Japan is known for its rich culture, food, and traditions that provide an immersive experience to any type of traveller. And while these experiences are all vivid and exciting enough to remain imprinted in one’s memory, taking photos to have mementos are simply a must. But aside from keepsakes, Japan travel photos guarantee a boost on your Instagram grid — if you know the perfect spots to take them. That said, check out these Instagram-worthy spots in Japan that you surely wouldn’t want to miss on your next travel. 

 

Iconic streets

 

1. Tokimeki Fruit-shaped Bus Stop Avenue (Nagasaki)

 

 

Take it from Japan to make bus stops extra exciting! These 16 fruit-themed waiting sheds, found in the quaint town of Konagai in Nagasaki Prefecture, are inspired by Cinderella’s pumpkin carriage. Take your pick from strawberries, tomatoes, oranges, cantaloupes, and watermelon, and pose your heart out as you wait for the bus to take you to your next destination. 

 

Highway 207, Konagai-cho, Isahaya City, Nagasaki Prefecture, Japan How to access: 5-minute walk from Konagai Station and nearest bus-stop

 

2. Komachi-dori (Kanazawa)

 

Just an hour or so away from Tokyo, Kamakura is a great day trip destination filled with sites like the Great Buddha of Kamakura, Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine, and its array of hiking trails and beaches. But another thing not to miss, especially upon arrival, is a visit to Komachi-dori. This strip is filled with trendy boutiques, dango shops, cafes, and other novelty establishments that wouldn’t just encourage you to leave with a shopping bag or two, but will also fill your gallery with Instagram-worthy photos.

 

1 Komachi, Kamakura City, Kanagawa Prefecture 248-0006, Japan How to access: 2-minute walk from Kamakura Station

 

Culture and history

 

1. Oya History Museum (Tochigi)

 

This now-defunct stone quarry now serves as a unique travel experience, taking visitors to an underground museum with oya-stone related exhibits, artworks, and event halls that are visually surreal. If you’re a fan of visiting filming locations, many Japanese TV series and movies also used this place as their backdrop, with Assassination Classroom, Kamen Rider series, and Ruruouni Kenshin to name a few!

 

909 Ōyamachi, Utsunomiya City, Tochigi Prefecture 321-0345, Japan How to access: 5-minute walk from the Shiryokan Iriguchi bus stop

 

2. 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art (Ishikawa)

 

© Leandro Erlich, The Swimming Pool, 2004
Collection of the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa

 

This museum located in Kanazawa doesn’t just host different mesmerising artworks but is also architecturally designed to be a work of art in itself. Made by Japanese architects Kazuyo Sejima and Ryue Nishizawa from the architectural unit SANAA, the vicinity has transparent ‘access from all sides’ structure that prevents a claustrophobic atmosphere. It's also strategically made with glass panels and broad viewing areas, allowing natural light and wind to add to the experience of viewing each gallery. 

 

One ‘artwork’ to not miss is The Swimming Pool by Leandro Erlich which combines glass, water, and concrete to create an optical illusion for both those below the pool and above it. This piece of art aims to undermine “what we think of obvious” and allow the viewer to analyze all elements of the art closely, truly making it an immersive experience. 

 

1-2-1 Hirosaka, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture, 920-8509, Japan How to access: 1-minute walk from Hirosaka·21st Century Museum (Ishiura Jinja-mae) bus stop

 

3. Kadokawa Culture Museum (Saitama)

 

©Kadokawa Culture Museum

Finished in 2020, this architectural marvel is a cultural complex that combines a library, an art gallery and a museum. It's made with more than 20,000 pieces of granite and is composed of five floors, with an exhibition space. There are also a garden, a museum shop, a restaurant and a cafe. 

 

It also has a grand library called Bookshelf Theater that stands eight meters high holding up to approximately 20,000 titles, which is like the Beast’s library in Beauty and the Beast. Projection mapping screenings are also held regularly at the Bookshelf Theater. 

 

Make sure you have enough camera storage when you visit because each corner is worth a snap.

 

3-31-3 Higashi-Tokorozawa Wada, Tokorozawa City, Saitama Prefecture 359-0023, Japan How to access: 10-minute walk from JR Higashi-Tokorozawa Station

 

4. Shoju-in Temple (Kyoto)

 

Aside from its cultural significance, Shoju-in Temple is also best known for its heart-shaped Inome Window  which frames the foliage outside its view beautifully in all four seasons. The window is said to ward off misfortune and attract good luck. 

 

The walls of the temple are also lined with beautiful installations and photos of flowers and Japanese scenery, making every corner of the place worth taking snaps of. 

 

149 Kawakami, Okuyamada, Ujitawara-cho, Tsuzuki District, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture 610-0211, Japan How to access: 10-minute walk from Okuyamada bus stop

 

5. Fushimi-Inari Taisha (Kyoto)

 

 

This site is best known for thousands of torii gates lined all throughout the shrine. It is dedicated to Inari Okami, the Shinto god of rice, and is meant to be an offering for good harvest and prosperity. Statues of foxes, which are said to be Inari Okami’s animal messengers, are also seen all over the place. 

 

68 Fukakusa Yabunouchi-cho, Fushimi Ward, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture, 612-0882, Japan How to access: 1-minute walk from Inari Station and 5 minutes from Fushimi-Inari Station

 

Nature

 

1. ACAO FOREST (Shizuoka)

 

 

Looking for some fresh air? ACAO FOREST in Atami City, Shizuoka will not only give you a nice break from the hustle and bustle of the city but will also feel like you’re transported in a fairytale land filled with gorgeous blooms, overlooking sceneries, and prairie-esque structures. The hill where it sits has easy access via bus or a walking trail which is also scenic with its line of amazing flora. Make sure you dress whimsically but comfortably to make the most out of your visit. 

 

1027-8 Kamitaga, Atami City, Shizuoka Prefecture 413-0101, Japan How to access: 1-minute walk from Acao Forest bus stop

 

2. A Happy Pancake Awajishima Terrace (Hyogo)

 

Don’t be fooled! This Hyogo-based resort isn’t just good for their pancakes but also the stunning views to see all around the vicinity. The terrace of the resort provides a panoramic view of the surrounding oceanscape. The skyline, especially at sunset, turns to a gorgeous shade of pink and purple that truly needs no filter when you take a snap.

 

The place also has installations like A Happy Chair and A Happy Stairs which are strategically positioned for guests to use to create the perfect whimsical-looking Instagram-worthy shots with the clear sky as the backdrop.

 

42-1 Osaki, Awaji City, Hyogo Prefecture 656-1501, Japan How to access: 2-minute walk from Shiawase No Pancake bus stop

 

Food

 

1. Taro’s Parlor (Osaka)

 

Kuidaore Taro is to Osaka’s Dotonbori as Mickey Mouse is to Disneyland. But aside from being a mascot popular in the food and shopping district, Taro also has a sweets shop called Taro’s Parlor where visitors can get a taste of mouthwatering candied fruits and fruit-related treats that also make for envy-worthy Instagram pics. 

 

1-7-21 Dōtonbori, Chuo Ward, Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture, 542-0071, Japan How to access: 10 to 15-minute walk from Namba Station

 

2.  Shikaribetsu Kotan Ice Bar (Hokkaido)

 

 

You don’t have to be Elsa from Frozen to experience the whimsicality of being in an ice castle with this unique bar in Hokkaido. This seasonal village which only appears during Wintertime on the ice of Shikaribetsu lake has tables, shelves, and interior panels that are made from and inspired by ice and snow, creating a frozen wonderland where you can have shots with your travel buddies. The drinks served also look out-of-this-world and will surely capture your IG followers’ envy as soon as you post them. 

 

Kitaurimaku, Shikaoi-cho, Kato District, Hokkaido 081-0344, Japan How to access: 5 to 10-minute walk from Lake Shikaribetsu Kotan bus stop

 

You’ll surely make your next Japan trip extra memorable with snaps featuring these locations.