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.

This sky is unique to this place. Located in the northern part of Mie Prefecture, Inabe City is a nature-rich agricultural town overlooking the Suzuka Mountains. From late September to early October each year, the vast fields are blanketed with white buckwheat flowers in full bloom. During sunset, the dramatic sky is dyed in shades of crimson, creating a fantastical scene where the silhouette of flower fields stretches to the horizon against the backdrop of the mountains, resembling a painting. It is precisely because of the unspoiled rural landscape that one can experience this overwhelming sense of scale and tranquility. With easy access, just about an hour's drive from Nagoya, be sure to visit with your camera in hand to seek out this hidden gem of a view. Inabe City, Mie Prefecture, Inabe Town.

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.

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.

At the foot of Mount Fuji lies Lake Motosu. 🗻 Located in Yamanashi Prefecture at an elevation of about 900 meters, Lake Motosu is a rare freshwater diving spot in Japan. The water in the lake is highly transparent, revealing a serene blue world. 💧 Underwater, you can see fantastical landscapes formed by the eruptions of Mount Fuji, volcanic ash accumulating on the lakebed, and large sunken trees. In some places, spring water flowing from Mount Fuji emerges from the lakebed. It offers a tranquility completely different from the sea. This is a special underwater world connected to the history of Japan's iconic Mount Fuji. Just a short distance from Tokyo, you can discover landscapes of Japan that you won't encounter through typical tourism. 🇯🇵 Hokulea Shonan offers small-group diving tours in lakes around Mount Fuji and the seas near Tokyo. 🌊 A tour of Lake Motosu is also scheduled for August 9-10, 2026. Be sure to experience the tranquil blue world at the foot of Mount Fuji. ✨ #Near Tokyo #Nature Experience #Lake Diving #Day Trip #Local Travel #Japanese Scenery

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

Event Announcement📣 On May 16th (Saturday), the "Sumomo no Sato Matsuri 2026" will be held in Sarabetsumura😊 This event allows you to enjoy cherry blossom viewing and local gourmet food in the "Sumomo no Sato," where about 1,000 plum blossoms will be in full bloom🎵 At the venue, there will also be a "Nodate" (outdoor tea ceremony) by the tea ceremony club and a "Yoga Experience." Additionally, as a special gift for attendees, the first 500 people who respond to the survey will receive a bag of "Donguri Mura Potato Chips"‼ Furthermore, a photo contest will be held simultaneously! Please post your photos of plum blossoms taken at Sumomo no Sato on Instagram with the hashtag "#SarabetsumuraSumomoNoSatoMatsuri2026" and tag the Sarabetsumura Tourism Association (sarabetsumura_kankou)! Prizes will be awarded for outstanding works, so be sure to participate🤗 Date and Time: May 16, 2026 (Saturday) 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM *The event will be held rain or shine Location: Inside Donguri Park, Sarabetsu Sumomo no Sato https://www.sarabetsu.jp/sightseeing/event/sumomo/...

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 Mitsumata Colony in Mushiidani, Akitakata City. The entire valley is covered with Mitsumata, making it feel as if surrounded by a swarm of fireflies.

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.

This is the Umbrella Sky (Sakura) at Tokachi Hills in Makubetsu, Hokkaido. It is held every June, but this year it started in May. A few days ago, there was a day of strong winds that caused damage, leading to its closure. Although repairs have been made since then, full recovery seems difficult. From June, the colors of the umbrellas will change significantly.

Rokka no Mori, located in Nakasatsunaimura, Hokkaido, is a vast area dotted with small art museums, where wildflowers that change with the seasons will greet you.

A stunning display of carp streamers spreads across the rice fields! The Koinobori Revival Project: Let the carp streamers swim high in the sky! 【Event Dates】 ◆April 6th to May 2nd, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM ​Exhibition of carp streamers ​ *Please note that the carp streamers may not be displayed in strong winds or rain. ◆May 3rd to May 5th, 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM Nighttime (6:00 PM to 9:00 PM) illumination available 【Location】2-29-20 Higashifukui, Ibaraki City The location is about a 5-minute walk from the parking lot of Shinryu-ji Temple. If you wish to see the carp streamers, please park your car at the parking lot of Shinryu-ji Temple.🎏

It's amazing how just seeing this color the moment I leave the house in the morning makes me think, "Let's do our best today!" The power of plants is incredible 😊

From the summit of a small mountain called Uomidake in Ibusuki City, Kagoshima Prefecture, you can see a landscape that feels like a foreign land. Since there are not many tourists, you can take your time.

The puddle formed in the riverbed reflected the beautiful upside-down cherry blossoms.