Japan · best-of list
The 10 Best Outdoor Spots in Japan
All 10 outdoor spots our route editors picked in Japan, across 5 destinations, gathered in one list. Each one is a stop on a route you can open and copy into a trip.
Our curated picks
10 outdoor spots in Japan, grouped by destination. Destinations with the most picks come first; this is not a ranking.
Furano and Biei 4 picks
Farm Tomita
Furano and Biei · On our Hokkaido: Sapporo, Otaru & Furano route
Famous lavender farm with striped flower beds and lavender soft serve.
Tip: Peak bloom is mid-July; visit early morning.
Photo: cogihime · Google
Shikisai-no-Oka
Furano and Biei · On our Hokkaido: Sapporo, Otaru & Furano route
Hillside flower park with rainbow bands of blooms from spring to autumn.
Tip: A tractor bus loops the slopes.
Photo: 최낙영 · Google
Shirahige Waterfall
Furano and Biei · On our Hokkaido: Sapporo, Otaru & Furano route
Falls seeping through cliff rock into a blue river, seen from a bridge.
Tip: Near Shirogane Onsen; combine with a hot spring bath.
Photo: 隋翔宇 · Google
Shirogane Blue Pond
Furano and Biei · On our Hokkaido: Sapporo, Otaru & Furano route
Man-made pond tinted milky blue by minerals, with dead larch trunks.
Tip: Lit up at night in some seasons.
Photo: Richa Jain · Google
Kyoto 2 picks
Arashiyama Bamboo Grove
Kyoto · On our Japan Golden Route
Path through towering bamboo stalks in western Kyoto's Sagano district.
Tip: Arrive by 7:30am; pair with Tenryu-ji garden next door.
Photo: Miquel Lapuente Marquès · Google
Philosopher's Path
Kyoto · On our Japan Golden Route
Canal-side walk lined with cherry trees between Ginkaku-ji and Nanzen-ji.
Photo: Yoneda Kiyotaka · Google
Otaru 2 picks
Mount Tengu
Otaru · On our Hokkaido: Sapporo, Otaru & Furano route
Ropeway to a lookout over the town and Ishikari Bay, with skiing in winter.
Tip: Night views are clearer in winter.
Photo: Yuanjin Kuo (Mikasa 爸) · Google
Shakotan Peninsula
Otaru · On our Hokkaido: Sapporo, Otaru & Furano route
Rugged cape with cobalt-blue water and summer sea urchin bowls.
Tip: Uni season runs June to August.
Photo: 663highland · CC BY 2.5
Sapporo 1 pick
Mount Moiwa Ropeway
Sapporo · On our Hokkaido: Sapporo, Otaru & Furano route
Ropeway and mini cable car up to a summit view over the city and bay.
Tip: Go up just before sunset and stay for the night view.
Photo: 札幌もいわ山ロープウェイ 山麓駅 · Google
Tokyo 1 pick
Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden
Tokyo · On our Japan Golden Route
Large garden mixing Japanese, English and French styles; prime cherry blossom spot.
Tip: No alcohol allowed; closed Mondays.
Photo: Vivian Li · Google
How we picked these
Every entry is a stop on at least one of TripsCircle's hand-curated routes, chosen by our route editors, who wrote the reason to go shown with each place. These are our curated picks, not a scored ranking: we haven't rated or reviewed them against each other. The list is grouped by destination, and within each destination places that appear on more routes come first.
Prices ($ to $$$$) and visit lengths are rough guides from our route notes, not quotes. Check opening hours before you go.
About this list
How did you choose the outdoor spots in Japan?
Each one is a stop on a TripsCircle route that our editors built by hand, and each comes with a written reason to go. This page shows all 10 of them. They are curated picks, not a ranked score.
Which part of Japan has the most outdoor spots on this list?
Furano and Biei has the most (4 of 10), followed by Kyoto (2) and Otaru (2).
Are any of these free?
6 picks on this list are marked free in our route notes: Farm Tomita, Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, Shakotan Peninsula, Shirahige Waterfall, Shirogane Blue Pond, and more. Check ahead, since parking or special exhibits can cost extra.
More lists for Japan
Best outdoor spots nearby
Destinations on this list
- Furano and Biei 4 on this list
- Kyoto 2 on this list
- Otaru 2 on this list
- Sapporo 1 on this list
- Tokyo 1 on this list
Turn this list into a plan
Open a curated route in TripsCircle, add the spots your crew wants, vote with polls and keep everyone on one shared itinerary.