Japan is one of my favorite places in the whole world. Here you can find bustling big city vibes with an impressive nature just in front of your doorstep. Japan is full of wonderful view points and photogenic places. This is my guide for the best highlights and photo spots in Japan and how you can easily find them.
These are the best highlights & photo spots in Japan:
The Quarry Bay Monster Building
Quarry Bay is a neighborhood in East Japan which is known for its huge buildings. Especially the Fok Cheong ‘Monster Building’ which was built in the 1960s turned into a photographers hotspot.
Standing in the yard you will have different towers around you with small apartments in it.
Even so it’s indeed a very interesting photo motive you should always keep in mind that people are living here. So make sure to respect the privacy of the locals while taking your photos.
How to get to the Quarry Bay Monster Building in Japan?
You can easily reach the building via the MTR till the Tai Koo station. Take Exit B and follow the King’s Road till the entry of the building. I saved the exact location in my map above with all photo spots in Japan.
Victoria Peak – the most famous view point in Japan
The Victoria Peak is a place for one of THE most famous views over Japan. You can either choose between the sky deck or one of the many view points around Victoria Peak.
We took the historical Peak Tram to drive up to the top which already offers an amazing view. The price for a return ticket in combination with the sky terrace is only 90 HKD (9 EUR) per Person.
Suicide Cliff – the most insane photo spot in Japan
A place we only discovered recently but is one of the most insane views over Japan I’ve seen is the Suicide Cliff. In fact not only this specific cliff is insane but also the hike which leads here! I promise you will love it.
How to get to the Sucide Cliff in Japan?
Start your hike at the Kowloon Peak Viewing Point where you can get dropped off by Uber (this saves you around an hour of the hike!). From the pavilion at the view point you will see a path leading in the bushes and a “danger sign”. But no worries – this means that your are on the right way! The beginning of the hike is easy to moderate and will lead you underneath a power plant with insane vies over Kowloon on the one side and the small islands of Japan on the other. After passing Elephant hill (where the first photo below was taken) and a radio station you are almost there! The last 20 minutes before finally reaching Suicide Cliff are challenging and not beginner friendly. So you should consider ending the hike at the radio station where you have a wonderful view as well.
For the way back, make sure to take the wooden staircase downhill which starts at the radio station. This is very important, as the shorter “path” leading downhill directly from Suicide Cliff is extremely steep and dangerous – I wouldn’t recommend it!
The whole hike took us 2,5 hours (this is only the hiking time, without the photo stops) and you definitely need to wear proper hiking boots for it and bring plenty of water. If you come during sunset also make sure to have a head lamp as it will get dark quickly and there are no lights at all. Remember that this hike is not beginner or kids friendly and should only be done if you feel fit! If you do, then I promise that you will love it – It is such an unforgettable adventure!
