東京タワー
tō-kyō ta-wā
Tokyo Tower
Usage
Tokyo's iconic communications and observation tower. 333m tall, located in Shiba Park, Minato Ward
Grammar Note
Completed in 1958, modelled on the Eiffel Tower. It was Tokyo's tallest structure until Tokyo Skytree opened in 2012
浅草寺
sen-sō-ji
Senso-ji Temple
Usage
Tokyo's oldest temple in Asakusa, dedicated to Kannon. Over 30 million visitors per year
Grammar Note
"Ji/dera" denotes a Buddhist temple. Reading can vary: "Asakusa-dera" is wrong; the correct reading is "Sensō-ji"
伏見稲荷大社
fu-shi-mi i-na-ri tai-sha
Fushimi Inari Taisha
Usage
The head shrine of all Inari shrines in Japan, famous for thousands of vermilion torii gates
Grammar Note
The fox is the messenger of Inari. "Senbon torii" (1,000 gates) actually numbers in the thousands. Free to hike; ~2–3 hrs to summit
広島平和記念公園
hi-ro-shi-ma hei-wa ki-nen kō-en
Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park
Usage
A peace memorial park near the 1945 atomic bomb hypocentre, adjacent to the Atomic Bomb Dome and museum
Grammar Note
The Atomic Bomb Dome ("Genbaku Dōmu") within the park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site
富士山
fu-ji-san
Mount Fuji
Usage
Japan's highest peak (3,776m). An active stratovolcano and national symbol, visible from Tokyo on clear days
Grammar Note
"Yama" (mountain) is read "san" in proper names like Fujisan. Climbing season is July–September. UNESCO Cultural Heritage since 2013
二条城
ni-jō-jō
Nijo Castle
Usage
Kyoto residence of the Tokugawa shogunate, famous for its "nightingale floors" that squeak to detect intruders
Grammar Note
"Shiro/jō/jiro" all mean castle. Standalone it's "shiro"; in compound proper nouns it becomes "jō" (Nijōjō)
奈良公園
na-ra kō-en
Nara Deer Park
Usage
A park in Nara city home to approximately 1,200 sika deer that roam freely among visitors
Grammar Note
Nara's deer are designated National Natural Monuments and considered messengers of the gods. Visitors can feed them "shika senbei"
渋谷スクランブル交差点
shi-bu-ya su-ku-ran-bu-ru kō-sa-ten
Shibuya Scramble Crossing
Usage
The world's busiest scramble crossing in front of Shibuya Station — up to 3,000 people cross at once
Grammar Note
A "scramble crossing" allows pedestrians to cross in all directions simultaneously. "Sukuranburu" is the phonetic transcription
大阪城
ō-sa-ka-jō
Osaka Castle
Usage
A 16th-century castle built by Toyotomi Hideyoshi in Osaka. The current main tower was rebuilt in 1931
Grammar Note
"Ōsakajō" is the reading. The castle stands in "Ōsaka-jō Kōen" (Osaka Castle Park), which is open to the public
嵐山
a-ra-shi-ya-ma
Arashiyama
Usage
A scenic area in western Kyoto known for the bamboo grove, Togetsukyo Bridge, and Tenryu-ji temple
Grammar Note
"Arashiyama" means "storm mountain". The bamboo grove and cherry blossoms in spring and autumn foliage are highlights
東京
Tōkyō
Tokyo
Usage
Capital of Japan on the Kanto plain, center of a metropolis of about 14 million and the hub of the national rail network
横浜
Yokohama
Yokohama
Usage
Capital of Kanagawa Prefecture and Japan's most populous city proper, 30 minutes from Tokyo Station by JR; a port city with Minato Mirai and Chinatown
大阪
Ōsaka
Osaka
Usage
Largest city in western Japan, about 2.5 hours from Tokyo by Shinkansen; a commercial and food city that serves as the base for Kansai travel
京都
Kyōto
Kyoto
Usage
Japan's capital for over a thousand years from 794; 17 UNESCO-listed temples and shrines lie within the city, 30 minutes from Osaka by rapid train
名古屋
Nagoya
Nagoya
Usage
Capital of Aichi Prefecture and Japan's fourth city, midway between Tokyo and Osaka; every Tokaido Shinkansen train stops here
神戸
Kōbe
Kobe
Usage
Capital of Hyogo Prefecture, a port city squeezed between Mount Rokko and the sea, 20 minutes from Osaka; known for night views and beef
福岡
Fukuoka
Fukuoka
Usage
Largest city in Kyushu; its airport sits beside the city center, five minutes from Hakata Station by subway. Known for food stalls and tonkotsu ramen
札幌
Sapporo
Sapporo
Usage
Capital of Hokkaido, laid out on a grid; famous for the February Snow Festival and miso ramen, 37 minutes from New Chitose Airport by rapid train
仙台
Sendai
Sendai
Usage
Largest city in the Tohoku region, 90 minutes from Tokyo on the Tohoku Shinkansen; the base for trips to Matsushima and Zao
広島
Hiroshima
Hiroshima
Usage
Largest city in the Chugoku region, 80 minutes from Osaka on the Sanyo Shinkansen; gateway to the Peace Memorial Park and Miyajima
奈良
Nara
Nara
Usage
Japan's capital in the 8th century, 45 minutes from Kyoto by Kintetsu; Todai-ji, Kasuga Taisha, and the deer park are all within walking distance
金沢
Kanazawa
Kanazawa
Usage
Capital of Ishikawa Prefecture, 2.5 hours from Tokyo on the Hokuriku Shinkansen; Kenrokuen garden, samurai districts, and Omicho market are all central
長崎
Nagasaki
Nagasaki
Usage
Hilly port city in western Kyushu, Japan's only open trading port during national seclusion; site of the atomic bomb museum, Glover Garden, and a Chinatown
熊本
Kumamoto
Kumamoto
Usage
Prefectural capital in central Kyushu, 35 minutes from Hakata on the Kyushu Shinkansen; home to Kumamoto Castle and the base for Mount Aso
鹿児島
Kagoshima
Kagoshima
Usage
Southernmost prefectural capital in Kyushu, facing the active volcano Sakurajima across the bay; departure point for Yakushima and Tanegashima
那覇
Naha
Naha
Usage
Capital of Okinawa Prefecture on the south of the main island; Kokusai-dori street and the Yui Rail monorail are the center of getting around
函館
Hakodate
Hakodate
Usage
Port town at the southern tip of Hokkaido, known for the night view from Mount Hakodate, the morning seafood market, and the Western-style houses of hilly Motomachi
小樽
Otaru
Otaru
Usage
Port town 30 minutes from Sapporo by rapid train, known for its canal lined with stone warehouses, glassware workshops, and sushi restaurants
日光
Nikkō
Nikko
Usage
Mountain town in northern Tochigi Prefecture, 2 hours from Asakusa by Tobu limited express; home to the UNESCO-listed Toshogu shrine, Lake Chuzenji, and Kegon Falls
鎌倉
Kamakura
Kamakura
Usage
Seaside former capital in Kanagawa Prefecture, an hour from Tokyo Station on the JR Yokosuka Line; the Great Buddha, Tsurugaoka Hachimangu, and the coastal Enoden line are the highlights
箱根
Hakone
Hakone
Usage
Hot spring area in western Kanagawa, 90 minutes from Shinjuku on the Odakyu Romancecar; known for Lake Ashi, the Owakudani volcanic valley, and views of Mount Fuji
高山
Takayama
Takayama (Hida-Takayama)
Usage
Mountain town in northern Gifu Prefecture with a preserved Edo-period old town and morning markets, about 2 hours 20 minutes from Nagoya by limited express
白川郷
Shirakawa-gō
Shirakawa-go
Usage
Mountain village in Gifu Prefecture whose steep thatched gassho-style farmhouses are a UNESCO World Heritage Site; reached by bus from Takayama or Kanazawa
松本
Matsumoto
Matsumoto
Usage
City in central Nagano Prefecture, 2.5 hours from Shinjuku by limited express; home to the National Treasure Matsumoto Castle and the gateway to the Northern Alps and Kamikochi
軽井沢
Karuizawa
Karuizawa
Usage
Highland summer resort in eastern Nagano Prefecture, one hour from Tokyo on the Hokuriku Shinkansen; cool in summer, with villas and an outlet mall
姫路
Himeji
Himeji
Usage
City in southwestern Hyogo Prefecture with a Sanyo Shinkansen stop, 30 minutes from Osaka; the UNESCO-listed Himeji Castle stands straight ahead of the station
岡山
Okayama
Okayama
Usage
Prefectural capital on the Seto Inland Sea and the transfer point for trains to Shikoku; Korakuen garden and the Kurashiki historical quarter are nearby
別府
Beppu
Beppu
Usage
Hot spring town in Oita Prefecture with Japan's largest volume of hot spring water; steam rises across the town, and the "hell" hot spring tour is its signature attraction
由布院
Yufuin
Yufuin
Usage
Highland hot spring resort in Oita Prefecture at the foot of Mount Yufu; the station and signage read "Yufuin", while the wider area is also written "Yufuin" with different characters
新潟
Niigata
Niigata
Usage
Largest city on the Sea of Japan coast, 2 hours from Tokyo on the Joetsu Shinkansen; a rice and sake region with ferries to Sado Island
北海道
Hokkaidō
Hokkaido
Usage
Japan's northernmost island and prefecture, visited for winter snow, cool summers, and open nature; distances are long, so a car or domestic flights are usually needed
沖縄
Okinawa
Okinawa
Usage
Japan's southwesternmost subtropical island prefecture, the former Ryukyu Kingdom, visited for its beaches and distinct cuisine; reachable from the mainland only by air
成田国際空港
Narita Kokusai Kūkō
Narita International Airport
Usage
Tokyo's main international airport in Narita, Chiba, about 60 km from the center; 36 minutes to Nippori on the Keisei Skyliner or an hour to Tokyo Station on the JR Narita Express
羽田空港
Haneda Kūkō
Haneda Airport (Tokyo International Airport)
Usage
The airport closest to central Tokyo, in Ota Ward; the hub for domestic flights with many international routes. About 15 minutes to Shinagawa or Hamamatsucho by Keikyu or the Tokyo Monorail
関西国際空港
Kansai Kokusai Kūkō
Kansai International Airport
Usage
Kansai's international gateway on an artificial island in Osaka Bay; 38 minutes to Namba on the Nankai Rapi:t or 80 minutes to Kyoto on the JR Haruka express
大阪国際空港
Ōsaka Kokusai Kūkō
Osaka International Airport (Itami)
Usage
Despite the name it now handles domestic flights only; commonly called Itami. Served by the Osaka Monorail station "Osaka Airport", about 30 minutes to Umeda by limousine bus
中部国際空港
Chūbu Kokusai Kūkō
Chubu Centrair International Airport
Usage
Nagoya's international airport on a man-made island in Tokoname, Aichi, nicknamed Centrair; 28 minutes to Nagoya Station on the Meitetsu Mu-Sky
福岡空港
Fukuoka Kūkō
Fukuoka Airport
Usage
Kyushu's main gateway and one of the closest airports to a city center in Japan, connected directly to the subway: 5 minutes to Hakata Station, 11 to Tenjin
新千歳空港
Shin-Chitose Kūkō
New Chitose Airport
Usage
Hokkaido's main airport; the underground JR station links to Sapporo in about 37 minutes on the Rapid Airport train. Expect snow delays in winter
那覇空港
Naha Kūkō
Naha Airport
Usage
Okinawa's gateway, connected to the terminus of the Yui Rail monorail, 12 minutes to Kencho-mae; flights to the outer islands also depart here
仙台空港
Sendai Kūkō
Sendai Airport
Usage
The main airport for the Tohoku region, linked to Sendai Station in about 25 minutes by the Sendai Airport Access Line
広島空港
Hiroshima Kūkō
Hiroshima Airport
Usage
Airport in the hills of Mihara, Hiroshima Prefecture; there is no rail link, and the limousine bus to Hiroshima Station takes about 50 minutes
鹿児島空港
Kagoshima Kūkō
Kagoshima Airport
Usage
Hub airport for southern Kyushu, in Kirishima, with many flights to Yakushima and Amami; about 40 minutes by bus to Kagoshima-Chuo Station
函館空港
Hakodate Kūkō
Hakodate Airport
Usage
Airport in southern Hokkaido close to the city center, about 20 minutes by bus to Hakodate Station
東京駅
Tōkyō-eki
Tokyo Station
Usage
The hub of Japan's rail network and origin of both the Tokaido and the Tohoku/Joetsu/Hokuriku Shinkansen; the red-brick Marunouchi side and the Yaesu side face opposite directions
品川駅
Shinagawa-eki
Shinagawa Station
Usage
Large interchange in southern Tokyo where every Tokaido Shinkansen stops, and 15 minutes from Haneda Airport on the Keikyu line — often more convenient than Tokyo Station
上野駅
Ueno-eki
Ueno Station
Usage
Major station in northern Tokyo where the Tohoku, Joetsu, and Hokuriku Shinkansen stop, with direct Keisei trains to Narita; next to Ueno Park, the museums, and the Ameyoko market street
新横浜駅
Shin-Yokohama-eki
Shin-Yokohama Station
Usage
Yokohama's Tokaido Shinkansen station — note it is not the same place as Yokohama Station; the JR Yokohama Line and the Blue Line subway connect to the city center
大宮駅
Ōmiya-eki
Omiya Station
Usage
Large terminal in Saitama City where the Tohoku Shinkansen and the Joetsu/Hokuriku Shinkansen diverge, making it a common transfer point
名古屋駅
Nagoya-eki
Nagoya Station
Usage
Major Tokaido Shinkansen stop, joined by the Meitetsu line to Centrair Airport, the Hida limited express toward Takayama, and two subway lines; locals call it "Meieki"
京都駅
Kyōto-eki
Kyoto Station
Usage
Kyoto's gateway in the south of the city, bringing together the Tokaido Shinkansen, the Haruka express to Kansai Airport, the Karasuma subway, Kintetsu trains, and the city bus network
新大阪駅
Shin-Ōsaka-eki
Shin-Osaka Station
Usage
Osaka's Shinkansen station, terminus of the Tokaido line and origin of the Sanyo line; it is separate from Osaka Station (Umeda), one or two stops away by JR or the Midosuji subway
新神戸駅
Shin-Kōbe-eki
Shin-Kobe Station
Usage
Kobe's Sanyo Shinkansen station, built into the slope of Mount Rokko; about 2 minutes to Sannomiya on the Kobe city subway
岡山駅
Okayama-eki
Okayama Station
Usage
Key Sanyo Shinkansen stop and the transfer point for limited expresses crossing the Seto Ohashi bridge to Shikoku (Takamatsu, Matsuyama, Kochi)
広島駅
Hiroshima-eki
Hiroshima Station
Usage
Main Sanyo Shinkansen station; take the streetcar for the Peace Memorial Park, or the JR Sanyo Line to Miyajimaguchi for Miyajima
博多駅
Hakata-eki
Hakata Station
Usage
Fukuoka's central station — note the city is Fukuoka but the station is Hakata; it is the terminus of the Sanyo Shinkansen and the origin of the Kyushu Shinkansen
熊本駅
Kumamoto-eki
Kumamoto Station
Usage
Kyushu Shinkansen stop, 35 minutes from Hakata; take the streetcar from in front of the station for the city center and Kumamoto Castle
鹿児島中央駅
Kagoshima-Chūō-eki
Kagoshima-Chuo Station
Usage
Southern terminus of the Kyushu Shinkansen, 80 minutes from Hakata; reach the Sakurajima ferry pier by streetcar or bus
仙台駅
Sendai-eki
Sendai Station
Usage
The busiest stop on the Tohoku Shinkansen, 90 minutes from Tokyo; served by the airport access line and both city subway lines
新青森駅
Shin-Aomori-eki
Shin-Aomori Station
Usage
Terminus of the Tohoku Shinkansen and start of the Hokkaido Shinkansen; central Aomori Station is about 6 minutes away on the local line
新函館北斗駅
Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto-eki
Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto Station
Usage
Current terminus of the Hokkaido Shinkansen, located in Hokuto City; the connecting Hakodate Liner reaches Hakodate Station in about 20 minutes
金沢駅
Kanazawa-eki
Kanazawa Station
Usage
Hokuriku Shinkansen station, 2.5 hours from Tokyo; recognizable by its wooden Tsuzumi gate and glass dome, and the starting point for city sightseeing buses
長野駅
Nagano-eki
Nagano Station
Usage
Hokuriku Shinkansen station, 90 minutes from Tokyo; 15 minutes by bus to Zenko-ji temple and the base for ski resorts and the snow monkey park
新潟駅
Niigata-eki
Niigata Station
Usage
Terminus of the Joetsu Shinkansen, 2 hours from Tokyo; about 15 minutes by bus to Niigata Port for ferries to Sado Island
新宿駅
Shinjuku-eki
Shinjuku Station
Usage
The world's busiest station, with JR, Odakyu, Keio, and both subway operators and over 200 exits; the east side is Kabukicho nightlife, the west side the skyscraper district
渋谷駅
Shibuya-eki
Shibuya Station
Usage
Center of youth culture in western Tokyo, served by the JR Yamanote and Saikyo lines, Tokyu, Keio Inokashira, and three subway lines; the Hachiko exit faces the scramble crossing
池袋駅
Ikebukuro-eki
Ikebukuro Station
Usage
Large terminal in northwestern Tokyo where the JR Yamanote, Seibu Ikebukuro, and Tobu Tojo lines meet three subway lines, surrounded by department and electronics stores
秋葉原駅
Akihabara-eki
Akihabara Station
Usage
Tokyo's electronics and anime/game district; served by the JR Yamanote, Keihin-Tohoku, and Sobu lines, the Tsukuba Express, and the Hibiya subway line
浅草駅
Asakusa-eki
Asakusa Station
Usage
Nearest station to Senso-ji temple and Kaminarimon; served by the Ginza subway line, the Toei Asakusa line, and the Tobu Skytree line, where limited expresses to Nikko depart
銀座駅
Ginza-eki
Ginza Station
Usage
Station at the heart of Tokyo's upmarket shopping district, an interchange of the Ginza, Marunouchi, and Hibiya subway lines; the nearest JR station is Yurakucho
六本木駅
Roppongi-eki
Roppongi Station
Usage
Station for Tokyo's Minato Ward nightlife and art museum area, served by the Hibiya subway line and the Toei Oedo line; busy until late at night
原宿駅
Harajuku-eki
Harajuku Station
Usage
JR Yamanote Line station: left out of the gate is the approach to Meiji Jingu, right is Takeshita Street; the subway station at the same spot is called Meiji-jingumae 'Harajuku'
舞浜駅
Maihama-eki
Maihama Station
Usage
JR Keiyo Line station in Urayasu, Chiba, the gateway to Tokyo Disney Resort, about 15 minutes from Tokyo Station
大阪駅
Ōsaka-eki
Osaka Station
Usage
Osaka's largest JR station, in the Umeda district; Shinkansen do not stop here (use Shin-Osaka), but the underground platforms serve the Haruka to Kansai Airport
梅田駅
Umeda-eki
Umeda Station
Usage
The name used by the private railways and subway at the same place as JR Osaka Station: Hankyu and Hanshin call it Osaka-Umeda, the Midosuji subway simply Umeda — different names, adjoining buildings
難波駅
Namba-eki
Namba Station
Usage
Main station of southern Osaka (Minami) and the closest to Dotonbori and Shinsaibashi; Nankai and the subway write it "Namba", Kintetsu and Hanshin "Osaka-Namba", and JR "JR-Namba"
天王寺駅
Tennōji-eki
Tennoji Station
Usage
Major station in southern Osaka on the JR Loop Line and the Kansai Airport express route, with two subway lines; connected to Kintetsu Osaka-Abenobashi and the Abeno Harukas tower
三ノ宮駅
Sannomiya-eki
Sannomiya Station
Usage
Kobe's central station: JR spells it Sannomiya with a small ノ, Hankyu and Hanshin call it Kobe-Sannomiya, and the subway just Sannomiya — all in the same block
山手線
Yamanote-sen
Yamanote Line
Usage
JR loop line circling central Tokyo, shown in light green on signs; it links Tokyo, Shinjuku, Shibuya, Ikebukuro, and Ueno, taking about an hour for a full circuit
中央線
Chūō-sen
Chuo Line
Usage
JR line running west from Tokyo Station through Shinjuku to Takao, shown in orange; it is faster than the Yamanote between Tokyo and Shinjuku
京浜東北線
Keihin-Tōhoku-sen
Keihin-Tohoku Line
Usage
JR line from Omiya in Saitama through central Tokyo toward Yokohama, shown in light blue; it runs alongside the Yamanote Line through the city center
銀座線
Ginza-sen
Tokyo Metro Ginza Line
Usage
Asia's oldest subway line, running from Asakusa via Ueno and Ginza to Shibuya; shown in orange with the line letter G
丸ノ内線
Marunouchi-sen
Tokyo Metro Marunouchi Line
Usage
Subway from Ikebukuro through Tokyo Station, Ginza, and Shinjuku to Ogikubo; shown in red with the line letter M, and it crosses most of the main sightseeing areas
御堂筋線
Midōsuji-sen
Osaka Metro Midosuji Line
Usage
Osaka's busiest subway line, running north-south through Shin-Osaka, Umeda, Shinsaibashi, Namba, and Tennoji; shown in red with the line letter M
大阪環状線
Ōsaka Kanjō-sen
Osaka Loop Line
Usage
JR loop line circling central Osaka, shown in red; it links Osaka, Kyobashi, Tsuruhashi, Tennoji, Shin-Imamiya, and Nishikujo, where you change for Universal City
東海道新幹線
Tōkaidō Shinkansen
Tokaido Shinkansen
Usage
Japan's main trunk line between Tokyo and Shin-Osaka; the fastest Nozomi takes about 2 hours 30 minutes, stopping at Shinagawa, Shin-Yokohama, Nagoya, and Kyoto
山陽新幹線
San'yō Shinkansen
Sanyo Shinkansen
Usage
Shinkansen line from Shin-Osaka to Hakata, stopping at Shin-Kobe, Himeji, Okayama, and Hiroshima, with through services from the Tokaido line
東北新幹線
Tōhoku Shinkansen
Tohoku Shinkansen
Usage
Shinkansen line from Tokyo to Shin-Aomori via Ueno, Omiya, Sendai, and Morioka, connecting at Shin-Aomori with the Hokkaido Shinkansen
東京スカイツリー
Tōkyō Sukaitsurī
Tokyo Skytree
Usage
634 m broadcasting tower in Oshiage, Sumida Ward — the world's tallest tower, with observation decks at 350 m and 450 m, within walking distance of Asakusa
明治神宮
Meiji Jingū
Meiji Jingu Shrine
Usage
Shrine to Emperor Meiji in Shibuya Ward, right beside Harajuku Station, surrounded by a planted 70-hectare forest; free to enter
皇居
Kōkyo
Imperial Palace
Usage
The Emperor's residence just west of Tokyo Station, on the site of Edo Castle with moats and stone walls remaining; the East Gardens are open to the public free of charge
金閣寺
Kinkaku-ji
Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion)
Usage
Three-story pavilion covered in gold leaf in northern Kyoto, formally called Rokuon-ji; a UNESCO site about 40 minutes by city bus from Kyoto Station
清水寺
Kiyomizu-dera
Kiyomizu-dera Temple
Usage
UNESCO-listed temple in Kyoto's Higashiyama hills, whose wooden stage juts over the slope with views across the city; the Sannenzaka and Ninenzaka approach lanes are part of the visit
銀閣寺
Ginkaku-ji
Ginkaku-ji (Silver Pavilion)
Usage
UNESCO-listed temple in eastern Kyoto, formally Jisho-ji; despite the name it has no silver leaf, and is known for its sand and moss gardens at the north end of the Philosopher's Path
東大寺
Tōdai-ji
Todai-ji Temple
Usage
Eighth-century temple inside Nara Park, housing the 15 m Great Buddha in one of the largest wooden buildings in the world
春日大社
Kasuga Taisha
Kasuga Taisha Shrine
Usage
Vermilion shrine at the eastern end of Nara Park, lined with some 3,000 stone and bronze lanterns; about 20 minutes on foot from Todai-ji
厳島神社
Itsukushima Jinja
Itsukushima Shrine
Usage
UNESCO-listed shrine built over the water on Miyajima island, Hiroshima; at high tide the great torii appears to float. About 10 minutes by ferry from JR Miyajimaguchi
原爆ドーム
Genbaku Dōmu
Atomic Bomb Dome
Usage
Ruined building preserved as it stood near the hypocenter in central Hiroshima; a UNESCO site across the river from the Peace Memorial Park, viewable from outside only
姫路城
Himeji-jō
Himeji Castle
Usage
Castle in Himeji, Hyogo, with an original white-plastered keep; Japan's first cultural World Heritage Site, about 20 minutes' walk from Himeji Station
松本城
Matsumoto-jō
Matsumoto Castle
Usage
National Treasure castle in Matsumoto, Nagano, with an original 16th-century black keep and the Northern Alps behind it; 15 minutes' walk from Matsumoto Station
首里城
Shuri-jō
Shuri Castle
Usage
Site of the Ryukyu Kingdom's royal palace in Naha, with UNESCO-listed walls; the main hall burned in 2019 and is being rebuilt, though the park and some buildings remain open
道頓堀
Dōtonbori
Dotonbori
Usage
Canal-side restaurant district in central Osaka, known for its giant three-dimensional signs and the running-man neon; walkable from Namba and Shinsaibashi stations
通天閣
Tsūtenkaku
Tsutenkaku Tower
Usage
103 m observation tower in the Shinsekai quarter of Osaka, surrounded by an old-town district of kushikatsu restaurants; walkable from Ebisucho or Dobutsuen-mae subway stations
高野山
Kōyasan
Koyasan (Mount Koya)
Usage
Center of Shingon Buddhism on an 800 m plateau in Wakayama Prefecture; a UNESCO site with the Okunoin cemetery and temple lodgings, about 2 hours from Osaka-Namba on the Nankai Koya line
上高地
Kamikōchi
Kamikochi
Usage
Alpine valley at 1,500 m in the Northern Alps of Nagano Prefecture, known for Kappa Bridge and the Azusa River; private cars are banned so access is by bus, and it closes from mid-November to April
More Japanese phrases
- Basic Words
- Basic Nouns
- Basic Verbs
- Adjectives
- Question Words
- Greetings
- Food & Drinks
- Transportation
- Shopping
- Numbers
- Hotel
- Emergency
- Sightseeing
- Flirting
- Nightlife
- Massage & Spa
- Compliments
- Contacts & SNS
- Beach & Activities
- Useful Phrases
- Airport & Customs
- Weather & Climate
- Pharmacy & Health
- Directions
- Money & Exchange
- Health & Hospital
- Internet & WiFi
- Nature & Outdoors
- Religion & Temples
- Café & Drinks
- Schedule & Booking
- Culture & Etiquette
- Traveling with Kids
- Sports & Activities
- Public Transport
- Accommodation
- Banking & ATM
- Visa & Immigration
- Business & Work
- School & Education
- Cooking & Markets
- Music & Entertainment
- Art & Museums
- Festivals & Events
- Photography
- Laundry
- Post Office
- Language Learning
- Dating & Romance
- Dating Apps
- Volunteering
- Accessibility
- Sustainability & Eco
- Fruits
- Colors
- Dietary & Allergies
- Markets & Souvenirs
- Wine & Spirits
- Car Rental & Driving
- Time & Dates
- Hiking & Trekking
- Diving & Water Sports
- Skiing & Winter Sports
- Hot Springs & Baths
- Yoga & Wellness
- Casino & Gambling
- Beauty & Grooming
- Remote Work
- Fashion & Clothing
- Convenience Store
- Martial Arts
- Signs
- Body Parts
- Animals
- Vehicles
- Electronics
- Feelings
- Slang
- Local Dishes
- Local Drinks
- Indulgences