Arts & Culture
West Japan invites you back to ancient times with the refined elegance of its ancient capitals, skilled artisans, and rich traditional culture
West Japan is rich in culture and traditions. In the ancient capitals of Kyoto and Nara, experience an elegant culture woven together over the course of thousands of years, or encounter artisanal crafts such as Kaga Yuzen dyeing or Kutani ware in the Hokuriku area. You can also visit special historical sites in Shimane and Hiroshima that symbolize mythology and peace. Historical temples and shrines can be found in every area. Enjoy a journey filled with the special delights of authentic Japanese culture.
Yamaguchi, Motonosumi Shrine
Shiga, Hikone Castle
Toyama, Toyama Glass Art Museum
Recommended spots
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Osaka
Osaka Castle
Closest station
Ōsakajōkōen StationMorinomiya StationŌsakajōkitazume Station -
Osaka
Tsuyu no Tenjinja (Ohatsu Tenjin)
Closest station
Kitashinchi StationOsaka Station -
Osaka
Osaka Temmangu
Closest station
Ōsakatemmangū Station -
Osaka
Osaka City Central Public Hall
Closest station
Osaka Station -
Osaka
Tomb of Emperor Nintoku
Closest station
Mozu Station -
Kyoto
Fushimi Inari Taisha
Closest station
Inari Station -
Kyoto
Kiyomizu-dera Temple
Closest station
Kyoto StationTōfukuji Station -
Kyoto
Byodoin Temple
Closest station
Uji Station -
Kyoto
Kifune Shrine
Closest station
Tōfukuji Station -
Kyoto
Heian-jingu Shrine
Closest station
Kyoto StationYamashina Station -
Kyoto
Kodai-ji Temple
Closest station
Tōfukuji StationKyoto StationYamashina Station -
Kyoto
Ryōan-ji
Closest station
Emmachi Station -
Kyoto
Kitano Tenmangu Shrine
Closest station
Emmachi StationKyoto Station -
Kyoto
Shimogamo Jinja Shrine
Closest station
Kyoto StationTōfukuji Station -
Hyogo
Himeji Castle
Closest station
Himeji Station -
Hyogo
Shoshazan Engyoji Temple
Closest station
Himeji Station -
Hyogo
Takeda Castle Ruins
Closest station
Takeda Station -
Hyogo
![Kitano Foreigners' Mansion District [Kitano Ijinkan-Gai]](/travel-information/assets/img/explore-west-japan/img_hyogo_spots_06.webp)
Kitano Foreigners' Mansion District [Kitano Ijinkan-Gai]
Closest station
Sannomiya StationShin-Kōbe Station -
Hyogo
Takenaka Carpentry Tools Museum
Closest station
Sannomiya StationShin-Kōbe Station -
Shiga
Omihachiman
Closest station
Ōmihachiman Station -
Shiga
Nagahama
Closest station
Nagahama Station -
Shiga
Hikone Castle
Closest station
Hikone Station -
Shiga
Kurokabe Square
Closest station
Nagahama Station -
Nara
Horyuji Temple
Closest station
Hōryūji Station -
Nara
Omiwa Shrine
Closest station
Miwa Station -
Nara
Kohfukuji
Closest station
Nara Station -
Wakayama
Kumano Kodo
Closest station
Kii-Tanabe Station -
Wakayama
Wakayama Castle
Closest station
Wakayama Station -
Toyama
Gokayama (Gassho-zukuri)
Closest station
Shin-Takaoka Station -
Toyama
Takaoka
Closest station
Takaoka Station -
Toyama
Zuiryuji Temple
Closest station
Shin-Takaoka Station -
Toyama
Toyama Glass Art Museum
Closest station
Toyama Station -
Ishikawa
21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa
Closest station
Kanazawa Station -
Ishikawa
Kanazawa Castle Park
Closest station
Kanazawa Station -
Fukui
Eiheiji Temple
Closest station
Fukui Station -
Fukui
Port of Humanity Tsuruga Museum
Closest station
Tsuruga Station -
Fukui
Heisenji Hakusan Shrine
Closest station
Fukui Station -
Tottori
Kurayoshi Retro Town
Closest station
Kurayoshi Station -
Shimane
Izumo Oyashiro Shrine
Closest station
Izumoshi Station -
Shimane
Matsue Castle
Closest station
Matsue Station -
Shimane
Lake Shinji
Closest station
Matsue Station -
Shimane
Iwami Ginzan
Closest station
Ōdashi Station -
Okayama
Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter
Closest station
Kurashiki Station -
Okayama
Okayama Castle
Closest station
Okayama Station -
Okayama
Kibitsu Shrine
Closest station
Kibitsu Station -
Okayama
Fukiya
Closest station
Bitchū-Takahashi Station -
Okayama
The Japanese Folk Toys Museum
Closest station
Kurashiki Station -
Hiroshima
Itsukushima Shrine
Closest station
Miyajimaguchi Station -
Hiroshima
Peace Memorial Park
Closest station
Hiroshima Station -
Hiroshima
Onomichi
Closest station
Onomichi Station -
Hiroshima
Hiroshima Castle
Closest station
Hiroshima StationShin-Hakushima Station -
Hiroshima
Daishouin Temple (Miyajima)
Closest station
Miyajimaguchi Station -
Yamaguchi
Kintaikyo Bridge
Closest station
Shin-Iwakuni StationIwakuni Station -
Yamaguchi
Hagi Castle Town Preservation District
Closest station
Hagi Station -
Yamaguchi
Hofu
Closest station
Hōfu Station -
Yamaguchi
Motonosumi Shrine
Closest station
Nagato-Furuichi Station -
Fukuoka
Kokura Castle
Closest station
Kokura Station -
Fukuoka
Moji
Closest station
Mojiko Station -
Fukuoka
Fukuoka Castle Ruins
Closest station
Hakata Station
Explore other interests
Explore West Japan by destinations
With numerous stations in every area, we can guide you to every corner of West Japan. Find regional highlights and decide on a destination for your next train trip!
