Japan's Most Iconic Landmarks — Beyond Mount Fuji

Mount Fuji is Japan's most recognisable image, but a Japan trip built only around Fuji misses the country's extraordinary cultural and historical depth. Japan has more UNESCO World Heritage Sites than almost any other country, and many of them are genuinely among the most impressive things you'll see anywhere on Earth.

Fushimi Inari in Kyoto — thousands of torii gates winding up a forested mountain — is one of those rare sights that exceeds expectations even if you've seen a thousand photos of it. The deer park at Nara, where freely roaming deer approach humans for rice crackers, is unlike anywhere else in the world. The Hiroshima Peace Memorial is one of the most moving and important places a traveller can visit.

This guide covers ten of Japan's most iconic landmarks across Tokyo, Kyoto, Nara, Hiroshima, and beyond — with practical information about the best time to visit each one and what most visitors miss on their first trip.

We're building out our full destination guides. In the meantime, if you're planning a trip to Japan, start with your visa — we've got the full cost breakdown and document checklist ready.