Top 10 Readers’ Photos: July in Japan

From the cracking open sea urchin in Hokkaido to the depths of great wonders of Yakushima, here are the highlights of where our readers traveled in July!

Every month, we’re selecting our favorite travel images from readers to help showcase and discover new ground in Japan’s vast landscapes and cityscapes. Tag your photo on Instagram or Twitter with #GaijinPotTravel for a chance to be featured on our site.

1. Turquoise waters of Nishiizu, Shizuoka.

This is my first time really exploring Izu, and what surprised me the most were the pristine, turquoise waters! The fish, coral and rock formations make it a great place to snorkel and explore. It made me happy to know that despite being so close to the enormous Tokyo metropolis, this place is fairly void of human interference. ・ #PPEco @passionpassport #nishiizu #kumomi #matsuzaki #izu #shizuoka #sea #underwater #igersjp #japan_daytime_view #japan_of_insta #gaijinpottravel #lovers_nippon #team_jp_ #lpfanphoto #wonderful_places #beautifuldestinations #tlpicks #travelanddestinations #visitjapanjp #visitjapanau #exploringjapan #海 #綺麗 #雲見 #西伊豆 #伊豆 #静岡

A post shared by Celia Knox (@celiaintokyo) on Jul 14, 2018 at 7:45pm PDT

2. Wall of lights at Mitama Matsuri at Yasukuni Shrine.

「The Mitama Matsuri」 To say that the Mitama Matsuri which occurred this past weekend was crowded, would be an understatement. This was taken halfway through the path that leads to Yasukuni Shrine where you could find even more beautiful displays of lanterns. ??? . . . . #frameoftravel #tokyo #pixelandlens #靖国神社 #祭 #lantern #lanterns #lanternfestival #roamtheplanet #festivals #japaneseculture #seemycity #jrailpass #japantravel #_photo_japan_ #ig_japan #pics_jp #ig_daily #夏 #explorejapan #explorejpn #tokyotouristinfo #gaijinpottravel #aestheticshot #JapanFocus #traveljapan #starrysky #travelphotographer #exploretokyo #loversnippon

A post shared by Frame of Travel (@frameoftravel) on Jul 18, 2018 at 1:22am PDT

3. GaijinPot Travel Hokkaido Trip Giveaway winners Ana and Hugo tasting the freshest sea urchin!

Another great day in northern Japan and we’ve seen more active volcanos, enjoyed fresh sea urchin, local scallops and fresh cheese! We’re now in a cozy traditional Japanese style hotel (Ryokan) and we don’t miss home at all lol… thanks again to @gaijinpot and @hokkaidotreasureisland for this amazing experience! Em nosso segundo dia em Hokkaido, vimos mais um vulcão ativo, abrimos ouriços, comemos vieiras e queijo frescos direto da fazenda! Estamos agora em um hotel tradicional japonês, sem querer voltar pra casa kkkkk #gaijinpot #GaijinPotTravel #HTIT #hokkaido #ouriço #vieiras #canalmuitojapao

A post shared by Muito Japão (@muito_japao) on Jul 20, 2018 at 5:59am PDT

4. They don’t call it the Japanese Alps for nothin’ at Mount Yarigatake in Nagano.

Sunrise in the Japanese Alps ? ⛰

A post shared by Nicolas (@twirlymap) on Jul 25, 2018 at 9:28pm PDT

5. Fuji season! (at Mount Fuji, duh!)

Just beautiful #naturephotography #foodblogger #foodlover #travel #travelgram #travelpics #traveldaily #travelphotography #travelblogger #igtravel #naturelovers #nature #gay #lifestyle #life #iphone #iphonephotos #iphonephotography #iphoneography #gaijinpottravel #instalike #japan #theworldguru #iamtb #travelpics #rain #pinoy #instagram #sunrise #mountains #climbing

A post shared by AljimClaronino (@aljimpot) on Jul 27, 2018 at 7:59am PDT

6. Kakigori overkill? In Ginza, Tokyo.

Best way to stay cool in this hot summer: Camembert kakigori; Mango passion coconut kakigori and strawberry kakigori with ginger milk #instajapan #igersjp #ig_japan #instagramjapan #igersjapan #fujixseries #富士フイルム #fujifilmasia #fujifilm #fujifilmxseriesjapan #fujifilmxseries #fujifilm_xseriescommunity #pics_jp #everydayjapan #日本 #xf35 #gaijinpottravel #japan #japantrip #savvytokyo

A post shared by Carlos Kato (@chkato) on Jul 30, 2018 at 3:59am PDT

7. Borderless exhibitions are just pure amazement. In Odaiba, Tokyo.

Selfieeeeee #teamlabborderless #tokyo #summer #japan #travel #wanderlust #passionpassport #iphone #japantravel #japan_of_insta #wu_japan #lovers_nippon #tokyocameraclub #japan_daytime_view #igersjp #voyaged #explorejapan #beautifuldestinations #cntraveler #starttheadventure #gaijinpottravel #japantravel #daily_photo_jpn #team_jp_ #japan_of_insta #travelholic #teamlab

A post shared by Jayson (@chikfeir) on Aug 11, 2018 at 5:14am PDT

8. It’s too hot to happily do anything else. #BeachDay at Fuzuzamami Beach, Okinawa.

Day 3 of the #litokinawafaves photo challenge! Today’s prompt is ‘BEACH’ and I wanted to highlight a new fave. . Back in May my lovely husband, friend and I spent 3 days in the Keramas. I was so happy to finally be able to explore Zamami Island!! I kind of want to go back to stay the night! . Furuzamami Beach is located on the east side of the island and is part of the Kerama National Park. As always I couldn’t believe my eyes when we walked down the wooden deck and saw the empty beach!! . The sand is soft (a huge deal since most Oki beaches are full of coral) and the water is all shades of turquoise! No wonder they call it #keramablue! ? . Fun fact: it was awarded a ⭐️⭐️ rating by the Michelin Green Guide. It is a must visit for those who enjoy snorkeling or just the beach like myself! . Have you been to Zamami Island? To the Keramas? If not, tell me which is your favorite Oki beach? . . . . . #沖縄 #沖縄ライフ #座間味 #kerama #keramas #keramaislands #zamami #zamamiisland #furuzamamibeach #eastchinasea #summerinjapan #beokinawa #visitokinawa #visitjapanjp #kadenafss #okinawaliving #permissioncfj #japanawaits #gaijinpottravel #japanbeach #okilivingmag

A post shared by Laura (ラウラ) | Okinawa (沖縄) (@littleislandtakara) on Jul 2, 2018 at 5:39pm PDT

9. The unmissable Yakushima. ?

One of my favorite trees in Yakushima, Nanahonsugi is over a thousand years old! (raindrop smacked my phone at the end) Mononoke Hime no Mori "Princess Mononoke Forest" Yakushima, Kagoshima #nofilter #yakushima #kagoshima #japan #nihon #forest #ghibli #flowers #princessmononoke #mononoke #miyazaki #moss #green #gaijinpottravel #japanese #nature #wild #japantravel #japan_of_insta #日本 #鹿児島 #屋久島

A post shared by Unfiltered Japan (@unfilteredjapan) on Jul 17, 2018 at 9:30pm PDT

10. I see you… at Otagi Nenbutsu-ji Temple, Kyoto.

I never get tired of exploring temples. We've learned through time that touristy places are just that for a reason; they're beautiful and full of history. So we endure the crowds and do the touristy stuff but I always throw in a location that's off the beaten path and super unique. Otagi Nenbutsu-ji temple is just outside of the business of the Arashiyama area in Kyoto. This temple has over 1,200 hand carved statues of Rakan (known as the disciples Shaka, the founder of buddhism.) . . . . . #arashiyama #otaginenbutsuji #templehopping #buddhism #rakan #kyoto #japan #traveljapan #gaijinpottravel #explorejapan #livingabroad #wanderlust #familytravel #explorers #familyadventures #adventuringwithkids #ilovekyoto

A post shared by Jenny Alden (@jennyaalden) on Jul 15, 2018 at 7:24pm PDT