Akita Yokote City. Here are photos of spring, which has finally arrived. I felt the beauty and dignified presence of a single cherry blossom that has overcome the heavy snowfall.

I went to Uradome Coast in Tottori Prefecture! It was the first time I saw such a transparent sea, and it was very healing. I really hope you go see it! The croquettes sold at the Roadside Station in Iwami were also very delicious!☺️

The view of the fishing port seen from Armor Station in Kami Town, Hyogo Prefecture, was breathtakingly beautiful.

This is Horokanaicho in Hokkaido. You can encounter nostalgic rural landscapes that tickle your memory.

This is Horokanaicho in Hokkaido. You can encounter nostalgic rural landscapes that tickle your memory.

A special season unique to spring has begun at Enoura in Kanagawa Prefecture. About an hour from Tokyo. During this time, you can witness the "spawning of the Japanese common squid" in the waters of Japan. Usually drifting quietly in the sea, the squids begin to gather in shallow waters for spawning as spring arrives. Underwater, a unique tension and a quiet presence of life spread throughout. Divers can observe the squids heading to their spawning grounds and the eggs laid on branches up close. Spawning has just begun. Over the next few weeks, small lives will develop within the eggs. In a few weeks, you will also be able to see tiny baby squids swimming inside the eggs. Watching underwater feels like peeking into a small story within the sea. Moreover, this scenery can only be seen during the short period of spring. It's not at an aquarium, not in a video, but a seasonal landscape you can experience in the actual waters of Japan. On this day, we encountered clownfish, sea slugs, and even "underwater Doraemon." It's another side of Japan that you won't find just by visiting Tokyo or Kyoto. A day spent at the sea, a little away from the city, will surely become a special travel memory. Enoura is a diving area that can be visited as a day trip from Tokyo. Hokule'a Shonan offers small-group diving tours suitable for beginners. They also provide English support, making it popular among travelers from abroad and foreign residents in Japan. Come to the spring-only waters of Japan. Why not go see the quiet drama of life? 📍 Enoura (Kanagawa Prefecture) 🚃 Day trip possible from Tokyo 🤿 Small group tours with English support #Near Tokyo #Day trip #Extraordinary experience #Japanese common squid #Squid spawning

Some of Japan’s hidden gems are not places — but quiet moments noticed by the right people.

In search of the fresh leaves of May, I visited the tea-producing area of Ono, the Fujigouchi Tea Garden. If you listen closely, you can hear a singing voice from somewhere… "As summer approaches, on the 88th night, young leaves flourish in the fields and mountains. Is that tea being harvested over there? Wearing a red and white checkered apron and a hat made of bulrushes." Location: Ube City, Yamaguchi Prefecture

Hiraike Park in Kato City, Hyogo Prefecture. Within this spacious park, there are small ponds with water lilies and Ooga Lotus, which are about to be in full bloom. It's not a famous spot, but it's one of my favorite hidden gems where you can find peace and tranquility.

The sunset at Taga-cho, Shiga Prefecture, was perfect on this day!

A sunset captured from the road heading from Kitami to Bihoro.

Near the Amarube Trestle Bridge in Hyogo Prefecture, Heisei Suimei no Sato offers a stunning view of the Sea of Japan from its beautiful sandy beach. On a weekday afternoon just before the season, there are few visitors, allowing you to enjoy this scenery all to yourself.

There is a spring when window frames become paintings. The Kyoto Prefectural Office Former Main Building, located in Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto City, is an important cultural property built in 1904. Compared to Gion and Arashiyama, it attracts fewer visitors, making it a hidden gem where you can quietly savor the true depth of Kyoto. Every spring, the Cherry Blossom Viewing Festival is held, where magnificent weeping cherry trees bloom in the courtyard surrounded by Meiji-era Western-style architecture. The view of the cherry blossoms and the courtyard through the old wooden windows creates a composition that resembles a painting, offering a special spring experience unique to this place. Despite being an active government building, it is free to visit, allowing you to enjoy the luxurious collaboration of historical architecture and cherry blossoms. This is a place that those tired of the usual Kyoto sightseeing spots should definitely visit. 85-3 Yabunouchi-cho, Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto City.

Is there really such a different world in Nagoya? Yokisō, located in Chikusa Ward, Nagoya City, is a villa garden built by Jirozaemon Itō, the first president of Matsuzakaya, during the Taisho to Showa periods. Surprisingly little known even among locals, it is a hidden gem favored by connoisseurs. The vermilion bridge spanning the pond, the charming wooden corridor, and the autumn scenery with vibrant maple leaves reflecting on the water create a beauty reminiscent of Kyoto's famous gardens. The tranquil space enveloped in shades of green, yellow, and red allows you to forget the hustle and bustle of the city. Admission is free, making it easy to visit, and it remains uncrowded even during the autumn foliage season. Be sure to enjoy this hidden Japanese garden, the best in Nagoya. 2-5-17 Hōō-chō, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya-shi, Aichi-ken, Japan.

Is this Nagoya? It’s a corridor from another world that makes you do a double take. The Nagoya City Archives, located in Higashi Ward, Nagoya City, is an important cultural property built in 1922 in the Neo-Baroque style. Compared to Nagoya Castle and Sakae, it has fewer tourists, making it a hidden architectural gem where you can take your time exploring. Upon entering the building, you are greeted by an elegant marble staircase, stained glass, and arched windows that create a majestic space, making you feel as if you've wandered into a European palace. Its overwhelming beauty has made it a popular filming location for dramas and movies. The fact that admission is free and you can easily drop by is another delightful point. You can discover a new side of Nagoya. 3-1 Shirakabe 1-chome, Higashi-ku, Nagoya-shi, Aichi-ken, Japan.

A sunflower field in the city center, encountered right in front of the station. Located just next to Nagoya Station, the Dai Nagoya Building hosts a stunning sunflower field every summer, a hidden gem known to those in the know amidst the towering skyscrapers of the downtown area. The golden rows of sunflowers create a unique contrast with the modern glass buildings, offering a one-of-a-kind view that is distinctly Nagoya. Even passersby can't help but stop in their tracks, amazed that such a floral spectacle can be enjoyed right in front of the station without needing to travel far. During the event period, admission is free, making it an attractive stop to visit while shopping or having lunch. This is a delightful spot to quietly add to your summer sightseeing in Nagoya. 3-28-12 Meieki, Nakamura-ku, Nagoya City, Aichi Prefecture.

On a summer night, lanterns sway in the fiery sky. Tokugawa Garden, located in Higashi-ku, Nagoya City, is an authentic Japanese garden associated with the Owari Tokugawa family. Unlike Nagoya Castle, which attracts many tourists, this hidden gem allows you to leisurely enjoy the seasonal scenery. The Floating Lanterns event, held every year during the Obon period, is especially a must-see. Against the backdrop of a blazing sunset gradient, the sight of numerous white lanterns floating on the tranquil surface of the pond is breathtakingly beautiful. The weeping willows and green pines are fantastically illuminated, creating an extraordinary atmosphere that feels far removed from the city. Be sure to visit for a special summer memory.

In the purple tunnel, you forget the time. Tennogawa Park in Tsushima City, Aichi Prefecture, is cherished locally as a famous spot for wisteria, yet it remains a hidden gem with modest national recognition. From late April to early May each year, the massive wisteria trellises that cover the area are nothing short of breathtaking. Clusters of pink, purple, and white flowers hang down like waterfalls, creating a fantastical space that feels like stepping into another world. The nighttime illumination reveals a different, ethereal, and glamorous expression compared to the daytime. The free admission is also a delightful point, and it's conveniently accessible, taking about 40 minutes by train from Nagoya. 1 Miyagawa-cho, Tsushima City, Aichi Prefecture.

Discover a hidden gem in Nagoya. Quietly standing in the heart of Nagoya is Ueno Tenmangu Shrine, dedicated to Sugawara no Michizane, the god of learning. While well-known among locals, it remains an off-the-beaten-path spot for tourists. The impressive bronze statue of the reclining cow in the shrine grounds is a stunning sight. In front of it, colorful omikuji dolls in red, yellow, and green are neatly arranged, exuding a cuteness that makes you want to take a photo. The contrast between the vermilion shrine and the clear blue sky is beautiful, and aside from the exam season, you can visit peacefully with fewer people around. If you're tired of the usual tourist spots in Nagoya, make sure to stop by. 3-40-2 Uchiyama 3-chome, Chikusa Ward, Nagoya City, Aichi Prefecture, Japan.

The weeping cherry blossoms at Zōsen-ji in Iida City, Nagano Prefecture, lit up on March 28, 2026. The blossoms were in full bloom. There were a few photographers present. I visited after seeing a photo in the brochure for the one-tree cherry blossom tour in Iida City. There were so many beautiful cherry blossoms that I couldn't see them all in one day. I hope to explore again next year.

Kochi Prefecture, Ioki Cave I went on my first trip with my colleagues who I've become close with and as we progressed through this quiet place where we could hear the chirping of birds, we were able to take photos that felt like an adventure!

Kochi Prefecture, Ioki Cave A natural sea cave formed by wave erosion Although it was May and the temperature was close to 27 degrees, it felt cool and the sound was quiet It's a hidden gem with not many people around!

This is a photo taken from the bus window while returning from Nagano Prefecture to Tokyo during my third year of junior high school on a school trip. The scene of the sun setting overlaps with the bittersweet feeling of the fun school trip coming to an end. It's one of my favorite photos, as it beautifully evokes many memories. Japan has many tourist attractions and unique hidden gems, but I chose this photo because I believe that the beauty and special moments found in the ordinary scenery, which often go unnoticed, are also wonderful hidden spots in Japan.

For just a few minutes, the sea and sky blended together. The scene I encountered at Cape Hazu in Aichi Prefecture was enveloped in a surreal tranquility. The rigid silhouette of my beloved Toyopet Corona contrasted with the graceful movement above it. Amid the changing seasons and passage of time, this moment felt as if it had stopped forever, capturing a strange sense of exhilaration.

I was impressed by the mystical atmosphere of Akame 48 Falls, a ninja village in Mie! While soaking in the negative ions from Senju Falls, I took countless photos and enjoyed a luxurious time~🧡

Scenery I want to preserve in Japan. Yotsuya Senmaida, selected as one of the top 100 rice terraces. The moist air after the rain created an emotional atmosphere and was very pleasant. May 2026, Yotsuya Senmaida, Shinshiro City

Wisteria Rain It's an umbrella, you know ( ´艸｀) Location: Yamaguchi City, Yamaguchi Prefecture

Swaying in the wind, my own special seat. A small hill enveloped by pampas grass, offering a panoramic view of Hatoyamamachi in Saitama Prefecture. This place, away from the hustle and bustle of tourist spots, flows with quiet moments and gentle breezes. It's a hidden gem, still unknown to many, where you can unwind and relax.

This is the Paperbush grove in Mushiidani, Akitakata City. The valley is completely covered with Paperbush, making it feel as if surrounded by a swarm of fireflies. Location: Hiroshima Prefecture, Akitakata City

This is also the first year for the indoor exhibition at Tokachi Hills' Umbrella Sky. I remembered seeing something similar somewhere, and that's probably because it resembles an event in a certain location in Fukushima Prefecture.