Leisure / Outdoors Spots in Japan

Area

Japan
- Japan
- Hokkaido / Tohoku
  
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- Kyushu / Okinawa
  
  Fukuoka
  
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  Nagasaki
  
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  Okinawa

Category

Leisure / Hobbies

Leisure / Outdoors

Osaka Museum of History

4.0

604 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Osaka Osakashi Chuou-ku Otemae 4-1-32

This museum northwest of Naniwanomiyaato Park in Chuo Ward, Osaka City opened in 2001. A permanent exhibit entitled ''Toshi Osaka no Ayumi'' covering the history of Osaka from ancient times to today takes up the 7th to 10th floors. The top floor features a recreation of the council hall of the Nara-period Naniwa Palace complete with 70 cm-thick vermillion-lacquered pillars and life-sized figures of government officials. Each floor presents the history and culture of Osaka through recreations of buildings, miniature models, videos, and abundant artifacts. The remains of Naniwa Palace are preserved in the museum's basement. Tours are available on a first-come-first-served basis.

This is very interesting to learn about Osaka and its history. Located by the Castle and you can easily combine the two. Easy to navigate and well laid out. Highly recommend if you want to learn...
Suginoi Hotel Acquabeat

4.0

1124 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Oita Pref. Beppushi Kankaiji 1

An indoor pool facility open in the summer adjoining the Suginoi Hotel in Kankaiji, Beppu City. Attractions include a wave pool, water slides, “water jungle gym,” Mystery Dork cavern to explore, and water balls. There’s also a kids’ pool. Modeled after a south seas resort, visitors can also relax on provided beach chairs.

The hotel is situated at the hill with an amazing view of Beppu City and Beppu Bay. The onsen and the heated pool are great with great views. It is so nice seeing the sunrise while relaxing in the...
Oasis 21

4.0

489 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Aichi Pref. Nagoyashi Higashi-ku Higashisakura 1-11-1

Oasis 21 which has a direct connection to Nagoya’s business district Sakae Station is a multi-complex facility with parks, bus terminals and commercial facilities. Enjoy the seasonal flowers on the field of green where the lawn stretches out, and events are often held in the Galaxy Platform. The “Spaceship-Aqua” fills the space above the blowout space. It is a large roof of glass which floats in the air. A thin veil of water flows on the glass surface, and it is beautifully illuminated in vivid colors. A garden path surrounds the outer circumference of the glass roof, allowing people to enjoy a stroll in the air 14 meters above ground.

Went to Oasis 21 in the afternoon to do a little bit of shopping. I would recommend visitors to go in the evening because the roof looks like a spaceship! Could see Nagoya Tower from there as well.
Nogeyama Zoo

4.0

620 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Kanagawa Pref. Yokohamashi Nishi-ku Oimatsuchou 63-10

This zoo is located inside of Nogeyama Park, which sits on a hilltop overlooking the 21 districts of Minatomirai. Admission is free. Visitors can see 2,500 animals from around 100 species including lions, tigers, and giraffes. The zoo also has an indoor climate-controlled reptile exhibit. Watching the staff breed and care for the crocodilians and tortoises is popular with visitors. At the zoo's Nakayoshi Hiroba (Friendship Plaza), visitors can actually pet and feed animals such as guinea pigs and mice, allowing them to feel the warmth of animals up close.

Walk uphill from train station to here. Book a animal petting session at the entrance or scan a QR code but we found it too tedious to do the Japanese form filling on our phones. So we went to the...
Aqua World-Ibaraki Prefectural Oarai Aquarium

4.5

351 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Ibaraki Pref. Higashibarakigunoaraimachi Isohamachou 8252-3

This aquarium is located along the coast of Oarai Town, Higashiibaraki County, Ibaraki Prefecture, and is among the largest in the country. Sea mammals and oceanic/freshwater fish from around the world and Oarai Sea are kept here. Exhibits are divided into nine zones, like “The Encounter Sea” and “Seas of the World.” You can watch a variety of living creatures, like popular penguins and sunfish, or see the impressive shark tank. The dolphin and sea lion shows are particularly lively and popular.

We spend 4hours here,after landing from Narita airport straight away drive through Oarai and managed to see the Dolphins shows at 12pm,nice late lunch after hanging around the aquarium with...
Kyoto International Manga Museum

4.0

609 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Karasuma-ku Ikegami Le, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto

This manga museum in Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto City, Kyoto, is Japan's largest manga museum. It first opened in 2006. Including valuable works from the Meiji period and the post-WWII period as well as popular modern titles and foreign works, they have almost 300,000 pieces in their collection. One of their showcases is a ''Manga Wall'' with 50,000 volumes of manga arrayed on bookcases that visitors can freely read. The spacious building is the former Tatsuike Elementary School and people can be found everywhere inside or outside on the lawn reading manga. This is a popular location for foreign tourists and couples.

This is a museum just for manga, a must for lovers of manga and subcultures. As long as you pay the admission fee, you can immerse yourself in the world of manga all day long. The museum has a...
Naminoue Beach

3.5

934 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Okinawa Pref. Nahashi Wakasa 1-25

Located approximately 15 minutes’ walk from the Prefectural Office Station on the Okinawa Urban Monorail (Yuirail) line, Naminoue Beach is the only beach within the boundaries of Naha City. As the beach is situated close to both the airport and Kokusai-dori Street, it is common to see tourists stop off there for a quick swim on the way back to their hotel, and the beach is also a popular place for local residents to relax. Within the park area, water sports activities can be booked, and beach equipment can be purchased. Swimming is permitted between April and October.

Its not very big but its the only beach in the city really. Sharp coral chunks along waterline. 2 highway overpasses run above it. Scuba training area very close by. There are way better places in...
Yokohama Anpanman Children Museum

4.0

399 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Kanagawa Yokohama-shi Nishi-ku Minatomirai 6-2-9

We went here with my kids. They enjoyed it. The place is small but kids will enjoy at the play area. The show is also enjoyable to watch. Stroller is not allowed inside but they have parking space...
Matsuya Ginza

4.0

311 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Tokyo Chuou-ku Ginza 3-6-1

This is a department store located in the Ginza district of Tokyo’s Chuo City whose roots lie in the Tsuruya Gofuku store that was started in Yokohama in 1869. The exterior walls that switched over to all LED-lighting in September 2006 have made the store become a new landmark among Ginza’s night scenery. The store is home to world famous brands such as Louis Vuitton and Christian Dior, as well as select shops carrying high quality items. The food merchandise area that spans two full floors is bustling with visitors returning from work or shopping.

A local department store not that well known nor expanded outside japan. Typical store with all the major departments. Was looking for a stationery but they don’t appear to have. Each department...
Shima Spain Village Parque Espana

4.0

487 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Mie Shima-shi Isobecho Sakazaki Shimoyama 952-4

Somebody has spent a lot of effort (and money) creating a Gaudi-esque version of a Spanish town. The white-knuckle rides are outstanding, the light shows are very well done, and the shopping and...
Historical Village of Hokkaido

4.5

562 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Hokkaido Sapporoshi Atsubetsu-ku Atsubetsuchou Konopporo 50-1

The Historical Village of Hokkaido is an outdoor museum which reproduces the frontier days of Hokkaido where you can learn about frontier history. There are four separate areas which are the Farm Village, the Sea Village, the Mountain Village and the City and you can walk through each village to experience the different atmospheres. At the Frontier Village Restaurant in the museum, you can eat the simple but delicious “Imo Mochi” and the restaurant’s original Tondenhei (Settlers’) Set Meal.

I’m astounded at the amount of effort and dedication it must take to maintain this place. It’s literally a village you can easily get lost in. I went during winter when there was barely anyone (it...
Ryukyu Mura

4.0

753 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Okinawa Pref. Kunigamigunonnason Yamada 1130

Ryukyu Mura is an interactive facility for Okinawan culture, arts and performance in Yamada, Onna Village, Kunigami County. Inside the park, there is a row of traditional Ryukyu houses, recreating the olden-day Okinawan atmosphere so it is often used as a location for filmmaking. There are various hands-on programs such as traditional craft making and attractions such as Eisa, an Okinawan folk dance performance. There are eating and shopping areas in the attached dome-shaped facility called “Okinawa Station Chanpuru”. One feature is that there are many things to do even on rainy days.

Its overpriced (compared to all other theme parks / tourist attractions in the same vein on the island). All the houses, artifacts etc. are old and dilapidated. It might have been great in the...
Ohara Museum of Art

4.5

721 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Okayama Pref. Kurashikishi Chuou 1-1-15

Located in the Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter, this museum was Japan’s first private museum dedicated to Western art. The museum was built by Kurashiki industrialist Magosaburo Ohara in 1930. The Main Gallery, styled like a Greek temple, remains as it looked when the museum first opened. Inside, works by master Western painters such as Cezanne, Degas, and Renoir are on display. Several gallery concerts are held each year, a tradition which began in 1950.

Definitely recommend this as a part of a day Trip to Kurashiki /this small and elegant museum privately owned showcases some of the icon>c. Artisists of the early to m>d. 20th century. Picasso Dali...
Omotesando Hills

4.0

311 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Tokyo Shibuya-ku Jingumae 4-12-10

This mixed-use complex was built on the site of the former Dosokai Aoyama Apartments that were a landmark of Omotesando. With a prominent existence in Omotesando, a place where Japan’s cultural trends originate, the complex is known for its concentration of global brand shops and Japan main stores. The facility is full of shops handling refined urban products. The creative architecture designed by Japanese architect Tadao Ando is a must-see.

While the street is pristine, this wasn’t for me, i prefer to shop local and not a large high end chains but the stores are inviting and stunningly classy. Omotesandō Street is tree-lined street that...
Hakata Bus Terminal

4.0

251 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Fukuoka Pref. Fukuokashihakataku Hakataekichuougai 2-1

The Hakata Bus Terminal, from which scheduled and high-speed buses leave and return from trips around Fukuoka City, has one underground and nine above ground floors with stores for clothing and accessories, sundries, daily goods and foodstuffs. Just a one-minute walk from JR Hakata Station’s Hakata Exit, it is convenient for both tourists and shoppers. From the first floor run local scheduled buses and from the third run high-speed buses going to Honshu and other areas around Kyushu.

If your final destination after Fukuoka Aiport arrival is Hakata, then look no further just use the direct bus from FUK airport to Hakata Bus station, however if your destination is beside Hakata...
Sanrio Puroland

Leisure / Hobbies

Tokyo Tamashi Ochiai 1-31

A theme park in Tama City, Tokyo, where you can meet Hello Kitty and other popular Sanrio characters. Being an indoor theme park, it has become a precious spot where visitors can play even on rainy days. Authentic musicals performed in the three theaters are popular. There is a corner that recreates the worlds of My Melody, Little Twin Stars, Gudetama, and other characters, as well as ride-type attractions that can be enjoyed by young children to adults throughout the day.
Amanohashidate View Land

4.0

457 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Kyoto Miyadushi Monju

This is an amusement park at the summit of Mt. Monju, Miyazu City, Kyoto Prefecture with a viewing platform from which one can see Amanohashidate. Along with attractions including go karts, merry go rounds and a Ferris wheel, the view from the viewing platform restaurant is stunning. There are seven “fork peepholes” that allow one to look between the forks of Amanohashidate, and the Hiryukan through which one can see what looks like a dragon ascending to heaven. There are monorail and lift services to and from the foot of the mountain.

I have wanted to go to this place for a long time, to complete the Japan 3 View. I was visiting some local friends near Fukuchiyama and we decided to drive there. I was lucky that the weather...
Tsuruoka City Kamo Aquarium

4.5

468 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Yamagata Pref. Tsuruokashi Imaizumi Okubo 657-1

This is an aquarium in Tsuruoka City, Yamagata Prefecture, the prefecture’s only one, with the nickname “Jellyfish Dream Hall.” It is known for displaying over 50 kinds of jellyfish and holds a Guinness World Record in this field. The biggest highlight is about 2,000 moon jellyfish swimming in a large water tank five meters in diameter. An exhibition corner of Shonai’s freshwater and saltwater fish, a sea lion show, and the black-tail gull feeding are all popular. There is also a complete exhibition area for children.

A small ,rather old place, but excellent to see jellyfish.And eat icecream containing jellyfish,very tasty,with the chewy bits being the jellyfish. Many of the tanks being rather small for the amount...
Edo-Tokyo Open-air Architectural Museum

4.5

355 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Tokyo Koganeishi Sakurachou 3-7-1 In the Metropolitan Koganei Park

This is an outdoor museum that exhibits historical buildings reconstructed from the metropolitan Koganei Park. It was established as an annex of the Edo-Tokyo Museum. In this museum, there are more than 30 restored buildings that date back to the Edo and early Showa periods. In the Center Zone are several reconstructed buildings such as Jisho-in Mausoleum (Otama-ya) and the residence of Takahashi Korekiyo who was assassinated in the 2.26 Incident. There are also reconstructed houses from Yamanote at the West Zone and at the East Zone visitors can enjoy a traditional neighborhood atmosphere with stores, public baths, and bars.

小金井公園の敷地内にある野外博物館。江戸時代から明治・大正時代の面影を遺す建物を移築し、保存することにより、その時代の建物の特徴や暮らしを身近に体験することが出来ます。都心から1時間程度で行けるところにあるため、気軽に行くことが出来ます。昔ながらの家屋や古民家が好き、そこにいるとホッとする、という、日頃のコンクリートジャングルに囲まれた生活の中で疲れを感じた人が行くには最適のところではないかと思い...
Nara National Museum

4.5

484 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Nara Pref. Narashi Noboriojichou 50

This is a museum which opened in Nara City in 1895. The “Nara Buddhist Sculpture Hall (in the main building)” which was designed by the court architect, Katayama Tokuma is a Western-style architectural structure from the Meiji period and has been designated as an Important Cultural Property. There are four exhibition halls in the museum, with the museum’s collection focusing on Japanese Buddhist art from the Asuka period up until the Kamakura period. In addition, a great number of National Treasures and Important Cultural Properties are among the artifacts held and exhibited at the museum. The museum is famous for opening an exhibition of “Shosoin-ten” (Exhibition of Shosoin Treasures) in Autumn every year.

My friends and I spent about 2 and a half hours here, reading about each statue and piece we came across. There’s plenty of historic pieces to keep you busy that long!