These 7 Places In America Look Like They've Been Airlifted Over From Japan (2024)

Traveling to Japan is like stepping into a world where ancient traditions harmoniously coexist with modern culture. The serene temples and shrines of Kyoto are a stark contrast to the bustling city of Tokyo, yet both provide unique experiences that together capture the essence of Japan. But it isn't necessary to travel to Japan to experience its essence.

Sure, Japan is on most people's travel bucket list, but if you can't make the trip just yet, consider some of these Japanese-inspired destinations in the United States. These places in America look like they've been airlifted over from Japan, offering a taste of Japanese culture, architecture, serenity, and natural beauty without leaving the country.

7 Shoji Spa And Retreat, Asheville, North Carolina

Japanese therapy in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains

You don't need to travel all the way to Japan to experience a traditional Japanese spa if there are some amazing Kyoto Onsen Ryokans you should try right here in America. Shoji Spa and Retreat in Asheville, North Carolina, is a Japanese-inspired wellness retreat that offers a full immersion into Japanese culture right in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

With its secluded setting, Shoji’s emphasis on relaxation combined with Japanese cultural aesthetics like shoji screens and bamboo accents, makes visitors feel like they have been transported to a traditional Japanese spa.

The Spa features Japanese-style outdoor hot tubs, saunas, and baths where visitors can soak in the mineral-rich waters while surrounded by the beautiful Appalachian Mountains.

They offer Japanese-inspired therapies, including Aromatherapy and shiatsu massage, designed to create a meditative environment in a peaceful setting for those looking to relax and reconnect with nature. And after a day of relaxation, stay at one of their rustic lodging options and enjoy a peaceful night's sleep in this little slice of Japan in the forest.

6 The Japanese Garden, Portland, Oregon

The Japan of Oregon

The Japanese Garden in Portland, Oregon is considered one of the most authentic Japanese gardens outside of Japan. Celebrated for its beauty and immersive experience, it offers visitors a serene escape with stunning views of Mount Hood while staying true to the integrity of Japanese garden traditions.

The "Japan of Oregon" is best in the fall when its vibrant foliage comes to life. Some unique things you'll see at the Portland Japanese Garden include a variety of garden styles, such as the Strolling Pond Garden, Tea Garden, and Flat Garden, each showcasing meticulously pruned bonsai trees and koi ponds.

Visitors can participate in Japanese tea ceremonies and calligraphy workshops, or just sit in silence, soaking in the serene ambiance of this tranquil space that feels as though it has been transported directly from Japan.

5 Ten Thousand Waves Spa And Resort, Santa Fe, New Mexico

Escape and recharge while embracing the healing traditions of Japan

Nestled into the mountainside and designed to resemble the tranquil, rustic atmosphere of an onsen village in Japan, Ten Thousand Waves Spa and Resort in Santa Fe, New Mexico offers a full immersion into Japanese culture. With its private hot tub suites, shiatsu massage and skincare therapy, dining at their Izakaya restaurant, and stunning surroundings, visitors can experience the healing traditions of Japan’s wellness culture without actually traveling there.

Open since 1981, the resort is a top attraction in Santa Fe, offering a full immersion experience into Japan’s culture through its Japanese-style architecture, stone pathways, and serene gardens. The resort’s immersive Japanese design, relaxation therapies, and stunning surroundings make it a perfect destination to escape and recharge while embracing the healing traditions of Japan.

4 Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, Missouri

Garden of pure, clear harmony, and peace

The Missouri Botanical Garden in St. Louis has one of the most breathtaking Japanese gardens in the U.S. The focal point, the Seiwa-en Garden, meaning the "garden of pure, clear harmony and peace", showcases a vast array of global plants and is one of the largest Japanese gardens in America.

The garden is a comprehensive and immersive destination that displays traditional Japanese design, featuring a Japanese Teahouse, Zen garden and bamboo grove with koi ponds, stone lanterns, and winding pathways.

Japanese festivals and tea ceremonies help to provide a surprising full Japanese cultural immersion experience in the middle of the city in America that is known as the Gateway to the West.

3 Morikami Museum And Japanese Gardens, Delray Beach, Florida

A century-old connection between Japan and South Florida

The Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens in Delray Beach, Florida celebrates a century-old connection between Japan and South Florida, as a group of young Japanese farmers created a community intending to revolutionize agriculture in Florida. Morikami offers a full immersion experience into Japanese culture through its beautiful gardens and museum.

The museum features a range of art, historical displays, Japanese artifacts and exhibits. Exhibits like the Musha-Ningyo: Avatars of the Samurai Spirit, and its display of traditional Japanese dolls, celebrate the wisdom and strength of children inspired by Kodomo no Hi—Children’s Day. The museum also hosts cultural events and workshops, offering hands-on experiences that further enrich visitors' connection to Japanese culture.

Visitors looking to connect with Japan can deepen their understanding of Japanese history and enjoy the beautifully curated, tranquil gardens. The six distinct gardens, or Roji-en, were designed as a living exhibit, extending the museum's experience into the outdoors.

2 Byodo-In Temple, Oahu, Hawaii

Best kept secret in Hawaii

The Byodo'In Temple on the island of Oahu in Hawaii is the epitome of a place in America that looks like it's been airlifted over from Japan. The replica of the 900-year-old Buddhist temple in Uji, Japan, sits in the Valley of the Temples Memorial Park at the foot of the Ko’olau Mountains near the town of Kane’ohe.

The temple's intricate woodwork, phoenix-shaped roof, and large Amida Budda statue, display the profound influence of Japanese culture in this spiritual place. Visitors are swept away to Japan with customs like ringing the temple bell for good luck, exploring the peaceful Japanese gardens, koi ponds, and mediation areas, and taking in the breathtaking surroundings in the best kept secret in Hawaii.

1 Japanese Tea Garden, San Francisco, California

A peaceful contrast to urban energy

Located in the heart of Golden Gate Park in San Francisco, The Japanese Tea Garden offers authentic Japanese landscaping and beautiful architecture. The iconic pagoda transports visitors directly to Japan, while the traditional tea house invites guests to enjoy matcha or participate in a traditional tea ceremony, enhancing the garden’s immersive experience.

As the oldest public Japanese garden in America, the garden is known for its peaceful atmosphere, providing a serene escape from the urban energy of San Francisco.

Its tranquil beauty and cultural richness make it a must-visit destination for those seeking a moment of calm and a deeper connection to Japan's rich heritage. With its meticulous design and attention to detail, the garden truly feels as though it has been airlifted straight from Japan.