Top 10 Best Prefectures in Japan

Home to some of Japan's best gardens, castles, historic districts, fruit, food, nature, and onsen, Okayama Prefecture has a lot to offer. It remains off the beaten path enough that there are not hordes of tourists overcrowding the sites, allowing you to actually enjoy them.

Magnificent place with some of the best scenery and onsens. Not forgetting the beautiful castles, temples, and of course, food!

Although it is the smallest prefecture, Kagawa has a lot of amazing sites packed within its borders. These include Ritsurin Garden, numerous world-class art islands, Marugame Castle, Kotohiki Park, Konpirasan, etc.

With the Shimanto River, Ryugado Cave, and many scenic capes and coastlines, Kochi is great for nature lovers. As the birthplace of the famous samurai, Sakamoto Ryoma, and home to one of Japan's original castles, it is also popular among history buffs. Kochi offers an excellent diversion for those looking to go outside of the typical traveler's itinerary.

A scenic prefecture with historic sites surrounding Lake Biwa, it features Hikone Castle, Taga Shrine, and many old castle battle sites in the north. To the south, you'll find Mount Hiei, Ishiyama-dera, and the Omi-Hachiman historic area.

Of course, Kyoto City steals much of the prefecture's spotlight. As the former capital, it is home to imperial palaces and hundreds of famous temples and shrines. However, there are also many interesting places beyond Kyoto City, such as the Byodoin Temple in Uji, Amanohashidate in Miyazu, Ikkyuji Temple in Kyotanabe, and Miyama's thatched roofs in Nantan, for visitors willing to venture out.

The northernmost prefecture of Honshu, Aomori is home to Osorezan, known as the gateway to hell, the famous Nebuta Matsuri, Hirosaki Castle, and many interesting natural sites.

An often forgotten prefecture, Fukui has sites like Tojimbo, Maruoka Castle, Eiheiji Temple, Kehi Shrine, Ichijodani, etc. It is well worth a stop to see and explore what it has to offer.

Extended along the San-in Coast, Shimane Prefecture is both scenic and historic. Some of its popular sites include Matsue Castle, Tamatsukuri Onsen, Iwami Ginzan silver mines, and the Christian sites in Tsuwano.

The Izumo region, located within the prefecture, is a significant spiritual site. Izumo Shrine is the most famous, but many other shrines and temples here have been mentioned in important historic documents.

Its large size with great cities and fantastic landscapes, this prefecture deserves to be in the top ten!

Beautiful mountains, streams, pines, and Cypress, and the finest clay for ceramics.

Yamagata Prefecture has the interesting designation as the place with the most Buddhist mummies. It is also home to Yamadera and the famous Dewa Sanzan. In the winter, the Zao 'Snow Monsters' are a popular attraction. The local Yonezawa Beef is considered to be among Japan's best.

How is this not first? It has Tokyo city. Do I have to say more?

Beautiful island of Miyajima, very friendly locals, and the energy of the city which has risen from radioactive ashes.

Nara Prefecture is a history-lover's dream. Similar to Kyoto, but sites are less concentrated in a single city.

Home to the Ibusuki Sandbaths, an active volcano, the beautiful Chiran district, and the World Heritage Yakushima Island, which served as part of the inspiration for the forest in Princess Mononoke, Kagoshima is an excellent place off the main tourist track.

The Kumano Pilgrimage Route and all of the temples and shrines along the trail dominate the landscape of the prefecture. It offers a great combination of history and nature. After enjoying the pilgrimage sites, visitors can enjoy Shirahama Onsen, one of the nation's top hot springs.