Japan audio guides

Explore free Mappu audio guides across Japan. These pages collect quick, source-aware landmark guides that travelers can read, preview, and turn into their own trip context.

All audio guides

Free audio guides in Japan: quick answers

Are the audio guides in Japan free?

Yes. All 256 guides on this page are free to listen to: no payment, no subscription and no account. Only creating a new guide for another place in the Mappu app is a separate feature that may use credits.

Do I need to download an app to listen on my phone?

No. The guides play in your phone’s browser: open the page and listen, on a computer too. The Mappu app is optional.

How long is each audio guide?

They are short: a typical guide in Japan lasts about 6 minutes, in 5 short sections, about the length of a stop on a city walk.

Are they easy to use for older travelers?

Yes. There is nothing to install and no form to fill in: open a guide and press play. The full text is on the same page, so you can read along or read instead of listening.

How do I start an audio guide?

Pick a place from the list below (or search for it), open its guide and press play. Headphones help at busy sights. Audio playback uses the voices available in your browser.

Destination collections

Photo attribution

Dazaifu: Jakub Hałun / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Fuji Five Lakes: Otto Domes / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Fukuoka: Pontafon / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0 (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Hakodate: Keihin nike / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0 (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Hakone: leon&mae / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 2.0 (CC BY 2.0)
Himeji: Sue Winston
Hiroshima: Balon Greyjoy / Wikimedia Commons / CC0 (CC0)
Kamakura: Fg2 / Wikimedia Commons / Public domain (Public domain)
Kanazawa: 金沢市 / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 2.1 jp (CC BY 2.1 jp)
Kawagoe: 三人日 / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Kobe: Saigen Jiro / Wikimedia Commons / CC0 (CC0)
Kyoto: Martin Falbisoner / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Matsushima: Kumamushi / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0 (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Miyajima: Sailko / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 3.0 (CC BY 3.0)
Nagasaki: Fg2 / Wikimedia Commons / Public domain (Public domain)
Naha: 663highland / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 2.5 (CC BY 2.5)
Nara: Wiiii / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0 (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Nikko: Adrian Tync / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Osaka: Jeremy Santana
Sapporo: Ozizo / Wikimedia Commons / CC0 (CC0)
Takayama: 663highland / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 2.5 (CC BY 2.5)
Tokyo: Alex
Yokohama: Dddeco / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 2.5 (CC BY 2.5)

Audio guides in Japan

Photo attribution

Arakurayama Sengen Park: Otto Domes / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Fujisan Shimomiya Omuro Sengen Shrine: Supanut Arunoprayote / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 4.0 (CC BY 4.0)
Kawaguchi Asama Shrine: Saigen Jiro / Wikimedia Commons / CC0 (CC0)
Lake Kawaguchi: 663highland / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Arakura Fuji Sengen Shrine: Yatukiyurei / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Dazaifu Tenmangū: Jakub Hałun / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Fukuoka Art Museum: Hirho / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 4.0 (CC BY 4.0)
Fukuoka Castle: Pontafon / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0 (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Kushida Shrine: Pontafon / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0 (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Kyushu National Museum: ノボホショコロトソ / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 4.0 (CC BY 4.0)
Nakasu: Hirho / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Ōhori Park: Tzuhsun Hsu from Taipei, Taiwan / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 2.0 (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Shōfuku-ji Temple: Pontafon / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0 (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Sumiyoshi Shrine: そらみみ / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Tōchō Temple: Pontafon / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0 (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Goryōkaku: Keihin nike / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0 (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Hakodate Hachimangu Shrine: 掬茶 / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Hakodate Park: Iso10970 / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Hakodate Orthodox Church: 663highland / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 2.5 (CC BY 2.5)
Ferry Memorial Ship Mashu-maru: Saigen Jiro / Wikimedia Commons / CC0 (CC0)
Hakone Open-Air Museum: leon&mae / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 2.0 (CC BY 2.0)
Onshi Hakone Park: Quercus acuta / Wikimedia Commons / CC0 (CC0)
Hakone Shrine: Aimaimyi / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0 (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Mount Kami: Batholith / Wikimedia Commons / Public domain (Public domain)
Okada Museum of Art: 663highland / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Ōwakudani: ohkubo / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0 (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Kōko-en Garden: 663highland / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 2.5 (CC BY 2.5)
Aioi Bridge: Taisyo / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 3.0 (CC BY 3.0)
Noboricho Catholic Church: Original uploader was Taisyo at jp.wikipedia / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0 (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Children's Peace Monument: Hyppolyte de Saint-Rambert / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 4.0 (CC BY 4.0)
Daishō Temple: Sailko / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 3.0 (CC BY 3.0)
Hiroshima Castle: Samudes / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Hiroshima Gokoku Shrine: Madhav Sharma / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum: Taisyo / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0 (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park: Balon Greyjoy / Wikimedia Commons / CC0 (CC0)
Itsukushima Shrine: JordyMeow / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0 (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Shukkei Garden: No machine-readable author provided. Fg2 assumed (based on copyright claims). / Wikimedia Commons / Public domain (Public domain)
Himeji Castle: Sue Winston
Kiyomizu-dera: Martin Falbisoner / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Engaku-ji: Fg2 / Wikimedia Commons / Public domain (Public domain)
Enoshima: Σ64 / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 4.0 (CC BY 4.0)
Enoshima Sea Candle: photo: Qurren (talk) Taken with Canon IXY 430F (Digital IXUS 245 HS) / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0 (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Enoshima Shrine: Aimaimyi / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0 (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Hase-dera: 663highland / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Hōkoku Temple: Kakidai / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Jufuku-ji: Naokijp / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Kamakura-Gu Shrine: Urashimataro / Wikimedia Commons / Public domain (Public domain)
Kenchō-ji: Wiiii / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0 (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Kōtoku-in: 663highland / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Tōkei-ji: Naokijp / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Tsurugaoka Hachimangū: Ocdp / Wikimedia Commons / CC0 (CC0)
Yuigahama: 663highland / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Zeniarai Benzaiten Ugafuku Shrine: Quercus acuta / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art Kanazawa: 金沢市 / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 2.1 jp (CC BY 2.1 jp)
D. T. Suzuki Museum: 金沢市 / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 2.1 jp (CC BY 2.1 jp)
Kanazawa Castle: 663highland / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 2.5 (CC BY 2.5)
Kenroku-en: 663highland / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 2.5 (CC BY 2.5)
Myōryū-ji Temple: Irina Gelbukh / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0 (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Oyama Shrine: Yusuke.ogawa / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 2.5 (CC BY 2.5)
Hikawa Shrine: 三人日 / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Kawagoe Castle: Twilight2640 / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0 (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Kita-in Temple: tak1701d / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0 (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Semba Toshogu: Abasaa / Wikimedia Commons / Public domain (Public domain)
Time Bell Tower: Syohei Arai / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Ikuta Shrine: Saigen Jiro / Wikimedia Commons / CC0 (CC0)
Kobe Port Tower: 663highland / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 2.5 (CC BY 2.5)
Meriken Park: 663highland / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 2.5 (CC BY 2.5)
Minatogawa Shrine: Unknown author / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0 (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Nankinmachi: Tomomarusan / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 2.5 (CC BY 2.5)
Adashino Nenbutsu-ji Temple: 663highland / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Arashiyama: Takeshi Kuboki from Amagasaki, Japan / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 2.0 (CC BY 2.0)
Arashiyama Bamboo Grove: Duong Nguyen
Chion-in: BriYYZ from Toronto, Canada / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 2.0 (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Chishaku-in: 663highland / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 2.5 (CC BY 2.5)
Daikaku-ji: PlusMinus / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0 (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Daitoku-ji: 663highland / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Fushimi Inari Taisha: Stefan K
Gion: Sorasak
Goou Shrine: No machine-readable author provided. S kitahashi assumed (based on copyright claims). / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0 (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Heian Shrine: Saigen Jiro / Wikimedia Commons / CC0 (CC0)
Higashi Hongan-ji: 663highland / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Higashiyama: Andre Benz
Hirano Shrine: 掬茶 / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Hōkō-ji: 663highland / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 2.5 (CC BY 2.5)
Honnō-ji: PlusMinus / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0 (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Imamiya Shrine: 663highland / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Monkey Park Iwatayama: Minseong Kim / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Kenkun Shrine: Yanajin33 / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0 (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Kennin-ji: 663highland / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 2.5 (CC BY 2.5)
Kinkaku-ji: Basile Morin / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Kitano Tenmangū: 663highland / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 2.5 (CC BY 2.5)
Kōdai-ji: No machine-readable author provided. Fg2 assumed (based on copyright claims). / Wikimedia Commons / Public domain (Public domain)
Kyoto Gyoen National Garden: Hyppolyte de Saint-Rambert / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Kyoto Imperial Palace: Saigen Jiro / Wikimedia Commons / CC0 (CC0)
Kyoto International Manga Museum: ja:利用者:珈琲ルンバ / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0 (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Kyoto National Museum: 663highland / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Kyoto Railway Museum: BWard 1997 / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 4.0 (CC BY 4.0)
Kyoto Tower: Asturio Cantabrio / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Matsunoo Taisha: Saigen Jiro / Wikimedia Commons / CC0 (CC0)
Minami-za: Chainwit. / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Nanzen-ji: 663highland / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Nijo Castle: Eleonora Albasi
Ninna-ji: 663highland / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 2.5 (CC BY 2.5)
Nishi Honganji: 663highland / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 2.5 (CC BY 2.5)
Nishiki Market: Pitan / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0 (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Nonomiya Shrine: nnh / Wikimedia Commons / Public domain (Public domain)
Ōkōchi Sansō: 663highland / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 2.5 (CC BY 2.5)
Rokkaku-dō: Hyppolyte de Saint-Rambert / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 4.0 (CC BY 4.0)
Ryōan-ji: 663highland / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Saihō-ji Temple: 江戸村のとくぞう / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Sanjūsangen-dō: 663highland / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 2.5 (CC BY 2.5)
Seimei Shrine: Naokijp / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Seiryō-ji: Mti / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0 (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Shimogamo Shrine: May
Shinsen-en: 663highland / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 2.5 (CC BY 2.5)
Shiramine Jingu: nnh / Wikimedia Commons / Public domain (Public domain)
Tenryū-ji: osakaosaka / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0 (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Tofuku-ji: 663highland / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 2.5 (CC BY 2.5)
Togetsu Bridge: Blue Lotus from Arashiyama, Kyoto / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 2.0 (CC BY 2.0)
Tōji-in Temple: 663highland / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Hōkoku-jinja: 663highland / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 2.5 (CC BY 2.5)
Hōkan Temple: 663highland / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 2.5 (CC BY 2.5)
Yasaka Shrine: Zairon / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Entsū-in: Kumamushi / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0 (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Fukuurajima: LBM1948 / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Godai-dō: Tak1701d / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0 (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Michinoku Date Masamune Historical Museum: 運動会プロテインパワー / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Saigyo Modoshi no Matsu Park: Makoto_Lab / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 4.0 (CC BY 4.0)
Zuigan-ji: 663highland / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Dejima: 663highland / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 2.5 (CC BY 2.5)
Glover Garden: Fg2 / Wikimedia Commons / Public domain (Public domain)
Megane Bridge: LuxTonnerre / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 2.0 (CC BY 2.0)
Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum: Yoshio Kohara / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 3.0 (CC BY 3.0)
Nagasaki Peace Park: STA3816 / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0 (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Nagasaki Shinchi Chinatown: そらみみ (Soramimi) / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Ōura Church: Houjyou-Minori / Wikimedia Commons / CC0 (CC0)
Sannō Shrine: ぱちょぴ（pacyopi） / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0 (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Sōfuku-ji Temple: Fg2 / Wikimedia Commons / Public domain (Public domain)
Suwa Shrine: Fg2 / Wikimedia Commons / Public domain (Public domain)
Twenty-Six Martyrs Museum: No machine-readable author provided. Fk assumed (based on copyright claims). / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 2.5 (CC BY-SA 2.5)
Fukushuen Garden: 663highland / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 2.5 (CC BY 2.5)
Gokoku Temple: ChiefHira / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0 (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Naminoue Shrine: ChiefHira / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0 (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Shureimon: 663highland / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 2.5 (CC BY 2.5)
Shuri Castle: 663highland / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 2.5 (CC BY 2.5)
Tamaudun: 663highland / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 2.5 (CC BY 2.5)
Chūgū Temple: Wiiii / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0 (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Fujinoki Tomb: 663highland / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 2.5 (CC BY 2.5)
Gangō-ji: Saigen Jiro / Wikimedia Commons / CC0 (CC0)
Hōryū-ji: 663highland / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 2.5 (CC BY 2.5)
Kasuga-taisha: Saigen Jiro / Wikimedia Commons / CC0 (CC0)
Kōfuku-ji: 663highland / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Mount Wakakusa: The original uploader was OhMyDeer at English Wikipedia. / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 2.1 jp (CC BY-SA 2.1 jp)
Nara National Museum: 663highland / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 2.5 (CC BY 2.5)
Nara Park: Daderot / Wikimedia Commons / CC0 (CC0)
Shōsōin: あずきごはん / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Tōdai-ji: 663highland / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 2.5 (CC BY 2.5)
Chūzen Temple: Adrian Tync / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Futarasan Shrine: Fg2 / Wikimedia Commons / Public domain (Public domain)
Nikkō Tōshō-gū: Koichi Sato / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Rinnō Temple Complex: Unknown author / Wikimedia Commons / Public domain (Public domain)
Tamozawa Imperial Villa Memorial Park: Fabimaru / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
American Village: No machine-readable author provided. Davey 88 assumed (based on copyright claims). / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0 (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Osaka Castle: Jeremy Santana
Dōtonbori: blieusong / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 2.0 (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Isshinji Temple: KENPEI / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0 (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Nakanoshima: Mc681 / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Nakanoshima Museum of Art: Прикли / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 4.0 (CC BY 4.0)
National Museum of Art: 663highland / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 2.5 (CC BY 2.5)
Nipponbashi Bridge: Kansai explorer / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 3.0 (CC BY 3.0)
Osaka Tenmangu: 663highland / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 2.5 (CC BY 2.5)
Shinsaibashi: Mc681 / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Shinsekai: Dick Thomas Johnson from Tokyo, Japan / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 2.0 (CC BY 2.0)
Shitennō-ji: 名古屋太郎 / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0 (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Sōemon: Tuyo / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0 (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Tennoji Zoo: KENPEI / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0 (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Tsūtenkaku: Mc681 / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Kita Ichijo Catholic Church: Ozizo / Wikimedia Commons / CC0 (CC0)
Hokkaido Museum of Modern Art: K. Takeda at Japanese Wikipedia / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0 (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Hokkaido University General Museum: Mkuriki / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Odori Park: redlegsfan21 / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 2.0 (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Sapporo Clock Tower: Balon Greyjoy / Wikimedia Commons / CC0 (CC0)
Sapporo TV Tower: 欅 (Keyaki) / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0 (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Hida Kokubun-ji: 663highland / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 2.5 (CC BY 2.5)
Hida Takayama Museum of Art: Not.found.404 / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0 (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Hie Shrine: nnh / Wikimedia Commons / Public domain (Public domain)
Miyagawa Morning Market: Abasaa / Wikimedia Commons / Public domain (Public domain)
Sakurayama Hachiman Shrine: 663highland / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 2.5 (CC BY 2.5)
Shiroyama Park: Oren Rozen / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Ameya-Yokochō: 663highland / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 2.5 (CC BY 2.5)
Aoyama Cemetery: Cabeza2000 / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Asakusa and the Sacred Heart of Tokyo: Claudio Guglieri
Asakusa Shrine: Kakidai / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0 (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Atago Shrine: Chris 73 / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0 (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Cat Street: Aw1805 / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0 (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Center Gai: Douglas P. Perkins / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 3.0 (CC BY 3.0)
Chidorigafuchi National Cemetery: Abasaa / Wikimedia Commons / Public domain (Public domain)
Hanazono Jinja Shrine: nnh / Wikimedia Commons / Public domain (Public domain)
Hibiya Park: 663highland / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 2.5 (CC BY 2.5)
Hie Shrine: MaedaAkihiko / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Hikawa-jinja: Chiether / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0 (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Tokyo Imperial Palace and the Iconic Nijubashi: Joan
Imperial Palace East Gardens: Don Ramey Logan / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0 (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Kabukichō: Prcmise / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Kan'eiji Temple: Kakidai / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Jinbōchō: Lombroso / Wikimedia Commons / Public domain (Public domain)
Kanda Myojin: Zairon / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Kitanomaru Park: Gary Bembridge from London/ New York, UK / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 2.0 (CC BY 2.0)
Kokyo Gaien National Garden: Guilhem Vellut / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 2.0 (CC BY 2.0)
Kyu-Iwasaki-Tei Garden: Wiiii / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0 (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Kyu Shiba Rikyu Garden: Unknown author / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0 (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Marunouchi: Basile Morin / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Meiji Shrine: aestelle
Mitsubishi Ichigokan Museum: Wish.F / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 3.0 (CC BY 3.0)
Mori Art Museum: Wing1990hk / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 3.0 (CC BY 3.0)
Museum of the Imperial Collections: 江戸村のとくぞう / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
National Film Archive of Japan: Jmho / Wikimedia Commons / CC0 (CC0)
National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo: Kakidai / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
National Museum of Nature and Science: 663highland / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 2.5 (CC BY 2.5)
National Museum of Western Art: 663highland / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
National Showa Memorial Museum: Wiiii / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0 (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Nezu Shrine: Wiiii / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0 (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Ni-Tele Really Big Clock: street viewer2 / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 2.0 (CC BY 2.0)
Nogi Shrine: Rs1421 / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0 (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Omotesandō: Rs1421 / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0 (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Senso-ji: Alex
Shibuya: Ximonic (Simo Räsänen) / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Shinjuku: Basile Morin / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Shinjuku Central Park: Hyougushi / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 2.0 (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Shinjuku Golden Gai: Gzzz / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Shinjuku Gyoen: Kakidai / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0 (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Shinjuku Ni-chōme: LittleT889 / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Suntory Museum of Art: Rs1421 / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0 (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Takeshita Street: Asanagi / Wikimedia Commons / CC0 (CC0)
National Art Center, Tokyo: Kakidai / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Togo-jinja Shrine: KENPEI / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0 (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Tokyo Mosque: Abasaa / Wikimedia Commons / Public domain (Public domain)
Tokyo National Museum: Wiiii / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0 (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Tokyo Skytree: Akonnchiroll / Wikimedia Commons / CC0 (CC0)
Tokyo Tower: Akonnchiroll / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Tsukiji Hongwanji: Kakidai / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Ueno: MaedaAkihiko / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Ueno Park: Guilhem Vellut / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 2.0 (CC BY 2.0)
Ueno Tōshō-gū Shrine: Unkei6hokusai4 / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0 (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Ueno Zoo: Kakidai / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0 (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Yanaka Cemetery: Multa / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0 (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Yoyogi Park: Syced / Wikimedia Commons / CC0 (CC0)
Yushima Tenmangu: Daderot / Wikimedia Commons / CC0 1.0 (CC0 1.0)
Zenpuku-ji: Degueulasse / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 3.0 (CC BY 3.0)
Zōjō-ji: SElefant / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0 (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Nogeyama Zoo: Dddeco / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 2.5 (CC BY 2.5)
Yamashita Park: 外国人 / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 3.0 (CC BY 3.0)
Yokohama Chinatown: Wpcpey / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Ma Zhu Temple: Volfgang / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0 (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Yokohama Marine Tower: Kakidai / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0 (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Yokohama Museum of Art: Wiiii / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0 (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Japan first trip 10 days: Stefan K
Kyoto 3 days: Martin Falbisoner / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Tokyo 3 days: Alex
Osaka 3 days: Jeremy Santana
Fukuoka 3 days: Pontafon / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0 (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Okinawa 3 days: 663highland / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 2.5 (CC BY 2.5)
Hiroshima 3 days: JordyMeow / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0 (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Nagasaki 3 days: Fg2 / Wikimedia Commons / Public domain (Public domain)

Plan a route around Japan

Japan first trip 10 days

10 days

A first Japan route through Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, and Hiroshima with buffers for big city changes.

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Kyoto 3 days

3 days

Nijo Castle and Gion at dusk, Fushimi Inari at dawn, Kiyomizu-dera and Higashiyama, then Arashiyama's bamboo grove and Tenryu-ji.

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Tokyo 3 days

3 days

Senso-ji and Nakamise in Asakusa, Ueno Park and Yanaka, Meiji Jingu, Harajuku, Shibuya and Shinjuku, then the Imperial Palace East Gardens.

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Osaka 3 days

3 days

Nakanoshima and Dotonbori at night, a day in Nara for Todai-ji, the deer and Kasuga-taisha, then Osaka Castle, Shitenno-ji and Shinsekai.

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Fukuoka 3 days

3 days

Kushida Shrine and the Nakasu yatai, a half day in Dazaifu for Tenmangu and the Kyushu National Museum, then Tocho-ji, Shofuku-ji and Ohori Park.

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Okinawa 3 days

3 days

Naminoue Shrine and Kokusai-dori in Naha, a day north to the Churaumi Aquarium and Kouri Island, then Shuri Castle, Tamaudun and Tsuboya.

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Hiroshima 3 days

3 days

A day on Miyajima for Itsukushima Shrine and Daisho-in, then the Peace Memorial Park and Museum, the Atomic Bomb Dome, the castle and Shukkei-en.

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Nagasaki 3 days

3 days

Dejima and Shinchi Chinatown, the Atomic Bomb Museum and Peace Park, Glover Garden, Oura Church and Mount Inasa at night, then Megane Bridge and Sofuku-ji.

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Useful for your visit

Tickets, tours and practical extras for this trip, from Mappu's partners.

Partner links (Airalo, Amazon, Booking.com, GetYourGuide, Klook, Tiqets, Trip.com, Viator, Welcome Pickups): if you book or buy through them, Mappu may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you.

Japan audio guides

Free audio guides in Japan: quick answers

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Destination collections

Audio guides in Japan

Arakurayama Sengen Park

Fujisan Shimomiya Omuro Sengen Shrine

Kawaguchi Asama Shrine

Lake Kawaguchi

Arakura Fuji Sengen Shrine

Dazaifu Tenmangū

Fukuoka Art Museum

Fukuoka Castle

Kushida Shrine

Kyushu National Museum

Nakasu

Ōhori Park

Shōfuku-ji Temple

Sumiyoshi Shrine

Tōchō Temple

Goryōkaku

Hakodate Hachimangu Shrine

Hakodate Park

Hakodate Orthodox Church

Ferry Memorial Ship Mashu-maru

Hakone Open-Air Museum

Onshi Hakone Park

Hakone Shrine

Mount Kami

Okada Museum of Art

Ōwakudani

Kōko-en Garden

Aioi Bridge

Noboricho Catholic Church

Children's Peace Monument

Daishō Temple

Hiroshima Castle

Hiroshima Gokoku Shrine

Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum

Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park

Itsukushima Shrine

Shukkei Garden

Himeji Castle

Kiyomizu-dera

Engaku-ji

Enoshima

Enoshima Sea Candle

Enoshima Shrine

Hase-dera

Hōkoku Temple

Jufuku-ji

Kamakura-Gu Shrine

Kenchō-ji

Kōtoku-in

Tōkei-ji

Tsurugaoka Hachimangū

Yuigahama

Zeniarai Benzaiten Ugafuku Shrine

21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art Kanazawa

D. T. Suzuki Museum

Kanazawa Castle

Kenroku-en

Myōryū-ji Temple

Oyama Shrine

Hikawa Shrine

Kawagoe Castle

Kita-in Temple

Semba Toshogu

Time Bell Tower

Ikuta Shrine

Kobe Port Tower

Meriken Park

Minatogawa Shrine

Nankinmachi

Adashino Nenbutsu-ji Temple

Arashiyama