It’s called the Land of the Rising Sun for a reason. These 5 sunset spots in Japan will completely take your breath away!
5. Sagamihara
Known primarily for its famous vending machine park, Sagamihara is an otherwise unpopular area in Japan’s Kanagawa prefecture, particularly given it’s predominantly a remote industrial area.
However, the further away you are from the city, the closer you are to nature! The mountains at Sagamihara are closer up than in major suburban cities, allowing for a stunning sunset to take place as the sun drops to the mountain peaks.
4. Sewaritei Yodogawa Riverside Park
Yodogawa Riverside Park is a long stretch of land by the Yodogawa River which extends from Kyoto all the way through to Osaka. One region of this massive park is known as Sewaritei (located in Yawata, Kyoto), a scenic spot known for its endless cherry blossom trees along the river during the spring.
Most people head off home before it gets dark, but sticking around for the sunset is quite worthwhile, particularly during the blooming season. Not only do you get a unique ambiance as the sunlight dims on the cherry blossoms, but you also get to witness the perfect sunset as it descends right in between two mountain peaks.
3. Fushimi Inari-Taisha
The Fushimi Inari-Taisha is perhaps Japan’s most popular shrine, known more for its huge crowds of tourists these days rather than its actual beauty. Fear not, for when you embark on the hike up Mt. Inari, the crowds will quickly disperse as you ascend to magnificent views of Kyoto City.
If you time it right, you can view an incredible sunset at the main observatory point as you approach the peak of Mt. Inari. Depending on your pace, it takes about 30 minutes to an hour to arrive at this spot, offering gorgeous views of cities, mountains, and vermilion torii gates.
2. Umeda Sky Building
Osaka’s Umeda Sky Building is known for its observatory point at the top where you get a full view of Osaka Bay and its surrounding cities. Of course, it gets busiest around sunset time as countless visitors (locals and tourists) try to catch the sunset for what is one of the most spectacular views in all of Japan.
The vast open water brilliantly reflects the sunlight to produce an all-encompassing effect of a golden ambiance that takes dominion over Osaka city. I particularly adore the three long bridges that cross over the bay where you can see trains passing along from one port to the other, adding to the overall aesthetic of the view.
1. Mt. Fuji
A very special sunset spot indeed, Mt. Fuji takes the top spot for the best sunset viewing points in Japan. Unlike the other items on this list, getting the perfect Mt. Fuji sunset is a matter of timing and luck, but as they say, value is in rarity.
Your best bet is to visit Lake Kawaguchi during the winter season, as this is the time of year when the mountain is most visible and the sun sets at the earliest time of day (so you don’t need to wait all day for it). Of all the thousands of photos I’ve taken, this Mt. Fuji sunset just speaks “Japan” in a way that is hard to describe.
The water brilliantly reflects the gigantic sun as the mountain stands strong against the ever-changing winds of time, a metaphor for how one should approach life. Indeed, no sunset is quite as majestic and captivating as Mt. Fuji and Lake Kawaguchi on a cool and clear winter’s day!
Of course, if you are planning to visit Japan, you’ll need a way to get around the country as efficiently and affordably as possible. Japan Rail provides an abundance of travel passes to suit your travel needs. So whether you are traveling individually or as a group, the JR Pass is every traveler’s go-to for getting around and making the most of your time in Japan!