Best of 2024 Hidden Wonders | Japan's Busiest Year for Tourism

Japan is set to welcome a record-breaking number of tourists in 2024, making its hidden gems glow even brighter amidst the crowds. In one of our readers' favorite columns, "Hidden Wonders of Japan," we spotlighted some of these lesser-known destinations.

As the year comes to a close, we are delighted to share a special selection of popular columns from this series. We revisit the top five articles, ending with our most-read Hidden Wonders of 2024, which captivated over 40,000 readers as winter started to thaw.

Check out these gems and discover why thousands read the Hidden Wonders of Japan series this year. Once again, thanks for following JAPAN Forward!

The Nostalgic Shopping Street Facing Redevelopment in Tokyo

By: Masahiro Sakai, October 19, 2024

In a few years, the Tateishi Nakamise Shopping Street, lined with old-school izakayas, grocery shops, and food stalls will be redeveloped into a disaster-resistant complex.

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*Tateishi Nakamise Shopping Street in eastern Tokyo. (©Sankei by Masahiro Sakai)*

1000 Years of Beautiful Hina Dolls at Special Tokyo Exhibition

By: Miho Suzuki, March 2, 2024

The exhibition at Hotel Gajoen showcased seven rooms presenting hundreds of hina dolls from different eras and themes, alongside traditional and modern art.

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*The "Gyosho Room" finished with pure gold leaf, showcasing around 800 dolls from Iizuka, Fukuoka Prefecture. Meguro-ku, Tokyo. (©Sankei by Miho Suzuki)*

The Quarry Behind Tokyo's Most Iconic Structures

By: Katsuyuki Seki, September 7, 2024

A massive quarry in Kasama City, Ibaraki Prefecture, yields the renowned Inada Stone, used in Japan's iconic landmarks like Tokyo Station and Nihonbashi Bridge.

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*One of the active quarry sites for Inada Stone. The location has been used for films and promotional videos. Kasama City, Ibaraki Prefecture. (©Sankei by Katsuyuki Seki)*

Shohei Ohtani Stars in New Children's Day Doll Lineup

By: The Sankei Shimbun, May 4, 2024

Kyugetsu's special doll collection "This Year's Shining Hopes" featured MLB stars Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto, alongside Ishikawa-born sumo wrestlers.

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*Kyugetsu's 2024 "This Year's Shining Hopes" collection of Gogatsu Ningyo (May dolls). (©Sankei by Yoshinori Saito)*

Beautiful Plum Blossoms in Tokyo at Peak Season

By: Earl Kinmonth, February 24, 2024

Japanese plum blossoms were in season until early March, blooming in varying shades of white and pink in gardens and shrine precincts across Tokyo.

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*Ume blossoms in Mukojima-Hyakkaen Garden in Sumida, Tokyo. (©JAPAN Forward by EH Kinmonth)*

Will any of these make it onto your travel itinerary for 2025? JAPAN Forward wishes you a Happy New Year, filled with adventure and wanderlust.

Read other columns in the series Hidden Wonders of Japan.

Author: JAPAN Forward