Japan Interactive Maps: Now Live

I've been working on something for the past few weeks, and today it goes live.

An interactive map of Japanese destinations worth visiting.

Explore a curated collection of Japan's lesser-known destinations—over 100 hidden gems ranging from misty mountain temples to secluded coastal valleys spanning 8 regions. This isn't a generic travel list; it's a growing resource that expands as I research and experience Japan firsthand.

What's Included

Right now, the map has 100+ locations across all major regions of Japan:

• Hokkaido: Volcanic valleys, onsen towns, and the clearest crater lake in the country
• Tohoku: Hidden valleys, fairy-tale villages, and samurai history
• Kanto: Coastal towns, pilgrimage routes, and day trips from Tokyo
• Kansai: The essentials — temples, shrines, and cultural landmarks
• Chugoku: Gardens, canals, and coastal views
• Shikoku: Pilgrimage trails, cycling routes, and island life
• Kyushu: Hot springs, volcanoes, and nature reserves

How It Works

Each location on the map is tagged by what it's best for:

• 🏞️ Hidden Valleys
• 🎨 Art Islands
• 🚴 Cycling Routes
• 🌸 Gardens & Cherry Blossoms
• ⛩️ Shrines & Temples
• ♨️ Hot Springs
• 🏯 Samurai History
• 🌲 Nature & Wilderness
• 🥾 Hiking Trails
• 🌋 Volcanoes

You can filter by region and category, switch between map and card view, and click through to Google Maps for exact locations.

Why I Built This

Japan guides online tend to repeat the same 20 places — Kyoto, Tokyo, Osaka, Hiroshima. Those are incredible cities, but they're not all of Japan.

Some of my favorite experiences have been in places I almost skipped — a volcanic crater lake in Noboribetsu, a fairy-tale village in Tohoku, a cycling route across the Seto Inland Sea.

The map is designed to help you discover those places too.

What's Next

I'll keep adding locations as I write, make reels and content about them.

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Explore the Map

🗺️ Open Japan Maps

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