Do you love the classic view of Mt. Fuji from Chureito Pagoda? Okinawa’s crystal waters? Hokkaido’s mountains? The sight of Sakurajima from Kagoshima? Tokyo as viewed from the Skytree? Which views took your breath away? What do you still reminisce about or want to revisit to see again?
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11 comments
I’m going to go with view of Sagami Bay from Shiosai Beach in Ito (Cape Manazuru is also nice).
Ariake Sea at dawn with floating Torii Gate of Ouo Shrine in front is also ‘land of the rising sun worthy’.
Considered also classics: Inasa-yama, Matsushima Bay and modern view from the top of Umeda Sky Building.
Probably a little bit unorthodox, but my favourite view (at least for places I have visited) is the red railway bridge of Kurobe George railway.
I love the view from Hase-dera in Kamakura! It’s high up, and it’s worth the walk up to the temple to see the views of the ocean.
My favourite views in Japan are ones I closely associate with my fondest memories:
Hakodate night view, and the streets of Motomachi through the seasons.
Kinkakuji surrounded by bursts of autumn foliage.
The sea of humanity at Shibuya crossing.
The myriad of fireworks at Obon above everyone dressed up in their summer yukatas.
Smiling, tiny obaasans at the local store.
Kindergarteners in their cute hats holding hands and walking in pairs.
The blue, blue skies of spring and the colourful wildflowers around Hamamatsu before monsoon season gets under way.
From the places I’ve visited number one is Odaigahara in Nara, not just for the view over the cliff but for the overall experience.
In number two I really enjoyed the view of Lake Towada in Aomori from the center caldera.
Number three is Kinkakuji in Kyoto. Wouldn’t normally be on my list but there was fog rolling in from the mountains and it contrasted with the gold perfectly.
Shiretoko in Hokkaido would probably be on this list but it was snowing the whole time and we never got any visibility.
At Kurushima Strait Observatory, looking at the Kurushima-Kaikyo bridge and the whirlpools in the Setouchi Inland seas below while the sun sets.
So far the crater lake in Zao! It looks downright otherworldly.
Dogashima coastline in western Izu. It was sadly cloudy in evening when I visited :(.
https://en.nishiizu-kankou.com/sun.html
I love the view of the snowy mountain peaks from Bell of Love tower at Gala Yuzawa.
Sunset from the top of Fushimi Inari. I know it’s gotten more busy the last few years, but the first time I sat there alone and just watched the colors change and the lights come on. Once it was so clear I could see the Umeda Sky Building on the horizon. Even must thinking back makes me emotional.
The view from Risshakuji (Yamadera) facing the Dewa Mountains is otherworldly, with the snow-capped peaks in the distance and the little town below. Made me completely understand why there are religions worshipping the mountains.
Also, I don’t know if it’s a “view” per se, but the scenery of Noboribetsu on a summer Saturday night. Crowds of people in yukata, open storefronts festooned with lanterns, carnival games and shooting galleries…. it felt exactly like what I imagined of Japan.