Why is Japan so obsessed with the number three?
It shows up in temples, gardens, scenic spots, even in food.
And it is not by chance.
Across the country, Japan groups many of its top attractions into sets of three.
Locals and travellers alike use these lists to figure out what is truly worth seeing.
Some lists are centuries old.
Others spark endless debate.
But together, they give you a shortcut to some of Japan’s most powerful cultural and natural highlights.
From giant Buddha statues to towering pagodas, this guide shows how the number three can shape your trip and help you experience the best of Japan.
Cultural & Historic Sites: Japan’s Top 3 Experiences
Japan’s history and culture often highlight groups of three.
Japan’s Three Great Buddha Statues: Giants of Faith and Art
In Japan, from the Edo era (1603-1868), there is a group known as the Three Great Buddhas.
These statues are some of the most important in the country.
These massive sculptures represent centuries of religious devotion and artistic skill.
The Great Buddhas of Nara and Kamakura in the west and east of Japan are both impressive, although the former is considerably larger.
The third statue in this famous group is often debated among scholars and tourists.
Nara Daibutsu (Todai-ji, Nara)
Journey to Todai-ji Temple in Nara to see Japan’s most famous Great Buddha.
This bronze statue is one of Japan’s largest and most important.
At a height of over 15 meters, the Daibutsu or Great Buddha is the symbol of the Nara era.
It sits inside the Daibutsuden Hall, which is the world’s largest wooden building.
You will feel tiny next to this ancient, powerful figure.
Deer roam freely in the park nearby, and you can even feed them.
The statue was completed in 752 AD and remains a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Kamakura Daibutsu (Kamakura, Kanagawa)
Head to Kotoku-in Temple in Kamakura to see a famous outdoor bronze Buddha statue.
Including the base, it measures 13.35 metres (43.8 ft) tall and weighs approximately 93 tonnes (103 tons).
It sits peacefully in the open air, having survived tsunamis and earthquakes for over 700 years.
Since 1498 it has stood, implacable, the venerable symbol of Kamakura.
You can even go inside the statue for a small fee, which offers a unique perspective on this masterpiece.
The Third Buddha Statue
The third statue in Japan’s Great Buddha trio is often debated.
Some experts say it is Ushiku Daibutsu in Ibaraki, which is actually taller than the Statue of Liberty.
You can climb inside it and enjoy views from its observation deck.
Others mention Takaoka Daibutsu in Toyama or various other large Buddha statues around Japan.
Each offers a grand scale and a sense of peace that makes them worthy candidates for this honored list.
Japan’s Three Great Views: Nature’s Most Beautiful
In 1643, Hayashi Goto, a Confucian scholar, named three sights as Japan’s most beautiful views.
They are Amanohashidate, Matsushima, and Miyajima.
These three locations showcase Japan’s natural beauty in different ways.
All three are designated Special Places of Scenic Beauty by the Japanese government.
For nearly 400 years, people have traveled from across Japan to see these amazing landscapes.
If you love nature, consider these as Japan’s top 3 experiences.
Matsushima (Miyagi)
Visit this bay filled with over 260 pine-covered islands near Sendai.
The name literally means “Pine Islands,” and the view is especially beautiful at sunrise and sunset.
You can take boat cruises between the islands or visit temples perched on some of the larger ones.
The dark green pines and blue water create a peaceful, magical scene.
This beauty has inspired poets for centuries.
Amanohashidate (Kyoto)
See this natural sandbar that stretches across Miyazu Bay like a bridge in the sky.
The name means “Bridge to Heaven,” and locals say if you bend over and look at it upside down between your legs, it looks like a dragon flying across the sky.
The sandbar is about 3.6 kilometers long and covered with around 8,000 pine trees.
You can walk or bike across it, or take a cable car up nearby mountains for the best views.
Miyajima (Hiroshima)
Experience the famous floating torii gate of Itsukushima Shrine, which appears to float on water during high tide.
The bright orange gate stands 16 meters tall and is made of camphor wood.
At low tide, you can walk out to touch it, but the most magical views come when it reflects in the calm water.
The island is also home to friendly deer and beautiful hiking trails up Mount Misen.
Japan’s Three Great Gardens: Masterpieces of Landscape Design
These three gardens represent the height of Japanese landscape design.
Powerful families created each garden hundreds of years ago.
They show different styles of traditional Japanese gardening.
They demonstrate the Japanese principles of harmony, balance, and seasonal beauty.
Garden designers took years to perfect every view, stone placement, and plant choice.
They aimed to create these beautiful living works of art.
Kenroku-en (Kanazawa)
This garden is considered one of Japan’s most perfect examples of landscape design.
The name means “Garden of Six Attributes.”
It highlights six qualities of a perfect garden:
- Spaciousness
- Seclusion
- Artifice
- Antiquity
- Water features
- Panoramic views
You will find carefully placed ponds, hills, and tea houses that look stunning in every season.
Look for the famous two-legged Kotoji-toro lantern, which has become a symbol of both the garden and Kanazawa city.
Kōraku-en (Okayama)
Explore this vast garden that was created in 1700 for the ruling Ikeda family.
It covers 13 hectares and offers wide lawns, a large central pond, and traditional tea ceremony houses.
The garden is famous for its views of nearby Okayama Castle, which creates a perfect backdrop for photos.
This Japanese garden is different.
It has large open spaces where feudal lords used to enjoy archery and horseback riding.
Kairaku-en (Mito)
This garden is most famous for its incredible display of plum trees.
Over 3,000 plum trees of 100 different varieties bloom here from late February to early April, creating a sea of white, pink, and red flowers.
The garden was made in 1841.
It allows common people to enjoy nature with the ruling class.
This made it one of Japan’s first public parks.
Visit during the plum blossom festival.
Visit food stalls, watch traditional performances, and enjoy the sweet scent of blooming trees.
Nature & Scenery: Threefold Beauty of the Japanese Landscape
Japan’s diverse natural beauty often comes in threes.
Prepare to be amazed by these stunning sights that showcase the incredible variety of landscapes in the country.
Japan’s Three Most Famous Waterfalls: Power and Beauty Combined
These three waterfalls represent the awesome power of nature in Japan.
Each offers a different type of beauty, from towering single drops to multi-tiered cascades.
For centuries, Japanese people have come to these falls.
They appreciate the beauty and seek spiritual peace.
Rushing water, mist, and nearby forests create magical experiences.
These experiences change with each season.
Nachi Falls (Wakayama)
See this dramatic waterfall that drops 133 meters in a single, powerful stream.
This waterfall is special because of the bright red three-story pagoda nearby.
It creates one of the most photographed scenes in Japan.
The waterfall is considered sacred in the Shinto religion, and people have worshipped here for over 1,400 years.
You can feel the spray and hear the thunderous roar of the water, especially during Japan’s rainy season when the flow is strongest.
Kegon Falls (Tochigi)
These powerful falls near Nikko drop 97 meters into a deep basin surrounded by volcanic rock.
You can take an elevator down to a viewing platform that brings you close to the base of the falls.
The water comes from Lake Chuzenji above, and in autumn the surrounding maple trees create a stunning display of red and gold colors.
In winter, the falls can freeze into stunning ice shapes.
However, the main flow usually runs all year.
Fukuroda Falls (Ibaraki)
This multi-tiered waterfall falls around 120 meters.
It has four levels, so it’s called “Four-Degree Falls.”
You can see the falls from different platforms and decks, each giving a unique view.
The surrounding forest provides a peaceful setting for hiking and nature photography.
Japan’s Three Great Cherry Blossom Spots: Spring’s Most Beautiful Celebration
Cherry blossom season, or sakura, is Japan’s most celebrated time of year.
These three locations offer some of the most spectacular cherry blossom viewing in the entire country.
Each spot has thousands of trees that bloom for just a few weeks each spring, creating temporary wonderlands of pink and white flowers.
The tradition of viewing cherry blossoms goes back over 1,000 years and represents the beauty and brief nature of life.
Hirosaki Castle (Aomori)
Experience beautiful cherry blossoms near this historic castle. Here, more than 2,600 cherry trees, with 52 different types, put on a stunning show.
The castle grounds feature a moat filled with pink petals.
This creates a lovely floating carpet of flowers.
Visitors can paddle through it in rental boats.
The cherry blossoms here bloom later than in most of Japan.
They usually appear in late April or early May.
This timing is great for those who missed the earlier season in other places.
Mt. Yoshino (Nara)
Visit one of Japan’s top cherry blossom spots.
Here, about 30,000 cherry trees bloom across the mountainside in four unique areas.
The mountain has been a sacred Buddhist and Shinto site for over 1,300 years, and pilgrims planted most of these trees as offerings.
The blossoms bloom at different times depending on elevation, so the flowering season lasts for several weeks.
You can hike through different levels of the mountain, each offering breathtaking views of pink blossoms stretching as far as you can see.
Takato Castle Ruins Park (Nagano)
This park is known for its unique Takato-kohigan cherry trees.
They have smaller and deeper pink blossoms than regular cherry trees.
Over 1,500 of these special trees create a beautiful pink cloud across the former castle grounds.
The trees only exist in this area of Japan, making the experience truly unique.
The pink blossoms stand out against the Japanese Alps.
This creates stunning spring photography chances in Japan.
Japan’s Three Great Onsen Towns: Healing Waters and Traditional Culture
These three hot spring towns showcase the best of Japan’s onsen culture.
Onsen has been a key part of Japanese life for over 1,000 years.
Each town provides naturally heated mineral waters that many believe have healing properties for both body and mind.
Arima Onsen (Hyogo)
This is one of Japan’s oldest and most prestigious hot spring resorts, with a history stretching back over 1,300 years.
People know the town for two kinds of mineral water.
The first is “golden water.”
It’s rich in iron and salt, giving it a reddish-brown color.
The second is “silver water.”
This type is clear and has radium and carbonic acid.
Arima is just 30 minutes from Kobe.
It features traditional ryokan inns, charming narrow streets, and great local food.
The mineral-rich waters are said to help with muscle pain, skin problems, and stress.
Kusatsu Onsen (Gunma)
Known for having some of the most acidic hot spring water in Japan, Kusatsu’s waters are so strong they can kill bacteria naturally.
The town is known for its “Yumomi” performance.
Here, people use large wooden paddles to cool down very hot water.
They also sing traditional songs during the event.
You can watch these shows several times a day and even try the paddle technique yourself.
The town also offers public foot baths where you can soak your feet while exploring the streets.
Gero Onsen (Gifu)
This hot spring town is famous for its incredibly smooth, silky water that people say makes your skin feel like silk after bathing.
People with sensitive skin find the alkaline waters perfect, and many consider them some of the gentlest hot spring waters in Japan.
The town sits in a beautiful valley surrounded by mountains, offering stunning scenery year-round.
Many of the traditional inns have outdoor baths where you can soak while enjoying views of the Hida River and surrounding forests.
Night Views & Skylines: Three Cities That Sparkle
Explore Japan’s stunning city views.
At night, these landscapes become sparkling wonderlands.
These ranked night views show how Japan’s cities mix nature and modern buildings.
The result is some of the world’s most stunning urban sights.
Japan’s New Three Great Night Views: Modern Beauty Under the Stars
The Night View Summit ranks cities every few years.
This group of tourism experts looks at beauty, accessibility, and the overall experience of night views.
Japan’s city rankings show how they have enhanced their nighttime charm.
They use smart lighting, observation decks, and scenic planning.
Kitakyushu (Fukuoka)
Take in stunning night views from Mount Sarakura.
You’ll see a 360-degree view of the city lights below.
aTke the cable car and ropeway system up the mountain for easy access to observation decks.
The view is often called a “10 Million Dollar Night View” because of how the city lights sparkle like jewels.
The industrial areas make cool light patterns.
The coastline brings natural beauty to the city.
Yokohama (Kanagawa)
See Japan’s most modern skyline sparkling around the famous Minato Mirai 21 district.
The giant Ferris wheel, tall skyscrapers, and harbor bridges create a futuristic scene that looks like something from a movie.
You can enjoy the views from observation decks, harbor cruises, or waterfront restaurants.
The reflection of the lights in Tokyo Bay doubles the beauty, and the nearby Tokyo skyline adds even more sparkle to the horizon.
Nagasaki (Nagasaki)
Witness stunning harbor views from Mount Inasa, where the city lights curve around the natural bay in a perfect crescent shape.
Take the ropeway up to the observation deck for one of Japan’s most romantic night views.
The mountains form a natural amphitheater around the city lights.
The harbor adds reflections, making the scene even more magical.
The view changes throughout the evening as different types of lights come on across the city.
Three More Unique Perspectives
While not as well known in relation to the Japan’s top 3 experiences, we added one more for you,.
Japan’s Three Historic Post Towns: Windows to the Edo Period
These three towns show what travel was like during Japan’s Edo period (1603-1868).
Back then, people had to walk everywhere on mountain roads that connected big cities.
Each town was a place where travelers, merchants, and government workers could stay overnight.
Today, you can visit these towns and see how Japanese people lived hundreds of years ago.
Tsumago-juku: A Perfect Time Capsule
This completely preserved Edo-period post town makes you feel like you have stepped back in time 400 years.
Cars can’t drive on the main street during the day.
This lets you walk the same wooden-sided streets that samurai and merchants walked centuries ago.
Traditional inns, shops, and restaurants still use old methods.
Local residents also care for their buildings with traditional techniques and materials.
Magome-juku: Mountain Views and Historic Trails
This charming post town sits on a hillside with beautiful views of the surrounding mountains and valleys.
The main street, paved with stone, rises past old wooden buildings.
These buildings now hold museums, shops, and restaurants.
You can hike the 8-kilometer trail from Magome to Tsumago.
This path winds through forests and small villages.
It follows the same route that travelers used during the Edo period.
The hike takes about 3 hours and offers stunning mountain scenery.
Narai-juku: The Longest and Most Prosperous
Known as the longest of the old post towns, Narai-juku stretches for nearly a kilometer along the old highway.
During the Edo period, it was one of the most successful post towns because of its location and the high quality of its wooden combs and lacquerware.
Many traditional buildings now serve as museums, craft shops, and inns.
You can sleep on tatami mats and enjoy traditional Japanese meals there.
Wrapping it Up
In Japan, the number three means more than just a digit.
It helps organize and celebrate the country’s most important and beautiful spots.
These “Top Three” lists show what Japanese people find most valuable in their culture, nature, and traditions.
Some lists are recognized by the government or cultural groups.
Others formed through years of popular opinion and debate.
What they all share is the Japanese appreciation for excellence, beauty, and cultural significance.
Use these groupings of Japan’s top 3 experiences as your guide to explore the incredible diversity of the country.
No matter if you love ancient temples, natural wonders, festivals, or city views, the “rule of three” will guide you to Japan’s best experiences.
Which trio will you explore first?
Start planning your Japanese adventure today and discover the power of three for yourself!
