Town dossiers
The towns that carry enough stock to be a market in themselves. Each dossier gives the properties, the starred tables, the attractions and the access in one place.
TokyoThe deepest luxury market in Asia and the densest gastronomic city on earth: twelve tables hold three MICHELIN stars, more than any other city.KyotoMore Key properties than Tokyo relative to its size, and a different shape of stock: small houses and ryokan rather than towers.OsakaA large-property market next door to a small-property one.HakoneThe onsen resort that sells to Tokyo: 85 minutes by direct train, which makes it a two-night product rather than a week.Niseko · KutchanNiseko by its administrative name.NikkoA UNESCO shrine complex with a hotel stock older than most of the country's: the Kanaya house has been trading since the Meiji era.KaruizawaA mountain resort 65 minutes from Tokyo by Shinkansen — a combination that exists almost nowhere else.NaraThirty-five minutes from Kyoto and forty-five from Osaka, which is precisely its commercial problem: the visitors come and the overnights go to the neighbours.YufuinYufuin: a hot-spring town that built a reputation on small ryokan rather than large hotels, and holds Key properties out of proportion to its size.Ise-ShimaIse-Shima: a pearl coast with a national park and one of the country's few resort properties of international scale.
All destinations
| Destination | Prefecture | Type | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ghibli Park ジブリパーク | Aichi | Theme park | Year-round |
| Inuyama Castle 犬山城 | Aichi | Castle | Cherry and maple: Mar–Apr, Nov |
| Nagoya 名古屋 | Aichi | City | Year-round, weekday business rhythm |
| Tokoname 常滑 | Aichi | Historic townscape | April–October |
| Kakunodate 角館 | Akita | Historic townscape | Cherry and maple: Mar–Apr, Nov |
| Lake Tazawa 田沢湖 | Akita | Nature | June–September |
| Nyuto Onsen 乳頭温泉郷 | Akita | Onsen town | November–March, onsen and crab |
| Hirosaki 弘前 | Aomori | Castle | Cherry and maple: Mar–Apr, Nov |
| Lake Towada 十和田湖 | Aomori | Nature | October–November, autumn colour |
| Oirase Gorge 奥入瀬渓流 | Aomori | Nature | October–November, autumn colour |
| Shirakami-Sanchi 白神山地 | Aomori | UNESCO nature | June–September |
| Boso Coast 房総海岸 | Chiba | Coast | June–September |
| Narita-san 成田山 | Chiba | Temple / shrine | Year-round |
| Sawara 佐原 | Chiba | Historic townscape | April–October |
| Tokyo Disney Resort 東京ディズニーリゾート | Chiba | Theme park | Year-round |
| Dogo Onsen 道後温泉 | Ehime | Onsen town | Year-round |
| Matsuyama Castle 松山城 | Ehime | Castle | Cherry and maple: Mar–Apr, Nov |
| Shimanami Kaido (Imabari) しまなみ海道 今治 | Ehime | Coast | April–October |
| Uchiko 内子 | Ehime | Historic townscape | April–October |
| Awara Onsen あわら温泉 | Fukui | Onsen town | November–March, onsen and crab |
| Eiheiji 永平寺 | Fukui | Temple / shrine | April–October |
| Tojinbo 東尋坊 | Fukui | Coast | April–October |
| Dazaifu Tenmangu 太宰府天満宮 | Fukuoka | Temple / shrine | Cherry and maple: Mar–Apr, Nov |
| Fukuoka · Hakata 福岡・博多 | Fukuoka | City | Year-round, weekday business rhythm |
| Munakata Taisha 宗像大社 | Fukuoka | UNESCO site | April–October |
| Yanagawa 柳川 | Fukuoka | Historic townscape | April–October |
| Aizu-Wakamatsu 会津若松 | Fukushima | Castle | April–October |
| Bandai · Goshiki-numa 磐梯・五色沼 | Fukushima | Nature | October–November, autumn colour |
| Ouchi-juku 大内宿 | Fukushima | Historic townscape | November–March, onsen and crab |
| Tsuruga Castle 鶴ヶ城 | Fukushima | Castle | Cherry and maple: Mar–Apr, Nov |
| Gero Onsen 下呂温泉 | Gifu | Onsen town | November–March, onsen and crab |
| Gujo Hachiman 郡上八幡 | Gifu | Historic townscape | July–August |
| Shirakawa-go 白川郷 | Gifu | UNESCO site | November–March, onsen and crab |
| Takayama 高山 | Gifu | Historic townscape | April–October |
| Ikaho Onsen 伊香保温泉 | Gunma | Onsen town | October–November, autumn colour |
| Kusatsu Onsen 草津温泉 | Gunma | Onsen town | November–March, onsen and crab |
| Minakami みなかみ | Gunma | Nature | June–September |
| Shima Onsen 四万温泉 | Gunma | Onsen town | November–March, onsen and crab |
| Hiroshima Peace Memorial 広島平和記念公園 | Hiroshima | Memorial site | Year-round |
| Itsukushima (Miyajima) 厳島神社 | Hiroshima | UNESCO site | April–October |
| Onomichi 尾道 | Hiroshima | Historic townscape | April–October |
| Setoda · Shimanami 瀬戸田・しまなみ海道 | Hiroshima | Island | April–October |
| Furano · Biei 富良野・美瑛 | Hokkaido | Nature | June–September |
| Hakodate 函館 | Hokkaido | City | Year-round |
| Kushiro Wetlands 釧路湿原 | Hokkaido | Nature | June–September |
| Lake Toya 洞爺湖 | Hokkaido | Nature | April–October |
| Niseko ニセコ | Hokkaido | Ski resort | December–March, snow season |
| Noboribetsu Onsen 登別温泉 | Hokkaido | Onsen town | Year-round |
| Otaru 小樽 | Hokkaido | Historic townscape | Year-round |
| Rusutsu · Tomamu ルスツ・トマム | Hokkaido | Ski resort | December–March, snow season |
| Sapporo 札幌 | Hokkaido | City | Year-round |
| Shiretoko 知床 | Hokkaido | UNESCO nature | June–September |
| Yoichi 余市 | Hokkaido | Sake and whisky | April–October |
| Arima Onsen 有馬温泉 | Hyogo | Onsen town | October–November, autumn colour |
| Awaji Island 淡路島 | Hyogo | Island | June–September |
| Himeji Castle 姫路城 | Hyogo | UNESCO site | Cherry and maple: Mar–Apr, Nov |
| Kinosaki Onsen 城崎温泉 | Hyogo | Onsen town | November–March, onsen and crab |
| Kobe 神戸 | Hyogo | City | Year-round |
| Takeda Castle Ruins 竹田城跡 | Hyogo | Castle | October–November, autumn colour |
| Hitachi Seaside Park 国営ひたち海浜公園 | Ibaraki | Nature | April–November |
| Kairakuen 偕楽園 | Ibaraki | Garden | Cherry and maple: Mar–Apr, Nov |
| Tsukuba つくば | Ibaraki | City | Year-round, weekday business rhythm |
| Kanazawa 金沢 | Ishikawa | City | Year-round |
| Kenrokuen 兼六園 | Ishikawa | Garden | Cherry and maple: Mar–Apr, Nov |
| Noto Peninsula 能登半島 | Ishikawa | Coast | April–October |
| Wakura Onsen 和倉温泉 | Ishikawa | Onsen town | April–October |
| Yamanaka · Yamashiro Onsen 山中・山代温泉 | Ishikawa | Onsen town | October–November, autumn colour |
| Appi Kogen 安比高原 | Iwate | Ski resort | December–March, snow season |
| Hiraizumi 平泉 | Iwate | UNESCO site | April–October |
| Morioka 盛岡 | Iwate | City | Year-round |
| Sanriku Coast 三陸海岸 | Iwate | Coast | June–September |
| Kotohira-gu 金刀比羅宮 | Kagawa | Temple / shrine | April–October |
| Naoshima 直島 | Kagawa | Art destination | April–October |
| Ritsurin Garden 栗林公園 | Kagawa | Garden | October–November, autumn colour |
| Teshima 豊島 | Kagawa | Art destination | April–October |
| Amami Oshima 奄美大島 | Kagoshima | UNESCO nature | June–September |
| Chiran 知覧 | Kagoshima | Historic townscape | April–October |
| Kirishima 霧島 | Kagoshima | Onsen town | April–October |
| Sakurajima 桜島 | Kagoshima | Nature | April–October |
| Yakushima 屋久島 | Kagoshima | UNESCO nature | June–September |
| Enoshima · Shonan 江の島・湘南 | Kanagawa | Coast | June–September |
| Hakone 箱根 | Kanagawa | Onsen town | Year-round |
| Kamakura 鎌倉 | Kanagawa | Temple / shrine | Cherry and maple: Mar–Apr, Nov |
| Yokohama 横浜 | Kanagawa | City | Year-round |
| Katsurahama 桂浜 | Kochi | Coast | June–September |
| Kochi Castle 高知城 | Kochi | Castle | Cherry and maple: Mar–Apr, Nov |
| Shimanto River 四万十川 | Kochi | Nature | June–September |
| Amakusa 天草 | Kumamoto | Island | June–September |
| Kumamoto Castle 熊本城 | Kumamoto | Castle | Cherry and maple: Mar–Apr, Nov |
| Kurokawa Onsen 黒川温泉 | Kumamoto | Onsen town | October–November, autumn colour |
| Mount Aso 阿蘇山 | Kumamoto | Nature | April–November |
| Amanohashidate 天橋立 | Kyoto | Coast | April–October |
| Arashiyama 嵐山 | Kyoto | Nature | October–November, autumn colour |
| Fushimi Inari 伏見稲荷大社 | Kyoto | Temple / shrine | Year-round |
| Gion 祇園 | Kyoto | Historic townscape | Year-round |
| Kibune · Kurama 貴船・鞍馬 | Kyoto | Temple / shrine | June–September |
| Kinkaku-ji 金閣寺 | Kyoto | UNESCO site | October–November, autumn colour |
| Kiyomizu-dera 清水寺 | Kyoto | UNESCO site | Cherry and maple: Mar–Apr, Nov |
| Kyoto 京都 | Kyoto | City | Cherry and maple: Mar–Apr, Nov |
| Uji 宇治 | Kyoto | UNESCO site | October–November, autumn colour |
| Ise Jingu 伊勢神宮 | Mie | Temple / shrine | Year-round |
| Ise-Shima 伊勢志摩 | Mie | Coast | April–October |
| Kumano Kodo (Iseji) 熊野古道 伊勢路 | Mie | UNESCO site | April–October |
| Nagashima Resort ナガシマリゾート | Mie | Theme park | Year-round |
| Akiu Onsen 秋保温泉 | Miyagi | Onsen town | Year-round |
| Matsushima 松島 | Miyagi | Nature | April–October |
| Naruko Onsen 鳴子温泉 | Miyagi | Onsen town | October–November, autumn colour |
| Sendai 仙台 | Miyagi | City | Year-round, weekday business rhythm |
| Aoshima 青島 | Miyazaki | Coast | June–September |
| Nichinan Coast 日南海岸 | Miyazaki | Coast | June–September |
| Takachiho Gorge 高千穂峡 | Miyazaki | Nature | April–October |
| Bessho Onsen 別所温泉 | Nagano | Onsen town | October–November, autumn colour |
| Hakuba Valley 白馬 | Nagano | Ski resort | December–March, snow season |
| Jigokudani Monkey Park 地獄谷野猿公苑 | Nagano | Nature | December–March, snow season |
| Kamikochi 上高地 | Nagano | Mountains | June–September |
| Karuizawa 軽井沢 | Nagano | Nature | April–November |
| Matsumoto Castle 松本城 | Nagano | Castle | April–October |
| Narai-juku 奈良井宿 | Nagano | Historic townscape | April–October |
| Nozawa Onsen 野沢温泉 | Nagano | Ski resort | December–March, snow season |
| Goto Islands 五島列島 | Nagasaki | Island | June–September |
| Gunkanjima (Hashima) 軍艦島 | Nagasaki | UNESCO site | April–October |
| Hirado 平戸 | Nagasaki | UNESCO site | April–October |
| Nagasaki 長崎 | Nagasaki | City | Year-round |
| Unzen 雲仙 | Nagasaki | Onsen town | April–October |
| Asuka 明日香 | Nara | Historic townscape | April–October |
| Horyu-ji 法隆寺 | Nara | UNESCO site | April–October |
| Nara Park · Todai-ji 奈良公園・東大寺 | Nara | UNESCO site | Cherry and maple: Mar–Apr, Nov |
| Yoshino 吉野 | Nara | UNESCO site | Cherry and maple: Mar–Apr, Nov |
| Echigo-Yuzawa 越後湯沢 | Niigata | Ski resort | December–March, snow season |
| Myoko Kogen 妙高高原 | Niigata | Ski resort | December–March, snow season |
| Niigata 新潟 | Niigata | Food destination | Year-round |
| Sado Island 佐渡島 | Niigata | UNESCO site | June–September |
| Beppu 別府 | Oita | Onsen town | Year-round |
| Kunisaki Peninsula 国東半島 | Oita | Temple / shrine | April–October |
| Usa Jingu 宇佐神宮 | Oita | Temple / shrine | April–October |
| Yufuin 由布院 | Oita | Onsen town | October–November, autumn colour |
| Hiruzen · Yubara 蒜山・湯原 | Okayama | Onsen town | October–November, autumn colour |
| Korakuen 後楽園 | Okayama | Garden | Cherry and maple: Mar–Apr, Nov |
| Kurashiki Bikan 倉敷美観地区 | Okayama | Historic townscape | Year-round |
| Naoshima gateway (Uno) 宇野港 | Okayama | Art destination | April–October |
| Churaumi Aquarium 美ら海水族館 | Okinawa | Nature | Year-round subtropics; peak Jul–Sep |
| Iriomote 西表島 | Okinawa | UNESCO nature | Year-round subtropics; peak Jul–Sep |
| Ishigaki · Taketomi 石垣・竹富 | Okinawa | Island | Year-round subtropics; peak Jul–Sep |
| Kerama Islands 慶良間諸島 | Okinawa | Island | Year-round subtropics; peak Jul–Sep |
| Miyakojima 宮古島 | Okinawa | Island | Year-round subtropics; peak Jul–Sep |
| Naha · Shuri 那覇・首里 | Okinawa | City | Year-round subtropics; peak Jul–Sep |
| Onna Coast 恩納海岸 | Okinawa | Coast | Year-round subtropics; peak Jul–Sep |
| Dotonbori 道頓堀 | Osaka | Food destination | Year-round |
| Minoo 箕面 | Osaka | Nature | October–November, autumn colour |
| Osaka 大阪 | Osaka | City | Year-round |
| Osaka Castle 大阪城 | Osaka | Castle | Cherry and maple: Mar–Apr, Nov |
| Universal Studios Japan ユニバーサル・スタジオ・ジャパン | Osaka | Theme park | Year-round |
| Arita · Imari 有田・伊万里 | Saga | Historic townscape | April–October |
| Ureshino Onsen 嬉野温泉 | Saga | Onsen town | October–November, autumn colour |
| Yoshinogari 吉野ヶ里 | Saga | Historic townscape | April–October |
| Chichibu 秩父 | Saitama | Nature | October–November, autumn colour |
| Kawagoe 川越 | Saitama | Historic townscape | Year-round |
| Enryaku-ji 延暦寺 | Shiga | UNESCO site | October–November, autumn colour |
| Hikone Castle 彦根城 | Shiga | Castle | Cherry and maple: Mar–Apr, Nov |
| Lake Biwa 琵琶湖 | Shiga | Nature | April–October |
| Nagahama 長浜 | Shiga | Historic townscape | April–October |
| Iwami Ginzan 石見銀山 | Shimane | UNESCO site | April–October |
| Izumo Taisha 出雲大社 | Shimane | Temple / shrine | Year-round |
| Matsue Castle 松江城 | Shimane | Castle | April–October |
| Tamatsukuri Onsen 玉造温泉 | Shimane | Onsen town | October–November, autumn colour |
| Atami 熱海 | Shizuoka | Onsen town | Year-round |
| Fuji Speedway 富士スピードウェイ | Shizuoka | Sport venue | April–November |
| Izu Peninsula 伊豆半島 | Shizuoka | Onsen town | Year-round |
| Kakegawa · Tea Country 掛川・茶所 | Shizuoka | Food destination | April–November |
| Shimizu · Miho no Matsubara 清水・三保松原 | Shizuoka | Coast | April–October |
| Shuzenji Onsen 修善寺温泉 | Shizuoka | Onsen town | October–November, autumn colour |
| Ashikaga Flower Park あしかがフラワーパーク | Tochigi | Garden | April–November |
| Kinugawa Onsen 鬼怒川温泉 | Tochigi | Onsen town | October–November, autumn colour |
| Nasu 那須 | Tochigi | Nature | June–September |
| Nikko 日光 | Tochigi | UNESCO site | October–November, autumn colour |
| Awa Odori (Tokushima) 徳島・阿波おどり | Tokushima | City | July–August |
| Iya Valley 祖谷渓 | Tokushima | Nature | June–September |
| Naruto Whirlpools 鳴門の渦潮 | Tokushima | Nature | April–October |
| Asakusa · Senso-ji 浅草・浅草寺 | Tokyo | Temple / shrine | Year-round |
| Ginza 銀座 | Tokyo | City | Year-round |
| Marunouchi 丸の内 | Tokyo | City | Year-round, weekday business rhythm |
| Meiji Jingu 明治神宮 | Tokyo | Temple / shrine | Year-round |
| Shibuya 渋谷 | Tokyo | City | Year-round |
| Tokyo 東京 | Tokyo | City | Year-round |
| Toyosu · teamLab 豊洲・チームラボ | Tokyo | Art destination | Year-round |
| Ueno 上野 | Tokyo | Art destination | Cherry and maple: Mar–Apr, Nov |
| Kaike Onsen 皆生温泉 | Tottori | Onsen town | June–September |
| Misasa Onsen 三朝温泉 | Tottori | Onsen town | November–March, onsen and crab |
| Tottori Sand Dunes 鳥取砂丘 | Tottori | Nature | April–October |
| Gokayama 五箇山 | Toyama | UNESCO site | April–October |
| Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route 立山黒部アルペンルート | Toyama | Mountains | April–November |
| Unazuki Onsen 宇奈月温泉 | Toyama | Onsen town | October–November, autumn colour |
| Koyasan 高野山 | Wakayama | UNESCO site | April–October |
| Kumano Kodo 熊野古道 | Wakayama | UNESCO site | April–October |
| Nachi Falls 那智の滝 | Wakayama | UNESCO site | April–October |
| Shirahama 白浜 | Wakayama | Coast | June–September |
| Ginzan Onsen 銀山温泉 | Yamagata | Onsen town | November–March, onsen and crab |
| Yamadera 山寺 | Yamagata | Temple / shrine | April–October |
| Zao 蔵王 | Yamagata | Ski resort | December–March, snow season |
| Zao Onsen 蔵王温泉 | Yamagata | Onsen town | November–March, onsen and crab |
| Hagi 萩 | Yamaguchi | UNESCO site | April–October |
| Motonosumi Shrine 元乃隅神社 | Yamaguchi | Temple / shrine | April–October |
| Tsunoshima 角島 | Yamaguchi | Coast | June–September |
| Yuda Onsen 湯田温泉 | Yamaguchi | Onsen town | Year-round |
| Fuji Five Lakes 富士五湖 | Yamanashi | Nature | April–November |
| Katsunuma 勝沼 | Yamanashi | Sake and whisky | October–November, autumn colour |
| Kawaguchiko 河口湖 | Yamanashi | Nature | April–November |
| Mount Fuji 富士山 | Yamanashi | UNESCO site | July–August |