8 Recommended Travel Destinations in Japan for 2026

From anniversary events and restored landmarks, to destinations gaining global attention, 2026 is shaping up to be a standout year for a trip to Japan. Here are eight places selected by the Tabiiro editorial team, each with a timely reason to visit, and to experience a different side of Japan.

• Kochi
• Chiba
• Nara
• Osaka
• Hiroshima
• Yamagata
• Toyama
• solo travel
• girls trip
• experience
• Photogenic

A Milestone Year for Japan’s Major Theme Parks

In 2026, two of Japan’s best-known theme parks celebrate their 25th anniversaries: Universal Studios Japan in Osaka and Tokyo DisneySea® in the Tokyo area.
With both celebrations happening in the same year, travelers can choose one park as a highlight or pair both into a theme park-focused Japan itinerary.

Chiba: Tokyo DisneySea® Marks 25 Sparkling Years

Tokyo DisneySea® marks its 25th anniversary with Tokyo DisneySea 25th ""Sparkling Jubilee"", running from April 15, 2026 to March 31, 2027. Inspired by the sea, the event sets ""Jubilee Blue"" as its key color and transforms the park with festive decorations, shimmering lights, and a celebratory atmosphere.
A highlight is ""Sparkling Jubilee Celebration"", an entertainment program with Mickey Mouse and his friends dressed in special 25th anniversary outfits. Limited-time merchandise and special menus round out the celebration, making this a standout year to visit Tokyo DisneySea®.

©Disney
*Information as of February 17. Details are subject to change.
Please check Tokyo Disney Resort's Official Website for the latest information.
Products and menu items may sell out, and prices, details, or other information may change.
▼Inquiries about Tokyo Disney Resort
https://www.tokyodisneyresort.jp/info.html
Tokyo Disney Resort Official Website

Osaka: Universal Studios Japan’s 25th Anniversary Is Now Underway

At Universal Studios Japan in Osaka, 25th Anniversary "Discover U!!!" runs through March 30, 2027. More than a reference to USJ itself, the "U" also points to the visitor, with experiences designed to spark new excitement and reveal unexpected sides of oneself.
The anniversary lineup fills the park with "NO LIMIT! Parade: Discover U!!! Version", ride overlays, movie-car displays, and lively street entertainment featuring popular characters. With 25 years of USJ energy in full swing, there has rarely been a better time for a high-powered Osaka theme park day.
TM & © Universal Studios & Amblin Entertainment
TM & © Universal Studios and U-Drive Joint Venture.
TM & © 2026 Universal Studios. All rights reserved.

Restoration and Renewal: Witnessing History in Japan

In 2026, restoration and renewal make it an especially good time to revisit some of Japan's historic landmarks. From carefully rebuilt landmarks to heritage sites finding new purpose, these destinations highlight the many ways Japan continues to preserve and reinterpret its past.

Okinawa: Shuri Castle’s Seiden Main Hall Nears Its Return

Shuri Castle’s Seiden main hall, destroyed in the 2019 fire, is set to return in the fall of 2026. Once the royal heart of the Ryukyu Kingdom, the castle remains one of Okinawa’s most important cultural symbols. As a result, the hall's return is a major milestone for the islands.
The restoration draws on local materials, traditional techniques, and new research to rebuild the hall for the future, not simply reproduce the past.
For travelers visiting Okinawa in 2026, Shuri Castle offers a chance to experience history, recovery, and living culture in one place.

Nara: A Period Drama Spotlight and a Historic Prison Reborn

Nara gains two timely highlights for a 2026 trip to Japan. In Yamato-Koriyama, the 2026 historical drama (Taiga drama) "Toyotomi Brothers!" is drawing attention to places tied to Toyotomi Hidenaga, the younger brother of Toyotomi Hideyoshi. Visitors can begin at the taiga drama museum before exploring nearby sites such as Koriyama Castle Ruins and Shungakuin Temple, where Hidenaga's tomb is located, for a walk through the area's samurai-era past.
Opening on June 25, 2026, HOSHINOYA Nara Prison transforms the Former Nara Prison, a red-brick Meiji-era Important Cultural Property, into a luxury hotel.
Ahead of the hotel opening, NARA PRISON MUSEUM by Hoshino Resorts opened on April 27, introducing the site’s architecture and history.
Together, these highlights add a new layer to Nara, linking historical drama, landmark architecture, and cultural renewal.

Anniversaries and Milestones: Evolving Destinations and Global Recognition

In 2026, several destinations across Japan are marking major milestones, evolving in new ways, and drawing renewed attention from travelers. Here are two places to keep on your radar for a trip to Japan this year.

Hiroshima: 30 Years Since the Hiroshima Peace Memorial and Itsukushima Shrine Became World Heritage Sites

In 2026, Hiroshima marks 30 years since Hiroshima Peace Memorial and Itsukushima Shrine were inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The anniversary comes just after the 80th year since the atomic bombing, giving a visit to the region added weight and meaning.
The area is also becoming easier to explore. JR Hiroshima Station has been renewed with more places to eat, shop, and start the day, while a new Hiroshima Electric Railway route makes streetcar travel from the station into the city center smoother.
From there, streetcars provide convenient access to Hiroshima Peace Memorial, Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park, and ferry connections toward Miyajima.

Yamagata: Quiet Traditions on National Geographic’s Best of the World List

Yamagata was the only destination in Japan selected for National Geographic's Best of the World 2026 list, earning recognition for its deep-rooted traditions and distinctive outdoor experiences. About 300 km north of Tokyo, the prefecture opens onto a quieter side of Japan, with mountain scenery, hot spring towns, and seasonal festivals all within reach.
Highlights include Zao's snow monsters, the centuries-old stone steps of Yamadera, the nostalgic streets of Ginzan Onsen, and the lively dancing and calls of the Yamagata Hanagasa Festival.
For travelers seeking a slower pace and a stronger connection to local traditions, Yamagata offers experiences that feel both timeless and distinctly its own.

Editor's Picks: Fresh Discoveries for Well-Traveled Visitors

Toyama: Water, Craft, and a City Chosen by The New York Times

Toyama earned a place on The New York Times’ "52 Places to Go in 2025" list, giving travelers looking beyond the usual Japan itinerary another reason to consider the region. Set between the Japanese Alps and the Sea of Japan, the area is shaped by clear water, exceptional seafood, and craft traditions passed down through generations.
A good place to start is Toyama Bay Sushi. Made with seafood from Toyama Bay, locally grown rice, and a regional-style soup, it brings the region’s sea, water, and rice into a single meal.
That same natural environment has also supported a rich craft culture, from Takaoka copperware, with more than 400 years of history, to Inami wood carving, used in architectural decoration and admired as fine art.
For travelers seeking a quieter side of Japan, Toyama offers a blend of nature, craftsmanship, and local food culture that rewards a closer look.

Why Does Kochi Feel Different? Markets, Okyaku Culture, and Straw-Seared Tuna

Kochi is known for wild Pacific scenery, bright citrus, famous straw-seared tuna, and a warm local culture that comes through in its markets and food traditions.Street markets, straw-seared tuna, and okyaku, Kochi's tradition of communal dining and celebration, make the city feel easy to step into, with local flavors and warm exchanges close at hand.
Kochi’s street market is one of Japan’s largest open-air markets, stretching about 1km with around 500 stalls. Local vegetables, citrus fruit, everyday goods and crafts line the street, while casual exchanges with growers and makers give the morning browse a warm, local feel.
Straw-seared skipjack tuna is another Kochi signature. The fish is cooked quickly over burning straw, leaving the outside smoky and the center tender and clean-tasting, with the flame and aroma becoming part of the experience.
At the heart of Kochi's social side is okyaku, a long-standing custom of sharing food, drinks, and conversation with others. The tradition reflects the city's welcoming atmosphere and helps explain why visitors often find Kochi especially approachable.
Together, these experiences offer a glimpse of a destination where local culture is not only preserved but actively shared.

Catch Japan at a Remarkable Moment

From major anniversaries and restored landmarks to new openings and globally recognized destinations, 2026 brings together a range of experiences that won't come around every year.
Popular destinations and key travel periods are likely to be busy, so planning ahead is recommended. Whether you're drawn by history, culture, food, or new discoveries, this is a year to experience Japan at a particularly memorable moment.