroni is built to make you feel like you're dining in a homey restaurant right off an Italian piazza, with main dishes like pesce al cartoccio and pasta genovese, and lighter options like sandwiches and Basque cheesecake. The Cabaret also offers filling options like red wine beef stew, and cute sweet treats like their "dress cake," but the real focus is the stage show featuring a cast of genuinely quite talented performers, singing and dancing their hearts out like something from a movie.



Tokyo Revengers fans won't want to miss Cafe Flower, designed to look like the kind of old-fashioned Japanese cafe where members of the Tokyo Manji Gang might hang out and grab a bite to eat. Borrow the gang's seats (with their jackets still slung over the backs) and dine on bento box rice balls and "cream soda" floats!

Or grab a sweet snack across the way at Dolce Vita, which offers a selection of parfaits, along with the rather unique option of a "melonbread sandwich" – sweet Japanese melonbread stuffed with crisp veggies and savory slices of ham!

Visiting the World’s First Entirely Immersive Theme Park



There's nothing quite like Immersive Fort anywhere else in the world, let alone in Japan, and the fresh newness of this unique destination comes across in places as lacking polish. But if you're the kind of person who's never satisfied with just watching a story play out, this new theme park will let you be a part of the action like nowhere else. If you're in Japan and you're looking for the very newest spots in Tokyo, a day at Immersive Fort Tokyo will certainly leave you with experiences you're not likely to forget!

For more info and updates from Japan, check Japankuru for new articles, and don't forget to follow us on X (Twitter), Instagram, and Facebook!

Details

NAME:Immersive Fort Tokyo (イマーシブ・フォート 東京)

Follow us @Japankuru on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter!

  • facebook
  • line

COMMENT

Subscribe
Notify of
guest
0 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

FEATURED MEDIA

VIEW MORE →

A Tokyo Winter Must-See: Tokyo Mega Illumination

Event Period: November 2, 2024 ~ January 12, 2025
 *Closed Nov 4~8, Dec 1~6, Dec 25~ Jan 1. End date may be subject to change.
Hours: 16:30 – 21:00 (final admission 20:00)
 *Opening hours may vary depending on scheduled events or congestion, please check the official website for details.
Directions: 2 min. walk from Tokyo Monorail Oikeibajo-Mae Station, 12 min. walk from Keikyu Tachiaigawa Station

#japankuru #tokyowinter #tokyomegaillumination #megaillumination2024 #tokyocitykeiba #도쿄메가일루미네이션 #tokyotrip #oiracecourseillumination

A Tokyo Winter Must-See: Tokyo Mega Illumination Event Period: November 2, 2024 ~ January 12, 2025  *Closed Nov 4~8, Dec 1~6, Dec 25~ Jan 1. End date may be subject to change. Hours: 16:30 – 21:00 (final admission 20:00)  *Opening hours may vary depending on scheduled events or congestion, please check the official website for details. Directions: 2 min. walk from Tokyo Monorail Oikeibajo-Mae Station, 12 min. walk from Keikyu Tachiaigawa Station #japankuru #tokyowinter #tokyomegaillumination #megaillumination2024 #tokyocitykeiba #도쿄메가일루미네이션 #tokyotrip #oiracecourseillumination

Tokyo Shopping Spot Recommendation: New Balance Kichijoji
#newbalance #newbalancekichijoji #newbalancejapan #japanesesneakerheads #shoppinginjapan #japantrip #도쿄여행 #도쿄쇼핑 #뉴발란스 #일본한정 #일본패션 #日本購物 #日本買衣服 #NB #日本時尚 #東京購物 #รองเท้าnewbalance #นิวบาลานซ์ 
#รองเท้าผ้าใบ #ช้อปปิ้ง #คิจิโจจิ #japankuru

Tokyo Shopping Spot Recommendation: New Balance Kichijoji #newbalance #newbalancekichijoji #newbalancejapan #japanesesneakerheads #shoppinginjapan #japantrip #도쿄여행 #도쿄쇼핑 #뉴발란스 #일본한정 #일본패션 #日本購物 #日本買衣服 #NB #日本時尚 #東京購物 #รองเท้าnewbalance #นิวบาลานซ์ #รองเท้าผ้าใบ #ช้อปปิ้ง #คิจิโจจิ #japankuru

See Kyoto Clearly With Your New Glasses
#japankuru #kyoto #jins #교토여행 #진즈 #京都 #교토수족관 #가모가와 #kamogawa #kyotoaquarium

See Kyoto Clearly With Your New Glasses #japankuru #kyoto #jins #교토여행 #진즈 #京都 #교토수족관 #가모가와 #kamogawa #kyotoaquarium

The First Japanese Converse Flagship: CONVERSE STORE HARAJUKU
#japankkuru #conversejp_pr #conversejapan #harajuku #tokyotrip #converse #tokyoshopping #匡威 #帆布鞋 #東京購物 #原宿 #日本時尚 #일본쇼핑 #일본컨버스 #일본한정 #하라주쿠 #일본패션 #일본스트릿 #รองเท้าconverse #รองเท้าผ้าใบ #ช้อปปิ้ง 
#ฮาราจูกุ #คอนเวิร์ส

The First Japanese Converse Flagship: CONVERSE STORE HARAJUKU #japankkuru #conversejp_pr #conversejapan #harajuku #tokyotrip #converse #tokyoshopping #匡威 #帆布鞋 #東京購物 #原宿 #日本時尚 #일본쇼핑 #일본컨버스 #일본한정 #하라주쿠 #일본패션 #일본스트릿 #รองเท้าconverse #รองเท้าผ้าใบ #ช้อปปิ้ง #ฮาราจูกุ #คอนเวิร์ส

Japanese Makeup Shopping • A Trip to Kamakura & Enoshima With Canmake’s Cool-Toned Summer Makeup
#pr #canmake #enoshima #enoden #에노시마 #캔메이크 #japanesemakeup #japanesecosmetics

Japanese Makeup Shopping • A Trip to Kamakura & Enoshima With Canmake’s Cool-Toned Summer Makeup #pr #canmake #enoshima #enoden #에노시마 #캔메이크 #japanesemakeup #japanesecosmetics

⚔️The Robot Restaurant is gone, but the Samurai Restaurant is here to take its place. Check it out, and don't forget your coupon!
🍣신주쿠의 명소 로봇 레스토랑이 사무라이 레스토랑으로 부활! 절찬 쿠폰 발급중
💃18歲以上才能入場的歌舞秀,和你想的不一樣!拿好優惠券去看看~
#tokyo #shinjuku #samurairestaurant #robotrestaurant #tokyotrip #도쿄여행 #신주쿠 #사무라이레스토랑 #이색체험 #할인이벤트 #歌舞伎町 #東京景點 #武士餐廳 #日本表演 #日本文化體驗 #japankuru #japantrip #japantravel #japanlovers #japan_of_insta

⚔️The Robot Restaurant is gone, but the Samurai Restaurant is here to take its place. Check it out, and don't forget your coupon! 🍣신주쿠의 명소 로봇 레스토랑이 사무라이 레스토랑으로 부활! 절찬 쿠폰 발급중 💃18歲以上才能入場的歌舞秀,和你想的不一樣!拿好優惠券去看看~ #tokyo #shinjuku #samurairestaurant #robotrestaurant #tokyotrip #도쿄여행 #신주쿠 #사무라이레스토랑 #이색체험 #할인이벤트 #歌舞伎町 #東京景點 #武士餐廳 #日本表演 #日本文化體驗 #japankuru #japantrip #japantravel #japanlovers #japan_of_insta

Japanese appliance & electronics shopping with our KOJIMA x BicCamera coupon!
用JAPANKURU的KOJIMA x BicCamera優惠券買這些正好❤️
코지마 x 빅 카메라 쿠폰으로 일본 가전 제품 쇼핑하기

#pr #japankuru #japanshopping #kojima #biccamera #japaneseskincare #yaman #dji #osmopocket3 #skincaredevice #日本購物 #美容儀 #相機 #雅萌 #日本家電 #일본여행 #면세 #여행꿀팁 #일본쇼핑리스트 #쿠폰 #일본쇼핑 #일본브랜드 #할인 #코지마 #빅카메라 #japankurucoupon

Japanese appliance & electronics shopping with our KOJIMA x BicCamera coupon! 用JAPANKURU的KOJIMA x BicCamera優惠券買這些正好❤️ 코지마 x 빅 카메라 쿠폰으로 일본 가전 제품 쇼핑하기 #pr #japankuru #japanshopping #kojima #biccamera #japaneseskincare #yaman #dji #osmopocket3 #skincaredevice #日本購物 #美容儀 #相機 #雅萌 #日本家電 #일본여행 #면세 #여행꿀팁 #일본쇼핑리스트 #쿠폰 #일본쇼핑 #일본브랜드 #할인 #코지마 #빅카메라 #japankurucoupon

Odaiba's DiverCity Tokyo Plaza is home to the famous real-size 20m-tall Unicorn Gundam, and the popular shopping center has even more Gundam on the inside! Check out the Gundam Base Tokyo on the 7th floor for shelves upon shelves of Gunpla, and the Gundam Base Tokyo Annex on the 2nd floor for cool anime merchandise. Both shops have tons of limited-edition items!
#pr #odaiba #tokyo #tokyotrip #japantrip #japantravel #PR #divercity #divercitytokyoplaza #tokyoshopping #gundam #unicorngundam #gundambasetokyo #anime #otaku #gunpla #japankuru #오다이바 #다이바시티도쿄 #오다이바건담 #건담 #일본건담 #건프라 #건담베이스도쿄

Odaiba's DiverCity Tokyo Plaza is home to the famous real-size 20m-tall Unicorn Gundam, and the popular shopping center has even more Gundam on the inside! Check out the Gundam Base Tokyo on the 7th floor for shelves upon shelves of Gunpla, and the Gundam Base Tokyo Annex on the 2nd floor for cool anime merchandise. Both shops have tons of limited-edition items! #pr #odaiba #tokyo #tokyotrip #japantrip #japantravel #PR #divercity #divercitytokyoplaza #tokyoshopping #gundam #unicorngundam #gundambasetokyo #anime #otaku #gunpla #japankuru #오다이바 #다이바시티도쿄 #오다이바건담 #건담 #일본건담 #건프라 #건담베이스도쿄

|

MAP OF JAPAN

SEARCH BY REGION →

    • HOKKAIDO

      VIEW MORE →

      Hokkaido (北海道) is the northernmost of the four main islands that make up Japan. The area is famous for Sapporo Beer, plus brewing and distilling in general, along with fantastic snow festivals and breathtaking national parks. Foodies should look for Hokkaido's famous potatoes, cantaloupe, dairy products, soup curry, and miso ramen!

    • Niki, in south-west Hokkaido, is about 30 minutes from Otaru. The small town is rich with natural resources, fresh water, and clean air, making it a thriving center for fruit farms. Cherries, tomatoes, and grapes are all cultivated in the area, and thanks to a growing local wine industry, it's quickly becoming a food and wine hotspot. Together with the neighboring town of Yoichi, it's a noted area for wine tourism.

    • Niseko is about two hours from New Chitose Airport, in the western part of Hokkaido. It's one of Japan's most noted winter resort areas, and a frequent destination for international visitors. That's all because of the super high-quality powder snow, which wins the hearts of beginners and experts alike, bringing them back for repeat visits. That's not all, though, it's also a great place to enjoy Hokkaido's culinary scene and some beautiful onsen (hot springs).

    • Otaru is in western Hokkaido, about 30 minutes from Sapporo Station. The city thrived around its busy harbor in the 19th and 20th centuries thanks to active trade and fishing, and the buildings remaining from that period are still popular attractions, centered around Otaru Canal. With its history as a center of fishing, it's no surprise that the area's fresh sushi is a must-try. Otaru has over 100 sushi shops, quite a few of which are lined up on Sushiya Dori (Sushi Street).

    • SAPPORO

      VIEW MORE →

      Sapporo, in the south-western part of Hokkaido, is the prefecture's political and economic capital. The local New Chitose Airport see arrivals from major cities like Tokyo and Osaka, alongside international flights. Every February, the Sapporo Snow Festival is held in Odori Park―one of the biggest events in Hokkaido. It's also a hotspot for great food, known as a culinary treasure chest, and Sapporo is a destination for ramen, grilled mutton, soup curry, and of course Hokkaido's beloved seafood.

    • Consisting of six prefectures, the Tohoku Region (東北地方) is up in the northeastern part of Japan's main island. It's the source of plenty of the nation's agriculture (which means great food), and packed with beautiful scenery. Explore the region's stunning mountains, lakes, and hot springs!

    • Akita Prefecture is on the Sea of Japan, in the northern reaches of Japan's northern Tohoku region. Akita has more officially registered important intangible culture assets than anywhere else in Japan, and to this day visitors can experience traditional culture throughout the prefecture, from the Oga Peninsula's Namahage (registered with UNESCO as a part of Japan's intangible cultural heritage), to the Tohoku top 3 Kanto Festival. Mysterious little spots like the Oyu Stone Circle Site and Ryu no Atama (Dragon's Head) are also worth a visit!

    • FUKUSHIMA

      VIEW MORE →

      Fukushima Prefecture sits at the southern tip of Japan's northern Tohoku region, and is divided into three parts with their own different charms: the Coastal Area (Hama-dori), the Central Area (Naka-dori), and the Aizu Area. There's Aizu-Wakamatsu with its Edo-era history and medieval castles, Oze National Park, Kitakata ramen, and Bandai Ski Resort (with its famous powder snow). Fukushima is a beautiful place to enjoy the vivid colors and sightseeing of Japan's beloved four seasons.

    • YAMAGATA

      VIEW MORE →

      Yamagata Prefecture is up against the Sea of Japan, in the southern part of the Tohoku region, and it's especially popular in winter, when travelers soak in the onsen (hot springs) and ski down snowy slopes. International skiiers are especially fond of Zao Onsen Ski Resort and Gassan Ski Resort, and in recent years visitors have been drawn to the area to see the mystical sight of local frost-covered trees. Some destinations are popular regardless of the season, like Risshakuji Temple, AKA Yamadera, Ginzan Onsen's nostalgic old-fashioned streets, and Zao's Okama Lake, all great for taking pictures. Yamagata is also the place to try Yonezawa beef, one of the top 3 varieties of wagyu beef.

    • Japan's most densely populated area, the Kanto Region (関東地方) includes 7 prefectures: Gunma, Tochigi, Ibaraki, Saitama, Tokyo, Chiba, and Kanagawa, which means it also contains the Tokyo Metropolitan Area. In modern-day Japan, Kanto is the cultural, political, and economic heartland of the country, and each prefecture offers something a little different from its neighbors.

    • Gunma Prefecture is easily accessible from Tokyo, and in addition to the area's popular natural attractions like Oze Marshland and Fukiware Falls, Gunma also has a number of popular hot springs (Kusatsu, Ikaho, Minakami, Shima)―it's even called an Onsen Kingdom. The prefecture is popular with history buffs and train lovers, thanks to spots like world heritage site Tomioka Silk Mill, the historic Megane-bashi Bridge, and the Watarase Keikoku Sightseeing Railway.

    • TOCHIGI

      VIEW MORE →

      Tochigi Prefecture's capital is Utsunomiya, known for famous gyoza, and just an hour from Tokyo. The prefecture is full of nature-related sightseeing opportunities year-round, from the blooming of spring flowers to color fall foliage. Tochigi also has plenty of extremely well-known sightseeing destinations, like World Heritage Site Nikko Toshogu Shrine, Lake Chuzenji, and Ashikaga Flower Park―famous for expansive wisteria trellises. In recent years the mountain resort town of Nasu has also become a popular excursion, thanks in part to the local imperial villa. Tochigi is a beautiful place to enjoy the world around you.

    • Tokyo (東京) is Japan's busy capital, and the most populous metropolitan area in the world. While the city as a whole is quite modern, crowded with skyscrapers and bustling crowds, Tokyo also holds onto its traditional side in places like the Imperial Palace and Asakusa neighborhood. It's one of the world's top cities when it comes to culture, the arts, fashion, games, high-tech industries, transportation, and more.

    • The Chubu Region (中部地方) is located right in the center of Japan's main island, and consists of 9 prefectures: Aichi, Fukui, Gifu, Ishikawa, Nagano, Niigata, Shizuoka, Toyama, and Yamanashi. It's primarily famous for its mountains, as the region contains both Mt. Fuji and the Japanese Alps. The ski resorts in Niigata and Nagano also draw visitors from around the world, making it a popular winter destination.

    • Nagano Prefecture's popularity starts with a wealth of historic treasures, like Matsumoto Castle, Zenkoji Temple, and Togakushi Shrine, but the highlight might just be the prefecture's natural vistas surrounded by the "Japanese Alps." Nagano's fruit is famous, and there are plenty of places to pick it fresh, and the area is full of hot springs, including Jigokudani Monkey Park―where monkeys take baths as well! Thanks to the construction of the Hokuriku shinkansen line, Nagano is easily reachable from the Tokyo area, adding it to plenty of travel itineraries. And after the 1998 Nagano Winter Olympics, ski resorts like Hakuba and Shiga Kogen are known around the world.

    • Aichi Prefecture sits in the center of the Japanese islands, and its capital city, Nagoya, is a center of politics, commerce, and culture. While Aichi is home to major industry, and is even the birthplace of Toyota cars, it's proximity to the sea and the mountains means it's also a place with beautiful natural scenery, like Saku Island, Koijigahama Beach, Mt. Horaiji. Often used a stage for major battles in Japanese history, Sengoku era commanders like Oda Nobunaga, Toyotomi Hideyoshi, and Tokugawa Ieyasu left their own footprints on Aichi, and historic buildings like Nagoya Castle, Inuyama Castle, and those in Meiji Mura are still around to tell the tale.

    • NIIGATA

      VIEW MORE →

      Niigata is a prefecture on Japan's main island of Honshu, situated right on the coast of the Sea of Japan, and abundant with the gifts of nature. It's known for popular ski resorts such as Echigo-Yuzawa, Japanese national parks, and natural hot spring baths, plus local products like fresh seafood, rice, and sake. Visitors often spend time in the prefectural capital, Niigata City, or venture across the water to Sado Island.

    • SHIZUOKA

      VIEW MORE →

      Shizuoka Prefecture is sandwiched between eastern and western Japan, giving the prefecture easy access to both Tokyo and Osaka. Not only is it known for beautiful natural attractions, with everything from Mount Fuji to Suruga Bay, Lake Hamanako, and Sumata Pass―Shizuoka's Izu Peninsula is known as a go-to spot for hot springs lovers, with famous onsen like Atami, Ito, Shimoda, Shuzenji, and Dogashima. Shizuoka attracts all kinds of travelers thanks to historic connections with the Tokugawa clan, the Oigawa Railway, fresh eel cuisine, Hamamatsu gyoza, and famously high-quality green tea.

    • Kansai (関西) is a region that includes Mie, Nara, Wakayama, Kyoto, Osaka, Hyogo, and Shiga Prefectures. Kansai contained Japan's ancient capital for hundreds of years, and it's making a comeback as one of the most popular parts of Japan. Kyoto's temples and shrines, Osaka Castle, and the deer of Nara are all considered must-sees. Plus, the people of Kansai are especially friendly, making it a fun place to hang out.

    • Kyoto flourished as the capital of Japan between the years 794 and 1100, becoming a center for poilitics and culture, and to this day it's a great place for close encounters with Japanese history. The cobbled streets of Gion, the atmospheric road to Kiyomizudera Temple, Kinkakuji's golden walls and countless historic attractions, even Arashiyama's Togetsukyo Bridge―Kyoto is a place of many attractions. With new charms to experience throughout the seasons, travelers can't stop themselves from returning again and again.

    • Nara Prefecture's important history reaches back to 710, a time now called the Nara era, when it was once capital of Japan. Called "Heijo-kyo" during its time as a capital, it's said that nara was once the end of the silk road, leading it to flourish as a uniquely international region and produce important cultural properties of all kinds. To make the most of each season, travelers head to Nara Park, where the Nara deer who wander freely, or climb Mount Yoshino, a famous cherry blossom spot.

    • Osaka is known for friendly (and funny) people, but its history is nothing to laugh at, playing a major part in Toyotomi Hideyoshi's 16th century unification of Japan. Thanks to long years of economic activity, it's one of Japan's biggest cities, and Osaka's popular food culture earned it the nickname "The Kitchen of the Nation." To this day Osaka is the model of western Japan, and alongside historic structures like Osaka Castle, it also has major shopping malls like Umeda's Grand Front Osaka and Tennoji's Abeno Harukas. Osaka is a place to eat, eat, eat, with local specialties like takoyaki, okonomiyaki, and kushi-katsu, and for extra fun, it's home to Universal Studios Japan.

    • CHUGOKU

      VIEW MORE →

      The Chugoku Region (中国地方) consists of five prefectures: Hiroshima, Okayama, Shimane, Tottori, and Yamaguchi. In Chugoku you’ll find the sand dunes of Tottori, and Hiroshima’s atomic bomb site, plus centers of ancient history like Grand Shrine of Izumo.

    • HIROSHIMA

      VIEW MORE →

      Hiroshima Prefecture has everything, from world heritage sites to beautiful nature and delicious local cuisine, and it's either an hour and a half from Tokyo by plane, or four hours by train. Itsukushima Shrine on Miyajima Island and the Atomic Bomb Dome, two Hiroshima UNESCO sites, are famous around the world, but in Japan it's also famous for food. Seafood from the Seto Inland Sea, especially oysters, Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki, and Setouchi lemons are all popular, and the natural scenery alone is worth seeing.

    • SHIKOKU

      VIEW MORE →

      On the other side of the Seto Inland Sea opposite Japan’s main island, Shikoku (四国) is a region made up of four prefectures: Ehime, Kagawa, Kochi, and Tokushima. The area is famous for its udon (in Kagawa), and the beautiful Dogo Onsen hot springs (in Ehime).

    • Kagawa Prefecture is on the northern part of the island of Shikoku, facing Japan's main island and the Seto Inland Sea. It's known for being the smallest prefecture in Japan, by area, but at the same time Kagawa is called the "Udon Prefecture" thanks to its famous sanuki udon. Aside from Kotohiragu Shrine and Ritsurin Garden, the prefecture's small islands are popular, and Kagawa is full of unique destinations, like Angel Road. They say that if you lay eyes on Zenigata Sunae, a huge Kagawa sand painting, you'll never have money troubles ever again.

    • Located in the most southwestern part of Japan, Kyushu (九州) is an island of 7 prefectures: Fukuoka, Saga, Nagasaki, Kumamoto, Oita, Miyazaki, and Kagoshima. The island's unique culture has been influenced by Chinese and Dutch trade, along with missionaries coming in through Nagasaki's port. Modern-day travelers love the lush natural scenery and fresh food, plus the natural hot springs found all throughout the area (thanks to volcanic activity)!

    • FUKUOKA

      VIEW MORE →

      Fukuoka Prefecture has the highest population on the southern island of Kyushu, with two major cities: Fukuoka and Kitakyushu. Thanks to growing transportation networks, Fukuoka is more accessible than ever, and so are the many local attractions. On top of historical spots like Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine, travelers shouldn't miss Fukuoka's food scene, with motsu nabe (offal hotpot), mentaiko (spicy cod roe), and famous Hakata ramen―best eaten from a food stall in the Nakasu area of Hakata. Plus, it's full of all sorts of destinations for travelers, like trendy shopping centers, and the beautiful nature of Itoshima and Yanagawa.

    • KAGOSHIMA

      VIEW MORE →

      Kagoshima Prefecture played a major role in Japan's modernization as a backdrop for famous historical figures like samurais Saigo Takamori and Okubo Toshimichi, who pushed Japan out of the Edo era and into the Meiji. Because of that, Sengan-en Garden is just one of many historical destinations, and when it comes to attractions Kagoshima has plenty: the active volcano of Sakurajima, popular hot springs Ibusuki Onsen and Kirishima Onsen, World Heritage Site Yakushima Island, even what Japan calls the "island closest to heaven," Amami Oshima. Kagoshima might be found on the very southernmost tip of the southern island of Kyushu, but there's plenty to see.

    • OKINAWA

      VIEW MORE →

      The island chain of Okinawa (沖縄) makes up the southernmost tip of Japan, which is why it's also the most tropical area in the country. Thanks to a history of independence and totally distinct political and cultural events, Okinawa has a unique culture, and remnants of the Ryukyu Kingdom are still visible all over the islands. Food, language, traditional dress, it's all a little different! It's also said to be the birthplace of karate.

MOST POPULAR

RELATED ARTICLES

PARTNERS